It is proposed to take business in the following order: Nos. 1, 5 and 8 (resumed).
Order of Business.
I understood from what the Taoiseach said last Tuesday that he would be making a short time available for a statement in this House about the assassination of Archbishop Romero in El Salvador. I think that matter has been overlooked.
No, I did not say anything of that nature. Of course I share the Deputy's horror at the assassination and I grieve with world leaders generally because it was a great tragedy but I did not have any plans to make a statement to the House on it.
I merely thought the House should put on record, as has been done in many world assemblies, the outrage felt in this country about this awful event.
I move: That item No. 2 on today's Order Paper be taken in Private Members' Time.
This being a Private Members' Bill it will be taken in Private Members' time. Is that agreed?
Agreed.
In view of the imminent appointment of further Ministers of State would the Taoiseach allay the anxieties and fears of the staff and students of the National College of Art and Design——
The Deputy may not raise this point. I appreciate his concern but the Chair is only concerned with what is in order.
The students are very concerned that the present totally inadequate facilities will be further encroached on.
The Taoiseach gave an undertaking on Tuesday that if the budget was concluded he would make time available to discuss the Government's policy on Northern Ireland. Has he considered the matter further or is there any significance in the fact that more Ministers are speaking on the budget? Is this intended to prolong that debate?
No. The Government are anxious that the debate on the budget should be concluded as early as possible. Since the exchange in the House to which the Deputy referred took place, we have had an approach from the Labour Party Whip about the debate on foreign affairs generally and we propose to endeavour to facilitate the holding of such a debate. One suggestion is that we might bring forward the discussion on the Estimate for the Department of Foreign Affairs to have a general debate on foreign affairs. The matter is now being discussed between the Whips.
Why should we discuss matters relating to Northern Ireland under the heading of Foreign Affairs?
There is no political significance in that. I already explained it offers a suitable occasion for doing it. The Labour Party suggestion was for a debate on foreign affairs generally and I suggested that occasion could be availed of if Deputies wished to discuss Northern Ireland affairs.
I am not asking the Taoiseach what approach has been made by the Labour Party. I am asking him if he will make time available for a discussion of the Government's policy on Northern Ireland.
The Taoiseach explained the position adequately.
Why cannot we have time laid aside especially for this?
We will not argue about it. I am asking the Taoiseach to make his announcement.