It is proposed to take Nos. 7, 1, 8, 3 and 4. It is also proposed, notwithstanding anything in Standing Orders, that, (1) Nos. 7 and 1 shall be decided without debate; (2) the proceedings on No. 8 shall be brought to a conclusion within one hour and the following arrangements shall apply — (i) the opening speech of a Minister or Minister of State and of the main spokespersons for the Fine Gael Party, the Progressive Democrats Party and the Technical Group shall not exceed ten minutes in each case, (ii) the speech of each other Member called upon shall not exceed five minutes and (iii) a Minister or Minister of State shall be called upon not less than five minutes before the debate is due to conclude to make a speech in reply; (3) the Dáil shall sit tomorrow at 10.30 a.m. and adjourn not later than 4 p.m.; (4) the proceedings on the Second Stage of No. 4, if not previously concluded, shall be brought to a conclusion at 4 p.m. tomorrow.
Order of Business.
Is the proposal that Nos. 7 and 1 be decided without debate agreed? Agreed. Is the proposal for dealing with No. 8 agreed? Agreed. Is the proposal for dealing with No. 4 agreed? Agreed.
On the Order of Business, in relation to TEAM Aer Lingus, on top of the crisis we now have total confusion.
I have ruled that matter out of order, for obvious reasons.
I just wanted to ask the Taoiseach if he would clarify the Government's position.
That is not in order.
Yesterday we endeavoured to raise this matter——
I have afforded this House various opportunities of discussing the matter. I have ruled out any debate at this time.
I just want to ask the Taoiseach a question.
This is not Question Time.
I appreciate that, but we did try to table a Private Notice Question yesterday and it was disallowed. I want, therefore, to ask the Taoiseach to clarify the Government's position. The conflicting views are sending the wrong signals to the workforce. The Labour Parliamentary Party is saying one thing. The Taoiseach asked yesterday that the management and unions get together, and the Government has a different line.
There are still ways and means open to Members to pursue that matter. It is not in order now. I cannot condone debate of any kind.
Will the Taoiseach, in the interests of the taxpayers who have invested £65 million in this project and of the 1,900 jobs affected in north Dublin and County Meath clarify the Government's position so that we can try to find a resolution of this problem?
The Fine Gael Party has no desire to exploit this position for political reasons. We have endeavoured to be responsible in our approach. I want the Taoiseach to clarify exactly what the Government is doing——
Our position is quite clear.
Deputies
The Taoiseach should tell us.
If Deputies have any interest in saving the company they will send a clear signal from the House that we need the company to stay.
The Taoiseach should stand up.
I will not be disorderly like the Deputy.
The Taoiseach should tell the six Deputies over there what the position is.
They know the position.
Do they?
It is important that TEAM Aer Lingus is saved and it is clear it will not be with the bloody-minded approach of the Minister for Transport, Energy and Communications.
The matter should be discussed in accordance with the procedures of this House.
Will we hear from the Labour Party, in this House as distinct from radio and television, what its attitude is to this important issue of saving nearly 2,000 jobs?
The Deputy will have to pursue the matter in the normal way.
On a point of order——
No, the Deputy is out of order.
On a point of order——
The Deputy is completely out of order. I have ruled against the matter.
We had statements in this House from the Minister for Transport, Energy and Communications, Deputy Brian Cowen, that the LRC is the only basis for a settlement——
Deputy De Rossa may not proceed.
I am seeking clarification. At the same time we had a statement from the other partner in Government that the union proposals and the LRC are the basis for a settlement.
I have permitted the matter to be discussed in some detail in the House in recent days. It is not in order now, Deputy.
It is important that the Minister and the Labour Party come in here and tell us precisely what is going on.
The Deputy will resume his seat.
Are they serious about saving the 2,000 jobs or will they simply stand aside and abandon them?
I am calling item No.7.
That seems to be what is happening.
This is quite disorderly.
A Cheann Comhairle——
The Deputy should not seek to intimidate the Chair.
You are threatening me before I open my mouth. I wish to ask a question.
I am doing nothing more than seeking to maintain order in this House, which is my duty and function.
I wish to raise a point on the Order of Business.
With my permission.
Will the Taoiseach tell us who is the Minister for Tourism and Trade and where is he?
Deputy Allen, please, I am calling item No.7.
At a time when Irish soccer fans are stranded in the United States we are dependent on the charity and goodwill of Irish Americans to rescue them.
Deputy Allen is completely out of order.
I want to know what the Government intends to do for the Irish soccer fans.
The Deputy should put down a question on that matter.
I will put down a Private Notice Question. The Minister for Tourism and Trade is gallivanting around the United States when he should be back here working for those who are stranded there.
The Deputy is good at that himself.
I do so at my own expense. The Minister should be back here carrying out his responsibilities and Deputy Wallace should be sticking up for the Cork fans instead of heckling me.