We now come to deal with item No. 7, motion re local elections.
Order of Business (Resumed).
On the Order of Business, over the weekend the Minister for Energy, at a party political conference, made a substantial announcement of considerable environmental importance. Let me ask the Taoiseach when it is proposed to bring before the House the legislation to give effect to the change announced by the Minister? When will it be circulated to Deputies?
That matter is not relevant on the Order of Business.
It requires——
It is not relevant now, Deputy Quinn. We will not argue the matter.
I might ask for a little more information. I ask the Taoiseach when we are likely to get the details. Surely this House——
No, Deputy. It must be raised in another way at another time.
I want to raise again with the Taoiseach the question of the establishment of the Dáil committee on crime. I understand from the Chief Whip for the Opposition, Deputy J. Higgins, that he and the other Opposition Whips have been trying to reach a conclusion with the Government Whip and it has not been possible. Will the Taoiseach now confirm that this committee, after so many months, can be set up without further delay?
It is one for the Whips primarily.
They will be set up as soon as is practicable.
As soon as practicable after a waste of a year or so.
(Interruptions.)
Because I understand there is no opportunity of a question on the Adjournment tonight, could the Taoiseach or the Minister for Health help to clarify the situation about Irish couples who are trying to adopt Romanian babies? Maybe the Minister for Health——
It is not appropriate to raise it now.
It is a matter of extreme urgency.
May I ask your permission, Sir, to raise on the Adjournment tomorrow — I realise there is no Adjournment question today — the treatment being given to Irish citizens seeking visitors' visas to the US?
I would be grateful if the Deputy would raise that matter with me tomorrow.
In particular young people should be treated properly when genuinely applying for visitors' visas during the summer months.
Deputy Barrett might raise that matter with me tomorrow.
I am giving prior notice.
Does the Taoiseach, the Minister for Agriculture and Food or the Minister for Health intend to make a statement on the implications for Ireland of the incidence of BES, "mad cow" disease in the UK, the serious implications that have banned British beef from the many schools——
Deputy Howlin, an appropriate question at the appropriate time. It does not arise now and the Deputy knows that full well.
(Interruptions.)
Will the Taoiseach make a statement or allow one of his Ministers to do so?
Not now, Deputy.
I thank you, Sir, for giving me the opportunity last week, on the Adjournment, to raise the case of the Dunne baby. Will the Taoiseach now personally intervene to allay public disquiet?
This is not the appropriate time to do that, Deputy Rabbitte.
May I ask the Minister for the Environment if and when the Bill to give effect to the establishment of the environment protection agency will be circulated?
Is legislation promised in the House?
Yes, it has been promised to death.
The Bill will be taken this session.
Will it be circulated in this session?
As soon as possible. If it is to be taken it will be circulated.
Will the Taoiseach assure us it will be circulated in sufficient time to give us an opportunity to digest it?
Yes.
Let me ask the Taoiseach if legislation is contemplated to rescind the 1979 Tolls Act having regard to the statement made last night by the manager of Dublin County Council that he was directed by the Minister for the Environment to make provision for the erection of tolls on the Western Parkway, contrary to——
The Deputy should raise that by way of a formal question in the House.
It was imposed already——
It is not appropriate now.
I would like clarification on it.
There are ways and means of clarification and I am sure the Deputy will pursue that through the normal means.
(Limerick East): When the Finance Bill was published the Minister for Finance in his press statement gave notice that he would extend manufacturing relief to the year 2010. I have not received a copy of an amendment to that effect and we commence the Committee Stage debate tomorrow morning. Will the Minister clarify if there will be a review of that premature decision or will we have the amendment in time to have it debated?
Of course the Deputy will have it.
(Limerick East): What is the reason for the hold up? The Minister did not announce that in the budget or in the Finance Bill and although he mentioned it in his press statement we have not recieved the appropriate amendment.
Is the Deputy complaining?
That measure is about to come before the House.
The Taoiseach was too busy advising Senators.
(Limerick East): Is the Minister waiting for the Minister for Industry and Commerce to return from Galway?
There will be ample time to debate every aspect of the Finance Bill.
(Limerick East): Government by top of the head.
Is that how the Deputy lost his hair?
I am proceeding with item No. 7.