Dáil Éireann debate -
Wednesday, 25 May 1988

Vol. 381 No. 1

Order of Business.

The Taoiseach

It is proposed to take Nos. 16, 9 and 17. 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 No. 9 shall be taken without debate. It is further proposed that the proceedings on Committee and remaining Stages of No. 16 shall be brought to a conclusion, in accordance with the following timetable: sections 1-3, inclusive, to conclude not later than 11.30 a.m.; sections 4-5, inclusive, to conclude not later than 12.30 p.m.; sections 6-10, inclusive, to conclude not later than 1.30 p.m.; sections 11-18, inclusive, to conclude not later than 4.45 p.m.; Committee Stage to conclude not later than 5.45 p.m.; Report and Final Stages to conclude not later than 7 p.m., and where proceedings in each case have not concluded by the stated time they shall be brought to a conclusion 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 Agriculture and Food.

It is further proposed that the proceedings on Committee and remaining Stages of No. 17, if not previously concluded, shall be brought to a conclusion at 10.30 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 Energy.

Private Members' Business shall be No. 34.

An Ceann Comhairle

Is the proposal for the late sitting today agreed? Agreed. Is the proposal that No. 9 be taken without debate agreed?

Tomás Mac Giolla

The Workers' Party have not been consulted on this issue and I wish to ask the Taoiseach if he will explain what No. 9 means before we can agree to take it without debate. This evening we will be debating the remaining Stages of the Electricity (Supply) (Amendment) Bill. I do not know if No. 9 refers to that Bill or what payments are to be made to the Minister for the Environment.

The Taoiseach

No. 9 is the Financial Resolution for No. 17, the Electricity (Supply) (Amendment) Bill.

Tomás Mac Giolla

Could the motion not be taken with the Bill?

An Ceann Comhairle

This is the usual procedure in respect of a matter of this kind.

The Taoiseach

Anyone can say anything they want on the motion when we are discussing the Bill.

An Ceann Comhairle

I take it that the proposal that No. 9 be taken without debate is agreed? Agreed. Is the proposal for dealing with No. 16 agreed? Agreed. Are the proposals in relation to No. 17 agreed? Agreed.

Mr. Dukes

Does the Taoiseach intend during the course of the day to have any more meetings of the kind he had this day last week which were intended apparently to resolve the rod licence dispute and which have cast further doubt on the whole issue?

An Ceann Comhairle

That matter does not arise on the Order of Business.

Mr. Dukes

Does the Taoiseach intend this week putting together such an arrangement, and, if so, is it one that can work?

An Ceann Comhairle

That is not in order now.

Mr. Dukes

Can I take it the Taoiseach has no intention of having further discussions today?

The Taoiseach

The Deputy might say a prayer.

Mr. Dukes

It might answer the Taoiseach well to say a prayer. It might put him in the proper odour of sanctity and his next meeting might be more productive.

Mr. G. Mitchell

As regards No. 1 on the Order Paper — Special Report of the Committee of Public Accounts on the Future Role of the Comptroller and Auditor General and the Committee of Public Accounts — this has been on the Order Paper for the last week. It is only a matter of moving it so that it can be presented to other Members. The committee will be looking for a debate on the report at a later stage. When is it intended that we will be allowed to move a motion for the presentation of the report?

The Taoiseach

Tomorrow morning.

Mr. Barry

I wish to raise on the Adjournment the subject matter of my Private Notice Question regarding the postponement of the inquest on the shootings in Gibraltar.

An Ceann Comhairle

I will communicate with the Deputy.

Mr. McGinley

Is the Taoiseach aware of, and does he condone, the misappropriation of £175,000 of lottery funds to 23 centres in Dublin which have not even submitted an application for these funds?

An Ceann Comhairle

This is a matter which does not arise on the Order of Business.

Mr. McGinley

It is a most serious matter.

An Ceann Comhairle

There are ways and means of dealing with that matter.

