It is proposed to take business in the following order: Nos. 8, 18 and 9. By agreement, Supplementary Estimates will be taken in accordance with the following arrangement: Vote 52 — the debate on this will be concluded not later than 12.30 p.m.; Vote 44— 12.30 p.m. to 1.30 p.m.; Votes 8, 14 and 15 — 1.30 p.m. to 2.30 p.m.; Votes 42, 18, 21 and 53 — 3.30 p.m. to 4.30 p.m. By agreement the House will sit later than 5 p.m. The hour at which business is to be interrupted shall be 6 p.m.
Order of Business.
On the Order of Business, given that the Chair disallowed my Private Notice Question yesterday, now that the Taoiseach is in the House——
I cannot allow the Deputy to discuss that matter. I gave him my decision on it yesterday.
Now that the Taoiseach is in the House perhaps he is in a position to say when he will make a statement concerning the calculated effort on behalf of his Administration to destabilise the economy of the west of Ireland, with particular reference to the abandonment of the regional airport project at this time.
The matter does not arise on the Order of Business. I cannot allow the Deputy to pursue the matter any further.
I made an allegation yesterday that the Taoiseach had broken a firm and solemn commitment given by him personally——
The Deputy will have an opportunity to put down a question. It does not arise on the Order of Business.
Does not the Chair consider it a matter of grave political importance that the Taoiseach of the day has broken a solemn commitment to the west of Ireland——
We will have some order in the House today. I will not permit further discussion on this matter.
Does the Chair regard it as a matter of some importance that the Taoiseach has broken a promise——
If the Deputy persists in being disorderly I shall have to ask him to leave the House.
It is not my pattern to be disorderly but when revenge politics are being practised by the administration——
If the Deputy continues to be disorderly I will have to ask him to leave the House.
On a number of occasions recently I requested a debate on the Adjournment on the question of the abandonment of the second level school at Knocklyon, Firhouse, but for one reason or another the Chair did not see fit to allow a debate on the matter. I ask the Chair to allow such a debate on the Adjournment today.
The Chair will communicate with the Deputy.
Has the Taoiseach any objection to discussing the matter of his broken promise to the people of the west? Will he make a statement on the matter?
I will not give the Deputy another chance if he persists on this line. If he continues to be disorderly I will have to ask him to leave the House.
The Taoiseach is being dishonourable in this matter.
Will the Minister for Social Welfare or the Minister for Posts and Telegraphs give the House a commitment that the telephones in the Department of Social Welfare will be put in order as soon as possible?
It does not arise on the Order of Business.
(Cavan-Monaghan): They were out of order before for six months.