It is proposed to take Nos. 2, 9, 3 and 10. By agreement, the proceedings on Committee, Fourth and Fifth Stages of the Social Welfare Bill, 1984, if not previously concluded, shall be brought to a conclusion at 1.30 p.m. today by putting from the Chair one question which shall, in relation to amendments, include only amendments set down by the Minister for Social Welfare. Private Members' Business will be No. 18.
Order of Business.
Are the arrangements in relation to the Social Welfare Bill agreed to? Agreed.
With the permission of the Ceann Comhairle, I wish to raise on the Adjournment a question which I asked for yesterday, but was not then lucky enough to succeed in having on the Adjournment? Would the Chair consider favourably for this evening my asking the Minister for the Environment the reason for his request to Dublin County Council to accept asbestos waste which is listed by the EEC as being toxic and dangerous, when the same waste was refused entry into the United Kingdom which is the traditional area for disposal? Also, does he intend to take immediate action to prevent Dublin County Council from implementing their decision to dump approximately 500 tonnes at Baleally tiphead, Lusk, in view of the serious threat to health?
The Chair will communicate with Deputy Burke.
Could I have permission to raise on the Adjournment a matter which was ruled out of order yesterday, if I rephrase my question? It is in connection with a large section of Dublin north-side having radio listenership interfered with, allegedly as a result of the activities of RTE? Is the Minister willing to make a statement on this matter, particularly in view of the fact that by this action the decision of this House is being brought into disrepute and shown scant regard?
The Chair will communicate with the Deputy. Just a moment, Deputy. I shall call Deputy Leyden next.
I wish to support Deputy Flaherty's request and wish to raise on the Adjournment tonight the same matter.
Might I remind the Deputies that the House has already ordered that two divisions be taken tonight at 8.30 p.m.? I need only remind the House that these will take a certain amount of time and Deputies might consider whether, in the light of those orders, they should impose work on Departments in researching items which will not have any chance of being reached?
May I ask the Taoiseach, in connection with the matter raised, primarily by Deputies on this side of the House, and that mentioned by Deputy Flaherty, that a new element seems to have entered in of which I think the Taoiseach should be aware? That is——
Deputy, please, do not wave me down for a moment.
Do not wave me down. Let us contain a situation of armed neutrality.
I am merely pointing out to Deputy Haughey and the House——
I shall only take a moment.
——that if I were to let Deputy Haughey develop his point——
I am not developing it.
——I would then be creating a precedent which I would find it very difficult to resist.
It is a point on which I would like your indulgence because I think it is of importance. It seems apart from the matter about which Deputies are deeply concerned, that a new and more significant element has entered into the matter now, that is a decision by a semi-State company, namely RTE, to ignore the wishes of the Minister for Communications
The Chair will take what the Deputy has said into consideration.
Could the Taoiseach tell us when the legislation for the referendum providing for citizens of other EEC countries to vote in the EEC elections will be introduced?
The legislation is at a final stage and I am discussing the matter today with the Leader of the Opposition.
Would the Minister for Foreign Affairs or the Minister for Communications let the House know whether any report on the incident involving the Oriel and presumably a submarine in the Irish Sea, has been received from any of the super powers?
That does not properly arise on the Order of Business today.
I should like to raise it on the Adjournment.
The Chair will communicate with the Deputy.
In view of the reminder that you gave us with regard to the voting situation tonight, would you consider that request for inclusion in the Adjournment debate to be treated as a Private Notice Question?
Are you withdrawing your initial application?
No, the Chair might consider it for a Private Notice Question.
If Deputy Burke wants to pursue the matter in that way, he should hand in a Private Notice Question which will be considered.
I shall do that.
That is backing two horses in a two horse race.
Might I also raise my question in that form, as that is the form in which I originally made my request to have this matter discussed.
You know the way in which it was received when it was handed in before, Deputy.
The same fate as my own.