It is proposed to take items Nos. 14 and 3.
It is also proposed, notwithstanding anything in Standing Orders, that Private Members' Business shall be No. 19 and the proceedings thereon shall be brought to a conclusion at 8.30 p.m.
Order of Business.
I shall put the latter matter to the House. Are Members satisfied that Private Members' Business shall conclude at 8.30 p.m.? Agreed.
I am concerned about the Finance Bill. Now that the Government has started making announcements outside the House about changes in the family home tax, will the Taoiseach and the Tánaiste, who are both in the House, agree that they would be better off, politically and from every other point of view, to drop these proposals altogether and not to dig the hole any deeper?
These matters can be ventilated during the budget debate this morning.
On a point of order, Sir, this House deserves to have its privileges protected. Any announcement about budgetary or taxation matters should be made in the House, not by officials outside it.
Deputy, the matter is before the House——
It is not.
——in the Finance Bill.
It is not.
Will you arrange for a debate in this House on the Government's policy on the family home tax? Does it have a policy? Is it Joan Burton's policy, Bertie Ahern's policy, Liam Lawlor's policy, Dick Spring's policy of 1992, Dick Spring's policy of 1993 or Dick Spring's policy of 1994? What policy does the Government have?
There is no need for intervention of a disorderly kind at this stage.
A Cheann Comhairle, I agree with Deputy John Bruton, many of us do not have an opportunity to again contribute to this debate because we have already spoken. Indeed the Minister and Tánaiste have already spoken. It would be helpful to the many concerned citizens if we could have a clear statement of the intentions of the Government, and not the daft suggestion by the Minister of State who wants to further penalise PAYE taxpayers. What about the other people?
It is a matter for the budget debate, Deputy.
There is much concern on the part of pensioners particularly on fixed incomes, whose family homes have appreciated. The least they deserve is a clear statement from the Taoiseach about this matter, not statements to the Fianna Fáil and Labour Parties which I understand will be made today. Such statements should be made in this House.
Hear, hear.
On what specific date does the Taoiseach intend to introduce the Social Welfare Bill? He indicated here yesterday that it may be introduced in a week or two. In addition, will he give the House an undertaking, as he has in relation to the residential property tax — that there will be no extension of tax on social welfare benefits and no extension of means-testing of contributory pensions?
The introduction of the Social Welfare Bill is a pertinent question.
A Cheann Comhairle, if you will let me finish my point, which is an important one——
No, no, the Deputy is embarking on a speech which is not in order now.
There has been a lot of shouting and screaming about the residential property tax. I am asking whether we will have concessions on the taxation of unemployed people and the means-testing of widows, whether we will have an elimination of the hardship which will be caused by these measures.
We expect to have the Social Welfare Bill published in about two weeks.
In view of another kidnapping in Dublin last night, will the Taoiseach state whether it is intended to bring the Criminal Justice (Public Order) Bill, 1993, back to the Dáil after the conclusion of its debate in the Seanad, to amend it, in particular to deal with kidnapping offences?
Is this legislation promised?
That Bill is before the Seanad. If amendments are agreed in the Seanad, naturally they will be brought back to this House.
In relation to promised legislation will the Taoiseach say whether it is the intention to amend our extradition laws and confirm that that legislation will be introduced in the House soon? In addition, will he assure the House that any delay in its introduction will not be related to the forthcoming Sinn Féin Ard-Fheis?
That silly suggestion does not warrant a response. The Bill is before the House. It is a matter for the Whips to decide how soon they want it taken.
Surely the new element in relation to the residential property tax is the imposition of the service charges forced on the two new Dublin local authorities by the Minister for the Environment? In view of this double crucifixion of the people of Dublin will he agree this should be dropped?
On a separate matter — but it should be noted that the Taoiseach has declined to offer the same concessions or U-turns on the taxation of social welfare and the means-testing of widows pensions, as he has done in relation to other issues — will he indicate when the Extradition (Amendment) Bill, 1994, will be introduced in the House?
I have just replied — the Social Welfare Bill will be published in about two weeks. It will be a matter for the Whips how soon it can be taken thereafter. The same goes for the Extradition (Amendment) Bill, 1994, which will be taken as soon as the Whips agree to do so.
It would be helpful if the Taoiseach listened. I asked him specifically when the Extradition (Amendment) Bill, 1994, would be introduced in the House.
If the Deputy had been listening he would have heard the first answer.
He did not answer the first question.
If the Deputy had been reading his Order Paper he would have noted it is item No. 5. He knows how business can be ordered in this House.
I know it is on the Order Paper. I am asking when the Bill will be brought before this House.
The Taoiseach is very grumpy this morning.
Does the Taoiseach — and the Tánaiste especially — realise that the residential property tax is not just a Dublin tax but a tax that will affect thousands of homes throughout the country?
I thought the Deputy had something pertinent to raise at this time.
Will the Minister and the Tánaiste take into consideration that some of the junior Ministers are now buckling under pressure and the force of public opinon?
Since there is nothing appropriate to the Order of Business I am proceeding to the Order of Business proper.
Deputy Noonan (Limerick East) rose.
I except Deputy Noonan will have something appropriate to raise on the Order of Business.
(Limerick East): When the Minister for Arts, Culture and the Gaeltacht decided not to renew the section 31 order, was an order drafted making it compulsory for RTE to have Provos on every radio programme?
Please, Deputy Noonan. I am calling Deputy Cullen.
In view of recent media reports that a major international company, namely AT & T, may purchase up to 40 per cent of Telecom Éireann, is the Government considering this matter? Is legislation being considered?
Please, Deputy Cullen.
If so, when will it be brought before the House?
This is an ideal question to be tabled in the proper fashion.
I want to establish whether the Labour Party, in particular, are party to this.