It is proposed to take Nos. 6 and 7. 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. Private Members' Business shall be No. 24.
Order of Business.
May I ask if the proposal for the late sitting is agreed? Agreed.
With your permission, a Cheann Comhairle, I wish to raise on the Adjournment the impact that the sudden closure of Kiely's bottling plant has had on the economic life of Tipperary town and the urgent necessity of finding an alternative replacement industry.
I will communicate with the Deputy.
On the Order of Business, will the Taoiseach inform the House if amending legislation is to be brought in to deal with the rod licence dispute as his Deputies said when they met anglers in Kerry recently? Will he confirm if this is so?
There is no such legislation.
We have been sold another pup.
With your permission I seek again to raise on the Adjournment the closure of the factory, Toho (Ireland) Limited at Clonshaugh Industrial Estate, with the consequent loss of 39 jobs, although 600 jobs had originally been promised; and the loss of £1.5 million to the Exchequer through IDA grants.
I will communicate with the Deputy.
May I ask the Taoiseach if the Government have made a decision on the holding of the by-election in Sligo-Leitrim to replace Mr. MacSharry?
I am very happy to be able to tell Deputy Spring, although he is completely out of order, that the matter is under very active consideration at the moment.
(Interruptions.)
We will see you there.
A Cheann Comhairle, may I ask the Taoiseach if the Government propose to make time available in this House to debate the plans which are being prepared for submission to Brussels prior to 31 March 1989?
This is hardly relevant on the Order of Business.
I think I am in order. On the Order of Business, I am asking the Taoiseach if the Government——
A question could quite easily elicit that information.
I do not think so. This is a question on the Order of Business. It is a fairly standard and reasonable question: do the Government propose to make time available to discuss this important matter?
It is primarily a matter for the Whips in any event.
I wish to ask the Taoiseach if he will confirm that reports in yesterday's Evening Herald regarding the siting of the national indoor sports stadium are true?
That does not arise now Deputy.
The Government in their published legislative programme have indicated that the Child Care Bill will be taken before Easter. Could the Taoiseach indicate at what point will it be taken, and will it be completed before Easter?
It will be taken during this session.
I appreciate that, and we already know that it is proposed to take it this session, but I am asking if it is proposed to complete the Bill this session, as it is urgent legislation.
The Deputy knows it is for the Whips to work out the programme.
I wish to raise on the Adjournment the question of the insufficiency of funding available to VEC schools in County Kildare?
I will communicate with the Deputy.
May I ask if it is the intention of the Minister for the Environment to bring in amending legislation updating the Local Authority Works Act to give local councils more power in the matter of flooding and other related matters?
Nothing of that kind has been promised.
This is not a matter for us now, Deputy.
The Minister did say he was going to bring forward such legislation.
I am sure the Deputy can elicit that information in another way.