It is proposed to take Nos. 2, 6, 17 and 18 and in No. 18 Vote 37. It is also proposed that the Dáil shall sit later than 5.30 p.m. and not later than 9.30 p.m. and Business shall be interrupted at 9 p.m. It is further proposed that No. 6 shall be taken without debate. It is further proposed that No. 18 shall be taken at 5 p.m. and shall be brought to a conclusion not later than 9 p.m. and the order shall not resume thereafter.
Order of Business.
Is the proposal for the late sitting agreed? Agreed. Is it agreed that No. 6 shall be taken without debate? Agreed. Is the proposal in relation to No. 18 also agreed? Agreed.
Will the Minister for Foreign Affairs consider as a matter of urgency the making available of extra facilities for the issuing of passports so as to relieve the terrible queues we see every day in Molesworth Street at the moment?
That is not a matter for the Order of Business.
Does the Taoiseach propose to reintroduce the Housing (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill or does he propose to introduce a new Bill? One way or another, will the Taoiseach give an undertaking that he will introduce it before the Dáil rises and will he make sure it is concluded before the Dáil rises for the summer recess in view of the urgency in dealing with homeless people?
I will ask the Whips to consider that matter.
What steps is the Minister for Health taking to avert the strike of non-consultant hospital doctors that is due to begin on Saturday next?
The Deputy knows full well that is not a matter appropriate to the Order of Business.
May I have permission to raise it on the Adjournment?
I will communicate with the Deputy.
Notwithstanding the time that has been provided next week for a debate on a recent court case in Cavan, I would like to raise on the Adjournment the report of the Select Committee on Crime, Lawlessness and Vandalism on the accountability of the Director of Public Prosecutions in certain cases.
I will communicate with the Deputy.
I wish to raise on the Adjournment this evening the future of Cullenswood House which is in the ownership of the Office of Public Works.
I will communicate with the Deputy.
With reference to my earlier question, I ask the Taoiseach if there has been a change in the position of the Government in regard to the Bill dealing with homeless people, because he gave an undertaking some months ago in this House that the Bill would be introduced before the summer recess? I am concerned about the rumours in the House that the House is to go into recess in three weeks time.
The Deputy may not elaborate.
The local authorities and the health boards have no way of dealing with the problem of the homeless until this Bill is passed. It is essential that we deal with it before the summer recess.
Is it proposed to reintroduce the Insurance Bill and, if so, when?
Yes, it is proposed to reintroduce the Insurance Bill, but I am not in a position at this stage to give the Deputy a definite date on it.
I wish to raise on the Adjournment the practice of local authorities in relation to certain posts, of insisting on considering only leaving certificate results in one year, which is in force, I gather, by ministerial regulation and which was the subject matter of Question No. 29 on yesterday's Order Paper.
I will communicate with the Deputy.
Following the court decision last week involving a County Waterford farmer and which involved health contributions, is new legislation or amended legislation required as a result?
Is the Deputy referring to legislation which is promised?
No. The legislation which was passed in 1979 when the Taoiseach was Minister for Health has been found to be defective. Is new legislation required or should that legislation be amended, or are all health contributions collected since 1979 refundable?
The Deputy will have to find an alternative means of raising that matter.
That is the implication arising from the court decision.
(Interruptions.)
May we have an answer to that?
It is not in order.
The Ceann Comhairle will decide what is in order.
Could we have Item No. 2.