It is proposed to take Item No. 7.
Order of Business.
Item No. 7. Deputy Kirk is in possession.
With your permission, I want to raise on the Adjournment the matter of the future of Beaumont Hospital.
I shall communicate with Deputy O'Hanlon. I call Deputy Kirk.
I would like to ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs about the detention of a County Sligo man in County Fermanagh on last Tuesday.
Deputy, that does not arise in this way. You had better find another way of getting the information you want. It does not arise on the Order of Business.
Arising out of the budget, there are two matters which are engaging public attention at the moment. One is the situation regarding building societies and the increase in mortgage interest. The other is the situation of the building industry following the imposition of an extra 5 per cent tax on houses and construction generally. As these matters have significant impact on the budget, its figures and its general strategy, could I ask the Taoiseach or the Minister for Finance if it is proposed to make an additional statement governing these matters to the House soon, or at an early stage?
As I see that, Deputy Haughey, it is a matter which can be raised during the debate on the budget.
Yes, but, in one way——
It certainly does not arise on the Order of Business.
Perhaps the Taoiseach or the Minister for Finance would take note of my question on the matter.
I am sure they will.
These are two very important changes in the budget. To some extent in this House we are discussing one budget while the Minister for Finance is discussing a totally different budget with the public and with particular interests.
We had an hour yesterday and we made all those points. I call Deputy Lyons.
In this week of the first anniversary of the task force for the Cork area, would the Taoiseach now indicate how many of the 1,000 jobs promised by the Minister on receipt of the report of the task force, which was never published, have been created? We would want to know that before 1 o'clock today.
Deputy Lyons, the only matter that arises on the Order of Business in connection with the task force is the question of any legislation that may be necessary, and that is not your question. I call Deputy Kirk. I have called him on a number of occasions.
I thank you for the explanation of what is and what is not in order.
You will have to get the information another way, Deputy.
Could the Taoiseach make a statement on the 1,000 jobs promised to Cork?
That is not in order and the Deputy knows that it is not in order.
On the question of legislation, when is it proposed to introduce the legislation promised for the free port area in Cork?
I answered that question yesterday. I do not know if the Deputy was here at the time.
I call Deputy Kirk. He has 44 minutes left.