It is proposed to take Nos. 3 and 9. By agreement, if a division is challenged on item No. 3 or 9 today the taking of such division shall be postponed until 10 p.m. on Wednesday, 20 March 1985. Also by agreement, at the conclusion of business today the Dáil shall adjourn until 2.30 p.m. on Wednesday, 20 March 1985.
Order of Business.
Will the Minister for Communications have an apportunity today to make a statement to the House on the resignation of Mr. Tom Byrnes as Chief Executive of Telecom Éireann in the most unusual circumstances——
The Deputy is being disorderly. This is completely out of order.
I wish to place a Private Notice Question before you on this subject and if you fail to allow me to ask it I will raise the matter on the Adjournment——
Deputy Leyden is being most disorderly. He will resume his seat at once.
(Interruptions.)
If Deputy Leyden does not behave himself he will have to leave the House.
Roinnt mhíonna Ó shin phléamar ceist na Gaeilge anseo agus shocraíomar Comhchoiste na Gaeilge a bhunú. Céard a tharla don chomhchoiste sin?
Tá Aire na Gaeltachta ag fanacht ar naoi n-ainmneacha a chur in iúl do na Teachtaí. Ón am atá na h-ainmneacha aige ó na páirtithe beidh an comhchoiste in ann cruinniú——
An dtógann sé trí mhí é sin a dhéanamh?
Níl eolas agam faoi sin.
Is the Tánaiste aware that Verolme Dockyard in Cork is being dismantled and sold off piecemeal? Does he agree that this will seriously militate——
This is not in order on the Order of Business.
Have the Government got any indication of when it is intended to bring in legislation to make changes in the Malicious Damages Act? Do they intend to make provision for shopkeepers in regard to insurance?
If the legislation was promised the Deputy can ask a general question but she cannot go into detail.
We are delighted to see the Tánaiste after his bout of influenza. Now that he is back I am sure the Government will begin to operate again. Has a date been decided for the local elections?
I thank the Deputy for his initial courtesy. At 10.45 this morning a Government meeting will take place; a decision will be made on the date of the local elections, and it will be announced soon.
It was announced this morning that there will be a very substantial increase in the price of petrol and by-products. Will the Minister be in a position to make a statement today?
That is a formula for getting round to something that is not in order. If the Deputy wants to have a statement I suggest that the Fianna Fáil Whip would contact the Government Chief Whip.
I wish to raise on the Adjournment the situation in our prisons, the lack of accommodation which is turning our legal system, our courts and this House into a mockery.
I want to raise on the Adjournment the case of Brendan Flynn, an Irish national, who is on hunger strike in a Spanish jail at the moment and who if he survives his hunger strike may have to wait four years for trial on charges made against him.
The Chair will communicate with Deputy Molony.
I seek once again to raise on the Adjournment the matter of the non-delivery of social welfare cheques in the Finglas area arising out of disputes between the Department of Social Welfare and the POWU.
The Chair will communicate with Deputy Flaherty.