It is proposed to take Nos. 1, 2, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 22, 23 and 24. It is also proposed, notwithstanding anything in Standing Orders, that Nos. 1, 2, 4, 5 to 11 and 13 to 18 shall be decided without debate. The proceedings on the Report and Final Stages of No. 22, if not previously concluded, shall be brought to a conclusion by 1.30 p.m. by one question which shall be put from the Chair and which shall in relation to amendments include only those set down or accepted by the Minister for Finance. In the case of the resumed debate on No. 24, the speech of each Member called on shall not exceed 20 minutes. Private Members' Business shall be No. 25 and the proceedings thereon shall be brought to a conclusion not later than 8.30 p.m. today.
Order of Business.
Is it agreed that Nos. 1, 2, 4, 5 to 11 and 13 to 18 shall be decided without debate? Agreed. Are the proposals for dealing with No. 22 satisfactory? Agreed. Are the proposals for dealing with No. 24, the resumed budget debate, agreed? Agreed. Is the proposal that Private Members' Business shall be concluded at 8.30 p.m. agreed?
I have a query about the taking of item No. 4 without debate. It refers to the appointment of the committee which is to be responsible for justice, law reform and defence matters. I note that item No. 7 proposes the committee responsible for equality matters, is to be a separate committee. As equality and law reform matters are dealt with by one Minister, should they not be dealt with by one committee? I raised this matter indirectly with the Minister for State and I do not understand why the terms of reference before us have separated law reform and equality matters, giving the Select Committee on Legislation and Security responsibility for law reform matters and the Select Committee on Social Affairs responsibility for equality matters. As I drew the Minister's attention to this matter, I am surprised that it has appeared in this form.
Deputy Bruton raised that matter with me and my response was that legal and justice matters will be dealt with by the Select Committee on Legislation and Security and that the other matters will be dealt with by a different committee. There is no problem in this regard. The Minister for Equality and Law Reform will have a right to attend either committee. Certain equality legislation will be dealt with directly by the Select Committee on Social Affairs and law reform matters will be dealt with by the other committee. The Minister will have a right to, and will, attend both committees.
That is irrational. Will the Minister indicate which of the two committees will deal with this Estimate?
The Select Committee on Legislation and Security.
That is a mistake.
There will be a one day debate on this matter following the Easter recess. I will consider the matter in the meantime and the Deputy can raise it again in that debate.
I hope the Minister pays more attention to the representations at that stage than he did earlier.
If the Deputy paid more attention——
Now, now. Did the Minister have a late night last night?
Meathmen united.
Too many cumann meetings. May I ask the Taoiseach two questions? First, when will the White Paper on education be published? Second, will the Taoiseach allow the Dáil to debate the regulations proposed to be made under the Health (Nursing Homes) Act by the Minister for Health which propose to discriminate arbitrarily against families who already are supporting a family member in a nursing home, as reported in today's Irish Times, and which propose in a big brother fashion——
That matter has not even been discussed yet.
—— to take into account the incomes of sons and daughters in a way which was unforeseen by anybody in this House?
The question relating to legislation is in order; the other matters do not arise now.
Regulations.
The regulations are not in order; legislation only is in order. Deputy Enda Kenny has been offering for some time.
With regard to items Nos. 1, 2, 4, 5, 6 and 7, this is a very important development in terms of the efficient running of the business of this House. We on this side of the House support the setting-up of these committees. However, I have to stress that fundamental to that support is the provision of proper resources and staff for these committees. Judging from the treatment given to the editorial and reporting sections of the House, it will be very difficult for these committees to operate effectively if they are not properly staffed, resourced and financed. I ask the Taoiseach to ensure that these factors are put in place without delay so that the committees can operate and carry out their business in an efficient manner.
An assurance was given earlier that there would be a debate on these matters after the Easter recess.
The Taoiseach seems to be stuck to his seat this morning.
The Deputies should try raising a matter which is in order.
I will raise a matter which might get him out of his seat.
Is the new PR advice to the Taoiseach that he should keep sitting down?
Would the Taoiseach be prepared to stand up here this morning——
——and confirm that the Cabinet has made a decision to privatise the remainder of Greencore and that the proposals——
Please, Deputy De Rossa, this is not in order.
It is a hard question.
Let us not make a mockery of the Order of Business.
This House was asked to approve legislation which provides for the sale of part of the State's share in Greencore. The Government now proposes to sell the remainder of its shares in the company.
