It is proposed to take business in the following order: Nos. 1, 2, 10, 11 (resumed), 12, 13 and 14. Private Members' Business will be taken from 7 p.m. to 8.30 p.m. Item No. 23. By agreement between the Whips, it is proposed that the debate on the Supplementary Estimate for the State Laboratory will be concluded not later than 4.30 p.m. today. It is also proposed that the proceedings on the Second Stage of the Finance (No. 2) Bill, 1981, if not previously concluded, will be brought to a conclusion not later than 6.45 p.m. tomorrow, the final speaker for Fianna Fáil to be called on by the Chair not later than 4.45 p.m., and the final Government speaker not later than 5.45 p.m.
Order of Business.
On the Order of Business, could the Taoiseach give us some information about the Criminal Justice Bill, 1981, namely, the legislation to abolish the remaining elements of capital punishment in our legal system? Can he give us any indication as to when that legislation may come here from the Seanad, when it comes here if it will be a Government measure, and if it is his intention to have a free vote on the Government side of the House?
The Bill will come here shortly after its conclusion in the Seanad. I am not quite sure when it will conclude in the Seanad. I have the impression that it might be next week, but I could be wrong about that.
Next week?
I do not think the Second Stage and the Committee Stage have concluded in the Seanad. As soon as the Bill is concluded in the Seanad it will come to this House and be available to Deputies for discussion in the ordinary way. It is, of course, a Government measure.
The Taoiseach assures us that there will be no delay in bringing it here from the Seanad.
I give that assurance.
Can the Taoiseach also indicate whether, when it comes here, it will be brought in as a Government measure with the full support of the Government parties, or will there be a free vote on that side of the House?
These are not alternatives, as Deputies may think. It is, of course, a Government measure. As has been the case before, most recently in the case of Deputy Gibbons and the contraception measure, the right to conscientious dissent is sometimes allowed by both parties to individuals who have difficulties on particular Bills.
The Taoiseach is bringing in some extraneous matters. May I have a specific answer to my question? Will it be brought here as a Government measure and, as such, will it have the full support of the Government parties, or will a free vote be allowed on that side of the House?
I have answered the question. In any event it is a matter for the Government. It is a Government measure and it will be brought in in the ordinary way. The same right of conscientious dissent as Deputy Gibbons availed of with the consent of the predecessor of the Leader of the Opposition will apply. I am sure the Leader of the Opposition will approve of that, as I am sure he does of most of the actions of his predecessor.
I do not wish to accuse the Taoiseach of prevaricating but I should like him to give me a simple answer to a straight question. Will there be a free vote on that side of the House?
I have an idea the Fianna Fáil Party do not understand what is a free vote.
That does not matter. I should like an answer to my question.
There will be a right of conscientious dissent on the issue in accordance with previous practice in the case of the Bill before both Houses in 1964 and in accordance with the practice of Fianna Fáil in regard to the Bill dealing with contraceptives when Deputy Gibbons had a conscientious difficulty about that matter.
Is the Taoiseach saying that any Member of the Government parties who wishes not to vote for this legislation will be entitled not to vote for it?
If somebody has a conscientious dissent problem, like Deputy Gibbons, he will have the right to abstain.
Is the Taoiseach assuring us that any Member on that side of the House who does not wish to vote for this legislation on a conscientious basis will not have to vote for it?
There is not much point in saying it over and over.
(Interruptions.)
This is the last subject one should play politics with. It is a most unseemly spectacle.
I am calling Deputy Reynolds on the Order of Business.
On the Order of Business, will the Taoiseach tell the House the attitude of the Government towards pirate radio and television broadcasting? Do they propose to do anything about it?
In due course legislation will be introduced for the licensing of radio but I cannot give a date for the legislation.
Will the Taoiseach state what he intends to do with regard to putting pirate radios off the air and the penalties attached?
The Government have yet to consider the matter. In the past our view has been that it is not a good thing to legislate against the pirate radio stations at present without providing a licensing mechanism to enable pirate radio to operate in the future and that the two measures should be combined. The Government have not taken any firm decision on the matter.
Arising from the Taoiseach's reply——
We must move to Item No. 1. We cannot have a debate on the matter raised by the Deputy.
The Taoiseach has said that the Government have not taken any decision on the matter. Does he accept that the recent announcement of the Minister for Posts and Telegraphs that he was not proceeding with the Broadcasting and Wireless Telegraphy Bill, 1979, bestows on operators what I would call an "open season"? In view of the fact that a recent newcomer to the airwaves is a subversive organisation, does he not consider that announcement was ill-timed? Will he do something about it?
We cannot discuss that matter now. The Deputy may put down a question if he wishes. I am calling Item No. 1.
Is the Taoiseach aware of the very considerable hardship being endured at present by many Irish people living in London or people travelling to London——
It does not arise on the Order of Business. The Deputy may table a question about it.
It is relevant in that the Taoiseach will be meeting Mrs. Thatcher. Perhaps he will issue a statement to allay the fears of the Irish community——
I cannot allow a speech or a question on that matter now.
Some 37 per cent of Irish people in England live in London. It is a serious matter.
It does not arise on the Order of Business. I have called Item No. 1 on several occasions.
Will the Taoiseach mention the matter to Mrs. Thatcher?
We are dealing now with Item No. 1 on the Order of Business.