It is proposed to take Nos. 13 and 14.
Private Business. - Order of Business.
I wonder if the Taoiseach will make time available next week for the Minister for Industry and Commerce to make a statement in the House on his decision to abolish the National Development Corporation and merge their functions with the IDA.
That does not arise now.
As we know, there are no provisions on Fridays for Private Notice Questions or questions on the Adjournment. Therefore would you permit me to ask the Taoiseach if, in view of the disaster in Iran, he would convey, on behalf of the House, our deepest sympathies to President Rafsanjani on the appalling death toll and the numbers injured? Perhaps the Taoiseach would take the opportunity on the Order of Business to indicate if the Government intend to offer aid to the Iranian people.
Strictly speaking, that is not in order but——
The Deputy is placing the Chair in a very invidious position.
——we do of course convey our sympathies on this great disaster, and we will be offering aid.
(Limerick East): Could I ask the Taoiseach what arrangements he envisages for informing the House of the summit on Monday and Tuesday? I understand the Broadcasting Bill has been ordered for Wednesday, Thursday and Friday, and that no arrangement has been made to allow the Taoiseach to report to the House on the summit. This is unprecedented. Could I ask the Taoiseach what arrangements he has in mind?
I hope the Opposition will co-operate in enabling me to report on the summit.
(Limerick East): What type of co-operation has the Taoiseach in mind? I understand no request has been made by the Whip to facilitate the Taoiseach to report to the House next week. Naturally we would like a report on the summit as quickly as possible and it is appropriate that it be given next week. If the Taoiseach informs the House of the arrangements he has in mind, we can see if we can facilitate him.
We should not be debating the matter now.
Firstly, on behalf of the Labour Party, we wish the Taoiseach well in relation to the conduct of the summit. It is a very important occasion for this country. We will not hold the Presidency again for six years or perhaps seven years and therefore the Taoiseach should conduct the business with skill and style. I suggest to the Taoiseach that perhaps some time on Thursday, subject to agreement between the Whips, would he appropriate for a series of statements in the normal manner, and I request that on behalf of the Labour Party.
Of course, it is a matter for the Whips in the normal way. I am very glad the Deputy has drawn attention to the fact that my experience in this summit will help me organise the next one in six years' time.
As Ceann Comhairle, will you extend the good wishes of this House to the Irish team on their marvellous success in getting to the final stages of the World Cup?
If that is the wish of the House, I should be delighted to do so.
Could I ask the Taoiseach, in view of the various promises in relation to a number of items of legislation concerning the Department of the Marine, if it is intended to have the Fisheries Act passed in this House before the end of this session? As regards the second piece of legislation——
Will we get co-operation from that side of the House?
Is it true there are difficulties in the Attorney General's office and they are finding it impossible to draft the legislation? As regards the Marine Institute legislation, which the Minister has promised will be through this House by the end of this session and that the Marine Institute will be up and running before the next half of this year——
I think the Deputy has made her point.
I wanted to ask about four pieces of promised legislation.
Deputy Taylor-Quinn may not make a speech on the Order of Business. I will permit her to ask a pertinent question.
The first part of my question relates to the Fisheries Act, the second part——
I am not going to permit questions being put in omnibus form like this. Let us have a question.
How does the Taoiseach propose to have the Fisheries Bill, the Marine Pollution Bill, the Marine Institute Bill and the Sea Pollution Bill through this House before the end of this session?
If you would co-operate, there would be no problem.
I agree with what is implied in the Deputy's question. In other words, the carry on of the Fine Gael Opposition at this stage is making it very difficult for the Government——
I asked a direct question.
——to complete this important programme of legislation, but complete it we will.
When will it be completed?
I am calling Deputy Pat McCartan. I suggest we proceed to deal with the business of the day after I hear Deputy McCartan.
Could I ask the Taoiseach what progress has been made by the Government, the Minister for Justice or the Chief Whip for the establishment of the special committee on crime that was promised?
I have nothing to add.
Does this relate to specific legislation promised in this House?
Promises have been made in the House on many occasions in relation to the establishment of a special committee on crime. We were told some time ago that this is a matter for the Whips, but the Whips' meetings have become rather a peremptory matter where, we are told, there is no room for negotiation and discussion and that all matters are ordered according to Government. There is no indication of any progress being made in relation to this committee and therefore I would ask the Taoiseach——
It is essentially a matter for the Whips to decide.
The Whips' meetings have not addressed, and do not seem likely to address, this matter.
I cannot resolve the matter now. I am proceeding to deal with item No. 13.