It is proposed to take business in the following order: Nos. 3, 7 (resumed), 8, 9, 10, 11 and in No. 11 Votes 35 (resumed), 37, 38, 43, 48 and 39 and No. 12. Private Members' Business, from 7 p.m. to 8.30 p.m. will be No. 22 (resumed).
Order of Business.
(Cavan-Monaghan): Last week in the absence of the Taoiseach I raised with the Tánaiste the question of giving public time for discussion of item No. 78 on the Order Paper in my name. It is a motion to annul the Public Bodies (Amendment) (No. 2) Order, 1979 which proposes to put back the estimates meetings of local authorities from November-December to February-March. It is very important that this be debated because if it stands it will have far-reaching consequences.
The Chair pointed out on that occasion that this is usually arranged between the parties.
(Cavan-Monaghan): The Tánaiste undertook to look into it and to tell me if I raised it again.
I indicated also that it did not appear to be something that required Government time.
(Cavan-Monaghan): The Tánaiste did not seem to appreciate what it was about.
I do appreciate it.
(Cavan-Monaghan): Presumably he has now looked into it and I ask him to give public time for it because it is urgent.
I endorse the Tánaiste's view that it does not appear to be a matter that requires Government time.
(Cavan-Monaghan): Does the Taoiseach appreciate that the effect of this will be to leave public authorities without any work programme or without any knowledge of what money they will have for 1980 until half way through that year?
(Interruptions.)
A matter of no importance and not worth while discussing in the Dáil?
Order.
Could the Taoiseach indicate if the White Paper on education is to be published as promised this month?
I will make inquiries and let the Deputy know. I doubt if it will be.
There was a clear undertaking that it would be published this year. Am I to understand that it will not be published until next year?
That is the case.
Will it be published in January or will there be a further delay?
(Cavan-Monaghan): This year, next year, some time, never.
I cannot say exactly when.
Has a date been decided on for the budget? There are relatively few sitting days between now and the budget.
No.
Can the Taoiseach indicate when it will be?
When will there be a general election?
Order.