Dáil Éireann debate -
Tuesday, 29 Jun 1982

Vol. 337 No. 1

Order of Business.

The Tánaiste

It is proposed to take business in the following order: Nos. 2, 4, 13, 14, 16, 17, 18 and 15.

It is proposed to discharge the Order for Second Stage of the Gas (Amendment) Bill, 1982 so that it can be taken today after Item No. 14. Before the Committee Stage of the Electricity (Supply) (Amendment) Bill, 1982, is taken it is proposed to take the relevant Motion for Financial Resolution which will be circulated today on a supplementary Order Paper. Private Members' Business, from 7.00 p.m. to 8.30 p.m. will be Item No. 45.

By agreement, the House will sit later than 8.30 p.m. today and tomorrow and business will be interrupted at 10.00 p.m. on each of these days. On Thursday the House will sit later than 5.30 p.m. and business will be interrupted at 8.30 p.m. On Friday the House will sit at 10.30 a.m. and will adjourn not later than 4.00 p.m. Business on Friday, will be confined to Estimates for the Public Services and if a division is demanded on any Estimate the division will be postponed until 8.30 p.m. on the next Wednesday on which the Dáil sits until that hour.

Mr. Taylor

When the Tánaiste refers to Gas (Amendment) Bill 1982 does he in fact mean the Gas (Regulation) Bill, 1982?

The Tánaiste

No. It is the Gas (Amendment) Bill, 1982.

Mr. M. O'Leary

When is it proposed to proceed with the implementation of the Trade Disputes (Amendment) Bill, 1982?

The Tánaiste

We have to have a discussion with the Whips about that. If agreement is reached it can be taken next week.

Mr. M. O'Leary

Is it the intention that this should go through all Stages before the recess?

The Tánaiste

Yes, if we can get co-operation between the Whips.

Mr. M. O'Leary

It will have our co-operation.

Mr. Quinn

When is it proposed to take the Local Government (Planning and Development) Bill, 1982?

Mr. Raphael Burke

That is a matter for discussion between the Whips also.

(Interruptions.)

Mr. Dukes

I want to ask permission to raise on the Adjournment this evening the matter of further allegations of irregularities which have recently been made about the conduct of business by the Comhlucht Siúicre Éireann Teoranta group.

An Ceann Comhairle

The Chair will communicate with the Deputy.

Mr. Quinn

Have there been any further developments on the matter I raised last Thursday in the House in relation to the regulations that the Department of Social Welfare have to draft arising out of the passing of the rent control legislation?

Minister for Social Welfare (Dr. Woods)

Regulations are being prepared and will be brought forward as soon as they are ready.

Mr. Quinn

Is it the Government's intention to have these regulations brought in before the House rises — in other words, before the end of this week or next week?

Dr. Woods

It is the intention to lay the regulations before the House as soon as they are ready, possibly within that time scale.

Mr. Quinn

In the event that no such regulations are laid on the Table before the House rises, what will be the legal position of tenants in serious situations after July 25 when rent controls are dismantled?

Dr. Woods

The regulations will be ready in time so that the people concerned need have no fear.

Mr. Quinn

Is that a commitment?

Mr. Kelly

Is it the Government's intention to apply a whip to the operations of the Committee on Procedure and Privileges in such a way as to compel the representatives of their party——

An Ceann Comhairle

That is a matter for the committee and you should wait until they meet.

Mr. Kelly

I respectfully submit that it is a matter for the committee——

An Ceann Comhairle

That is a matter for the commitee.

Mr. Kelly

If that is the Government's intention, and unless it is clearly disclaimed the committee's proceedings will be a waste of time——

An Ceann Comhairle

The Deputy may not raise that matter now.

Mr. Kelly

I predict that the decisions and findings of the committee——

An Ceann Comhairle

You are presupposing something and you should leave the matter until the committee meet.

Mr. R. Bruton

In response to a written question last week the Minister for Foreign Affairs undertook to change the system in the case of a joint passport holder where the wife cannot travel alone without her husband, whereas the husband can. Is legislation necessary for that change to be made or can it be done by order?

Mr. Barrett

(Dún Laoghaire): Last week the Minister of State at the Department of the Environment gave an undertaking that in connection with the Housing Finance Agency that any loan which has gone through all the stages at local authority level and has been approved would be paid without any delay. It has come to my attention as chairman of Dublin County Council that there is no prospect of any loan being paid until at the earliest August——

An Ceann Comhairle

This does not arise on the Order of Business.

Mr. Barrett

(Dún Laoghaire): This is a matter of urgent public importance and the Chair has always given scope for such an issue to be raised here. Perhaps we could get an explanation from the Minister why these loans are not being paid and what are the difficulties——

An Ceann Comhairle

Perhaps you would like to raise it on the Adjournment.

Mr. Barrett

(Dún Laoghaire): I would.

An Ceann Comhairle

I will communicate with the Deputy.