It is proposed to take Nos. 13, 14 and 15. It is also proposed, subject to the agreement of the House, that (1) business shall be interrupted at 1 a.m. tomorrow; (2) the sitting shall be suspended from 7 p.m. to 7.30 p.m.; (3) there shall be no Private Members' Business today.
Order of Business.
On the Order of Business, I do not agree with any of the matters proposed, subject to the agreement of the House. I am opposing the Order of Business because of the Government's refusal to withdraw the ludicrous Broadcasting Bill now before the House.
On the Order of Business, I object to the manner in which the Government are proposing business for today, primarily because it seems unprecedented for the Government to suggest that the House should address one item until 1 a.m. tomorrow and for the rest of this week. There are other items which should be discussed. I am afraid that this Bill, given the manner of its introduction, the divisions between the Government parties and the subsequent alterations by Minister, reflects very badly on the Government. We are opposing the Order of Business.
As the other Deputies have said, the way in which it is attempted to do the business of the House this week seems extraordinary. We facilitated the Taoiseach earlier this week by not sitting yesterday because of his involvement in the Summit. We are faced with a sitting of 15 hours today. Whatever concerns the Taoiseach may or may not have about Deputies there should be at least some concern for the staff. It is unreasonable to expect them to work a 15 hour stint with only a break of a half an hour between 7 p.m. and 7.30 p.m. this evening.
It is extraordinary that the Government are trying to drive through the Broadcasting Bill in less than five weeks when a child care Bill has been on the Order Paper for five years. Apparently we will not reach this Bill until the autumn.
A Deputy
This is ridiculous.
Is this in order?
Some young people are protesting outside this House today——
Deputy De Rossa, let us confine our remarks to whether we accept the Order of Business as announced by the Taoiseach.
I am addressing the first point of the proposal, which is that the Dáil should sit until 1 a.m. tomorrow. That is a motion before the House and I am entitled to speak to it and explain why I am opposing it.
The Deputy is entitled to speak on that subject but he is not entitled to stray from it.
I am entitled to explain why I am opposing this way of dealing with the Broadcasting Bill.
On these occasions the Chair accepts that the matter is open to debate but the Chair has also ruled continuously that the debate, of necessity, shall be brief, and it shall be brief, Deputy De Rossa.
I have not been on my feet for more than one and a half minutes which I believe is quite brief given the length of time some speeches take in this House. May I continue to make my point, a Cheann Comhairle? It is extraordinary that the Government are prepared to drive a coach-and-four through the democratic traditions of this House and are trying to force through a Broadcasting Bill which virtually nobody wants at a time when there is widespread demand from a cross section of the population for the introduction——
There is ample time provided for debating the Broadcasting Bill, and the Deputy knows that.
——of the child care Bill which has been on the Order Paper for more than five years. It is extraordinary that the Taoiseach is prepared to do this. Perhaps his attention has been diverted because of his role as the President of the EC and the Summit business which we had to carry out over the past couple of days. I ask the Taoiseach to allow the normal sitting time today to deal with the Broadcasting Bill today, to schedule the child care Bill for the rest of this session and, if necessary, to sit until the end of July to deal with that Bill. The Government need a cooling-off period——
The Deputy has made his point.
——in respect of the Broadcasting Bill.
I am putting the question now, Deputy De Rossa.
(Interruptions.)
I ask the Taoiseach to withdraw the Broadcasting Bill. Let us have some common sense and sanity in the House.
The Opposition seem to wish to deny the Government the right to introduce legislation and to deal with it in this House. We are not accepting that type of dictation from the Opposition. I find these interventions extraordinary. The Opposition complained because their ineptitude led to a shortening of the debate on the Second Stage. We are now offering all the time they want to deal with the Committee Stage and they are objecting to that. Will they make up their minds?
Withdraw the Bill.
They cannot make up their minds.
(Interruptions.)
