Dáil Éireann debate -
Thursday, 8 Dec 1988

Vol. 385 No. 4

Order of Business.

The Taoiseach

It is proposed to take Nos. 7, 10 and 2.

It is also proposed that the Dáil shall sit later than 5.30 p.m. today and business shall be interrupted at 5.30 p.m.

It is further proposed that No. 7 shall be taken without debate.

It is further proposed that No. 10 shall be taken between 10.30 a.m. and 1 p.m.

It is further proposed that all Stages of No. 2, if not previosuly concluded, shall be brought to a conclusion at 5.30 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 Justice.

It is further proposed that the Dáil shall meet tomorrow at 10.30 a.m. and shall adjourn not later than 4.30 p.m. and the business shall be confined to Estimates for Public Services.

An Ceann Comhairle

May I ask if the proposals for the extended sittings today are agreed? Agreed. Is it agreed that No. 7 be taken without debate? Agreed. Is it agreed that No. 10 be taken between 10.30 a.m. and 1 p.m.? Agreed. Are the proposals for dealing with No. 2 agreed? Agreed. Is the proposal for tomorrow's sitting agreed? Agreed.

Mr. Quinn

I would like to raise on the Adjournment the waste of taxpayers' money proposed by the Department of Education in the putting out to developer competition the design and construction of three schools, the design and tender documents of which have already been prepared in the Department of Education and for which fees have already been paid.

An Ceann Comhairle

I will communicate with the Deputy.

Mrs. Doyle

I would like to beg your indulgence to ask the Taoiseach if he would strengthen the Minister for Agriculture's resolve in opposing unequivocally at next Monday's Council of Ministers meeting the Commission's proposals in relation to special import quotas of New Zealand butter over the next four years. If it is any help to the Minister for Agriculture he has the support of the Fine Gael Party.

An Ceann Comhairle

The Deputy knows there are many other ways and means for raising such matters.

Mrs. Doyle

My success rate when using other ways is rather poor.

An Ceann Comhairle

There are many facilities in this House for such purposes.

(Interruptions.)

Mr. G. Mitchell

In view of the terrible tragedy and loss of life in Armenia, is it in order to ask the Taoiseach if the Government or the European Community have offered whatever——

An Ceann Comhairle

It is difficult for the Chair to rule out such matters but clearly it is not in order now.

Mr. G. Mitchell

Perhaps the Taoiseach would refer to it later in the day. I want to know if he has offered whatever assistance he can to the Soviet Government and the people of Armenia.

An Ceann Comhairle

Deputy Jim Kemmy was offering.

Mr. Kemmy

I wish to raise on the Adjournment the question of the closure of the Bell Table Theatre and Art Gallery in Limerick.

An Ceann Comhairle

I will communicate with the Deputy.

Mr. Deenihan

Is it the intention of the Government to bring forward legislation to give status to the youth services here?

An Ceann Comhairle

I will communicate with the Deputy.

Mr. Griffin

In respect of proposed legislation, could the Taoiseach inform the House if it is his intention, specifically with reference to the road amendment legislation in respect of the Road Transport Acts to take on board the common rules of the Council regulations for international carriage of passengers by coach and bus and also the conditions under which non-resident carriers may operate national road passenger services within member states that is commonly called cabotage?

An Ceann Comhairle

This is the kind of question that we might have had advance notice of.

The Taoiseach

Perhaps I could communicate with the Deputy about that.

Mr. Noonan

(Limerick East): I would like to ask the Taoiseach if he would indicate to the House that indications given outside the House that the Government intend to introduce legislation to reduce the tax liability in the financial services centre from 10 per cent to zero for certain insurance activities, and particularly unit trusts are correct and will proposals be brought before the House and when can we expect that legislation?

The Taoiseach

I am not sure when the legislation can be expected, but there is such a proposal. It will be in relation to the management of unit funds.

Mr. Noonan

(Limerick East): Will it be incorporated in the Finance Bill or will a separate Finance Bill be introduced to bring in zero rated tax for certain activities?

The Taoiseach

There is also the Central Bank Bill and perhaps it could be included there.

Mr. Noonan

(Limerick East): I do not think that is an appropriate vehicle, with respect. Could the Taoiseach reflect on the matter and make a statement on it before Christmas, maybe in the context of the Adjournment debate?

The Taoiseach

It would seem more likely that it would be a Finance Bill.

Mr. Leonard

I propose to raise on the Adjournment the system of allocating the European Regional Development funding and the proposal for allocating increased funding.

An Ceann Comhairle

I will communicate with the Deputy.

Mr. McCartan

A propos the question by Deputy Deenihan to the Taoiseach in regard to the establishing of youth services on a statutory basis, I should like to say that if I picked up the words along the bush telegraph from the Minister of State correctly, he seemed to indicate that no such legislation was promised. I should like to remind the Taoiseach that his Minister of State in Galway indicated that, if it was the desire of the National Youth Council to be established on a statutory basis, he would provide for that in legislation. There is a clear intention there.

An Ceann Comhairle

I presumed the Deputy was raising an appropriate question but the Deputy may not embark upon a speech. He must resume his seat. The Deputy should desist.

Mr. McCartan

May I put the question in another way?

An Ceann Comhairle

The Deputy should desist.

Mr. McCartan

A promise has been made in a roundabout way but there was a promise.

Mr. Farrelly

With the permission of the Chair, I should like to raise on the Adjournment the subject matter of Question No. 29 on today's Order Paper.

Mr. Quinn

Are the Government in a position to indicate when the Bill dealing with building societies will be circulated?

Minister for the Environment (Mr. Flynn)

It is proposed to circulate it before Christmas.

Mr. McGinley

I should like to ask the Taoiseach if he has given any special instructions to the Minister for the Marine before his negotiations at EC level in regard to fish quotas for 1989.

An Ceann Comhairle

That does not arise now and the Deputy is aware of that.