It is proposed to take Nos. 1 and 19. It is further proposed that No. 1 shall be taken without debate. Private Members' Business shall be No. 39.
Order of Business.
Is it agreed that No. 1 shall be taken without debate? Agreed.
Can the Taoiseach confirm that the Government will make time available for the discussion in the House on the outcome of today's meeting of the Anglo-Irish Conference?
I presume this is not strictly in order, but in view of the exceptional gravity of the affair, I would like to inform the House that as I came into the House the meeting of the Anglo-Irish Intergovernmental Conference had not concluded. I would like to suggest that the Government Chief Whip would keep in touch with the Whips of the other parties with a view to seeing what arrangements would be most suitable.
The Taoiseach can take it that, for our part, we would be most anxious to facilitate a calm reflection on this matter.
May I make a suggestion to the Taoiseach. In respect of whatever debate or procedure is agreed tomorrow, there should be some procedure open which would enable a member of the Government to reply to what is said and to answer queries because, for example, the procedure of statements used last week was very unsatisfactory. I feel it is unsatisfactory from the Government's point of view as well when no reply can be made and, as a result, no questions can effectively be asked.
In these circumstances, will the Government agree to some form of debate in which there will be a reply?
I will keep that in mind.
Since The Workers' Party are not allowed to participate in meetings of the Whips, will the Taoiseach ensure that our party are familiarised with whatever decisions are made or procedures agreed on?
I think that The Workers' Party are always kept informed but I will ensure that they are on this occasion.
In that regard, will the Taoiseach give an assurance that whatever arrangements are arrived at, all parties in the House will be given an opportunity to contribute to whatever statements or debate takes place?
I have gone as far as I can at this stage.
I asked the question simply because there was some doubt as to whether the form of statements would be adopted.
Will the Taoiseach agree that any such debate should preferably take place on Thursday and that, prior to that, the Opposition party leaders might be briefed by him on the situation to enable a more mature discussion to take place?
This is a matter for the Whips.
Is the Taoiseach aware of the real possibility of a strike in our prisons?
I am sorry, Deputy, that does not arise now.
Will the Taoiseach ensure that a mediator is appointed——
It is not appropriate to raise this matter now, there are other ways of raising the matter and dealing with it.
May I raise it on the Adjournment?
I will communicate with the Deputy.
Does the Taoiseach propose to ask the Minister for Labour to make a statement to the House outlining the present position in relation to the industrial dispute——
That matter does not arise on the Order of Business.
In view of the recent tragedy, does the Taoiseach consider that it might be appropriate for such a statement to be made?
The Deputy will have to find alternative means of raising that matter.
I received a communication from your office yesterday to the effect that a question of mine addressed to the Minister for Energy concerning a new bog proposal in Attymon, Athenry, County Galway, was not allowed. Why was it disallowed?
I have communicated my decision to the Deputy in respect of that matter. I have no intention of elaborating on it now but my office will be glad to assist the Deputy if he communicates with it.
May I raise this matter on the Adjournment?
I will communicate with the Deputy.
I should like to ask the Taoiseach when the Government intend to bring forward for ratification the Convention for the Transfer of Sentenced Persons which was signed by the Government on 20 August 1986.
I will have to communicate with the Deputy about that.
I should like to raise the subject matter of the Private Notice Question which I tabled earlier on, and which has been disallowed on the grounds of lack of urgency, regarding the difficulties in the offices of the Collector General.
I will communicate with the Deputy.
There is a degree of urgency regarding the existence of cash——
The Deputy may not elaborate now, I will communicate with her in due course.
In view of your refusal — which I regret but accept — of my Private Notice Question on the high radiation levels of sheep flocks in Donegal, may I raise it on the Adjournment?
I will communicate with the Deputy.
I wish to ask the Taoiseach when it is proposed to introduce the Intoxicating Liquor Bill as some of the changes proposed will affect the coming tourist season.
It is hoped that whatever new arrangements are thought desirable will be in place for the forthcoming tourist season.
May I raise on the Adjournment the dispute involving 810 members of Dublin Fire Brigade with Dublin Corporation?
I will communicate with the Deputy.
On the Order of Business, in relation to legislation, could I ask the Minister for the Environment when it is proposed to take Committee Stage of Item No. 26, the Building Control Bill.
That is a matter for the Whips. I will ask our Whip to communicate with the Deputy in that regard.
Has time provisionally been made available in this session for the completion of this legislation?
That can be discussed by the Whips.
I wish to raise on the Adjournment the failure of the Government to make any announcement in regard to the adjustment of the child allowances under the family income supplement in line with the increases in the dependant allowances in the social welfare code.