It is proposed to take statements on the National Development Plan. It is also proposed, notwithstanding anything in Standing Orders, that 1. The following arrangements shall apply in relation to the statements on the National Development Plan: (i) the opening statement of the Minister and of the main spokesperson for the Fine Gael Party, the Progressive Democrats Party and the Technical Group shall not exceed 40 minutes in each case; (ii) the statement of each other Member called on shall not exceed 20 minutes in each case and (iii) a Minister or Minister of State shall be called upon not later than 4.35 p.m. to make a statement in reply not exceeding ten minutes. 2. Business shall be interrupted at 4.45 p.m. today.
Order of Business.
Is the proposal for dealing with the National Development Plan satisfactory? Agreed. Is the proposal that business shall be interrupted at 4.45 p.m. today agreed? Agreed.
I thank the Taoiseach for agreeing yesterday on the Order of Business to allow the Minister for Transport, Energy and Communications, Deputy Cowen, to meet Deputy Michael Noonan and the other Opposition spokespersons to brief them, in so far as he did, on the position in regard to Aer Lingus. However, one question which is important from the point of view of ordering the business of this House remains to be answered. Has the Government made any decision on the proposals from the board and does it intend to make such a decision as a Government?
The Chair has allowed some latitude on this subject in recent days and we clearly cannot have a rehash of the Aer Lingus problem on the Order of Business every morning.
I appreciate that. It appears that we have much legislation to transact between now and the summer recess and we need to know if the Government has made a decision. Obviously, such a decision will need to be accommodated in terms of debating time for its approval or otherwise by the House. It is in order to inquire if the Government has made a decision, if it intends to make a decision or if it will simply leave this matter to the board.
The matter is not in order but since it has been adverted to in recent days the Taoiseach may intervene if he wishes to do so. I should say again that Members will have an opportunity of adverting to this——
May I——
Please, Deputy, I am addressing the House. Members will have an opportunity of adverting to this matter, perhaps in some detail, on the debate which is about to ensue on the National Development Plan.
Thank you, a Cheann Comhairle, for allowing the Taoiseach to answer those questions.
Everyone in the House recognises the gravity of the problems in our national airline. I made it clear yesterday that the Government had already begun its evaluation of the report in the Cabinet sub-committee on aviation. It will make its recommendations to the Cabinet very expeditiously. The Deputy can be assured that the Government will make an early decision on this matter.
In view of the fact that the trade union movement has clearly indicated its total opposition to what has been proposed, which is effectively the gutting of the national airline, will the Taoiseach bring the report before the House as a matter of urgency so that this House can debate it and the Tánaiste can justify the total about turn on the promises he made at the mass meeting of workers during the election campaign?
I am permitting the Deputies' questions but I am concerned about the tendency to debate the matter now.
(Interruptions.)
Will the Tánaiste attend the mass meeting of workers today to justify the loss of 1,400-1,500 jobs?
Please, Deputy De Rossa.
I wish to clarify the position. The Government very much appreciates the very responsible attitude taken by the vast majority of Deputies opposite to this matter. I made it quite clear yesterday that this House would be given all the information possible without disclosing any of the confidential information which could be detrimental to our national airline. That is the position. I deplore the attempts by Deputy De Rossa to try again to have a full report published when he knows that maximum information is being given on the matter.
Can we have some honesty from the Taoiseach for once?
I am not permitting anything tending to a debate on the matter at this stage.
The Government is going to gut Aer Lingus.
I will hear a final question on the subject from Deputy Bruton.
I appreciate what the Taoiseach has said, but I wish to remind him that this matter is the responsibility of a Government of which he has been a member for the past six years. It is the procrastination by the Government of which he has been a member which has led to this problem.
This is not in order now. Deputies will have ample opportunity of adverting to this matter. There are many procedures in the House for doing so, and Members know that full well.
(Interruptions.)
I call Deputy Rabbitte, not I hope on the same subject.
May I inquire if the Tánaiste, or some Government backbenchers, are attending today's mass meeting in the hangar to address the workers in Aer Lingus?
I am proceeding to the business as ordered.
They will go when they want votes but they will not go to face the music.