It is proposed to take Nos. 6 and 7. It is also proposed that No. 6 be taken without debate.
Order of Business.
Is it agreed to take No. 6 without debate? Agreed.
I should like to ask the Taoiseach if it is his intention to make time available either today or next week for a special debate in the House on the matter of the allocations to the health service.
I was considering having a discussion between the Whips about affording time for debate in the form of statements but I received notice this morning that the Progressive Democrats Party — I stumbled a bit over that word——
It stuck in your throat.
I stumbled over the word "democrat".
(Limerick East): Not for the first time.
Democracy is something that is not within the Fianna Fáil Party. That is why the Taoiseach has difficulty with it.
(Interruptions.)
I did not hear that and that is why the Deputy is spared my riposte.
(Limerick East): The Taoiseach said “progressive” very well.
The PDs have availed of their right and put down a Private Members' motion dealing with the health services. In view of that perhaps the Whips could get together and see what arrangements might best be made for the discussion.
I asked the Taoiseach if he would make Government time available. Of course the parties on this side of the House have the right to make other arrangements in Private Members' time but will the Taoiseach make Government time available?
That can be discussed between the Whips. I am not ruling it out but on the other hand I do not want all of next week given over to the health services. As the Deputy knows most of these matters have been fully debated, discussed and decided on by the House already.
I am prepared to withdraw this motion if a proper debate——
Deputy Dukes was contributing.
In relation to the question of making time available I know the Taoiseach is prepared to consider that. I urge him to make Government time available notwithstanding anything that might happen in Private Members' time. The importance of the matter is such that we could well usefully spend all next week discussing it because it covers a great range of items.
To reiterate what Deputy Dukes said in relation to providing time for debate on the health services or the lack of them, would the Taosieach not consider it time to terminate discussion on item No. 7 on the Order Paper and find time for more urgent matters?
Item No. 7 is ordered for today. In view of the fact that there is a Private Members' motion and so that there might be some order in our proceedings I suggest that the Whips discuss whether additional Government time can be made available next week in addition to the debate in Private Members' time.
Is the Taoiseach willing to provide extra time?
I am prepared to consider it. I am the most reasonable Taoiseach who has ever——
You have no option.
I am putting everyone on notice that a discussion on the health services so far as the Government are concerned will take place within the parameters of the expenditure allocations of the Government.
The reason this motion was put down for next week was because of the refusal by the Government in the past week to agree to any debate on the health services. I recognise that Private Members' time is not the ideal way in which to discuss this matter because it only lasts for three hours and only about six Deputies are able to contribute. The seriousness of the matter warrants a full scale debate rather than the limited debate provided for in the Private Members' time. If the Government are prepared to agree to a full scale debate in which a reasonable number of Deputies can contribute we will not proceed with this motion but will put in some alternative.
I am not asking the Progressive Democrats to do that. That would not be fair. One of the privileges that parties in Opposition have is Private Members' time. I am quite happy that this motion should be taken in Private Members' time but I am also prepared to have the Whips discuss in addition whether Government time should be given by way of a debate in the form of statements.
We have until 11 o'clock to nominate another motion if we so wish. I would prefer if there was a proper debate in the House rather than a confined three hour debate.
They are not mutually exclusive.
Will the Taoiseach indicate whether he will agree to a debate before 11 o'clock? We can then nominate something else.
The Whips can decide these things in their own time.
I want to make it clear that if an arrangement is put forward under which we have a proper debate on these matters in Government time, the Government will find Fine Gael most accommodating.
A Workers' Party motion of no confidence in the Minister for Health was circulated yesterday evering. I do not see it on the Order Paper. Has it got lost?
Private Members' Business does not appear on the Order Paper on Thursdays.
I am requesting that this motion be taken in Government time. I expected to see it on the Order Paper.
The Deputy is being facetious.
(Interruptions.)
There was a report on the radio this morning by a responsible journalist that Colonel Gadaffi is again resuming contacts with the IRA and providing them with explosives. Will the Taoiseach take steps urgently to bring home to this most irresponsible leader that we do not want him interfering in any way on this island or with the IRA.
This matter does not arise on the Order of Business.
Will he do so today?
I seek your permission, Sir, to raise on the Adjournment the question of the looming strike among community welfare officers in Dublin arising out of cutbacks in the social welfare system.
I will communicate with Deputy Mitchell.
In view of the Taoiseach's interest in the Coolattin woods will he provide Government time to debate the Local Government (Planning and Development) (Trees and Woodlands) Bill put down in the name of the Leader of the Labour Party, Deputy Spring? The Taoiseach has shown personal concern for this area and it is an urgent matter. Will he consider giving time for a debate on this Bill?
Is that not a matter for the Whips?
I am asking the Taoiseach because I know he has a personal interest in coming to Wicklow.
I wish to raise on the Adjournment this evening if possible the present condition of Cullenswood House, Oakley Road, Ranelagh and the proposition that has been put to the Minister for Finance that this property, which is in the ownership of the State and in a semi-derelict condition, be handed over, at no cost to the State, to local groups for its conservation as a museum.
I will communicate with the Deputy.
Could I have an answer from the Taoiseach as to whether he will take action on the matter I raised?
