Dáil Éireann debate -
Tuesday, 8 May 1984

Vol. 350 No. 1

Order of Business.

The Taoiseach

By agreement, there will be no interruption today to take Private Members' Business. At the conclusion of business today, the House will adjourn until 2.30 p.m. tomorrow. Also, by agreement, the proceedings for Committee Stage of the Finance Bill, 1984, if not previously concluded, shall be brought to a conclusion in accordance with the following timetable and where proceedings are to be concluded at a stated time, they shall be concluded by one question which shall be put from the Chair and which shall, in relation to amendments, include only amendments set down by the Minister for Finance:

On Tuesday, 8 May, from 3.30 p.m. to 6.45 p.m., Chapter III; 6.45 to 7.30 p.m., Chapter VII; 7.30 p.m. to 8.30 p.m., Chapter X.

On Wednesday, 9 May, from 3.30 p.m. to 5.30 p.m., Part II; 5.30 to 9.30 p.m., Part III and from 9.30 to 10.30 p.m., Part V.

By agreement, there will be no discussion on the other chapters.

An Ceann Comhairle

Is the proposed arrangement agreed? Agreed.

Mr. Leyden

May I ask the Taoiseach what is the position regarding the Local Radio Bill which is promised for this session? Have the Government already approved the Bill and when will it be actually published?

The Taoiseach

I should not like to give the Deputy an exact date. I shall inquire and let the Deputy know.

Mr. Leyden

Is it expected by the Taoiseach to be approved by the Summer Recess, as promised?

The Taoiseach

Yes.

Mr. Leyden

——or does the Taoiseach envisage any difficulty arising from the Ard-Fheis or Summit Meeting, or whatever the gathering is called, of the Labour Party, because of the statement made there that their Ministers would be voting against it?

The Taoiseach

I did not foresee any difficulties arising from the Opposition.

Mr. O'Kennedy

It is the opposition within the Government that we are talking about.

Mr. Leyden

I am referring to objections by a Labour Minister to the Bill.

Mr. Haughey

Here is the opposition coming now.

Mr. G. Mitchell

Could the Taoiseach tell us why the House is not sitting tomorrow morning and also when we will have the Children Bill which he indicated before the recess would be before the House shortly?

Mr. Molloy

I presume that the Deputy has heard of 1916.

The Taoiseach

As Deputy Mitchell is aware, it is a tradition not to sit on the morning of the Commemoration of 1916.

Mr. G. Mitchell

I should like an answer to my second question.

An Ceann Comhairle

Item No. 7, Finance Bill, 1984.

Mr. Haughey

Deputy Mitchell has a school question.

Mr. G. Mitchell

I thank the Deputy for his assistance. I hope he will always be so helpful. When may we expect to have the Children Bill?

The Taoiseach

I cannot give the Deputy an exact date. I shall communicate with him.

Minister of State at the Department of the Taoiseach (Mr. Barrett,

Dún Laoghaire): When reading out the arrangements, it was mentioned that the Finance Bill would be completed tomorrow. Committee Stage will be completed at 10.30 p.m. Report and Fifth Stages will be concluded on Thursday next. In reply to the question as to the reason for sitting until 10.30 p.m. tomorrow, it will be to make up the time lost in the morning.

Mr. Haughey

If the Government wish to claim any credit for this arrangement——

Mr. Barrett

(Dún Laoghaire): Not in the slightest.

Mr. Haughey

——may I point out that the Opposition have volunteered, this week, their Private Members' time to facilitate the Finance Bill?

Mr. Barrett

(Dún Laoghaire): That is correct. I am delighted with the co-operation of the Opposition.

An Ceann Comhairle

The Chair did not intend to make this remark, but it appears that the parties in the House have facilitated each other; I would appreciate very much if, in future, they would facilitate the Chair by giving him copies of the arrangements, in writing, a short time before. Item No. 7, Finance Bill, 1984, Committee Stage.

Mr. Barrett

(Dún Laoghaire): I should like to mention that, unfortunately, some Deputies missed the vote on Thursday last. I should like to draw the attention of the Chair to the fact that the clock in the hall was three minutes slow. If he checks his time he will find that it is now 12 minutes to four and not 15 minutes to four. That led to some misunderstanding on the part of some Deputies.

Mr. Haughey

Who were they?

Mr. O'Kennedy

The Labour Party.

Mr. Barrett

(Dún Laoghaire): Could the Chair arrange to have the clocks set at the right time?

An Ceann Comhairle

It seems that the Chair can only conveniently look forward. He goes by the clock in front of him.

Mr. Barrett

(Dún Laoghaire): It was three minutes slow.