It is proposed to take Nos. 10, 17, 6, 18 and 7; No. 18 shall be taken at 3.50 p.m. and the order shall resume thereafter. It is also proposed, notwithstanding anything in Standing Order, that: (1) No. 10 shall be decided without debate; (2) the proceedings on the Committee and remaining Stages of No. 18, if not previously concluded, shall be brought to a conclusion at 7.00 p.m. by one question which shall be put from the Chair and which shall, in relation to amendments, include only those set down or accepted by the Minister for Tourism and Trade; and (3) Private Members' Business shall be No. 25 and the proceedings thereon shall be brought to a conclusion at 8.30 p.m. tonight.
Order of Business.
Is it agreed that item No. 10 be taken without debate? Agreed. Are the proposals for dealing with No. 18 agreed? Agreed. Are the proposals for dealing with Private Members' Business agreed? Agreed.
Is it the Government's intention to bring in new social welfare legislation to compensate the unemployed and old age pensioners for the miserable increase they received this year? The Government gave assurances that increases would be in line with inflation. The inflation figure for the first quarter is 2.8 per cent and they got an increase of 2.5 per cent.
The Deputy is asking about legislation. The content of the measure referred to does not arise now.
Several Ministers gave assurances to this House during the budget debate that they would guarantee the increase old age pensioners would receive would be in line with inflation. Inflation is now at 2.8 per cent.
The matter of social welfare benefits does not arise now.
The Deputy's party tried to means test them and they would not pay out to the ladies.
Where is the Minister of State building the swimming pool?
A Bill, not promised in the programme for Government, was announced by Government yesterday, the Dumping at Sea Bill. When will we see this legislation?
That Bill will be before the House at an early date. It is a requirement we have to meet in terms of our international obligations.
It will be dumping on land in the meantime.
The Government yesterday announced the setting up of a commission on the newspaper industry. I ask the Tánaiste if it could meet urgently so that even at this late stage action could be taken on the Irish Press.
I want to assist the Deputy in relation to that matter but it does not arise now.
May I invite the Tánaiste to clarify the status of legislation promised on reform of the courts and related matters? Last night the Minister for Justice announced specific details of the contents of this Bill. When will it be published? It is impossible for the Opposition to respond to speculation in media and legal circles on the contents of the Bill.
I can understand the Deputy is not familiar with Government procedures. The Government yesterday cleared the heads of the Bill. It has now gone to the parliamentary draftsman for drafting and it will be published as soon as possible. It is a very important Bill, reflecting the concern of all parties in this House for the administration of the courts.
Does the Minister for Enterprise and Employment accept that it was most unwise to advise the House last week that 100 jobs would be created in Sunbeam Limited when the Minister had to come into the House last night and admit there would only be 50 jobs?
Deputy Wallace will, I am sure, find a more appropriate time to raise that matter. It is not relevant to the Order of Business.
The Minister owes the workers an apology for misleading the House.
Deputy Wallace knows the procedure and he should utilise it.
Only 50 jobs have been delivered at the end of the day and 150 jobs were promised last week.
The Deputy would prefer to see the plant closed for political reasons.
Withdraw that allegation, Deputy Allen. A Cheann Comhairle, I am asking that this scurrilous allegation be withdrawn.
Will Deputy Martin please restrain himself?
With respect, Sir, the allegation should be withdrawn. An allegation was made that I would somehow welcome the closure of Sunbeam in my constituency. That undermines my political reputation and I want the Minister of State to withdraw the remark.
I have given the Deputy a great deal of latitude this morning and he is getting no more. If Deputy Martin intervenes again I must ask him to leave.
Surely the Deputy has rights. The Minister of State made an allegation and he should be asked to withdraw it. An allegation was made against the good name of the Deputy. Surely the Minister of State should have the decency to withdraw that false allegation against an honourable Member from this side.
I will repeat it if they are not careful.
There has been an exchange of views but I am not aware of any false allegation.
Will the Tánaiste reveal details of the communications which Shell Limited had with the Minister for Arts, Culture and the Gaeltacht, Deputy Higgins, before changing their decision?
I too welcome the decision of Shell Limited not to dump the Brent Spar rig at sea. I wish to express my disappointment at the collapse of the Second Stage debate on the Waste Bill. I was told I would not get in last night and I certainly will not get in today. What arrangements have been made for the Committee Stage of the Waste Bill? Does the Tánaiste consider that one or two days will be adequate to deal with the credit union Bill or will more time be allocated for it?
Deputy Sargent has for many weeks expressed an interest in having the Waste Bill before this House. The Bill was introduced by the Minister for the Environment yesterday and dealt with by the House but the Deputy was not here yesterday.
In relation to the credit union Bill, the time to be allocated is a matter for the Whips and I am sure adequate time will be given to it.
Does the Government intend to introduce emergency legislation to deal with the frightening crime wave in Dublin city and in this context will he request the Minister for Finance to provide the prison places at Castlerea?
That does not arise now.
In view of the recent statement made by the Minister for Health to the Select Committee on Social Affairs and the announced curbs on recruitment to the public service, is it still the intention of Government to implement all sections of the Child Care Act by the end of 1996 as already promised?
The Child Care Act will be implemented by the Government as promised.
Will the Tánaiste indicate if the legislation on comprehensive reform of the higher education grants scheme will be published soon and if, in particular, the plight of postgraduate students will be addressed in the legislation?
It will be published in late 1995.