Dáil Éireann debate -
Thursday, 24 Mar 1988

Vol. 379 No. 5

Order of Business.

The Taoiseach

It is proposed to take Nos. 7, 8 and 16. It is also proposed that the proceedings on Nos. 7 and 8, if not previously concluded, shall be brought to a conclusion at 11.30 a.m. and 12.30 p.m., today respectively, by one question which shall be put from the Chair in each case and which shall, in relation to amendments, include only amendments set down by the Minister for Health and the Minister for Social Welfare, respectively, and that any speeches in the course of the debate on either motion shall not exceed ten minutes.

It is further proposed that the Report and Final Stages of No. 16, if not previously concluded, shall be brought to a conclusion at 5 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 at the conclusion of business today the Dáil shall adjourn until 2.30 p.m. on Tuesday 19 April, 1988. May I ask therefore, if the proposals for dealing with Nos. 7 and 8 are agreed?

Tomás Mac Giolla

I want to register my objection to the Order of Business today. It came as a complete surprise to us this morning. We were not advised of a change in the Order of Business and that No. 7 was being taken. We will probably have three quarters of an hour only to deal with it. It is absolutely shameful that when we are rising for three weeks a matter like this has to be dealt with in three quarters of an hour. I already objected to the——

An Ceann Comhairle

I note the Deputy's objection but he may not make a speech now.

Tomás Mac Giolla

I am specifically objecting to having Item No. 7 dealt with in three quarters of an hour on the last day of business before Easter.

An Ceann Comhairle

Then I shall put the question. I take it the Deputy's objection is——

Tomás MacGiolla

I am not asking you to put the question a Cheann Comhairle. I am only registering my objection.

An Ceann Comhairle

That is fine. I am putting the question that the proposals for dealing with Nos. 7 and 8 be agreed. Agreed. Are the proposals for dealing with No. 16 agreed? Agreed. Is the proposal in respect of the Adjournment agreed? Agreed.

Mr. Cooney

May I ask the Taoiseach or the appropriate Minister to request RTE to make available any evidence they might have concerning the atrocities of last Saturday in Belfast on the basis that civilised people or civilised institutions should not require a court order to assist them in this matter?

An Ceann Comhairle

That does not arise on the Order of Business, Deputy.

Mr. Spring

Can the Taoiseach give an assurance that Item No. 17, the discussion on the budget, will be concluded during the first week of the next session? Many people are having questions returned under the Ceann Comhairle's ruling that they cannot be answered until the budget discussion is concluded.

The Taoiseach

It could be concluded today.

Proinsias De Rossa

I wish to raise on the Adjournment today the reply to Question No. 21 on yesterday's Order Paper which related to the treatment of Palestinians by Israeli security forces.

An Ceann Comhairle

I will communicate with the Deputy.

Mr. Allen

May I raise the question of the decision of the Arts Council not to fund the Irish Ballet Company? They have left them short £420,000 this year and this could mean the disbandment of the company and the termination of the Firkinkrane project in the Shandon area of Cork city.

An Ceann Comhairle

I take it the Deputy is seeking to raise the matter on the Adjournment.

Mr. Allen

Yes.

An Ceann Comhairle

I will communicate with the Deputy.

Mr. J. O'Keeffe

On the Order of Business, may I ask the Taoiseach to note, so that it may reinforce the hand of the Minister for Agriculture and Food and provide him with a little backbone in facing the farm price talks in Brussels, that if he carried with him the view of the Dáil——

An Ceann Comhairle

I am sorry, Deputy O'Keeffe, but you know full well that that is not a matter appropriate to the Order of Business. Deputy Doyle is offering.