Dáil Éireann debate -
Wednesday, 27 Feb 1991

Vol. 405 No. 7

Order of Business.

The Taoiseach

It is proposed to take Nos. 13, 14 and 15.

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 Committee Stage of No. 13 and No. 14 and Committee and remaining Stages of No. 15, if not previously concluded, shall be brought to a conclusion at 1.30 p.m., 7 p.m. and 10.30 p.m. respectively, by one question in each case which shall be put from the Chair, and which shall in relation to amendments, include only amendments set down by the member of the Government in charge of the Bill.

Private Members' Business which shall be No. 22 shall be brought to a conclusion at 8.30 p.m.

An Ceann Comhairle

Is the interruption of business at 10.30 this evening agreed? Agreed. Are the proposals for dealing with Nos. 13, 14 and 15 agreed?

Proinsias De Rossa

In relation to this item, The Workers' Party Whip has indicated to all the other parties in the House that we are not satisfied to have a guillotine particularly having regard to such a short period of time given to item No. 13, the Radiological Protection Bill. There have been 68 amendments in all to this Bill and only about 14 have been dealt with. We believe it is important that more time be given to deal with the remaining amendments. We are, therefore, proposing an amendment to the Order of Business to allow the debate on Committee Stage to continue to 7 p.m. tonight. I, therefore, propose that items Nos. 14 and 15 be deleted from paragraph (2) of the Order of Business and that the guillotine on No. 13 be extended to 7 p.m. tonight.

An Ceann Comhairle

I am putting the question "That the proposals for dealing with Nos. 13, 14 and 15 be agreed to."

Proinsias De Rossa

Vótáil.

An Ceann Comhairle

Will the Deputies who are claiming a division please rise in their places?

Deputies Byrne, De Rossa, Gilmore, McCartan, Mac Giolla, Rabbitte and Sherlock rose.

An Ceann Comhairle

As fewer than ten Deputies have risen, I declare the question carried. The names of the Deputies who claimed a division will be recorded in the Journal of the Proceedings of the Dáil.

Mr. J. Bruton

Would the Taoiseach be agreeable to provide time for a debate in the House on the progress of the Brooke talks in view of the fact that the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland has stated that one of the complications right through this process has been that the Irish Minister for Foreign Affairs has been going around the world and it is rather difficult, obviously, to make contact for consequential discussions? Would the Taoiseach agree that, in that context, it might be worthwhile asking another Minister to take full-time responsibility to ensure success in these talks?

An Ceann Comhairle

The matter referred to by the Deputy is not one for the Order of Business and he knows that.

Mr. J. Bruton

I did ask, Sir——

The Taoiseach

I wish to completely reject that totally unworthy suggestion by Deputy Bruton. The Minister for Foreign Affairs has given assiduous, diligent attention to this matter at all times.

Mr. J. Bruton

Sir, I was quoting directly from the words of the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland——

An Ceann Comhairle

This should not lead to argument.

Mr. J. Bruton

——who has stated that one of the complications right through this process has been that Deputy Collins has been going around the world.

An Ceann Comhairle

Please, Deputy Bruton, this should not lead to disorder or argument at this stage.

Mr. J. Bruton

This issue is important.

Mr. J. O'Keeffe

It is serious.

Mr. J. Bruton

It should not be complicated by the absence of the Minister responsible.

An Ceann Comhairle

Deputy Bruton must restrain himself.

Mr. Spring

May I inquire from the Taoiseach if the Government are bringing in reforming legislation in relation to defamation and libel as promised in the Programme for Government?

The Taoiseach

I will look into the latest position and inform the Deputy.

Proinsias De Rossa

May I ask the Taoiseach, yet again, if he will indicate whether he is prepared to have a debate in this House on the situation in the Gulf, particularly in light of recent developments? The Whips will be meeting this morning to discuss the business for next week and it would be appropriate if the Taoiseach would indicate——

An Ceann Comhairle

The Whips may discuss the matter but it is not in order now and the Deputy knows that full well.

Proinsias De Rossa

——if he is prepared to allow Government time for this debate.

An Ceann Comhairle

The Deputy ought not to persist in raising this matter which I have declared out of order so often.

Proinsias De Rossa

I must persist in raising it because it is a matter which the Dáil should discuss.

A Deputy

Air time.

Mr. McCartan

I want to thank the Taoiseach, and his office, for conveying to me information in regard to the proposed amendments to the Road Traffic Acts arising out of the recent court decision to which I referred yesterday and the promise made by the Minister for the Environment. However, in view of the uncertainty and unsatisfactory basis upon which the Order of Business is being conducted in regard to promised legislation, I invite the Taoiseach to put on the record of the House the information which has been conveyed to me so that——

An Ceann Comhairle

Deputy McCartan, if you feel there is something fundamentally wrong with the manner in which the Order of Business is dealt with in this House you have a remedy.

