Dick Spring
Question:16 Mr. Spring asked the Taoiseach if the Government intend to propose the establishment of any new committees of the Houses of the Oireachtas.
Ceisteanna — Questions. Oral Answers. - Establishment of New Committees.
The appointment of committees is of course a matter for the House. Government proposals in this regard will be brought forward in the normal way.
I have to express some dismay and disappointment at the Taoiseach's response, given that Item No. 9 on the Order Paper today has been on the Order Paper for at least 12 months. That item refers to the establishment of a committee on crime. It is a matter for the House and the Taoiseach is the Leader of the House. Can he not bring forward proposals to have that committee set up without further delay?
The Deputy knows exactly the position in regard to the committee on crime. All the arrangements had been made to establish it but at the last minute the Opposition rejected the Government's proposals, which had been agreed, as to the chairmanship. Until that matter has been resolved we cannot go ahead with the committee. I will be very anxious to go ahead if the matter can be resolved.
Do I take it that unless the Fine Gael Party can agree with the rest of the House there will not be a committee on crime?
I am afraid so, yes.
Has the Taoiseach made any final decisions in relation to a committee on foreign affairs? Will that committee be set up in this session?
The only outstanding matter in that regard is a conversation between the Deputy and myself.
Do not let us interrupt.
I shall place myself at the Deputy's disposal.
The Taoiseach will not be so preoccupied by his backbenchers this week.
No. Do not draw me out.
In view of the fact that the Taoiseach has gratuitously made an inaccurate reference to the Fine Gael Party in regard to its position on this committee — if needs be I can demonstrate that the Taoiseach was inaccurate in what he said — will the Taoiseach acknowledge that he has received a letter from me indicating a Fine Gael viewpoint in regard to all these suggested new committees and that I have invited him to commence discussions with my party and with any other parties who wish to participate, through the Whips, on this matter? I have done this in the past week.
Yes, I have received that letter from the Deputy which I am considering and to which I hope to reply. It is, as one would expect, a long letter which deals with a number of matters.
Long but concise.
We may disagree about the conciseness of it but I certainly will consider what the Deputy has put forward in that letter. It does not change the basic position in regard to the committee on crime.
The Taoiseach is not correct.
The Taoiseach has stated that the terms of the committee on crime were agreed with the Opposition. That is not so. It is quite improper for the Taoiseach to repeat that in this House. Those terms which were tabled by the Government Chief Whip were not agreed with the Opposition, who at all times insisted on having an Opposition chairman, in accordance with precedent. The Taoiseach knows that full well.
I do not wish to dabble or meddle in the internal affairs of the Fine Gael Party, but we all know what happened. In this particular regard fortunately there is a new leader of Fine Gael and we may be able to make progress.
That is utter rubbish. He made an incorrect statement. It is incorrect to my positive knowledge.
Recognising that it is the business of the House to set up committees, would the Taoiseach give serious consideration to recommending the establishment of a committee to deal explicitly with Border areas, which are among the most deprived areas in the country?
The Deputy is introducing new matter. Question No. 17.
I am sure the Ceann Comhairle will allow the Taoiseach to say yes or no.
The Deputy should put down a question. It is a very important matter.