It is proposed to take Nos. 15, 16, 17 and 18. It is also proposed, subject to the agreement of the House, that: (1) business shall be interrupted at 10.30 p.m.; (2) the proceedings on Report and Final Stages of No. 15, if not previously concluded, shall be brought to a conclusion at 1.30 p.m. by one question which shall be put from the Chair, and which shall in relation to amendments include only amendments set down by the Minister for the Marine; and (3) No. 18 shall be taken at 8.30 p.m. and notwithstanding the order of the House on 31 January 1991 the speech of each Member called on shall not exceed 15 minutes and the order shall not resume. Private Members' Business shall be No. 26.
Order of Business.
Is the proposal that business be interrupted at 10.30 p.m. agreed? Agreed. Are the proposals for dealing with No. 15 agreed? Agreed. Are the arrangements for dealing with No. 18 agreed? Agreed.
Deputies J. Bruton and Spring rose.
Deputy Dick Spring. Sorry, Deputy John Bruton.
(Interruptions.)
The important thing, a Cheann Comhairle, is to get to the first bend first rather than come out of the trap.
One should endeavour to catch the Speaker's eye.
The important thing is to get over the line first.
The line is some distance away yet.
Agreed.
But we will get there first on the appropriate occasion without the aid of any substances.
(Interruptions.)
May I ask the——
——the Taoíseach——
Thank you. The Deputy is trying to knock me off my game. May I ask the Taoiseach in respect of prospective delegated legislation if the Minister for Tourism, Transport and Communications proposes to issue a directive under section 110 of the Postal and Telecommunications Acts to An Post in respect of their viability plan? In particular, does he propose to make any provision for Exchequer support for that body, as envisaged under section 110 of that Act, to enable them to meet the financial requirements of any Government directive not to do things which they would otherwise do on the basis of financial considerations?
It seems to me that the matter referred to by the Deputy is not in order now; it is not related to the Order of Business. Of course, it can be raised in another way.
Contrary to your view, a Cheann Comhairle, I regard the matter raised by the Leader of the Fine Gael Party as extremely important——
I am sorry, Deputy Spring, I have ruled the matter out of order.
In view of the fact that the Minister for Tourism, Transport and Communications made a statement in this House last Thursday that he would not intervene in this matter and it is widely reported today that he is about to intervene, surely we deserve the courtesy of a statement——
The Chair is only concerned about the submission of legislation emanating from this House.
Surely we deserve the courtesy of a statement being made in this House in view of the fact that the matter was raised here last Thursday.
The Deputy may not circumvent the ruling of the Chair in this matter.
The threatened closure of 500 post offices is a matter of serious and grave importance and should be discussed in this House.
There are other ways and means open to Members of this House to raise that matter. My office will be glad to advise them in that regard if they so desire.
With respect, a Cheann Comhairle, we were informed last Thursday that the Minister would not intervene in this matter. It is widely reported today that the Minister is about to intervene——
Deputy Spring may not continue along those lines. I have ruled the matter out of order.
I respect your decision, but I am merely seeking some courtesy for the Members of this House.
There are other ways of doing so, Deputy Spring.
On a point of order, may I submit to you, Sir, that the exercise of the powers under section 110 of the Postal and Telecommunications Act to give a directive to An Post is delegated legislation and has apparently been promised by the Minister in some other assembly in this building, but not in this House? Therefore, I respectfully submit to you, that it is promised legislation.
May I ask if legislation along the lines indicated by the Deputy has been proposed in this House?
No, Sir. The Deputy is not even talking about legislation.
It is delegated legislation.
Yesterday on the Order of Business I raised with the Taoiseach the position in regard to two pieces of legislation. I want to thank his office for communicating with me, as he promised, in respect of a criminal evidence Bill and a Bill to deal with verdicts of guilty but insane. I wish to ask the Taoiseach if it is anticipated that both or either of those measures will be circulated in this session.
I doubt if either of them will be circulated in this session, but both will be proceeded with as rapidly as possible.
May I ask the Taoiseach if, in view of the decision of the Chief Justice yesterday to free a 15 year old because there was no room for him in jail, the promised legislation will be introduced by the Minister for Justice to cover this situation?
Has legislation been promised in respect of the matter raised by Deputy Bell?
Not exactly, but the legislation the Deputy has in mind is proceeding.
(Limerick East): May I ask the Taoiseach when the Finance Bill will be published and if he can give a commitment that it will be published at least before the end of this tax year?
I cannot give the Deputy a precise date for publication at the moment, but I will communicate with him as soon as possible.
Would the Taoiseach be disposed at any stage to provide time for a debate on Dáil reform? There has been a number of developments in this regard, in particular a report was circulated in the House on the last day of the last session, without debate. The Taoiseach had previously indicated that at some stage we would debate these matters.
The Deputy should put down a question in respect of that matter.
I would respectfully ask the Taoiseach if he would consider providing Government time for a debate on this matter.
In the light of the decision by the National University of Ireland to recommend university status to its constituent colleges, may I ask the Taoiseach if it is proposed to introduce legislation to give effect to this decision?
Nothing has been promised.