It is proposed to take items Nos. 1, 14, 2, 15 and 8. It is also proposed that the Dáil shall sit later than 5.30 p.m. today and business shall be interrupted at 7 p.m. It is further proposed that statements be made now under Standing Order 41 on the Eksund arms find and each statement shall not exceed 15 minutes. It is further proposed that item No. 8 shall commence at 5 p.m. The speech of each Member shall not exceed 20 minutes and the Minister for Foreign Affairs shall be called on not later than 6.40 p.m. to conclude the debate.
Order of Business.
Are the arrangements proposed in respect of the late sitting agreed? Agreed. Are the proposed arrangements in relation to the statements on the Eksund arms find agreed? Agreed. Are the proposed arrangements in respect of item No. 8 agreed? Agreed.
On the Order of Business, is it the intention of the Minister for Industry and Commerce, in view of the urgency of the situation, to make a statement to the House in respect of his consideration of the H. Williams issue in view of the obvious crisis for many of the workers who are in the unfortunate——
The Chair has permitted that matter to be raised on a number of occasions within the past number of days.
I simply want to know if the Minister will make a statement after considering the issue, which he undertook to do.
It does not arise now.
I wish to raise on the Adjournment the subject matter of Question No. 4 of 3 November.
I will communicate with the Deputy.
Will the Taoiseach give consideration during the course of the day to having the Minister for Labour make a statement on the allegations and facts that emerged from an employment appeals tribunal yesterday relating to the activities of certain AnCO trainees and what was required of them. The reason I am raising this now is that I am conscious of the fact that if I put down a question I might be told it was sub judice.
If it is sub judice it should not be raised in the House.
It would be possible to deal with these issues by way of a statement, as they emerged in the course of the hearing, without touching on what is——
That does not arise on the Order of Business.
There is widespread disquiet concerning the fact that AnCO trainees were decorating the homes of senior executives.
Will the Taoiseach give time for the making of a statement to the House on the very serious matter arising from the naval manoeuvres off the Irish coast by the British Government which have been going on for the past two days?
The Deputy will have to find other ways and means of raising that matter.
In view of the seriousness of the matter, will you allow it to be raised on the Adjournment?
I will communicate with the Deputy.
It has been brought to my attention that there are changes in the manner in which driving licences are issued, in particular that people suffering from epilepsy, are, in some cases, prevented from holding a current driving licence. I should like to raise this matter on the Adjournment.
I will communicate with the Deputy.
Does the Minister for Health intend to institute any new local monitoring of health activities following the abolition of local health committees?
That does not arise on the Order of Business.
I should like to ask a question arising out of the answer to Question No. 37 on yesterday's Order Paper to the Minister for Foreign Affairs in the name of Deputy Cullen. The Minister stated that disarmament is now discussed in the context of European Political Co-operation since the signing of the Single European Act. Will the Taoiseach say if this welcome development is a new expression of our policy of military neutrality?
I very much doubt if that is relevant now.
I wish to raise that matter on the Adjournment.
I will communicate with the Deputy.
I repeat my request of yesterday to raise on the Adjournment the statistics on child sexual abuse and general abuse of children in the context of the Government's failure to bring before the House the Children (Care and Protection) Bill and the fact that they have cut off funds to most of the organisations working in this area.
I will communicate with the Deputy.
I wish to raise on the Adjournment the problems which have arisen at Killaloe community college.
I will communicate with the Deputy.
I wish to raise on the Adjournment the decision of the Minister for Justice to stop officers of the Garda Síochána involved in crime prevention working at weekends as a result of the cutbacks——
I will communicate with the Deputy.
Will the Taoiseach tell the House what progress, if any, has been made with international oil companies for the development of the Whiddy terminal at Bantry?
The Deputy should put down a question in respect of that matter.
Can the Taoiseach or the Minister for Tourism and Transport advise us when updating legislation in relation to the Railways Act, 1936, providing for increased penalties for persons trespassing on railway lines may be expected before the House. It was promised in reply to a question in the name of Deputy Cosgrave on 20 October this year.
I will communicate with the Deputy; he has taken me unawares.
I would be happy if I could hear from the Taoiseach later.
I wish to raise an item on the Adjournment. Last Wednesday I received a reply to a question on speech therapy facilities in Dublin, Questions Nos. 22, 47 and 200, which were taken together. The reply, unfortunately, is extremely misleading and I would like to raise the matter on the Adjournment.
I will communicate with the Deputy.