It is proposed to take item No. 7. Private Members' Business will be No. 53.
Order of Business.
On the Order of Business, the Minister for the Environment has just informed us of pending legislation. Let me ask the Tánaiste what time-scale is in mind for this legislation and whether——
A Deputy
It is on the Order of Business and the legislation has been promised.
The Deputy is correct.
Will the Government be seeking expeditious despatch of this legislation?
It is unlikely, because of the necessity of having the Finance Bill discussed immediately that it will be done this week. Obviously we will be looking for the co-operation of the Opposition to have urgent despatch of this legislation. It will be discussed between the Whips.
We would be very happy to afford this legislation an expeditious passage through the House. We have been pressing for it. We regard it as very urgent, and we will be very happy to get it through the House as quickly as possible.
(Limerick West): May I ask the Tánaiste if the Minister for Agriculture will make a statement on the recent farm price package?
That is not in order on the Order of Business.
(Limerick West): It was normal last year and in previous years for the Minister for Agriculture to make a statement on the price package.
Yes, but it is usual to arrange it through the Whips. It is not in order to raise it like this on the Order of Business.
(Limerick West): I am respectfully asking the Tánaiste if arrangements will be made——
With the greatest respect, the Chair must tell the Deputy that it is not in order because if requests like this were to be allowed on the Order of Business it would invariably end up in developing debates. I suggest that the Whip of your party contact the Government Whip.
We are talking now about the practice and procedure of the House and how it has been departed from since we went into the EEC. Year in year out, it has always been the practice of the Minister for Agriculture to present to the House a full report on how the agricultural price negotiations proceeded. We have not got this. We have had a great deal of talk about the super-levy, which is only one issue. There are a number of other issues of great concern to the agricultural community——
I suggest to Deputy Lenihan that he request the Whip of his party to take it up with the Government Whip and take it from there in the ordinary way.
Could I ask the Tánaiste when the Government intend to introduce the Funds of Suitors Bill? We understand that Comhaltas Ceoltóirí Éireann are in a serious financial position and that they have undertaken certain commitments on the understanding that money would be made available to them from these funds when the Bill would be introduced. Could the Tánaiste give any indication as to when we are likely to have the Bill before the House?
I am aware that the Bill is in the course of preparation at the moment. I cannot give the Deputy an exact time but I will endeavour to find out the time and communicate with the Deputy before the afternoon is out. I realise the urgency of what he is saying.
May I ask the Tánaiste when it is indicated to make Government time available to discuss yesterday's announcement by way of Government diktat on the pay arrangements for the next 18 months?
The same principle and the same reasoning apply as applies to the matter raised by Deputy Noonan.
Would the Ceann Comhairle tell me what he means by the same principle?
It does not arise.
The question arises as to how relevant this House is becoming. On a major announcement such as this, surely it is imperative——
Deputy Fitzgerald's party may take it up with the Government Whip.
I wish to ask the Tánaiste if there is any indication yet as to when legislation providing for votes for nationals of other EEC countries is to be brought in. The Taoiseach indicated last week that he was to have talks with the Leader of the Fianna Fáil Party. Have those talks taken place and has a decision been made yet?
Certain discussions have taken place in April and, in fact, further discussions will take place before the day is out. I can then inform the Deputy of the dates on which we shall be bringing in the legislation.
May I raise on the Adjournment of the Dáil the sudden closure of James (Roscommon) Limited — a factory in Roscommon town employing 34 people, with a resultant loss of jobs? The sad thing is that these employees were given 30 minutes by a multinational firm to vacate the premises. Would the Minister investigate the matter personally?
I shall communicate with the Deputy.