It is proposed to take Nos. 1, 2, 10, 3 and 11.
Order of Business.
Is the Taoiseach prepared to make a statement on his recent visit to Athens and his meeting with Prime Minister Papandreou with particular reference to the outcome of the discussions in so far as the milk super-levy is concerned? I am sure he is aware that there are a number of conflicting reports as to what took place during the discussions and as to what the outcome was.
I do not propose in the middle of delicate negotiations to make a statement on any bilateral discussions beyond what I have said in reply to questions and which was quite clear and not in any way confusing. It is on public record. To go beyond that at this stage would not be helpful to the Irish case which I know the Deputy and his party, like this party, are concerned to ensure is dealt with as effectively and as successfully as possible.
The Taoiseach is aware——
I have allowed a full question from the Leader of the Opposition on this matter.
I might have another question on the Order of Business. As the Taoiseach has acknowledged, we on this side of the House are very anxious to support the Government in their efforts to defeat this very seriously detrimental proposal.
I have allowed Deputy Haughey to ask if the Taoiseach proposes to make a statement on the matter. The Taoiseach has answered the question and I cannot allow a debate or a discussion on it.
I do not intend developing a discussion on the issue. I am merely trying to explain to the Taoiseach my reason for pressing him to make a statement. Surely it is in accordance with any democratic parliamentary procedure anywhere that the Leader of the Opposition is entitled to press the Leader of the Government of the day to make a statement on an important matter. My reason for pressing the Taoiseach to make a statement on the matter concerned is that we wish to give the Government every possible support but in order to do that we must be informed fully as to what the Government are doing and as to the results they are achieving in their discussions. Apart from that, surely the Taoiseach owes it to the House to make a statement as to the circumstances in which he made his intemperate outburst in Athens——
The Leader of the Opposition is now out of order.
He was the man who talked so much of ridding the House of performances like this on the Order of Business.
Deputy Haughey is availing of the procedure of asking whether a statement can be made to launch into a speech on something that happened in Athens. That is out of order and I cannot allow it.
On a point of order, I wish to emphasise that I am pressing the Leader of the Government to make a statement on two very important matters.
I will not allow a speech from the Deputy.
I am merely explaining my reason for pressing the Taoiseach on the issue.
The Chair has ruled that the Deputy is developing his question into a speech and that is not in order.
I am developing the point with your good self.
The Deputy is behaving as Deputy O'Leary behaved the other day.
Will somebody please keep that rude man under control. I am asking you, Sir, to listen to my point of order, that is, that I am pressing the Leader of the Government to make a statement on two very important matters. Am I not entitled to give a very brief reason for doing so?
No. I am ruling the Deputy out of order.
I am sorry to have to say that you are being unreasonable in this matter, that you are muzzling the Opposition.
If that is to be regarded as a reflection on the impartiality and integrity of the Chair, I would expect the Leader of the Opposition to withdraw it.
It is no reflection on your impartiality or integrity. I am merely saying that you are unreasonable.
May I reply to the question, but not to the argument?
I would prefer if the Taoiseach did not reply.
I wish to raise on the Adjournment the matter of the delay in the formal sanctioning of the Athlone Orthopaedic Centre.
The Chair will communicate with the Deputy.
(Limerick West): Is the Taoiseach prepared to allow Government time for discussion of the proposed super-levy in the context of how it would affect this country?
And the Taoiseach's antics with regard to it.
The matter has been discussed in the House and I do not consider that further or continuing debate during the negotiations would be helpful. I appreciate the support of the Opposition in the battle we are fighting in this matter and I accept that they are entitled to as much information as can be given, but I do not think that I can give more information than I have given publicly without it being to the detriment of the negotiations. Should the Leader of the Opposition wish to be more fully informed privately, I should be happy to accommodate him in that respect; but further public debate would not be helpful during the very difficult and complex negotiations that will be taking place in the next four to five weeks.
(Limerick West): That was not an answer to the question I asked. I asked whether the Taoiseach will allow Government time for discussion of the issue.
The Taoiseach has answered that.
I will not allow time for further discussion of the issue at this stage.
(Limerick West): We know where the Taoiseach stands.
(Interruptions.)
I am calling Deputy Mitchell.
I wish to raise on the Adjournment the question of a hospital in Dublin which has refused to accept an application for employment from a constituent of mine on the basis of her religion.
The Chair will communicate with the Deputy.
I should like to raise on the Adjournment the question of the implications for this country of the siting of Cruise missiles in England.
The Chair will communicate with the Deputy.
Regarding item No. 3, can the Taoiseach confirm that we are only taking the order for the Second Stage?
The Deputy can raise that when we reach item No. 3.
I tried to raise this yesterday morning. In view of the public disquiet generated by the recent television programme in Britain on Windscale I should like to ask the Minister for the Environment to make a statement on the matter.
I am afraid that is not in order, Deputy, please.
Might I raise on the Adjournment the danger posed to seals on Inishkea Island and other islands off the Mayo coast by the possibility of a seal cull?
Might I also, on the Order of Business, ask the Taoiseach whether it is the intention——
One item at a time. The Chair will communicate with the Deputy on the seal question.
Might I ask the Taoiseach, on the Order of Business, whether the Government would afford time in this House next week to debate the financial abuse and incompetence on the part of both Government Departments and semi-State bodies disclosed by the report——
That does not arise on the Order of Business in that way. Item No. 1.
Might I ask the Taoiseach if, on his recent visit to Athens, he gave precedence to the super-levy over his outburst on the invasion of Grenada?
That is not in order.
I am asking him if he gave precedence to the super-levy over his outburst on the invasion of Grenada.
I am more than happy to answer, a Cheann Comhairle. I am rearing to go.
When the Chair rules out a question by a Deputy, whether that question is addressed to a Minister or to the Taoiseach, it is not helpful if a Minister or the Taoiseach answers it. I am ruling out Deputy H. Byrne. Item No. 1.
Might I raise on the Adjournment the position in connection with the Rosslare-Limerick rail line which has now been closed down for two weeks?
The Chair will communicate with the Deputy.