I wish to raise on the Adjournment the continuing dispute at Ranks, Phibsborough, and to ask the Minister for Labour if he will indicate what steps he is taking to resolve the situation there?
Business of Dáil.
The Chair will communicate with the Deputy.
May I ask the Taoiseach if he will raise the Father O'Brien situation with President Reagan when be meets him officially?
That does not arise on the Order of Business.
Could I have a quick answer?
No, it is not in order on the Order of Business.
The Taoiseach might wish to give a quick answer.
I am not allowing that to be raised. There was a question down to the Taoiseach on a similar matter today and it was dealt with.
Could I have an answer yes or no?
No, I will not allow it. It is not in order.
I had a Private Notice Question down to the Minister for Justice asking him if he would make a statement on the outcome of his investigations into the illegal placement of listening devices in Kilbarrack. The Chair has ruled that it is not a matter of urgency and that the investigations are still continuing.
Does the Deputy wish to give notice that he wants to raise it at any time?
I want to ask the Minister if he realises the amount of public disquiet there is because of the rumours which are circulating for over a week. A full report would help to allay this public comment which is taking place.
I would like to ask the Taoiseach in view of the failure of the Central Statistics Office under the previous three administrations to pick up——
(Interruptions.)
The Deputy is not in order.
I have to be in order. I want to ask the Taoiseach if he will tell us when he makes a statement to the House if the £250 million which was stated in The Irish Times to have been sent out of the country for tax evasion——
The Deputy will resume his seat.
(Interruptions.)
With your permission, Sir, I wish to raise on the Adjournment the serious matter of the failure by the Government to have any money provided for the Housing Finance Agency and the threat to the construction industry arising from that.
The Chair will communicate with the Deputy.
I wish to raise on the Adjournment the question of the senior cycle at Caritas College in Ballyfermot.
The Chair will communicate with the Deputy.
With your permission——
You ruled me out of order. Will the Taoiseach tell the House what action he will take on the Central Statistics Office——
Deputy McLoughlin will please resume his seat. I have called Deputy N. Treacy.
With your permission, I wish to raise on the Adjournment the serious financial situation being experienced by T & D Engineering Limited, Tynagh, Loughrea, County Galway, which is forcing the company out of business.
The Chair will communicate with the Deputy.
I am not sure if a debate will take place on Thursday morning and if the Taoiseach's offer to the Opposition has been taken up. That does not seem to have been indicated.
That is a matter for the Whips.
Is the Deputy going to raise the £500 million too?
If I am in order I would like to ask the Taoiseach if the sum announced in the statement by the Taoiseach represents the full amount of the money that may be involved and what impact this will have——
The Deputy is not in order. As well as not being in order it is anticipating a debate which has been suggested for this week.
Like you I spent about nine hours last week trying to agree a few minor matters. About the only thing we agreed was that at the request of the Taoiseach's Department, the House would not meet on Thursday. It is amazing that he now wants the House to meet.
I hope they are not running away from the debate.
Dún Laoghaire): Could I clarify the position? The Taoiseach's Department did not request this. The staff of the House requested it to facilitate arrangements for the visit of President Reagan, but in view of the seriousness of this matter it is only right that we should have a debate on Thursday morning. That is the position.