It is proposed to take Nos. 5 and 4. Private Members' Business shall be No. 30.
Order of Business.
There have been some suggestions over the last few days, upon which some members of the Cabinet have commented publicly, that a reshuffle of the Cabinet is being considered. Could the Taoiseach confirm whether that is the case?
That does not arise now, Deputy.
We still might want to hear the answer.
It would require that time be provided. I think the Taoiseach is willing to give an answer, perhaps a monosyllable.
This matter can perhaps be raised at another time in another way, but it is not appropriate to the Order of Business.
It it can be commented upon elsewhere, it is a pity it cannot be commented on in here.
He wants to keep the lads quiet for another week.
May I ask the Taoiseach if before the end of this session he will provide Government time in this House for a discussion on tax reform, a subject that has been mentioned in the Programme for Government and which, I believe, has caused some difficulties between the parties in Government? Could I ask him, in a constructive manner, if time will be provided in this House to discuss a whole range of possibilities for tax reform?
That is a matter that can clearly be dealt with by way of a question.
A Cheann Comhairle, with respect to you, I do not think——
This does not appertain to legislation promised in this House.
It probably does not require legislation but rather than having to wait until the budget to see what evolves from last week's discussions, could we have a short debate in this House on tax reform?
I do not think it would be particularly beneficial or appropriate to have some sort of vague discussion of that type. I do not think there will be room for it this session.
I wish to raise two items on the Order of Business. First, the Health (Family Planning) Bill, 1991, Order fo Second Stage, was listed on the draft schedule we received from the Whips last week but it is not on today's Order Paper. What happened to it? Will it be moved or has it been vetoed yet again? Second, on the Order of Business last week the Taoiseach indicated that he was prepared to have a debate on political and monetary union. Is it intended to have a debate on the two reports we received recently on developments in the European Community? As far as I am aware, we have never had a debate on these reports which were placed before the Oireachtas.
The Health (Family Planning) Bill, 1991, will be taken this session.
This does not answer the question why it was removed from the schedule.
With regard to the question of a debate on political, economic and monetary union, I still hope we will be able to have such a debate.
My specific question on the Health (Family Planning) Bill was, why it is not on today's Order Paper. I presumed it was listed and that we were ready to move the Order for Second Stage today. May I ask when the Order for Second Stage will be moved so that the Bill can be circulated?
This session.
Will it be this week?
This session.
Will it be next week?
We have passed Question Time.
A Cheann Comhairle, I must make this point——
The Deputy has asked some relevant questions and got some replies and he may not make a speech now.
Last week it was agreed that this Bill would be moved this week, it has been removed——
The problem may go away.
Has the Minister for artificial insemination vetoed it?
It is a question of good parliamentary planning.
Or containing the Minister for Agriculture and Food.
The Taoiseach would want to plan more than that.
The Taoiseach has agreed to a debate on economic and monetary union and in view of the importance and complexity of this matter, would he agree to circulating in advance, perhaps the day before, a draft of the Minister's speech or some written material outlining the main issues so that the debate will be as informed and useful as possible? Would the Taoiseach agree to this as an exceptional measure in view of the importance of this debate?
The Deputy will recall that I gave a very full and extensive outline of all the issues involved last July. I am anxious to give as much information as possible to the House but I think it would be taking the House on trust to give a copy of my speech a day in advance. I would gladly do that if I could be assured that this would not be used for base political purposes.
Sensitivity does you great credit.
In relation to item No. 2, the final report on the Appropriation Accounts for 1987 from the Committee of Public Accounts, may I ask the Taoiseach if time will be made available to move the motion this week?
I understand the Whips will be talking about that on Thursday.
May I ask the Taoiseach when the Government propose to introduce the legislation to give effect to the register of interests of Oireachtas Members?
The Programme for Government provides that it shall be in operation by September 1992, so it will be taken sometime between now and then.
Will the legislation be published before the end of this session or some time next year?
It will have to be enacted between now and the summer recess.
Is legislation actually necessary?
I always assumed it was but maybe not.
The Land Commission (Dissolution) Bill has been on the clár for about two years. May I ask the Taoiseach when it is proposed to enact this Bill?
The history of land in Ireland has gone on for a couple of centuries and I suppose we could wait another month or so.
I note with pleasure that the Bill dealing with the property of married people, which has been on the stocks for centuries, has been included in the Programme for Government. Can we be assured that it will be introduced this session?
We had this topic during Question Time, Deputy.
I hope the answer was in the affirmative and that it will be taken this session.
The legislation on family home ownership?
It is legislation which recognises women's work in the home and their legal entitlement to protection and to half of the home and its contents.
The Family Home (Protection) Bill which is promised is ready but we are awaiting a reserved judgment of the Supreme Court.
We have been awaiting that decision for years and the legislation should go ahead. Some judges believe that the legislation should emanate from here and not from the courts. I would like that idea to be taken on board.
That is not the point. Our fear is that the judgment, when delivered, will impinge on the legislation; however it may be possible to proceed without waiting for the decision.
Will the Taoiseach clarify the situation in relation to the legislation necessary to sell the B & I Line? The Government contracted to sell it to the ICG on 16 January and the deal expired legally on 16 August. It was not on the list of legislation promised for this session. Is it proposed to go ahead with the legislation in view of the opposition of the unions? What is the current status of this legislation?
Has legislation been promised in this area?
Yes. The desire is to have it this session.