It is proposed to take business in the following order: Nos. 2, 3, 4, 12, 8, 16, 17, 18, 15, 19 (resumed), 14, 20, 21 and 22. By agreement, business will not be interrupted for Private Members' Business this week. Also by agreement, it is proposed that the House will sit until 10 p.m. today, Wednesday and Thursday. There will be no sos on Wednesday and the House will sit on Friday from 10.30 a.m. until 4 p.m.
Order of Business.
We on this side of the House will do nothing to obstruct business but it seems highly improbable that any normal debate we intend to have on the many items listed by the Taoiseach can be completed by tomorrow evening in time to allow the Adjournment Debate to take place. If that happens what are the Taoiseach's proposals for meeting next week in view of the referenda? Arising from that, in relation to the referenda, what steps does the Taoiseach propose to take to alert public opinion to the fact that it is happening and to ensure that the proposals put forward are given every consideration to ensure their adoption by the Irish people?
If the business is not finished this week we will continue in the ordinary way next week and, and if necessary, the week after. As far as the bringing of the importance of the referenda to the notice of the people is concerned, arrangements have been made with the RTE Authority to have a series of television and radio broadcasts. Arrangements are also being made for the insertion of advertisements in the national press over the weekend and in the early days of next week. Furthermore, informative leaflets will be distributed over the weekend and during next week. By and large the public will have the opportunity of knowing what the issues are. As far as individual parties are concerned, I expect they will use their own organisations to encourage people to vote and to vote in whatever way they suggest.
With regard to television and radio, can the Taoiseach say whether it is envisaged that there will be political broadcasts to enable the different parties to present their viewpoints?
If that is their intention.
That would be one of the more potent factors in ensuring that there will be a reasonable vote on the occasion. Does the Taoiseach agree it would be undesirable for the Dáil to meet on Thursday next?
I do.
How are the leaflets being distributed?
We will have factual leaflets printed and they will be available on Thursday. As far as our Deputies are concerned they will be taken to their various constituencies for distribution by the local organisations.
What is the text of the leaflet?
I understand the Minister for Justice was in touch with each of the Opposition parties.
About the text?
As far as we are concerned, we will be publishing our text.
Is it the Government or the Fianna Fáil Party?
It will be a Government text and will be purely factual. There will be no admonitions or anything like that, except to vote.
Could we clarify the point about consultation on the text?
I am sorry the Minister is not here.
He is here.
There is a question on the Order Paper for me on what I will be doing on the adoption referendum. The Government Information Service is providing a statement of fact on what the issue is. It is non-political. It will be available for distribution or collection from the Government Information Service. It is a publication on behalf of the Government. I had hoped to have full discussions with Members of the other two parties. I mentioned it to the Labour Party Whip briefly last week. I was not able to talk to the Fine Gael Party Whip. It is not controversial and is coming through the Government Information Service for anyone who wants it or wants to help distribute it.
If the Taoiseach understood there was to be consultation, consultation should have taken place. We are not totally uncontactable.
I would be very glad if I could meet the Whips, talk to them and help them in any way we can.
It seems very late.
Arrangements seem already made.
(Interruptions.)
Is it the Government's intention to adjourn for the Summer Recess this week?
I have just dealt with that in reply to Deputy FitzGerald.
I did not hear the exchange.
The Deputy was present.
I am not denying I was physically present; what I am saying is, I did not hear.
Deputy FitzGerald asked me, having regard to the volume of business before the House that it is desired to complete before the Recess, if it is not completed what the proposals would be. I said we proposed to sit in the ordinary way next week and, if necessary, the following week. Subsequently Deputy Dr. FitzGerald asked me whether in view of the referenda we would sit on Thursday of next week. I said it is not proposed to sit on Thursday of next week but otherwise we could sit next week and the week after.
Two weeks ago I asked the Taoiseach in the House if he would furnish me with a list of matters which the Government wished dealt with before the Recess. The Taoiseach undertook to give me such a list but I have not received it.
I would have presumed that Deputy Cluskey was in touch with his Chief Whip who has been in touch, on several occasions since he asked that question, with the Government Chief Whip. They have discussed the details of the remaining items on the agenda. I would have presumed Deputy Cluskey would have been cognisant with these discussions and with the contents of the lists.
There is a vast difference, as the Taoiseach appreciates, between what is on the agenda and what the Government intend and deem to be important to be dealt with before the Recess.
That is exactly what has been discussed with Deputy Desmond. I cannot help it if Deputy Cluskey is not in touch with his Chief Whip.
It is not a question of lack of communication between the Chief Whip and myself; it is a question of the Taoiseach not honouring a commitment made in the House.
I gave it through my Chief Whip to Deputy Cluskey's. Unless I leave it on his breakfast table, how else can I do it?
I would not like to see the Taoiseach at breakfast time.