It is proposed to take Nos. 31, 32 and 1. By agreement Private Members' business shall be brought to a conclusion at 8.30 p.m. today.
Order of Business.
I presume the latter sentence means that the proceedings on motion No. 49 will be brought to a conclusion?
We had hoped that that could be put back to 8.40 p.m. in order to accomodate time lost last evening.
I am only seeking clarification in my own mind because Private Members' business is brought to a conclusion each Tuesday and Wednesday at 8.30 p.m. without any special order. By Private Members' business I mean Private Members' time.
Much as I should like to agree, it would cause problems for me——
What sort of problems?
I will talk to the Deputy some time about those problems.
I am to read for Private Members' business the proceedings on motion No. 49? Agreed?
Agreed.
Would the Taoiseach say if the Government are prepared to allow time for Item No. 51 — Oireachtas and Ministerial Pensions Bill, 1986 — to be taken in view of the fact that apparently we cannot get any time in Private Members' time to take it?
That is a Private Members' matter.
Yes, but there is nothing to stop the Government — if they do not dispute the principle of the Bill — giving time for it. For example, the Taoiseach could agree to its being taken on a Friday. I should imagine the Second Stage would take a few hours only. A Friday would be perfectly satisfactory if the Government would agree.
There seems to be a fair bit of hypocrisy about it.
Neither the Government nor the main Opposition party are prepared to facilitiate the passage of this Bill. This is very interesting, Sir, is it not?
(Interruptions.)
Neither side is prepared to facilitate the passage of the Bill. Mark you, Sir, none of them will say they disagree with it. But neither is prepared to facilitate its passage. I do not mind whether it is taken in Government time or in Private Members' time.
I hope the Deputy does not expect the Chair to have any view on the matter.
(Interruptions.)
Nobody disagrees, Sir. The whole House agrees with it but still it cannot be taken. Is that not a reflection on our proceedings?
(Interruptions.)
I should like to ask the Taoiseach the position regarding the Local Radio Bill, 1985. I understand from press reports and from RTE Radio I this morning that a new Bill has been prepared——
I cannot allow a question on that.
I wonder if that Bill will be circulated to Members of the Dáil, or is it a replacement of the Bill now on the Order Paper, the Local Radio Bill, 1985?
Promised.
That was raised yesterday but——
I am entitled to ask that question.
I am not ruling it out. If the Taoiseach wants to answer he can.
Would the Taoiseach say what is the position? A British magazine has the details so he might as well tell us here.
Order, please.
A Cheann Comhairle, with your permission, I should like to raise on the Adjournment the question of the——
A Cheann Comhairle, can the Taoiseach reply to the question?
You have allowed the question, Sir.
Yes, but I cannot compel an answer.
I am not going to add anything to what I said yesterday.
The Bill is——
I am not going to have an argument on it, Deputy Leyden.
It was stated on radio this morning that a new Bill is being prepared. Is that a replacement for the Local Government Bill, 1985, which we discussed here in July 1985? We are entitled to know that.
You are not entitled to have an argument in this way. I have allowed the question. The Taoiseach has replied and there is nothing I can do about it.
The Taoiseach has not replied. The situation has changed since yesterday and the British magazine has details of a new Bill.
I am calling Deputy Seán Byrne.
With your permission, a Cheann Comhairle, I would like to raise on the Adjournment the massive lay-offs in our forestries, particularly in southern Ireland.
I will communicate with the Deputy.
May I ask the Taoiseach when Second Stage of the Children Bill dealing with adoption will be before the House?
I cannot give an exact date but it is being prepared at present. I would be very anxious to have it introduced before Christmas but I cannot guarantee that.
With your permission, a Cheann Comhairle, I wish to raise on the Adjournment the subject matter of Question No. 112 on last Thursday's Order Paper relating to the financing of the Cappanalea outdoor education centre, near Killorglin, County Kerry.
I will communicate with Deputy O'Leary.