Vol. 370 No. 5
Tairgim:
Go dtabharfaí cead Bille a thabhairt isteach dá negairtear Acht do leasú an Achta Rialtais Áitiúil (Forálacha Airgeadais) (Uimh. 2), 1983, a bhaineann le muirir ar uisce a sholáthraítear chun críocha teaghlaigh.
I move:
That leave be granted to introduce a Bill entitled an Act to amend the Local Government (Financial Provisions) (No. 2) Act, 1983, relating to charges for water supplied for domestic purposes.
As this is a Private Members' Bill I must ask if the Bill is opposed.
We do not know anything about it as we did not know it would be raised.
It is a Private Members' Bill.
Without wishing to oppose measures, we must jealously guard Private Members' Time. Perhaps you would explain exactly what is involved.
If the Bill is opposed it goes into Private Members' Time for First Reading and there can only be a five minute speech on it at that time. If it is not opposed it goes into Private Members' Time for Second Reading and is printed and circulated.
It does not have to be taken.
That is a matter for the rules governing Private Members' Time.
I want to know what those rules are? I do not want to oppose this legislation but I want to protect Private Members' Time.
I will refer the Deputy to Standing Order 85.
Tell me what it says.
It is a very long Standing Order.
What is its effect?
The Deputy should not waster the time of the House by having Standing Orders read to him.
The effect of the Standing Order is that the Deputy and his party are in control of Private Members' Time.
On the basis that the Bill does not have to be taken in Private Members' Time without our agreement, I am prepared not to oppose it.
Is leave given to introduce the Bill?
On the understanding——
I referred the Deputy to Standing Order 85.
This will not interfere with Private Members' Time——
It is a Private Members' Bill and, therefore, it must go into Private Members' Time either for First Reading or Second Reading. It is not a matter for the Chair to decide when it should be taken.
In those circumstances we are prepared to agree to its introduction but do not blame me for being very wary where these matters are concerned.
I do not know what the Deputy means. It is agreed that the Bill goes into Private Members' Time for a Second Reading.
Agreed and ordered accordingly.
I should like to raise on the Adjournment the question of the series of gas leaks in Bluebell and matters related to the safety and safe use of natural gas.
I will communicate with Deputy Mitchell.
I should like to raise on the Adjournment the subject matter of Question No. 14 on the Order Paper of 18 November 1986.
I will communicate with the Deputy.
I wish to raise on the Adjournment the subject matter of a recent question which I asked concerning Blarney garda station. County Cork.
I will communicate with the Deputy.
You ruled my Private Notice Question out of order because you said it was not——
I am sorry but I had to rule it out of order.
It dealt with the increase by the brewers in the price of Guinness and is of some consequences to many people in the tourist industry and the licensed trade.
My ruling cannot be discussed.
I very rarely argue with the Chair about any matter but as it was the only Private Notice Question asked for today it should have been allowed.
That is not relevant.
In that case I am sure you will give me precedence in so far as the Adjournment debate is concerned.
I will consider all matters notified for the Adjournment.
I wish to raise on the Adjournment the plight of the 200 workers laid off by Irish Hospitals Sweepstakes last January.
I will communicate with the Deputy.
