It is proposed to take Nos. 3, 4, 8, 2 and 17. Private Members' Business shall be No. 38.
Order of Business.
Will the Taoiseach give an indication when the Companies (No. 2) Bill and the Bankruptcy Bill might surface in the House?
I have undertaken before to speak to our colleagues in the Seanad to see if we can get the Companies (No. 2) Bill down here soon and I will keep up the pressure there. I will have to communicate with the Deputy about the Bankruptcy Bill. I hope it is not of any particular interest to any of us at this stage.
I should like to ask the Taoiseach if in view of recent circumstances, and the consensus that exists in the House on a number of issues, he will give serious and urgent consideration to the establishment of a joint committee on foreign affairs?
I have nothing further to add at this stage except to say that the matter is kept under review.
I should like to remind the Taoiseach that on either the last occasion, or the second last of the many occasions on which that issue was raised in the House, he said he was approaching a conclusion. Is he looking at it through binoculars or a microscope? I cannot see why the Taoiseach should be delaying so long on a very simple matter of this kind on which the House seems to be in general agreement. The main purpose of this would be to support the efforts we need to make in the foreign policy field generally.
The distinguished Deputy would not wish me to come to a negative conclusion and, therefore, perhaps it is better that we talk again about it?
What is the difference between a negative and no conclusion?
As long as it is ongoing there is hope.
I should like to ask the Taoiseach if the debate on Anglo-Irish relations tomorrow will be on the basis of a motion and, if so, when might we see such a motion?
The intention is to proceed by way of a simple motion and we hope to have it out this evening.
I should like to ask the Taoiseach, in view of the article that appeared in today's issue of the Irish Independent concerning an interview between Colonel Gadaffi and Newsweek magazine——
That does not arise now.
——in which he once again threatened to strike in Ireland——
The Deputy must find another way to raise that matter.
——if it is the Government's intention to continue diplomatic relations with an individual who is hostile to our country?
The Deputy should raise it at the Ard Fheis.
I cannot get a reply to a reasonable question.
Perhaps we might ask the fraternal delegate at the Árd Fheis about it.
How long more do we have to tolerate these sort of threats from that individual and his cohorts?
I should like permission to raise on the Adjournment the inadequacy of the air-sea rescue services along the west and north west coasts which was so tragically demonstrated last Friday when one man lost his life and another was seriously injured.
I will communicate with the Deputy.