It is proposed to take business in the following order: Nos. 1, 2, 8, 12 (resumed), 13, 14 and 15.
Order of Business.
On the Order of Business, while I understand that the debate on next Thursday will cover the Northern Ireland aspects of the Taoiseach's talks with the British Prime Minister, as he indicated here in the Dáil last week, there was a wide range of issues discussed, some of considerable national importance, such as the British budgetary problems, their relationship to the lack of progress with regard to farm increases at EEC level, the question of the Olympic Games, Afghanistan, Iran and other matters. Is it the Taoiseach's intention to report back to the Dáil on these aspects of his discussions?
No, that is not my intention. My understanding was that the debate next Thursday would be the occasion on which I would report on the visit in so far as the Northern Ireland matters were concerned. I could avail of that opportunity, if the Deputy wishes, to also give a brief report on the other matters touched on, but the intention was that Thursday's debate would be devoted to discussing that whole situation. That would take the place of a specific report.
I accept that agreement has been reached regarding the Northern Ireland aspects of the talks and that that would be left over until next Thursday. However, as I have indicated through the Chair to the Taoiseach, there are other matters which we understand were discussed, some of them of very considerable national importance, such as the lack of progress in regard to CAP, the farm increases and other matters which I have already mentioned. Surely the Taoiseach will accept that he has a legitimate responsibility to this House to report back on those aspects of the talks with the British Prime Minister?
Arising out of this discussion, there was a suggestion that there could be a specific foreign affairs debate before the Recess. Has the Taoiseach given any thought in regard to going ahead with such a debate, which would be possibly a more appropriate opportunity for a wide-ranging discussion on the matters, other than Northern Ireland, discussed with Mrs. Thatcher?
Perhaps at this stage it would be better if we discussed it between the Whips to see what would meet the wishes of the House. As we dealt with the Northern Ireland aspect in debate, I would propose to see what is the best way to process the other aspects as well.
I appreciate that but——
Deputy Cluskey, we will not have your debate now. That is a sure thing.
My problem is wondering whether we are going to have a report at all. While I appreciate the Taoiseach's suggestion, surely the normal procedure could be adhered to with the exception of that aspect of the discussions relating to Northern Ireland? Could we not have a statement from the Taoiseach on the other very important aspects? Would the Taoiseach be willing to concede that?
I do not regard the procedure of a brief statement by me, which has been adopted, as a satisfactory way of dealing with these matters. That was found to be an unsatisfactory way. I am prepared to discuss whether there would be some other way we can deal with the various matters discussed, report on them and discuss them.
Does the Taoiseach recognise the legitimacy of the request that these things should be reported back to the House as quickly as possible after the discussions take place? The Taoiseach must accept that he is not the chairman of a private company. He has a responsibility to this House and to this country.
Item No. 1—the Sale of Goods and Supply of Services Bill, 1978.
I am disturbed by the last remarks of the Taoiseach. They appear to imply that he will not in future report back to this House——
I have not said that.
——when he goes to a summit meeting. That was my interpretation, which can legitimately be taken from what he said.
I have not found very satisfactory the procedure whereby I make a short statement, elaborating on matters of importance, which is immediately followed by two statements by the leaders of the Opposition, one of whom invariably avails of the procedure to launch a political attack on the Government and its policies and then I have no opportunity to reply—I do not find that procedure satisfactory. However I am prepared to discuss, through the normal channels, with the Opposition parties some alternative procedure for dealing with this important matter.
Would the Taoiseach not accept that he has to report back on such sensitive area?
Item No. 1——
There should be no change until an alternative is established and agreed.
I beg your pardon?
There should not be any change in existing procedure until an alternative procedure is established and agreed among the Members in the House.
The business of making a statement is a very informal procedure. There is no particular sacrosanctity about it. I am prepared to discuss matters in a helpful way with the Opposition parties.
What I am trying to say is, in the event of another meeting of importance taking place when the Taoiseach comes back will he not then say that, because discussions are taking place between the parties, he is not going to give a report to this House?
That is a hypothetical question.
There appears to be some misunderstanding about this on the Taoiseach's part.
The Deputy is the only one who cannot understand.
It is not a question of the Taoiseach being helpful. I am not looking for the Taoiseach's help. I am looking for my rights and the rights of the Irish people.
(Interruptions.)