It is proposed to take Nos. 9, 10, 1 and 11. It is also proposed, notwithstanding anything in Standing Orders, that (1) the following arrangements shall apply in relation to No. 9: (i) the proceedings, if not previously concluded, shall be brought to a conclusion today at 4.45 p.m.; and (ii) a Minister or Minister of State shall be called upon not later than 4.30 p.m. to make a statement in reply; and (2) the following arrangements shall apply in relation to No. 11: (i) opening statements shall be made by the Minister for Education, the main spokespersons for the Fianna Fáil Party and the Progressive Democrats Party; (ii) other Members may be called upon to contribute to the statements; and (iii) a Minister or Minister of State shall be called upon to make a statement in reply.
Order of Business.
Are the proposals for dealing with item No. 9 satisfactory and agreed? Agreed. Are the proposals for dealing with item No. 11 satisfactory and agreed? Agreed.
I thank the Taoiseach for the open debate which we had yesterday and the Ceann Comhairle and Leas-Cheann Comhairle for the orderly — although not always — way in which they dealt with the matter. Who is now dealing with the Smyth child abuse case in the Taoiseach's office?
That matter is not relevant to the Order of Business. The House will recollect that the greater part of yesterday was devoted to the subject. The Chair cannot and will not permit a rehash of yesterday's proceedings. Let us have no further reference to that matter.
I do not have a problem answering that question.
The Government states in page 12 of its programme for Government that, in future, the office of the Attorney General will be a full-time position and that the Attorney General will be totally committed to the work.
I trust the Deputy is not seeking to circumvent the ruling of the Chair.
Never.
Who handles and advises on the many serious matters from which the Attorney General is excluded at the Cabinet table?
These questions were answered yesterday.
Will the Taoiseach lay an order before the Dáil or use whatever mechanism is necessary to reconvene the subcommittee of the Select Committee on Legislation and Security as full information was not made available?
These matters should be dealt with in another way.
This is a serious matter.
I do not wish to rehash our discussion yesterday but is the Taoiseach prepared, after due reflection, to add anything to what he told the House yesterday?
That matter must not be referred to.
There is a time bomb ticking away there.
When will Second Stage of the recently published Waste Bill be taken? When will the Control of Horses Bill be introduced as this subject is on the minds of many people following recent incidents?
The Waste Bill will be taken as soon as the Whips make the arrangements. It is a substantial Bill. The Control of Horses Bill is at an early stage of preparation and the text might be presented to Government for approval in October.
I do not wish to rehash yesterday's proceedings but perhaps the Taoiseach will say when he will be in a position to tell the full story to the House.
Headless chickens.
Will the Taoiseach confirm the rumour that he is about to take serious disciplinary action against a number of officials under his control?
Let us not deal with matters which are not relevant.
What is the status of the Assistant Secretary who was appointed as administrator to the Office of the Attorney General.
I am now proceeding to the business of the House.
I am seeking clarification.
Since Members are not listening to the Chair regarding matters which are relevant, I am moving on to the business.
The freedom of information Bill, which will provide for access to information, is in preparation in the office of the Tánaiste. When can the House expect the Tánaiste to bring that Bill before us? Will it include backbench Members in the Labour Party, Fine Gael and Democratic Left and everyone else?
There is no need for elaboration.
One could say it is a "Springing" Bill.
The draft heads of the Bill are being prepared and these must be approved by the Government. Detailed drafting then follows. The Bill is at an early stage of preparation and a great deal of work has been done, as Deputies opposite are aware. They were involved in processing this legislation but were not in a position to finish it. This Government took it over and I expect the Bill will be presented probably towards the end of this year.
When is it intended to introduce the Supplementary Estimate to provide funds to pay all the independent legal advisers we will have instead of the Attorney General?
I admonish Members that when they are called upon by the Chair the matters they raise must be relevant. If they deviate from that I will proceed to the business of the House.
In case the Taoiseach will say next week that we did not ask him, when will the Government move the writ for the by-election in Wicklow? Will it be after Fine Gael's fourth attempt at a convention on Monday night?
Fianna Fáil's convention was not so clear-cut.
There is no problem with democracy in our party.
The answer to that question is soon.
Was that the right question?
I am looking forward, as I am sure all Deputies are, to an intensive campaign in one of our most beautiful counties.
That is the Taoiseach's first by-election speech.
I accept the verdict.
Will the Taoiseach ask the Minister for Justice to personally intervene in a case which is widely reported in the newspapers today? A young student's graduation was postponed for three months in a most unfair way.
It is a disgrace.