Dáil Éireann debate -
Friday, 9 Dec 1988

Vol. 385 No. 5

Order of Business.

The Taoiseach

It is proposed to take No. 8. It is also proposed that the following arrangements shall apply:

(1) Votes 38 and 39 shall be taken together for the purposes of debate and the questions necessary to bring the proceedings to a conclusion, if not previously concluded, shall be put at 12 noon.

(2) Vote 36, if not previously concluded, shall be brought to a conclusion at 1.30 p.m.

(3) Votes 28 and 29 shall be taken together for the purposes of debate and the questions necessary to bring the proceedings to a conclusion, if not previously concluded, shall be put at 3 p.m.

(4) Vote 32, if not previously concluded, shall be brought to a conclusion at 4.30 p.m.

(5) In each case, the speech of Members called on shall not exceed 15 minutes and the Minister replying shall be called on to conclude the debate not later than ten minutes before the stated time.

It is further proposed that if a Division is challenged on any of the Votes being taken today, such Divisions shall be postponed until 3.45 p.m. on Tuesday, 13 December 1988.

An Ceann Comhairle

Is the proposal for dealing with No. 8 agreed?

Mr. M. Higgins

Pointe amháin ba mhaith liom a chur os comhair an Tí ná an méid ama atá curtha ar fáil chun cúrsaí Gaeilge agus Gaeltachta a chíoradh. Níl mé ag cur i gcoinne na moltaí atá déanta ag an Taoiseach ach bheadh sé i bhfad nios fearr dá mbeadh am níos oiriúnaí chun na cúrsaí seo a phlé, toisc go háirithe go bhfuilimidne atá mar ionadaithe os na Gaeltachtaí éagsúla in ár gcónai i bhfad ó Bhaile Átha Cliath. Ba chóir go mbeadh comhluadar i bhfad níos mó i láthair sa Teach, mar níor chuir sé aon ghliondar ar mo chroí an sórt reaction a bhí le feiceáil tráthnóna inné nuair a bhi a lán ceisteanna faoi chúrsaí Gaeltachta á snaidhmiú le chéile agus daoine ag éirí mífhoighdeach toisc gur cuireadh fo-cheisteanna agus ceisteanna cabhracha.

Mr. J. Bruton

The order for today is agreed, but may I ask the Taoiseach when the Government propose to introduce the legislation promised by them two years ago for the simplification of the law in regard to conveyancing?

The Taoiseach

I am not aware that any such legislation was promised, but I will look into it.

Mr. J. Bruton

Could I assist the Taoiseach: It was promised in the Programme for National Recovery published by his party. Are we to take it that promises made in the Programme for National Recovery——

An Ceann Comhairle

I assumed this was legislation on the Order Paper or promised.

Mr. Shatter

In view of the disaster which has hit Armenia and the unprecedented call by the Soviet Government to the Red Cross for assistance, would the Taoiseach consider taking a European initiative——

An Ceann Comhairle

The Chair allowed a Private Notice Question on that matter yesterday. It is not in order now.

Mr. Shatter

I am raising this matter because yesterday I do not think anybody realised the scale of the disaster.

An Ceann Comhairle

That is the Deputy's interpretation.

Mr. Shatter

I was hoping the Taoiseach would take a European initiative in the matter.

An Ceann Comhairle

I am calling Deputy McCartan.

Mr. McCartan

With your permission, a Cheann Comhairle, may I ask the Taoiseach about the progress of the Prohibition of Incitement to Racial, Religious or National Hatred Bill, 1988, which was introduced in the Seanad and if there is any prospect that it will see its way through the Dáil before the end of the session, having regard to the fact that it was expected that it would be passed into law as close as possible to 10 December 1988, tomorrow, International Human Rights day.

The Taoiseach

It is in the Seanad at present and it will be in the Dáil next session.

Mr. McCartan

Is there any prospect of it coming to the Dáil before the end of the session?

The Taoiseach

No.

Mr. Shatter

Continuously during this Dáil session, the Minister for the Environment has promised the publication of the building societies Bill. There was an extensive report in The Irish Press yesterday of the likely contents of the Bill. Would the Minister indicate when this House will be privileged enough to have sight of the Bill and whether, Sir, it will be circulated before the Christmas recess.

Minister for the Environment (Mr. Flynn)

The matter was raised yesterday and I dealt with it.

Minister of State at the Department of the Taoiseach (Mr. V. Brady)

The Deputy was not here.

Mr. Shatter

The Minister has been promising this Bill on a daily basis. Will we see it before Christmas?

An Ceann Comhairle

May I remind the House of the very limited time available for discussion on the Supplementary Estimates, which is now being eroded.

Mr. Quinn

With regard to the Building Control Bill, which has started on Committee Stage, is the Minister for the Environment or the Whip in a position to say when that will be resumed?

Mr. Flynn

Next session.

An Ceann Comhairle

I must ask that we have regard to the fact that time is very limited for discussion on the Supplementary Estimates. If the House wishes to erode that time, that is its business.

Mr. McCartan

In the event of an Adjournment debate today, I seek permission to raise on the Adjournment the working conditions at Southern Unijig (Ireland) Limited at UCD and the role of the Department of Social Welfare in providing cheap labour through the Job-search scheme?

An Ceann Comhairle

I advise the Deputy that there is no provision for an Adjournment debate today. Let us proceed to the Order of Business proper: Item 8, Votes 38 and 39 to be discussed together.