It is proposed to take Nos. 18 and 19. By agreement, the proceedings on item No. 19 shall be taken at 1.30 p.m. if not reached earlier.
Order of Business.
I should like to raise a very serious matter. Questions today will be taken by the Minister for the Environment. I tabled a question asking if it is proposed to abolish water rates, as announced by the Minister of State, Deputy Fergus O'Brien, prior to the local elections and you ruled it out of order.
We cannot have an argument.
Every question contains an element of argument.
I am surprised at Deputy Brady pursuing this matter in this way. I rule on many questions each day and I ruled on that one. I cannot have my rulings questioned here. I am prepared to discuss it with you and if you still have a grievance there are other ways of raising it.
The reason I raised it is that you said the question contained arguments. I would have thought most questions contained some sort of argument. I am merely seeking information.
You cannot get information in this way and it is disorderly.
It is very unfair of the Chair to make such a ruling.
You cannot raise it in this way.
I wish to raise the following matter on the Adjournment. I want to ask the Minister for Health to provide finance so that hip operations can be carried out in the general hospital in Tralee.
I will communicate with the Deputy.
Before the local elections the Minister for the Environment issued a policy document in which he indicated some changes in legislation on water pollution. Can the Taoiseach say what the proposed changes will be?
If there was a promise of legislation it may be raised but if it was not, it cannot be raised. I doubt if all pre-election matters could be raised on the Order of Business.
This refers to existing legislation and proposed changes in the Water Pollution Act and its enforcement.
It is intended to bring in legislation this session.
We will believe it when we see it.
Will the Taoiseach tell the House when it is proposed to publish the Government's policy on youth affairs and if he will give the reason for the long delay in bringing forward this policy because we are at the end of the International Youth Year?
I recollect hearing that mentioned in the House before. I am allowing it.
There is a memorandum on this before the Government at present.
When I raised this matter four months ago the memorandum was before the Government.
I am not prepared to allow discussion on it.
I want to know what the Government are doing about this.