Dáil Éireann debate -
Tuesday, 9 Dec 1986

Vol. 370 No. 9

Order of Business.

The Taoiseach

It is proposed to take Nos. 8, 9 and 20. By agreement, and notwithstanding anything in Standing Orders, the Dáil shall sit later than 9.00 p.m. and not later than 11.30 p.m. today and tomorrow and business shall be interrupted at 11.00 p.m. today and not later than 11.00 p.m. tomorrow.

Also by agreement, Nos. 8, 9 and 20 shall be taken together for the purpose of debate and the Minister for Foreign Affairs shall be called on to conclude not later than 10.30 p.m. tomorrow.

Also by agreement, the questions necessary to bring the proceedings on Nos. 8, 9 and the Second Stage of No. 20 on today's Order Paper to a conclusion shall be put forthwith and successively not later than 11.00 p.m. tomorrow, Wednesday, 10 December, 1986

Private Members' Business shall be No. 49, Motion 77.

An Ceann Comhairle

Are the late sittings today and tomorrow agreed?

Mr. Haughey

Yes.

An Ceann Comhairle

Are the arrangements for taking today's and tomorrow's business agreed?

Mr. Haughey

Yes. I want to be absolutely clear as to how exactly we will proceed tomorrow night at the conclusion of the debate on Second Stage of the legislation. Am I right in assuming that the first item to be taken will be this motion lately put forward by the Government affirming our neutrality and reiterating our economic position in the Community, followed by the motion on the ratification of the Single European Act and then by the Second Stage of the legislation?

An Ceann Comhairle

The Deputy is substantially correct. The Chair's understanding is that No. 8 will be disposed of first, then No. 9 and the amendments thereto will be disposed of, followed by No. 20 and any amendment thereto.

The Taoiseach

Normally I make a statement in the House after a European Council and sometimes the time taken up by that statement and the responses can be quite considerable. I am concerned on the one hand not to eat into the time for the debate which the Opposition have sought. On the other hand, I am anxious to contribute to the debate myself so I shall be proposing through the Whips to speak in the debate and in the early part of my speech to give a brief report on the European Council, if that is acceptable to the Opposition.

Mr. Haughey

I think we can agree to that. It does put me at a little disadvantage because I will be replying to the Minister for Foreign Affairs at the opening of the debate. However, I am sure I should be able to anticipate most of what the Taoiseach will be saying in what I expect will be a rather anodyne report on a pretty hopeless meeting in London, so I think I shall have no problem agreeing with his proposal.

Mr. N. Treacy

What action does the Taoiseach propose to take to counteract the decision notified today by the management of the Irish Sugar Company that they propose to make 200 permanent workers of the Tuam sugar factory redundant from next month?

An Ceann Comhairle

That does not arise on the Order of Business.

Mr. N. Treacy

If it does not, may I raise the matter on the Adjournment?

An Ceann Comhairle

I shall communicate with the Deputy.

Mr. Calleary

May I raise on the Adjournment the unease and dissatisfaction felt by the members and staff of the drainage section of the Office of Public Works in relation to the rumours that continue to persist about the disbandment of that section?

Mr. N. Treacy

The Minister for Finance is about to disband it.

An Ceann Comhairle

I shall communicate with Deputy Calleary.

Mr. Taylor

I seek to raise on the Adjournment the matter of the pending petition to the Minister for Justice on the matter of the Tallaght Two, Meleady and Grogan.

An Ceann Comhairle

I shall communicate with the Deputy.