It is proposed to take Nos. 10 and 11. It is also proposed that Business shall be interrupted at 10.30 p.m. today. Private Members' Business shall be No. 18.
Order of Business.
Is the proposal for a late sitting today agreed? Agreed.
Will the Taoiseach arrange for the Minister for the Marine to make a statement to the House today in the light of the latest mishap to a ship, the Toledo, which is in trouble off the coast——
Deputy O'Keeffe, that does not arise now. Order. Deputy Dick Spring.
(Interruptions.)
On a point of order——
This is not Question Time, Deputy Dukes.
I am asking if the Taoiseach will consider having a statement made in this House. Surely that is in order on the Order of Business?
No, it is not. It does not relate to legislation.
On a point of order, we are at this time of the day ordering the business for the day and it seems to me this is the only, and most appropriate moment in the day when we can ask if a last-minute change can be made in the Order of Business of this House so the House can discuss something that is relevant to today. I suggest, Sir, that it does not happen very often but you might entertain these requests.
It is happening too often and is making a mockery of the Order of Business.
In the most orderly fashion possible I suggest to you that you are being a little too rigid in your application of the rules. This House needs the opportunity from time to time to invite the Government to say what they are doing about issues of importance. I suggest that you would be doing no damage to the Order of this House if you would allow the Government from time to time to respond.
This has been the subject of consideration at the Committee on Procedure and Privileges. If this House wishes to change the regulations governing the Order of Business I will faithfully abide by it, but I have the regulations before me here. I do not wish to take up the time of the House in reiterating them but they are well known to you all.
On that basis then if that is your ruling, let me say I intend to table a Private Notice Question——
I will communicate with the Deputy.
——inviting the Minister, but surely it is in the interest of the country——
Deputy Spring.
Will you take a trip to west Cork and do nothing?
If the Deputy is there I will be glad to look down on him.
(Interruptions.)
I have called Deputy Spring.
I would be very reluctant to compete with Deputy Sheehan. In view of the statement made by the Minister for Foreign Affairs yesterday at the conclusion of the meeting in relation to a trip to South Africa, will the Taoiseach inform the House when the Minister for Foreign Affairs intends to go to South Africa and if there will be the opportunity of having a debate in this House before he goes?
Again, I must say reluctantly this is not appropriate now.
I can ask if statements will be made in the House before the Minister goes to South Africa or if there will be an opportunity to have a discussion in this House before that visit takes place.
(Limerick East): When will the Finance Bill be published?
That is clearly in order.
I gave the Deputy a date. It will be about the middle of April. I will give the Deputy the exact date.
(Limerick East): Will it be a Government Finance Bill or a Fianna Fáil Finance Bill produced by the Molesworth Street Six?
(Interruptions.)
Sometimes the temptation to be disorderly becomes almost irresistible.
In view of current press speculation, will the Taoiseach clarify what the Minister for Finance had in mind when he spoke of the sale of £50 million worth of assets this year?
That does not arise now.
It was understood that would be land or buildings, assets of that nature.
Put down a question, Deputy. Deputy Quinn.
It would appear now that——
I will put the Deputy's party up for auction.
(Interruptions.)
You would be the highest bidder yourself.
(Interruptions.)
A Cheann Comhairle——
I have called Deputy Quinn. Deputy Mac Giolla will please resume his seat. The matter he raised is not in order now.
There was a misunderstanding of the meaning of the word "assets". I am simply asking for clarification. What did "assets" mean in that context in the budget?
You will have to pursue that matter in another way, Deputy.
It seems to be State companies now.
Have the Government any proposals to publish a White Paper on the future of the State-owned companies?
You should pursue that in the ordinary way, Deputy.
I think it has been a practice that matters of that kind should receive an indication from the Government——
Please Deputy Quinn, put down a question.
When does the Taoiseach intend to bring before the House a new electoral Bill to deal with the revision of Dáil constituencies?
Is it promised legislation?
To the best of my recollection no such legislation has been promised in this House by this Government.
Will the Taoiseach explain to the House why a constituency boundaries commission has not been appointed?
We cannot debate that matter now.
Is this another problem created by the Kanturk Six?
Deputy Shatter may not ignore the Chair.
To save me seeking to raise the matter on the Adjournment, can I get an assurance from the Minister for Education that she does not intend to close Saint Angela's College in Sligo?
Is the Deputy seeking to raise the matter on the Adjournment?
A Deputy
Can you get Bord na Móna to do anything you want?
Never mind Bord na Móna. The Deputy did not do a great deal for them when he was there.
I wish to raise on the Adjournment the inadequacy of the provision for homeless young people in Dublin, particularly on the north side.
I will communicate with the Deputy.
I seek again to raise on the Adjournment the question of the summary deportation of Dr. Ayub Hussein from this jurisdiction last week and the need to have the doctor returned to the country in view of the extraordinary circumstances.
I am aware of the Deputy's interest in the matter and I will communicate with him.
Will the Taoiseach say when the promised amending legislation to the Health (Mental Services) Act, 1981 will be circulated? It was promised in the Official Report, volume 376, column 1,501 and also in volume 390.
If the legislation has been promised I will communicate with the Deputy.
I again seek permission to raise on the Adjournment the chaotic situation in the Land Registry as confirmed by their latest report and the failure of the Minister for Justice to take any effective steps to deal with the matter.
I will communicate with the Deputy.
I seek to raise on the Adjournment the continuing public concern about irradiated food which is not even subject to proper Government labelling.
I will communicate with the Deputy.
I wish to raise on the Adjournment the closure of Renard Pier, Caherciveen, County Kerry.
I will communicate with the Deputy.
I wish to raise on the Adjournment the serious situation in the Department of Agriculture farm development office in Clonakilty where over 100 approvals for land reclamation and farm building grants are awaiting typing, some since as far back as October 1989.
The Deputy need not elaborate now. I will communicate with him.
This is a very important matter for the farmers in south-west Cork.
With the incredible financial crisis affecting Dublin Zoo and the impending closure of the zoo, I would like to raise the issue on the Adjournment.
I will communicate with the Deputy.
I seek again to raise on the Adjournment the problem of Fingal Community College and the need for a new school. If the matter was not so serious I would probably have thrown in the towel by now.
I am aware of the Deputy's interest in the matter and I will communicate with him.
I would ask the Minister for the Environment when it is proposed to introduce legislation to give effect to the proposal by the Government to ban the burning of the bituminous coal in Dublin.
No such legislation has been promised.
So the Government do not intend to ban the burning of coal.
It is not a matter for the Order of Business.
Will the Government make a grant available towards the prevention of further destruction along the Maharees Peninsula, an area very near to the Taoiseach's heart?
Will the Deputy put down a question on the matter?
May I raise the matter on the Adjournment?
I will communicate with the Deputy.
Can the Taoiseach be any clearer about the likely date of the introduction of the Social Welfare Bill than he was last week? Is the Minister for Health in a position to say whether he has prepared an amendment to the Clinical Trials Bill to deal with problems which have arisen? I know he has had this matter under consideration for some time.
The Clinical Trials Bill will be in the Seanad this session.
And the Social Welfare Bill?
It will have to be this session. I will give the Deputy an exact date.
I wish to raise on the Adjournment the need for the Minister for Health to approve the necessary finance to bring into full service the £10 million complex in Swinford completed in 1985, in view of the fact that there are 600 mentally handicapped patients in County Mayo who are not receiving service at present.
I will communicate with the Deputy.