Dáil Éireann debate -
Wednesday, 10 Jul 1985

Vol. 360 No. 6

Order of Business.

The Taoiseach

It is proposed to take Nos. 7, 8, 13 and 14, Votes 42 and 43.

By agreement the Dáil shall sit later than 9 p.m. today and not later than 12.30 a.m. tomorrow and business shall be interrupted at 12 midnight.

Also by agreement the proceedings on the remaining Stages of item 13 shall be brought to a conclusion not later than 7 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 the Environment.

Also by agreement the proceedings on Votes 42 and 43 shall be brought to a conclusion not later than 10.30 p.m. today and the Minister for Defence shall be called on to conclude not later than 10.15 p.m.

Also by agreement the Supplementary Estimate being introduced today shall be taken at 10.30 p.m. if not reached earlier and the proceedings thereon shall be brought to a conclusion not later than 12 midnight.

Also by agreement if a division is challenged on any Estimate today the taking of such division shall be postponed until 5 p.m. tomorrow.

Also by agreement Questions shall not be taken tomorrow.

An Ceann Comhairle

Are the arrangements for today's business and the provision for the taking of a division, should it arise, agreed and is it also agreed that there shall be no questions tomorrow?

Agreed.

Mr. G. Collins

Will the Taoiseach give us details of the Government's protest to the South African Government on the way Irish citizens have been treated in the last 24 hours? Will the Taoiseach let us know the nature of the protest and will he tell us what he proposes to do about the matter?

An Ceann Comhairle

That does not arise on the Order of Business. If the Deputy wants to pursue the matter he should take it up with the Whips.

Mr. J. Leonard

I should like to ask the Taoiseach when it is proposed to introduce legislation to reduce the monopoly enjoyed by the Dublin District Milk Board regarding the sale of milk in the city.

An Ceann Comhairle

Has the legislation been promised?

Mr. J. Leonard

It should be in view of the letter from the EC Commission. Our Permanent Ambassador has raised serious doubts about that position continuing. Last week the Minister talked about free enterprise——

An Ceann Comhairle

The Deputy cannot make a speech on the matter. Unless the legislation the Deputy is interested in has been promised, and I do not think it has, he cannot raise the matter in this way.

Mr. J. Leonard

I should like to ask the Minister, in view of his statement on free enterprise to the Southern Milk Board last week, to allow the same free enterprise in Dublin city regarding the sale of milk from the co-ops in the provinces.

The Taoiseach

Is that Fianna Fáil policy?

An Ceann Comhairle

Deputy Leonard has attained his end and perhaps it is because of his geographical position.

The Taoiseach

It is good to know it is Fianna Fáil policy.

Mr. B. Ahern

I should like the permission of the Chair to raise on the Adjournment the operation of the social employment scheme.

An Ceann Comhairle

I shall communicate with the Deputy.

Mr. B. Ahern

Will the Chair take into consideration the fact that I have been unable to get the Minister to answer questions on this since last October?

An Ceann Comhairle

I take all relevant matters into consideration.

Mr. F. Fahey

I should like to ask the Taoiseach when it is intended to introduce the long promised Government policy on youth affairs.

The Taoiseach

The Government have published the report of the Committee on Youth Affairs and are considering proposals in it with a view to deciding which can be adopted and what resources would be required for that purpose.

Mr. F. Fahey

It is about eight weeks since——

An Ceann Comhairle

We cannot have an argument about this. We are leading up to one and that is as bad.

Mr. F. Fahey

The Taoiseach informed the House that a memo leading towards publication of the Government's policy on youth affairs was before the Cabinet and I was wondering if a decision had been made on it.

An Ceann Comhairle

That is not in order. The Deputy will have to find another way of getting this before the House.

Mr. F. Fahey

The information given by the Taoiseach is totally at variance with the information given to the House about eight weeks ago.

Mr. G. Collins

The Taoiseach is entitled to do another "U" turn.

Dr. McCarthy

I should like to raise on the Adjournment the question of a booklet on pharmaceutical prices circularised to chemists by the Department of Health which seriously misrepresented the pricing structure in favour of an English company as against an Irish concern.

An Ceann Comhairle

I will communicate with the Deputy.

Mr. Flynn

I should like to raise again on the Adjournment the closing down of the price line office which is denying consumers the right to make complaints about infringements of consumer Acts.

An Ceann Comhairle

I will communicate with the Deputy.

Mr. J. Bruton

The Deputy is misled.

Mr. Flynn

Perhaps the Minister would take it on the Adjournment and we could find out all about it.

Mr. J. Bruton

Most unusually for the Deputy, he is misinformed.

Mr. Flynn

The direction issued that they were not to take complaints from consumers.

Mr. J. Bruton

Most surprisingly the Deputy is wrong.

An Ceann Comhairle

Order, please. I am calling No. 7.