It is proposed to take Nos. 2, 7 and 8. It is also proposed that business shall be interrupted at 11 p.m. today. It is further proposed that all Stages of No. 2, if not prevously concluded, shall be brought to a conclusion at 7 p.m. by one question which shall be put from the Chair, and which shall, in relation to amendments, include only amendments set down by the Minister for Tourism and Transport. It is further proposed that No. 8 shall be taken not later than 8.30 p.m. and the Order shall not resume. Private Members' Business shall be No. 20.
Order of Business.
Is the proposal for the late sitting today agreed? Agreed. Is the proposal for dealing with No. 2 agreed? Agreed. Is the proposal in relation to No. 8 agreed? Agreed.
May I ask the Taoiseach if the Government intends to arrange an early special meeting of the Intergovernmental Conference to discuss the implications of yesterday's decision for the extradition process?
The matter does not arise now. It must be raised in another way at another time.
May I ask, Sir, I think this will be in order, if the Taoiseach intends to give time in this House for consideration of the implications of yesterday's Supreme Court Decision?
That question should be asked in the appropriate way.
We are on the Order of Business, Sir, and I am asking if the matter can be included in that business.
Perhaps I could communicate with the Deputy.
Given the inaction of the banking regulatory authorities, the lack of resources of the fraud squad and the inaction of the Director of Public Prosecutions, may I seek your permission, Sir, to raise on the Adjournment the collapse of Merchant Banking Limited; they are in liquidation?
I will communicate with Deputy Spring in respect of that matter.
I wished to raise the matter of yesterday's decision in relation to extradition, but as the Taoiseach has indicated he is prepared to consider providing time for debate in this House, I will leave the matter until then.
It does not arise now as I said earlier.
I did not say anything about considering having a debate, I said I would communicate with Deputy Dukes.
With your permission, Sir, I wish to raise on the Adjournment the questions that arise on the extradition issue because of yesterday's decision and its effects on Anglo-Irish relations.
I will be in touch with the Deputy concerning that matter.
With your permission, Sir, I wish to raise on the Adjournment the urgent need to appoint speech therapists to Scoil Aongusa, a special school in Cashel?
I will be in touch with the Deputy concerning that matter.
With your permission, Sir, I wish to raise again on the Adjournment the ongoing dispute at Anglo-Irish Meat Processors in Rathkeale, Limerick.
I will communicate with the Deputy.
I would like to ask the Minister for Social Welfare the reason for the extraordinary delay in the publication of the Social Welfare Bill, 1990. Members might recall that we started to discuss the 1989 Bill on 8 March 1989 and we started to discuss the 1988 Bill on 10 March 1988. It is now 14 March 1990 and we have not begun to discuss this Bill.
The Deputy is imparting a lot of information, has he a specific request to make?
Yes I want to know why the Social Welfare Bill, 1990 has not been brought before the House and when it will be brought before the House?
Tomorrow.
The Taoiseach is being very specific now.
There are disputes at Cabinet so they cannot get through the business.
Ciúnas.
Is mian liom arís do chead a lorg chun easpa áiseanna iarbhunoideachais ar Oileán Árainn Mhór a ardú ar an athló.
Gheobhaidh tú freagra uaim i gceann tamaill, a Theachta.
For the third time I seek permission to raise on the Adjournment the issue of a report of a medical team from this country into the conditions at a psychiatric institution on the island of Lesos and the responsibility of the Minister for Health as chairman of the Council of Ministers to publish the report?
I will communicate with the Deputy in that regard.
With your permission, Sir, I wish to raise on the Adjournment the answer given to this House on 15 February 1990 by the Minister for Industry and Commerce concerning the fact that a total consideration of £107 million was to be received by the administrator for the Irish business of ICI, the implications of the sale being conducted in secrecy——
The Deputy may not elaborate. I will communicate with Deputy Rabbitte. A speech is not in order now Deputy.
I am not making a speech. I want to raise on the Adjournment the implications of the case being conducted in camera and the implications of this for our democracy and the fact that the Minister for Finance's £107 million is not going to be retrieved?
