It is proposed to take Nos. 21 and 22. By agreement, the Dáil shall sit later than 9 p.m. today and not later than 11 p.m. and business will be interrupted at 10.30 p.m. Also by agreement, the proceedings on the Committee Stage of No. 21 shall be brought to a conclusion not later than 10.30 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 Industry and Commerce. Private Members' Business shall be No. 45.
Order of Business.
Is the arrangement for today's business agreed?
You will recall, a Cheann Comhairle, that yesterday morning, I raised with the Taoiseach the parliamentary programme until the summer recess. Let me return to that matter and ask the Taoiseach if, in view of the many reports in the media this morning, it is the intention of the Government to bring forward legislation in this term to amend the Constitution.
I do not think that arises on the Order of Business.
It does.
As far as the Chair knows, no legislation has been promised.
I understand the Taoiseach is anxious to reply.
If legislation had been promised then it is in order and, of course, I will allow it. I am not aware that any such legislation has been promised and if we were to follow every report in the newspapers we would never get to the business of the day.
I submit to you that it is a matter of significance and importance. There has been an Oireachtas Committee on this matter which has made a report and which has made certain recommendations. There have been various statements from time to time by the Taoiseach and by Government Ministers. The indications are that some such proposal is at least being contemplated by the Government. The Taoiseach's reaction to my question indicates that he is anxious to say something about it. Perhaps you would be kind enough to give him permission to do so because of the importance of the matter and the almost universal reports in the media this morning to the effect that this is what is in the Government's mind.
The position appears to be as Deputy Haughey has outlined, that there is speculation. But that does not bring it within the ambit of legislation which has been promised. I keep saying that if we are to follow every hare that is raised in the newspapers and in the media then we would never get to the Order of Business.
I do not know that it is entirely appropriate to refer to the distinguished journalists who have published the reports this morning as hare raisers. But the comprehensiveness of these will justify you, Sir, on this occasion, particularly as it follows a solemn report by an Oireachtas Committee, in allowing a question of such import. I submit that it would not be totally disrupting parliamentary procedure or shattering precedent or anything of that kind if you graciously permitted the Taoiseach to reply to my question. It is dealing with the business of Parliament from now until the summer recess. You permitted the Taoiseach to answer me yesterday on this question of the parliamentary programme that is engaged in by the Government. I suggest that on that precedent you might permit the Taoiseach to answer this one specific question arising out of the parliamentary programme between now and the summer recess.
When the Deputy raised this matter yesterday he said that his question related to matters on the Order Paper or legislation which had been promised and the record will bear that out precisely.
Yesterday morning I specifically asked so that we could all come to some decision about the ordering of business from now until the end of term. I asked the Taoiseach what was his intention with regard to the legislative programme. I repeat that question now. I would just ask him to include this one specific item. It is important. If we are going to have legislation to amend the Constitution, that has a very serious impact on our parliamentary programme.
It was suggested yesterday that, for starters, the Whips would take this matter up.
The Whips have not met.
I said they could meet.
I think, Sir, you are straining things beyond reason to prevent the Taoiseach answering this question which is of great importance and seriously affects the work we are going to do before the summer recess. I am quite certain the Taoiseach wants to answer the question.
The Chair has to look to the future and avoid establishing a precedent. If a statement on this is to be made, there are ways and means of doing so which will be in order.
This item is promised legislation in so far as it appeared in this Government's Joint Programme for Government. I suggest, Sir, that that gives you the opportunity to enable the Taoiseach to answer this question.
If it is agreed——
You have not read the programme.
(Interruptions.)
I do not have the programme before me, but if it is in the programme mentioned that, in my opinion, would alter the situation and I will allow it.
I have stated publicly that following consultations with the Churches I will be coming to the Government to present my conclusions. The Government have not taken any decision on the matter in question.
May I——
I will not allow a debate.
May I take it from the Taoiseach's reply it is unlikely that any legislation to amend the Constitution will come before the Dáil this session?
I have made no statement, other than the announcement I have just made.
I am asking a simple question which is important to the conduct of our business. Can we anticipate the likelihood of any such legislation this session?
I will not anticipate a decision of the Government in a matter of this kind.
My question relates to postal voting for disabled and other persons. In December last the Minister for the Environment indicated that legislation was in preparation. Will such legislation be brought into the House this session?
The matter is still under consideration. There are difficulties arising from problems of abuse and we are endeavouring to reconcile those problems with the importance of providing this facility.
In view of the continuing confusion and the bizarre situation which exists in Dublin Gas and in view of the grave concern of workers, creditors, pensioners——
The Deputy must not make a speech.
——bankers and shareholders, will the Taoiseach avail of an opportunity here today to make a statement or to use some device to clear up this matter once and for all and let the country and the Dáil know if a clearcut decision has been made, and where the company go from here?
There is no decision.
(Interruptions.)
May I tell the Taoiseach——
I recommend that the Deputy read this morning's issue of The Irish Press.
At 10.05 a.m. today I contacted the Government Information Service for a copy of this statement, but they said a copy was not available.
I am not going to allow you to make a speech.
I am asking the Taoiseach if he will make an opportunity today to clear up this very serious matter.
That has been ruled out. Deputy Collins need not look so hurt.
May I, through you, Sir, again ask the Taoiseach to make a short statement in this House today to clear up this matter?
Statements are usually arranged between the Whips, and the Deputy knows that.
Is the Taoiseach amenable to discussing this with the Whips?
The Whips can discuss it. I am not going to allow the Deputy to use any device to discuss this matter on the Order of Business.
The Whips only discuss the technicalities of the debate. Could we have an indication that the Taoiseach is amenable to have a discussion——
An effort is being made to break the clearly laid down rule as to what is in order on the Order of Business.
This day should not pass without this serious matter being cleared up by the Taoiseach and the Government. I want him to avail of this House to make a statement, and not to be making statements outside——
The Deputy is deliberately ignoring the Chair, and he should not do that.
If a serious——
Deputy Reynolds will please resume his seat.
The Minister for Finance has not even joined the Government because——
(Interruptions.)
You generated a fair amount of gas last week.
The gas will blow you off the ship if you are not careful.
(Interruptions.)
Here we have an advertisement costing £20,000 with the heading "Natural Gas, The Story so Far". They would be better off telling the story——
They even have the Deputy's picture here —"When Dinosaurs Walked the Earth."
Exhibits are not in order.
I wish to raise on the Adjournment the £3.5 million cutback in the estimate adopted by the NorthWestern Health Board on Monday last and the serious consequences this severe cutback will have on the health services in that area.
I will communicate with the Deputy.
You graciously allowed me to raise on the Adjournment yesterday the plight of cattle in Cavan because of the lack of feeding stuffs, but your assessment of the seriousness of this subject was decided and made little of by the Minister of State who came in here and told farmers——
I am not going to have a post mortem.
——to consult their ACOT adviser and if he could not help them, to see a vet. Five minutes later RTE had a statement from the Government that there was a scheme in hand——
The Deputy will resume his seat.
(Interruptions.)
The junior Minister was not even told about it.
If Deputy Wilson will not resume his seat——
What kind of treatment is that to mete out to this House?
Deputy Wilson must resume his seat.
I think it was a scandal and a disgrace that we were treated that way. I was insulted by the Minister last night——
The Deputy will resume his seat.
I was told the Government had made the decision at 3.30 p.m. yesterday and I was told at 8.50 p.m yesterday that——
I am adjourning the House for 15 minutes.
Sitting suspended at 10.45 a.m. and resumed at 11 a.m.