(Interruptions.)

An Ceann Comhairle

This is a reflection upon the Chair which I cannot accept.

Mr. McCartan

It is a matter which will be raised and dealt with by the Committee on Procedure and Privileges.

An Ceann Comhairle

That is the proper place for it, Deputy.

Mr. McCartan

I have no doubt you are aware of what happened yesterday in your absence on the Order of Business.

An Ceann Comhairle

I am very well aware of it; I listened to it.

Mr. McCartan

I am merely asking the Taoiseach if he will put on the record of the House the position in regard to the proposed legislation to amend the Road Traffic Acts in light of the recent decision.

The Taoiseach

I have no intention whatever of departing from the time honcured procedures in regard to this matter whereby when Deputies raise questions here seeking information that information is conveyed to them by my office courteously and expeditiously. That is what happened in this case. It is completely unworthy of Deputy McCartan to suggest that that process should in any way be changed. It is a reflection on the House.

An Ceann Comhairle

Deputy Richard Bruton has been offering.

Mr. R. Bruton

May I ask the Taoiseach if, on grounds of public health and bearing in mind the increase in sexually transmitted diseases he would consider making time available in the House for a debate on amendments to the Family Planning Act which are long overdue?

An Ceann Comhairle

The Deputy must pursue that matter in another way. Deputy John Bruton has been offering.

Mr. J. Bruton

I am heartened by the Taoiseach's reference to the expedition of replies from his office. I am interested to know if he is yet in a position to reply to the letter I wrote to him about the establishment of a foreign affairs committee and a crime committee.

The Taoiseach

Not quite.

Mr. J. Bruton

Perhaps the Taoiseach will bring all his resources of courtesy and expedition to bear on this matter.

Mr. Harte

Deputy Bruton asked the Taoiseach if he would allow time for a debate in this House on the progress of the Brooke talks in view of the difficulties involved. The Taoiseach said that the Minister for Foreign Affairs was dealing adequately with this issue. Does the Taoiseach consider — I have difficulty with this — that the portfolio in relation to Northern Ireland affairs should appropriately rest with the Minister for Foreign Affairs?

An Ceann Comhairle

I have already ruled on that matter, Deputy Harte. It cannot be raised now.

The Taoiseach

When Deputy Barry was Foreign Minister in the Government which Deputy Harte loyally supported that position obtained.

(Interruptions.)

Mr. S. Barrett

One would not compare Deputy Barry with Deputy Collins.

Mr. J. Bruton

Deputy Barry had——

Mr. J. O'Keeffe

Deputy Barry was not a globe trotter.

Mr. Barry

That was no fault of mine.

(Interruptions.)

An Ceann Comhairle

This matter cannot be pursued now. I am sure Deputy Harte will find another way of raising the matter.

Proinsias De Rossa

I rise simply to point out to the Taoiseach and you that the reason Deputy McCartan raised the issue of promised legislation was to establish the rights of Deputies to ask these questions on the Order of Business and get replies on the Order of Business.

An Ceann Comhairle

Please, Deputy, let us not pursue that matter now.

Mr. Sheehan

In view of the steps which will shortly be taken in Brussels in regard to agricultural policy, may I ask the Taoiseach if he will now follow in the footsteps of his predecessor, Deputy Garret FitzGerald, who in 1983 toured European capital cities to get support for the Irish agricultural industry?

An Ceann Comhairle

Deputy Sheehan may raise that in another way.

(Interruptions.)

An Ceann Comhairle

There are many ways open to Members to raise matters in this House.

Mr. J. O'Keeffe

The Taoiseach is anxious to reply.

An Ceann Comhairle

There are now 13 opportunities for Members to raise specific matters on the Adjournment each appropriate sitting day or by way of questions or motions, as the case may be and Deputies should avail of these.

Mr. Sheehan

This appertains to the Taoiseach.

An Ceann Comhairle

Deputy Sheehan, you will now resume your seat.

Mr. Sheehan

This question appertains to the Taoiseach.

An Ceann Comhairle

Deputy Sheehan, I ask you a second time to resume your seat.

(Interruptions.)

An Ceann Comhairle

There is a final proposal on the Order of Business which I did not put to the House by reason of the question being put, that Private Members' Business be brought to a conclusion at 8.30 p.m. this evening. Is that satisfactory? Agreed.