It is proposed to take Nos. 5, 6, 7, 8, 11, 9, 10, 2, 1 and 3. It is also proposed, notwithstanding anything in Standing Orders, that: 1. Nos. 5, 6, 7 and 8 shall be decided without debate. 2. Private Members' Business shall be No. 16 and the proceedings thereon shall be brought to a conclusion at 8.30 p.m.
Order of Business.
Is the proposal that Nos. 5, 6, 7 and 8 be decided without debate satisfactory and agreed? Agreed. Is the proposal that Private Members' Business shall terminate at 8.30 p.m. agreed? Agreed.
I wish to ask the Taoiseach two questions regarding the business that may be taken today. Does he expect that the Minister for Transport. Energy and Communications will be in a position to make a statement in regard to the EIS for the Galmoy Mines today, or will we have to wait for some time for a statement on the issue? Will the Taoiseach indicate if the Minister for Justice will make a statement about the apparent holding within this jurisdiction of a young man who was abducted from his home by men wearing masks in Northern Ireland?
Those matters are not appropriate to the Order of Business.
They are.
The latter matter surely is not.
I expect the Minister for Justice would want to make a statement on that matter because it could have serious implications for business we hope to transact later this week in regard to the Forum for Peace and Reconciliation. I would like the Minister to make a statement clarifying what the Garda know about the holding within this jurisdiction of a man who was apparently taken from his home by people wearing masks.
Sorry, Deputy, this matter is clearly not one for the Order of Business and I am sure you will pursue it in the normal way.
I do not want to be awkward but the timing is very important and we should know what we are dealing with as quickly as possible. I hope the Government will make a statement because it is alleged that the young man is being held in this State, an area for which the Minister for Justice is responsible. We would like to be informed of what the Garda know about this matter.
This is a matter for the Garda Síochána and we are not going to enter the area of security operations.
It is another jurisdiction's problem.
Regarding the Deputy's other question, the Minister for Transport, Energy and Communications is willing at any time to give the information and show how hypocritical the approach of Fine Gael has been in this matter. There is not a scintilla of truth in what the Deputy sought to allege in the House yesterday. That approach is bringing politics to the lowest level we have seen here.
The Taoiseach is protesting too much.
It is time that responsible politicians correct the misdirection in politics and the quicker they do so the sooner the House will be the better for it.
I am not prepared to have a repeat of yesterday's business. It shall be dealt with in the ordinary way.
Yesterday I asked the Taoiseach about the report from the Attorney General. I thank him for informing my office that it is under preparation and will be published by the end of December. I hope we will have an opportunity to discuss it here because it is not satisfactory that a dangerous person should be free for up to seven months before the Attorney General acts. I compliment the Minister for Transport, Energy and Communication for advocating a Progressive Democrats policy yesterday, one for which the Tánaiste derided me in the House last June.
The Labour Party has been converted.
Let us not forget that there are rules governing the Order of Business.
The Labour Party has gone to the right of the Progressive Democrats.
Will the Taoiseach indicate when legislation will be introduced to provide for the implementation of the ban on bituminous coal in Cork, which I understand is to be put in place from 1 January next.
It will be introduced as soon as possible. We all recognise the necessity for it and that the people of Cork are as entitled to clean air as people in other parts of the country.
Are you going to stay out of it?
If Fine Gael stay out of the election it would be a little cleaner.
Would that life could be so easy.
Will the Taoiseach indicate when the promised information on abortion legislation will be published?
I have said on a number of occasions that it will be introduced this session.
Will it be published next week?
If it is ready before then, it will be published.
After the by-election.
Given that you, Sir, will not allow us to raise on the Order of Business the matter of the abduction of a man from Northern Ireland who has been brought into this jurisdiction, is it possible that some way could be found to raise this matter today as it is important that we clarify if the people involved are related to those who want to sit down at the forum?
There are many ways open to the Deputy to raise that matter.
I hope you will facilitate——
The matter has been ruled out of order.
We need assurances on the matter.
