It is proposed to take No. 11.
Order of Business.
Before the House takes No. 11, which is a motion of confidence in the Government, I inquire whether the Government have yet decided that they have confidence in themselves.
That is a matter that can be raised in the ensuing debate.
There is no point in debating the Government's motion of confidence in themselves if they do not have confidence in themselves.
Assuming that an agreement is reached between the Taoiseach and the Progressive Democrats, does the Taoiseach intend to provide the House with a copy of whatever programme is agreed upon before the vote at 4 p.m. today?
As is usual, a document of that nature will be placed in the Library of the House.
I ask whether Members will have it before the vote at 4 p.m. today.
I would say that it will have a short shelf life.
The deal is done but the battle is to come.
Could I ask the Taoiseach, in the context of the former Programme for Government and in view of his remarks to the House during his contribution, when the legislation with regard to the regulation of phone tapping will be brought before the House, and could I remind him that on five separate occasions in the House he has advised us that the matter is being looked at——
The Deputy may not embark upon a speech.
——as a matter of urgency?
May I ask whether the legislation to which the Deputy refers has been promised in this House?
It will be taken this session.
With regard to the Taoiseach's earlier reply, could I ask the Taoiseach, as the two Coalition parties in Government are engaging in a sort of "high noon" politics, whether we can anticipate the lodgment of the agreement in the Library before noon or after noon?
That issue was referred to earlier.
That is a detail that I consider to be of no great significance, because I know that the fact that the agreement will be before the House today is of great relief to all Members on the other side.
(Interruptions.)
Let us resume.
I would like to tell the Taoiseach that from where my party is, the relief on the Taoiseach's side of the House seems very great as well. On the assumption that that relief will materialise into a majority this afternoon — and, clearly, from the broad grin on the Taoiseach's face, that is about what will happen — do the Government intend to increase the sitting hours between now and Christmas to give effect to the comprehensive legislative programme that has been circulated, and, if so, could that be communicated to parties as soon as possible in order to facilitate the orderly transaction of business?
That information has already been communicated to the Deputy's Whip, who is sitting beside him. I suggest that the Deputy has a few words with his Whip.
May I ask the Taoiseach——
A Cheann Comhairle——
I shall hear Deputy Barrett and Deputy Sherlock, and I shall go on to the business ordered after that.
I appreciate that the Taoiseach has been very busy for the past couple of weeks, and I ask him whether he knows that there is a courts strike on. Would the Taoiseach ask his Minister for Justice to make a statement about what is happening so that the public may have access to our courts?
May I ask the Minister for the Environment when he intends to bring forward the proposed amendment to the Road Traffic Act arising from the recommendation of the Supreme Court on 7 March 1991?
I feel sure that the Deputy will find another way to raise that matter.
It is promised legislation.
It was promised in a reply given to me in the House on 11 June.
I accept the word of the Taoiseach in these matters.
I did put a question to the Minister and, arising from that, the Minister said that he intended to propose an amendment to the Road Traffic Act to deal with the issue. On 11 June the Minister said that in the House.
I shall communicate with the Deputy.