It is proposed to take No. 16. It is also proposed that business shall be interrupted at 11 p.m. Private Members' Business shall be No. 30.
Order of Business.
Is the proposal for the late sitting agreed? Agreed.
Will the Taoiseach give an assurance that the proposed Government competition legislation will be introduced before the Christmas recess in view of the fact that it would be extremely dangerous for Irish industry and agriculture if the proposed Goodman rescue, which involves rescuing the banks who lend money to Goodman as well, goes ahead because it is based on the making of excessive profits because of lack of competition——
This matter is not relevant to the Order of Business.
It is strictly relevant.
The Chair decides these matters.
I am asking about promised legislation.
Is this promised legislation?
Will the Taoiseach give an assurance that the promised competition Bill which has——
On a point of order, the legislation is promised and I have already indicated when it will be dealt with.
In view of the fact that this legislation is now extremely urgent, in view of the proposal to make excessive profits to repay the banks who unwisely lent money to the Goodman Group, this legislation should be introduced not, as the Government have in mind, some time next year but immediately. Otherwise this will be a seven year rip-off of Irish agriculture.
Deputies
Hear, hear.
There is a tendency to debate this matter, which is not in order.
I have already indicated that the Government regard this as very important legislation in its own right, apart from its application to any particular situation. It is major legislation, complex in its substance, and every effort is being made to bring it forward as rapidly as possible, particularly having regard to the drafting difficulties involved. It will be brought forward as quickly as possible in the next session.
Not quickly enough in the circumstances.
Has the Taoiseach had an opportunity to consider the matter raised on Friday morning last, the appointment of a Minister for Defence? Can he indicate when he intends to do so?
I have nothing further to add.
Will the Minister for the Environment confirm newspaper reports this morning that an Environment Protection Agency Bill is to be published today? Secondly, can I have an assurance that the Bill will be circulated to Members before it is released to the public press?
Of course.
Can the Taoiseach say when the Minister for Labour intends to bring in the part-time workers Bill which we have heard about week after week?
It is hoped to circulate it before Christmas.
And take it next session?
In view of the statement in The Cork Examiner this morning by a spokesperson for the Department of the Marine that the Fisheries (Amendment) Bill could be withdrawn, if necessary, for further consultation, can the Minister indicate whether or not he wishes to withdraw the Bill at this stage?
Doubtless we will have an opportunity to discuss that when the Bill comes before us again.
Have the Government any intention of presenting their own paper with regard to economic and monetary union, or political union, and, if so, will they allow a discussion on the Government's position on that matter in the House before the paper is presented?
The Deputy should raise that in a more appropriate manner.
Do the Government have any view of their own about economic and monetary union or do they have any view about political union? Are they simply waiting for others to determine the agenda, without shaping the agenda themselves? Have we a Government in so far as Europe is concerned at all?
Deputy Bruton, please.
I am in a difficulty. Deputy Bruton is completely out of order, he is talking rubbish——
(Interruptions.)
In order to comply with the rules of order I cannot deal with the particular species of ridiculous argument Deputy Bruton has put forward.
The Taoiseach cannot deal with it, period.
If the Deputy knew anything about it and was in any way in touch with reality, he would know that we have a very definite position, fully articulated and——
Will the Taoiseach let the rest of us know.
—continually advocated in the Council of Europe.
(Interruptions.)
There is no one else in Ireland who believes that.
Please, Deputies.
Will the Taoiseach tell us when he intends to bring forward the Bill that was promised to update the 1932 Transport Act?
I am not sure what the Deputy is talking about, but if he is talking about transport legislation I will let him know the exact position about it.
In relation to promised legislation, in view of the continued breach of EC rules by the operations of the district milk boards, when is it intended to publish the text of a national milk agency Bill?
I will communicate with the Deputy.
I would like to try to decipher the Taoiseach's reply to my earlier question. I take from it that the Environment Protection Agency Bill is to be circulated today. I understand that there is to be a press conference held by the Minister for the Environment early this afternoon. Can we know at what hour between now and this afternoon the Bill will be made available to the Members of the House?
The Bill will be circulated as soon as possible to Members.
(Interruptions.)
