On the Order of Business, is the Taoiseach in a position to tell us when the Government propose that the House should go into summer recess? I will stay here until hell freezes over but I should like to know if between now and whatever date the Government may have in mind we will have a full debate on the Estimates, properly go through the legislative programme which the Government seem to be leaking to the Press and have a proper debate on what is happening in the GATT negotiations, about which we are becoming more and more concerned, as well as a debate on the meagre outcome of the European Council which met earlier this week and which is a real reflection of the performance of this Presidency? I wish to have an assurance that we will have provision for a proper Adjournment debate to conclude.
Order of Business (Resumed).
I find it very difficult to take this seriously.
That was the Taoiseach's problem with the Presidency.
The Government will announce their programme in due course in plenty of time.
Let me ask the Taoiseach, or perhaps the Minister for Finance, if they will make a statement on the announcement by the Central Bank yesterday in relation to a half per cent reduction in borrowing rates. Given the fact that mortgage rates are almost four percentage points higher than they were this time last year, will the Minister for Finance outline whether he is going to have meetings with the building societies and the banks to ensure that proper reductions will be brought about as quickly as possible to bring relief to mortgage holders?
The matter to which the Deputy refers is not one for the Order of Business. I am sure he will find another and more appropriate way of raising that matter.
A nod being as good as a wink, Sir, let me seek to raise it on the Adjournment this evening.
I will communicate with the Deputy on that matter.
Let me express to the Taoiseach my disappointment on the failure to make progress during yesterday's talks with Mr. Brooke. When does he intend to brief the Opposition parties on progress to date? There is a feeling abroad that the Government are less than helpful.
The last thing on my mind at the moment is briefing the Opposition parties about anything.
It is getting to him.
The point I made was that there is a growing feeling abroad that the talks are being less than helpful.
The Deputy has made his point very effectively.
In view of the failure of the FAI to get adequate tickets to date, what action does the Taoiseach propose to take at this stage about the rip off, indeed, the blatant extortion of Irish supporters in Rome? Will he consider calling in the Italian Ambassador at this stage to voice our concern as a nation about what is happening?
I am glad Deputy Deenihan raised this matter because I am in a position to tell him that as a result of the strenuous efforts of Deputy Frank Fahey, Minister with responsibility for Sport, we now have secured 8,500 tickets. That will probably rise up to 10,000 during the course of the day and another 5,000 tickets are almost certainly on the way. So the situation is greatly improved.
We cannot debate the matter now. I am calling Deputy Therese Ahearn.
I am seeking permission to raise on the Adjournment——
The Taoiseach was never at a soccer match in his life. He would not go to Lansdowne Road when they were playing.
I have called Deputy Therese Ahearn.
I ask your permission to raise on the Adjournment the cessation of the FÁS Teamwork scheme in the schools for the mentally handicapped in Cashel.
I am aware of the Deputy's interest in the matter and I shall communicate with her.
In view of the success in Rome of securing tickets, could the Taoiseach intervene and get some tickets for the Cork and Kerry match on Sunday?
I reckon the Taoiseach could be a little bit offside.
I will be off the coast of Cork soon.
Once bitten twice shy.
May I ask the Taoiseach or the Minister for Defence whether the report of the Gleeson commission on Army pay and conditions has been received, and, if so, has it been considered by the Government?
That should be dealt with in another way.
I would like your permission to raise on the Adjournment the recent Combat Poverty Agency Report and its findings, which show that the court maintenance order procedure was not——
I will be in touch with the Deputy concerning the matter.
I have been informed that a mushroom processing plant in County Monaghan will close tomorrow, Friday, with a loss of about 40 jobs. I have warned the House since 15 March that this eventuality would probably occur and I request you, Sir, to give me some opportunity to discuss it with the Minister on the Adjournment this evening.
I will communicate with the Deputy.
On the Adjournment tonight may I raise with the Minister for the Environment — if he can be found — the problem now confronting most local authorities in relation to the dramatic increase in the cost of public liability insurance and compensation claims?
I will be in touch with the Deputy concerning that matter.