With regard to Deputy Spring's point, the Government of which he was a member kept this House sitting until 3.25 a.m. on one occasion to deal with the Criminal Justice Bill.
That was because there was no co-operation from Fianna Fáil.
Let us have no more of this rubbish.
May I——
Is it on a point of order?
It is on this issue.
No, Deputy McCartan. On the Order of Business I have allowed the main spokespersons for the various parties to comment. I am now putting the question.
Is it not in order when there is a proposal before the House for any Deputy who wishes to contribute to do so?
I am conforming to the usual procedure for dealing with this matter.
It is not in accordance with Standing Orders. I understood that we are entitled to make a contribution on an issue before the House.
I have outlined the position.
May I ask the Taoiseach to clarify a matter?
No, I am on my feet about to put a question.
I should like to ask the Taoiseach to clarify a matter arising from what he said.
I am still on my feet about to put the question. I am putting the question in respect of the Order of Business announced by the Taoiseach this morning, "That the proposal I have put in regard to Nos. 1, 2 and 3 be agreed to."
It is not in order to take those three together. There are three separate questions involved and I insist that each question be taken separately.
I thought it might have been sufficient to put it in the form I announced.
No, and they will be discussed separately.
Therefore, I shall put them separately. The question is: "That business shall be interrupted at 1 a.m. tomorrow."
Question put.
The Dáil divided: Tá, 70; Níl, 65.
Tá
- Ahern, Bertie.
- Ahern, Dermot.
- Ahern, Michael.
- Andrews, David.
- Aylward, Liam.
- Barrett, Michael.
- Brady, Gerard.
- Brady, Vincent.
- Brennan, Mattie.
- Brennan, Séamus.
- Briscoe, Ben.
- Browne, John (Wexford).
- Burke, Raphael P.
- Calleary, Seán.
- Callely, Ivor.
- Clohessy, Peadar.
- Collins, Gerard.
- Connolly, Ger.
- Coughlan, Mary Theresa.
- Cowen, Brian.
- Cullimore, Séamus.
- Daly, Brendan.
- Davern, Noel.
- Dempsey, Noel.
- Dennehy, John.
- de Valera, Síle.
- Ellis, John.
- Fahey, Jackie.
- Fitzgerald, Liam Joseph.
- Power, Seán.
- Quill, Máirín.
- Reynolds, Albert.
- Roche, Dick.
- Smith, Michael.
- Stafford, John.
- Fitzpatrick, Dermot.
- Flood, Chris.
- Gallagher, Pat the Cope.
- Harney, Mary.
- Haughey, Charles J.
- Hillery, Brian.
- Hilliard, Colm.
- Hyland, Liam.
- Jacob, Joe.
- Kelly, Laurence.
- Kenneally, Brendan.
- Kirk, Séamus.
- Kitt, Michael P.
- Kitt, Tom.
- Lenihan, Brian.
- Leonard, Jimmy.
- Lyons, Denis.
- McCreevy, Charlie.
- McDaid, Jim.
- McEllistrim, Tom.
- Morley, P. J.
- Nolan, M. J.
- O'Connell, John.
- O'Dea, Willie.
- O'Donoghue, John.
- O'Hanlon, Rory.
- O'Keeffe, Jim.
- O'Leary, John.
- O'Toole, Martin Joe.
- Treacy, Seán.
- Tunney, Jim.
- Wallace, Dan.
- Wallace, Mary.
- Woods, Michael.
- Wyse, Pearse.
Níl
- Ahearn, Therese.
- Barnes, Monica.
- Barrett, Seán.
- Bell, Michael.
- Belton, Louis J.
- Boylan, Andrew.
- Browne, John (Carlow-Kilkenny).
- Bruton, Richard.
- Byrne, Eric.
- Carey, Donal.
- Connaughton, Paul.
- Connor, John.
- Cosgrave, Michael Joe.
- Cotter, Bill.
- Creed, Michael.
- Currie, Austin.
- D'Arcy, Michael.
