It is proposed to take Nos. 3, 6, 16, 17 and 18. It is also proposed, subject to the agreement of the House, that: (1) business shall be interrupted at 6 p.m. today, (2) No. 6 shall be decided without debate, (3) the Supplementary Estimate, Vote 29, shall be taken immediately after No. 6; speakers shall be confined to a spokesperson nominated by each of the groups as defined in Standing Order 89; speeches shall not exceed ten minutes in each case and if a division is challenged, it shall be taken forthwith, (4) the Dáil shall meet tomorrow at 10.30 a.m. and shall adjourn not later than 4 p.m. and (5) any divisions demanded tomorrow shall be postponed until 8.30 p.m. on Tuesday, 11 December 1990.
Order of Business.
Is the proposal that business be interrupted at 6 p.m. today?
My party have agreed to this due to the necessities of maintaining a flow of funds for Government business and for no other reason. We believe it was possible for the Government to present these Estimates earlier, thereby allowing a proper opportunity for the Dáil to discuss them rather than under the very restrained time limits that now apply. Given that the Government have not presented the Estimates for debate until now we are faced with no option other than to agree to this procedure reluctantly.
The Deputy never ceases to amaze me. We hear this from Deputy Bruton who was a member of a Government who could never bring in the Book of Estimates before December.
They were promised before October.
(Interruptions.)
Deputy Bruton is, as we say in the vernacular, a great man for Dáil reform. We have reformed this particular process and now have the Book of Estimates in time to be debated in this House before the Christmas recess.
We never had a problem appointing Ministers.
This should not give rise to disorder.
They are giving a clear example of the chattering classes.
They are all behind the Taoiseach.
There is more chattering going on behind the Taoiseach than there is here.
(Interruptions.)
The Book of Estimates will be published tomorrow and there will be two full days to debate it, which is in startling and dramatic contrast to anything that bunch were able to achieve.
A Cheann Comhairle——
This should not give rise to debate and, certainly, should not give rise to disorder.
The Taoiseach is the last man who should be giving the House a lecture on history, particularly given that he will soon be entering the pages of history himself.
Wait and see.
I must go to the Order of Business.
(Interruptions.)
Please, let us deal with the Order of Business.
Wishful thinking.
It does not make a great deal of difference what the Government do.
There is an ominous silence on the benches behind the Taoiseach.
Here we go again.
If the Taoiseach said things like that three years ago it would have produced a howl of support. Where has it gone?
I would prefer silence from my benches to the Deputy's constant and bitter interruptions.
That business be interrupted at 6 p.m. today, I take it is agreed? Agreed. Is it agreed that No. 6, that is in respect to the Supplementary Estimate, be taken without debate? Agreed. Are the proposals for dealing with the Supplementary Estimate, Vote 29, agreed? Agreed. Is the proposal for tomorrow's sitting agreed? Agreed. Is the proposal for dealing with any divisions that may arise tomorrow agreed? Agreed.
On the Order of Business I would like some clarification from the Taoiseach. On 31 October the Taoiseach informed this House that he was dismissing the Minister for Defence. Could the Taoiseach give the House one simple reason why he has failed to appoint a Minister for Defence since then? It is unprecedented that the Office of the Minister for Defence should not be filled.
That is a matter that has been raised virtually every day on the Order of Business.
In fairness to the House it should be raised because the Office of the Minister for Defence should be filled at the earliest opportunity.
It will be.
One month later?
There are 50 people over there hoping to get it.
What is the problem, Taoiseach?
A Deputy
Deputy Shatter will not have to worry about it.
Could I ask the Taoiseach a very precise question on this matter? Who will act as Minister for Defence here while the Taoiseach is absent at the Summit?
The answer is very simple, I will.
Is it not well established practice that security Ministers, of which the Minister for Defence is one, when absent from the country always request another Minister to exercise their functions within the country? Does the Taoiseach believe it is feasible for him to exercise his responsibilities as Minister for Defence of this country when he is absent and so far away from it?
In two places at the one time.
Deputy Bruton may not be aware but these days there is fairly sophisticated communication technology. I want to assure the Deputy that there are absolutely no problems whatsoever arising.
(Interruptions.)
For the Deputy's information, I held this portfolio before for a considerable length of time and nobody on the Opposition benches seemed to have noticed.
A Deputy
The Taoiseach held every single one of them.
We can take it from the Taoiseach's reply that a Minister for Defence will not be apopointed before the Summit?
There is a Minister for Defence.
It is further procrastination.
He should dispense with them all and have a one man Government.
Did the Taoiseach have an opportunity this morning to listen to the interview with Dr. Chris McGimpsey on RTE Radio? It is clear that the Taoiseach grossly misrepresented Dr. McGimpsey in his contribution to the debate last night. Will he take this opportunity to set the record straight?
I call Deputy Shatter——
Why will the Taoiseach not answer?
Ten days ago we were promised that we would definitely have the Environment Protection Agency Bill this week. I understand it is to be circulated in the Seanad but will we get it?
Unfortunately — and regrettably — the Deputy was not in the House in the last few days when I dealt with this matter.
The Bill has not been circulated.
What has happened to the Bill dealing with part-time workers? When will it be taken in the House?
It will be published very shortly.
We were promised that it would be taken in this session. While we are on this question, will it include part-time Ministers and Ministers of State who are also county councillors?
Deputy Sherlock has been offering.
I am advised that it is intended to take Report Stage of the Child Care Bill next week. Two questions arise in relation to it. When is it intended to circulate the Report Stage amendments? If a ministerial amendment includes a matter which does not come from Committee Stage what procedure is there for introducing such amendments? I understand that the number of such amendments is very substantial.
The amendments will be circulated today.
If the amendments include a matter which does not come from Committee Stage what is the prodedure?
That is a matter that the Whips might look into and if my office can be of assistance they will be glad to help.
In respect of legislation promised in the list circulated to us, will the Taoiseach indicate the position in regard to the Patents Bill, which is long overdue?
As the Deputy knows, this Bill requires very complicated drafting but it is at the drafting stage. However, it will not be introduced this session.
Why has there been such a delay in the inquiry in relation to the Ballycotton tragedy? Is the Taoiseach aware——
The Deputy is raising an irrelevant matter, she must raise it at another time.
It is a relevant matter.
I am sorry, Deputy, I cannot facilitate you now.