In view of the matter I tried to raise under Standing Order 30, the widespread flooding with loss of property and livestock and the consequent hardship that is causing, when does the Taoiseach expect the legislation to amend the Arterial Drainage Act will be brought before the Dáil? The Bill was in the final stages of preparation before the previous Government fell.
Order of Business (Resumed).
That legislation has not been promised by this Government. The work done on that subject is under active review by the Government and we will be in a position to make our intentions on that legislation known at an early stage.
May I take it that is promised legislation by this Government?
I would have to refer the Deputy to the Ceann Comhairle for a ruling on that matter. It is not for me to interpret even the meaning of my own words in terms of Standing Orders——
Will the Taoiseach do anything about arterial drainage? The farmers want to know whether anything will be done about it.
That is entirely a matter for somebody who is well fit to make those judgments and has been elected to the House to do so.
I have allowed the Deputy to raise the matter with the Taoiseach. We cannot debate it now.
I have no wish to debate it. All I want is a straight answer from this Government of openness, transparency and accountability.
I should not lead to argument. As I said earlier, there are many ways of raising this matter and the Chair will facilitate Members in doing so. There was reference to flooding on the Adjournment debates of last evening. The Minister for the Environment will deal with questions on this subject tomorrow and there are still ways open to Deputies to raise the matter.
The question specifically relates to arterial drainage and amendment of that legislation. I put down a question to the Minister for the Environment on this matter but it was ruled out of order. I am asking the Taoiseach for a straight answer. Will the Government bring forward legislation in view of the serious hardship being caused by flooding? The previous Government recognised the problem, which has got even worse since then. May we have a straight answer?
All we want is a yes or no.
Deputy Dempsey knows full well that he has posed a question to the Taoiseach.
On legislation.
The Deputy should put down the question.
May I inquire, a Cheann Comhairle, whether you are accepting the job offer from the Taoiseach as his interpreter?
I would be most reluctant to accept such a position.
In view of the severe flooding west of the Shannon, will the Taoiseach consider giving to the Minister of State, Deputy Carey, responsibility for flooding as his brief is very limited.
It seems clear the Taoiseach is either unaware of or does not care about the serious hardship suffered throughout the length and breadth of Ireland at present. We want a clear, straight answer to whether the Government will bring in the promised legislation on arterial drainage, or is the Taoiseach's indifference the reason 12 counties are not represented in the Cabinet or the Second Front Bench? As far as the Taoiseach is concerned, they do not exist.
I have outlined to members the way to proceed in this instance. I am calling Deputy Séamus Brennan.
I have a rather large volume of legislation promised by the previous Government — it is a substantial list of promises undelivered by that Government — and I do not see legislation on arterial drainage. The last Government never promised that legislation but we will deliver it.
I am calling Deputy Séamus Brennan.
On a point of order——
No, Deputy; Deputy Séamus Brennan has been called.
The Taoiseach has misled the House.
If Deputy Brennan does not offer I will not——
The Taoiseach has misled the House.
Sorry Deputy, I have called your colleague, Deputy Brennan.
The Taoiseach has misled the House.
This is disorderly, Deputy Dempsey. The Deputy may not dominate proceedings at this time. I have called Deputy Séamus Brennan.
A Cheann Comhairle——
Is Deputy Brennan going to offer?
—— The Taoiseach misled the House.
The Deputy is clearly out of order. He should resume his seat.
The Taoiseach is out of order.
When I call you, Deputy Brennan, I expect you to respond, otherwise I will call another Member.
Given that yesterday he eventually answered Deputy Ahern's question regarding Unionist involvement in talks, does the Taoiseach now consider it was unwise to transfer this question to the Department of Foreign Affairs? Will he assure the House that he will take fundamental questions of this nature in future?
This is not in order.
The Deputy is a nervous questioner.
It is a good question and the Deputy should put it down as such.
Will the Taoiseach give that assurance?
(Interruptions.)
That sort of flippant answer on Northern Ireland is typical.
Will the Taoiseach give us that assurance?
I call Deputy Nealon.
On promised legislation, is the Taoiseach aware that Deputy Mattie Brennan announced to Sligo County Council that Deputy Noel Dempsey had passed the amendment to the Arterial Drainage Act?
Deputy Brennan is a forward thinker.
On a point of order——
Is he further aware that he announced a sum of £10 million to drain the Owenmore and Arrow rivers?
The Taoiseach made a mistake when he left out Deputy Nealon.
The Order of Business has become untidy, to say the least. I am proceeding to other business quite promptly.
(Interruptions).
On a point of order——
Deputy Dempsey seems to be dominating our proceedings this morning.
I have no wish to dominate proceedings——
The Deputy is in no danger of doing that.
—— and do not want to show disrespect to the Chair——
It would not be tolerated, Deputy.
I am glad, and would not expect you to tolerate it. However, the Taoiseach made a misleading statement to the House. I promised this legislation in the House and it is with the Department of Finance.
I will not tolerate argument on the Order of Business.
Given that he has promised the arterial drainage Bill and having regard to the urgency of this matter, will the Taoiseach give a clear indication as to when this legislation will be brought before the House? Will we have to wait for more flooding in the coming years before something is done about this problem?
The Deputy's grandfather promised to drain the Shannon and it is still in the same condition.
The Minister of State's grandfather was probably the man who asked him to drain it. If only he could see him now.
If the Deputy knew his history, he would know that his grandfather would be rather pleased.
A Deputy
Not to see him sitting beside the Deputy.
I call the Taoiseach.
The Shannon is still not drained.
The Russian empire has fallen.
Let us hear the Taoiseach. The interruptions are coming from both sides of the House.
In deference to the interest of Deputy Ó Cuív and Deputy Dempsey in this matter, we will do everything possible to expedite this legislation which I realise is important, it will be introduced as quickly as possible. I will discuss the matter with the Minister of State, Deputy Hogan, and the Minister for Finance at an early date with a view to expediting the legislation. We will make use of any work which was done previously on the matter.
That response is like dragging a river.
The Deputy is in the valley of tears.