It is proposed to take business in the following order: Nos. 1, 9, 10, 11 (resumed), 12 and 13. Questions will be from 3 p.m. to 5 p.m. By agreement I will be making a statement on the outcome of the European Council Meeting in Luxembourg at 12.00 noon.
Order of Business.
Will the Taoiseach make time available today so that the House can express what I am sure is its unanimous concern at the serious development at the Alcan project at Aughinish?
The Deputy cannot raise this matter in this manner now. It is not in order. I appreciate the Deputy's desire but the Chair must be guided and cannot allow matters to get out of hand on the Order of Business.
In view of the seriousness of this matter we should take action because this project is vital not alone to Limerick but to the country.
Unfortunately, the seriousness that the House, or any Member, attaches to a matter is not the criterion used by the Chair. The Chair must be guided by precedent.
It is a matter of urgent public importance and the Taoiseach might give time to discuss it.
There are a number of ways the Deputy can deal with this matter today and we will facilitate him.
In view of the urgency of the matter I seek permission to raise this matter on the Adjournment.
I will communicate with the Deputy.
Will the Taoiseach indicate in what way I can raise this matter?
There is one way.
May we have a few minutes to discuss this?
Will the Taoiseach indicate to the House whether it is his intention to have a debate on the Government's policy on Northern Ireland before or after he meets Mrs. Thatcher?
It would be desirable to leave it until after my discussions. The matter can be discussed with the Whips, if necessary.
Does the Taoiseach still think that this very central issue should be dealt with under the heading of Foreign Affairs or does he now accept——
We are not going to have a debate on this matter. The same ruling applies to this as applied to the previous matter. The Chair has not been given any notice of this matter being raised in this manner. The Deputy asked a question and was given a reply.
Are we going to be given special time to deal exclusively with Northern Ireland?
The Taoiseach has answered that question and I am calling Deputy Cluskey.
Is it still the opinion of the Taoiseach that this matter should be dealt with under Foreign Affairs? What have Foreign Affairs got to do with what is essentially an Irish issue?
The form in which the debate or discussion takes place can be dealt with by agreement between the Whips.
Is the Taoiseach saying that we are going to have a debate exclusively on Northern Ireland?
The Deputy insists on addressing the Taoiseach across the floor of the House with contempt for the Chair.
I am entitled to ask the Taoiseach what he intends doing between now and the end of the session.
If it is going to be agreed that any matter a Deputy thinks of can be raised at this time then it is time the House had another look at Standing Orders.
It is time we did that.
On the Order of Business I am putting a question to the Taoiseach.
The Deputy is not entitled to ask that question because it bears no relation to what is on the Order of Business today. The only matter that may be raised orderly is in relation to what is on the Order of Business or something which the Taoiseach has promised in relation to the Order of Business.
I am suggesting what should be on the Order of Business.
The Deputy is providing Standing Orders of his own.
Why is the Taoiseach running away from this?
While I am not denying the legitimate concern and the right of Deputies to raise questions in relation to the Alcan project in the House, it is prudent to say that there is a meeting today of all the trade unions concerned in that project and I am not convinced it would be in the best interests of the workers to have a discussion here today on that subject.