It is proposed to take Nos. 10 and 11. Private Members' Business shall be No. 25.
Order of Business.
During the last few days I have sought to raise the issue of proposed legislation in the area of social welfare following from the Hyland judgment in the Supreme Court. The Taoiseach replied on a number of occasions that no such legislation was promised. However, may I quote a statement from a representative of the Department of Social Welfare as follows—
I will hear a question from you, Deputy, but we may not argue the matter now.
I am seeking a ruling from you, Sir.
The Deputy gave me no notice of his intention to raise this matter in respect of a ruling. I cannot be expected to arbitrate off the cuff.
The Department of Social Welfare spokesman's statement is quite clear and indicates that the Government would bring forward legislation. Through the Chair, I am asking the Taoiseach if he still holds his position which is contrary to what the spokesperson has said. This is a very urgent matter.
Please, Deputy. The Deputy is embarking on a speech. Is this not a matter that could be resolved by way of a formal question?
On the Order of Business, I am asking the Taoiseach if he still holds to the position that a Government spokesperson has not promised legislation in this area?
This matter has been raised a number of times here and I have already indicated that legislation has not been promised, and I do not think we should be bound by a statement from some anonymous spokesman.
Faceless.
Are you, Sir, denouncing the spokesperson?
I now call Deputy Seán Barrett.
A Cheann Comhairle, may I seek your guidance? Where there is a provision in an Act which obliges the Government to report to the Dáil, and that Act has been passed by both Houses of the Oireachtas, in what manner can we the elected parliamentarians have the Government do what they are obliged to do by law? I will quote from section 6 of the Extradition (Amendment) Act, 1987:
The Government shall, as soon as may be after the 1st day of January in each year beginning with the year 1989, make a report to each House of the Oireachtas on the operation in the preceding year of Part III of the Principal Act.
That section was put in as a result of a Fine Gael amendment, which was accepted by the Taoiseach of the day. Since the announcement of Fr. Patrick Ryan's candidacy——
Please Deputy Barrett, this is not the time for making a speech.
——I cannot get the Taoiseach to give me an answer on when this report is coming before the House. The Taoiseach is obliged by law to bring this report before the House——
A Deputy
As soon as practicable.
As soon as may be after 1 January, but it is now the middle of May. I want to know——
There are many other ways and means of raising this matter and ventilating your grievance. This is not the time to do so.
I am looking to you, Sir, as our leader of the House——
I will consider the Deputy's allegation. He might have given me notice of it.
I have tried to raise the matter before. You, Sir, were very kind at the beginning of April, when I raised this matter, and the Taoiseach got to his feet immediately and told me this would be brought before the Dáil.
Please raise it in another way. I am calling Deputy Dick Spring.
Patrick Ryan has announced his candidacy in the European elections and we now have a situation where for the past five months he has not been brought before our courts. I am looking for your guidance, Sir.
Deputy Barrett please resume your seat. The Deputy has made a long speech which is completely out of order. I now call on him to resume his seat.
Is it in order to raise the matter of obligatory legislation?
Not now Deputy.
Why may I not raise this matter on the Order of Business?
The Deputy has made a long speech on the matter. I now call Deputy Dick Spring.
Will the Taoiseach reply? I refer to Standing Orders which oblige you, Sir, to adhere to Standing Orders and see to it that Members like me are protected by you from the Government abusing their position.
Please, Deputy Barrett.
There is nothing in Standing Orders that would prevent the Taoiseach doing what he is supposed to do.
The Deputy is seeking to put the Chair in a very invidious position.
I demand my rights. As an elected Member I am entitled to ask the Taoiseach——
But you have asked, you have asked many times.
——a simple question.
Deputy Barrett, I have been on my feet for some time. The Deputy has shown complete disdain for the authority of the Chair. The Deputy must raise that matter in another way.
I want to know in what other way I can raise it.
My office will be in touch with you Deputy.
You, Sir, told another colleague that we could ask a parliamentary question. We put down a parliamentary question in April. What are you hiding?
Deputy Barrett.
(Interruptions.)
Who is protecting whom?
Please resume your seat, Deputy.
I will be back to you on this.
Deputy Dick Spring.
As I understand it, there is an ongoing review of the Anglo-Irish Agreement. Would the Taoiseach indicate to the House when it will be completed and if a report will be made on it to the House during this session?
This does not seem to be a matter for the Order of Business because it does not appertain to legislation as such.
I thought it was a matter where the Taoiseach could indicate very simply if the review will be completed in the short or long term, and could give us some indication on it.
This is a matter that can be raised in so many other ways.
We might as well all go home.
I now call Deputy Pat McCartan.
I accept the Taoiseach's position on the matter I raised earlier, but because of the urgency of it, may I seek your permission to raise on the Adjournment the implications of the Hyland judgment and the fact that thousands of social welfare recipients are worried that the Minister for Social Welfare intends to reduce their entitlements to meet the requirements of the judgment?
I will be in touch with the Deputy.
Some time ago the Minister for Communications promised legislation which would have provided that persons operating UHF deflectors would not be operating illegally, but he has not introduced such legislation. In view of the fact that the Minister has introduced statutory instruments, due to come into force within the next few days, I ask you, Sir, to give me an opportunity to raise the issue of UHF and MMDS deflectors on the Adjournment.
I wish to raise on the Adjournment the EC directive which calls for a reduction in the tonnage of the fishing fleet and the serious problems this would cause for our fishing organisation. The matter is so serious——
I am sure it is serious, Deputy, but this is a most inopportune time to raise it. Deputy Noonan.
My colleague seeks to raise the matter on the Adjournment.
He did not indicate that.
He did, quite clearly.
Does the Deputy wish to raise the matter on the Adjournment?
I do.
I am sorry. I will be in touch with the Deputy.
(Interruptions.)
(Limerick East): Can the Taoiseach tell us when the Trustee Savings Bank Bill will be published and if it will be taken this session?
I will have to communicate with the Deputy about that.