Let us be serious at this time.
Can we have confirmation of whether this decision has been made? Is it proposed to provide time for a debate in this House?
If the Deputy persists, I will proceed to the Order of Business proper. Is Deputy Flanagan offering?
Does the Taoiseach or the Minister intend to make a statement on the matter?
If Deputy Flanagan is not offering, I am proceeding to the Order of Business proper.
There is no reply at all from the Taoiseach.
When the Deputy is in order, I will reply.
I call Deputy Quill.
May I ask the Minister for Education the steps she is going to take to redeem the status of the Green Paper on education in view of the fact that one of today's newspapers——
This matter does not arise now, Deputy.
——has described the document as "Seamus Brennan's unfortunate Green Paper."
Let us have strict regard to what is and is not in order now.
I am quoting from one of today's newspapers.
Please, Deputies.
May I ask the Taoiseach whether the Select Committee on Enterprise and Economic Strategy or the Select Committee on Finance and General Affairs will be properly concerned with hearing a report on the apparent Cabinet proposal to sell off the remaining shares in Greencore?
Please, Deputy. I call Deputy Flanagan, whom I called earlier.
I realise that, but I was being respectful to the Chair — you were on your feet on that occasion. Having regard to the fact that the Dáil will adjourn tomorrow for the Easter recess, may I ask the Taoiseach when the Ethics in Government Bill will be published? I ask the Taoiseach when replying to bear in mind that this legislation was heralded in January as the legislation with which the Labour Party would clean up Fianna Fáil.
Let us have no speech making now.
This Bill was to have been published before the end of February. When will it be published?
The Deputy has put a legitimate question. The Taoiseach to reply.
Has the Marcos threat receded?
It is as effective as the present Hoover advertisement on television.
The Government expects to introduce that Bill during the next session. Maybe the sweeping brush should be used on the Opposition benches first.
Has it not already started to be used over there?
Deputy Rabbitte rose.
I trust Deputy Rabbitte is raising a matter which is in order.
As always, I can assure you, a Cheann Comhairle. There is a precedent for raising this matter — you very kindly dealt with it on previous occasions. Therefore, it is most emphatically in order, Sir.
The Chair is not infallible.
You are being unfair to yourself, Sir, you are almost entirely infallible.
It is not for me to inspire the divine workings of providence. In view of the fact that the House is due to adjourn tomorrow for the Easter recess, may I ask you if you can give the House an assurance that, on resumption, the backlog of work which has not been cleared in the Editor's Office will be available to Members? I understand that direct discussions were to take place on this matter after the mediation process. I am not sure whether this has happened but I am——
I give the Deputy and the House that assurance.
Would you, Sir, be in a position to satisfy yourself that there will be adequate reporting staff in place to deal with the work of the new committees which we are proposing to establish today? It could be a major impediment to the workings of the committees if their reports are not published within a reasonable time. You have overall responsibility for the Vote, and I wonder if you are satisfied that the resources proposed to be made available are sufficient for all the committees the Government wishes to establish.
I can assure the Deputy that my office will look at all aspects of this matter very carefully. So far, we are satisfied that we can do all that is necessary in relation to these matters.
Can the Taoiseach inform the House whether full and final agreement has been reached between the various Ministers as to the full extent of their responsibilities under this Administration?
Deputy Crawford was offering.
The Deputy may have some problems in this respect, but we have none. All the problems seem to be over there.
May I ask the Taoiseach when legislation in regard to the ownership of property will be introduced? Last night on the Adjournment the Minister for Arts, Culture and the Gaeltacht, Deputy Higgins, said that it will be some time before such legislation will be introduced.
Is this promised legislation?
Yes.
This legislation is extremely important so far as the issue of public liability is concerned. The tourism industry is at risk at present——
I asked if we could have a reply to this matter.
It is not promised in the House. The Law Reform Commission——
It has been promised in the House.
It has been promised in the House, and I can produce the relevant quotation if the Taoiseach wishes.
Produce it.
This legislation was promised in the House. By referring this matter to the Law Reform Commission the Government could inhibit tourism this season. This matter can be dealt with by way of legislation, as was done in our neighbouring island. There is no need to refer this matter to the Law Reform Commission. The question of occupiers' liability could be dealt with quickly——
This matter was raised on the Adjournment yesterday evening.