It is proposed to take No. 12.
Order of Business.
It is proposed to take No. 12, and there is nothing to put to the House.
In view of the continuing outflow of funds from the Irish economy as a result of political instability and the developments within the Fianna Fáil Party during the past 24 hours, could the Taoiseach state whether there actually is at the moment a Government in which confidence is sought?
That matter is not relevant to the Order of Business. Deputy Spring is offering.
This continuing farce must be brought to an end in the national interest.
Let us adhere to the Order of Business. I am calling Deputy Spring.
(Interruptions.)
Thank you, a Cheann Comhairle.
I see Deputy Bruton has advised his troops to prepare for Government. He might as well be preparing a cart horse to win the Derby.
The Taoiseach would know about that.
We keep our legs in the stirrups.
(Interruptions.)
May I ask the Taoiseach a very simple question, what is happening?
Perhaps that could be raised during the debate.
Deputy Spring, as far as you are concerned, nothing, and nothing will happen.
(Interruptions.)
On the Order of Business, Deputy Spring.
On the Order of Business, I wish to ask a question of the Taoiseach. I am aware that the Taoiseach informed his ever attentive parliamentary party yesterday that as far as is humanly possible he would bring the programme to them before 4 o'clock on Friday. Is the Taoiseach confident that a programme will be available and perhaps be made available to the House before this debate concludes?
(Interruptions.)
Should we ask the Minister for Finance? He might know the answer.
Those matters may be ventilated during the debate that is about to ensue.
Yesterday I sought to raise a question on the sub judice rule as it applies to the House. I wish to raise a similar question today, related not to the current debate nor, indeed, to any of the inquiries that are under way but to a much more simple issue. Deputy Byrne of The Workers' Party put a question to the Minister for Social Welfare asking the Minister to give a breakdown of his estimation of the cost to the State of £200 million due to women as a result of the Cotter/McDermott case. The Minister has conceded the State will have to pay, but the question was ruled out of order because it related to a matter that was sub judice.
Deputy De Rossa, I cannot have my rulings questioned.
I am not. Will you hear me out?
Deputy De Rossa, listen to me. I cannot and will not tolerate questioning of my authority in respect of rulings of this kind. They may not be raised in the House. If the Deputy wants clarification or elucidation my office would be glad to assist him in the matter, but he may not challenge the Ceann Comhairle in the House in such a fashion.
I am not challenging you, I am seeking information.
I interpret it as such, Deputy.
You can interpret it in the way you choose, because you are the Ceann Comhairle, but I have a right to stand in this House and ask you a simple question as to how you can decide that a simple statistical question can be in any way prejudicial to any matter which might be before a judge in any court in this State. May I suggest, a Ceann Comhairle——
I suggest you communicate with my office, who will elaborate on the matter for you.
Would you please hear me out? I suggest, a Cheann Comhairle, that you call an urgent meeting of the committee on Procedure and Privileges so that this question can be dealt with and so that the question of sub judice generally as it affects the House can be debated.
If members of the Committee on Procedure and Privileges wish to convene a meeting, that is their privilege. The Deputy has a member on that Committee.
The Deputy concerned has requested you to hold a meeting but you have refused it. That is why I am asking in the public arena——
I will allow no further argument on the matter. I made my point quite clear yesterday. I am taking no initiative in that matter; it is a matter for the members of that Committee. I call Deputy Quinn.
The Government Chief Whip circulated yesterday a list of proposed legislation to be taken in this session which included a housing Bill. May I ask the Minister for the Environment if the proposed housing Bill will be taken in this session, and if it will provide the legal basis to enable local authorities to implement the shared ownership scheme which cannot at present be implemented?
That is the intention.
I wish to raise a matter of major concern to the future of our country, if not to the parties which constitute what presently passes for a Government. If we have a Dáil next week, will the Taoiseach agree to the establishment of a foreign affairs committee, so that issues such as the latest Franco/German proposal for a European Army could at least be discussed and debated?
I am not certain if the matter is in order.
Of course it is in order. The Taoiseach has prevaricated on this issue. I asked a simple question: can we now have an assurance from the Taoiseach that if we have a Dáil next week he will agree to the establishment of a foreign affairs committee of this House?
I can certainly assure the Deputy that we will have a Dáil next week. I know he is very worried about that.
Do not worry about me, Taoiseach, speak for yourself.
(Interruptions.)
The Taoiseach has a poor record of getting on in Deputy O'Keeffe's part of the country.
I made a few inroads into his territory during the summer. I have already agreed to the establishment of a foreign affairs committee.
When can we get it under way?
The Deputy will have to wait.
Can we proceed to complete the discussions on that? If we have a Dáil next week, can we proceed to have the committee established next week? Will the Taoiseach agree to that?
The matter will be pursued.
Are the Government proceeding with the preparation of a Bill to reform our laws in regard to homosexuality in order to bring them into line with the European Court's ruling, or has that now been abandoned?
Is this something that was promised in the House?
Any such legislation is not likely this session.
Is it still being prepared as promised legislation?
The Child Care Bill, 1988 was passed by this House in 1990. Am I correct in thinking that its implementation will not have to await the introduction of the regulations by the Minister for Health? Is it the intention of the Minister to introduce such regulations to give effect to the provisions of the Child Care Bill 1988?
It was enacted in June, 1991.
I must call Deputy Jim Higgins. I apologise; I might have called him yesterday. I understand he wishes to move the First Stage of an Education Bill, 1991.