It is proposed to take Nos. 5, 6, 7, 8 and 9. It is also proposed, subject to the agreement of the House, that business shall be interrupted at 11 p.m., that the sitting shall be suspended from 6.30 p.m. to 7 p.m., that Nos. 5 and 6 shall be taken without debate, and that Nos. 7 and 8 shall be taken together for the purposes of debate, the following arrangements to apply: the debate shall not exceed 20 minutes and speeches, which shall not exceed five minutes in each case, shall be confined to the spokesperson for each of the groups. Private Members' Business will be No. 27.
Order of Business.
May I now ask if it is agreed that business shall be interrupted at 11 p.m. today? Agreed. Is it agreed that the sitting shall be suspended from 6.30 p.m. to 7 p.m.? Agreed. Is it agreed that Nos. 5 and 6 be taken without debate?
I would like to ask a question in relation to No. 5. May I ask the Taoiseach if he would enable, perhaps in the next session, a debate on the whole question of sitting times, sitting days and the length of recesses? We have no objection to allowing this item go through today without debate but we would appreciate some opportunity during the next session of discussing the issues covered in the Motions and the way in which business is ordered in this House.
That is primarily a matter for the Whips to discuss at any time.
Are the proposals for dealing with Nos. 7 and 8 agreed? Agreed.
I tabled a question to the Taoiseach asking what proposals the Government had for the Easter recess, the summer recess and any other intermediate recess they might be contemplating. You, Sir, disallowed the question on the basis, and I quote "The Taoiseach has no official responsibility to the Dáil in relation to this matter which is one for the House itself". I find that extraordinary because long custom and practice has it that it is, in fact, the Taoiseach who proposes the date of the Adjournment and the date on which the Dáil shall reassemble. I wish to have this information because my impression over the past few weeks has been that the Government are contemplating having a recess for the month of April, sitting in May, having a further recess for the whole month of June and then sitting in July. Both of these proposals are absolutely outrageous. I ask you, Sir, to reconsider the issue and allow me to put that question to the Taoiseach because it is a matter of some interest to the House. We will be sitting until 11 p.m. and 12 midnight every night this week in the Government's precipitate rush to get out of the House——
It is Lent.
When they get it back they might bring it back in here as well. I should like to know, Sir, why I am not allowed to ask this information of the Taoiseach here in the House.
The Deputy is quite in order in raising the matter now on the Order of Business. Queries regarding the sittings of the House may be raised on the Order of Business. That has been a long and recognised practice in this House. Putting down a question is a different matter. The Taoiseach has the privilege of proposing the Adjournment but it is a matter for this House to decide what shall be done in the matter.
(Interruptions.)
Order, please.
I am most grateful to you for that explanation. I find that in my efforts to be orderly I asked something disorderly and I now find that something which I thought was disorderly is perfectly appropriate in the House. I look forward with great anticipation to hearing what the Taoiseach has to say.
I do not think we need to excite ourselves about this matter. We proposed — I understand the Chief Whip has already spoken to other Whips about this — that the Dáil would adjourn this Friday until 25 April, which is the normal three week break at Easter. No further proposals of any kind have been put before the parties. There will be a Summit meeting in Dublin on 25 and 26 June and we may approach the parties to facilitate us in regard to that Summit meeting, but that is for the future. The only proposal we have at present is that the Dáil should adjourn on Friday of this week until 25 April. I think that is a very reasonable proposal.
(Limerick East): Do the Progressive Democrats agree with that?
The normal adjournment is for two weeks, Holy week and Easter week.
During the course of a debate in this House on a Private Members' Bill, the Criminal Justice Bill, 1989, the Minister for Justice said that he was setting up an expert committee under Judge Frank Martin to report urgently to the House. May I ask the Taoiseach or the Minister for Justice if that committee have in fact reported, if so, if the report has been discussed by the Government and, if not, when the report is expected?
The report will be published immediately.
Will it be published this week?
Yes.
Deputy Proinsias De Rossa has been offering.
Arising from the announcement by the Taoiseach at the weekend that he proposed deferring the holding of the local government elections, may I ask him when he proposes to introduce the legislative procedures necessary to do that and the date to which it is proposed to defer the elections?
