Dáil Éireann debate -
Thursday, 21 May 1987

Vol. 372 No. 12

Order of Business.

The Taoiseach

It is proposed that, notwithstanding anything in Standing Orders, statements on the health services shall be made today and the following arrangements shall apply:

(1) The opening statement of the Minister for Health shall not exceed 30 minutes;

(2) The statement of any other speaker shall not exceed 20 minutes;

(3) No Member shall make more than one statement with the exception of the Minister for Health who shall be called on not later than 4.40 p.m. today to make a statement in reply.

It is further proposed that at the conclusion of business today, the Dáil shall adjourn until 2.30 p.m. on Wednesday, 27 May 1987.

An Ceann Comhairle

May I ask are the arrangements regarding the statements agreed? Agreed. Is it also agreed that the Dáil shall adjourn today until Wednesday next? Agreed.

Mr. Quinn

A Cheann Comhairle——

Mr. Barry

May I ask the Taoiseach through you, Sir, if he will make a statement distancing the Government from what appears to be misrepresentation by the Minister for Industry and Commerce of a meeting which he had with his German counterpart earlier this month? This is because of the serious damage which it is doing to the credibility of this Government and, by, extension to the Irish people.

An Ceann Comhairle

That is a matter that does not arise on the Order of Business.

Mr. Barry

It does not help Irish-German relations to have that kind of misrepresentation on the record. It is a matter being discussed in the German Parliament today.

An Ceann Comhairle

Deputy Barry will have to find some other ways and means of raising that matter.

Mr. Quinn

I should like, with your permission, to raise on the Adjournment of this House this evening the question of the threatened imminent closure of the Royal Hospital, Baggot Street.

An Ceann Comhairle

I shall communicate with the Deputy.

Mr. Barry

May I have a response from the Taoiseach to my question?

An Ceann Comhairle

That is not a matter for the Chair.

Mr. Barry

With your permission, I should like to raise the matter on the Adjournment.

An Ceann Comhairle

I will communicate with the Deputy.

Mr. Yates

I wish to give you notice that I intend to re-introduce onto the Order Paper a Bill which I circulated in the 24th Dáil which was on the Order Paper — banning low cost selling.

An Ceann Comhairle

Thanks, Deputy.

Mr. McCartan

Will the Taoiseach indicate whether he will allow time for debate on the previous Government's White Paper on the Arts as published in October, in the dying days of that Government? It is an important document and one that could be the focusing centre of a discussion in this House on the whole future and development of the arts and culture in this State.

An Ceann Comhairle

May I suggest it would be a matter primarily for the Whips?

Mr. McCartan

I am sure the Taoiseach would like to respond in view of the remarks he made yesterday in regard to his concern about this whole area.

The Taoiseach

I would be very happy to have a debate or discussion on that White Paper at some stage but I doubt very much if we would be able to fit it in before the summer recess. It is something which we could keep in mind.

Miss Colley

Has any progress been made between the Whips in the establishment of committees of the House, in particular, in establishing a committee that would deal with Foreign Affairs?

The Taoiseach

Some progress has been made.

Miss Colley

May I ask the Taoiseach if he could indicate a time scale, please, as to when we might see the establishment of these committees?

The Taoiseach

I am not giving any undertaking about a committee on Foreign Affairs but we are at the moment in touch with the other parties about the establishment of these committees. I should like to see them established as quickly as possible.

Miss Colley

Could the Taoiseach tell us what committees the Whips are discussing establishing?

The Taoiseach

By and large, we are looking at all the committees that were functioning in the previous Dáil. I should like particularly to get on with some of the principal ones and one of the most successful committee in the last Dáil — I understand there is a wish to get on with it quickly — is the Committee on Women's Rights.

An Ceann Comhairle

Deputy Quinn seems to be offering now.

Mr. Quinn

Arising from the Taoiseach's reply to Deputy Colley's question, does he not recognise it is imperative that these committees be set up before the Dáil adjourns? Is it his intention that that will take place?

The Taoiseach

Yes.

Mr. Farrelly

May I ask the Minister for Agriculture and Food if during the price negotiations which are taking place in Brussels at present he has on the agenda the reclassification of the less severely handicapped areas?

An Ceann Comhairle

That is a question which is not relevant to the Order of Business.

Mr. Farrelly

It is relevant to many farmers.

An Ceann Comhairle

If it seems so to the Deputy, he will have to find another opportunity of raising it.