Legislation to provide for the mandatory reporting of allegations of sexual abuse was promised in the House on foot of the recommendations of the Kilkenny incest report and a report of the Law Reform Commission. Does the Taoiseach not believe it is ironic that the office charged with drafting such legislation is the office of the Attorney General, which sat on valid warrants for the extradition of a paedophile to Northern Ireland?
There is no answer to that.
I wish to do a favour for one of the parties opposite.
I am sure it is the Progressive Democrats.
I request that No. 19 on the Order Paper be withdrawn.
Perhaps the Progressive Democrats would move its withdrawal.
Has the Taoiseach cleared the necessary consultation procedures for the appointment of a new Comptroller and Auditor General? Will the motion to appoint that person be put to the House this week?
It will be put before the House tomorrow.
In view of the alarming report yesterday from the British House of Commons transport committee on the dangers of using super unleaded petrol, will the Taoiseach say whether this matter will be investigated here to avoid a scare in this country? A serious allegation was made that the use of this petrol may cause cancer.
Sorry, Deputy Barrett, I would like to facilitate you, but that is essentially a question that should be dealt with at Question Time.
I accept it is a question and that is why I am putting it to the Taoiseach.
The matter is under investigation.
Will the Taoiseach acknowledge that the newspaper report that it cost £30,000 to fly the "Minister for Poverty" home from Zurich at the weekend is a matter of public concern? Will he explain the farcical——
That matter may not be raised now, Deputy.
——use of the Government jet by members of the Cabinet and Ministers of State?
I am calling Deputy Bernard Durkan.
In the absence of a response, I wish to raise this matter on the Adjournment this evening.
That procedure has been changed.
Will the Taoiseach say when it is proposed to implement in full the Child Care Act?
As I stated in the Dáil last week, the section referred to is being introduced on a phased basis.
When will it be implemented?
Currently, and over the period ahead. If the Deputy wants further details he should put down a question to the Minister for Health.
That was done, but the Minister did not give any more information than we got from the Taoiseach.
A detailed timetable was given.
It was not given in detail.
In view of the Taoiseach's reply last week that the Minister for the Environment had nothing to do with the National Roads Authority, what was that Minister doing at the Kilcullen by-pass a couple of days ago?
That is a very good question, Deputy, and it should be dealt with as such.
Will the Taoiseach reply to my question?
I was opening a new road.
I think the Minister was blessing it.
I allocate the resources.
Will the Taoiseach say who is responsible for the IDA and Forbairt? I have been told by you, Sir, that the Minister for Enterprise and Employment is not responsible. Will the Minister for Enterprise and Employment make statements when there is good news while the IDA and other semi-State bodies give the bad news?
This is not the time to pursue that matter.
There is only good news.
The Taoiseach should tell us who is responsible for the IDA and Forbairt.
There are many ways open to Deputy Harte to pursue the matter.
I am asking a simple question and all I want is a simple answer.
Deputy Harte must desist.
The people of Letterkenny want to know why the managers of Forbairt and the IDA were transferred from Letterkenny to Sligo. The Minister must accept responsibility——
Perhaps I can assist Deputy Harte. Since the people of Letterkenny are asking Deputy Harte who is responsible for the IDA and what relationship exists between the IDA and the Minister. I am sure, Deputy Harte, as one of the longest serving Deputies in the House, knows the answer. I thought Deputy Harte rose to congratulate Deputy Michael Smith, Minister for the Environment, on the opening of the Kilcullen by-pass. Great progress has been made on the roads of Ireland and in every other facet of economic life.
May I ask——
(Interruptions.)
The Deputy in possession cannot be heard. Let us proceed in an orderly fashion.
(Interruptions.)
The interruptions from both sides of the House must cease.
Given the concern of the Labour Party, which is shared by all sides of the House, about developments in the Office of the Attorney General, particularly in view of the recent revelations, will the Taoiseach tell the House whether he will bring forward the Estimates for the Office of the Attorney General so that we can debate these matters in the House?
The taking of Estimates is a matter for the Whips to decide.
A formal request will be made by our party to take the Estimate for the Office of the Attorney General immediately.
By agreement, not by dictation.
Will the Taoiseach say when the harbour boards legislation will be taken?
It is unlikely it will be taken this session. It will more than likely be taken next session.