It is proposed to take No. 7. It is also proposed that the application of the sub judice rule shall not apply to today's debate.
Order of Business.
May I ask if the latter proposal concerning the non-application of the sub judice rule is satisfactory? Agreed.
Yesterday Deputy De Rossa, Deputy O'Keeffe and I asked the Taoiseach to explain the Government's position regarding St. Patrick's Day parades, particularly in New York and San Francisco——
Sorry, Deputy Deasy, I ruled this matter out of order yesterday.
There was no response from him. Deputy Quill, a member of one of the Government parties——
Deputy Deasy, please desist.
——issued a statement condemning what the Government refused to do——
Let us maintain order this morning. The matter does not arise now.
It seems to the Irish people that the Government are playing footsie with the Provisional IRA.
This is a gross abuse of the Chamber.
It is a gross abuse of our freedom.
If the Deputy feels strongly about this matter let him raise the matter properly by putting down a motion.
It has to be done today. We need a protest from this House.
I call Deputy De Rossa. I trust the Deputy will not continue the matter. I have ruled it completely out of order.
Why?
You know, a Cheann Comhairle, I would never be out of order. I made my point in relation to that matter yesterday and I maintain that the Taoiseach should make a statement on the matter.
Yes.
My question relates to Dáil reform. We have before us a proposal, which the House has agreed, that the sub judice rule shall not apply to today's debate. Can the Taoiseach indicate when he proposes to bring forward the package of Dáil reform proposals which he has promised to the House and which, I understand, includes a proposal to reform the sub judice rule of this House.
Proposals are before the Government at present for consideration.
May I ask the Taoiseach if he will bring forward the Estimate for the Department of Tourism, Transport and Communications so that the House will have the opportunity of debating the question of Ministers attending St. Patrick's Day parades in which IRA representatives participate?
Please, Deputy Mitchell, do not try to circumvent the ruling of the Chair in that fashion. You will not get away with it.
The Government are playing footsie with the Provisional IRA.
I seek your advice, a Cheann Comhairle. If I was to raise the matter of the bank strike and the fact that FÁS employees will not get their money because of that strike, would I be in order?
No, Deputy. We discussed that matter in the House yesterday evening.
May I ask the Taoiseach to clarify the Government's legislative plans in regard to the introduction of a new mechanism of ministerial approval for the establishment of subsidiaries by State bodies? May I further ask him if he would extend the scope of that legislation so as to establish a system of appointments of State directors which would be seen to be completely beyond any hint of political favour? Codes of ethics——
Please, Deputy, a question in respect of legislation promised——
It is promised.
No.
Can I clarify——
If I am informed that no legislation is promised that must be the end of the matter.
I seek your guidance on this matter. The Government propose to introduce a new system of approving State investments. Surely this must rightly come before the House for approval before it can be——
The legislation should be promised in this House, and the Deputy knows that.
The Government have published proposals in this area.
Please desist, Deputy.
To be perfectly in order with the rules of the House, may I ask the Taoiseach if, after the wearing of the shamrock, the Minister responsible might be entitled to move item No. 2 on today's Order Paper? Will the matter be dealt with when we return for our week's vacation?
It will be dealt with as soon as possible after we return.
Will the Taoiseach tell the House the exact position in relation to the Housing Bill which has been promised as a matter of urgency for six months? Where is the Housing Bill, when will it be published and when will it be enacted?
It is before the Government at present and I expect it to be cleared at the next meeting.
May I draw the attention of the House——
The Deputy knows that this should not give rise to argument.
Far be it from me to argue, Sir. I merely want to draw the attention of the Taoiseach to the fact that he has made that promise about three times during the past fortnight——
This should not lead to argument.
——and his predecessor made the same promise about eight times in the past six months.
May I ask the Taoiseach or the Minister for Agriculture and Food if they are prepared to give any assurances to the residents of Creggagh-Strokestown regarding the removal of lechate——
The Deputy can raise that matter at a more appropriate time.
In view of the United Meat Packers crisis——
I am coming now to the Order of Business proper.
May I ask the Taoiseach if he will consider introducing for organisations such as marts and factories and their agents a bonding scheme similar to the one introduced for the travel industry so that we will not be faced with problems such as those which arose in the past week or so? This would give enormous protection to the farming community.
Surely this is a matter which can be raised in the debate which is about to ensue here today.
It should have been raised yesterday.
(Limerick East): May I ask the Taoiseach whether the Government will be represented on the mainland for St. Patrick's Day?
No better man.
Albert and the mainlanders.