It is proposed to take Nos. 5, 6, 7, 11, 12 and 8; No. 6 shall be taken not latter than 3.50 p.m. and the order shall not resume thereafter. It is also proposed notwithstanding anything in Standing Orders that: (1) business shall be interrupted at 12 midnight tonight; (2) the Second Stage of No. 6 shall be taken today and the proceedings thereon if not previously concluded shall be brought to a conclusion at 10.30 p.m.; (3) the Second Stage of No. 7 shall be taken today and the proceedings if not previously concluded shall be brought to a conclusion at 11.55 p.m. tonight; (4) the proceedings on the Committee and Remaining Stages of No. 11 if not previously concluded shall be brought to a conclusion at 11.57 p.m. tonight 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 Taoiseach; (5) the proceedings on the Second Stage of No. 12 if not previously concluded shall be brought to a conclusion at 12 midnight; (6) subject to the Second Stage of No. 12 being agreed No. 8 shall be taken and decided without debate; (7) Private Members' Business shall be No. 16 and the proceedings thereon shall be brought to a conclusion at 8.30 p.m.
Order of Business.
Is the proposal that business be interrupted at midnight agreed? Agreed. Are the proposals for dealing with No. 6 agreed? Agreed. Are the proposals for dealing with No. 7 satisfactory?
Given the arrangements in regard to No. 6 and the finishing time of 12 midnight, if the opening speakers on the Second Stage of the European Communities Bill take their full half hour as is normal on Second Stage, I will not have an opportunity to speak on that matter. I understand that there has been an informal arrangement whereby the opening speakers of the Government, Fine Gael and the Progressive Democrats would confine themselves to 20 minutes in order to allow me to speak on behalf of the Democratic Left and the Technical Group. Could I have confirmation that that will be the position?
That is agreed.
I would appreciate if that were noted in order to avoid argument tonight.
Are the proposals for dealing with No. 7 agreed? Agreed. Are the proposals for dealing with No. 11 satisfactory and agreed? Agreed.
I know this relates to the Statistics Bill, but does the Taoiseach intend entering the Guinness Book of Records because he is only allowing two minutes for Committee and all Remaining Stages?
It is called the new committee system.
However short, I take it it is agreed. Are the proposals for dealing with No. 12 agreed?
In relation to that, I want to confirm that this Bill — the Social Welfare (Consolidation) Bill, which is a major Bill though obviously not intended to create new law — will be taken in Committee some time during July.
That is correct.
May I take it that No. 12 is agreed? Agreed. Are the proposals for dealing with No. 8 agreed? Agreed. Are the proposals for dealing with Private Members' Business this evening agreed? Agreed.
On the Order of Business, could I ask the Taoiseach what is the current timescale for the proposed Ethics in Government Bill? Also, does the Government propose to make any statement in regard to the allegations concerning the Dublin-Monaghan bombings in the early seventies?
The latter matter to which the Deputy referred is on our Order Paper for today.
This is a Private Member's motion in my name and that of Deputy Gay Mitchell. I was wondering if the Taoiseach would want to have Dáil time to make any statement on this matter before we go into recess.
It is expected to introduce the Ethics in Government Bill during the next session. In regard to the latter matter, I do not propose to make any statement at this stage.
The Taoiseach will be aware that in Britain Mr. John Matthews has been freed by the British authorities because there is no evidence against him, but that now an exclusion order has been served on this man. Would the Taoiseach indicate what steps he intends to take to ensure that the exclusion order is lifted?
The matter to which the Deputy refers is clearly not one for the Order of Business.
In view of the circumstances and the concern expressed perhaps the Taoiseach——
This should not give rise to argument. There are other ways of dealing with that matter.
The Taoiseach has already said that he does not intend to make a statement in relation to the serious allegations made on television last night. Would he indicate why he does not intend to make a statement or make arrangements for the Minister for Justice or another Minister to make a statement? These are extremely serious allegations. This is injustice piled on injustice and people have a right to know the score.
We will pass over that problem now. This is not Question Time.
In case there is any misunderstanding about what I said, I wish to clarify the position. I said I did not propose to make any statement at this stage. The Department of Justice and the Garda Síochána are examining all the allegations made.
Would the Taoiseach indicate the proposed timetable for the establishment of a permanent boundary commission?
That is a matter for Question Time.
There is legislation promised.
There is legislation promised and we expect to deal with this matter in the next session.