Dáil Éireann debate -
Thursday, 6 Jun 1985

Vol. 359 No. 4

Order of Business.

The Taoiseach

It is proposed to take Items Nos. 9 — Votes 23 to 28 — and No. 3. By agreement the proceedings on Votes Nos. 23 to 28 inclusive shall be brought to a conclusion not later than 5 p.m. today and the Minister for Justice shall be called upon to conclude not later than 4.30 p.m. Also by agreement, if a division is challenged on any Estimate today, the taking of such division shall be postponed until 8.30 p.m. next Wednesday.

Also by agreement the Dáil shall meet at 10.30 a.m. tomorrow and shall adjourn not later than 4 p.m. and the business shall be confined to Estimates for Public Services.

An Ceann Comhairle

Are the arrangements for today's business agreed? They are.

Is it agreed that if a division is called on any Estimate today it shall be postponed until 8.30 p.m. next Wednesday? It is agreed.

Finally, is it agreed that the Dáil shall meet tomorrow to deal with Estimates at 10.30 a.m. and shall adjourn not later than 4 p.m.? That is agreed.

Mr. Lenihan

On the Order of Business would the Taoiseach or the Minister for Education give us some indication of the costings of educational schemes that have been announced with regularity——

An Ceann Comhairle

Please, Deputy——

Mr. Lenihan

——either by the Taoiseach or the Minister for Education?

An Ceann Comhairle

Please, Deputy, I made it quite clear yesterday——

Mr. Lenihan

——irresponsible announcements with no costings.

(Interruptions.)

Minister of State at the Department of Foreign Affairs (Mr. J. O'Keeffe)

Good man, the Deputy should give us a few costings on that.

The Taoiseach

I am not entitled to reply to the question, a Cheann Comhairle?

An Ceann Comhairle

No.

The Taoiseach

I might just remark in thin air that they are all costed and included in the national plan.

(Interruptions.)

Minister for Education (Mrs. Hussey)

Jealousy will get the Deputies opposite nowhere.

An Ceann Comhairle

There is a time and place for everything, and this is neither the time nor the place.

Mr. R. Burke

This seems to be the time and the place.

The Taoiseach

Here is where the national plan was approved with these projects in it.

An Ceann Comhairle

I am calling Deputy De Rossa.

Proinsias De Rossa

Could the Taoiseach confirm the commitment given by the Minister of State at the Department of Labour that the Homeless Persons Bill will be introduced before the end of this session?

The Taoiseach

Yes, it will be introduced.

Mr. Tunney

Might I ask the Taoiseach to indicate if he is in a position to advise the Dáil as to when legislation in connection with the national lottery will be introduced?

The Taoiseach

I answered a question on that the other day, Sir. It will be in the next session.

Mr. Tunney

Might I ask the Taoiseach to indicate whether or not the interests of sporting and other organisations which at present are benefiting from lotteries will be taken into account?

The Taoiseach

Yes, Sir.

An Ceann Comhairle

That is anticipating a debate on the Bill.

Mr. Tunney

It is a question that is very relevant to the proposed legislation.

The Taoiseach

That is why I said "Yes, Sir".

Mr. Tunney

The Taoiseach is answering if he is allowed.

An Ceann Comhairle

I cannot give even the Taoiseach unlimited scope. I am still bound by Standing Orders even as far as the Taoiseach is concerned.

Mr. Tunney

Yet there should be no limitations —if the Taoiseach is anxious to say yes or no he should be given permission to do so.

An Ceann Comhairle

You and I, Deputy, differ on that.

Mr. Lyons

When is it proposed to introduce the long awaited legislation to give effect to the commitment given over 12 months ago for a free port area in Cork harbour?

Mr. Lenihan

That is in the national lottery, too.

The Taoiseach

The text of the Bill is about to come before the Government and it will be introduced shortly.

Mr. Lyons

I am so used to hearing the word "shortly", could we have a more definitive answer from the Taoiseach? Does he mean before 20 June?

The Taoiseach

It is about to come before us. The text of the Bill will then be published and it is a matter for the Whips to discuss the arrangements to take it in the House.