It is proposed to take business in the following order: Nos. 2, 10, 11, 3 and 12. By agreement there will be no Private Members' Business today. Also by agreement the interruption of business will take place at 7 p.m. today.
Death of Mr. Seán MacEntee. - Order of Business.
Are the arrangements for the Order of Business agreed?
I want to raise with the Taoiseach — as I think he has invited us to do — the question of Government time for a discussion on the tragic development in regard to Fords and indeed on the employment situation in Cork generally. Perhaps the Taoiseach could indicate, first of all, that this procedure is acceptable to him and the Government and indicate when this might happen. I notice that we are interrupting at 7 p.m. today because, understandably, there is no room for Private Members' Time. Would the Government consider going on to perhaps 10 o'clock this evening to discuss the Cork situation?
I had suggested that this be discussed between the Whips, as to the nature of the debate and when it might take place and its duration. I have no firm ideas about it. I would be happy to have it discussed between the Whips and I am sure they will reach agreement on something without much difficulty.
I am grateful for that undertaking by the Taoiseach. But my reason for mentioning it here now is that, if we are going to agree here on this Order of Business to interrupt at 7 p.m., it might be too late later.
I think you have to move before 5 o'clock, is that not right, to sit later. If we have made an order of the House now to interrupt at 7 p.m., subject to checking, if we want to alter that, we have to move a motion of the House before 5 o'clock.
I suggest then to the Taoiseach, a Cheann Comhairle, through you, that the Whips meet immediately and consider the possibility of debate tonight after 7 o'clock.
That can be discussed between them. There may be certain advantages in having the debate tomorrow rather than this evening, I do not know, but that can be discussed between the Whips. Whatever conclusion is reached, if it is necessary to take steps before 5 o'clock, we can do so. But I do not want to commit myself at the moment to a debate tonight because, in consultation, it may emerge that one tomorrow would be preferable. I have an open mind on the matter.
I want to call the attention of the Taoiseach to something. His Minister for Health, acting in collusion with non-elected people, is frustrating the policy adopted by the North Eastern Health Board with regard to the building of Cavan General Hospital. Is he collectively responsible for this act, is this a proper use of the courts, and what is he going to do about it?
Deputy, notwithstanding the matter at issue, it is not in order on the Order of Business.
It is an absolute disgrace and is a very false use of the courts.
The Deputy knows perfectly that he is not in order on the Order of Business and, much as I might like to allow him to proceed, I cannot.
He went to China on the last occasion and he is going to Saudi Arabia now.
I should like to ask the Taoiseach when it is intended to publish the long awaited White Paper on industrial policy.
The document is before the Government at present. I have not a date for publication but as soon as the Government have had an opportunity of considering it and taking a decision, it will be published. I am sure that will be within the next two months.
Does the Taoiseach recollect telling me last July in the House that the document was before the Government and we could expect publication shortly?
No, I do not.
The Taoiseach should look at the record of the House.
Will the Taoiseach tell the House when it is proposed to take No. 8 on today's Order Paper which refers to the postponement of the local elections?
Do the Government remember that they are postponing the local government elections? They are afraid of them.
(Dún Laoghaire): The order is down and the item will be taken following consultations between the Whips.
When is it proposed to discuss it between the Whips?
(Dún Laoghaire): Normally we have a meeting of the Whips every week. We have agreed the business for this week and there was no request to have that item taken this week. It will be open for discussion next week.
I should like to ask the Taoiseach why he waited until almost Christmas Eve before announcing the postponement of the local elections.
I am not going to allow a discussion on the Order of Business.
The Taoiseach was taking a leaf out of the book of the Minister for Education because she did something similar last year.
Is the real reason why the local elections are being postponed that the Government are afraid to face the electorate?
I am not going to allow a discussion on this matter.
I have been asked a question and my answer to it is, no.
The answer is a definite "yes".
I generally accept the ruling of the Chair but I should like to know the reason why the Chair merely quoted a Standing Order number when referring to my request to have a Private Notice question dealt with today.
If the Deputy wishes to discuss the matter with me he should come to my office.
I am anxious that the ruling of the Chair is read into the record of the House.
the Deputy may come to my office.
With the permission of the Chair I should like to raise the matter I referred to earlier on the Adjournment.
I will communicate with the Deputy.
In the last session our party agreed not to push for the establishment of the committees mentioned on the Order Paper until the 15 committees agreed got off the ground. I should like to know if the Taoiseach, during the Christmas Recess, made any decision on the remaining committees.
No, we have not. That matter can be discussed between the Whips also.
The Taoiseach took that job out of the hands of the Whips and gave it to the Leader of the House, the Minister, Deputy Bruton. As a result I cannot discuss the matter with him.
Does the Taoiseach remember doing that?
We will discuss it with the Opposition whenever it is appropriate.
(Dún Laoghaire): We are always willing to discuss anything.
I am conscious of the fact that when we established the committees concern was expressed by the other side of the House at the problems created by having so many committees and getting Deputies to man them. There was a hesitation at that stage on the subject of establishing more committees. Some of the committees we have established have specific mandates with limited duration and I had thought, in view of what was said earlier, that possibly there might be some link between the completion of work of some of the committees with a limited task and the establishment of further committees so as not to overload the House. It is a matter that can be discussed between the parties.
We agreed that we would stagger the start of the committees but we are now five months on. At the outset there were problems in regard to staff and other matters but they have all been sorted out. On our first day back it is appropriate that there should be consideration given to our motion to establish other committees.
Will the Taoiseach give the House an indication of the Government's legislative programme for this session, in particular any major legislation the Government intend bringing before the House? It is important that we are given an indication of the Government's programme for this session.
We do not have the practice of the "Queen's Speech" in this Assembly——
Does the Taoiseach mean that he does not have any programme?
——but I take what the Deputy has said as giving notice of his intention to raise this later. I would not like to deal with this question extempore. Perhaps the Deputy will raise the matter later.
Will it be sufficient to ask the Taoiseach to outline the legislation we can expect from the Government in this session?
Yes, a reasonable question. I simply require notice.
I am anxious to get an opportunity to ask the Minister for Justice to assure the public, and the House, that the raid on the premises of a section of the Tánaiste's party at a very strategic time was merely a coincidence. The Chair has told me that the matter was ruled out of order because it was not urgent.
I will not permit a discussion on my ruling.
This is an important matter as far as the public are concerned.
The Deputy may put down a question if he wishes.
It is important that the House, and the public, are given an assurance by the Minister that this was a coincidence.
The Deputy should proceed in accordance with Standing Orders.
It is unfortunate that I am not allowed the opportunity to get that assurance.