In view of the fact that there was a fire on board a Sealink ship on the Irish Sea in January and another more recently on a B & I ship, I would like your permission to raise on the Adjournment, as this is the earliest opportunity I have had of doing so, the question of the safety of passengers on the Irish Sea.
Order of Business (Resumed).
I will be in touch with the Deputy concerning that matter.
Under the Prisons Act, 1985, the Minister for Justice is obliged to appoint a visiting committee to all prisons in the country but only Wheatfield has this visiting committee at present. I would like to ask the Minister for Justice when he will announce the appointments of these committees, which should have been appointed in January. I would like to raise the matter on the Adjournment.
I will communicate with the Deputy in respect of her request to raise the matter on the Adjournment.
In the Taoiseach's absence yesterday I reminded the Tánaiste of an indication given by the Taoiseach about a month ago that after this Summit, instead of statements from party leaders, there would be a possibility of a full debate on the matter to which other Members apart from party leaders could contribute. Would the Taoiseach bear that in mind?
I think we are going to do that.
Yesterday I sought to raise on the Adjournment the threatened closure of rural post offices and I was informed by your office that this is not a matter for any Minister. In view of the fact that the responsibility must eventually lie with a Minister, I would appreciate if you could reconsider this decision. I would like to raise it on the Adjournment this evening.
I will communicate with the Deputy in respect of that matter.
I would like to raise on the Adjournment the access to Baldoyle Industrial Estate, Dublin 13, and the implications for jobs due to the failure of the Minister for the Environment to grant aid the completion of the Grange Road.
I will communicate with the Deputy.
As this is the anniversary of the accident at Chernobyl, with your permission, I seek again to raise on the Adjournment the disturbing nature of the latest news from Sellafield regarding a new contract for the reprocessing of nuclear waste from Germany and the continued inaction of the Government in this area.
I will communicate with the Deputy.
I would like to ask the Minister for Agriculture and Food when application forms will be available for farmers to apply for compensation as a result of loss from flood damage. They were promised two months ago but are not yet available.
The Deputy should put down a question in respect of that matter.
I would like to raise on the Adjournment, with the Minister for Industry and Commerce, the serious problem of unemployment in County Longford and the recent closures at Manford in Ballymahon and Cashmore in Longford.
I will communicate with the Deputy.
Could the Taoiseach indicate why the long promised patents legislation is not included in the legislative programme? I think the Taoiseach is well aware of this subject. Could he indicate if it may be expected this year?
I will get an up-date on the matter for the Deputy. It is with the parliamentary draftsman and I am not sure what the difficulties are.
I seek your permission to raise on the Adjournment this evening the urgent need for paediatrician and paediatric services in Wexford General Hospital.
I will communicate with the Deputy.