It is proposed to take No. 15. It is also proposed that the Minister for Finance be called on to conclude the debate on the Second Stage of the Finance Bill, 1988, at 4.40 p.m. on Thursday next, and the proceedings thereon and on items Nos. 16 and 17 on today's Order Paper shall be brought to a conclusion at 5 p.m. on that day by one question. Private Members' Business shall be No. 33.
Order of Business.
Are the proposals regarding Nos. 16 and 17 agreed? Agreed.
On the Order of Business, No. 15 today is the 1988 Finance Bill. Before we begin that debate I would like to ask the Taoiseach or, indeed, the Minister for Finance if the Government have any proposals to prepare for the process of indirect tax harmonisation in the EC and if such proposals should be presented to this House in the context of this Finance Bill rather than the very misguided and shilly-shallying approach that the Government now appear to be taking in looking for derogations from a process which can only do good to the Community as a whole and to this country. I would like to know if we are going to see in that debate and in any proposals the Government might put forward any echoes of the doctrine of the self-financing tax cuts which the Taoiseach and his colleagues espoused until——
Surely that is a matter that can be adequately ventilated on the Finance Bill.
All I am asking is that, since there is nothing in the Finance Bill to deal with that, will the Government in the course of that debate address that issue which they know is an important one which should be dealt with as quickly as possible?
I would say the Second Stage of the Finance Bill is the appropriate time for the Deputy to raise that.
Whilst in principle I wish the Taoiseach well on his trip to the US, could I ask him for clarification in relation to that trip? First will he be meeting with the Irish Immigration Reform Movement? Second, will part of his trip consist of fund raising——
This does not arise on the Order of Business and the Deputy knows that.
I think the Taoiseach should enlighten the House as to the trip he is contemplating.
It is quite out of order to raise that matter now.
It is a very reasonable question. The Taoiseach may wish to respond and tell us who he is meeting on his trip abroad.
The Deputy will have to find some other way to raise this.
I will not be able to because the Taoiseach is leaving on Thursday. May I raise it on the Adjournment?
I will communicate with the Deputy in respect of this matter.
I would like to ask the Taoiseach if he agrees that there is now an urgency in bringing forward legislation to establish a harbour authority for Dún Laoghaire to ensure the full and co-ordinated development of this most important amenity for all of its users.
The Deputy should have put down a question about that matter.
(Interruptions.)
Could we have a reply please?
You do not have to put the headquarters in Foynes. Dún Laoghaire will do this time.
At what stage will the housing Bill in regard to the homeless be dealt with in the House? Could the Taoiseach indicate whether or not he will ask the Whips to arrange for a debate on the situation in the Gaza Strip on the West Bank where the killing continues?
The Deputy's first question was perfect but his second is not.
The legislation with regard to the homeless will be dealt with in this session.
(Limerick East): On Good Friday last a man died in the Regional hospital, Limerick. He had spent six hours waiting in casualty. I want to give notice——
Deputy Noonan is an experienced member of this House and he knows the matter he is adverting to is not appropriate to the Order of Business.
(Limerick East): I intend to give notice that I wish to raise this on the Adjournment. I have to indicate the content of the matter I am raising on the Adjournment. I am absolutely in order. I said a man died in the Regional hospital. He had spent six hours in casualty prior to treatment. I want to raise this matter on the Adjournment together with the inadequacy of casualty services in the city.
I will communicate with the Deputy.
Why were the Irish Government not represented at the court hearing in France where an application was made to extradite a man called Seán Hughes for the murder of a garda?
This is not in order, Deputy.
It is a matter of considerable importance.
The Deputy should adopt the proper procedure in relation to matters of such importance.
What steps is it proposed to take now in relation to the matter? I notice there is no answer. I think it is disturbing in a matter of this kind where the murder of a garda is concerned.
On the Order of Business, when is it envisaged to take the next stage of the Child (Care and Protection) Bill? I understand the Taoiseach does have a list of the priorities of different Bills. Perhaps he could indicate the number on his list the Bill occupies so that we will have some idea other than the standard reply that it will be dealt with in the current session. Could the Taoiseach indicate how soon we might expect it?
It is a matter for the Whips when it can be fitted in, but the intention is that it will be taken this session.
You have not published it yet.
May we envisage the Minister for the Marine bringing forward amendments to the Fisheries Act of 1988 so as to bring to some kind of conclusion the present campaign against rod licences?
The Deputy is bringing in an extraneous matter.
With respect, a Cheann Comhairle, I am speaking about legislation which was concluded recently and voted against by my party. In the interests of the tourist industry——
I am not aware that such legislation has been promised and the Deputy must raise this matter in some other fashion.
Would the Ceann Comhairle consider that matter for raising on the Adjournment also?
I shall communicate with the Deputy.
When may we expect the setting up of a State forestry company as promised in the Programme for National Recovery?
First, may I sympathise with the Deputy on his failure to be elected? Personally, I would have voted for him. I would be glad to assure the Deputy that it is intended that the legislation will be brought forward this session. I am looking forward to the full support of the Deputy's party for this legislation.
I should like to come back briefly to the question of the Child (Care and Protection) Bill to inquire of the Taoiseach if——
Repetition is not in order.
It is not repetition of the question I have already asked. Would the Taoiseach clarify if the legislation that we shall be having before this House is a recirculation of the Bill previously introduced by the Coalition or is it envisaged that we shall have an entirely new Government Bill? As my party are not privy to the meetings of the Whips, I ask the Taoiseach's view as to how soon he thinks this Bill should be debated.
I think it is a reasonable reply to say that it is intended to take it this session. I shall ask the Whip to communicate with the Deputy as to exactly when we hope to take it.
Will it be new or a recirculation?
Order, please. I call Deputy Doyle.
May I raise on the Adjournment the content of the first matter on which I stood up today — the independent harbour authority for Dún Laoghaire?
I shall communicate with the Deputy.
May I join with Deputy Higgins in urging the Taoiseach to intervene, in view of the very dangerous position, in relation to rod licences?
The Deputy should have voted against them when she had the chance.
Perhaps the Taoiseach could indicate to this House when we shall have published the Shannon Estuary Development Company Bill?
Very shortly.
Shortly before when?
After his arrival back in Shannon.
Certainly it would be before your crowd would ever have brought it in.
Ours is already there.
The Taoiseach had a chance to vote for it.
I wish to raise on the Adjournment the question of the extension of the disadvantaged areas scheme to Waterford.
I shall communicate with the Deputy.
May I come back for a third time on an aspect of——
You definitely shall not, Deputy. I call item No. 15. Deputy McCartan is making a mockery of it.
May I raise on the Adjournment the placing in Stubbs Gazette, by certain health authorities, of the names of persons who cannot pay the £10 hospital outpatients' charge?
I shall communicate with the Deputy in regard to that matter.
May I raise, with the permission of the Chair, the matter of the hounding from his house in Darndale last night of a father of six children by members of Sinn Féin masquerading as something else?
I shall communicate with the Deputy.
May I give notice of my intention to raise on the Adjournment the urgent need to extend facilities at Maryborough National School, Portlaoise, the urgency of which is well known to the Minister for Education?
I shall communicate with Deputy Flanagan.