It is proposed to take Nos. 7 and 8.
Order of Business.
On the Order of Business, I should like to put a suggestion to the Government about matters which will come before this House next week. The Government intend to bring emergency legislation into the House next week to deal with the problems that arose from a Supreme Court decision in relation to the care of children. Obviously that matter needs to be urgently addressed and in the most efficient way possible. May I suggest that if the Government make the Bill available at the earliest opportunity we might take Second Stage on Tuesday and allow an evening for reflection about any possible amendments or other implications of the Bill and conclude it on Wednesday? May I also suggest, given the situation revealed by the judgment, that the Government again reconsider setting up a select committee to deal with the main Bill going through this House? Progress has been extremely slow, there are over 100 amendments to be dealt with and while we may deal quickly with an immediate problem which is only a part of the overall problem, we will be dealing at a snail's pace with the main thrust of the Bill. I suggest that a select committee, of the kind we talked about in this House last spring, would enable us to deal with that Bill more thoroughly and — who knows — we might prevent the same kind of situation arising in the future.
With regard to the first point I will ask the Chief Whip to get together with the other Whips immediately to see what is the best way of processing the emergency legislation. I will also consider the point about the select committee.
Regarding the proposals for next week's business in relation to the emergency legislation referred to by Deputy Dukes and the Child Care Bill which we were discussing earlier this week, will the Taoiseach's proposals address the fact that perhaps some of the legal points encountered in the case heard this week were addressed in section 2, which we discussed earlier this week? Will he be bringing forward merged proposals to deal with section 2 of the Child Care Bill on Committee Stage and the emergency legislation, or will he be bringing forward separate sets of proposals in relation to both?
It is just intended to deal with the specific situation which has arisen as a result of the Supreme Court decision. We will get the new emergency legislation into the hands of Deputies as quickly as possible.
We are trying to be as constructive as possible——
The Deputy always is.
I am suggesting to the Taoiseach that in his review of what is proposed for next week if a difficulty is encountered in section 2 — because it is not completed or passed — rather than bringing in emergency legislation without anticipating the difficulties, if he brings forward proposals in relation to the substantial legislation the Labour Party would be very willing to facilitate a joint approach for solving the legal problems that might be anticipated.
I take the Deputy's point.
The Workers' Party are willing and able to assist in any way possible in regard to the legislation. I understood it was proposed by the Government Whip to deal with the Bill in its entirety on Tuesday and we have no objection to that. However, this whole matter might have been averted if Fine Gael and his own party had agreed to setting up the select committee to work during the summer months which we had pressed for before the recess.
The matter should not lead to argument.
I always distrust people who wrap a mantle of virtue around themselves.
Deputy McCartan rose.
The Deputy has made his point and it should not lead to argument or debate.
It sits rather uneasily on Deputy McCartan.
A point was made yesterday about the appointment of an information officer in the House. There is a great need for such an officer and Deputy Allen might be advised that this House is sitting on Friday——
The Deputy well knows that that is a separate matter.
One, two, three, four——
One hundred per cent of our Members are here.
(Interruptions.)
There is no need or cause for disorder at this time.
One of your Members is an example of double jobbing.