I have allowed the Deputy pursue this matter. He has repeated himself on this subject twice this morning. I am calling Deputy Madeleine Taylor-Quinn.
I am trying to get an answer. Will we have the Bill before the press conference?
Yes.
Deputy Madeleline Taylor-Quinn has been called.
Will the Taoiseach say what is the significance of the Government yesterday withdrawing the Fisheries (Amendment) Bill, 1990, from the Order of Business for next Friday, after pursuing it vehemently last Friday to at least commence Committee Stage next Friday?
A Deputy
Are we trying to get off the hook?
I am sorry to have to tell the Deputy that she is misrepresenting the position to the House. Difficulties have arisen because arrangements made and agreed to by the Fine Gael Party for dealing with this legislation were subsequently reneged upon.
That is not correct.
(Interruptions.)
Absolute lies, that is a lie.
On a point of order, there was a suggestion from the Government Whip that it would be guillotined through and I refused to accede to that request.
This is a matter that might be discussed and clarified by the Whips. It is not in order now.
It is a lie.
It is not in order now.
On a point of order——
(Interruptions.)
On a point of order, the Taoiseach has deliberately misled the House. He has lied to the House and I am asking him now to withdraw it. The Taoiseach has lied to the House, a Cheann Comhairle.
(Interruptions.)
Deputy Taylor-Quinn, please restrain yourself.
I am telling the truth.
Do not make accusations of that kind against any Member of this House.
(Interruptions.)
I have stated the truth. I am asking the Taoiseach to withdraw what he said.
I must insist that the Deputy withdraw the accusation made against me, which is totally unfounded.
The Deputy will be good enough to withdraw the allegation.
The Taoiseach has deliberately misled the House.
Deputy Taylor-Quinn, I am sorry, that is an accusation that you may not make against——
It is true.
If the Deputy persists I shall have to ask her to leave the House.
A Cheann Comhairle, are you insisting that I leave the House for telling the truth? I am stating the truth. I am asking the Taoiseach to withdraw the false allegation he made in the Chamber.
I must ask the Deputy again to withdraw the accusation. If you are accusing any Member of this House of being a liar per se, you can only do so by way of positive substantive motion. You must withdraw the accusation or withdraw from the House.
The Taoiseach has——
Deputy Taylor-Quinn, withdraw the accusation or withdraw from the House.
I will not withdraw it, a Cheann Comhairle. I will withdraw from the House in protest, because I am speaking the truth and the Taoiseach has spoken an untruth.
Deputy Taylor-Quinn, I will hear no more of this. I ask the Deputy to leave the House.
Deputy Taylor-Quinn withdrew from the Chamber.
May I ask the Chief Whip to explain the position?
May I point out that agreement was reached at the Whips' meeting on Thursday morning to take all Stages of the Fisheries (Amendment) Bill on Friday next. On Thursday evening, I was advised by the Fine Gael Chief Whip that Deputy Taylor-Quinn would not agree to that, but agreement had been reached on Thursday morning.
By way of clarification, and I am entitled to clarify the position a Cheann Comhairle——
You are not entitled to; it is up to the Chair.
(Interruptions.)
A Deputy
Fair play on both sides.
The Government Chief Whip and the other Whips meet every week to decide on the Order of Business. Everything suggested for business for the following week is subject to approval and verification subsequently. The Government Chief Whip was told in no uncertain terms that there was no question of Fine Gael agreeing to all Stages of this very sensitive Bill being taken next week.
That is not true.
I will not allow a debate on it now.
(Interruptions.)
Please, Deputies. Is Deputy McCormack on the same subject Deputy?
Yes. The Minister for the Marine assured me in the House during the Second Stage debate that Committee Stage would not be rushed before Christmas. The Minister assured me of that on Thursday evening.
The Minister for the Marine said he was not in any rush.
(Interruptions.)
I am calling the next business.
(Interruptions.)
In relation to amendments which I understand are being considered with regard to the Housing Act, will the Minister for the Environment immediately do something about the dreadful problems surrounding the travellers? Something should be done immediately to deal with this issue. If it cannot be dealt with by a local authority on local authority basis, it should be dealt with on a regional basis.
It does not arise now.
It is a very serious problem.
I am calling the Child Care Bill, 1988, Report Stage.