: It is proposed to take business in the following order: Nos. 1, 4 (resumed) and 5 (resumed).
Order of Business .
: On the Order of Business, and in view of reports in this morning's papers and in the media generally of the Taoiseach's intention to address the nation on television on Friday night, will the Taoiseach inform the House what he proposes to say in order to allay the very understandable anxiety in our society at the present time? Furthermore, will the Taoiseach not agree that this House is the appropriate forum for raising any such matters of concern to the nation?
: The Chair is ruling that out of order because it does not arise on the Order of Business. Obviously it would lead to a debate——
: Of course it arises on the Order of Business.
: The Chair is ruling that it does not arise on the Order of Business.
: It does arise on the Order of Business. Will the Taoiseach give an assurance to the House that whatever about not debating the matter first in this House, the content of whatever he has to say will be given special time for debate here next week?
: That does not arise on the Order of Business either.
: On the Order of Business, in view of this reported broadcast taking place and the possible reference to pay and the economy, would the Taoiseach not deem it wise to have further discussions with employer and trade union bodies prior to Friday, or at least that meetings be arranged to take place shortly after Friday, in the national interest?
: The Chair rules that that does not arise on the Order of Business——
: Fianna Fáil have scored three ducks so far.
: On the day the 24th Dáil first met I was elected Ceann Comhairle and appeals were made — I am reluctant to use the word even though it was used freely that day — for a restoration of order and decorum in this House. The Leader of Fianna Fáil is on record as saying that the only way that could be achieved would be to put an end to arguing with the Chair and to entering into controversy with the Chair. I am interpreting the rules as I understand them. I regret to say there appears to be creeping in what I would describe as a planned and premeditated wrangle each morning and I ask that it be ended.
: It has never been my wish or my form——
(Interruptions.)
: You see the mob behind him. You see how the Taoiseach——
: The rabble.
: It has never been my wish to argue with the Chair.
: Then the Deputy should accept the ruling of the Chair. I am now ruling this is not in order.
: I ask the Chair to accept two points. When the Taoiseach sat on this side of the House I remember that morning after morning it took us until 11 a.m. or 11.15 a.m.——
: The Deputy is making a speech.
: Before I resume my seat I ask the Taoiseach in the national interest to bring the employer and trade union bodies with him. He will not get away with a "go it alone" policy.
: Is the Taoiseach or the Minister for Industry and Energy willing to make a statement on the threats that have been made by the oil companies to close the Whitegate oil refinery?
: This follows on what I have been saying, that matters of that nature raised in an impromptu fashion on the Order of Business are not in order. The Deputy will have to find some other way of rasing the matter.
: On a different matter, may I raise on the Adjournment the subject matter of the Private Notice Question I put down yesterday?
: The Chair will communicate with the Deputy but I do not want to mislead him. Under an order of the House made yesterday, the House will rise at 3.30 p.m. at the conclusion of Questions. There does not appear to be any provision for raising a matter on the Adjournment today.
: I realise that an ad hoc arrangement was made yesterday——
: It was not an ad hoc arrangement.
: There is a matter of extreme urgency which I wish to raise. I give notice now of my intention to raise on the Adjournment the question of the expulsion from Chile of two Irish priests, Father McGillicuddy and Father Brendan Forde, together with an Australian citizen, Father Brian McMahon. The expulsion order is to take effect within two or three days.
: The Chair will communicate with the Deputy.
: I should like to have some information in this House from the Government as to what steps they are taking with the Chilean Government——
: Obviously the Deputy may not raise the matter now. He is giving me notice of his wish and the Chair will communicate with him. However, I have pointed out the difficulty arising from the order made yesterday.
: This is an urgent matter.
: Yes, but the order is there.
: This is not premeditated but I should like to ask the Taoiseach if the Government propose to introduce legislation——
: There is nothing wrong with it being premeditated——
(Interruptions.)
: It is not mischievous——
: Is the Chair alleging that some Members on this side were mischievous in what they said? That would be most unjustified.
: The Chair did not say that.
: Does the Taoiseach or the Government propose to introduce legislation to protect the Irish fishing industry and ensure that Spaniards do not continue to use the flag of convenience to fish in our waters? I would refer the Taoiseach to a Private Notice Question to the Minister for Fisheries——
: That is not in order.
: I am asking the Taoiseach——
: I know the Deputy is asking the Taoiseach but he is not in order.
: I am only referring the Taoiseach to the question to refresh his memory.
: Does the Deputy wish to raise this matter on the Adjournment?
: I want to ask the Taoiseach——
: I am sorry but the Deputy cannot ask the Taoiseach now.
: It is in relation to legislation which may be brought in.
: Has the legislation been promised?
: The Minister for Fisheries said he was in consultation with the Attorney General and that it may be necessary to introduce legislation.
: If the Deputy has a question to ask he may ask it but he may not make a speech.
: Does the Taoiseach or the Government propose to introduce legislation to protect the Irish fishing industry from Spaniards using the flag of convenience to fish in our waters?
: That is still under consideration. The advice of the Attorney General was sought with a view to determining what steps should or ought legally to be taken to deal with the matter which the Deputy has very properly raised.