- Deasy, Austin.
- Deenihan, Jimmy.
- De Rossa, Proinsias.
- Doyle, Joe.
- Dukes, Alan.
- Durkan, Bernard.
- Fennell, Nuala.
- Ferris, Michael.
- Finucane, Michael.
- Flaherty, Mary.
- Flanagan, Charles.
- Gilmore, Eamon.
- Harte, Paddy.
- Higgins, Jim.
- Higgins, Michael D.
- Hogan, Philip.
- Howlin, Brendan.
- Kavanagh, Liam.
- Kenny, Enda.
- Lee, Pat.
- Lowry, Michael.
- McCartan, Pat.
- McCormack, Pádraic.
- McGinley, Dinny.
- Mac Giolla, Tomás.
- McGrath, Paul.
- Mitchell, Gay.
- Mitchell, Jim.
- Moynihan, Michael.
- Nealon, Ted.
- Noonan, Michael. (Limerick East).
- O'Keeffe, Jim.
- O'Shea, Brian.
- O'Sullivan, Gerry.
- O'Sullivan, Toddy.
- Owen, Nora.
- Quinn, Ruairí.
- Rabbitte, Pat.
- Reynolds, Gerry.
- Ryan, Seán.
- Shatter, Alan.
- Sheehan, Patrick J.
- Sherlock, Joe.
- Spring, Dick.
- Stagg, Emmet.
- Taylor, Mervyn.
- Timmins, Godfrey.
- Yates, Ivan.
Tellers: Tá, Deputies V. Brady and Clohessy; Níl, Deputies J. Higgins and Howlin.
Question declared carried.
The next question is: "That the sitting——
Are you allowing debate on this issue before the question is put?
No, the debate was on the Order of Business as far as I am concerned.
I thought we were taking the matters separately.
Yes, for voting purposes. The question is: "That the sitting be suspended from 7 p.m. to 7.30 p.m."
Deputy De Rossa rose.
I am sorry, I am on my feet putting a question and I will not be interrupted.
I am seeking to raise a point of order.
I am sorry, I allowed a discussion on the Order of Business and I am now putting the question.
Item No. 2 has not been addressed.
The question is: "That the sitting be suspended form 7 p.m. to 7.30 p.m."
Item No. 2 has not been addressed.
(Interruptions.)
Do Deputies intend to shout down the Chair?
If necessary, yes. Item No. 2 has not been addressed in any specific way and we are entitled to——
I do not accept that, Deputy Spring. My view is that spokespersons for the various parties opposed the Order of Businessin toto. The Chair sought to put the question in toto and was compelled to put it separately. He is doing that.
The matter should be clarified.
I will allow a brief point of order from Deputy Spring.
On a point of order in relation to the Order of Business, Item No. 1, that business shall be interrupted at 1 a.m., was addressed by the leaders of the Opposition parties. Item No. 2, in relation to the suspension of today's sitting, has not yet been addressed. Under Standing Orders we are entitled to address it now.
The Chair takes the view that spokespersons opposed the Order of Business in respect of items Nos. 1, 2 and 3. The Chair sought to put it in that order.
Perhaps the Chair will accept that he had a mistaken view.
When Deputy Dukes spoke he indicated he was opposing the three pointsin toto but when Deputy Spring and I spoke we specifically referred to item No. 1. There are two other items, the question of the sos and the question of Private Members' Business.There are separate motions and we are simply seeking a right to address brief points in relation to them.
The Chair is trying to deal with the business of the House in an expeditious manner. If the Chair is to be frustrated in that regard, let that be clear.
We are simply trying to seek our rights in this matter, a Cheann Comhairle. Under Standing Orders we are entitled to address ourselves to the motion before us.
I am putting the question.
A Cheann Comhairle, with respect, in relation to putting the question, you are talking about dealing with our business expeditiously. I would suggest to you that it would be much wiser if people who want to address Item No. 2 on the Order of Business are allowed do so, briefly, as we have done on the Order of Business in the past.
