It is proposed to take No. 16.
Order of Business.
I would like to raise on the Adjournment this evening the imminent closure of Baggot Street Hospital, and sadly to relate the consistent refusal of the Minister for Health to communicate with the people responsible for the day to day employment.
I regret to inform the Deputy that provision is not made for matters being raised on the Adjournment today.
With due respect——
The business of today is confined to an order of the House of last Tuesday confining it to a debate on the Estimates only.
If it is in order, can I in advance of next week's sittings——
The Deputy may raise the matter on the next sitting day of the Dáil.
I intend at the appropriate time to raise the same matter on the next sitting day.
(Interruptions.)
In view of the indication the Chair has just given about matters on the Adjournment, will the Minister for Industry and Commerce who has not yet spoken in the debate, when doing so, indicate what he proposes to do in regard to the closure announced this morning of Hanimex, Little Island, Cork, with a loss of 200 jobs.
I am afraid that that does not arise just now Deputy.
Yesterday morning on the Order of Business I raised with the Taoiseach the matter of the ratification by this House of the Convention on the transfer of sentenced persons which was signed by the Minister for Foreign Affairs on 20 August 1986. The Taoiseach indicated that he would need notice of such question and I notified his office that I would raise it again this morning. When does the Taoiseach intend to bring forward that Convention to the House for ratification?
My office have informed me that the Deputy has been fully informed about the situation. I apologise if that did not happen but my information is that the Deputy had been informed of the position.
I contacted the Taoiseach's office who transferred the matter to the Department of Justice and they gave me some information but they were not in a position to advise me as to whether or when the matter would be brought before the Dáil for ratification. That is the question I am asking.
I have afforded the Deputy an opportunity to ventilate his point of view. Deputy Michael Higgins.
I think I am in order — and I seek the Chair's guidance — in asking the Government or the Taoiseach on the Order of Business when they intend to bring this matter before the House.
The Deputy has been afforded the courtesy of being given all the information available to the Government at this stage.
The information I am seeking——
I cannot allow this matter to proceed any further. Deputy Michael D. Higgins was offering.
A Cheann Comhairle——
If Deputy Michael D. Higgins is not offering I shall pass on to another Deputy.
I have raised on a number of occasions on the Order of Business the question of whether it is the Government's intention to proceed with the formation of a joint Oireachtas committee on foreign affairs. Certainly, the answers have always been courteous and we advanced, as far as yesterday, to hearing that no talks had taken place leading to the formation of such a committee. Will the Taoiseach in the next days, weeks or months, come to a conclusion on the matter of having such a committee to establish the political principle for foreign affairs policy being established in this House?
I have indicated several times to the Deputy that the matter is under consideration. That is the position. No matter how often the Deputy asks me, it will not change that situation.
A Cheann Comhairle——
I am sorry, we cannot debate this matter this morning.
It is not a matter of debate and I would appear to be wasting the Chair's time and the time of the House if I needlessly repeated this question. All I am asking for is an indication as to when a decision will be made. That is a very reasonable request.
The Deputy has put his question. Deputy Michael Noonan.
(Limerick East): In view of the continuing uncertainty on the Stock Exchange would the Taoiseach consider following the precedent of leaders all over the world by making a statement in the Parliament, or by sending a message to the Stock Exchange, with a view to calming fears?
A Cheann Comhairle——
A Cheann Comhairle——
Deputy Brendan Griffin.
(Interruptions.)
Please, Deputies, Deputy Brendan Griffin is seeking to make a contribution.
In view of the potential danger to aircraft and to the civilian population of Ireland, would the Minister for Defence confirm that he is taking the matter of the crashed Harrier fighter GR5 jet——
The Deputy must find another opportunity of ventilating that matter.
It is a very serious matter.
(Interruptions.)
Deputy Proinsias De Rossa was offering.
I sought to raise on the Adjournment yesterday——
(Interruptions.)
——the question of the 40,000 people in Dublin city, most of them pensioners and widows who are entitled to free fuel vouchers and who will not now get them until the middle of November. I did not get this question on the Adjournment debate yesterday, but I ask the Minister for Social Welfare if he could indicate what steps he is taking to alleviate the hardship over the next two weeks.
The Deputy will have an opportunity later to raise that.
It is reasonable to ask the Minister to indicate what he intends to do.
I am sorry to interrupt again.
I would remind the House that they are eroding the time available for the Estimates debate.
I appreciate that and I thank you for acknowledging me. Yesterday I tried to have the matter raised on the Adjournment in relation to the representation of this country in the Council of Europe Planning Seminar and I was informed, through your good offices, that the Minister for the Environment regarded the representations of professional planners from Ireland at such a meeting as a private affair and that he had no function. Could you, perhaps, guide me as to how we can raise this matter in the House?
My office will be glad to help the Deputy still further if that is possible.
Your office would, no doubt, be as concerned as I am that the Minister for the Environment——
My office will facilitate the Deputy as best we can.