It is proposed to take business in the following order: Nos. 1, 7, 9, 10, 11 (resumed), 12, 13, 14 (resumed) and 15 (resumed). Business will be interrupted at 1.30 p.m. to take items Nos. 14 and 15, and the Order will resume thereafter.
Order of Business.
Has the Taoiseach any comment to make in relation to allowing time in the House to discuss the appalling mismanagement of the economy as revealed by the figures last night?
That matter is not appropriate on the Order of Business.
(Interruptions.)
The mismanagement of the economy is important to everybody——
That is not in order on the Order of Business. The Deputy will have to use another method to raise this.
(Interruptions.)
The Deputy can only raise this matter in an orderly manner, for example, either by putting down a question or a motion.
On the Order of Business, will the Taoiseach arrange for the Minister for Finance to make a statement on the revenue situation in the course of his second reading speech on the Finance Bill next week? It is agreed that in the Finance Bill we will discuss the economy generally.
This is a discussion, Deputy.
In the course of that debate will there be a statement from the Minister on the current revenue situation?
This matter cannot be discussed here today. There are a number of orderly means by which this matter can be raised.
(Interruptions.)
On the Order of Business, in view of the inadequate agricultural package agreement on agricultural prices will the Taoiseach allow the House to have an agricultural debate?
I am sorry, Deputy——
It is very serious.
This matter is not in order on the Order of Business.
I am just asking that the Taoiseach——
(Interruptions.)
I have stated time and time again that the Order of Business is not a free-for-all during which any Deputy can raise any matter.
On the Order of Business——
(Interruptions.)
In view of the package——
I have already told the Deputy that it is not in order to raise this matter on the Order of Business. Deputy Quinn, please.
Surely the Taoiseach should respond on the Order of Business. Can this be brought up at the Whip's meeting?
That is not a matter for the Chair.
If the Deputy were on talking terms with his Whip the Deputy could arrange that.
(Interruptions.)
We are not like your party, split in two down the middle.
I have called on Deputy Quinn.
The Chair is ignoring me.
I am not ignoring the Deputy, I have informed him that what he is endeavouring to raise is not appropriate on the Order of Business.
Could I have a response from the Taoiseach, please?
In relation to item No. 21 on today's Order Paper in relation to the terms of reference for the financial debate next week, can the Chair confirm that the broadening of the terms of reference of the debate is an Order of this House, that therefore all matters relating to the economy will be allowed, not only by the Ceann Comhairle but by the Leas-Cheann Comhairle, to be discussed and that it is not specifically a private agreement of the Whips but a formal Order of this House?
An agreement of the party——
With due respect, I am asking the Ceann Comhairle.
It is on the record.
There was an agreement to a vote but you would not——
The matter was agreed.
I am speaking with specific reference to the Ceann Comhairle and the Leas-Cheann Comhairle. Will the Chair confirm that all items relating to the economy will be fully in order by agreement of this House and not by any private arrangement of the Whips?
That was agreed in the House.
In response to the broadening of that debate, does the Taoiseach intend to allow or suggest that the Government make a comprehensive statement on the collapse of the State finances and on the agricultural package since the Order of the House——
I am sorry, Deputy. The Deputy is now beginning an argument.
I am asking a question.
The Deputy cannot proceed further on that matter.
On a point of order, do I understand that this House has agreed to broaden the terms of reference of the debate on the Finance Bill to the extent that the Opposition will discuss the ecomony but that the Minister for Finance may confine himself specifically to the Finance Bill?
That matter was agreed and the Deputy cannot proceed further on those lines.
On a point of order, I will quote that discussion from the record. Dr. FitzGerald suggested that the economy in general can be discussed and the Taoiseach replied at column 239, volume 328 of the Official Report of 26 March 1981:
The Taoiseach: As far as I am concerned, yes.
Dr. FitzGerald: The Taoiseach agrees. Thank you.
An Ceann Comhairle: That is agreed.
What was agreed on that day was that the economy in general can be discussed.
Including agriculture?
(Interruptions.)
I want to raise a point——
(Interruptions.)
I trust I am in order in asking, in view of the current unrest in the Garda force with serious implications for the country as a whole, if the Minister for Justice will make a statement tonight to inform the House——
The Deputy is not in order.
——of the situation and that what steps he proposes to take.
The Deputy is not in order. Deputy Horgan, please.
Surely it is in order to ask for a statement?
It is not in order. Deputy Horgan, please.
How do I get a statement from the Minister?
By either putting down a question or a motion. There are orderly means by which these matters can be raised in the House.
(Interruptions.)
I give notice, in view of the intense disquiet that has been aroused especially among children sitting for the leaving certificate examination, that I want to raise on the adjournment of the House this evening the Minister for Education's policy in relation to the standard of oral Irish to be expected by examiners in the leaving certificate examination which begins next Monday and ask him if any instructions were issued by his Department to the effect that such standards should be raised and the consultations he has had with schools on this matter.
I will communicate with the Deputy.
I am delighted that the Deputy raised this matter.
When will the debate on the Fisheries and Forestry Estimate resume?
When the new Dáil meets.
The Chief Whip informs me it will be after Easter.
Will the Minister for Fisheries and Forestry make any statement on the meeting of Ministers last week in Brussels?
We cannot discuss that matter. I am calling item No. 1.
(Cavan-Monaghan): Will the Taoiseach or somebody on his behalf make a statement on the RTE strike——
That matter was ruled out of order yesterday.