It is proposed to take business in the following order: Nos. 6 and 15. By agreement the three Supplementary Estimates being introduced today will also be disposed of today. While the remaining Estimates and Supplementary Estimates are being disposed of today they will be moved in the order listed on the Order Paper except for the following which will be moved and debated in this order at the end: Votes 35 and 36, Fisheries and Forestry (together); Vote 9, Public Works and Votes 22, 23, 24, 25, 26 and 27, namely, the Justice group (together).
Order of Business.
On the Order of Business, will the Taoiseach investigate the leaking of part of the report of the Commission on Taxation in a morning newspaper today? In view of this report will he arrange for the circulation of the first report to Members of the House or at least place a copy in the Dáil Library today if sufficient copies are not available for circulation?
I am increasingly disturbed about the number of these leaks. As the Deputy is aware, the Stardust Tribunal report was also leaked. In this modern world of ours it seems very difficult to preserve any sort of confidentiality any more. But I agree that, now that these reports have emanated about the Income Tax Commission report, it would be desirable to get a report out publicly as quickly as possible. I will see what can be done about that.
Deputy Desmond has raised the issue that I intended to raise and the Taoiseach has already replied to the question.
Is the House to take it from the content of the Taoiseach's remarks that the newspaper article this morning is an accurate representation of the report of the commission?
I do not know. In fact, I can honestly inform the Dáil that I have not seen the report myself yet.
But the Taoiseach spoke in terms of the article representing a leak of the report which would seem to indicate that the article is correct.
I would like to see what the record says. But I endeavoured to choose my words carefully to say that what appeared in the papers would seem to indicate that there was a leak. But I have no knowledge as to whether the reports are accurate or not.
Do the Government intend to give Government time for Item No. 5, which is the Bill The Workers' Party put down, The Landlord and Tenant (Ground Rents) Bill, 1982?
Perhaps the Deputy would communicate with the Whip about that.
I would like to know precisely what the answer means. I have asked the Taoiseach if he intends to give Government time.
It is a Private Members' Bill and as such it comes up in Private Members' Time. Does the Deputy desire to move it?
What I am asking is would the Taoiseach agree to take it in Government time?
That is a matter for discussion with the Whips.
We have no plans to take it in Government time and it would be most unusual for us to do so but perhaps the Deputy would discuss the situation with the Chief Whip.
(Interruptions.)