If Deputies will be very brief. Does this mean we are going to have a debate on every item on the Order of Business?
If necessary, a Cheann Comhairle.
I think we are getting to a stage of triviality now. What we are now talking about is whether the House is suspended from 7 p.m. to 7.30 p.m. If there is any great objection to that the Government will withdraw it.
(Interruptions.)
Quite frankly, it does not matter whether the Government withdraw it or not. Today's ordering of business is totally unsatisfactory. The whole manner of what they are doing this week is totally unsatisfactory. With regard to a discussion on the Summit — on the most important event as the Taoiseach would say himself — there is no discussion of that this week. In addition, other important matters, like the Environmental Protection Agency Bill, the Industrial Relations Bill, 1989, and the Local Government (Water Pollution) (Amendment) Bill, 1989——
The Taoiseach has no right——
——are all being pushed into abeyance because of the Government's obsession with the Broadcasting Bill, 1990.
I wish to propose an amendment to item No. 2 on the Order of Business: "That the time for the suspension of the sitting from 7 p.m. to 7.30 p.m. be deleted and be substituted with 7 p.m. to 9 p.m."
(Interruptions.)
Have Deputies opposite no regard at all for the staff of the House?
With regard to item No. 2 on the Order of Business, if I understand the amendment proposed it is to the effect: "That the words proposed to be deleted stand."
A Cheann Comhairle, on a point of order, I understood the Taoiseach had withdrawn this proposal.
No, I had not; I said if there was any objection to it——
I must put the question.
Question put.
The Dáil divided: Tá, 73; Níl, 24.
Tá
- Ahern, Bertie.
- Ahern, Dermot.
- Ahern, Michael.
- Andrews, David.
- Aylward, Liam.
- Barrett, Michael.
- Brady, Gerard.
- Brady, Vincent.
- Brennan, Mattie.
- Brennan, Séamus.
- Briscoe, Ben.
- Browne, John (Wexford).
- Burke, Raphael P.
- Calleary, Seán.
- Callely, Ivor.
- Clohessy, Peadar.
- Collins, Gerard.
- Connolly, Ger.
- Coughlan, Mary Theresa.
- Cowen, Brian.
- Cullimore, Séamus.
- Daly, Brendan.
- Davern, Noel.
- Lyons, Denis.
- McCreevy, Charlie.
- McDaid, Jim.
- McEllistrim, Tom.
- Morley, P. J.
- Nolan, M. J.
- O'Connell, John.
- O'Dea, Willie.
- O'Donoghue, John.
- O'Hanlon, Rory.
- O'Keeffe, Ned.
- O'Kennedy, Michael.
- O'Leary, John.
- Dempsey, Noel.
- Dennehy, John.
- de Valera, Síle.
- Ellis, John.
- Fahey, Jackie.
- Fitzgerald, Liam Joseph.
- Fitzpatrick, Dermot.
- Flood, Chris.
- Gallagher, Pat the Cope.
- Harney, Mary.
- Haughey, Charles J.
- Hillery, Brian.
- Hilliard, Colm.
- Hyland, Liam.
- Jacob, Joe.
- Kelly, Laurence.
- Kenneally, Brendan.
- Kirk, Séamus.
- Kitt, Michael P.
- Kitt, Tom.
- Lawlor, Liam.
- Lenihan, Brian.
- Leonard, Jimmy.
- O'Toole, Martin Joe.
- Power, Seán.
- Quill, Máirín.
- Reynolds, Albert.
- Roche, Dick.
- Smith, Michael.
- Stafford, John.
- Treacy, Noel.
- Tunney, Jim.
- Wallace, Dan.
- Wallace, Mary.
- Walsh, Joe.
- Woods, Michael.
- Wyse, Pearse.
Níl
- Bell, Michael.
- Byrne, Eric.
- De Rossa, Proinsias.
- Ferris, Michael.
