It is proposed to take Nos. 1, 13, 14 and 17. It is also proposed to take No. 1 without debate and Question Time will be at 2.30 p.m. as usual.
Order of Business.
It is proposed to take Nos. 1, 13, 14 and 17. It is also proposed that No. 1 be taken without debate. Is that agreed?
On the Order of Business, a Cheann Comhairle, I am very happy to see No. 1 on the Order but I wonder if the Tánaiste could give us any indication when Report Stage of that Bill will be debated in the House?
The Chair is anxious to dispose of the Tánaiste's proposals, I must ask if it is agreed that No. 1 be taken without debate?
It would help the House to deal with the Tánaiste's proposals with more alacrity if we knew when the debate is going to be taken. I must say I am very disappointed that no agreement was reached with the Government Chief Whip after the very open position adopted by the Tánaiste on the matter yesterday. Could the Tánaiste give me any indication if we will be debating this Bill in the House in Government time in the near future?
That was not the assurance given. We have an open mind as to when the Bill should be taken. I will deal with the House on that basis. We are not ruling out either option.
I would like to help the Tánaiste to crystallise things a little bit. I want to see that Bill on the Order Paper and debated in this House the week after next.
I must ask again if the proposals of the——
It is really a matter for the Whips to get together.
Indeed it is, a Cheann Comhairle, and the Whips got together yesterday evening when the Government Whip was much more reticent than the Tánaiste was yesterday. I want to make it clear to the Tánaiste and the Government that I want this Bill debated in the House in Government time the week after next.
No assurance was given. We will look at the matter and decide on what route to take after full discussions with everybody concerned.
A Cheann Comhairle——
I am sorry, Deputy, but I must deal with the Order of Business first. I must ask again if the proposal that No. 1 be taken without debate is agreed? Agreed.
I would like to raise on the Adjournment the immediate crisis facing the tourist industry and Bord Fáilte who cannot launch their 1989 international fishing promotion next month in competition with other countries and who stand to lose £10 million at least as a result of this Government's inaction on the rod licence dispute.
I will communicate with the Deputy.
Can the Tánaiste give me an indication of when it is proposed to introduce the promised road traffic legislation which was promised in the Seanad in October 1987? It was promised again yesterday in the Dáil by the Minister for Industry and Commerce in exactly the same words used when it was promised previously. The legislation has not arrived. Can the Tánaiste tell us when this Bill, which is necessary in order to reduce insurance premiums, will be introduced?
I cannot say off-hand but I will check that matter out and communicate direct with the Deputy.
(Limerick East): Can the Tánaiste tell us when the Government intend to introduce two Bills which were promised on at least six occasions over the past 18 months? The first Bill I am referring to is the Bill designed to extend the remit of building societies to enable them to get involved in general banking activities and the second is the Bill designed to extend the powers of the Central Bank to control such activities.
Both of those Bills will be taken this session. We will have them here for debate before Christmas.
(Limerick East): With respect, I got that assurance yesterday.
The Deputy can hold us to it.
(Limerick East): May I take it that the Tánaiste's assurance is better than the assurance I got previously?
I wish to raise on the Adjournment the issue of the provision of accident and emergency and X-ray facilities at Mallow hospital, to include with that the capital programme for the Southern Health Board.
I will communicate with the Deputy.
I would like to ask the Minister for the Environment when it is intended to introduce legislation dealing with cowboy builders who disappear leaving unfinished housing estates. An assurance was given to the Progressive Democrats that a comprehensive planning Bill——
This is not the appropriate time in which to raise that matter.
This legislation has been promised. An assurance was given to the Progressive Democrats that a comprehensive planning Bill would be brought forward at the time we moved our Bill last May.
No legislation was promised. It can be dealt with in the discussion on the existing Bill if the Deputy so wishes.
I would like to raise on the Adjournment the decision announced by the Minister for Education after the Dáil had gone into recess to withdraw from weaker pupils the right to repeat a year which is regarded by their teachers as necessary for their future.
I will communicate with the Deputy.
I should like the permission of the Chair to raise on the Adjournment the issue of the failure of the Government to provide adequate funds for the Irish Association for Victim Support.
I will communicate with the Deputy.
I should like to raise on the Adjournment the question of the amalgamation of the boys and girls national schools at Clareville Road, Harolds Cross, the need for an extra teacher because of that and in view of the special circumstances existing at the school.
I will communicate with the Deputy about that matter.
I should like to ask the Tánaiste to ask the Minister for Labour to intervene in the strike at Premier Disposals at Naas where slave wages are being paid and there is institutionalised discrimination against women workers.
That hardly arises now.
I should like permission to raise the matter on the Adjournment.
I will communicate with the Deputy.
I should like to ask the Minister for the Environment when it is proposed to introduce legislation to give effect to local government reform in the Dublin area, having regard to the problems that exist there at present. I am referring specifically to conferring autonomy on the four local authority areas, as was proposed previously.
That matter is under consideration and, I agree, has been for some time but it has not been finalised.
I should like to raise on the Adjournment the appointment of extra teaching staff at San Carlo senior school, Confey, Leixlip.
I will communicate with the Deputy.
I should like to ask the Minister for Finance if he intends to adhere to the recommendation of the Labour Court in regard to the re-employment of 180 workers involved in construction and drainage work with the Office of Public Works.
That is not in order now but the Deputy, I am sure, will find some other way of raising the matter.
With the permission of the Chair I should like to raise this matter on the Adjournment in view of the fact that the Government have already breached a recommendation in regard to this.
I will communicate with the Deputy.