The Deputy should put down the appropriate question in the matter.
To the Minister for Energy.
May I explain? The Taoiseach made an announcement that the elections would not be held but it is the House who has to decide that issue. Therefore, legislation was implied in the Taoiseach's announcement.
It might be implied but it is not in order now. Deputy Gay Mitchell.
(Interruptions.)
The Taoiseach——
Put down a question, Deputy. I am advising the Deputy how to proceed.
He cannot put down a question.
The Taoiseach made an announcement at the weekend——
We are all aware of that.
Surely the question is not——
This is not Question Time, Deputy. I am calling Deputy Gay Mitchell.
With regard to item No. 2, on the Order Paper, the Second Interim Report of the Committee on Public Accounts on the Appropriation Accounts, 1987, I understand that at some stage it will be necessary to formally move a motion that the report be laid before the House. I should like to put on the record that the committee are seeking the permission of the House to debate this important report regarding Tara Mines and, if necessary, I will write to the Whips accordingly.
Thank you, Deputy.
On the Order of Business——
Deputy Proinsias De Rossa on the Order of Business.
——may I raise on the Adjournment the matter of the deferral of the local elections?
I will communicate with the Deputy in respect of that matter.
I wish to raise on the Adjournment the subject matter of Question No. 59 on today's Order Paper.
I will communicate with the Deputy.
With your permission, a Cheann Comhairle, I should like to raise on the Adjournment the question of the probable issue of licences for hunting otters from 1 April. We will have very few opportunities before 1 April to discuss this matter——
I am aware of the Deputy's interest in the matter and I will communicate with him.
The Deputy need not worry.
A Deputy
Fianna Fáil councillors are looking after it.
(Interruptions.)
Order, please.
May I raise on the Adjournment the major increase of 11 per cent in fees announced today by the governing body of UCC?
I will be in touch with the Deputy concerning the matter.
I seek to raise on the Adjournment with the Minister for Energy the immediate and tremendous threat to a number of jobs in the small sawmilling area.
I will be in touch with the Deputy concerning the matter.
In view of the information the Taoiseach gave to the House a few minutes ago and the fact that the Minister for Agriculture and Food is absent from the House today, can the Taoiseach tell the House if the Government have made their submission to Europe for an extension of the disadvantaged areas scheme?
Put down a question on the matter, Deputy. Deputy McCartan.
I put down a question two weeks ago and you refused to take it from me.
(Interruptions.)
I should like to ask the Taoiseach——
Please resume your seat, Deputy Sheehan. This matter is clearly not in order now.
A Deputy
There must be no disadvantaged land in Tipperary.
I tried to raise this matter on the Order of Business last week.
My office will facilitate the Deputy in any way we can in putting his question in order. Deputy Pat McCartan.
May I raise this matter on the Adjournment?
I will be in touch with the Deputy.
Given that the groups in this House have been negotiating for some time the terms of reference of a committee who will deal with local government reform, may I ask the Taoiseach what is the intention with regard to that committee——
Committee matters do not arise now, Deputy McCartan.
Will the groups in this House who are actively interested in working on those committees——
That matter does not arise now. Deputy Michael Ferris is offering.
I understand that because one group who——
Please, Deputy McCartan. The Deputy is showing a flagrant disregard for the Chair.
On a point of order, I rise to support Deputy McCartan. In a letter addressed to me today from you, Sir, you said that issues about committees of this House were appropriate to the Order of Business.
I want to know what the position is now in respect of this committee that we have been negotiating on for some time.
I should like to look at that matter again, Deputy Howlin. Deputy Michael Ferris.
I think we should clarify the point of order which has been raised.
Not now, Deputy.
I want to ask the Taoiseach what is the position is in regard to those groups who want to participate in the committee on local government. We have been involved in the negotiations and I want to know where we now stand in regard to the matter.
As I said, the matter is not in order now. Deputy Ferris.
(Interruptions.)
It is a foolish way to operate the business of this House——
I have called Deputy Ferris three times and I shall not call him again.
