It is proposed to take business in the following order: Nos. 2, 3, 4, 6, 7 (resumed). Business will be interrupted at 3.30 p.m. to take No. 7 if it has not been reached earlier. Private Members' Business will be No. 14 (resumed).
Order of Business.
I would like to ask the Taoiseach if it will be possible for the Minister for Foreign Affairs to give some report to the Dáil of what seems to be a very important meeting of Foreign Ministers by way of statement to the House or perhaps circulating a communiqué to us. I would be particularly anxious to have a report on the discussions on the Genscher Colombo proposals.
I have no notice of that, but it can be considered through the Whips. I would point out that it has not been the practice for statements to be made at meetings of Foreign Ministers' councils but only at meetings of the European Council. The matters discussed at this meeting were preliminary to the European Council and I will, of course, be making a statement to the House after the European Council.
I accept what the Taoiseach says, that it is only European Council meetings that are reported to the Dáil by way of statement, but from press reports it seems that this was a particularly——
A question is in order from the Deputy but I do not want to have——
I am trying to make my point and it is a very valid point on the Order of Business. I want to suggest to the Taoiseach that this seems from press reports to have been a particularly important meeting and the Genscher Colombo proposals are of very considerable significance to us. I understand that this is leading now to a European Act or a solemn declaration, and I think it is important that we should have as full information as possible about it.
I would like to raise another point. I ask the Taoiseach in regard to item No. 7, which we will be resuming today, if there is any announcement yet by the Government or the Minister about an alternative form of wording or are we still proceeding with this legislation on the basis of the existing wording?
An alternative form of wording is in preparation and I hope it will be possible to give an indication of it within the next fortnight.
The next fortnight?
Possibly sooner.
I would like to ask the Taoiseach to confirm whether his Minister for Finance issued a statement in the following words: "If I were a vindictive person——"
This is not in order.
In reply to——
(interruptions.)
Does the Taoiseach approach statements on this kind——
The Chair has ruled that that is not in order.
It is a valid point.
The Deputy may have that view but the Chair has ruled that this is not in order.
If the Minister for Finance can issue statements like that——
(Interruptions.)
With your permission, Sir, I would like to raise on the Adjournment the question of the imminent closure of Matterson's canning factory in Limerick which is a very serious matter.
The Chair will communicate with the Deputy.
I would like to raise the matter that I have referred to on the Adjournment.
The Chair will communicate with Deputy Andrews.
I would like to raise on the Adjournment the matter of the laying off of 17 employees in the Great Southern Hotel in Galway.
The Chair will communicate with Deputy Fahey.