It is proposed to take Nos. 11 and 5. It is also proposed at the conclusion of business today that the Dáil shall adjourn until 2.30 p.m. on Wednesday, 6 June 1990.
Order of Business.
Is the latter matter agreed? Agreed.
In the light of the terms of the Broadcasting Bill, 1990, published this morning I would like to ask if you, Sir, would refer to the Committee on Procedure and Privileges the content of answers given in this House on 27 February 1990 by the Minister for Communications regarding the possible diversion of funds from the licence fee to independent broadcasting.
The matter to which the Deputy refers is one in which he can take the initiative with the Committee on Procedure and Privileges.
I am aware that in speaking to you, Sir, I am speaking to the chairman of the committee; so may I take it that you, Sir, are saying it is in order for me to refer this matter to you in that capacity?
I would say so, Deputy, yes.
Can the Tánaiste inform me whether the Shannon Estuarial Authority Bill will be proceeded with this session?
That is unlikely this session.
Will the Bill be reintroduced? We have had it in this House three times already, but it seems to have disappeared during this Government——
There is always an election.
Maybe it has gone to Brussels.
In view of the publication of the Broadcasting Bill, the various statements that have been made in this House, and the statement made by the Taoiseach last night, may I ask the Tánaiste if he could arrange for a statement to be made either by himself or jointly by himself and Deputy Dukes on the secret negotiations that have been in progress regarding the emasculation of RTE?
With regard to the matter to which you refer, the Bill is coming before the House next week. I understand the Second Stage is scheduled for next Thursday and there will be adequate time to discuss the pros and cons of the issues involved.
We might discuss why The Workers' Party were not around on Wednesday night.
(Interruptions.)
I will hear no more about it now, Deputy De Rossa.
The Taoiseach has repeatedly promised that the Bill amending the Clinical Trials Act will be taken this session. I would like to ask the Minister for Health when the Bill will be published.
It will be taken this session.
I would like to know when it will be published so that we on this side of the House may have an opportunity to consider it.
It is with the parliamentary draftsman at present and as soon as it is available it will be published. As already agreed, a Cheann Comhairle, it will go to the Seanad first.
May I ask the Tánaiste when we can expect the promised legislation to set up the debt management agency?
That is nearly ready and we hope to have it this session. That is the target.
Now that we are effectively going into the last four or five weeks of this session before the long summer recess, is the Tánaiste or the Government Chief Whip in a position to state during which week of the remaining weeks of the session will we take the remaining Stages of the Water Pollution Bill?
In the next two weeks, in the immediate weeks ahead.
I presume it will not be taken next week. Will it be taken the week after next?
More than likely. That is the target, and we are on target.
The target keeps moving.