It is proposed to take No. 8. By agreement, the Dáil shall sit later than 9 p.m. today and not later than 12 midnight. Business shall be interrupted at 11.30 p.m. Also by agreement, the proceedings on the remaining Stages of No. 8 shall be brought to a conclusion not later than 11.30 p.m. by way of one question which shall be put from the Chair and which shall, in relation to amendments, include only amendments set down by the Minister for Social Welfare. By agreement also, Private Members' Business shall be taken between 7 p.m. and 10 p.m. and shall be No. 74.
Order of Business.
I wish to ask the Taoiseach about the position in regard to legislation to deal with the affairs of the Insurance Corporation of Ireland. I wish to remind the Taoiseach that we in Fianna Fáil have been very responsible in our attitude to this debacle. Naturally, as is our duty, we have sought to put first the national interest and the stability of our financial institutions. Accordingly, we have been very restrained in our comments and in our reaction until now but I would point out that many questions are presenting themselves to the public mind at this stage and we consider that the time has come for a full disclosure of all the relevant facts and information. We have given the Government and the financial institutions every opportunity to deal with the crisis situation that arose and I am asking the Taoiseach now if he will ensure that the House is given an opportunity to debate every aspect of the debacle and in particular to answer questions such as the question of whether the taxpayer is to be called on to pick up the bill for the mistakes of others.
I thank the Deputy for his co-operation on this issue and for his support for the action the Government had to take. I greatly appreciate that co-operation and support. They are in the tradition of this House. I appreciate the Deputy's entitlement to seek whatever information is available on this matter. Legislation is required to deal with what has occurred and it will be brought to the House on Tuesday next. The debate on that legislation will provide an opportunity for the various matters which the Deputy quite properly wishes to inquire into. The Government are most anxious that the debate shall be a full one.
Does the Taoiseach intend making a statement to the House on this grave and urgent matter of national importance? I attempted to table a Private Notice Question on the issue because the House is entitled to know what is going on.
The Chair has allowed a full question as to when the House would have an opportunity of dealing with this matter in depth. In the Chair's opinion, that question has been answered fully by the Taoiseach. He has told us that the legislation will be before the House on Tuesday next and consequently the Chair cannot allow any further discussion on the matter.
In other words, we are to have another week of speculation and of ignorance as to what is happening.
I will not allow a discussion on the matter now.
The Taoiseach should inform the House as to what is happening.
It would not be in order to do that in the way the Deputy is suggesting.
It is hardly in order to postpone the imparting of the information to the House for a further week.
The Chair has ruled on the matter. I do not wish to be short with Deputy Mac Giolla. Usually he is not obstructive and I am sure he has no wish to be obstructive now, but I would ask him to be guided by the Chair.
Deputies on all sides as well as the public generally, are concerned about this matter. A debate on it should not be postponed for another week.
I cannot allow the Deputy to continue in this vein.
Nothwithstanding the resolution of the dispute in the Finglas area involving the non-payment of social welfare cheques. I should like to raise on the Adjournment the question of the continuing security of those cheques.
The Chair will communicate with the Deputy.
Would the Taoiseach clarify the position regarding the proposed sale of Erin Foods and let us know what guarantee he is prepared to give to both growers and employees involved with this company?
Is the Deputy seeking to raise the matter on the Adjournment?
This is a very important matter which I should like to have clarified here but if necessary I shall raise it on the Adjournment, with your permission.
The Chair will communicate with the Deputy.