It is proposed to take Items Nos. 3, 14 and 2.
Order of Business.
I wonder would the Taoiseach be prepared to provide time next week for a short discussion on the remarks of the EC Trade Commissioner, Mr. Andriessen, suggesting that the Commission may be prepared, in negotiations in the GATT round of talks, to concede much larger reductions in farm support than had been envisaged.
I would be happy if that matter were raised in another way at another time.
I appreciate that, Sir, but the matter is of great importance to a large section of our population.
Given that we are now in unprecedented circumstances in that the Taoiseach is responsible for three portfolios, as Taoiseach, Minister for Defence and Minister for the Gaeltacht, could he inform the House if he has anybody in his back benches in whom he has the confidence to appoint as Minister for Defence? Will an announcement be made?
Whatever about these benches, I certainly would not look over there for anybody.
(Interruptions.)
The Taoiseach knows the answer.
The Taoiseach has to do better than that.
That disappoints us greatly, a Cheann Comhairle. Would the Taoiseach take time today to make a statement to the House with regard to the position in the Gulf, the likely event of the United Nations Security Council adopting a resolution permitting the use of force against Iraq and the implications that would have for Ireland arising from our membership of the United Nations? I think the Taoiseach will accept that it is a serious matter, one which warrants the opinion of this House to be expressed.
It may well be a serious matter, Deputy, but it is not relevant to the Order of Business.
A Cheann Comhairle, it is in order to ask if the Taoiseach is prepared to make a statement to the House——
I have ruled on the matter, Deputy De Rossa.
A Cheann Comhairle, it is common practice for party leaders in this House to request the Taoiseach to make statements. Traditionally, they have been allowed as being in order and the Taoiseach has responded to them. I am simply following the precedent that is there.
No, primarily we deal with matters appertaining to legislation. I have consistently dissuaded Members, or sought to dissuade Members, from raising extraneous matters.
On a point of order, a Cheann Comhairle, I have no wish to get into a dispute with you on the matter but it is common practice in this House, on the Order of Business, for party leaders to ask for statements in the House by the Taoiseach. As a matter of precedent they have been allowed as being in order. I am simply pursuing that precedent. I am simply asking the Taoiseach if he would indicate whether he is prepared to make such a statement.
Deputy De Rossa, I accept that certain questions on the lines you have indicated have been allowed by the Chair from time to time; that is true.
I am simply asking that that be allowed today on this very serious matter of national importance.
That does not render them in order.
Would the Taoiseach give us an indication of when we can expect to see the legislation before this House following the Fair Trade Commission report on the legal profession?
Certainly not this session.
Can the Taoiseach confirm that we might see it next session?
No.
Is he putting it back further?
It is too difficult for him.
Is the Minister for Justice aware of threats to the Garda Síochána and the Defence Forces along the Border in relation to the purchase of goods in Border areas?
I have to inform the Deputy that this is an ideal matter for a formal question.
Under the heading of promised legislation, would the Taoiseach say when it is intended to bring forward legislation to put in place the recommendation of the Committee on Public Safety and Crowd Control?
I am not sure that legislation has been promised.
It has been promised, according to the papers anyway.
Certainly it could not be in this session. Here we deal only with legislation promised in this House.
Under the heading of promised legislation, I asked the Taoiseach on Tuesday when legislation will be introduced to deregulate public transport in urban areas. The Taoiseach told me he would be in communication with me. I have heard nothing from him. Does he know now when such legislation will be introduced?
It is at a very preliminary stage.
Can the Taoiseach inform the House when the National Roads Authority Bill will be circulated, whether it is intended to take it in this session and whether it has passed Cabinet at this stage?
It will be impossible to take it this session.
Nothing is impossible for the Taoiseach if he is so minded.
I thank the Deputy.
Would he say whether it has passed Cabinet yet, or when it will be circulated?
I could not say.
In the light of the commitment given in this House by the Minister, Deputy Woods, that it was intended to introduce the necessary legislation to implement the EC Directive on consumer credit which would encompass money lending and that the directive was to be implemented by January 1990, will the Taoiseach now commit himself to a date for the implementation of this legislation? When does he intend to bring this legislation into the House as promised?
I am not in a position to say at the moment.
The legislation is being promised. Will the Taoiseach confirm that?
I am not sure that it was promised in this House.
If I might press the point, the Taoiseach gave me a commitment yesterday: "Let me assure the Deputy the matter is under consideration"— consideration to bring in legislation.
This should not lead to argument now, Deputy. It can be clarified in another way.
The Deputy asked me for a date. We are not in a position to give him a date.
In view of the fact that the Taoiseach gave an indication on Tuesday that the Fisheries (Amendment) Bill would be available yesterday, have we any indication whether it happened?
I am glad to be able to tell the Deputy the fish is now on the hook.
(Interruptions.)
A Deputy
Deputy Lawlor has the rod.
Does the Taoiseach hope to get off the hook once again?
(Interruptions.)
I understand from my sources that the Estimates have gone to the printers. I ask the Taoiseach when they will be published and when it is intended to have them debated in this House.
I gave the House this information yesterday. I said in seven or eight days, and they will be debated before Christmas.
I thank the Taoiseach for responding to my request yesterday regarding the Fisheries (Amendment) Bill. It is welcome that it is now on the Order Paper. We will have more to say about it later.
Given that business collapsed in this House yesterday and there are no indications in regard to taking the Road Authority Bill, the Environment Protection Bill, the Fisheries (Amendment) Bill just mentioned, the Child Care Bill and much other important legislation, I ask the Taoiseach if he can take some opportunity to outline what the business of the House is going to be for the rest of this session. Are there difficulties in drafting legislation?
The Fisheries (Amendment) Bill is on the Order Paper this morning.
On my request yesterday.
As business collapsed last night I welcome any legislation to be introduced at this stage. The Seanad has no legislation at present apparently. Will the Taoiseach take an opportunity, perhaps on Tuesday, to outline to the House the business for the rest of this session?
Including the Minister for Defence.
I have no problem about that.