- Gilmore, Eamon.
- Gregory, Tony.
- Higgins, Michael D.
- Howlin, Brendan.
- Kavanagh, Liam.
- Kemmy, Jim.
- McCartan, Pat.
- Mac Giolla, Tomás.
- Moynihan, Michael.
- O'Shea, Brian.
- O'Sullivan, Gerry.
- O'Sullivan, Toddy.
- Pattison, Séamus.
- Quinn, Ruairí.
- Rabbitte, Pat.
- Ryan, Seán.
- Sherlock, Joe.
- Spring, Dick.
- Stagg, Emmet.
- Taylor, Mervyn.
Tellers: Tá, Deputies V. Brady and Clohessy; Níl, Deputies Byrne and McCartan.
Question declared carried.
The next question is then that there shall be no Private Members' Business today.
On item No. 3, the Government, when making their proposals in relation to the Order of Business for today, offered an hour and a half for debate on Private Members' time this week on condition that the House sat until 2 o'clock tomorrow morning. That, Sir, is utterly inadequate; it is bullying tactics on the part of the Government. My party have an important motion for debate before this House concerning the situation in Arigna, a matter that will affect literally thousands of families over wide areas of Counties Leitrim and Roscommon. I see no reason whatever that we should not make three hours available during our business this week to discuss that issue. What is being proposed here, that there be no Private Members' Business, is the Government simply endeavouring to muzzle debate on this important issue, and I am opposing it.
I would likewise wish to be on record in relation to the elimination of Private Members' Business for this week. Private Members' Business is obviously of major importance to the Opposition parties and I request the Taoiseach at this stage to allow Private Members' Business to take its normal course during this week.
There are a number of points. The House did not sit yesterday in order to facilitate the Government and, as a result, we are now being penalised by not having Private Members' Business. In addition to that, the Private Members' Business periods are quite restricted in any event. If all of the periods available in any given year were used, The Workers' Party would be lucky to get two of them in the whole year. If the procedure which is being adopted today is carried through, the likelihood of The Workers' Party having a further period of Private Members' time this year is practically nil. I am proposing, therefore, an amendment to No. 3, that the words following "There" be deleted and that the words "shall be Private Members' Business today from 7 p.m. to 8.30 p.m. and tomorrow, Thursday, from 7 p.m. to 8.30 p.m." be inserted.
I have to tell the House that the proposal that there will be no Private Members' Business today is made under Standing Order 86. Standing Order 86 provides,inter alia, that a member of the Government may move, without notice, at the commencement of public business on any Tuesday or Wednesday that specified Government business shall not be interrupted if under consideration at the time fixed for taking Private Members' Business and that such motions shall be decided without amendment.Therefore, I cannot accept an amendment in this case.
The question, therefore, is for the House to consider that consideration of Government business be not interrupted today at the time fixed for the taking of Private Members' Business.
Question put: "That there be no Private Members' Business today."
The Dáil divided: Tá, 72; Níl, 69.
Tá
- Ahern, Bertie.
- Ahern, Dermot.
- Ahern, Michael.
- Andrews, David.
- Aylward, Liam.
- Barrett, Michael.
- Brady, Gerard.
- Brady, Vincent.
- Brennan, Mattie.
- Brennan, Séamus.
- Briscoe, Ben.
- Browne, John (Wexford).
- Burke, Raphael P.
- Calleary, Seán.
- Callely, Ivor.
- Clohessy, Peadar.
- Connolly, Ger.
- Coughlan, Mary Theresa.
- Cowen, Brian.
- Cullimore, Séamus.
- Daly, Brendan.
- Davern, Noel.
- Dempsey, Noel.
- Dennehy, John.
- de Valera, Síle.
- Ellis, John.
- Fahey, Jackie.
- Fitzgerald, Liam Joseph.
- Fitzpatrick, Dermot.
- Flood, Chris.
- Gallagher, Pat the Cope.
- Harney, Mary.
