It is proposed to take business in the following order: Nos. 7, 8, 1, 3, 4, 12, 2, 13 (resumed), 14, 10 and 15. Private Members' Business, from 7.00 p.m. to 8.30 p.m. will be No. 27, by agreement.
Order Of Business.
I should like to ask the Taoiseach whether he would reconsider the decision not to provide Government time for a debate on the economy in view of the urgency of the situation as disclosed by the belated admission, after repeated denials, of the Minister for Economic Planning and Development that all major targets of the Government's programme will be missed this year by margins of up to 200 per cent and the great dangers now facing us in view of the doubling of inflation, the halving of the growth rate and the more than trebling of the balance of payments deficit?
And a record public debt.
Deputy FitzGerald may ask a question but he may not make a speech.
There are jobs to show for it——
They will borrow £300 for every man woman and child——
(Interruptions.)
Government Business is on the Order Paper already.
Will the Taoiseach accept that the situation is now urgent? The changes that have occurred have been very rapid and there is an urgent need to reconsider policies that are leading us in such a dangerous direction.
There are other means whereby that can be debated.
Will the Taoiseach agree that there is a sorry contrast between his Government's stance on this occasion and the stance of the National Coalition Government which, although at the pin of their collars with legislation and working longer hours than were ever worked by this lazy crew, provided Government time for such a debate in November 1976?
(Interruptions.)
I wish to give notice of my intention to raise on the Adjournment the chaotic state of the postal service and the telecommunications system.
I will communicate with the Deputy.
I wish to raise on the Adjournment the question of herring fishing in the Celtic Sea.
I will communicate with the Deputy.
(Cavan-Monaghan): I wish to raise on the Adjournment the question of testing for driving licences and the chaos that has arisen out of the change in the regulations.
I will communicate with the Deputy.