Dáil Éireann debate -
Tuesday, 31 Mar 1987

Vol. 371 No. 5

Order of Business.

The Taoiseach

It is proposed to take Nos. 4 and 5.

It is also proposed that the Dáil will sit later than 9 p.m. today — to enable the Financial Resolutions, with the exception of the general Financial Resolution, to be concluded and allow No. 5 to be disposed of — and not later than 11.30 p.m. today and business shall be interrupted at 11 p.m.

It is further proposed that following the Budget Statement of the Minister for Finance and the statements of the spokesmen of the parties in Opposition, the sitting will be suspended for 30 minutes.

By agreement, there will be no Private Members' Business this week.

An Ceann Comhairle

Is it agreed that the Dáil will sit later than 9 p.m. today? Agreed. Is the proposed suspension of sitting agreed? Agreed. Is it agreed that there shall be no Private Members' Business this week? Agreed.

Mr. Spring

I notice from the report of the Whips' meeting that the Government intend to rush through the House this week fundamental legislation in relation to hospital charges and social welfare. In the past number of years there was a precedent in the House that legislation would be circulated at least one week in advance. May I ask the Taoiseach if he is now departing from that precedent and when does he intend to circulate the proposed legislation?

The Taoiseach

I understand that all these arrangements have been agreed between the Whips of the parties in an effort to ensure the efficient dispatch of our business. Copies of the legislation will be circulated immediately after the statement by the Minister for Finance.

Mr. Spring

May I ask the Taoiseach to clarify if this is a new departure? It was normal practice in the House that legislation would be circulated one week in advance to give the Opposition parties the benefit of studying the legislation before it was put through the House.

The Taoiseach

I agree with Deputy Spring that that is normally the position and that this is a departure. I think the Deputy appreciates, like every other Deputy in the House, that we are dealing with a very exceptional situation this year in regard to the budget and the legislation which is pursuant to the budget. Both these measures are, in effect, an extension of the budgetary proposals.

Mr. J. Bruton

May I ask the Taoiseach if he will indicate if it is the Government's intention to place again on the Order Paper the Restrictive Practices (Amendment) Bill which was presented to the House by the previous Minister for Industry and Commerce on 19 November? Will he further indicate if it is the intention of the Government to pursue the Companies Bill, also presented by the previous Minister for Industry and Commerce, in this case to the Seanad?

The Taoiseach

I am not in a position to give the Deputy a definitive reply on either of those matters. I suggest to him that the entire legislative programme between now and the summer is something that should be discussed between the Whips. The Government are examining the position with regard to all the different measures which have been left over from the previous Dáil.

Mr. J. Bruton

If I put this question to the Taoiseach tomorrow would he have more definitive information in respect of the legislation I mentioned?

The Taoiseach

Not necessarily.

Mr. Griffin

Is the Minister for Foreign Affairs aware of the threat to the lives of the 21 Irish national GOAL volunteers who are working in the Sudan and if he will obtain an assurance from the Sudanese Government as to their safety so that they will be permitted to go about their work without molestation——

An Ceann Comhairle

That is not in order on the Order of Business.

Mr. Griffin

——in accordance with the——

An Ceann Comhairle

That is not on the Order of Busines.

Minister for Foreign Affairs (Mr. Lenihan)

We have a representative in Khartoum.

Mr. Sherlock

May I ask the Taoiseach if it is the intention of the Government to repeal the 1983 Act which brought in service charges in the urban areas?

Miss Harney

A Cheann Comhairle, may I ask you why Items Nos. 19, 20, 21, and 22 on the agenda today have been——

An Ceann Comhairle

The Deputy may not question my ruling on such matters. If she requires any elaboration my office will be pleased to assist her in the matter. She may not raise it now.

Miss Harney

May I ask the Taoiseach if it is the Government's intention to restore to the Order Paper the subject matter of Items Nos. 19, 20, 21 and 22 on today's Order Paper?

Mr. M. Higgins

May I ask the Taoiseach when he envisages that the House will discuss the Second Stage of the Status of Children Bill?

The Taoiseach

Again, that is a matter for the Whips to consider.

Miss Flaherty

I should like to ask the Taoiseach whether it is his intention to bring in legislation in the near future to give effect to the draft building by-laws, especially in the light of the consultants' report on Raglan House.

The Taoiseach

The Government will regard it as a matter of priority.