I would like to raise on the Adjournment with the Minister for Labour the lack of budgeting for the FÁS Teamwork programme for the five southeast counties.
I will communicate with the Deputy.
The Minister for Justice is obliged by law to lay before the Houses of the Oireachtas the annual report and the report of the three yearly review of the Garda Síochána Complaints board. This should have been done, but has not been done. What steps will the Taoiseach take to ensure that the Minister for Justice discharges his statutory duties?
Does this appertain to legislation? No.
It is in existing legislation. There is a statutory duty on the Minister which he has not discharged.
It is not promised legislation.
The Deputy should follow it up by a formal question.
Let me ask the Taoiseach if it is proposed to bring the proposed changes to the TB eradication scheme before the House for debate.
That is not a matter for the Order of Business.
It should be one for the House.
Let me again seek your permission to raise on the Adjournment this evening the failure of the Minister for Social Welfare to provide adequate dental services for insured workers and their spouses.
I will communicate with the Deputy.
Again I request your permission to raise on the Adjournment the withdrawal of school transport services from a number of schools in County Kerry from Monday last and continuing until the end of the term.
I will be in touch with the Deputy concerning the matter.
I am seeking your permission to raise on the Adjournment the necessity for the Minister for the Marine to extend the salmon fishing season to facilitate the drift net fishermen who have experienced a disastrous season so far this year.
I will communicate with the Deputy.
Let me ask the Taoiseach when it is intended to circulate the legislation promised to amend the European Assembly Act, 1977.
I am not aware of any such legislation being promised.
In reply to environmental questions on the last occasion we had them in this House, the Minister for the Environment promised such a Bill would be circulated. It concerns his failure to reorganise the Euro election constituencies. He is now some six months in breach of the 1977 Act and he indicated a Bill would be circulated amending that Act.
Was the promise made in this House?
It was made in this House in reply to a specific question to the Minister.
I will let the Deputy know.
The Minister for Finance told the House that after a short period of consideration he would indicate when he would be making arrangements to comply with the directive from the European Court of Justice regarding the 48 hour rule. Is he yet in a position to comply with the directive of that Court to cease the illegal activities which are taking place?
It would not be in order now. The Deputy must find another way of raising the matter.
Sorry, that was a promise given by the Minister for Finance. He said he required a short period to consider the position and he would then advise the House. The short period has now expired.
That does not appertain to legislation promised in the House.
Let me ask to raise that matter on the Adjournment.
I will communicate with the Deputy in that regard.
I wish to refer to two matters, one on the Order of Business and one on the Adjournment. I would like to ask the Taoiseach, in view of the inordinate amount of time and priority being given by the Government to the Broadcasting Bill, if he will ensure that adequate time is given to conclude Committee Stage of the Pensions Bill to ensure these protections are put in place before the summer. Will the Minister's announced timetable for the implementation of the protections awarded to workers arising out of that Bill be met?
That is in order.
Our intention is to complete that Pensions Bill. If we had cooperation from the Opposition it would have been through long ago.
That is a two-way street.
Deputy Flaherty.
I again seek your permission to raise on the Adjournment the high level of homelessness, the inadequate provisions for homeless young people both in Dublin and nationally and the preparations the Minister for Health is making to meet the new requirements he will have under the Child Care Bill.
I will communicate with the Deputy.
While I do not disagree with your decision, a Cheann Comhairle to refuse a parliamentary question from me, I seek your guidance about the way in which the Department concerned seem unwilling to reply to parliamentary questions. I received a letter from you this morning in which you state you have had to disallow my question to the Minister for Energy asking him if he had the authority to instruct the ESB to defer the decision in relation to Allenswood power station in County Kildare. You said the Minister for Energy has no official responsibility to the Dáil in this matter. I have not discussed this matter with you privately——
The Deputy ought to. It is not in order to challenge my ruling in the matter now, Deputy.
I accept that and I am not questioning your decision but I believe it was a valid question because it asked if the Minister for Energy——
Deputy Durkan may not debate this matter now.
