It is proposed to take Items Nos. 10, Vote 41 (Supplementary Estimate) and 11. By agreement if a division is challenged on Vote 41 today the taking of such division will be postponed until 8.30 p.m. on Wednesday next. Also by agreement the Dáil shall meet at 10.30 a.m. tomorrow and shall adjourn not later than 4 p.m. Business shall be confined to the Estimates for the Public Service.
Order of Business.
Are the arrangements for the division on Vote 41, should it arise, and for tomorrow's sitting agreed? Agreed.
Last week I asked the Taoiseach about a date for a debate on the report of the Committee on Marriage Breakdown. He indicated, as the Tánaiste had previously indicated, that this had been referred to the Chief Whips of the parties. In a report in the Evening Press last Saturday the Chief Whip of the Fianna Fáil Party indicated that it had not been referred to them. Will the Taoiseach clarify the position? Has it been referred to the Whips? If not, when will it be and when will we have a debate on the matter?
Matters are not referred to the Whips. This is a matter for the Whips. If there were to be a debate it would have to be arranged by the Whips.
I and, I am sure, other Members understood clearly the Taoiseach and the Tánaiste on previous occasions to say it had been referred to the Whips. Is he now saying that it has not been and, if he is saying that, when will it be referred to the Whips?
It is a matter for the Whips. It does not have to be referred to them. They are capable of talking to each other and do so daily about the business of the House.
Is it the Taoiseach's intention to raise the matter with the Whips to ensure that an early date is set for a debate on this report?
I am perfectly content to leave it to the Whips.
Will the Taoiseach clarify whether the statement made by the Tánaiste yesterday, indicating that he is in favour of property tax, represents Government policy?
I am not allowing that.
The Tánaiste made no such statement.
(Interruptions.)
I cannot hear the Taoiseach. He heard what I said.
I have ruled it out of order.
I am ready to listen to what the Taoiseach has to say.
The Tánaiste made no such statement. That is a false allegation.
I suggest to the Taoiseach that he read the reported records of what the Tánaiste said.
Does the Deputy wish me to read it to the House?
Are the Taoiseach and the Tánaiste agreed on this?
(Interruptions.)
The Opposition do not want to hear it.
The Taoiseach should have listened to it yesterday.
Deputy O'Kennedy raised a matter which I ruled out of order. The Taoiseach made a reply and I ruled that out of order. We are now going on to the next business.
Good man.
With the permission of the Chair, I wish to raise on the Adjournment the closure of Scoil Ard Mhuire in Lusk and the refusal by the Minister for the Public Service to sanction the Labour Court recommendation for the staff of Trinity House.
I will communicate with the Deputy.
When will the company legislation, about which there have been press statements, come before the House and will it deal with the fourth directive?
Legislation dealing with the fourth directive will be before the House shortly.
Any idea why they are all so edgy this morning? There is a distinct air of tension over there. It worries me. You are all very jittery. Are you worried about the local elections?