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Dáil Éireann debate -
Wednesday, 7 Nov 1984

Vol. 353 No. 7

Order of Business.

It is proposed to take business in the following order: Nos. 5, 6, 7, 8 and 9; Private Members' Business will be No. 17.

On the Order of Business, I should like to ask the Taoiseach if he will provide an opportunity for the Minister for Communications to make a statement about the new proposed CIE pension scheme. I am asking this question because it is very important. The Minister seems to have stated there is no money available despite the fact that the unions are meeting tomorrow. This is a long playing record.

I understand what Deputy Wilson wants to raise but it does not arise on the Order of Business.

I asked the Taoiseach if he would provide such an opportunity because it might help the unions in making up their minds tomorrow if we had a statement on his own and his Department's attitude in regard to the matter.

I suggest that the Deputy would initiate that through the Whip.

Will the Taoiseach state when it is intended to publish the Book of Estimates? Will the House have an opportunity to debate them before the Christmas recess?

They will be published within the next fortnight. The exact date has not been fixed yet.

Will the House have an opportunity to discuss them before the Christmas recess?

That is a matter for discussion between the Whips in due course.

One of the cornerstones of the Government's proposals for reform of the proceedings of the House——

That does not arise.

——was the early publication of the Estimates. Originally the Taoiseach promised this would be done in September.

On the Order of Business, will the Taoiseach state when the Government intend to introduce the promised legislation in relation to joint ownership of the family home and, secondly, in relation to the law on domicile?

I think it will be in the next session.

As one of the Deputies for South Tipperary and particularly the little village of Ballyporeen, I think it would be in order if this House passed a vote of congratulation to President Reagan on his landslide victory.

That is understandable but it is not in order.

On the Order of Business, will the Taoiseach state when it is proposed to introduce legislation to set up the national development corporation?

The legislation is in preparation. It is hoped to publish it before the end of this session.

Will the Taoiseach state when it is proposed to bring before this House the Bill dealing with independent local radio and also the Broadcasting and Wireless Telegraphy Bill, 1979? This matter is urgent but after two years there has been no progress.

It will be within the next couple of weeks.

The Taoiseach has informed this House——

The Deputy asked a question and he got an answer.

He has said on two occasions that it would be "within the next couple of weeks". I appeal to him now to bring the matter before the House.

In relation to the Taoiseach's answer to my question on the Order of Business, I am disappointed with his reply because last session he promised me it would be introduced during this session.

We cannot have a debate on the matter.

In view of the fact that the Minister for Health promised a Family Planning Bill by the end of June, will the Taoiseach state when the Bill will be introduced?

During this session.

In the next couple of weeks.

When is it intended to introduce the legislation concerning the national lottery?

That hardly arises on the Order of Business.

In the next session.

I should like to raise on the Adjournment the matter of the proposed development of Greencastle Harbour and to point out to the Minister concerned that as the mackerel fishing season is at its height in that area, the question is urgent.

The Chair will communicate with the Deputy.

I should like to raise on the Adjournment the very serious situation in the Mallow area as a result of the savage cutbacks in the hospital there. This is a small hospital of 100 beds.

The scalpels are more sophisticated nowadays.

The Chair will communicate with the Deputy.

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