: It is proposed to take Nos. 1 and 2, Order for Second Stage followed by Second Stage debate; Private Members' Business will be No. 14 resumed.
Order of Business .
: When is it intended to take the Hours of Work Bill? Will it be taken this session?
: That is a question I will be happy to answer if given notice of it or if it is raised through the Whips.
: Perhaps tomorrow morning?
: Certainly.
: As we are taking the First Stage of the Finance Bill today, I want to confirm the undertaking the Taoiseach gave Deputy O'Kennedy yesterday that at least one week will be allowed between the publication of the Bill and the taking of it in the Dáil.
: Yes, it will be published next week and Deputies will have a week to consider it, which is very important with a Bill of this kind. As the Deputy is aware, the date of the by-election has been fixed so that it will not intrude in the period of parliamentary time up to the deadline for the passing of the Second Stage to ensure maximum time for that stage.
: It is unfortunate that it will be Friday the 13th.
: We will see how unfortunate it is and for whom in due course.
: It could be unfortunate for the Taoiseach.
: In view of the fact that 16 constituencies now contravene Article 16.2.3º of the Constitution and following the recent publication of the census figures, will the Taoiseach state what action the Government intend taking to ensure that constituencies comply with the Constitution?
: I must correct the Deputy. There is no constitutional decision as to what the tolerance should be. The constitutional decision was that a particular proposal introduced by Fianna Fáil, which involved a tolerance of 20 per cent, was unconstitutional. Subsequent to that Governments acting on their own account in reviewing constituencies adhered to a 5 per cent tolerance. A commission was established by Fianna Fáil and produced a scheme with a larger tolerance which they felt would be acceptable within the constitutional limits set by the Courts if challenged. As we do not know what those limits are, nobody can say how many constituencies are outside, but it is clear that at least one constituency is outside and that a revision is necessary. Accordingly, the Government will be announcing the establishment of a review commission in accordance with previous practice with a view to carrying out a review of the constituencies which is necessary in at least one case. I must correct the Deputy's suggestion that there are 16 constituencies outside any possible constitutional norm.
: May I say——
: The Chair must intervene and say he has no objection to the matter being raised but we cannot have a discussion as to which constituency needs to be revised.
: When will the commission be established?
: The commission will be established in the immediate future with the same composition and terms of reference as the commission established previously.
: On a point of fact. The Taoiseach did not advert to the fact that his Government at one stage brought forward different terms of reference from the first——
: Now Deputy Haughey.
: The Taoiseach said "the same terms of reference" but there are two different terms of reference. I am not being argumentative about this.
: I am calling Deputy E. O'Keeffe.
: Will the Taoiseach consider having Irish farmers compensated because of the continuing delay in price negotiations in Brussels?
: That does not arise on the Order of Business.
: But it is very important.
: Deputy E. O'Keeffe is being disorderly.
: In view of the Taoiseach's remarks on the radio yesterday in relation to the Eighth Amendment of the Constitution, is he considering withdrawing the present Bill before the House and referring it to an all party committee?
: That does not arise on the Order of Business. The Bill is ordered for next week.
: On the precedent established here regarding statements by Ministers, I would like to ask the Taoiseach, in relation to a statement made by the Minister for Finance in his budget speech, that those in receipt of social welfare——
: The budget debate has not been concluded and raising a matter about the budget speech is not in order on the Order of Business. I am calling Deputy Gregory.
: With respect, this is important. We had subsequent statements from the Minister for Social Welfare stating that this——
: That may be raised on the budget debate. The Chair is ruling against the Deputy.
: A Cheann Comhairle——
: The Deputy will resume his seat.
: How can——
: Deputy Gallagher is out of order.
: On a point of order——
: The Minister for Social Welfare stated——
: Deputy Gallagher, please give way to Deputy Molloy on a point of order.
: On a number of occasions recently Deputies, such as Deputy Gallagher and myself, had parliamentary questions refused on the grounds that the subject of the question was more appropriate for the budget debate. This seems to be a new device to prohibit Deputies from raising matters which are of serious concern. I wish to ask if it is incorrect for the Chair to make this judgment or whether it could be brought to a committee of the House to decide whether your interpretation of this matter is justified.
: The point being raised by Deputy Gallagher may be in order and proper to be raised at some other time and in some other place, but it is not in order on the Order of Business. I am calling Deputy Gregory.
: The newspapers this morning and last night contained reports that the Taoiseach had set up a ministerial committee to deal with the problem of heroin and other hard drugs in the State. As it is a matter of interest to many Deputies, we should like to hear about such action in the House rather than to read about it in the newspapers. Therefore, will the Taoiseach give details of the committee, if indeed he has set up such a committee?
: It is not in order on the Order of Business. Perhaps the Deputy would consider putting down a question on the subject.
: I should like to raise on the Adjournment the matter of the prevention of unauthorised dumping of chemical waste off the coastland.
: The Chair will communicate with the Deputy.