(Interruptions.)
Deputy Farrelly, please desist.
I seek your permission, a Cheann Comhairle, to raise on the Adjournment the inadequate level of speech therapist services in the special school in Cashel.
I am aware of the Deputy's interest in that matter and I will certainly communicate with him.
May I ask the Taoiseach if it is intended to bring before the House the amending legislation on the Fisheries Act, 1987? Because it now appears that the House will go into recess next Friday and will not resume until the afternoon of 25 April, how does the Taoiseach propose to sort out this matter for the mayfly?
Is this amending legislation promised?
Yes.
(Interruptions.)
Could I have a response from the Taoiseach? This is an important matter. This legislation should be before the House as a matter of urgency.
I asked if the legislation was promised and I have received an intimation that it is not.
It has been promised by the Minister for the Marine, Deputy Wilson. May I please have an answer from the Taoiseach? When is it proposed to bring in the amending legislation?
In spite of the Deputy's best efforts the matter has been sorted out.
This House is entitled to an answer. This is promised legislation. I will not be dismissed by a superior wave of the hand from the Taoiseach. I want an answer from him and I want it now.
The Chair cannot compel any Member of this House to speak if he or she does not wish to. Deputy Taylor-Quinn will now resume her seat.
This is promised legislation and we are entitled to an answer.
Would the Taoiseach indicate when it is proposed to introduce amending legislation to the Wildlife Act, 1976?
I am not sure if the legislation has been promised but it is certainly in the course of preparation. I am not sure when it can be introduced.
In view of the serious concern being expressed by business and trade union interests in Cork City, I would like to raise on the Adjournment the extraordinary decision by the Government to open a new inquiry into the downstream river crossing.
I will be in touch with the Deputy concerning the matter.
On a number of occasions both at Question Time and on the Order of Business I and other Deputies asked about the postponement of local elections.
I have ruled that matter out of order.
Surely it is in order to ask the Taoiseach——
If you are persisting in raising a matter I ruled out of order some short time ago I will have to ask you to resume yor seat.
May I raise a point of order?
Certainly.
Is it in order for the Taoiseach to make a statement to this House concerning the public statement he made at the weekend about postponing the local elections, a matter that has been raised here on previous occasions?
That is not a point of order, Deputy.
(Interruptions.)
The Taoiseach is going to speak.
(Interruptions.)
I would like to raise on the Adjournment the problems relating to Ladyswell national school and the need for additional classrooms.
I will be in touch with the Deputy.
Last week I asked permission to raise on the Adjournment the matter of the jailing of three Offaly fanners. I lodged an objection on that last occasions to their being jailed. I would like the opportunity of raising this matter this evening also because the three farmers who are in jail were trying to highlight the injustices to farmers of the whole TB eradication scheme.
I am aware of Deputy Enright's interest in the matter. He may not elaborate now. I will communicate with him.
I also want to point out the failure of the Minister for Justice to mitigate the sentences imposed on the three farmers and contrast that with his willingness to mitigate the sentences of criminals who are in jail for committing serious crimes. This is an absolute disgrace.
Deputy Enright, this is quite disorderly.
That matter should be raised in this House. The Department have used the big fist approach before and they are using it again with these farmers.
I wish to raise on the Adjournment the evolving situation in Lithuania.
I will be in touch with the Deputy concerning the matter.
With your permission I would like to raise on the Adjournment the serious situation that has arisen as a result of the delay in approving plans for improvement at the Patrician Academy in Mallow, County Cork and plans for secondary education in Mallow town.
I will communicate with the Deputy.
When does the Minister intend to bring before the House legislation that was promised to establish the Dublin Institute of Technology on a new statutory basis?
I will have to communicate with the Deputy on that.
The Taoiseach gave the very same answer to that question on 8 March. I have heard nothing from him since. Can he explain this?
I apologise to the Deputy if he has not heard from me about it. I promise him I will let him know the latest position as soon as possible. It will not be this session.
Could the Taoiseach or the Minister for the Environment tell me if the President has signed the Building Control Bill, 1984 which passed through both Houses of the Oireachtas?