- Haughey, Charles J.
- Hillery, Brian.
- Hilliard, Colm.
- Hyland, Liam.
- Jacob, Joe.
- Kelly, Laurence.
- Kenneally, Brendan.
- Kirk, Séamus.
- Kitt, Michael P.
- Kitt, Tom.
- Lawlor, Liam.
- Lenihan, Brian.
- Leonard, Jimmy.
- Lyons, Denis.
- McCreevy, Charlie.
- McDaid, Jim.
- McEllistrim, Tom.
- Morley, P. J.
- Nolan, M. J.
- O'Connell, John.
- O'Dea, Willie.
- O'Donoghue, John.
- O'Hanlon, Rory.
- O'Keeffe, Ned.
- O'Kennedy, Michael.
- O'Leary, John.
- O'Toole, Martin Joe.
- Power, Seán.
- Quill, Máirín.
- Reynolds, Albert.
- Roche, Dick.
- Smith, Michael.
- Stafford, John.
- Treacy, Noel.
- Tunney, Jim.
- Wallace, Dan.
- Wallace, Mary.
- Walsh, Joe.
- Woods, Michael.
- Wyse, Pearse.
Níl
- Ahearn, Therese.
- Barnes, Monica.
- Barrett, Seán.
- Bell, Michael.
- Belton, Louis J.
- Boylan, Andrew.
- Bradford, Paul.
- Browne, John (Carlow-Kilkenny).
- Bruton, Richard.
- Byrne, Eric.
- Carey, Donal.
- Connaughton, Paul.
- Connor, John.
- Cosgrave, Michael Joe.
- Cotter, Bill.
- Currie, Austin.
- D'Arcy, Michael.
- Deasy, Austin.
- Deenihan, Jimmy.
- De Rossa, Proinsias.
- Doyle, Joe.
- Dukes, Alan.
- Durkan, Bernard.
- Fennell, Nuala.
- Ferris, Michael.
- Finucane, Michael.
- Flaherty, Mary.
- Flanagan, Charles.
- Gilmore, Eamon.
- Gregory, Tony.
- Harte, Paddy.
- Higgins, Jim.
- Higgins, Michael D.
- Hogan, Philip.
- Howlin, Brendan.
- Kavanagh, Liam.
- Kemmy, Jim.
- Kenny, Enda.
- Lowry, Michael.
- McCartan, Pat.
- McCormack, Pádraic.
- McGahon, Brendan.
- McGinley, Dinny.
- Mac Giolla, Tomás.
- McGrath, Paul.
- Mitchell, Gay.
- Mitchell, Jim.
- Moynihan, Michael.
- Nealon, Ted.
- Noonan, Michael. (Limerick East).
- O'Keeffe, Jim.
- O'Shea, Brian.
- O'Sullivan, Gerry.
- O'Sullivan, Toddy.
- Owen, Nora.
- Pattison, Séamus.
- Quinn, Ruairí.
- Rabbitte, Pat.
- Reynolds, Gerry.
- Ryan, Seán.
- Shatter, Alan.
- Sheehan, Patrick J.
- Sherlock, Joe.
- Spring, Dick.
- Stagg, Emmet.
- Taylor, Mervyn.
- Taylor-Quinn, Madeleine.
- Timmins, Godfrey.
- Yates, Ivan.
Tellers: Tá, Deputies V. Brady and Clohessy; Níl, Deputies J. Higgins and Howlin.
Question declared carried.
There is a number of things the House should be able to consider. First, I would like to ask if the Taoiseach intends to arrange for the Minister of State at the Department of Education to report to this House on the outcome of his mission to Rome? I am glad the Government followed up on my initiative but I think the House would like to know the result.
(Interruptions.)
Happily I was in a position to give out tickets on Saturday.
I am wondering what this has to do with legislation promised in the House.
I am not asking you about legislation in the House.
What is being raised now is not in order.