With your permission, Sir, I ask again to raise on the Adjournment the matter of the imminent closure of Brownswood Hospital in County Wexford, a 112-bed hospital, and also the closure of 30 beds at Wexford General Hospital.
I will communicate with the Deputy.
In view of the fact that a number of people have informed me that children requiring major heart surgery and spinal surgery are having their appointments cancelled at Our Lady's Hospital for Sick Children, Crumlin, I would like your permission to raise this matter on the Adjournment.
I will communicate with Deputy Mitchell in that regard.
I would like to raise on the Adjournment a matter of interest to Deputies from the north side of Dublin generally. Maybe you will take the view that it has been dealt with already in an earlier debate on the Adjournment but that would be an erroneous view.
You may leave that to me.
This is a preamble.
The subject I want to raise relates to the discontinuing of the literacy programme in Coolock. I make my point about the earlier debate because the amount of money required is such that it could be found within or outside the Estimates without difficulty.
I will communicate with the Deputy and I assure him I have an open mind on the matter.
I would like to ask the Taoiseach if the Government will be bringing forward legislation to deal with item No. 2 on the Order Paper today, to which Deputy Kavanagh has referred to, I believe the Taoiseach promised that legislation would be brought forward. Is that still his intention?
Deputy Kavanagh's concern is with the Coolattin situation. Perhaps for the moment it will suffice if I give him an assurance that this matter is under very active consideration by all the Government and local authority agencies concerned. I do not want to say anything more at this stage because there are a number of legal aspects to it. I ask the Deputy to accept my assurance that everything the Government can do to ensure that the remaining woods in Coolattin are preserved will be done.
Under the Planning Acts there is a time limit in respect of a local authority application in a matter of planning. Does the Taoiseach think that something can be done before that time limit expires?
Every aspect of the matter is under urgent and anxious review by all those concerned on the Government side.
Does the Taoiseach not consider it important that he allow Government time to discuss The Workers' Party motion which seeks to impugn the Minister for Health——
(Interruptions.)
—and is calling for a vote——
That matter was dealt with earlier by Deputy Mac Giolla.
I think it important that where Members of this House question the performance or integrity of a Minister it is incumbent on the Government to dispel——
Sorry, Deputy, elaboration on that point is not in order just now.
(Interruptions.)
I think it is incumbent on a Government to ensure that in a situation such as has arisen where the Minister is known not as "Dr. No" but as "Dr. Death"——
(Interruptions.)
The Deputy is engaging in repetition and embarking on a speech and that is not in order.
A Cheann Comhaire——
Deputy McCartan is now persisting in defiance of the Chair. I must ask him to resume his seat.
(Interruptions.)
The Deputy is persistent in defying the Chair.
I am not trying to rebel but to restore the good name——
The Deputy will not reflect upon the Chair. I ask him either to resume his seat or leave the House.
When does the Taoiseach intend to bring forward the Status of Children Bill which has already been discussed in great detail in Seanad Éireann and which, therefore, could be dealt with reasonably expeditiously in this House?
The Chief Whip informs me that that matter will be discussed with the Whips today.
The Taoiseach informed me about a month ago that legislation to update the building by-laws would be coming before the House because of the gas explosion. Can he indicate as a matter of great urgency when the legislation will be brought in?
It is intended to introduce the legislation as soon as possible but it is preferable to wait until the task force have completed their work on 20 July.
A PD Deputy tendered a question for answer by the Minister for Finance in relation to the Tin Council and the State's liability to make provision for certain moneys which are being claimed in the English courts but the question was ruled out of order——
I am sorry, Deputy, I cannot allow matters of that kind to be raised in this fashion. I have communicated with the Deputy concerned and if he wishes for further elaboration on the matter my office will be glad to assist, but it may not be raised in the House in this fashion.
Very well, a Cheann Comhairle. May I ask another question of the Taoiseach? When is the Finance Bill expected to be published? It is a matter of some anxiety now.
Between seven and ten days' time.
For the fifth time, Sir, I am requesting you this morning to allow me to raise on the Adjournment the serious situation that has arisen in Clare. Let me add that the people in Clare find it impossible to understand how a matter so serious cannot be discussed here in Dáil Éireann. The lives of people in Clare are at risk as a result of a proposal by the Mid Western Health Board to close three district hospitals, to reduce the number of beds in a maternity hospital by 50 or to close the general hospital in Ennis.
(Interruptions.)
I will communicate with Deputy Taylor-Quinn.
For the third time I ask to raise on the Adjournment the position of Rathfarnham and Whitechurch national schools both of which have been prevented by this Government from building new school facilities, the result of which may be inadequate school facilities for Church of Ireland children attending primary school in September of this year.
The Chair will communicate with the Deputy.
I wish to raise on the Adjournment the question of the proposed closure of Roscommon County Hospital and I ask you to take into consideration that that request will have support from the far side of the House.
I will communicate with the Deputy.
Might I have your permission, Sir, to raise on the Adjournment the very serious matter of the financial restrictions imposed on the Eastern Health Board and the consequent limitation on services provided by that board with particular reference to hospital and community care services in the County Hospital in Naas and St. Vincent's Hospital in Athy?
I will communicate with the Deputy. Item No. 6 — Estimates for Public Services, 1987, Vote No. 35, Marine, Revised Estimate.