We now come to the Order of Business.
Order of Business.
Before the Order of Business, I wish to raise a point of order. In view of the realignment of party positions which has taken place over the recess, I am asking you to consider going into recess for ten minutes so that reseating can take place and those parties which now support the Government can be seated——
The Deputy is being facetious.
(Interruptions.)
If we divide the Labour Party, into which section will we put the Deputy?
(Interruptions.)
This kind of tactic must be discontinued.
I think a far more serious realignment has taken place within the Deputy's own party than in this House.
I am calling the Order of Business.
It is proposed to take Nos. 9, 10, 12, 13, 11, 21, 14, 22 and 8. Subject to an order for the taking of the Second Reading of the Bill being made, Private Members' Business shall be No. 6.
May I ask the Taoiseach when he intends to make provision for the setting up of the committees on foreign affairs, public expenditure and employment in industry?
I hope to communicate with the Deputy very shortly.
Recalling the many occasions when the Taoiseach gave me warnings not to yield too much to the multinational oil companies, and given what his Minister has done in recent months — giving away the rights of the Irish people — will the Taoiseach make Government time available for discussion of the exploration terms?
Is that in order?
It is a fairly straightforward question.
That might be discussed between the Whips.
With reference to what the Taoiseach said during Question Time, would he confirm that it is proposed to take the Programme for National Recovery with the Estimates in the debate next week as they are related?
As I indicated, I have no particular objection to that. It is something the Whips could discuss to see if they could agree to it.
May I ask the Taoiseach when it is proposed to introduce a Bill which will provide a legislative basis for houses for homeless people? On a previous occasion the Taoiseach indicated he was as concerned as everybody else about this matter and said that this legislation would be introduced at an early date, but there is no indication on today's Order Paper that it will be introduced.
It will be introduced at a very early date during this session.
Why has the Taoiseach refused to answer the series of questions from me today relating to changes in the administration of justice under Article 8 of the Anglo-Irish Agreement and their relationship to the coming into force of the Extradition Act given that the Taoiseach made a statement——
The Deputy will have to find another time to raise that matter.
Could the Taoiseach give an indication as to when he expects to have the Bill regarding the proposed merger of ACOT and AFT before the House?
Towards the end of next month.
Could the Taoiseach say when the legislation to give effect to the Barrington Commission will be before the House as it was twice promised in the documentation accompanying the public service pay deal?
I will have to communicate with the Deputy about that.
Could the Taoiseach also tell me when the legislation on worker participation, promised at the same time, will be before the House?
I will also communicate with the Deputy about that matter.
(Limerick East): When will the Taoiseach be in a position to inform the House of the alternative arrangements for lump sum payments arising out of redundancy schemes? There is no information in the Book of Estimates and about £100 million——
That does not arise now.
(Limerick East): We will need that information before the Estimates are debated. It is a significant sum, probably in excess of £100 million, I understand there is some arrangement off balance sheet with the Central Bank. It will not appear in the Book of Estimates, in the current or capital Estimates or in the borrowing——
It does not arise on the Order of Business.
(Limerick East): Before the debate on the Book of Estimates we need that information to complete the picture. Is there a crock of gold to which nobody else has access?
It does not arise on the Order of Business.
The Deputy is grossly disorderly.
(Limerick East): It is grossly disorderly to take £100 million off the balance sheet and not to have it in the Book of Estimates.
(Interruptions.)
(Limerick East): Tell us the full story. I hope the Government are not reverting to 1981 economic policies.
I should like to raise on the Adjournment the protracted and regrettable strike at the Irish Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children.
I will communicate with the Deputy.
If it is allowed I would have no objection to the discussion being on an all party basis because it is a very regrettable state of affairs.
I should like to raise on the Adjournment the provision of a community school at Ashbourne.
I will communicate with the Deputy.
When will legislation for a single estuarial body for the river Shannon be introduced?
I will communicate with the Deputy.
When will legislation be introduced confirming the new arrangements involving NET?
I expect to move it today.
I wish to raise on the Adjournment the serious implications——
The Taoiseach wishes to make a statement.
It is hoped to have the Bill circulated at the end of this month.
I wish to raise on the Adjournment the serious implications of the abolition of the National Social Service Board.
I will communicate with Deputy Taylor in respect of that matter. Is the Order of Business agreed to? Agreed.