It is proposed to take No. 4, Votes 41 and 35. It is also proposed, notwithstanding anything in Standing Orders, that (1) the questions necessary to bring the proceedings on Votes 41 and 35 to a conclusion shall be put not later than 12.30 p.m. and 5 p.m. respectively; (2) in the case of Vote 41 the speech of the Minister and of the main spokesperson for Fine Gael and the Labour Party shall not exceed 20 minutes in each case and the speech of each other Member called on shall not exceed ten minutes; (3) the following arrangements shall apply in the case of Vote 35, (i) the Vote shall be divided into three parts for the purposes of debate, namely, Tourism, Transport and Communications; each debate shall be limited to one hour's duration and shall be deemed to relate to a separate motion for the purpose of Standing Order 44 and (ii) the speeches of the Minister and of the main spokesperson for Fine Gael and the Labour Party shall not exceed 15 minutes in each case and the speech of each other Member called on shall not exceed five minutes; (4) a Minister or Minister of State shall be called upon not later than 12.20 p.m. and 4.50 p.m. respectively to make a speech in reply which shall not exceed ten minutes; (5) in the five minutes preceeding such reply, any Member may request the Minister to clarify specific issues during the course of his or her reply; (6) any divisions demanded shall be postponed until 6.30 p.m. on Wednesday, 3 June 1992 and (7) the Dáil at its rising today shall adjourn until 12.30 p.m. on Wednesday 3 June 1992.
Order of Business.
Are the proposals outlined for dealing with Votes 41 and 35 agreed? Agreed. Is the proposal that any divisions called today be postponed agreed? Agreed. Is the proposal relating to the Adjournment of the House agreed? Agreed.
In relation to the matter just raised by Deputy O'Keeffe the Taoiseach and Government should realise that this is a matter of great concern to many people particularly since it appears that the European Community is going down a road it has not travelled before. When ordering the business for next week would the Taoiseach allow time for a debate on the position in the former Yugoslavia to which Members of the House could contribute, express their concern and hear from the Government precisely what the Foreign Ministers will have decided in Chile this weekend.
This matter could be more appropriately dealt with by the Whips.
I understand that the House is due to rise around 10 July next. Would the Taoiseach say whether that information is correct? In addition, have the Government any plans to provide for an address to this House by President Robinson in view of her very successful State visit on our behalf to France?
Matters appertaining to the President should not be raised in this fashion.
I am sure you will agree, Sir, that in view of the great success of her visit to France——
Please, Deputy Quinn, let us nor embroil the Presidency in argumentation or dispute in this House.
The Taoiseach might like to reply.
I realise that the matter I am about to raise has been raised a number of times in the House already. Nonetheless the crisis within the postal service is such that I consider the Government should take urgent steps to intervene now to have those services restored.
Has the Taoiseach any plans to meet the Olympic Council of Ireland, which is essential, particularly when one bears in mind that five members of our Olympic team are unemployed——
It is not in order to raise that matter now, Deputy.
——while training for the Olympic Games later this year. Five members of our Olympic team are unemployed in England. Yet the Government have failed to provide funds.
Please, Deputy Farrelly.
The Government have failed to provide adequate funds to them. Where have all the national lottery funds gone?
A very good question.
In relation to promised legislation——
They will all be at the airport to welcome the Olympic team back home.
They will be beating one another to have photographs taken with them.
This is county council stuff.
On promised legislation may I seek clarification from the Taoiseach since great confusion has arisen. In regard to the Health (Family Planning) (Amendment) Bill, will the Taoiseach say whether the Government will be issuing a new Bill and withdrawing the one at present before the House or will the Government proceed with the Bill as already circulated?
There is no confusion. I think the confusion is in the Deputy's mind.
Our absent friends are reluctant if not confused.
What I have said is that, as soon as the Minister for Health brings forward the relevant proposals the Government will take a decision on them and then proceed with the Bill in the House.
The question I asked was: will the Government proceed with the Bill, as circulated, or will there be a new Bill? That is not a very difficult question.
It could be amended in the House or there could be a new Bill. Whatever the Government decided will be proceeded with.
We are supposed to trust them.
On promised legislation, can the Taoiseach say whether — as the Minister for Social Welfare promised in the course of the debate on the Social Welfare Bill, 1992 — a Social Welfare (Consolidation) Bill will be introduced? In view of the complications that have arisen, resulting from the many regulations that will have to be introduced under the provisons of the 1992 Bill, will the Taoiseach say whether priority will be given to introducing a new consolidation Bill before the end of this year?
Arrangements are proceeding in that regard. It is hoped to introduce the Bill in the next session.
Would the Taoiseach confirm that last Thursday's Official Report — containing telephone numbers of abortion services in England — will not be confiscated, when published? That is something about which many people would like some direction.
Please, Deputy.
The Minister for the Environment promised many times to introduce new legislation to tighten up on drink-driving regulations. Will the Taoiseach say when this Bill will be published and whether it will be taken this session?
Yes, and the text is being drafted.
Will it be taken this session?
That is unlikely.
Is the Taoiseach still proposing to travel to the Rio de Janeiro Summit, since it will not be a total nonevent in view of the decision by the environmental——
The Deputy can put down a question on that matter.