I am asking if the Taoiseach will arrange time for the House to be acquainted with the results of that mission. Second, does the Taoiseach intend to make any arrangements this week for this House to debate a motion making a comment on the outcome of the Summit which was held on Monday and Tuesday of this week so that, in particular, the House could express its dissatisfaction at the paucity of any concrete results as opposed to hype from that Summit? Third, will the Taoiseach now consider arrangements for a debate of a substantive nature on political union since we now know that the Government will be asked for — and are expected to produce — a detailed paper before the inter-governmental conference to be held next December?
I have allowed certain of the matters adverted to by the Deputy to be raised because I think the Taoiseach may have replied to them earlier.I have to say also that in respect of other matters, there are questions tabled on today's Order Paper for reply by the Taoiseach in connection with certain matters raised. I am calling Deputy Spring.
The items I have raised are not the subject of questions; I am simply asking the Taoiseach if he will make arrangements for this House to debate a motion on the Summit. Second, will he make arrangements for this House to have a debate on political union? I am not going into the substance of these issues but simply the procedure.
I have to tell the House that there are questions tabled to the Taoiseach — Nos. 5 and 6 in particular — on today's Order Paper on that subject matter.
All I am asking is that arrangements be made for this House to debate these matters.
I am calling Deputy Spring.
I think I am entitled to know if the Government will respond to a request in this House to make time available to discuss these matters. I am not going into the substance, all I want to know is if we will have the procedures in this House to discuss these matters.
They are on today's Order Paper.
The Taoiseach is running away from the issue again.
May I put a matter to the Taoiseach which I consider to be quite serious and urgent? There are an estimated 20,000 Irish soccer supporters in Rome at present and there appears to be only 5,000 tickets available for these supporters in a stadium which apparently has a seating capacity of 80,000. I am aware that the Minister of State at the Department of Education went to Rome yesterday. May I ask the Taoiseach, as President of the European Council and, obviously, a man with European standing following last week's Summit, if he would consider an intervention of behalf of those 20,000 supporters who have done this country proud over the last number of weeks?
It is not strictly one for the Order of Business but I hesitate to rule it out.
I think we are dealing with an unprecedented situation, so perhaps a little deviation from the order might be in order.
We want to level the playing pitch.
The answer is yes. I have already taken steps to do that. I am now prepared to go a little further and have great pleasure in inviting the leaders of the Opposition parties to come to Rome with me——
Deputies
Hear, hear.
——so that we can lend, for what it is worth, our political weight.
I second that motion. Well done.
May I ask the Taoiseach if he would indicate to the House, as Deputy Dukes has already asked, if procedures will be made available for a debate on the issues concerning the Summit and political union? Regarding the questions referred to, Question No. 6 in my name, simply asks for a statement at Question Time regarding the Summit. I am asking if procedures will be made available for a debate in the House on the Summit and political union. May I ask the Taoiseach why the Minister for Foreign Affairs did not meet a Government delegation from Cambodia yesterday as was arranged——
These are separate matters which should be raised in the appropriate way.
——apparently because of political pressure?
These matters can be raised in the House in a more appropriate manner.
(Limerick East): The Taoiseach is probably aware that, while he was busy at the Summit yesterday, he was let down once more by his backbenchers and because of this a section of the Companies Bill was lost through inattendance. Is it the intention of the Government to bring the Report and Final Stages of the Companies Bill before the House before the summer recess and to restore the section which was lost yesterday due to the non-attendance of Government backbenchers at the committee?
The matter is in order.
I am not sure what sort of timetable we will be able to follow but we are trying to get that legislation through as quickly as possible. We will keep up our efforts.
In relation to item No. 5 on today's Order Paper, Control of Clinical Trials and Drugs Bill, 1990, the Taoiseach's Chief Whip circulated last week a list indicating the Bills the Government intended taking this session. The list included that Bill but in today's newspapers there is a shortened list of Bills and the Control of Clinical Trials and Drugs Bill has been excluded. The Taoiseach and the Minister for Health have given assurances that this Bill will be taken this session. The Bill will not be opposed and can be taken in a shortened time. Will the Taoiseach now give a commitment to take the Bill this session?
