Before proceeding with the Order of Business proper, I propose to deal with notices of motion under Standing Order 30. I have notice from Deputy Alan Dukes that he seeks leave to move a motion under Standing Order 30.
Requests to move Adjournment of Dáil under Standing Order 30.
The matter in question is a matter of public importance as provided for under Standing Order 30, that is, the recommital of the Broadcasting Bill, 1990, for Second Stage debate in this House. Last Thursday the Minister took advantage of the lapse by Deputy Michael D. Higgins, a mean, cowardly and a shabby use of the lapse, in order to collapse a debate on that Bill. Discussion is not terminated. We know there is dissension within the Government and within the Fianna Fáil Party on the issue. We all heard a Fianna Fáil Deputy say at the weekend that he does not agree with the provisions of the Bill. We have not yet seen the proposed amendments. I submit that the Bill has not been properly debated on Second Stage and should be restored to the Order Paper at Second Stage.
Having considered the matter fully, I do not consider that it is one contemplated by Standing Order 30 and I cannot, therefore, grant leave to move the motion.
I was picking up a ball that you dropped.
I have had similar notice from Deputy McCartan. Will the Deputy please state the matter?
In view of the undertaking given by the Taoiseach to this House that every Member who wished to speak on the Bill would be given the opportunity to do so and in view of the quirk in Standing Orders that a Friday sitting does not allow for the taking of this motion, I propose to move the following under Standing Order 30:
That Dáil Eireann deplores the improper and irregular way in which the debate on Second Stage of the Broadcasting Bill, 1990, was terminated on Thursday last, despite the fact that many Deputies had indicated that they wished to speak and noting that the Minister for Communications has already indicated that he intends to introduce many amendments which will subsequently alter the detail of the Bill, calls on the Government to withdraw the Broadcasting Bill, 1990, and to introduce a new Bill incorporating the Ministerial amendments and to allow a full Second Stage debate to take place on the new Bill.
I wish to move this motion in view of the assurance given——
Why was the Deputy not in the House if he was so interested?
Having considered the matter fully, I do not consider that it is one contemplated by Standing Order 30 and I cannot, therefore, grant leave to move the motion. I have had a request on rather similar lines from Deputy Dick Spring.
As an eternal optimist who believes that third time is lucky, perhaps I may succeed. In accordance with Standing Order 30 I served you notice that at the commencement of business today I would have a motion for the Adjournment of the Dáil on a specific and important matter of public importance. The matter is as follows:
That this House deplores the attempts by the Minister for Communications to curtail necessary debate on the Broadcasting Bill, 1990, and calls on the Government to agree to the reinstatement of the Bill at Second Stage. This House further deplores the comments made by the Minister to and about RTE staff in the course of his attendance at the inaugural meeting of the RTE Authority yesterday.
This is a matter of public importance and I call on the Tánaiste to accept it by reinstating the Bill.
Having considered the matter fully I do not consider that it is one contemplated by Standing Order 30 and I cannot, therefore, grant leave to move the motion.
Before people use phrases about lapses in attendance in this Parliament, I have a record of attendance that is second to none in this House. The instruction by a Minister to his own backbencher to break his word is a breach of behaviour and a disgrace to this House.