It is proposed to take business in the following order: Nos. 11, 12, 13 (resumed), 14, 15 and 16.
Order of Business.
May I ask the Taoiseach if he has any news about the reopening of Clondalkin Paper Mills? He gave an undertaking to the deputation he received about three weeks ago that he would examine the situation to see if legislation was required. Could he now inform the House if he has any information on that and, if legislation is required, when it will be coming before the House?
That is more appropriate to a question.
When will legislation come before the House to nationalise and reopen Clondalkin Paper Mills?
That is more appropriate to a question.
The Deputy's question in regard to legislation seems to be in order.
In view of the historically high unemployment figures, could the Taoiseach say when the new economic plan will be unveiled? The Minister for Labour in Belfast was talking about it two days ago. In view of the very high unemployment figures which are affecting east as well as west, including Galway East, could the Taoiseach say when we may expect this plan?
I have already indicated that work on the plan is well advanced and the Government hope to bring it forward at the earliest possible date. I am not yet in a position to say exactly when this will be done, but it will be brought forward as soon as possible and work is proceeding as rapidly as possible.
The Minister for Agriculture, Deputy Lenihan, said it would not be ready until the autumn. If that is the case does the Taoiseach agree that if the work is well advanced, he should be in a position to let us know when we may expect that the first draft of this plan, even for consultation purposes, will be available?
When I am in a position to let the Deputy know anything specific, I will inform him accordingly.
I wish to raise on the Order of Business my concern in regard to the non-appearance of the Social Welfare Bill. This Bill is due to be taken in two hours next Thursday and it has not yet been circulated. May I ask the Taoiseach whether we could have this Bill today so that we can study it properly? I am greatly concerned that we will rush the Bill through at the close of business next week without giving it proper consideration.
We dealt with that yesterday.
I said in the House earlier this week that the Bill would be available on Friday.
As the Taoiseach and the Minister for Health will appreciate, there will be certain constraints on us all over the weekend in another part of the country. Would it be possible for a draft of this Bill to be made available today on request? Presumably, if it is to be circulated and printed over the weekend, the draft has now been settled and approved by the Government.
The people on the other side of the house have developed a custom of accusing the Government of doing their business in an irregular fashion. I suggest that Deputy O'Keeffe accepts the answers we have already given him about this legislation. We have indicated to him that it will be available before the end of this week. That is the position. It is a very simple Bill, consisting of one or two sections, and I do not think the Deputy, as I explained yesterday, need be too worried about it.
I am making no accusations against the Government——
That makes a change.
As Opposition spokesman in this area, I am voicing my natural concern. I would like an opportunity of studying this Bill and discussing it with my colleagues. Even though there are only one or two sections, their effect is what concerns me.
We cannot go into that any further. You have had your replies.
May I repeat my request that a copy of the draft be made available to me this morning? I wish to study it.
Deputy O'Keeffe knows very well that, if we did that, Deputy John Kelly would, to use the vernacular, "do his nut".
I would like to refute the suggestion that what is proposed is irregular. It has been the practice in regard to certain Bills to give an advance copy 24 hours beforehand to the Opposition to study when there is a problem of getting it printed in sufficient numbers. It may be impracticable, but it is not irregular.
May I repeat my request——
You have been heard three times. You have made your point.
Do I take it that the Government are refusing my request?
(Interruptions.)
In view of the pending withdrawal of legal services by the criminal legal aid lawyers, as reported in the newspapers this morning, would the Taoiseach or the Minister for Justice give the House some assurances that some steps will be taken to——
That is a matter for raising on the Adjournment.
I give notice then of my intention to raise the matter on the Adjournment.
The Chair will communicate with the Deputy.
Will the Taoiseach allow time to discuss in the House the Stardust inquiry report and its implications?
That has already been dealt with.
On the point that Deputy Kemmy raised, I suggested a few days ago that we might take aspects of the Stardust report next Wednesday when the development Bill is being discussed. Perhaps the Minister for the Environment might indicate whether he would be in a position to give some initial response from the Government in relation to the implementation of the draft building regulations.
I have already indicated my position with regard to the report of the tribunal. It deserves detailed consideration. On Tuesday I responded to Deputy Quinn and said that I would make some comment on Second Stage of the Planning Bill with regard to the building regulations and the implications of the report in that section alone.
I wish to raise on the Adjournment the lack of capital funds for the Housing Finance Agency and the fact that the financial institutions, including the associated banks and the trustee savings banks, are not providing bridging finance for people who have approval for HFA loans.
The Chair will communicate with the Deputy.
The Chair has not allowed the Taoiseach to answer my question. Surely the Taoiseach has some idea now if legislation is required to have the mill acquired.
That matter is appropriate for raising on the Adjournment.
The Taoiseach is quite willing to answer the question if the Chair would permit him to do so.
(Interruptions.)
I wish to give notice of my intention to raise this matter on the Adjournment.
The Chair will communicate with the Deputy.
Have the Government yet completed a draft of the clause for the amendment of the Constitution for which the commitment to introduce legislation was made in this House earlier? Has the draft of the legislation in relation to what is known as the pro-life amendment been completed by the Department?
Our proposals in that regard will be published as soon as possible.
In view of the very sharp reaction from the general manager of PMPA on radio and in the papers this morning to the activities or otherwise of the Minister for Trade, Commerce and Tourism, could the Taoiseach give us any indication what steps he is going to take to allay the fears of PMPA and the many of us who are insured with them?
That is a matter for the Adjournment.
It is a matter of great importance to all the insured people in the country.
The Deputy has other means at his disposal.
I wish to raise this matter on the Adjournment.
The Chair will communicate with the Deputy.