It is proposed to take Nos. 4, 10 and 11. 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. 4 shall be taken without debate. It is further proposed that No. 10 shall be taken between 10.30 a.m. and 1.30 p.m. It is further proposed that the proceedings on the Second Stage of No. 11 shall be brought to a conclusion, if not previously concluded, at 10.30 p.m. and the Minister for Social Welfare shall be called on to conclude the debate not later than 10 p.m. Private Members' Business shall be No. 25.
Order of Business.
Is the late sitting proposed for today agreed? Agreed. Is it agreed that No. 4 be taken without debate? Agreed. Is it agreed that No. 10 be taken between 10.30 a.m. and 1.30 p.m.? Agreed. Is the proposal for dealing with No. 11 agreed? Agreed.
Will the Taoiseach say when legislation will be introduced to provide a clear statutory basis for the collection of debts owed to Fóir Teoranta on the administration of their investments in view of the importance that there should be no conflict of interests and that this is seen to be a matter which is dealt with at arms' length and not dealt with by Ministers?
I do not accept the general concept put forward by the Deputy. The matter will be dealt with in accordance with normal practice and procedures.
Is the Taoiseach aware that the Minister for Finance indicated that his Department will not be responsible for this matter but that he does not yet know who will be responsible? Will he agree that substantial investments of this kind should be administered in an orderly fashion——
Please, Deputy Bruton, this is not Question time.
Will the Taoiseach indicate when he proposes to introduce legislation to deal with this matter?
In due course.
On the Order of Business, will the Taoiseach indicate when he proposes to have a debate on the closing down of Fóir Teoranta?
Does this pertain to legislation?
The Taoiseach indicated on 23 February that he would allow a debate. I am asking him when it will take place.
The Whips are discussing the matter and trying to find a suitable occasion on which to fit it in.
Will it be this side of the Easter break?
That is the objective but it may not be possible.
I wish to raise on the Adjournment the continued attacks and destruction of the Dublin-Belfast rail line and the threats to the lives of passengers, staff and the jobs——
I will communicate with the Deputy.
Is the Taoiseach aware that there have been no discussions between the Whips regarding a debate on Fóir Teoranta?
Do not let us have an argument about the matter.
Is it proposed to amend the Clinical Trials Act in view of the fact that health research has come to a standstill in hospitals?
That clearly does not arise now but the Deputy will doubtless find another way of raising the matter.
I wish to raise it on the Adjournment.
I will communicate with the Deputy.
Is the Taoiseach in a position to indicate to the House when the Government propose to make time available to debate the national development plan which has been submitted to Brussels?
No, I have not had time to decide but the matter is under continuing review.
As 31 March is the deadline may I conclude that the hesitancy to date in relation to the Taoiseach making up his mind seems to suggest that this matter will be debated after 31 March?
That is possible.
(Limerick East): When will the revised Book of Estimates be published?
On Thursday.
(Limerick East): Will the Book of Estimates be further revised subsequently to take account of the outcome of the negotiations between the Minister for Finance and the public service unions on special pay awards?
The Deputy is extending the scope of the question.
No.
(Limerick East): The Taoiseach is holding the line.
Of course.
In view of the national and international renown and the enormous contribution to the faculties of agricultural science and veterinary at UCD of the Lyons estate, I request — for the third time — permission to raise on the Adjournment the proposals for the future of this estate.
I will be in touch with the Deputy concerning this matter.
I wish to raise on the Adjournment the subject matter of Question No. 15 on yesterday's Order Paper.
I will communicate with the Deputy.
I wish to raise on the Adjournment the serious situation that has arisen in the Cork region as a result of the shortfall in funding to the health board, with particular reference to Mallow General Hospital, and the conflict that has arisen in statements given to me by the Minister in this House and officials of the board.
I will communicate with the Deputy.
With your permission, a Cheann Comhairle, I wish to raise on the Adjournment the proposals of the SouthEastern Health Board to introduce the cook-chill food system in hospitals in south Tipperary notwithstanding the potential health hazards and the fact that the system has been discredited and discontinued by health authorities in the United States, Australia and England.
I will communicate with the Deputy.
Would the Minister for the Environment indicate when he proposes to bring in the regulations to which he made recent reference which would require products containing CFCs to be so labelled?
That is being considered as a matter of urgency.
With your permission, a Cheann Comhairle, I wish to raise on the Adjournment the huge delays in the payment of headage, beef cow and suckler cow grants.
I will be in touch with the Deputy in respect of that matter.
I wish to attempt again today to raise on the Adjournment the total inadequacy of the provision being made by the Department of Education in relation to the introduction of the junior certificate course in our second level schools next September.
I will be in touch with the Deputy concerning that matter.
With your permission, a Cheann Comhairle, I wish to raise on the Adjournment the disturbing information revealed in recent editions of the Evening Herald with regard to the continued total and utter disregard for the law by certain sections of the gaming industry, so-called, in the city of Dublin, and the need for urgent action and response from the Minister for Justice in co-operation with the Garda Síochána to put to an end this wanton lawlessness.
I will communicate with the Deputy.
May I ask the Taoiseach when it is proposed to take item No. 9 on today's Order Paper which relates to the establishment on a permanent basis of the Committee of Public Accounts? Would he also use his good offices to ensure that the Government, before the debate if possible, make up their minds on the wider issues raised in the report of the Comptroller and Auditor General on the broadening of his functions?
As you would say yourself, a Cheann Comhairle, it would be more appropriate to raise that matter by way of an ordinary Dáil Question, but out of that excessive courtesy for which I am so well known I would like to tell the Deputy that I was in touch with Deputy Dukes about this matter and the Whips will be discussing it.
Can the Taoiseach tell us whether the matter he refers to is the debate on item No. 9 or the wider issues?
The debate.
I accept that piece of information for what it is worth. Would the Taoiseach indicate when the Government will take a decision on the wider questions which do have a legislative requirement in regard to the powers and functions of the Comptroller and Auditor General and to the Committee of Public Accounts in view of the fact that we need to be able to root out waste in public expenditure wherever it may occur?
I have granted the Deputy some licence in respect of the matter he has raised. We cannot debate it now.
I hear the Deputy.
I hope the Taoiseach will answer as well as listen.