I honestly believe that if the Minister——
Sorry, Deputy Durkan, I cannot and will not allow my rulings to be challenged in this fashion.
I am not challenging your ruling——
The Deputy may not proceed along those lines. My office will be glad to facilitate you in respect of any further enlightenment you need on the matter or assist in any other way but my ruling may not be challenged in this fashion.
I am not challenging your ruling, a Cheann Comhairle——
I will hear no more of the matter now, Deputy Durkan. I am calling Deputy Barry.
I want to point out that I honestly believe the Minister has the authority——
Sorry, Deputy Durkan, Deputy Barry has been called.
At the conclusion of the Summit on Tuesday it was decided to establish an intergovernmental conference to deal with European Political Union to meet on 15 December. May I ask the Taoiseach if we will have an opportunity before that date to debate in this House the Government's submission to that conference?
I dealt with that matter yesterday.
What is the answer? Will we have an opportunity to debate the Government's submission before——
I dealt with that matter yesterday.
The Taoiseach did not answer that question yesterday.
These are matters which should primarily be dealt with by the Whips and not argued about across the floor of the House.
Will this House be given an opportunity to debate the Government's submission to that conference——
I have already fully outlined the position to the Dáil.
(Limerick East): The Taoiseach evaded that question yesterday.
I am proceeding now to deal with the business of the House.
It is perfectly fair to ask whether this House will be given an opportunity to debate the Government's submission to that conference before it takes place.
The Taoiseach is more interested in making personal attacks than giving straight answers.
I am not asking to debate the submission before the summer recess. I am asking for an opportunity to debate it before the conference takes place.
It is not my fault that the Deputy was not here when I gave a clear indication to the House that that would happen.
That is fine.
Deputy Richard Bruton has been offering.
Will this debate take place before the conference? This is evasion again by the Taoiseach. Will we have an opportunity to debate the Government's submission before the conference——
Please, Deputy Barry, let us get on with other business. Deputy Richard Bruton has been called.
I am sorry, a Cheann Comhairle, but it appears——
Deputy Barry, the Chair must be obeyed also.
I understand that but it appears by his silence that the Taoiseach is indicating the submission will not be debated before the conference takes place.
I will not call Deputy Bruton a third time.
Deputy Barry should look up the record of the House.
The Taoiseach is very contrary.
May I ask the Taoiseach if the order under the gas Act which was recently circulated by the Minister for Energy, under which he has made provision for objections and comments on the proposal for a gas interconnector, will be taken in the House before the end of this session? Will such an order require to be debated in the House?
What will or will not be taken in this House before the end of the session depends on the level of cooperation we receive from the Opposition parties.
Is it the Government's intention to seek to provide time before the end of the session——
I do not mean to be discourteous to my constituency colleague but perhaps he would use some influence with his peers.
The Government are stuck with a ridiculous Bill and they cannot——
I am calling Deputy Boylan.
Am I not entitled to get an indication as to whether it is the Government's intention to take this order, which has been circulated, during this session? If the gas inter-connector is to go ahead this order must be taken——
Perhaps the Deputy will get his Whip to raise the matter with my Whip.
Perhaps the Taoiseach will say on the Order of Business whether it is the Government's intention——
We cannot debate the matter now. I am calling Deputy Boylan.
I seek your permission to raise on the Adjournment with the Minister for Energy the high-handed attitude of his Department in abolishing an 80 per cent EC grant aid scheme last Tuesday without giving any prior notice. This scheme was of immense benefit to rural Ireland.
I will communicate with the Deputy.
I appeal to the Taoiseach to intervene in the case of the in transit refugee who has been in jail in Limerick since 10 May. I ask him to prevail on the Minister for Justice, as a gesture——
Please, Deputy Carey, I facilitated you in raising this matter on the Adjournment recently and it is not in order to raise it now.
I thank you very much for allowing me to do that but if this case involved a person of any other nationality people would be screaming about it——
I am calling item No. 17.
I am asking the Taoiseach to make a humanitarian gesture in this matter before he goes to Rome.