It is proposed to take numbers 1 and 5. It is also proposed, notwithstanding anything in Standing Orders, that No. 1 shall be decided without debate and business shall be interrupted at 4.45 p.m. today.
Order of Business.
Is the proposal that No. 1 shall be decided without debate agreed? Agreed. Is it agreed that business shall be interrupted at 4.45 p.m. today? Agreed.
In view of the EC package agreed last night in regard to farm prices, will the Tánaiste agree to a debate on this subject in the House in Government time because of the implications of these proposals for the economic viability of family farms and the economy?
Deputy Bruton, we all understand the matters which can be raised here at this time. The matter referred to by the Deputy is not in order just now. There are other ways of dealing with it.
It was agreed at 4 o'clock this morning, Sir.
There are many ways of dealing with such matters.
Will the Tánaiste arrange to provide time for a debate as the Taoiseach has done in regard to other serious matters? I have no doubt the Tánaiste is well aware of the seriousness of this matter.
When will the Government introduce the legislation it promised in regard to heritage and national monuments? Will the Tánaiste agree that this should be taken in parallel with the legislation in regard to planning permission being required by the State agencies so that we can establish in this House a coherent structure for policy in the Office of Public Works and a clear understanding that in all its activites heritage issues will get the priority they deserve and we will know which Minister is responsible to the House?
Speech making at this time is not in order. The second matter referred to by the Deputy is in order.
There will be a section to designate Michael D. as a national monument.
There are more worthy candidates over there.
My understanding is that heritage legislation will be introduced in the next session. It is not possible to introduce it in this session. It is also my understanding that legislation will be introduced by the Minister for the Environment the week after next in relation to yesterday's High Court decision. In relation to the other matter which was out of order but to which I should refer, the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Forestry will report to the Government and obviously discussions can take place between the Whips in relation to time for a debate.
In view of the confusion that arose here yesterday on the Order of Business in regard to the tax amnesty——
It is the Government's amnesty.
——where the Taoiseach announced that the matter could be dealt with on Committee Stage of the Finance Bill and, a couple of minutes later, apparently contradicated himself and said it would be dealt with by way of separate legislation, when will the legislation be introduced and when is it intended that it will come into effect? In particular will it be introduced before the summer recess?
My recollection of what was said yesterday on the Order of Business is that the matter would be dealt with in the appropriate legislative manner. The Government will decide the framework of the amnesty and it will come before this House at the earliest date.
It will be dealt with when it works out what it means.
Not alone does it not know what is in it, it does not know in what form it will be brought in.
We cannot debate this matter now. There will be ample time to debate this matter in the House.
What is meant by "in the appropriate legislative manner"? Is it a Bill?
Wait and find out.
The Government do not know. The Tánaiste cannot give an answer. They are making it up as they go along.
It seems extraordinary that this step is being taken and that the Government still does not know how it will be done.
I urge the Tánaiste to tell us when the legislation will be introduced. It is not adequate that we should read about these things in our morning newspapers and that when we have an opportunity here the Tánaiste or the Taoiseach refuse to tell us precisely what they intend to do. We read in this morning's paper that legislation will be introduced in two weeks, yet the Tánaiste told us this morning that he will let us know in due course what particular form will be used. Will he clarify what is intended, or perhaps tell us that the Government intend to drop this crazy notion, this spectacle——
The matter adverted to by Deputies was the subject of contention yesterday morning and we are having quite a lot of repetition.
The senior Minister for poverty is taxing social welfare and justifying an amnesty for tax cheats.
This is not a time for questioning or for argument. We are on the Order of Business.
Surely the views expressed by SIPTU, the affiliate of the Labour Party have some influence on the Tánaiste and his collegues in Government. Surely the anger of the PAYE sector should be enough. Is there no response?
Was there a Government decision authorising the Minister for Agriculture to use the veto in the Brussels price negotiations?
The Deputy should raise that at a more appropriate time. I am calling Deputy Richard Bruton.
There obviously was not.
Could I ask the Tánaiste about the proposed legislation to give legal identity to the county enterprise boards? When is it intended that this will be introduced and is he aware that the announcement outside the House yesterday was in contravention of a commitment given by the Minister last week that any such announcement would be made in the House? In regard to the appointment of people to the National Economic and Social Forum from within this House——
The Deputy is deviating from the Order of Business.
This is a committee to be established from Members of this House.
May I ask if the legislation to which the Deputy refers is promised legislation? I understand it is not.
That is precisely the point. We were told it would be provided in this House.
The Deputy will have to pursue that matter through the normal channels by way of question or motion.
In regard to the legislation the Minister for the Environment proposes to introduce which may impact on planning permission and to the acknowledged achievement of the Minister for Health in finding a solution regarding the managerial framework for the Tallaght Hospital, the legislation——
The Deputy is raising a number of aspects at the same time. He should raise a question appertaining to the introduction of legislation.
