It is proposed to take items Nos. 22 and 23. By agreement, the Dáil shall sit later than 9 p.m. today and not later than 12 midnight and business shall be interrupted at 11.30 p.m. Also by agreement, the proceedings on the remaining Stages of item No. 22 shall be brought to a conclusion not later than 6.45 p.m. by one question which shall be put from the Chair, and which, in relation to amendments, shall include only amendments set down by the Minister for Industry, Trade, Commerce and Tourism. Private Members' Business shall be No. 42.
Order of Business.
We have not heard the Taoiseach but we have not heard the Ceann Comhairle either. We never hear what the Taoiseach is saying.
I spoke very loudly.
(Interruptions.)
Order. There is no necessity to have a row about the fact that you did not hear sombody.
I believe the loud-speaking equipment is faulty.
(Interruptions.)
Order. Shall I read the Order of Business again?
On the Order of Business——
I want to get agreement about the taking of No. 22. Is that agreed?
Deputies
Agreed.
And the late sitting is agreed.
Would the Taoiseach say why the Government are still not in a position to make a decision on the supply of natural gas to Aughinish Alumina Limited in the interest of preserving the 800 jobs there which are in danger of collapse?
That does not arise on the Order of Business.
Can the Taoiseach say when we might be informed about what is going on?
It does not arise in this way.
May I ask the Taoiseach if the Government will confirm an order for the bus company in Shannon where 200 jobs are at risk because of the failure of the Government to confirm an order for school buses? The jobs of 200 people in the bus company in Shannon are now at risk because they are not in a position to order materials, and a very serious situation is developing there.
That does not arise on the Order of Business.
In a recent radio interview the Minister for Industry, Trade, Commerce and Tourism indicated the legislation would be introduced to restrict the activities of legal moneylenders. Could the Taoiseach indicate when this new legislation will be brought before the Dáil?
In the next session.
Early?
Not necessarily early but it will be in the next session.
May I raise on the Adjournment of the House the scandal of the continuation of the secretary of the Labour Party as presenter of the "Slants" programme on RTE?
I will communicate with the Deputy.
There is a major scandal within RTE with Government collaboration——
I will communicate with Deputy Leyden.
(Interruptions.)
Deputies should not make controversial statements when it is a question on the Adjournment.
Would the Government agree that RTE by so doing are lowering their standards?
That is not in order.
The Workers' Party control of RTE is being endangered.
A very successful carpet company in Youghal, Couristan Ltd., are not allowed to trade on the Irish market and I would like to ask the Minister, Deputy Bruton, if he will have the matter investigated to ensure that this factory will not go to the wall——
That is out of order.
Could the Taoiseach advise the House whether an order has been signed by the Minister for Fisheries and Forestry imposing a ban on fishing for mackerel thus affecting 2,000 jobs in the underdeveloped part of the north?
That is not in order. If an order has been signed——
He is just asking.
We are told it was signed far overseas in Brussels and we have not been made aware of it here as yet.
The Chair has made it clear that what is in order is legislation that has been promised or legislation that is necessary, and this is not in order in that way. It is really bringing the House into ridicule if Deputies stand up one after the other seeking to raise things which they must know are not in order.
With all due deference to you, I should like to know if it is not in order for a Deputy to ask if a Minister has signed an order, seriously.
I do not think so and I am ruling that it is not. There could be cases where it would be in order if an order was promised or if an order was necessary arising out of something that had already been done.
As we all know the circumstances would indicate that an order has been signed, or will be signed, and surely — one wants to be as reasonable as possible — it is not being disruptive simply to ask the Minister if he has signed an order. The Minister is sitting in the House anxious to give us the information. Could he not be permitted to do so?
The Fishery head may nod.
The ruling made by my predecessor, and adopted by me, which I read out in the House was calculated to cut out unnecessary interventions on the Order of Business and to stop Members raising matters on the Order of Business that could be raised otherwise. What Deputy Cope Gallagher proposes to raise now does not come within that ruling. It is as simple as that.
I do not wish to prolong this but I should like to make a submission that there is a matter of importance where a ministerial order probably has been made — I am not sure — and the Deputy cannot find out on the Order of Business if that has happened. I am quite certain that if he puts down a Private Notice Question today it will not be allowed because the Chair will say it is not urgent. It begins to look a bit farcical and I have to say that.
The Deputy can pursue another avenue.
What is it?
The Deputy pursued another avenue yesterday but there was a queue.
That was not the reply I was given yesterday. I was told the matter was not urgent. May I take a cue now and seek to raise the matter on the Adjournment?
The matter was deemed in order for the Adjournment yesterday but there were about ten different requests. I will communicate with the Deputy in regard to his request.
As the Government are present in the House may I, through the Chair, put a question to them?
I am anxious to ask what steps are being taken in regard to the EC proposal to tamper with the intervention system.
That is not in order and I must ask the Deputy to resume his seat.
In view of the serious consequences it will have for the country I should like the permission of the Chair to raise the matter on the Adjournment.
I will consider the matter and communicate with the Deputy.
Will the Taoiseach explain the delay in bringing the Garda Síochána (Complaints) Bill before the House? There has been a lengthy delay in bringing this important legislation before the House.
That is a matter between the Whips, as far as I understand.
It is not a matter that is between the Whips. We have not been asked.
No.
I have allowed the question and an answer has been given.
That answer is not good enough. The Taoiseach had better think again.
I should like to ask the Minister for Justice if he has had legal advice on the constitutional position in regard to quota restrictions to farm units and if he is satisfied, having taken that advice——
That does not arise on the Order of Business.
Has the Minister sought constitutional advice? This is a serious issue and I do not think the Minister is aware of the implications. If the Minister has not sought that advice he should do so.
The Deputy, who is an experienced Member of the House, should be aware that this does not arise on the Order of Business. I am ruling the question out of order.
Did the Deputy ever hear about it when he was in the Commission?
I am ruling the matter out of order.