It is proposed to take business in the following order: Nos. 1, 9 (resumed) and 10 (resumed). Private Members' Business will be taken between 7 p.m. and 8.30 p.m., item No. 18 (resumed).
Order of Business.
I wish to give notice that it is my intention to raise on the Adjournment the threatened closure of the Quigley Magnesite plant in Dungarvan, County Waterford.
I will communicate with the Deputy.
I give notice that I wish to raise on the Adjournment the subject matter of Question No. 115 on the Order Paper.
I will communicate with the Deputy.
Yesterday on the Order of Business I raised the question of a decision by Mr. Justice Barrington on Monday to grant a year's bail to a man convicted of manslaughter of a woman accompanied by gross sexual assault. A further statement has been issued today by the Rape Crisis Centre deploring this decision and the Taoiseach said he would make a statement on the Order of Business today or would communicate with me yesterday. I have not as yet received any communication from the Taoiseach and I was expecting a statement today on the Order of Business, as promised yesterday.
I am sorry, I understood that the Department of Justice would be in touch with the Deputy yesterday, but I take this opportunity of informing the Deputy that the case is still sub judice and we are, therefore, prevented from discussing it. I understand that there is an appeal in the case. If the Deputy wishes I will arrange with the Department of Justice to give her full information about the case and about the appeal.
I thank the Taoiseach.
Will the Taoiseach make accommodation for the Minister for the Environment to make a statement on the exact position in relation to the Housing Finance Agency? I know that a Government statement has been made on the subject, but much confusion exists among applicants for Housing Finance Agency loans and I would be grateful if the Taoiseach could clarify the situation.
I will arrange for some method of doing that.
Last Wednesday I asked a Private Notice Question about the parcel post difficulty in the Department of Posts and Telegraphs. Would the Ceann Comhairle facilitate the House by allowing the Minister for Posts and Telegraphs to bring us up to date on the position? The on-going dispute is causing much hardship to small businesses and to people who want to post parcels in the State.
That does not arise on the Order of Business but the Deputy can raise it by other means. He can seek to raise the matter on the Adjournment.
I am applying to raise it on the Adjournment, but in view of the amount of business being proposed for the Adjournment——
I will communicate with the Deputy.
On a point of order, it is always in order for a Member of the House to ask if a Minister may make a statement on a subject.
That does not arise on the Order of Business.
It is a point of order, Sir, arising from your statement on the Order of Business.
Requested statements like this would enable anything to be in order on the Order of Business.
This is very serious and the Minister obviously has the information. Much fear and apprehension would be allayed if he would make such a statement. I want to make the point that people are going to Northern Ireland to post parcels to the Republic who cannot post parcels from the Republic to the Republic. It is ridiculous.
The Deputy can raise the matter on the Adjournment.
I am asking the Ceann Comhairle if he will allow the Minister to make a statement on the matter.
It does not arise on the Order of Business but the Deputy can raise the matter on the Adjournment.
I give notice that I wish to raise it on the Adjournment.
The Chair will communicate with the Deputy.
(Waterford): I wish to raise on the Adjournment Question No. 113 in my name on the Order Paper.
The Chair will communicate with the Deputy.