Vol. 376 No. 4
It is proposed to take Nos. 6, 7, 2, 8, 9 and 10.
It is also proposed that Nos. 2, 8, 9 and 10 be taken together for the purposes of debate.
It is further proposed that any division called for today relating to any item of business shall be postponed until Wednesday next, 9 December 1987, at 8.30 p.m.
Is the proposal to take Nos. 2, 8, 9 and 10 together for the purposes of debate agreed? Agreed.
Is the proposal in respect of the taking of divisions agreed? Agreed.
I have two questions to put, Sir, in respect of promised business. May I ask the Minister for Finance, in the first place, if there are proposals to introduce a new Central Bank Bill soon, and if this Central Bank Bill will introduce a single regulatory authority for all financial institutions as they are now operating in very similar areas: by that I mean insurance companies and building societies as well as banks? Will the Minister further say if it will contain powers to reduce interest rates, in view of the apparent resistance of the Central Bank to a reduction in interest rates that is due at this time?
Secondly, may I ask the Minister for Finance if it is proposed to introduce a revised Book of Estimates, in view of the statements by the Minister for Education in regard to the provisions for primary school salaries?
It is proposed that we will have a currency and Central Bank amendment Bill as soon as is possible. The details contained therein are matters for the Government to decide. With regard to the second question about a revised Book of Estimates, the answer is no.
May I ask the Minister for Finance if he would not agree that any relaxation in the provisions of the circular as published involves an increase in the provision for primary school salaries as provided in the Estimates as originally presented and that, therefore, a revision is necessary?
We cannot get into any detail on the subject matter today.
Have the Government made up their minds about this matter yet?
They have, long ago.
Have they thought about it?
Did the Deputy not hear me?
In view of the statement yesterday by the committee of the RDS of their intention to sell off part of their land, may I ask whether the Government would use funds from the national lottery and enter into negotiations and discussions with the RDS?
That matter cannot and does not arise now.
It is well worthwhile.
I am sorry Deputy. It is worthy of a question in the proper form.
The business for next week again does not contain the Courts Bill, which is a matter of great urgency. We were told a month or more ago that it was about to be reintroduced. I believe there is no great opposition to it. It is vitally necessary. Why do the Government not order it?
There are still some final details with the Attorney General and, as soon as they are clarified, the matter will be decided by the Whips.
Will the Minister give a guarantee that it will be ordered before Christmas?
That is our intention.
I wish with your permission, Sir, to raise on the Adjournment the contingency arrangements which have been made to provide for the payment and honouring of all other contracts to the staff and customers of An Foras Forbartha in view of the fact that the Government have not yet announced their decision and that the abolition is due to take effect on 31 December.
The Deputy will have to raise that matter with me again. There is no provision for such a debate today.
May I ask when the Government intend to introduce legislation relating to the disbandment of the Dublin Transport Authority?
In the very near future.
Does that mean it will be in this session?
The intention is that it would be in this session.
Legislation was promised which would extend PRSI to farmers and certain other groups. Can the Minister for Finance indicate when that Bill might be introduced?
Early in the new year.
In the year 1990.
I am surprised that Deputy Desmond dares to speak having sat for four and a half years and taken no action whatever. I can assure Deputy Desmond that we will bring it in and I am sure we will have the wholehearted support of the Deputy.
I should like to ask the Tánaiste to indicate the Government's intentions regarding the Dáil decision that the National Social Service Board be reinstated?
This question does not arise now.
It arises very much, Sir. There had better be time for it.
There is an appropriate time for it.
On the Order of Business and in respect of promised legislation——
Can I ask if the Minister would withdraw that circular?
Order, please. Deputy Quinn is in possession.
May I ask the Minister for Finance who has recently been appointed and promoted to Tánaiste by my colleague Deputy Stagg if he could——
He tried to fire the Deputy's boss——
That was the Deputy's fault.
In view of the business announced for next week can the Minister for the Environment confirm that the Homeless Persons Bill may be circulated by the end of this session but that in all probability Second Stage will not be debated between now and the Christmas adjournment?
As I indicated on a number of occasions it is our firm intention to have the Bill circulated but I do not see much of a possibility in having it debated in this session.
May I ask the Minister for Health if it is his intention to introduce any regulations under the National Social Service Board before the end of this session?
It does not arise now.
May I ask the Minister for Health if he intends introducing regulations which he has promised, by implication?
Not now.
I wish to seek your guidance in a matter. A little over a week ago a Swiss cheese, Vacherim d'Or, was withdrawn from the market in this country and in other countries for very obvious reasons. I put down a Private Notice Question which was disallowed and I accept your ruling in that matter but in view of the fact that there was not an opportunity since then to get an indication from the Government as to what measures they propose to take to protect public health and consumer concern in that area——
I have communicated with the Deputy in respect of that matter and my ruling may not be questioned now. The Deputy has had ample time to put down an ordinary question in respect of that matter and he has failed to do so.
In view of the fact that another cheese——
The Deputy still has time.
——has now caused a problem of a similar nature I feel that there will not be an opportunity——
The Deputy has ways and means open to him and I have advised him accordingly. It may not be pursued now.
In view of the urgency of the matter perhaps the Minister for Finance would give some indication of the Government's intention——
I have given the Deputy ample opportunity to ventilate his viewpoint.
I wish to confirm with the Minister for Finance that the Taoiseach will be making a statement next week on the outcome of the Copenhagen Summit.
In the House.
Yes.
The Taoiseach has already replied to that question.
May I ask the Minister for Finance, suitably demoted, if he could indicate what day it is intended to introduce legislation for the amalgamation of AFT and ACOT.
It is a matter that will be arranged with the Whips.
