Vol. 433 No. 9
It is proposed to take item No. 4.
It is also proposed notwithstanding anything in Standing Orders that the Dáil on its rising today shall adjourn until the sitting on 20 September 1993, as provided for in the Resolution of the Dáil of 9 July and, on the conclusion of the proceedings on that day, the Dáil shall adjourn until 2.30 p.m. on Wednesday, 6 October 1993.
Is the proposal before the House agreed? Agreed.
May I ask the Taoiseach when the House will have an opportunity to discuss in detail how the money we are to receive from the EC Structural Funds will be spent to ensure that it achieves the objective intended, that is, to generate more employment?
I might remind the House that this is a special sitting and that under the procedures laid down for us by an order of the Dáil of 9 July, the business has been fixed and determined. I am concerned about the raising of extraneous matters especially having regard to the time limits laid down for dealing with the Order of Business on this day which should commence at this time; indeed 10.30 a.m. was scheduled for hearing the report in respect of the first of the Dáil Select Committees — Finance and General Affairs. Let us have regard to this factor if we are to utilise time for any other purpose.
Sir, my question is a normal one for the Order of Business: it is about business to be taken on another day.
I am sorry, Deputy, I have to disagree with you.
The Taoiseach was willing to give an answer to that question.
I ask Members to have regard to the Order of An Dáil of 9 July.
No answers.
Unlike other Members the Taoiseach has no intention of being disorderly.
Hiding again.
Silence.
More funny money.
I understand that the Cabinet is to discuss today the question of the allocation of the Structural Funds. Would the Taoiseach undertake to have either the Minister for Finance or the Minister of State at the Office of the Tánaiste and Department of Finance, Deputy Eithne Fitzgerald, offer himself or herself to the Select Committee on Finance and General Affairs?
I express the hope that Members would have an opportunity of raising these matters on the statements about to be made in respect of certain of our Select Committees.
However, a Cheann Comhairle, it is appropriate to ask the question at this point when we are taking a decision in relation to what business we are dealing with today, that we be given an undertaking by the Taoiseach that an opportunity would at least be offered to the Select Committee on Finance and General Affairs to discuss Government plans in relation to the expenditure of this money.
The Chair has a bounden obligation to adhere to an Order of this House of 9 July. I would ask Members now to proceed to deal with——
Deputies Deasy and De Rossa rose.
Sorry, Deputies, I am proceeding promptly to——
A Cheann Comhairle, I have a question on promised legislation.
The only question that can arise on the Order of Business today is one appertaining to today's business.
No, Sir, promised legislation can also be raised on the Order of Business. Would the Taoiseach indicate — in view of the decision yesterday of the Supreme Court which maintained the injunction——
I am sorry, I cannot facilitate the Deputy now.
A Cheann Comhairle, I am asking the Taoiseach, in view of the Supreme Court's decision yesterday which maintained the injunction——
Deputy, this is a special sitting of the Dáil to deal with specific business. The Chair has an obligation to adhere to the decisions of this House.
I am asking whether the Taoiseach will indicate what plans he has in relation to promised legislation regarding information on abortion.
I did suggest that the Deputy might have an opportunity of raising that matter on the statements to be made on the reports of the Select Committees.
I am asking, on the Order of Business, which I am entitled to ask——
No, Deputy, I have conveyed to you——
An Cheann Comhairle, I am entitled to ask a question——
No, you are not; you are out of order, Deputy.
I am entitled to ask a question and to an answer also on the Order of Business.
I would advise the Deputy to have regard to the arrangements for business to be taken today.
A Cheann Comhairle, on the Order of Business, I am entitled to raise a question relating to promised legislation.
But not to extraneous matters today, Deputy.
Sir, we could have had the question completed and have received a reply by now had you allowed me the courtesy of posing my question.
I am calling Deputy Deasy.
Would the Taoiseach indicate what he proposes to do in relation to the disgraceful Supreme Court decision yesterday?
Deputy De Rossa will please resume his seat. I cannot entertain the raising of extraneous matters now, Deputy. I am obliged to proceed in accordance with the Order of the Dáil of 9 July and to hear a Statement at 10.30 a.m. from the chairman of one of our Select Committees, Deputy Ellis.
A Cheann Comhairle, it is not extraneous. It is very much in order on the Order of Business.
I am calling Deputy Deasy.
In the absence of the Minister for the Marine, can the Taoiseach say whether, following the regulations on last nights ITV programme, the Government will take immediate steps to stop the Spanish fishing fleet from fishing within the 200-mile limit? Would the Taoiseach please respond?
I am now proceeding to item No.4 — statements on the four Dáil Select Committees and the Joint Committee on Foreign Affairs.
For the benefit of the House I should say that the Committees sitting today can order their own business and, consequently, can discuss the matters Members were endeavouring to raise here on the Order of Business.
That is not true.
I am calling on Deputy Ellis.
