asked the Taoiseach when it is planned to establish the Oireachtas committee on the problems of the protection of marriage under modern conditions and of marriage break-down, which he promised in the Dáil on 26 January; the consultations he has had or plans to have with the Opposition parties regarding the composition and terms of reference of the committee; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
Ceisteanna—Questions . Oral Answers . - Oireachtas Committee on Protection of Marriage .
4.
: The Government have been awaiting a response from the main Opposition party to proposals for this and other committees. We are very anxious to set up this committee. I would be happy to have the views of Deputy Mac Giolla on this matter.
As soon as consultation are completed it is my intention to proceed immediately with the establishment of the committee.
: The answer was very glibly given. I understand from it that a decision has not been made. Does the Taoiseach recall that in his letter to me of 17 February he stated that the proposal for the composition of this and other committees was almost ready? He also stated that this committee would be asked to report by the end of 1983. What has held up the setting up of this committee?
: Consultations with the principal Opposition party.
: I take it the Taoiseach is saying that he is awaiting a response from this party.
: Informal consultations have been taking place for some time past. I learned late this morning that the Deputy wishes these consultations of an informal character to be transferred into a formal letter to him setting out what has been under discussion, and I am proceeding to do that immediately.
: I want to ask the Taoiseach does he not think the answer he gave to Deputy Mac Giolla constitutes a misleading of the House, again?
Deputies
: Hear, hear.
: I do not. We have been awaiting a response from the main Opposition party.
: Will the Taoiseach confirm that, as yet, I as leader of my party and no member of my party have received any request from the Government for the formation of this committee or any positive proposal in regard to it? I hope Deputy Mac Giolla is aware of that situation.
: I have to confirm the contrary. Consultations have been in progress for a period of quite a number of weeks. It was with some surprise that I learned this morning that these consultations now require to be translated into a letter to the Leader of the Opposition. I am more than willing to do so. I regret, however, that the Opposition have taken so long to respond in this regard because it is a matter of urgency to get the committee established.
: How dare you?
: The Deputy should address the Chair.
: I am sorry a Cheann Comhairle, but some things push me beyond the bounds of reasonably courteous behaviour in this House. Is the Taoiseach endeavouring to suggest that the passing of some incomplete documents by a Minister of that Government to our Chief Whip constitutes consultation about the setting up of an important all-party committee of this House?
: I am not aware that the Deputy finds the documents incomplete. If that is the case, this is the first notification we have had of it since the consultations began some six weeks ago.
: Deputy Mac Giolla with a last supplementary question.
: Is it still the Taoiseach's intention that the committee will report by the end of 1983?
: Yes. I propose to proceed to establish the committee in the near future. I must, of course, write to the Leader of the Opposition as he now requests me to do so. I will expect to get a reply back from him shortly. One way or the other the committee will be established within the next couple of weeks. If it is to complete its work within that type of deadline—and I aim to have its report by the end of the year — the committee would need to be established fairly soon.
: We must pass on to the next question.
: There is no need for ultra protection.
: The Deputy will withdraw that remark.
: I withdraw it, if you are super-sensitive about it.
: Did I hear the Taoiseach correctly? Did he state again to Deputy Mac Giolla that the committee will be established?
: Yes.
: Is the Taoiseach presuming our agreement to participate in the committee?
: I made it clear — as it was made clear many months ago in our programme for Government — that it is our intention on this occasion, having consulted the Opposition and having given them an opportunity, which they have had at some length, to consider the matter, to proceed to establish the committee. The process in a previous Dáil by which its establishment was frustrated by prolonged failure to respond on the matter will not be allowed to happen in this Dáil.
: To whom did the Taoiseach make that clear?