It is proposed to take No. 8. It is also proposed, notwithstanding anything in Standing Orders, that the proceedings on the Second Stage of No. 8, which shall be taken today, shall be brought to a conclusion not later than 4 p.m.
Order of Business.
Is that proposal satisfactory?
On a point of information, if a vote is called on No. 8 will it be taken at 4 p.m.?
I think the Whips have made an arrangement in that regard and I will ask the Government Whip to contact the Deputy afterwards.
Can we know what it is because I am not aware of any such arrangement and neither is my Whip?
The Deputy should know by now.
If we call a vote can it be taken?
The Deputy might not have to call one.
Is there a possibility that the Government could be defeated today?
To satisfy the Deputy, if he wishes he can call a vote today.
We are due to take a motion on Aer Lingus next week. Can the Taoiseach give an assurance that no element of the plan which involves redundancies will be implemented before the Dáil has an opportunity to debate that motion next week?
I do not know what the Deputy is getting at when he asks that no part of the plan should be implemented——
Before next week.
——but, as he is aware, negotiations are taking place between management and unions at the company's premises. If the Deputy is talking about stopping anything in that regard, I can assure him that that will continue to be the situation.
I wish to ensure that no element which involves redundancies will be implemented before the Dáil has an opportunity to debate this matter next week.
I do not expect any redundancies that quickly. We are into the busy season at Aer Lingus and it has certain requirements.
We ought not anticipate the debate on the matter at this stage.
I welcome that news. I would like to ask a further question. While I also welcome the fall in interest rates and the improved economic prospects for the country as a result of the Government's reversal of its currency policy——
The Deputy should do so graciously.
——may I ask the Taoiseach if he would agree to scrap the 1 per cent income levy, which is a tax on jobs, because he does not need it any more?
That matter does not arise now. Deputy Harney has been offering.
(Interruptions.)
The Labour Party should put its money where its mouth is. If it does not want it, it should get rid of it now.
It is the best performance in Europe.
The Government got it right, reluctantly, on currency policy and the results have been excellent.
What about the Deputy's advice or that of Deputy Michael Noonan?
We might not have got into difficulty if you had elected another Taoiseach:
Please, Deputies; I have called Deputy Harney.
It is ironic that we are about to discuss public order legislation. I do not anticipate that ten Deputies would be crazy enough to oppose the Bill on Second Stage, despite what Deputy Costello said in this House about these provisions in February. In order to facilitate as many Members as possible, could we place a time limit of 20 minutes on speeches other than those by the main spokespersons as it can be inconvenient to share time?
There is no guillotine now.
There are time limits, Deputy. The main Opposition spokespersons will have 30 minutes each while other Members will have 20 minutes. The Minister will have 15 minutes to reply.
Will the Taoiseach confirm that his assurance to the Irish people that he had £8.5 billion in the bag——
I thought the Deputy dealt with that matter adequately last evening in the House. It does not arise now.
——was based on a private and unrecorded conversation between civil servants? Will the Taoiseach deny it?