It is proposed to take No. 12a, motion on the Referendum Bill, 1998; No. 21, the Education (No. 2) Bill, 1997, Second Stage (resumed); No. 1, the Central Bank Bill, 1997, Order for Second Stage and Second Stage; and No. 2, the Roads (Amendment) Bill, 1997, Order for Second Stage and Second Stage. It is also proposed, notwithstanding anything in Standing Orders, that No. 12a shall be decided without debate and that Private Members' Business shall be No. 43, the resumed motion on duty free shopping.
Order of Business.
There is one proposal to put to the House. Is the proposal for dealing with No. 12a agreed to? Agreed.
What is the present position of the Foyle Fisheries Bill? I understand agreement is required for this legislation from the Northern Ireland authorities. Has this been forthcoming and is the Bill ready for introduction? What is the position of the Minerals Development Bill?
The Foyle Fisheries Bill is still not complete. There are a number of legal difficulties which have not yet been resolved but are being processed. The general scheme of the Mineral Developments Bill is expected to be submitted to Government in the second half of 1998.
Has progress been made on the revised drafting of the Eighteenth Amendment to the Constitution Bill, concerning the referendum on the Amsterdam Treaty?
The Attorney General and myself will be in touch with the parties today.
Has the Taoiseach's attention been drawn to an extensive interview with the chief executive of Ryanair, who clearly indicated he did not intend to negotiate a settlement to the dispute in the company and allow his workers to join a union?
We cannot have another debate on this issue. It is not in order on the Order of Business.
This is a serious matter. The Government seems content to stand aside while this man destroys social partnership. It is important the Taoiseach makes clear——
That is not true.
Rubbish.
The Deputy should resume his seat. A debate on aviation policy has been arranged for tomorrow, when he will have an opportunity to refer to that matter.
I am happy that we will refer to that matter tomorrow——
The Deputy cannot refer to it now.
——but the Taoiseach should indicate his intention to ensure that Mr. O'Leary does not succeed in destroying social partnership.
The matter does not arise on the Order of Business. The Deputy is being disorderly. He should resume his seat while the Chair is on his feet.
Surely it is important. This company was held up by the Progressive Democrats as an example.
We know what Deputy De Rossa wants — to be thrown out.
This matter is the subject of a debate tomorrow evening and the Deputy should wait until then to raise this matter. It is not in order at this stage.
Is that what the Progressive Democrats want — to destroy social partnership?
Is the Taoiseach in a position to indicate whether the Government will accept the Labour Party's Private Members' Bill on trade union recognition and afford it Government time?
This is a Private Members' Bill and it will be moved and debated in Private Members' time in the usual way. A question on the Ryanair dispute will be answered today.