It is proposed to take Nos. 15 and 16. It is further proposed that the Dáil shall sit later than 9 p.m. today and business shall be interrupted at 10.30 p.m. It is also proposed that the proceedings on the remaining Stages of No. 15 shall be brought to a conclusion not later than 7 p.m. by one question which shall be put from the Chair and which shall, in relation to amendments, include only amendments set down by the Minister for Tourism and Transport. It is further proposed that the proceedings on Second Stage of No. 16 shall be brought to a conclusion not later than 10.30 p.m. and the Minister for Social Welfare shall be called on to conclude not later than 10.15 p.m. It is also proposed that there shall be no Private Members' time this week.
Order of Business.
Is the proposal for the late sitting today agreed? Agreed. Is the proposal to deal with the remaining Stages of No. 15 agreed? Agreed. Is the proposal for dealing with the Second Stage of No. 16 agreed?
I wish to oppose the proposal to take and conclude the Second Stage of the Social Welfare Bill, No. 16, by 10.30 p.m. on the basis that it represents a guillotine on a most important piece of legislation, where the cutbacks on benefits will affect many people. Much more time should be given to this Bill both on Second Stage and Committee Stage. We are opposing giving three and a half hours to Second Stage of this Social Welfare (No. 2) Bill. There is much more in this than just dealing with employers who are fiddling.
I am putting the question: "That a proposal in respect of dealing with Second Stage of the Social Welfare (No. 2) Bill, 1987, be agreed."
Is the proposal that there shall be no Private Members' Business this week agreed? Agreed.
I wish to raise with you, Sir, and seek your guidance on a matter concerning a private notice question regarding the fire authorities of two different local authority areas. I am not arguing with your ruling. I have a problem, however, since two local authorities are concerned. Is any Minister in the Government in charge of local authorities in general? According to your ruling I will not be allowed to raise it on the Adjournment either and it concerns a very serious fire in Enniskerry about which there was great confusion between two local authorities about fire brigades with subsequent great danger to the lives of some small children. I need your guidance. With whom am I to raise this matter?
I have already conveyed my views and my decision to the Deputy in relation to the matter she has raised. If further elucidation is required my office will be very pleased to assist her in the matter, but we cannot go into it now.
It concerns two different——
I have indicated to the Deputy that it is a matter for the local authority and not for the Ministers.
It is two different local authorities.
I am sorry, Deputy, we cannot argue the matter now.
How am I to know——
If the Deputy wishes to have further elucidation I have told her she may communicate with my office. My ruling on the matter may not be questioned or argued now.
I am not arguing.
You are.
May I ask the Taoiseach, or perhaps the Minister for Health, to confirm to the House whether the Government have decided to abolish the refund of drugs scheme from 1 January and, if this decision has been made, whether it will be announced to this House?
Is this legislation that is promised?
It has not been promised.
It does not arise then.
In the event, if the Taoiseach or the Minister for Health is not prepared to answer what strikes me as a very straightforward question, could I raise the matter on the Adjournment?
I will communicate with Deputy Spring in respect of that matter.
(Limerick East): I would like to give notice that I wish to raise a matter on the Adjournment. On 1 December in this House the Minister for Health said, and I quote: “So far as I am concerned the acute hospitals to be closed have either been closed or are in the process of being closed at present. I made that clear in this House.” Ten days later Barrington's Hospital in Limerick is closed.
Sorry, Deputy Noonan. The Deputy has indicated to me that he wishes to raise a matter on the Adjournment. He may not elaborate now. I will communicate with the Deputy.
(Limerick East): I wish to raise the issue of how the Minister for Health could say something here in this House at Question Time and then refute it by his action ten days later.
I will communicate with the Deputy.
May I ask the Taoiseach the proposed date of resumption after the Christmas recess and the date of the budget?
I hope to communicate that information to the House very shortly.
On the Order of Business as has just been agreed by the House, in relation to that ruling in regard to the Transport Bill that will be taken up shortly, will the Minister or the Whips ensure that time will be given for Committee Stage and amendments that might arise on Committee Stage in the short time left?
That is a matter for the Whips.
The Minister will make every effort to ensure that the Deputies get a chance to discuss it fully.
The problem is that we are currently on Second Stage. Will the Whips agree for a time to be set for the conclusion of Second Stage so that we can get on to Committee Stage and the amendments arising?
The Minister is winding up on Second Stage at the moment. Arrangements have been made for the conclusion of the business.
Through you, Sir, may I ask the Taoiseach which of his Ministers provides money for the fire services and, therefore, carries responsibility for the fire services in general?
The Deputy must put down a question.
The only person providing money for the fire services would be the taxpayer or the ratepayer.
Through which Minister do they provide the funds?
That would come under the ambit of the Minister for the Environment.
In that case could the Minister for the Environment answer the question about the confusion between two local authorities and, therefore, a fire brigade arriving from Dún Laoghaire to deal with a case in Enniskerry which is nearer the Bray area?
I have given the Deputy a great deal of latitude on that matter.
The Taoiseach answered my question and the Minister is prepared to answer it. Could I have an answer from the Minister for the Environment about the fire services between two different local authorities leading to great danger to a family's life when one fire brigade arrived from a different local authority area, thereby causing great distress——
I have given the Deputy a great deal of latitude on this. It must be the spirit of the day that is in it, but I cannot allow this to be taken as a precedent.
Is the Minister refusing to take responsibility?
May I ask the Taoiseach or the Minister for Health if a statement will be made to the House on the future of the NSSB before the House goes into recess——
I have already indicated to the Deputy that he must find appropriate ways and means of raising that matter other than on the Order of Business.
I have tried other means and I have been told that it is sub judice.
With your permission, Sir, I put for the fourth time my request that I be given time on the Adjournment to raise the decision to suspend the very valuable work of the juvenile liaison officers at weekends.
I will communicate with Deputy Barrett.
I wish to raise on the Adjournment the subject matter of Question No. 66 on last Thursday's Order Paper to the Minister for Education.
I will communicate with the Deputy.
I have been told there are other means by which I can raise the question of the NSSB. I have tried every other means. In what way can I raise the issue? They are going out of existence at the end of this month.
There is no obligation on the Chair to quote the rules.
Surely the House is entitled to an explanation.
I do not wish to show disrespect at all but now that the Taoiseach has informed us which Minister is responsible may I now raise the matter on the Adjournment?
This is showing contempt for the Chair.
I wish to raise it on the Adjournment.
Fair enough, Deputy.
I seek your permission, Sir, to raise on the Adjournment, the question of the extension of facilities at St. Farnan's post primary school.
I will communicate with Deputy Durkan in respect of that matter.
I wish to raise on the Adjournment the matter of local authority financing in Dublin city and county for 1988.
I will communicate with Deputy Taylor in respect of that matter.