It is proposed to take Nos. 6, 13, 14, 7, 8, 9 and 10. It is also proposed, subject to the agreement of the House, that (1) business shall be interrupted at 7 p.m. today, (2) No. 6 shall be taken without debate and (3) No. 14 and Nos. 7, 8, 9 and 10 shall be taken together for the purposes of debate.
Order of Business.
Is the Order of Business agreed? Agreed.
(Limerick East): When do the Government intend reintroducing the Larceny Bill to the Dáil now that it has been substantially amended in the Seanad?
At the earliest possible moment.
(Limerick East): Is the Taoiseach not becoming increasingly embarrassed by the behaviour of Senators, both collectively and individually, who are now becoming an embarrassment to all of us and drawing the whole Oireachtas into disrepute?
Personal behaviour or misbehaviour is not a matter for the Order of Business.
(Limerick East): I am asking about the efficacy of the process in the other House. It is unprecedented that the Government would lose a vote due to the absence of Senators. It is a first; it is The Guinness Book of Records time.
I want to seek clarification from the Taoiseach in relation to a matter discussed in the House, and outside it, last week, that is, whether the Government will be presenting a paper to represent the views of the Irish Government on political union as opposed to the views of the Presidency. Last week it was reported that the view of the Minister for Foreign Affairs was that the Irish Government would be presenting a paper on political union. I want to ask the Taoiseach if the Government will be preparing a paper?
Deputy Spring will appreciate that his interpretation of mixed views or different views on a certain matter does not necessarily mean that legislation is promised. Legislation is not promised.
This is a particularly important matter which concerns all Members of this House and, indeed, the public. I am not trying to tax the Taoiseach's brain unduly this morning but perhaps he could give an indication whether there will be a paper. Otherwise we will be raising this on the Adjournment or by way of special notice questions because it is an important matter that concerns us and the Presidency.
The Deputy has indicated the alternatives which are the correct manner of proceeding with it.
In the event of the Taoiseach not responding, I will take it that there will be no paper on political union. That is unfortunate.
Does Deputy Spring wish to raise it on the Adjournment?
This time yesterday, after a set of unsatisfactory replies to questions on precisely this point, I sought permission to raise the matter on the Adjournment and I was subsequently informed by the Ceann Comhairle's office, in a courteous manner, that the issue I had raised was of such a broad nature that it was not appropriate for the Adjournment. That, therefore, has exhausted that particular orderly process.
Deputy Quinn has the ability to examine other means by which it can be done correctly.
The Taoiseach should answer.
I would like to raise on the Adjournment the continuing dispute at B & I and the disruptive effect this is having. I particularly want to raise this matter since this is a State owned shipping company there are other implications which the House should address.
I will communicate with the Deputy on that matter.
In relation to item No. 14 and the associated items, is it the Government's intention to introduce separate legislation that would govern an emergency plan to deal with any radiological accident?
This is not promised.
The Bill will be debated today and the Deputy can raise any matters he wishes in the course of the debate.
The point I wanted to make was that the Bill does not provide any measures which would back an emergency plan. I understand from statements in the House that it was the Government's intention that legal provision would be made for such emergency action.
Deputy Bruton knows that he will have the opportunity on Second Stage to refer to what is in the Bill or what he believes should be in the Bill. At that stage he will get the opportunity of addressing himself to the matter.
I thought I was entitled to know the Government's intention in relation to promised legislation.
During the debate on Second Stage, the Deputy will get it, and he is at liberty——
Surely, I am at liberty to ask whether it is intended——
The Deputy is not at liberty now to discuss what will be in a Bill. It has been indicated to the Deputy that a Second Stage debate will take place, at which stage such revelations or omissions may be discussed.
Is main liom do chead a lorg chun ceist a thógáil ar an Athló, easpa iarbhunoideachais ar Oileán Arann Mhór, rud a fhágann go mbíonn ar chéad dalta an t-oileán a fhágáil gach seachtain chun freastal ar scoil Oileán Mór Thiar. Seo an cúigiú uair a d'iarr mé seo le cúpla seachtain.
B'fhéidir go mbeidh an t-ádh leat an babhta seo. Níl a fhios agam fós, ach cuirfidh mé in iúl duit.
(Limerick East): Arising out of No. 6 may I ask the Taoiseach why the Government thought it more appropriate to invite Mr. Mandela to address the Dáil on 2 July 1990 rather than the Joint Houses of the Oireachtas?
Normally an invitation to address both Houses of the Oireachtas is confined to Heads of State, for instance in the case of the Prime Minister of Australia, he addressed the Dáil and not the Joint Houses of the Oireachtas.
May I ask the Taoiseach if the Government have given approval to PMPA to raise the cost of insurance by 8 per cent; if not, will the Government intervene as they did last summer?
Is the Deputy anxious to raise this matter on the Adjournment?
Yes, I think it is very important.
Otherwise, you would have had to be sidelined if you tried to raise it now. Níl sé in ord anois.