It is proposed to take No. 22. By agreement, and notwithstanding the order of the Dáil of 21 June 1983, the reports of the Joint Committee on Public Expenditure on "Review of Exchequer Costs of Travel and Subsistance" and "Faults in Buildings occupied by the Public Service" shall not be taken today.
Order of Business.
Is it the intention of the Taoiseach to make any announcement or statement to the House today regarding Government changes that have been widely rumoured in the media both last evening and today?
The timing of any announcement will be a matter for discussion between the Whips.
Is the Taoiseach aware that what the people want is neither a reshuffling nor a restructuring——
I am not allowing a further question on the matter.
——but a dissolution of the Government?
(Interruptions.)
Order, please. I will not allow the Deputy to pursue that matter. I allowed him to ask one question.
I thought you might be nice to me because of the way things are today.
That is a threat to the Ceann Comhairle.
I might say to Deputy Haughey that I am not that sort of person. I must my duty do.
May I take it that the Taoiseach is not in a position to make an announcement or a statement on the Order of Business because he has not succeeded in reshuffling his discredited pack?
I am not allowing any further question on the subject.
It is a reasonable question.
I am aware that Deputy Haughey is in a state of dissolution. That is the only dissolution I can foresee in the next 18 months.
I wish to raise on the Adjournment the matter of the trade dispute at Chadwicks Builders Providers, Walkinstown, and the expected closure of that operation.
The Chair will communicate with the Deputy.
May I ask the Taoiseach and Leader of the now third smallest party when the promised legislation to allow for the appointment of sheriffs will be introduced?
The question of legislation does not arise on this matter. I have stated that here before.
I raised this question two weeks ago and the Taoiseach told me then that he would be in touch with me on it. I have been around during that time but I have not heard anything from the Taoiseach. I wish to repeat the question I put to him then also, that is, when the indepartmental committee report on tax collection will be published.
That does not arise.
You allowed me to raise the issue two weeks ago and the Taoiseach promised then to be in touch with me on the matter. Has he considered the question since and when may I expect him to be in touch with me on it?
I am calling Deputy Avril Doyle.
May I have an answer to my question?
It does not arise on the Order of Business.
You allowed me to raise it two weeks ago.
It was an oversight. Homer nods occasionally.
Is the Taoiseach not answering because the report has been locked away in his safe and because it contains the recommendation that no sheriffs be appointed but that the existing system be expanded?
The Deputy may put down a question in the ordinary way if he wishes to have the information.
The announcement of the appointment of sheriffs was made in the House by the Taoiseach on 23 October last but is he saying now that legislation is not required in this matter? Further, will be take into consideration the fact that a case before the Supreme Court at the moment might necessitate his changing his mind on the issue?
That will be subject to legal advice.
The Taoiseach will never appoint the sheriffs.
He is a two gun sheriff himself this morning.
I wish to raise on the Adjournment the act of vandalism by the Arts Council in their decision to axe their support this year to the Wexford Opera Festival and the DGOS.
Questions should not be put in an argumentative way. I will consider the matter.
When is it proposed to publish the Bill concerning the disbandment or the breaking up of CIE? There is considerable uneasiness among staff.
A Bill will be introduced later this session. I answered that question the other day.
I wish to raise on the Adjournment the problem in Carrick-on-Suir in relation to Irish Leathers.
I wish to ask for permission to raise on the Adjournment the intended closure of the Cork Municipal School of Art.