The Deputy is clearly flouting the ruling of the Chair. I will not tolerate that.
With your permission, Sir, I wish to raise on the Adjournment the subject matter of a question I raised in this House last week on the indiscriminate shooting of migratory and song birds by tourists.
I will be in touch with the Deputy.
With your permission, Sir, I wish to raise on the Adjournment the fact that almost 50 per cent of the nursing staff in St. Joseph's Hospital, Clonmel are employed in a temporary or part time capacity. This problem becomes more serious when I realise now that a similar situation exists in Our Lady's Hospital, Cashel.
I am well aware of the Deputy's interest in the matter and I am sure she appreciates the Chair's difficulty in such matters in dealing with the large number of requests such as we have each morning.
In relation to the matter which I sought to raise under Standing Order 30, which was raised by the leaders of the other parties in the House, may I ask the Taoiseach, as he has agreed to communicate with the Leader of the Fine Gael Party, if he would extend his largesse and communicate with others as well?
But of course.
I seek permission once again to raise on the Adjournment the totally unsatisfactory response from Aer Rianta to the legitimate representations made by St. Margaret's Community Council regarding the serious noise pollution resulting from the opening of the new runway at Dublin Airport.
I will communicate with the Deputy.
I seek leave to raise on the Adjournment the matter of the phasing out of the scheme for school caretakers and the implications of this.
I will communicate with the Deputy.
I seek leave to raise on the Adjournment with the Minister for Agriculture and Food the underspending of £3.1 billion under the Community agricultural budget in the current year. Would he seek to have these funds redistributed——
This is not in order now and the Deputy knows this full well.
I wish to raise on the Adjournment the use of Fóir Teoranta as a rescue agency in an effort to save the Sunbeam plant in Cork.
I will be in touch with the Deputy concerning that matter.
I seek permission once again to raise on the Adjournment the concern being expressed by the Kenmare, Sneem and Waterville communities about the development of fish farming in Kenmare River.
I will communicate with the Deputy.
I request permission to raise on the Adjournment the difficulties being experienced by the mushroom industry at present. It is essential that we get an opportunity to discuss this matter.
I will communicate with the Deputy.
I would like to raise on the Adjournment the problems facing a five year old child who, due to the closure of the children's ward at St. Michael's Hospital, Dún Laoghaire, has had 19 courses of antibiotics while awaiting for two years a tonsils operation.
I will be in touch with the Deputy concerning that matter.
I wish to raise on the Adjournment the delay in providing a national school in Naul in my constituency.
I will communicate with the Deputy.
I again seek permission to raise on the Adjournment the need for the Government to deliver on their commitment to decentralise a Government Department to Waterford.
I will be in touch with the Deputy concerning that matter. Can we proceed now to the Order of Business?
(Carlow-Kilkenny): I seek permission to raise on the Adjournment the lack of library facilities, described by the union of students as a national scandal, at RTC colleges.
May I ask the Taoiseach what progress has been made, in ordering the business of the House, to provide for a debate on the privatisation of Irish Life?
That is a question which should be pursued in the normal way.
It is a matter relating to the ordering of business.
No, it is not a matter for the Order of Business and I am ruling accordingly.
No, this is a matter relating to the ordering of business and I am asking the Taoiseach to tell us what progress has been made.
Is it a reference to today's business?
Today's and tomorrow's.
I gather there are questions on today's Order Paper concerning that matter.
We are entitled to have a debate on that matter. This is clearly necessary as that matter cannot be adequately dealt with by way of questions. As you know, there are limitations on what questions may be raised.
The question of a debate is a matter primarily for the Whips.
It is a matter relating to the ordering of business in the House. The Taoiseach indicated yesterday that some discussions were taking place. Is an attempt being made to hide this matter and sweep it under the carpet? Why can we not have a debate on this matter in the House? Should the Minister for Finance make announcements on the matter to the press or here in this House? Is the House not the place where we should be talking about it?
This is leading to disorder.
This matter is being swept under the carpet.