It is proposed to take Nos. 1 and 7. By agreement, at the conclusion of business today, the Dáil shall adjourn until 2.30 p.m. on Tuesday, 28 April 1987.
Order of Business.
Is the Order of Business agreed? Agreed.
Could the Taoiseach say when it is the Government's intention to introduce legislation to set up the RTCs on an autonomous basis? I should also like to ask when they intend to bring the curriculum and assessment board Bill before the Dáil?
My understanding of Standing Orders is that I am expected to answer questions on legislation which has been promised and I presume that means promised by this Government, not by the last Government.
Yes, I had some doubts as to whether the question was in order.
The Minister welcomed the Bill when it was published on 19 November.
The fact that he welcomed it is irrelevant. We are reverting to what has already been decided, that in respect of the Order of Business questions shall refer to promised legislation.
Do I gather that Fianna Fáil will not be bringing forward the curriculum and assessment board Bill?
Legislation in that connection has not been promised by the Government.
As most Members of the House are aware, a lot of information has been compiled by the land classification office over the past two years. Could the Taoiseach say if that information will be stored as my information is that it is being destroyed? This is valuable information in updating——
The Deputy will appreciate that, until there is a change in respect of what can be discussed on the Order of Business, his question is not in order.
It appears that this information may be destroyed this week and, irrespective of one's views in relation to land tax, that information should be preserved because we need to update——
The Deputy knows he is out of order and the fact that he is doing so in such a pleasant way does not make it any more justifiable.
I am only slightly out of order; I do not want to be put out of the House.
It was announced in the Budget Statement that funding for the Dublin Metropolitan Streets Commission would be withdrawn. Orders have been made to transfer certain functions from the Dublin Corporation to the commission from 1 June. Could the Government indicate whether it is intended to rescind those orders because the commission will not have funds——
The Deputy is out of order.
Could the Taoiseach indicate the date on which he expects the Finance Bill to be published? In view of the ruling of the Chair that questions should only be in regard to promised legislation, perhaps the Taoiseach will indicate what legislation has been promised?
It is expected that the Finance Bill will be published on 22 May.
Perhaps the Taoiseach could indicate, at his leisure, the legislation his Government are promising, as he is not prepared to carry forward the commitments of his predecessor?
The Deputy will be informed of promised legislation in due course.
I wish to raise on the Adjournment the question of Drung national school, County Cavan.
I will communicate with the Deputy.
(Limerick East): Is it the intention of the Taoiseach to introduce legislation to implement the pay freeze suggested in the Budget Statement?
Intentions are not in order.
(Limerick East): As the House is adjourning today and we do not know the Taoiseach's intentions in regard to pay policy, would he take the opportunity today——
There is no provision for that sort of question; it is out of order.
I should like clarification of the word "conclusion" on the Order of Business. Does that mean that the budget debate concludes today and will not continue when the Dáil resumes?
No, the debate does not conclude.
That unfortunate word was inserted in error. Tá sé mí-cheart, tá brón orm.
My question in relation to the Dublin Metropolitan Streets Commission was in order because it relates to an order which has yet to be made regarding the transfer of functions from Dublin Corporation to the commission who now have no funds to carry out those functions. I wish to ask——
The Deputy is not in order because his question does not refer to legislation promised and which will be debated here. Legislation dealing with orders and matters arising therefrom are not appropriate matters on which to ask questions. I note with satisfaction that the Deputy is nominated as one of the members of the Committee on Procedure and Privileges and, when the difficulties that arise here each morning have been removed, the Chair will be very happy to deal with matters which are then in order.
I cannot help you in deciding whether the question I intend to ask is in respect of promised legislation. Does the Taoiseach agree that the Government have made a number of "noises" in regard to pay policy. In view of this, would he indicate if it is the intention of the Government not to introduce legislation in regard to——
The Deputy appreciates that noises or turbulence would not be relevant.
As the noise in this matter has been emanating from the Government side of the House, perhaps they would wish to avail of the opportunity to indicate their intentions in this matter?
The Deputy will appreciate that he is out of order.
When does the Minister for Health propose to make an announcement in relation to recruitment of student nurses? A tragic situation exists at present——
Has he promised legislation in that respect?
Young girls who started their careers in mid-April have now been told they will be unable to continue——
If the Deputy wishes to raise this matter on the Adjournment I will communicate with him.
Two days ago I asked the Taoiseach when we could expect the printed Book of Estimates in connection with the budget debate and I was told it was at the printers. Am I being unduly cynical in thinking that we have limped to the adjournment of the House without seeing these documents?
I would not attribute any cynicism to it, Deputy. The question asked was whether there was any information on it.
It is expected that the Book of Estimates will be published on 30 April. There is no great mystery or secrecy about it. This is normal routine.
Are you trying to hide something?
There is one page of fiction in it.
I would like to ask the Taoiseach if it is the Government's intention to reactivate the Harbours Bill which includes the provision of a harbour authority for the Shannon estuary.
I am not aware that that has been promised.
It passed all stages in the Seanad and was before the Dáil during the last session.
I have not promised anything.
They promised £200 million.
(Limerick East): I should like to raise on the Adjournment the lack of any clear policy guidelines on pay by the Government.
I will communicate with the Deputy.
I do not wish to dispute your ruling in relation to the point I raised but I want to point out that the Order I am speaking about is Statutory Instrument No. 67 of 1987. It is a legislative proposal and it is before the House at present. I understand that it has to be before the House for 21 days before it becomes an order. It will be effective from 1 June. I want to know if this order will now be cancelled because of its effects on the functions of Dublin Corporation. It is before the House and this is why I am asking for information on it.
The Deputy, if he so desires, is entitled to put down a motion seeking to annual the order in question. He will appreciate that I have already given the guidelines which the Chair inherits in respect of questions which are appropriate. This is not in order.
In view of the fact that you have ruled that only legislation which has been promised by the Government may be raised in the House, can you indicate if it is the Chair's intention to prepare a compendium of Government promises in this matter?
The Deputy is being frivolous.
(Interruptions.)
I want to seek your assistance a Leas-Cheann Comhairle and I want to assure you that I will remain in order.
I take it that the Deputy is serious when he says he is looking for my assistance.
I am seeking your assistance in seeing to it that I remain in order in asking the Taoiseach what assurance the Government can give the Irish people that they will be able to watch "Saturday Live" on Saturday night having regard to the industrial relations difficulties now prevailing in RTE. This is a matter of considerable importance——
Seeing that we have now moved from frivolity to absurdity we will proceed to item No. 1.