It is proposed to take Nos. 3, 11 and 12. It is also proposed, notwithstanding anything in Standing Orders that (1) the Second Stage of No. 3 shall be taken today; (2) In the case of the resumed debate on No. 12, the speech of each Member called on shall not exceed 20 minutes. Private Members' Business shall be No. 16, motion No. 4.
Order of Business.
Is it agreed that the Second Stage of No. 3 shall be taken today? Agreed. Are the proposals for dealing with No. 12, the resumed budget debate, agreed? Agreed.
In view of the fact we are seeing for the first time in the living memory of most Members of this House evidence of genocide on a systematic scale on the continent of Europe in the former Yugoslavia, and in view of the need to ensure that the United Nations has the power to enforce peace as well as merely keep it, will the Taoiseach indicate when the legislation, which has been promised outside this House, to amend the Defence Acts to allow Irish troops to take part in peace enforcement will be brought before this House?
It was not promised here.
Will the Taoiseach resist the temptation to give the smart response to which, unfortunately, he tends to fall prey from time to time? This is a serious question and the legislation was promised on radio this morning. When it will be introduced in this House? Will it be ready this session?
I would prefer if the legislation were promised in this House.
I do not think that a procedural device of that nature should be used by the Taoiseach to avoid answering a serious question involving our responsibilities to the international community.
These matters can be adequately dealt with in other ways.
It is time to put the record of this House straight. I answered questions at Question Time today and I will answer more at Question Time tomorrow; this matter is not something that has occurred today and if the Deputy was as seriously interested as he purports to be, he would have gone to the trouble of putting down a question.
The matter was brought up in a radio interview and I am now raising it at the earliest possible opportunity.
This should not give rise to argument, there are various ways of raising this matter, particularly by way of parliamentary question.
I think the Taoiseach has fallen to a new low in "smart assery"
He is without his single page from the civil servant.
When is it proposed to publish the Finance Bill? Has the Government any proposals to introduce legislation in relation to building societies in view of the succession of recent events connected with them which is causing a good deal of public concern?
In reply to the second part of the Deputy's question, legislation has not been promised. It is expected that the Finance Bill will be published before the end of next week.
Does the Taoiseach — or the Tánaiste — propose to come into the House and make a statement regarding the current developments in Northern Ireland, particularly in view of the close relationship——
That matter does not arise now. Matters appertaining to Northern Ireland have been dealt with by question today. If the Deputy wishes to raise the matter, it is not in order now.
Are you aware, Sir that the questions on Northern Ireland today were shortened by the fact that we are operating a new 30 minute system on Tuesdays for the Taoiseach's questions? I am simply asking a question normally raised on the Order of Business; whether it is intended that statements be made in this House and whether the Taoiseach or the Tánaiste will take the opportunity to address the question of the leader of the SDLP seeking to develop an accord with the leader of Provisional Sinn Féin.
To ask a Minister to make a statement is essentially a matter appropriate to Question Time.
I will try to find another way of raising it. I think the Taoiseach must address the issue in this House.
The local elections are being held in the North of Ireland.
Deputy, you are playing games.
In view of the debate that will be held on Friday on the Green 2000 report, will the Taoiseach arrange for Members of the House to be circulated with a copy of the report, which is customary when matters are being discussed in this Chamber? If it is not possible to circulate every member with a copy, perhaps he could arrange to circulate a copy to those Members who are interested in the debate?
The Whips will attend to that matter.
Will the Taoiseach report on the state of progress in the inter-ministerial squabble between the Minister for Tourism and Trade and the Minister for Enterprise and Employment?
There must be relevance at this time.
It is promised legislation.
I will not tolerate flippancy.
It is promised legislation and time and again there has been the promise of legislation to implement the Culliton report. My question is whether the dispute that has been holding this up has been resolved——
If the Deputy's question pertains to legislation that is fine, but he should not bring in extraneous matters.
With all due respect, a Cheann Comhairle, I will ask my questions the way I choose.
No, the Deputy will ask them in accordance with the Standing Orders of this House.
I have done that, a Cheann Comhairle, and I am in order. When will the legislation promised time and time again in this House and bruited about during the break that it would be published before the break was over be brought before this House? Has the dispute about areas of demarcation been resolved?
I think we can leave that out of it. Has the legislation been promised?
As I have already said on a number of occasions it will be published within the next few weeks.
In view of the comment made by the former Minister for Justice that he proposed to introduce legislation to abolish an anachronism from the last century, namely ground rents, will the Taoiseach indicate if and when it is intended to introduce such legislation?
If legislation has not been promised, the Deputy ought to raise it in an appropriate way.
It was in the 1987 manifesto.
Legislation is at an early stage of preparation.
When is it intended to introduce the Broadcasting Bill which was circulated last week?
That is a matter for the Whips, as it has already been circulated.