It is proposed to take Nos. 4, 5 and 18. Private Members' Business shall be No. 35.
Order of Business.
On the Order of Business, in view of the numbers of meetings that will be taking place during the next few days, I should like to ask the Taoiseach if he will take steps to be informed about allegations that have appeared today in relation to the three incidents in Northern Ireland at the end of 1982, the allegation that a car in which three people were shot at that time was bugged and a subsequent allegation in today's press to the effect that there is information in existence about a tape alleged to have been made at the time Martin Tighe was shot in the Lurgan incident. I should like to ask the Taoiseach if it is his intention to take up those specific matters during the course of the meetings that will take place over the next few days.
Yes, all aspects of the affair will be taken up and discussed and explanations sought. I should also like to assure the Deputy that when we have the discussion in the Dáil, which I have promised, as much information as I can give on all these aspects will be given to the House.
Can I ask the Taoiseach why the meeting of the Anglo-Irish Conference which was arranged for tomorrow will not now be held but is being replaced by what I understand is called a ministerial meeting as opposed to a conference meeting? Can the Taoiseach explain to the House the significance of this change at this time?
It is really in order to try to have the procedures regulated in the best possible way. If an Inter-governmental Conference were to be held tomorrow it would have been followed by a statement by the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, Mr. King, in the House of Commons and then I would almost certainly have had a meeting with the British Prime Minister on the same day or the following day. It is in order to try to have our discussions as fruitful as possible that, at our suggestion, the Inter-governmental Conference meeting — which, by the way, was never fixed for tomorrow but was proposed for tomorrow — has been postponed. It will be replaced by a ministerial meeting between the Minister for Justice, the Minister for Energy and for Communications and the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland. The statement by the Secretary of State in the British House of Commons will not take place on Thursday. It is very likely that I will have a meeting with the British Prime Minister in Brussels and at that stage I think the scene for a further Inter-governmental Conference meeting would be set much more effectively.
Is it the intention of the Government to have the House sit at some stage over the week-end? There was a story to that effect this morning. Apparently some consultations have gone on in which my Party were not involved. Is that the intention, or has there been any discussion to that effect?
No, that was never envisaged. There were no discussions to that effect. The situation is, as I trust the Deputy has how been informed by the Chief Whip, as I have outlined, that the meetings will take place in the order in which I have announced them. It is a matter, again, for discussion between the party Leaders and myself as to whether we would proceed with the Dáil debate on Tuesday next, or at whatever other time would appear to be most beneficial.
Is it proposed to have the Conference on Monday next?
As the Deputy knows, advance notice of Conference meetings is not given. However, it is likely that it would take place next week.
In relation to the Order of Business for today and in particular in reference to Item No. 18 on the Order Paper, and given the fact that it is now most likely that we will be having a debate next week in relation to the so-called Stalker affair, would the Taoiseach bring the discussion on the budget to a conclusion? I shall be asking that it be concluded this very week, in fact, because of the very important business on the Order Paper. There are many items of legislation which I believe should be discussed which are on the Order Paper but obviously in due course we shall be discussing the Finance Bill and the Social Welfare Bill. Could the Taoiseach bring the budget debate, which is now quite sterile, to a conclusion?
I hope that the Deputy would not think it sterile until I have made my contribution, which will take place now.
It is seriously moribund.
I agree with the Deputy that we should arrange either to interrupt the budget debate to deal with more urgent matters or let it go on as in the past.
I am looking for clarification from the Taoiseach. Am I to understand that there is to be a meeting between Ministers tomorrow in London and that there is then the probability of meetings between the Prime Ministers on Wednesday, Thursday or some time later this week and that that is to be followed by an Intergovernmental Conference which will be followed by statements in the House — is that the order?
Not necessarily. I would discuss with the party Leaders, following the meetings which the Deputy had just mentioned, when it would be most advantageous to have our discussions here in the Dáil in relation to a proposed meeting of the Inter-governmental Conference.
But the Taoiseach will be making his normal post-European Council statement here next Tuesday and there will be a separate discussion on all other related affairs of Northern Ireland? It will be after the Inter-governmental Conference but there will be a separate discussion then?
Yes, certainly.
Would the Taoiseach think that it would be helpful to the Irish case if statements, or a short debate, were to take place in the Dáil before these meetings which are to occur in the next number of days, given that the European Parliament has brought forward a debate for this evening, I understand, on the Stalker-Sampson matter and related issues?
No. I think that it would be more beneficial if we were to leave our debate over for the moment.
Could the Taoiseach indicate yet when the proposed board or company for State forestry will be established? There was an indication before the Christmas recess that a board would be established to set a State company in operation to develop our forestry resources.
I take it that this is promised legislation.
Yes, legislation is promised. It is at an advanced state of preparation and will be brought forward as soon as possible, I hope in this session.
I wish to raise on the Adjournment the subject of the very serious problem of erosion at Rosslare Harbour, in view of the Government's decision to suspend the coastal protection scheme.
I shall communicate with the Deputy.
Rosslare Harbour?
The Deputy knows very well that there are serious difficulties in that regard.
On an unrelated point, could I seek clarification on different answers given to the same question last week? This is in relation to the Intoxicating Liquor Bill dealing with the licensing laws and under-age drinking. The Taoiseach told Deputy Barrett that he hoped to introduce such legislation before the tourist season began and the Minister for Justice, in a written reply to me, said that the Government were examining the matter and that if any proposals were taken an announcement would be made at the appropriate time. Is such legislation being brought forward before the summer?
The Bill was left ready for the Government.
I think that Deputy Kennedy would be well advised to listen principally to what I have to say.