The Government has for some time promised legislation to deal with discrimination in pay and in work practices, a very important subject at this time. When will the Taoiseach bring forward the employment equality Bill?
Order of Business (Resumed).
Later this year.
Will the Taoiseach comment on the issue raised by the front bench spokesman, Deputy Joe Walsh, in relation to the 160 Irish Press workers?
The Deputy may not raise it now. The Deputy should desist.
How can the matter be addressed?
Is the Deputy not aware that this matter was discussed on the Adjournment last night?
I was here for it.
Why then have you the audacity to ask me how it can be raised?
I wish to raise a procedural matter with the Taoiseach. I understand that over the next number of days the Whips and various Government Ministers will be asking the Opposition to have Second Stage legislation completed in two weeks. We want to cooperate fully in that matter. Will the Taoiseach give us an assurance that no Bill will be completed? The agreement is to take the Second Stage of Bills and that they be considered in Committee during July and September. Ministers are asking the Government Whip that some of the very important Bills be put through fully. Our understanding was that the Second Stage of Bills would be taken in the House, that they would be referred to committees and that debate would not be guillotined.
The best way would be to approach these items on a case by case basis through normal consultation between the Whips. That is the way it will be approached.
I want to avoid creating a row about this issue next week. We set up the committees and the Taoiseach, for many years, fought to achieve that. The Government Whip is doing his best on this issue. Clearly there are Ministers who want to get certain sensitive Bills through. We will not agree to that. In order to avoid disruption over the next two weeks I am asking——
This is essentially a matter for the Whips.
Not if Ministers want to get sensitive Bills through.
It would be entirely premature for me to prejudge the discussions between the Whips.