It is proposed to take items Nos. 9 and 8. Private Members' Business will be No. 76.
Order Of Business.
(Limerick West): Sir, with your permission I give notice that I wish to raise on the Adjournment the dispute at present in the Department of Agriculture with the agricultural officers within the Department which at present is threatening the bovine TB eradication scheme.
I will communicate with Deputy Noonan.
I would like to raise on the Order of Business Question No. 344 on the Order Paper. It is in connection with the Annie Maguire case. I have made a number of efforts to raise the matter on the Adjournment without success so in those circumstances you might give me your usual favourable consideration.
My usual fair consideration.
With reference to the last remark of the previous questioner, may I raise on the Adjournment the question of security at Loughan House, County Cavan, which has been hitting the headlines over the last few days?
I attempted to raise an urgent matter as a Private Notice Question. Perhaps the Taoiseach would clarify it for me, as I gather the Cabinet discussed it this morning. What is the position of the 900 staff working for The Irish Press publications who lost their jobs at three days' notice last week and are they entitled to social welfare benefits?
I ruled it out of order on short notice and surely it is not in order on no notice.
About 900 staff are involved which, you will agree, is a very large company.
The Deputy must find another way to dealing with it.
If I seek to raise it on the Adjournment I am not sure that I have much hope with three or four other urgent questions. I am sure the Taoiseach has an answer because I know the matter was discussed——
It is not in order.
Then, may I raise it on the Adjournment?
I will communicate with the Deputy.
I would like to raise by way of Private Notice Question the growing concern over the lack of security at Spike Island and the danger to the inhabitants of the Island. We have been disallowed this. In view of the imminent danger not only of breakouts which are reported by the Press but also others which are not published, I would be grateful if you would allow us to raise it on the Adjournment.
The Chair will communicate with Deputy Michael Ahern.
Let me ask the Taoiseach if he will provide Government time for a short debate in order to reconcile conflicting statements over the last four or five days over the Government's decision to cut back a grant of over£1 million resulting in the loss of 800 jobs——
I suggest that you take that up with the Whips. It is not in order in this way.
Will the Taoiseach give me some indication about it? It has raised very serious questions in the outside world and this House should have the opportunity of a short debate.
I am not disputing that, but it is not in order.
Will you let the Taoiseach indicate whether he will consider allowing a short debate on it?
I will allow the Taoiseach to say if he will allow Government time, yes or no.
No, Sir.
(Interruptions.)
There has been a complete and absolute cover-up and conflicting ministerial statements——
Deputy Reynolds is out of order. He will resume his seat.
(Interruptions.)
The Deputy will resume his seat. Deputy Reynolds is grossly disorderly.
May I raise on the Adjournment the Dickensian and degrading conditions faced by people who bring family problems to the Circuit Court in Dublin and the absence of proper facilities?
I will communicate with the Deputy.