It is proposed to take Nos. 9, 10 and 18.
Order of Business.
There is nothing to put to the House.
I wish the Taoiseach a happy birthday.
I thank the Deputy.
Will we get some of the cake?
I am sure the Taoiseach noted Jacques Santer's detailed statement yesterday regarding the reform of the European institutions. Effectively, he stated that enlargement will have to be paid for by reform of the Common Agricultural Policy and the regional and social funds, which would mean a major decrease in the resources we receive. Does the Taoiseach intend to make an input to the conclusions drawn up by President Santer? From an Irish perspective, he stated for the first time yesterday that he intends to have his final document completed before Christmas. We must have an input to that document as it will radically affect, in particular, the Common Agricultural Policy.
The Chair is striving to relate this matter to the Order of Business but cannot do so.
If the Taoiseach cannot reply, I wish to make the point that this matter is crucial for Irish farmers, particularly in the context of the social and regional funds. Will the Taoiseach take on board in some other way what I have stated? If we do not have an input to that document it will have adverse effects for our economy.
I wish to facilitate Members in raising legitimate matters at this time, but they should assist me in accordance with our well known procedures.
As this is probably D-Day for Packard Electric, will the Taoiseach consider meeting members of the management with a view to getting them to change their approach? It might help to solve this dispute.
While I appreciate the importance of the matter, it is not appropriate now.
Will the Taoiseach simply respond? I am trying to be as fair and reasonable as possible.
I appreciate the Chair's predicament in trying to bring the House to order.
(Interruptions.)
As it is the Taoiseach's birthday we should be nice to him. Cabbage is no good until it whitens, the Taoiseach should note all those with black hair around him.
As one farmer is leaving the land every two minutes, the matter Deputy Ahern raised is crucial. Jacques Santer's proposals will mean a crisis for us.
There are other ways and means of raising these matters and I invite Members genuinely concerned about them to consult my office and, if possible, I will be glad to facilitate them.
Because of the rapid deterioration of the position at Sunbeam in Cork, will the Taoiseach make a statement to the House outlining the steps the Government is taking to protect jobs in the company?
The Deputy should take appropriate steps in the matter, let us conform to proper arrangements.
Two weeks ago I requested permission to raise the matter on the Adjournment and was advised by you, Sir, that as there was no change in the position at the company, I could not raise it. The position has now deteriorated rapidly and another 100 jobs are about to be lost. Will the Taoiseach indicate the Government's policy in relation to the retention of those jobs?
Unfortunately, the matter cannot be dealt with now.
There will be two company closures today, one in Sunbeam and another in Packard, but there is no procedure in this House whereby these life and death situations can be raised.
There are many ways of raising such matters and the Deputy knows that. I call Deputy Martin.
If the Government cannot be called on to answer to the Dáil and the elected representatives put here by people whose jobs are in jeopardy, this House is irrelevant.
I ask the Deputy not to misrepresent our procedures. There are many ways open to Members to raise such matters in this House and many of the matters adverted to this morning were raised consistently in recent days and weeks.
The position has become infinitely worse.
I urge the Taoiseach to take on board the serious concerns articulated by Cork Deputies this morning regarding the position at Sunbeam and to provide a facility for us to debate the issue in this House.
I am moving on to the Order of Business proper and ask Deputies to conform to procedures.
The Taoiseach stated on 3 May that it was intended to publish the wording for the divorce referendum as soon as discussions had taken place with the parties. When does he intend publishing the wording for the referendum?
The Government has yet to consider the matter. I expect it will be in a position to do so soon, after which we look forward to holding formal discussions with Opposition parties. We have already held informal consultations with those parties and have listened carefully to the views expressed publicly and privately by them.
We have had a number of false starts in the context of the Waste Bill. Will it be published this week and, if not, when?
I expect that legislation to be published within seven days. It has been cleared by the Cabinet.
Does the Taoiseach intend introducing legislation pertaining to the appointment of chief executives to State boards given that a recent appointment applied one month after the interviewing body had made three recommendations and a job costed at £7,500 will now cost more than £75,000?
When will the Taoiseach deem it necessary to legislate for the Santer proposals to take the social and agricultural funds from Ireland?
I wish the Deputy would raise that at a more appropriate time.
On the industrial development Bill, will the Taoiseach bring forward proposals on this as a matter of urgency so that we can debate today the industrial crises which are affecting jobs on a massive scale?
I expect the text of that Bill will be available for decision by the Government later this month or early next month.
That will be too late to save many of the jobs which are being lost daily through political incompetency.
Based on what has been mentioned by the Leader of the Opposition and Deputy Davern, will the Taoiseach indicate if he will arrange for an urgent debate on the implications of the statement by President Santer given that there are vital national interests involved?
That matter can and ought to be discussed by the Whips.
I raised this matter last week on Question Time and the Minister did not have much to say about it. He told me that the matter was well down the line. President Santer is coming to his conclusions but our Minister has made no input into a policy that is now being formulated.
I hope this does not lead to disorder.
I have no intention of repeating what took place last week.
The Government is making a mockery of this situation.
You only get kicked out once every decade.
(Interruptions.)
Will the Taoiseach agree that the statement made yesterday by President Santer seriously threatens Irish agriculture——
I am sorry, Deputy. I am proceeding to Report Stage of the Finance Bill.
It is the lead story on the front page of The Financial Times. The Taoiseach is smiling on his birthday, but——
(Interruptions.)
——I do not think he cares.
Deputy Cullen should resume his seat forthwith or leave the House.