asked the Taoiseach if he will outline the legislative programme of the Government up to the summer recess.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Legislative Programme.
1.
As the Deputy is aware, the legislative programme, much of which is published in the Order Paper, is discussed by the Whips on a regular basis and any necessary adjustments are made to cope with situations which require urgent legislation.
That is a very comprehensive reply.
I take it that it is not part of the Taoiseach's democratic and political philosophy to announce to the House the details of the programme, if he has one, which he hopes to implement in the coming session. Do I take it that it is not part of the Taoiseach's philosophy to give Members of this House the opportunity of debating the legislative programme?
There are more things in heaven and earth than are dreamt of in my philosophy. We have given the Whips a list outlining the situation with regard to current legislation and they can discuss what will be in the programme. In other words, we will take the views of the Opposition parties into account in deciding what should be enacted between now and the summer recess.
I believe the House should have the opportunity of raising this issue with the Taoiseach and be given a full and comprehensive reply. May I raise one issue about which I have a particular concern, that is, the ACOT-AFT merger Bill? Can I take it that sufficient parliamentary time will be allocated during the coming session to ensure that the Bill can be fully debated and passed by the Oireachtas before the summer recess——
It is No. 2 on the list of legislation given to the Whips. I would be very anxious that it would get plenty of time for debate.
——and that it will be given sufficient time to go through all Stages before the recess?
I do not expect the Taoiseach to have answers about all the Bills which might be in the programme, but would he consider asking the Minister for Industry and Commerce to expedite the Companies Bill, published in 1986, which has been in the Seanad almost all that time? I acknowledge that the Taoiseach does not have complete control over the Seanad Order Paper, but would he try to have that Bill brought before the Dáil before the summer recess?
That would be very desirable. The Seanad are at section 90, and there are 189 sections. I have been in touch with the Seanad people a number of times to have it expedited and I will continue my efforts in this regard.
When these negotiations between the Whips are taking place, will the Taoiseach be mindful of the fact that The Workers' Party are not privy to those negotiations? Will he give an indication to the House that we will not have a collision of programmes as we have at the moment where we have a Private Members' Bill dealing with one aspect of intoxicating liquor and the Government colliding head-on with their Bill, leaving the House in some disarray. It would be better if the negotiations between the Whips could bring order to the alliance which exists between the Opposition so-called and the Government.
The Deputy may not be aware of it, but it has happened from time to time here — and it is not a bad practice — that Opposition parties bring forward proposals for legislation which are very often subsumed into legislation by the Government. As I said, this has happened from time to time and I do not see any objection to it.
Given these negotiations, would the Taoiseach not agree that the working of the House would be better serviced by at least a common programme? At present Private Members' time is dealing with a particular aspect of the reform of the law on intoxicating liquor while——
We are having repetition.
——a more elaborate Government Bill——
I am calling Question No. 2.
Will the Taoiseach agree that the business of the House could be better ordered by such an approach?
No, we believe in parliamentary democracy.
So do we but we do not think these things should be left in the hands of the Whips.