It is proposed to take Nos. 7, 8 and 9. By agreement, the Dáil shall sit later than 9 p.m. today and not later than 12.30 a.m. The hour at which business shall be interrupted shall be 12 midnight. By agreement also business shall be interrupted at 8.30 p.m. to take No. 9 if it has not been reached earlier. Private Members' Business will be No. 60.
Order of Business.
Can the Taoiseach tell us what is the position regarding the Local Radio Bill which he promised on 22 March last to bring to the House before the Summer Recess?
The Local Radio Bill is almost ready. It is one of two Bills dealing with broadcasting. The other is the Broadcasting (Wireless and Telegraphy) Bill. It is intended to introduce both Bills together. The latter Bill will deal with illegal broadcasting.
Will the Bill be introduced before the Summer Recess as was promised in the House by the Taoiseach on 22 March last and as reported in the Official Report for that day?
That will depend on arrangements between the Whips.
Permission is not needed to introduce Bills.
Is this not a matter about which the Tánaiste and the Minister for Communications are in communication? Is there not a major dispute in the Cabinet regarding the content of the Bill? The Government are afraid to bring it in. They are afraid that to do so will result in the breaking up of the Coalition.
There is no major dispute in the Cabinet. We do not have the kind of problems the Opposition have in trying to throw people out.
(Interruptions.)
We sort matters out together amicably.
I am calling Deputy Farrelly.
The reply is totally inadequate. The Taoiseach misled the House on 22 March or, in other words, he lied to the House.
Deputy Leyden will withdraw that remark without reservation.
I shall refer to the statement.
I am asking the Deputy to withdraw without reservation the statement that the Taoiseach lied to the House.
On 22 March last the Taoiseach stated in reply to a question here that the Bill was with the draftsman and would be before the House prior to the Summer Recess. If he can honour that promise he was not lying but if he cannot honour it, he was lying.
Again, I am asking the Deputy to withdraw the statement that the Taoiseach lied to the House. I am asking the Deputy to resume his seat. I will not have any argument on this matter. If he does not withdraw the remark I shall ask him to leave the House.
The Taoiseach has in his power——
I will not have argument from the Deputy. I am asking him either to withdraw the statement or to leave the House.
I withdraw the remark on the basis of the statement made by the Taoiseach now.
I am asking the Deputy to resume his seat and to withdraw the statement that the Taoiseach lied to the House.
He has withdrawn it.
If he does not withdraw the statement now, he must leave the House. I am asking him to withdraw the statement without qualification. This is a serious matter.
He has withdrawn the statement.
But the Chair is not prepared to listen.
Perhaps the Taoiseach would tell us what he meant.
The Chair did not hear Deputy Leyden withdraw the statement. Perhaps that was due to the interruptions. Therefore, I am asking him now to confirm that he has withdrawn the remark. Otherwise, he must leave the House.
I confirm that I have withdrawn the remark.
Perhaps the Chair would advise us on what parliamentary term would be appropriate for a situation in which the Taoiseach, having given a solemn assurance to the House in March, is not fulfilling that assurance.
The Deputy will be aware from his last experience in the House that the Chair does not offer advice of that sort.
Would the term, "misled the House" be parliamentary?
Jumping the gun might be a better phrase to use.
The Chair is not prepared to enter into any sort of option or any sort of bargain with Deputy Haughey.
But would the term, "misled the House" be appropriate?
The Chair does not propose to give any such advice.
If I used that phrase, would you ask me to leave? I am accusing the Taoiseach of misleading the House.
Is the Deputy's remark in order?
I have not ruled it out of order.
I have told the House that the Bill is almost ready. It is a matter for the Whips to discuss the possibility of introducing it in this session.
This has nothing to do with the Whips. It is a question of the introduction of a Bill by the Government.
It is a matter for the Whips.
I should like to raise on the Adjournment the question of the continuous dumping on the Irish market of Spanish plasterboard since this could have serious effects on the jobs at Gypsum Industries Limited.
The Chair will communicate with the Deputy.
When is it proposed to take motion No. 6 which deals with postal voting and the referral of the Bill to the Joint Committee on Legislation?
It is proposed to introduce the motion before the recess, subject to agreement between the Whips.
I should like to raise on the Adjournment the matter of the crisis that has arisen in relation to itinerant resettlement in Tallaght.
The Chair will communicate with the Deputy.