Business will be taken in the following order: Nos. 2, 4, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15——
Order of Business.
That is not the Order of Business.
Nos. 5, 12 and 13 (resumed).
Could we hear that again?
Items Nos. 5, 12 and 13 (resumed). The Votes are 40, 43, 2, 7 and 12.
We cannot hear him.
(Interruptions.)
The Ceann Comhairle usually reads it out again. Some of the boys over there would not understand.
What about Private Members' Business?
On a Thursday?
(Interruptions.)
May I bring to the Tánaiste's attention the fact that, by agreement, the debate on Vote 40 will be concluded not later than 2.30 p.m. and the debate on Votes 43, 2, 7 and 12, if not concluded——
(Interruptions.)
May I read this out, please? The Order of Business is Nos. 5 and 12, that is, Votes 40, 43, 2, 7 and 12, and item No. 13 (resumed). By agreement the debate on Vote 40 will be concluded not later than 2.30 p.m. and the debate on Votes 43, 2, 7 and 12, if not previously concluded, will be concluded at 5 p.m.
On the Order of Business, may I ask the Tánaiste, in view of the serious impasse that has now been reached because of what appears to be the final breakdown of the pay talks if he will allow the matter to be discussed in this House later today or, alternatively, can we expect a statement from him, from the Government or from the Minister for Labour during the course of this day as to what now is the attitude of the Government?
The matter does not arise on the Order of Business. It can only arise by agreement between the Whips.
(Interruptions.)
Will the Tánaiste not now agree that it is extremely important that we have a statement from him or the Minister for Labour today?
It is not in order. It can only be raised on a Private Notice Question or by agreement between the Whips.
Do I have your permission to put down a Private Notice Question?
The Deputy will have to submit it first and then it will be considered by the Chair.
Will the Tánaiste not now agree, appreciating his claim——
This does not arise on the Order of Business.
I accept what the Chair says but I want to put a question to the Tánaiste, who claims to be an expert in this field and has some experience. Will he not now agree that the greatest contributing factor to not achieving a wage agreement was the appointment of the Three Wise Men?
I cannot allow the Deputy to make a statement on it now.
May I raise the issue on the Adjournment?
The Chair will communicate with the Deputy.
In view of the debacle last night, when I attempted to raise the issue of the erection of an AnCO centre in Bantry and the deliberate attempt by members of the Government, particularly Fine Gael, to try to silence the lone voice of west Cork——
Would the Deputy get to his question, please?
(Interruptions.)
That is what the Deputy tried to do last night.
Deputy O'Keeffe did not have enough interest to be here last night.
(Interruptions.)
Might Deputy Crowley be permitted to ask the question?
But for the false promises given by——
Unless the Deputy asks a specific question, I will move on to the next business.
But the Chair will understand that this is the way Fine Gael attempted to silence me last night.
The Deputy cannot make a statement now. He must ask a question.
I am looking for time next week to raise the issue again.
Consideration will be given to that. The Deputy should apply next week.
As the Tánaiste is not in the House, I wish to advise the Chair that Deputies Leyden, Callanan and myself wish to raise on the Adjournment the question of the delay in commencing work on the Bord na Móna peat briquette factory at Derryfadda, County Galway. I want to know why this project has been re-examined and why a contractor has not yet been appointed.
The Chair will communicate with the Deputy.
I wish to raise on the Adjournment the subject matter of Question No. 421 which Deputy Kitt has raised in relation to the very serious situation which has arisen.
The Chair will communicate with the Deputy on it. He is not permitted to make a statement.
The Tánaiste may not be aware that Ballyforan is in the constituency——
The Chair will communicate with the Deputy.