Dáil Éireann debate -
Wednesday, 23 Mar 1988

Vol. 379 No. 4

Order of Business.

The Taoiseach

It is proposed to take Nos. 15, 16, 17 and 18.

It is also proposed that the Dáil shall sit later than 9 p.m. today and business shall be interrupted at 10.30 p.m.

It is further proposed that the proceedings on the Committee Stage of No. 15 if not previously concluded, shall be brought to a conclusion at 1.30 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 Social Welfare.

It is further proposed that the proceedings on Committee and Remaining Stages of No. 16, if not previously concluded, shall be brought to a conclusion at 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 Finance.

It is further proposed that No. 18 shall be taken at 8.30 p.m. and the order shall not resume thereafter. The proceedings on No. 18, if not previously concluded, shall be brought to a conclusion at 10.30 p.m. and the following arrangements shall apply: (a) The opening speech of the Minister for Finance shall not exceed 20 minutes; (b) The speech of any other Member shall not exceed 15 minutes; (c) The Minister for Finance shall be called on to conclude not later than 10.20 p.m.; (d) Any Division demanded shall not be postponed. Private Members' Business shall be No. 35.

An Ceann Comhairle

May I ask if it is agreed that the House sits late this evening? Agreed.

May I ask if the proceedings proposed in respect of No. 15 are agreed?

Tomás Mac Giolla

I wish to oppose the guillotine being imposed on the Social Welfare Bill. As far as I know, we have reached only section 6, and there are 89 sections in the Bill. There is still ample time before Easter and I cannot understand why the guillotine must be imposed. Could we not allot all day today to this Bill? We have not been involved in the discussions to create a guillotine. I oppose guillotines regularly and I certainly oppose one on the Social Welfare Bill.

An Ceann Comhairle

The Deputy's objection is noted and I now propose to put the Question formally. The Question is: "That the proposals for dealing with No. 15 be agreed to."

Question put and declared carried.

An Ceann Comhairle

Are the proposals for dealing with No. 16 agreed? Agreed.

Are the proposals for dealing with No. 18 agreed? Agreed.

Mr. Shatter

A Cheann Comhairle, I was hoping that you might assist me in clarifying a matter. Last week I tabled a question to be answered by the Taoiseach relating to the Attorney General's office. It is the tradition in this House that the Taoiseach answers such questions. The particular question related to extradition arrangements between this State and Great Britain. I will not go into the detail of that.

An Ceann Comhairle

It would not be appropriate to do so.

Mr. Shatter

The reason I am raising the matter is that the question I tabled to the Taoiseach last week should have been dealt with by the Taoiseach but it was transferred to the Minister for Justice.

An Ceann Comhairle

This is a function in which the Chair is not involved at all. The transference of questions is a matter for the Government.

Mr. Shatter

A Cheann Comhairle, the reason I am seeking your guidance is that it has been a tradition in this House that the Taoiseach would normally respond to questions relating to the Attorney General's office. I ask you for clarification. In future will it be the practice for the Minister for Justice——

An Ceann Comhairle

Deputy Shatter knows very well this matter does not arise on the Order of Business. If he feels strongly about the change in proceedings, he should have the matter raised in the Committee on Procedure and Privileges. He may not raise this matter here now.

Mr. Shatter

There is a question of——

An Ceann Comhairle

The Deputy is challenging a ruling of mine and that is not in order.

Mr. J. O'Keeffe

It is part of a general pattern.

An Ceann Comhairle

If he needs clarification or an expansion on my decision, my office is open to him. He may not proceed to deal with this matter now.

Mr. Shatter

I am not questioning your ruling but I am asking——

An Ceann Comhairle

The Deputy is disrupting the Order of Business and that is disorderly.

Mr. Shatter

Question No. 11 on today's Order Paper appears to cover the subject matter of my question which has been transferred to the Minister for Justice.

An Ceann Comhairle

I have already told the Deputy the Chair has no function in the transferring of questions.

Mr. Shatter

I am asking for——

An Ceann Comhairle

I am doing my best to facilitate the Deputy but clearly he is challenging the Chair.

Mr. Shatter

I am trying to seek clarification but you will not allow me to complete my question.

An Ceann Comhairle

I have given the Deputy every opportunity——

Mr. Shatter

If you would allow me to put one more sentence? I am anxious for guidance as to whether when my question which has been transferred to the Minister for Justice, comes up for answer it will be excluded by virtue of the question on today's Order Paper to the Minister for Foreign Affairs.

An Ceann Comhairle

That is not a matter for the Chair.

Mr. Shatter

My understanding is that it is.

Mr. Barry

I want to thank you, Sir, for facilitating me in having my question regarding Ballinora national school answered although the reply was not very satisfactory.

Mr. Quinn

As the House is aware, tomorrow is the last day of this session. May I ask if the Taoiseach will indicate tomorrow to the House the proposed legislative programme for the forthcoming session? I would not expect him to have that information today but I am asking him in advance to give us that information tomorrow.

The Taoiseach

We will follow the usual practice in that regard. The Whips can meet to discuss what business they wish to have taken between now and the summer recess.

Mr. Quinn

At that meeting will the Government Chief Whip be in a position to indicate the full range of legislation which it is the Government's intention to move next session?

The Taoiseach

The normal procedures will be adhered to.

Mr. Quinn

Will the Taoiseach clarify for those who have not had the benefit of experiencing normal procedures if, in this instance, those procedures will clarify exactly what the full legislative programme will be for the next session so that we can prepare for it?

The Taoiseach

As a former Minister the Deputy is aware of the way business in this regard is conducted. The Government have their own programme and they are always prepared to discuss arrangements with the Opposition parties when legislation should be taken, the time allocated to different legislation and so on. While the Government try to plan ahead as far as possible, the Deputy will know that from time to time situations develop which require urgent legislation and the programme often has to be amended to cope with such an eventuality. The Deputy knows all this as a former Minister.

Mr. Dukes

A most erudite reply.

Mrs. Taylor-Quinn

I wish to raise on the Adjournment the downgrading of Ennis General Hospital. I would remind you that this is the sixth time I have sought to raise this matter on the Adjournment.

An Ceann Comhairle

I will bear that in mind, Deputy.

Mr. Taylor

Will the Minister for Justice make a statement to the House regarding the proposed strike by the prison officers having regard to the security implications——

An Ceann Comhairle

That does not arise now.

Mr. Taylor

This is a very important matter.

An Ceann Comhairle

It may be, but there is a procedure for dealing with such matters. I am calling Deputy Deenihan.

Mr. Taylor

With your permission, I wish to raise the matter on the Adjournment.

An Ceann Comhairle

I will communicate with the Deputy.

Mr. Deenihan

May I raise on the Adjournment the recent Government decision to levy the IDA?

An Ceann Comhairle

I will communicate with Deputy Deenihan.

Mr. Nealon

I wish to raise on the Adjournment the conditions in Moylough national school, County Sligo.

An Ceann Comhairle

I will communicate with Deputy Nealon.

Tomás Mac Giolla

Is the Taoiseach aware if the Attorney General is preparing or has done any work on the preparation of an anti-discrimination Bill? Apparently he indicated to the National Council for Travelling People last May that he had in preparation an anti-discrimination Bill which he expected would be ready before the end of 1987.

The Taoiseach

I will let the Deputy know the present position in that regard.

Mr. Durkan

I wish to raise on the Adjournment the atrocious condition of main and county roads in County Kildare and the need for the provision of extra funding.

An Ceann Comhairle

I will communicate with the Deputy.