It is proposed to take Nos. 7a, 7b and 7c on a supplementary Order Paper; Finance Bill, 1998 — Financial Resolutions; and No. 17, Finance Bill, 1998 — Order for Report and Report and Final Stages. It is further proposed, notwithstanding anything in standing orders, that Nos. 7a, 7b and 7c on the supplementary Order Paper shall be moved together and decided without debate by one question which shall be put from the Chair; and, notwithstanding anything in Standing Order 106(4) and the Order of the Dáil of 30 September 1997, the Fine Gael group shall, with regard to the Private Members' time allocated to the group this week, nominate a member of the Democratic Left Party to proceed with the Second Stage of the Asylum Seekers (Regularisation of Status) (No. 2) Bill, 1998.
Order of Business.
Is the proposal for dealing with Nos. 7a, 7b and 7c agreed? Agreed. Is the proposal for dealing with Private Members' time agreed? Agreed.
I wish to inquire about the heads of a Sports Council Bill which I understand the Government is currently considering. When can we expect these to be approved and had their consideration anything to do with the fact that the Fine Gael Party has today published a Bill seeking the establishment of a statutory sports council?
Good timing.
I was not aware that the Fine Gael Party published a Bill on this matter. The Cabinet has approved the Heads of a Bill which will come before the House in due course.
In the context of the Ryanair dispute and the statement by the Minister of State, Deputy Tom Kitt, that further powers are necessary for the Labour Court, has the Taoiseach any plans to introduce legislation to give these further powers to the court? I would be fully supportive of such a move.
No such legislation is being considered at this stage.
(Dublin West): Will the Taoiseach allow time in the Dáil for a debate on the threat posed by the greed driven management of Ryanair to democratic rights?
It is a matter for the Whips to decide whether time can be provided for such a debate.
(Dublin West): The Whips should be forced to work in Ryanair and deal with Mr. O'Leary.
On the Ryanair dispute, is the Taoiseach confident in the ability of the Tánaiste——
That matter is not appropriate to the Order of Business.
In the context of the Finance Bill, the Report Stage of which will commence shortly, is it normal practice for the Minister for Finance, when accepting an amendment, to inform backbench Deputies to announce the matter in local media prior to Report Stage being taken?
The matter does not arise on the Order of Business. The Deputy should resume his seat.
The Minister for Finance is very quiet today.
(Mayo): In regard to the Courts and Court Officers Bill which set up an independent judicial advisory board, what is being done to investigate the scandalous leak of the name of a very respectable member of the Bar who obviously applied for a High Court position and whose CV was bandied about in the public press?
The Deputy is aware the matter does not arise on the Order of Business. He should table a parliamentary question on the matter.
(Mayo): Perhaps the Taoiseach would like to answer the question.
Will the Taoiseach take an interest in the matter raised by Deputy Jim Higgins? It is most unfair that a well respected member of the Bar——
It is not a matter for the Order of Business.
Will the Minister for the Marine and Natural Resources take an interest in the plight of 16 fishery workers who are being let go this Friday under the programme for——
That is not a matter for the Order of Business.