It is proposed to take No. 3, Vote 29. By agreement, debate on Vote 29 shall be brought to a conclusion not later than 5 p.m. today. The Minister for the Environment shall be called on to conclude not later than 4.45 p.m. Also, by agreement, if a division is challenged on No. 3, the taking of such division shall be postponed until 8.30 p.m. on Wednesday, 6 February 1985.
Order of Business.
Can the Taoiseach give us any information regarding the introduction of legislation dealing with the National Development Corporation? Is the Corporation to be set up as a statutory body under legislation or will it be set up under the Companies Act by way of a memorandum of articles of association?
It will be set up by way of legislation, the heads of which the Government will be considering shortly. The legislation will be brought before House in this session.
Can the Taoiseach give us any indication as to the position in regard to the matter raised by the Minister for Industry, Trade, Commerce and tourism concerning the disposal of ventures initiated by the corporation?
It would not be in order to have such discussion on the Order of Business in the absence of the Bill.
The Chair knows that what I am getting at is the question of whether there is any agreement in the Government about this mythical body of which we have been hearing so much in the past two years.
The Chair is ruling that that does not arise on the Order of Business.
I trust we shall not have the reputation of doing as the Deputy's father-in-law did, that was, to promise when in Government to abolish the IDA and then not to do so.
The Taoiseach is scraping the bottom of the barrel. When he has finished abusing me personally he has to refer back to my father-in-law. It is pathetic.
What else would one expect from a Taoiseach——
Order, please. This is what arises when matters not proper for the Order of Business are raised at this time.
It arises because the Government have no policy and cannot defend themselves except by way of personal abuse of their opponents.
The matter is out of order.
Arising out of all the confusion, perhaps the Taoiseach could define for the House when a Government decision is not a Government decision.
That does not arise either.
(Interruptions.)
Order, please.
(Limerick West): Is the Taoiseach aware of the widespread unrest in the meat industry in which upwards of 350 workers have been laid off and when meat prices have slumped by about 10 pence per lb? Would the Government be prepared to make representations to the Canadian Prime Minister regarding restoring our meat deal with Canada?
This is not in order. The Deputy will have to find an orderly way of raising the question.
(Limerick West): Will it be necessary to send Deputy Haughey to Canada also?
Will the Taoiseach make a statement regarding the allegation that he gave an interview to a pirate radio station in Dublin?
That does not arise.
If the allegation is true, the Taoiseach was recognising that pirate radio station.
The Deputy is being disorderly.
I wish, with your permission, to raise the matter on the Adjournment.
The Chair will communicate with the Deputy.
It was Hot Press.
I wish to raise on the adjournment the question of the excessive levels of lead pollution in Dublin.
The Chair will communicate with the Deputy.