It is proposed to take No. 3 (Resumed).
Order of Business.
The Taoiseach has done me the courtesy of explaining that he does not intend to make a statement this morning. Perhaps it would be as well if he so informed the House. When will the Minister for Justice make a statement to the House?
I had hoped to make a statement to the House before the Recess on the Government's position in regard to the hunger strike in the Maze Prison. I have decided that it would not be wise to make a public statement at this time lest anything said might adversly affect any settlement hopes, however slight. It is with regret that I have taken that decision. I would have wished to say something in this House before the Recess but I feel there are dangers involved and so long as there is a possibility of settlement it would be wrong to say anything. With regard to the Minister for Justice, it is proposed to make a statement later today, the time and arrangements to be agreed by the Whips, possibly at 3.30 p.m.
There is a very agreeable rumour circulating around the House that we are adjourning until 20 October. Perhaps the Taoiseach would confirm or deny that.
That is what the House decided yesterday when it agreed to the motion I moved to that effect.