It is proposed to take No. 12. It is also proposed that, at the conclusion of business today, the Dáil shall meet at 10.30 a.m. on Tuesday, 10 July 1990.
Private Business. - Order of Business.
Is that agreed? Agreed.
Having regard to the grave concern expressed by the Irish Congress of Trade Unions about the prospects of an agreement on the Programme for National Recovery in the context of the Government's Broadcasting Bill, would the Government agree with the suggestion not to take the Bill in the Seanad until such time as they have had an opportunity to discuss with the Irish Congress of Trade Unions the concerns expressed by that body with regard to that Bill?
Deputy Bruton must know that the matter to which the refers is not in order now. The Broadcasting Bill will be debated in the House quite shortly.
I submit that it is my intention to be helpful. We all wish that the Programme for National Recovery can be negotiated——
That may be so, Deputy.
I hope the Taoiseach will take the suggestion I have made seriously into account.
Is the Minister for Industry and Commerce in a position to inform the House when he proposes to give an official response, by way of legislation, on the report on legal practices officially published yesterday by the Fair Trade Commission.
Has legislation been moved in this House?
No.
Given the considerable interest in this matter and the fact that it is official documentation, can the Government indicate what their intentions are in this matter?
Not now, Deputy.
Legislation has been promised. The Solicitors' Bill, which could cover all the issues, is being long fingered again.
If the Taoiseach wishes to intervene——
First, it is a major document. The Minister for Industry and Commerce issued a statement in publishing it indicating that it is now before the public for discussion, debate, consideration and submissions. I have already explained to the House that it impinges on another piece of legislation, the Solicitors' legislation. Both have to be looked at and taken together. It is a major document and, in accordance with normal practice, we will now give the public and all the various professional bodies involved time to consider it and make submissions in regard to it.
Arising from the——
On the same subject, Deputy?
On the same subject.
Deputy Quinn appreciates that we cannot debate the matter now.
I want to get some clarification. May I take it from what the Taoiseach has said that when the Government have had time to consider the full implications of the report it will be the Minister for Justice who will bring forward any proposals in the context of a revised or amended Solicitors' Bill?
The Deputy can be assured that the necessary allocation of duties and responsibilities between the Ministers concerned will be appropriately dealt with.
Would the Taoiseach agree that there is a certain ambiguity?
On the same matter, I accept fully that the Minister for Justice will ultimately deal with the Solicitors' Bill. I welcome some if not all of the remarks made by the Minister for Industry and Commerce in introducing the report, but it would be helpful if the Taoiseach would indicate at this stage for those of us interested in making a submission on the report which of the Departments will have the primary responsibility for promoting the proposals contained in the report. Will it be the Department of Justice or the Department of Industry and Commerce?
I have dealt with that.
We are having repetition.
My question relates to further consideration of and submissions in regard to the report itself. I know we have dealt with it and I understand the position with regard to the Solicitors' (Amendment) Bill which is a separate matter——
If the Members wish further elucidation they should do so in the normal way by way of positive question. Deputy Barry.
In relation to the future work on the report, I merely wish to know which Department will have the primary responsibility for——
The Deputy has already put that question. This is leading to argument.
In fact, either of them can act on it by way of legislation.
May I ask the Minister for Industry and Commerce if he will make a statement on Irish Steel as soon as possible because the rumours circulating about a possible reduction in the workforce in the future do not help the morale of the workers or the company?
That does not arise now. Can we proceed to the do our business?
I seek permission to raise on the Adjournment the failure of the Department of Education to provide replacement examination papers for students who missed papers in the leaving certificate due to illness or hospitalisation.
I have to tell the Deputy that there is no provision for Adjournment Debates today.
May I ask the Taoiseach if legislation to amend the 1976 Wildlife Act is in train and if it is proposed to introduce this legislation in the autumn and, if possible, have it completed?
That is in order.
That is the intention.
May I ask the Taoiseach the reason the roads authority legislation, which has been long promised and very important from the point of view of the expenditure of public funds——
While the Deputy was away — of course, engaged on important public business — we dealt with that matter twice in the House.
I hope that makes the Taoiseach feel good for the day. He deserves it. I have another question, but perhaps that, too, was dealt with while I was away. Perhaps the Taoiseach can make my day for me, as I think I have made his, by telling me that the Minister for Education has introduced the Colleges Bill and the Dublin Institute for Technology Bill?
You have made my day.
That was also dealt with. Deputy Bruton is now back in harness.
I think you are slightly blinkered from that side of the House.
Questions on the Order of Business usually come from that side of the House.
Will the Minister for the Marine make a statement on the two boats of the Southern Fisheries Board which were recently destroyed, causing £80,000 worth of damage by poachers in that area? In view of the continuous attacks on fisheries officers will he make a statement on the matter?
I suggest that Deputy Davern will have to put down a question in respect of that matter.
That was an act of thuggery.
May I ask the Taoiseach if overnight he has given any consideration to the proposal from Deputy Connaughton here yesterday morning for a full day's debate before we go into recess——
We cannot have a rehash of yesterday's business and the matter is not in order now.
He could not care less about the farmers of this county.
Please, Deputy Boylan. I am calling Deputy Harte.
May I ask the Taoiseach if it is his intention or the intention of the Government to make their views felt on the conduct of the referee in the match between Italy and Ireland last Saturday night? The Taoiseach may laugh but it is a very serious situation. The Taoiseach did take a lap of honour.
We will deal with that at another and more appropriate time.
Surely the Taoiseach should tell the House——
I am proceeding to deal with item No. 12.
Does the Taoiseach not want to level the pitch?
(Interruptions.)
I suggest that the Deputy give good example to the world by abiding by the decisions of our referee.
If he does not he shall receive the red card.
It would not be the first time he succeeded in coming back onto the field just the same.
Item No. 12, please.