It is proposed to take No. 7. It is also proposed that statements on agriculture shall be made now.
Order of Business.
May I ask the Taoiseach if the Government propose to table a Supplementary Estimate for the Department of Social Welfare in view of the fact that the budgetary estimate for unemployment was 228,000 and there is now an unemployment level of approximately 253,000?
The matter to which the Deputy refers is not appropriate to the Order of Business.
The House is at present being asked to approve Estimates——
It is not in order now.
Is it in order to ask if the Government intend to introduce a Supplementary Estimate? Surely that is business of the House.
No, Sir. There are other ways of doing that.
What other way is there?
Why does the Deputy not join the debate on the Estimates?
In view of the fact that the unemployment figure is 30,000 above the figure provided for in the budget, will a Supplementary Estimate be introduced?
May I ask the Taoiseach if the Minister for Finance will make a statement today on the desirability of a reduction in interest rates?
Again, this is a matter that is not appropriate to the Order of Business.
Perhaps the Minister for Finance would make a statement during the course of the Estimates debate.
He may do so, but the matter is not in order now.
May I ask the Taoiseach if, during the recess, the longpromised legislation to amend the rules regarding ministerial pensions will be circulated?
Is legislation promised in this area?
It is not in an exact state of readiness but is nearly ready. I think we will be able to circulate it during the recess or early autumn.
I seek your guidance, a Cheann Comhairle, on one matter. Taking into account the question by the Leader of the Opposition about a Supplementary Estimate for social Welfare, could you clarify how we on this side of the House can elicit information from the Taoiseach as to when a Supplementary Estimate will be introduced?
I have ruled on that matter.
In respect of the promise made in the House on 20 June 1991 that comprehensive trademark legislation would be introduced in order that Ireland can complete its obligations under the internal market and in respect of a similar promise made on the same date in regard to granting copyright for software programmes by legislation and its considered importance to Ireland from the point of view of employment, as software is an area where employment can be created, can the Taoiseach tell the House when the trademark legislation and the copyright amendment legislation will be introduced, in view of the fact that it is part of the 1992 programme?
They are still at an early stage of preparation.
Will the Taoiseach give an assurance to the House that the legislation will be on the Statute Book before the end of 1992, in view of the fact that it is part of the 1992 programme?
We will make our best endeavours.
We know what they are worth.
In regard to the promise to establish the legal aid system on a statutory basis — the Minister for Justice promised that it would be dealt with this year — may I ask the Taoiseach if this legislation will be circulated during the holiday period?
The legislation is at a fairly advanced stage of preparation, but I cannot give a definite date for its circulation.
In the last few days it has been established that there will be a cutback in the recruitment of Garda personnel. In view of the sinister development in Border areas — I refer to the incident of Sunday night in my own area — I would like the Government to clarify the position. Incidents such as took place on Sunday night are now a major threat to every family living in Border regions.
That matter is not relevant to the Order of Business, but I will try to assist the Deputy in raising it at an appropriate time in the proper manner.
While I respect your view on this, as the Government have almost announced that there will be no further recruitment to the Garda and as that Garda personnel is needed in Border areas——
The Deputy may not proceed with that matter now.
——We should avail of the opportunity——
It is not in order now.
A Cheann Comhairle——
How often do I have to convey to the Deputy that the matter he is raising is inappropriate to the Order of Business? I have also indicated to him that I am anxious and willing to assist him in raising the matter properly in the House.
Perhaps the Ceann Comhairle would accept a Private Notice Question from me today.
I am promising the Deputy nothing in the matter.
This matter is so serious that I would expect some hearing from you, a Cheann Comhairle.
I will be in touch with the Deputy.
As this is the second last day before the summer recess may I ask the Taoiseach if it is his intention to navigate himself around the coast of Ireland, past Mizen Head to Inishvickillane this summer?
We will have the lifeboat out for him.
My mind is torn at the moment between attending the Munster Final or the tall ships race in Cork.
We will try to organise that too.
We have a good cliff rescue operation in Cork.
The Taoiseach was noticeably missing from Croke Park last week.
May I ask the Taoiseach——
An injection of good humour is very welcome. However, let us proceed with serious business.
I hope Mayo wins the Connacht Final. I am praying for them every day.
The Meath fellows are cock-a-hoop.
They have a better chance of winning than the Cavan fellows. May I ask the Taoiseach, now that Commissioner MacSharry's proposals are no longer part of a leaked document, if he intends to visit the Heads of State in Europe in the next few months to express our opposition to these proposals and the serious effect they will have on the economy of this country?
The Deputy will have an opportunity of ventilating his views on that matter in the debate which is about to commence.
A Cheann Comhairle——
Deputy Farrelly, I will take one more question and proceed then to the Order of Business proper. Deputy Farrelly may speak on that motion which appertains to agriculture. I am calling Deputy Lee.
When this question was asked before the Taoiseach said they were only leaked proposals. Now that they are concrete proposals I want the Taoiseach's comments as there is no guarantee he will speak in the debate.
Deputy Farrelly will resume his seat, for the second time. I am calling Deputy Lee.
The Taoiseach has no intention of speaking.
Deputy Farrelly will cease interrupting or leave the House.
He has no intention——
I will not warn the Deputy again.
In view of the Taoiseach's remark about the Munster final perhaps he will comment on the statement by Iarnród Éireann this morning that they are not in a position to provide the usual trains from Dublin to Thurles on Saturday week.
I am proceeding with the Order of Business proper.
The Deputy can be assured he will not be travelling by train.