Everything is possible with co-operation.
The Taoiseach orders the business.
Will there be an Adjournment Debate in the morning?
I shall indeed be available.
I seek permission to raise on the Adjournment with the Minister for Justice——
I would like to hear the Deputy's proposition.
——the findings of the recent Combat Poverty Agency report which highlights the failure of the courts' maintenance orders procedures.
I will be in touch with the Deputy concerning the matter.
In the middle of December last, when we were about to embark on the Presidency, the Taoiseach promised that an Environment Protection Agency Bill would be circulated in the House during the course of the Presidency but it has not yet been circulated.Would the Taoiseach indicate when he anticipates we are going to see this Bill?
We are getting on with it as rapidly as possible. It is complicated in a number of ways and I am very anxious that all the issues should be addressed. The Deputy might accept that we are taking a little bit longer time over it than we anticipated originally but I can assure him——
It is an urgent measure.
——that it is in the interests of the quality of the Bill that we are doing that.
May we expect it during the Italian Presidency?
In the light of the announcement during the weekend of a radical restructing of the State promotional agencies, including the Industrial Development Authority, Córas Tráchtála, the Irish Goods Council, the National Development Corporation and Shannon Development, by the Minister for Industry and Commerce, may I ask the Taoiseach if this will involve new legislation and if he would agree that it is nothing short of disgraceful that the Minister intends announcing the changes next month when the Dáil is not sitting and when we will not have an opportunity to debate these issues? This comes from a Minister who talks about Dáil reform——
I think Deputy Barrett should raise that matter in a more appropriate way at a more appropriate time.
This makes a mockery of Dáil reform.
Deputy Quinn.
May I ask the Taoiseach if this will involve legislation?
The Deputy should pursue that matter in a more formal way.
You will be aware, a Cheann Comhairle, that I raised this matter last Friday and I am wondering now if, on the Order of Business, the Taoiseach with the co-operation of this House, will make time available to his absent colleague, the Minister for Industry and Commerce, to make an announcement in this House which may either substantiate or clarify the statements carried in the press.
I have ruled on the matter, Deputy Quinn.
I seek permission to raise on the Adjournment the Minister for Labour's proposal that no budget be drawn up for the FÁS Teamwork project for five counties in the south-east.
I will communicate with the Deputy.
May I again beg your indulgence and raise on the Adjournment the disaster facing the sheep industry.
I will communicate with the Deputy.
I seek permission to raise on the Adjournment this evening the destruction of archaeological and historic sites throughout the country.
I will communicate with the Deputy.
With your permission I propose to raise on the Adjournment the termination on Friday last of school transport services to certain schools in County Kerry who will remain open until next Friday, when they will close for the holidays. This is a source of great annoyance and dissatisfaction for parents and pupils.
I will communicate with the Deputy. Can we proceed now to the Order of Business proper?
I should like to raise on the Adjournment the long delay in providing the needed extension at Gairmscoil Colmcille, Indreabhán, Contae na Gaillimhe.
Tabharfaidh mé freagra duit ar ball, a Theachta.
Once again I seek permission to raise on the Adjournment the termination of the Teamwork scheme at the mentally handicapped schools in Cashel.
I will be in touch with the Deputy concerning the matter.
On a point of order, there has been a number of references to my absent colleague, the Minister for Industry and Commerce.
Welcome back.
Stranger in the House.
Order.
May I inform the House that he is on important business, on an IDA promotion, in Japan seeking to bring industry and employment to this country. Even the Progressive Democrats, unfortunately, have not yet achieved the gift of bilocation.
It is the gift of discussion we are looking for.
I am proceeding now to deal with item No. 13, the Broadcasting Bill, 1990, Committee Stage, resumed.