It is proposed to take Nos. 9 and 30. By agreement, No. 9 and the Second Stage of No. 30 shall be taken together for the purpose of debate. Also by agreement, the proceedings on No. 9 and the remaining Stages of No. 30, if not previously concluded, shall be brought to a conclusion at 4.30 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 Communications.
Order of Business.
As you know, a Leas-Cheann Comhairle, I have had a running battle all week with the Ceann Comhairle, who is out of the country today, as also with the Minister for Labour. I was attempting to ask the Minister for Labour to follow through on a commitment he gave this House last Friday during the Labour Estimate to convene a Labour Court meeting to instruct the Chairman of the Labour Court, Mr. John Horgan, to bring both sides in the Dublin Corporation dispute together to try to come to a resolution. When this strike started there was very little between the two sides. With the Army and Garda interventions and the nasty scenes which took place last night, which I do not condone in any way, and with the potential trouble at the weekend at the various tipheads——
That does not arise on the Order of Business.
The Taoiseach was anxious to give a reply yesterday.
A reply was given last night.
I appreciate the Deputy's concern but it does not arise on the Order of Business.
It is the concern of the country that the Army is prevented from doing a job.
It does not arise on the Order of Business. It was discussed on the Adjournment debate in the House last night.
In the Deputy's absence.
It was not in my absence. I do not want to argue with the Minister for Defence and I have great regard for the Army. I am asking the Taoiseach to instruct his colleague, the Minister for Labour——
It does not arise on the Order of Business.
It arises on the order of this country.
The Deputy has always obeyed the Chair. He is a very orderly Member. I appreciate his concern but this does not arise on the Order of Business.
Will the Taoiseach please give some reply?
We gave our reply last night.
The Minister for Defence gave a reply.
On behalf of the Government.
Would the Deputy please abide by the ruling of the Chair?
Do I take it that the commitments given in the House last Friday by the Minister for Labour are now withdrawn?
I have already indicated very precisely and definitely to the Deputy that it does not arise on the Order of Business. I ask him to abide by the ruling of the Chair.
Does the Taoiseach not consider that a situation in which the Army, which is the final arm of authority in the State, is prevented from doing something it has been ordered to do borders on anarchy?
I appeal to the Deputy——
I am not raising a question on the industrial dispute. I am asking the Taoiseach if he would care to comment on my suggestion that if we have arrived at a stage where the Army is given instructions to do something and is prevented from doing it that that is anarchy?
That does not arise on the Order of Business.
I think the Leas-Cheann Comhairle will agree that it is a very serious matter.
Would the Taoiseach not agree that, in the absence of any effort whatsoever to bring the parties in dispute in Dublin Corporation together, the bringing in of the Army is highly provocative and unnecessary?
I regret that this does not arise on the Order of Business.
Is it the Government's intention to revert back to the William Martin Murphy policy of settling disputes?
Would the Deputy please abide by the ruling of the Chair?
Can I ask for a full statement from the Government in regard to the disgraceful sale yesterday of the Irish Spruce for a knockdown price of £3.6 million when it has cost the State £35 million to date?
It does not arise on the Order of Business.
May I raise the matter on the Adjourment?
I will communicate with the Deputy.
This appears to be abdication of all responsibility——
It does not arise on the Order of Business.
Several months ago in this House we passed the Free Ports Bill. Following on that, the Minister was supposed to formulate regulations under the Bill to implement the Free Port Authority. Draft regulations have not even been made yet. It is now two and a half years since the task force reported on the need for a free port for Cork. Can I ask the Taoiseach who leads this clumsy Government the reason for this inordinate delay? No job has yet been provided for Cork. He is coming to Cork in a few weeks' time regarding other issues. I would like to know what the position is.
The arrangements are being worked out with the harbour commissioners and a designation order will be made in the near future.
The draft regulations have not yet been submitted.
An Leas-Cheann Comahirle
The Deputy has received a reply. Deputy De Rossa.
Could I ask the Taoiseach if he will take an opportunity today in this House to make a statement concerning the dispute in Dublin Corporation?
The Deputy already raised that matter on the Adjournment last night. The matter does not arise on the Order of Business. I have already refused three other Deputies.
On a point of order, it is in order to ask in relation to a statement being made?
No. I am sorry.
Could I ask the Taoiseach if he will take the opportunity to make a statement?
That does not arise on the Order of Business.
On the Order of Business, in view of the very serious situation regarding the strike of Dublin Corporation workers it is not sufficient or good enough to say that it does not arise on the Order of Business. We are in a state of emergency and it is a very critical and urgent situation. On the Order of Business, could I ask the Taoiseach, implore the Taoiseach, in view of the seriousness of the situation, will he give Government time today to make a statement?
That does not arise on the Order of Business.
Will the Taoiseach make Government time——
That is not for the Chair to decide.
On the Order of Business, I am asking the Taoiseach will he give Government time in order to have a debate today on this? Will the Taoiseach advise if he will give Government time to have a debate on this very serious issue today?
No, Sir. The matter was debated last night when the Government's position was made abundantly clear by the Minister for Defence.
It was raised on the Adjournment, but it was not debated last night.
Might I point out to the Taoiseach, although I am sure he is aware, that the statement made by the Minister last night was simply a reiteration simply of the position indicated a week before. It was, obviously, prepared before the incidents which occurred last night in the city centre.
As a Deputy representing the second largest city in this Republic, I am very concerned by what is taking place in Dublin. I am aware of the matter being raised by various Deputies in the Dublin area, but I am watching it very carefully from this point of view: that another precedent is being set in Dublin which I would not like to see extended to Cork should we have that kind of dispute. This is a matter of national importance.
It does not arise on the Order of Business.
It is an extraordinary situation that we are precluded from raising this matter in this Chamber.
Will the Deputy please resume his seat?
I will, but I have a request to make on the Order of Business which is that, in view of the seriousness of what is happening in this country at this time, the Government give time to this House to debate this issue because we are in a dangerous and anarchical situation. The Government are sitting silently on the matter hiding behind the Minister for Defence's contribution on the Adjournment debate last night.
That does not arise on the Order of Business. Will Deputy Lyons resume his seat?
I will.
Would the Deputy do it, as he is still standing?
I want to repeat my request.
I do not want any repetition. Would the Deputy please resume his seat?
I want to repeat my request.
Would the Deputy please resume his seat? This is only repetition.
I would like to ask the Minister for Communications if he would make every effort to ensure that the Irish-Spruce is not sold out of the hands——
That is a repetition of Deputy Séamus Brennan's question. Would the Deputy please resume his seat, as it does not arise on the Order of Business?
They have scuttled——
The scuttling of anything does not arise on the Order of Business and would the Deputy please resume his seat?
I would appeal to the Minister to make attempts to ensure that this ship is not sold out of the hands of this country.
I would appeal to the Deputy to resume his seat.
Apparently, the Taoiseach is quite immune to the situation in our city and the state of near anarchy which is now prevailing. Could I through you, Sir, ask the Minister for Health who is present in the House if he would care to make a statement to the House and reassure the public about the health situation arising from the accumulation of rubbish?
(Interruptions.)
That does not arise on the Order of Business. Would Minister Desmond please resume his seat and would he allow the business of the House to proceed?
The Minister obviously wishes——
I am sorry but it does not arise on the Order of Business.
Cheap politics.
Minister Desmond, please.
The Minister is closing down the Mater Hospital now.
(Interruptions.)
The Minister has sold out the country and he is closing it down.
(Interruptions.)