Vol. 413 No. 6
It is proposed to take Nos. 13, 14, 15 and 2. It is also proposed that notwithstanding anything in Standing Orders, the remaining Stages of No. 13, if not previously concluded, shall be brought to a conclusion at 7 p.m. by one question, which shall be put from the Chair and which shall, in relation to amendments, include only amendments set down by the Minister for Justice.
Private Members' Business shall be No. 20.
Are the proposals for dealing with No. 13 agreed? Agreed.
Will the Taoiseach consider taking a further series of questions at 3.45 p.m. this afternoon in relation to the accident in Dublin Bay last Thursday night? For the sake of public confidence it would be helpful if some of the questions which did not appear to be answered by the Minister for the Marine yesterday were answered in this House. It would be for the benefit of confidence in the rescue services and for public information.
The matter to which the Deputy referred is not appropriate to the Order of Business.
I understand that and I know it will be difficult to rearrange business but the Taoiseach will agree that it is important that there be the fullest public confidence in the rescue services and that, therefore, these questions should be answered.
May I ask the Taoiseach if the Cabinet have concluded their deliberations on the Estimates and, if not, when they are likely to do so? Can we expect to debate the Estimates in this House before the Christmas recess?
That is still the intention.
I would like to ask the Taoiseach if he was listening to the passionate plea by the Minister of State, Deputy Fahey, last night for more funding for the youth service. Has the Minister of State made a similar plea to the Taoiseach or the Cabinet and if so, in view of the recent outbreak of youth violence, does the Taoiseach intend to respond to that plea?
Deputy Mac Giolla should raise that matter at a more appropriate time. It is not in order now.
The Minister made a plea in the House.
I am sorry, Deputy Mac Giolla. I am sure the Deputy will find a way of raising that matter.
May I ask the Taoiseach, as this is International AIDS Awareness Week, when the Health (Family Planning) Bill, 1991, as promised and published, will be taken or has the Minister for Health a new Bill in mind?
I have indicated on countless occasions that it is the intention to endeavour to take the Bill in this session.
Is the Taoiseach referring to the Bill as published?
I would like to raise a question about legislation with the Taoiseach on an issue in which many of our town councillors are interested. Will the Taoiseach say when it is proposed to bring forward legislation to deal with next year's local elections which will involve town councils or sub-county structures? Will the Taoiseach say what is proposed in that regard?
Am I to take it that legislation is promised in this area?
Yes, you can take it that it has been promised.
I am accepting that it is promised legislation but that it is included in the Programme for Government. The legislation will be enacted in time for the local elections.
I would like to follow up on that with the Taoiseach. When is it proposed to hold the local elections? Will the Taoiseach give a more firm indication as to when the necessary legislation will be introduced?
In 1997.
The Deputy will have to be satisfied with the answer I gave.
I am not satisfied, nor indeed is anybody else satisfied.
I would like to refer to another matter in the Programme for Government, the allocation of lottery funds. It is stated in the programme that responsibility for the allocation of lottery funds will be transferred from the Minister to local authorities. Will the Taoiseach tell us when that transfer will take place?
Can this be interpreted as legislation?
I do not think it requires legislation.
May I ask the Taoiseach and the Minister for Finance what arrangements have been made with the staff of this House for a sitting on Christmas Day because we are not going to get through one quarter of the legislation the Taoiseach is wilfully trying to insinuate will be passed in this session?
Is this not a matter the Whips might consider?
I think they will be on their own.
I will be prepared to consider any reasonable proposal from the Labour Party in that regard provided it is genuine.
It is genuine.
On promised legislation on new sub-county structures will the Taoiseach say, in view of the great public disquiet as expressed through the Council of Municipal Authorities which consists of a very large number of members of the Fianna Fáil Party, that the local urban district councils and town commissioners will not be abolished under that proposal?
I am sure the Deputy will raise that matter at a more appropriate time.
May I ask the Taoiseach and the Minister for Agriculture and Food if they are aware that the agricultural college in Athenry is about to be closed, as is the research facility at Belclare?
I thought the Deputy had something relevant to raise.
It is very relevant. Is the Taoiseach prepared to comment on that matter?
The Deputy is meandering into the wrong constituency.
May I ask the Taoiseach when the House will be appraised of the negotiations that are currently taking place between the Government, the Independent Radio and Television Commission and Mr. Barry with regard to the future of the proposed independent national radio station? When will the House be appraised of what is going on and when will the workers who have lost their jobs be told what is happening?
Deputy McCartan, this is not appropriate to business now.
May I ask the Taoiseach if he will respond to the point I made earlier? This is a very important matter and I am not trying to make a political point out of it.
Please, Deputy Barry, I am not going to rehash earlier comments.
It is very important that we establish all the facts in this House and I hope the Taoiseach will make time available and accept a Private Notice Question on the matter.
I am sorry, Deputy, I now call Deputy Sheehan.
Will the Taoiseach respond to my suggestion? It is regrettable that he will not respond. An impression has been given in the newspapers and the Taoiseach should take the opportunity to clear up the matter.
That is not in order. If Deputy Sheehan does not offer I will call other Deputies.
When will the Taoiseach honour the promise he gave to the Fianna Fáil public representatives at their conference in Athlone two years ago that he would restore the county committees of agriculture?
Let the Deputy put down a question.
The Taoiseach rose.
I now call Item No. 13, Criminal Damages Bill, 1990.
The Taoiseach must also obey the Chair. We are dealing with Report Stage, amendment No. 1.