I cannot answer that now. I will communicate with the Deputy later in the day but we have cleared it.
When can we expect a statement from the Minister for Justice on the recent Supreme Court ruling on the Courts Act, 1988? It is a matter I understood was under consideration by the Department on the evening of the hearing and about which we have heard nothing since.
That is not promised legislation.
I raise this question because I do not think this House is aware of the ramifications of this judgment. It will cost taxpayers at least £5 million.
The fact that this is important to the Deputy does not automatically render it in order on the Order of Business. It is not in order on the Order of Business. I am calling Deputy Mervyn Taylor.
Might I seek permission to raise this matter on the Adjournment? Questions to the Minister for Justice were tabled originally for next week. Now I understand the House is rising on Friday so there is no other vehicle available to us to question the Minister for Justice.
If you do not resume your seat I will ask you to leave the House.
May I raise the matter on the Adjournment, it is very important? It is costing the taxpayers millions of pounds.
I will indicate to the Ceann Comhairle the unorthodox way in which you have made your request.
There is no other means of raising this matter.
If you interrupt again I will ask you to leave.
I seek leave to raise on the Adjournment the urgent need for an adequate scheme for school caretakers in County Dublin.
The Ceann Comhairle will communicate with the Deputy.
On the Order of Business, is the Taoiseach in a position to indicate when the Finance Bill will be published?
It is intended that it will be published before the House resumes on 25 April.
Now that we are heading into the busy tourist season I would like to raise on the Adjournment the need to protect tourists from attack and the need to reschedule sittings of the District Court so that tourists who wish to appear as witnesses may do so without having to return to the country on a second occasion?
I will communicate with the Deputy.
I seek permission to raise on the Adjournment the need for in excess of six speech therapists in the Eastern Health Board region where there are long waiting lists.
The Ceann Comhairle's office will communicate with the Deputy.
Further to an earlier question, let me ask the Taoisech how the rod licence dispute could have been resolved without a promise of legislation? Are we now back to the Bishop's suggestion or what is the situation? I want to know because this is a serious matter in my constituency.
We are not going to fish in that water now. If you persist in raising the matter I will ask you to leave.
We were told there was no legisaltion promised. How, then, was there a resolution of the problem?
(Interruptions.)
When may we expect re-establishment of the committee on crime which has been promised since last November? The terms of reference were promised to appear on the Order Paper in the past two weeks, but they have yet to appear.
It does not arise on the Order of Business.
It does arise since it is concerned with the future ordering of business. We are expecting to participate in these committees.
Very soon.
When can we expect the report of the storm damage committee?
Very soon.
I have attempted on a number of occasions to raise on the Adjournment the decision by the Minister for Finance to authorise the Central Bank to import 30 million new pound coins from the Royal Mint in Britain and not have them made here, as was the original intention. I again seek to raise that matter on the Adjournment.
The Ceann Comhairle will communicate with the Deputy.
In view of the fact that the Taoiseach is unable to reply to this House and that it appears the Government are unable to draft legislation to amend the Fisheries Act, I wish to raise the matter on the Adjournment.
The Ceann Comhairle will communicate with the Deputy.
I wish to raise on the Adjournment the dramatic increase of 12 per cent in fees at University College Cork.
The Ceann Comhairle will communicate with the Deputy.
I wish to raise on the Adjournment the contents of a letter which I have sent to the Minister for Health from a long stay wheelchair patient at the Sacred Heart Home in Castlebar who, in common with other patients in the hospital, can only be taken out of bed twice per week.
The Ceann Comhairle will communicate with the Deputy.
I would ask the Taoiseach, given that we are moving into recess, whether it is the intention of the Government to circulate a schedule of business for the new session.
Yes.
When might that be circulated?
Probably during the recess.
In view of the rumours circulating in the Sugar Company and in order to allay the fears of the workers, will the Taoiseach say what his proposals are for the privatisation or otherwise of the Irish Sugar Company, whether legislation is to be introduced and whether the sub-committee's report has been received?
The Deputy should put down a Dáil Question.
It does not arise on the Order of Business.