Mr. McGinley

I have documentary evidence that these 23 centres have not applied for funds but yet have been granted £175,000. It is the tip of the iceberg. Does the Taoiseach condone this?

The Taoiseach

I do not condone anything.

Mr. J. Higgins

I wish to raise on the Adjournment the need for the Minister for Education to give the go ahead for the much-needed extension to Bally-haunis Community School, County Mayo.

An Ceann Comhairle

I will communicate with the Deputy.

Mr. Quinn

I want to ask the Taoiseach or the Minister for the Environment to confirm that it is the Government's intention to take the Housing Bill in the week commencing 8 June.

The Taoiseach

Yes.

Mr. McGinley

In view of the inadequate response from the Taoiseach and the Government, I seek your permission to raise this very serious matter on the Adjournment.

An Ceann Comhairle

I will communicate with the Deputy.

The Taoiseach

Perhaps the Deputy might raise the £5 million given out by Deputy John Boland just before he left office.

Mrs. Doyle

Strictly according to the rules. It was not lottery money.

Mr. N. Treacy

He is sailing off Bull Island at the moment.

(Interruptions.)

Mr. J. Bruton

Has the Taoiseach any proposals to introduce amendments to the Kilkenny Design Workshops legislation?

The Taoiseach

No legislation has been promised.

Mrs. Doyle

A Cheann Comhairle, you will recall that a fortnight ago I asked the Taoiseach whether the EC Directive on Environmental Impact Analysis would be fully implemented here after 1 July and you deemed me to be in order. The Taoiseach was gracious enough to say that he would respond to me but I am still awaiting his response. Perhaps he will state now whether the non-mandatory Annex II, which is the more important annex of this directive, will be implemented after 1 July.

The Taoiseach

I hope to communicate with the Deputy at an early date and I apologise for the delay. I always detest keeping a lady waiting.

Mrs. Doyle

That does not warrant a reply on this occasion.

Mr. J. Bruton

It is what Jim Callaghan said to Mrs. Thatcher.

Mr. Cullen

Does the Taoiseach propose to bring forward legislation for the sale of Irish Life and, if so, when?

The Taoiseach

No such legislation has been promised.

Mr. Quinn

I direct the Taoiseach's attention to legislation which has been on the Order Paper for about three years, namely the Building Control Bill, which is stuck on Committee Stage. In view of the enormous additional costs and delays inflicted on the building industry because of the ambiguity that surrounds building construction standards and the fact that we have only five or six working weeks before the summer recess, I appeal to the Taoiseach and the Minister for the Environment to consider the establishment of a special committee to pursue this matter. It is non-partisan and noncontentious.

An Ceann Comhairle

I must dissuade the Deputy from making a speech.

The Taoiseach

It is with the parliamentary draftsman at the moment and there is a good possibility we will have it before the summer recess.

Mr. Noonan

(Limerick East): The Taoiseach has promised two Bills, one to allow building societies to engage in certain banking activities and the other to amend Central Bank legislation to enable proper control to be exercised. Will these Bills be introduced this session?

The Taoiseach

The Minister for Finance is making every effort to have both Bills this session.

Mr. Cullen

I wish to raise on the adjournment the report circulating in the past 24 hours to the effect that the Government propose to sell 49 per cent of Irish Life.

An Ceann Comhairle

I will communicate with the Deputy.

Miss Flaherty

Is it intended to deal with the Child Care Bill in this session? Arising out of recent court cases, does the Minister for Health take the view that it will be necessary to have a constitutional amendment to ensure that even actions taken under existing laws are in line with the Constitution in relation to children, quite apart from the increased powers proposed under this legislation?

The Taoiseach

I will deal with the part of the Deputy's question which is in order. It is proposed to take the Bill this session. Any other matters regarding the constitutionality or otherwise of the Bill can, I suggest, be dealt with by the Deputy on Second Stage.