It is proposed to take No. 8. By agreement the proceedings on the Fourth and Fifth Stages of the Finance Bill, 1985, shall be brought to a conclusion not later than 5 p.m. today by 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 Finance.
Order of Business.
I should like to ask the Taoiseach, in the very special circumstances that prevail, if he would like to inform the House as to the steps the Government are taking in relation to the Irish citizen, Mr. Walsh, who was abducted in Beirut. Will the Taoiseach inform the House, in the special circumstances, of his knowledge of the position and what action is being taken? I know that strictly this is not in order but it relates to the very special circumstances of an Irish citizen abducted abroad while doing humanitarian work on behalf of the United Nations.
I do not propose to allow the question for the simple reason that if the Chair was put in the position of having to measure special circumstances he would be in an impossible position. There is another method by which the Deputy can try to raise this, and that is all I will say about it.
If the Deputy wants to come to me I will tell him what I have done.
The Deputy can try to raise the matter publicly in another way.
I do not want to raise it in a contentious manner on the Adjournment. It is something that the House is united on. Would the Taoiseach, or the Minister for Foreign Affairs, like to make a statement on the matter?
I will be as co-operative as possible within the rules of the House.
I hesitate to ask the Taoiseach anything in case he walks out on me, but will he tell me if the Whips have discussed a date for a debate on the report of the Committee on Marriage Breakdown? When is the debate likely to take place?
I understand that a date has not been discussed yet.