I should be permitted to make my point. I am concerned that the legislation that will establish new planning procedures may delay the building of the Tallaght Hospital and I am merely asking the Tánaiste if care will be taken to ensure that the legislation, if possible, will avoid the Tallaght Hospital project having to go back to the planning stage.
That has been dealt with earlier.
This Government is determined to proceed with the Tallaght Hospital project as quickly as possible and we will do everything possible in that regard.
I call Deputy McManus.
May I raise a point of order?
Yes.
Why are questions in regard to the forum which is composed of Oireachtas Members disallowed on the Order of Business when questions in regard to the Foreign Affairs Committee and other committees composed of Members of this House are frequently allowed?
The Chair takes the view that those committees are mainly in charge of their own affairs.
The members of the committee to which I refer have not yet been appointed and the establishment of that committee has been promised on numerous occasions in this House. I merely want to ask a question in relation to its establishment.
I understand the committee to which the Deputy refers has been established.
Yes, but it has been promised in this House and I wish to ask a question about its establishment.
It has a chairperson, but no members.
A promised committee and promised legislation are two very different matters.
You, Sir, frequently permitted questions about the Foreign Affairs Committee in this House before it was established.
If the Deputy needs clarification on the establishment of a legitimate committee of this House, I will hear the answer.
May I ask a question then?
Yes.
When will this committee be established, particularly in view of the fact that it has been given an explicit remit to examine the allocation of Structural Funds?
I understand that Deputy Bruton is a member of the steering committee dealing with the establishment of this committee and that it will be established in a matter of weeks.
In view of the promised legislation on the planning process applying to State bodies, will the Government ensure that no further illegal development takes place at Luggala and Mullaghmore?
This matter has been clarified already this morning. It cannot be raised now.
It is one area in which there is not a precedent.
Ba mhaith liom ceist a chur ar an Tánaiste. An bhféadfadh sé a chur in iúl dom cén fáth nach raibh cruinniú go fóill ag Comhchoiste Oireachtais na Gaeilge cé go bhfuil sé beagnach sé mhí ó bhí an toghchán ann? Cén uair a bheidh a chéad cruinniú ag Comhchoiste Oireachtais na Gaeilge?
Is dóigh liom gur don Comhchoiste an cheist sin. Déanfaidh mé iarracht freagra a fháil don Teachta inniu.
When does the Government propose to nominate the next appointee to the European Court of Auditors and which side of the partnership will be involved?
(Interruptions.)
Will it be given to Barry?
It needs Barry Desmond more than it needs Deputy Cox.
Keep it in the family.
In view of the serious disruption of public transport this week and the potential for an all out strike, will the Tánaiste indicate if the bus competition Bill, that the Taoiseach indicated some time ago was being considered, will be introduced in this session?
That is promised legislation and it is unlikely that it will be dealt with in this session.
I am not going to remain unduly long on this matter and see the Order of Business turn into a mini Question Time with the majority of the questions posed completely out of order. I will not tolerate that for much longer. Deputies should resume their seats. I will call them in turn.
Fine Gael should make up their minds about who wants to speak.
In view of the Supreme Court decision that the Office of Public Works must apply for planning permission to the respective county councils in regard to the interpretative centres at Luggala, Mullagmore and the Boyne Valley, when will the legislation be introduced, which was promised in the Programme for Government and by the Minister for Arts, Culture and the Gaeltacht on 23 March, requiring each local authority to prepare a cultural development plan? Will the Government agree to accelerate that legislation so that those planning applications can be considered in the context of a cultural development plan?
The Deputy is making a speech.
That is promised legislation.
My understanding is that commitments in that regard are made in the Programme for Government and the Government will be delivering on them as soon as possible.
Will the planning applications be submitted before that?
In view of the promised legislative response to yesterday's Supreme Court decision — if I understand the Tánaiste correctly, the matter is to come before the House on Wednesday week — could I ask the Tánaiste to assure the House that a guillotine will not be applied to this legislation and that Committee Stage will not be taken on the same day as Second Stage so that adequate debate can take place on this very important issue? Will the Tánaiste put on the record of the House the purpose of the Taoiseach's visit to Malaysia?
The second matter is out of order.
He is carrying out a study of monsoon rains.
The legislation to which the Deputy refers will be published tomorrow and the Deputy probably has a draft copy already, as spokesperson for the Environment. It will be discussed on Wednesday week and we will endeavour to ensure ample time is made available to discuss the legislation. The Taoiseach is on a visit to Malaysia to build up trade relations between Malaysia and Ireland.
In the context of the regular meetings of committees and commitments made in relation to legislation in committees, are they accepted as appropriate for questions on the Order of Business? Are they regarded as commitments made in the House?
The business of the select committees should not intrude to any great extent on our business here.
(Interruptions.)
Perhaps you, Sir, would like some time to reflect on that matter and give us your considered views in a day or two. This is a new issue. Substantial commitments in regard to legislation have been made in some committees and it would be helpful if we could pursue those matters here.
I shall have the matter examined.
I can assure the House that many of those committees are not intruding on the work of this House.