It is proposed to take Nos. 10, 4, 5, 11 and 12. It is also proposed, notwithstanding anything in Standing Orders, that the Second Stage of No. 10 shall be taken today and shall be debated together with Nos. 4 and 5.
Order of Business.
Is the proposal for dealing with Nos. 10, 4 and 5 satisfactory? Agreed.
Before I raise two issues I ask the Taoiseach to convey to the Israeli Ambassador and Government our sympathy in respect of the horrifric bombing in the centre of Tel Aviv yesterday with massive loss of life. This has particular relevance for us as we watch with interest the peace negotiations in the Middle East. It is appropriate for this House to send its sympathy to the Israeli Ambassador and Government.
Although it is not in order I hesitate to rule on the matter.
It will be done.
It is reported in the newspapers today that Mr. Harry Whelehan is to become the next President of the High Court. Will the Taoiseach indicate if agreement has been reached on who will succeed Mr. Whelehan as Attorney General? Has this been agreed as part of the Tinakilly Treaty?
The matter to which the Deputy referred is not relevant to the Order of Business.
We need to know whose turn it is or are we likely to be again brought to the brink of a general election?
I feel sure that the Deputy will raise this matter at a more appropriate time.
We discussed this matter before.
I have ruled that the matter is not in order now.
Do they not know yet? Has agreement been reached?
It seems the Deputy is now ridiculing the Chair.
Will the Taoiseach and the Tánaiste, who are due to meet the Alliance Party tomorrow to take on board not only what the Opposition parties here said but what the Taoiseach's own nominee to the Seanad, Senator Gordon Wilson, said yesterday, and to facilitate the reasonable request from the Alliance Party?
I have to rule that matter out of order; it is not relevant now. The Deputy may proceed to the next question.
Will the Government establish a special committee comprising five persons to review procedures in the Dáil?
That matter is not relevant now and the Deputy must know this.
I have no other way of raising the issue with the Taoiseach except here——
The Deputy has many ways of raising these matters and my office will assist her in that regard if she is in any difficulty.
Your office may not have been informed about the many events last weekend. Does the Government intend to establish a working group comprising five persons from outside this House to consider the question of Dáil reform? I understand that this matter was discussed at a recent meeting in County Wicklow.
That may well be but it is not in order now.
You should not protect the Taoiseach; he should be asked to respond.
Procedures are laid down for the Order of Business and the Deputy knows them very well.
The Deputy should not believe everything she reads in the newspapers.
The Minister of State reads The Sunday Tribune.
In respect of the motion which is due to be taken in the House next week relating to the appointment of a new Comptroller and Auditor General has the Taoiseach, as required, consulted the chairman of the Committee of Public Accounts and, since this appointment must be approved by the House, will the Members be advised in advance who it is proposed to appoint?
The Deputy need not elaborate.
Second, in terms of the giant leap from the brink of a general election to a voting pact in Cork, has the Taoisech accepted the unconditional surrender of the Labour Party?
This is irrelevant.
I note that both the Taoiseach and the Tánaiste are wearing a red rose. Is it the intention of Fianna Fáil and the Labour Party to fight the next general election as separate parties?
The Tinakilly Two.
A little humour at this time is very welcome but quite disorderly.
We appreciate the Deputy's concern.
It has been made clear that the motion to appoint the Comptroller and Auditor General will be taken in the House after the required consultations.
Now that the old, perennial, war-horse, my friend Lucky Lucan, has raised his head again will the Taoiseach indicate when it is proposed to introduce legislation to abolish ground rents?
Has this been promised?
Yes, on several occasions.
The Deputy might proceed by way of question.
It will not be ready for some time.
When will the full legislative programme for this session be published? Will the Taoiseach confirm whether what we have seen is the full programme?
A list of the Bills it is proposed to publish this session has already been sent to the party leaders through their Whips. It is always open to the Government and the House to introduce other legislation during the term as required.
On that matter——
We cannot proceed by way of questions, Deputy.
I accept that, but it is related to the question. The Taoiseach seemed to indicate there was other proposals, will he give some indication at this stage of the most likely proposals?
Try a better one than that, Deputy.
Will the Green Paper on broadcasting be published during this session?
I am informed it will be published towards the end of the year.
For some time we have been promised legislation on crowd control and public safety at our major stadia, concert halls and at other points where there are large gatherings of people——
Fianna Fáil Ard Fheiseanna.
When will the legislation be introduced?
The Bill to which I think the Deputy is referring is the Public Order Bill and it has been published.
That does not cover safety at stadia.
Perhaps the matter could be pursued in another way.
Will the Taoiseach use his good office and contact the American Embassy to ensure that the five people nominated by An Bord Iascaigh Mhara to attend an international lobster conference in Maine will be granted visas as they are due to fly out tomorrow?
Deputy Sheehan should put down a question or pursue the matter in another way.
The Tánaiste will be delighted to oblige.
The Courts and Court Officers Bill is listed for next week, but it has not yet been published. In view of the fact that the Taoiseach stated 18 months ago that there would be a two week period between publication of a Bill and the debate in this House, when will it be published?
The Deputy is correct but I understand the Whips have reached an agreement to take this Bill next week. It will be published tomorrow.
I have been told that the Minister for the Environment is not responsible for the National Roads Authority but to whom does the National Roads Authority report?
That is not a matter for the Order of Business.
Sir, I tabled a question yesterday but you told me that the Minister for the Environment is no longer responsible for the National Roads Authority. I am now asking the Taoiseach who is responsible?
The Deputy might pursue the matter in another way.
Members were looking for independence now they have it.
My question is simple. Will the Taoiseach say who in his Cabinet has responsibility for the National Roads Authority?
As the Deputy knows, the National Roads Authority was established on an independent basis by legislation of this House.
That is not good enough.
We cannot debate the matter now.
The Minister for the Environment is not responsible for roads — it is only potholes and bad roads that we have in County Donegal.