It is proposed to take business in the following order: Nos. 1 to 25 and No. 31. Private Members' Business will be Nos. 38 (resumed) and 55.
Order of Business.
I should like to express my disappointment at your not allowing my Private Notice Question——
The Deputy cannot question the ruling of the Chair and I hope she will not continue to do so.
A Cheann Comhairle, I would hope that you would see fit to allow me raise it on the Adjournment because the matter is very important to the entire west Clare area.
I will communicate with the Deputy.
In the light of the disturbances in Sandymount last Sunday, would the Taoiseach feel it fit to make a statement on the general——
Now, Deputy Brady, that is not in order.
——safety of Deputies.
It is not in order. Deputy Brady will have to find a way of raising this matter, which he considers in order——
A Cheann Comhairle, with respect, you did not even listen or allow me to finish the sentence.
Well, you see——
You might laugh, a Cheann Comhairle——
No, I am not laughing——
——but outside today I was advised not to come into the House because there was a protest going on. The safety of Deputies, with respect, a Cheann Comhairle, is a very serious matter.
The Deputy could have sought permission to ask a Private Notice Question.
Justice in the courts today is close to anarchy, as was stated——
He cannot come in here and raise this matter in a disorderly way.
——particularly as it was in the Taoiseach's own constituency and I think he should make some statement.
Deputy Gene Fitzgerald.
Would the Taoiseach confirm that, as a result of yesterday's meeting between the Minister for Industry and Energy and representatives of the workers and management of Verolme Cork Dockyard, no orders for ships are forthcoming and no further moneys available for the yard?
This matter is not in order on the Order of Business. May I ask the Deputy to co-operate with me, please?
Of course, I will co-operate with you, Sir, and I have always done so. But in a matter as serious as this it is not just enough for you to say to me: "The matter is out of order". It is a serious matter on the Cork scene.
(Interruptions.)
Order, please. I would ask the Deputy to accept that I was elected to the Chair to decide what is and is not in order and I would not be carrying out my duty if I did not do so. I am ruling that this matter which the Deputy is trying to raise is not in order.
When, in the name of goodness, are we going to have the Dáil reformed so that we can ask questions?
I accept and always will your rulings on issues of this nature. But I am sure that because of your experience in the House you are as aware as I am that issues of such importance as the future of Verolme, employing the numbers they do, just should not be ruled out of order.
There are other methods available to Deputy Gene Fitzgerald to raise this.
A Cheann Comhairle——
Please, Deputy, I am ruling you out of order and I would ask you to resume your seat.
Before I do so, Sir, you say there are other means by which I may raise this issue——
Which the Deputy may consider.
Would the Chair indicate to me how I am——
No, I would not——
——to get a response from the Taoiseach on an issue as important as the future of the Verolme Cork Dockyard?
(Interruptions.)
Deputy Fitzgerald is out of order.
How can I be guided?
It is not the Chair's business to guide or direct in matters like this. I am calling Deputy O'Hanlon.
Would the Chair not accept——
I do not want to ask the Deputy to resume his seat but I am asking him to do it all the same. Please, Deputy.
I would never be disrespectful to you and I would always respect your ruling. I resume my seat under protest.
Incidents like this led by senior Members of the House are inclined to encourage less senior and very junior Members to think that it is the thing to do; in other words, it is bad example.
(Interruptions.)
I accept your homily, Sir. Would you also accept from me that it is a very serious——
Deputy Rory O'Hanlon.
I wish to raise on the Adjournment the subject matter of Question No. 1 on today's Order Paper.
I will communicate with the Deputy.
Would the Taoiseach make a statement on the future of Verolme Dockyard in the light of——
I have just ruled that out of order.
(Interruptions.)
On a point of order, do Government Deputies believe that the seriousness of the industrial situation in the Cork area is a laughing matter?
The Government have issued a statement to the effect that they intend shortly to modify the Landlord and Tenant (Ground Rents) (No. 2) Act, 1978, by extending the ground rents purchase scheme for a further 12 months and trebling the fees charged. Would the Taoiseach reconsider this position and consider extending the scheme for three years and increasing the fees only modestly so that people can avail of the scheme? The fees are to be increased from £17 to £51.
It is not strictly in order.
That is a matter which will come up for debate when this comes before the House. It can hardly be debated at this stage.
I am asking the Taoiseach to consider these points.
I would appreciate your advice on whether I am in order in asking the Minister for Finance if he is aware of the reported huge outflow of funds from Irish banks in anticipation of this debate and if he will make a statement on the matter if it is true.
(Interruptions.)
Will the Deputy take his seat, please? The Chair considers that this is anticipating a debate which is about to begin and it may be raised on some section of the Finance Bill.
I have a telegram which outlines the seriousness of the situation in Verolme and I ask your permission to read it for the information of the Taoiseach.
No, I will not give it.
Would the Taoiseach consider allowing Government time to discuss this very important subject?
I suggest that the Deputy should communicate with his own Whip, who should communicate with the Government Whip.
I have made the request as a Member of this House.
In view of the statement by Deputy Nealon, Minister with responsibility for communications, what is the policy of the Government towards Fine Gael TDs who participate——
That does not arise on the Order of Business.