It is proposed to take Nos. 14 and 2. Private Members' Business shall be No. 24, motion 13.
Order of Business.
Does the Government ever intend to introduce a Finance Bill based on the budget of 26 January or is collective responsibility between the Fianna Fáil and Labour parties breaking down completely? Could the budget perhaps be described, in the well-chosen phrase of the Minister for Finance, as an anomaly?
Will the Government bring forward legislation later this year to facilitate the holding of a divorce referendum in the autumn?
The programme for divorce legislation and the divorce referendum is still on track.
Will the Taoiseach say when it is proposed to bring the Social Welfare Bill before the House and will he undertake to drop the provision for taxing unemployment benefit given that it will take £30 million from the pockets of newly unemployed people in the coming year?
Will the Taoiseach reply to the aspect of the question relating to legislation?
The Social Welfare Bill will be circulated shortly.
How much urgency does the Taoiseach attach to the proposed waste Bill which was announced by a Fianna Fáil-led Government nearly five years ago given the bitter debate surrounding the toxic issue, in relation to Rogerstown Estuary, the public inquiry in respect of the proposals for a dump at Kill.
This is not a time for statements. Does the question relate to promised legislation?
Is it possible to give a date in respect of the introduction of that Bill?
That legislation is being prepared and will be brought forward as soon as possible.
After five years.
The Deputy was not even here then.
In view of the announcement in the Minister's budget speech that the Minister for Social Welfare would introduce proposals to means test contributory widow's pension and given that there have been comments in the press since attributed to the Minister for Social Welfare to the effect that he does not favour such proposals — as Herod did not favour the slaughter of the innocents — is it intended to proceed with that proposed change or has the idea been abandoned?
The Social Welfare Bill is introduced at this time every year; if possible, it will be introduced within the next two weeks or so. Deputy Mitchell should not anticipate what will be included in the legislation, he should wait until it is published.
The announcement was made by the Minister in his Budget Statement and is reported at Column 1765 of the Official Report of 26 January. Are we to believe anything from this Government?
Many people are wondering as to what is the difference between a U-turn and an anomaly——
The Deputy should be able to tell us that.
——because everything in the Government's budget is an anomaly which will be turned around.
We did not fall on it.
Deputy Bruton, without interruption, please.
The Taoiseach in his arrogance brought down one Government, he should not allow arrogance to go to his head on this occasion.
The Deputy did that in respect of two budgets.
The bigger they are the harder they fall.
Hold on to your seat-belts. In regard to the divorce legislation, as distinct from the family law Bill, will the Minister indicate if that legislation will be debated in this House before the summer recess, in view of the fact that there would be inadequate opportunity for public debate if the legislation were not to be introduced until September for an October referendum? In other words, will the Taoiseach give an assurance that the divorce Bill, as distinct from the family law Bill — that is the constitutional amendment Bill — will be debated in the House before the summer recess to avoid a perception that the matter is being rushed?
As I stated earlier, the Government's programme in relation to divorce legislation and a referendum are on track and the expectation is that both Bills mentioned by the Deputy will be debated before the summer recess.
Does that track include the backtracking?
The Deputy's party should know all about that.
Which platform is the Minister on?
I have called Deputy Gilmore.