There are two questions I would like to raise. I note that the Government has again included the confiscation of criminal proceeds as part of its programme of Bills to be published some time this session. May I ask the Taoiseach if he remembers that this was actually included in the Joint Programme for Government with the Progressive Democrats and has been promised on virtually every occasion in the Dáil when the Government's legislative programme has come up, yet has not been delivered? Is there any urgency in the Government's programme against crime in light of its failure to enact this legislation?
Order of Business (Resumed).
The Deputy can be assured the Bill will be published this session.
May I ask the Taoiseach, in light of the fact that both he and the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs will be meeting John Hume this morning, if he will provide for a debate in this House next week on the Northern Ireland situation in general but specifically in light of whatever information the Government receives today from the briefing by John Hume?
Requests for statements of this kind are not strictly in order at this stage.
The Taoiseach sometimes wants to reply.
As the Taoiseach recognises, it is a matter of concern to the general public.
I suggest that this matter be dealt with by negotiation through the Whips. It is important that it comes before this House but in a way that is timely from everybody's point of view.
I appreciate what Deputy Bruton has said and we will certainly bear it in mind.