It is proposed to take No. 7 and that statements will be made on the Culliton report.
Order of Business.
There is nothing to put to the House.
May I ask the Taoiseach if any reference was made in the Programme for Government agreed between the two Government parties and published last autumn to an expanded role for a European Affairs Committee and a change in their terms of reference? I have written to both the Taoiseach and his predecessor about this matter. Has any progress been made in drawing up these new terms of reference and redefining the role of the committee?
The Minister for Foreign Affairs is completing his consideration of that matter and will be in touch with us as soon as possible.
Will this committee be separate to the Foreign Affairs Committee? One committee should not be rolled into the other.
No decision in this regard has yet been taken by the Government.
May I ask the Taoiseach when the White Paper on the Maastricht Treaty will be prepared and ready for discussion? If it seems that there will be a delay in publishing the White Paper it will be incumbent on the Taoiseach and the Government to very quickly make a long and detailed statement in relation to the proposed amendment to the Protocol. It now appears likely that there will be an opposition to the Maastricht Treaty on very narrow grounds. I ask the Taoiseach to clarify as quickly as possible the position in relation to the Protocol and the addendum. There should be a clear and detailed statement from the Government explaining the implications of the proposed amendment to the Protocol.
Let us have regard to that which is and is not in order at this time.
It is a very important matter.
It may well be, but there are other ways and means of dealing with these matters.
It is in order.
The Taoiseach might consider addressing this issue by way of offering a debate in this House on the proposed alteration of the Protocol so that——
And so it has been passed already?
I know the Deputy is trying to swap places with his Leader but perhaps he should do it a bit more effectively.
(Interruptions.)
There are ways and means of dealing with these matters in the House. The Order of Business is not the appropriate time.
I fully appreciate the problem you have, a Cheann Comhairle, in relation to allowing this matter but I believe the Taoiseach could voluntarily offer to have a debate in the House on this issue as soon as possible.
The Deputy has made his point and that should be sufficient.
While I am on my feet may I ask the Taoiseach to indicate when he proposes to bring before the House the proposal for the establishment of a committee on employment?
Members are seeking to turn the Order of Business into a mini Question Time.
Never.
Question Time is an integral part of the business of this House.
This committee will be established by way of motion. On numerous occasions you, Sir, have allowed questions in relation to committees——
If I did, it was inadvertent.
It has established a precendent.
Questions on a Foreign Affairs Committee, a Crime Committee and other committees have been asked almost on a daily basis and been allowed.
The Deputy has made his point and that should be sufficient.
You said, a Cheann Comhairle, that there are ways and means of dealing with this matter in the House, but I believe it would be helpful if the Taoiseach offered to bring before the House the advice he has got on this matter. Nobody wants to take political advantage of anyone else on this sensitive issue but it would be very helpful if there was a debate so that the advice the Taoiseach has received could be debated by everybody.
Perhaps Fine Gael should consider putting a leash on Deputy Shatter.
(Interruptions.)
Order, please.
I thought I was perfectly in order in asking about the White Paper. If there is going to be a delay in issuing the White Paper will the Government make a statement in the interim?
The White Paper is being considered by the Government at present. With regard to the amendment to the Protocol, I think it is only fair to say that late yesterday evening I gave the Leader of Fine Gael the benefit of the advice I received and it is only proper to give him some time to consider the position. I do not anticipate that there will be a long delay in publishing the White Paper.
I am proceeding to deal with the Order of Business proper.
May I——
A Cheann Comhairle——
I call Deputy Taylor.
The external matter, as it were, of the amendment to the Protocol has been published and dealt with. With regard to internal and legal position in this country following the Supreme Court decision, will the Taoiseach now arrange to make time available for a debate in the House on the issues thrown up by the decision of the Supreme Court in the "X" case?
This matter has been raised every day for the past week, if not longer.
The protocol has been dealt with.
I would prefer the matter to be raised in a proper fashion.
This is an appropriate time.
It is not. Deputy McCartan is offering.
Over the past day or so has there been a review by the Taoiseach or the Minister for Justice of the appalling level of services now being provided by the civil legal aid offices?
This matter is not relevant now.
It relates to promised legislation.
Has legislation been promised in this area?
Yes, in the joint Programme for Government——
The Deputy is clearly seeking to circumvent the ruling of the Chair.
In the joint Programme for Government legislation was promised in regard to the establishment of a civil legal aid scheme on a statutory basis. Will steps be taken to bring that legislation forward as a matter of urgency in view of the appalling——
I wish to remind the Deputy that I answered that question yesterday. The legislation is in the early stages of preparation.
This should not lead to argument, the matter can be clarified by putting down a question in this regard.
I accept the Taoiseach's answer. However, my question was whether steps would be taken to speed up the preparation of the legislation in view of the urgency of the matter.
Last Tuesday, in reply to a question concerning the housing Bill, the Taoiseach indicated that it would be printed in a couple of days. What is the position?
It is expected to be out today.
It has been published and is in our possession.
Will the Taoiseach indicate the present position of the juvenile justice Bill? The legislation dealing with juvenile justice is anomalous and I understand the Government are preparing new legislation. Will the Taoiseach indicate when it will be introduced in the House?
It is being prepared but I cannot be definite about the timescale.