It is proposed to take Nos. 1, 2, 3 and 4, in that order.
Order of Business.
I want to ask that Motion No. 16 standing in the names of Senator John Horgan and myself, that is the motion dealing with the mining industry in Ireland, be taken today in view of the recent developments and the possibility that this enormous wealth which belongs to the Irish people may be the subject of a controversy between two foreign countries. The public should be made aware of an assurance the Minister for Industry and Commerce gave in May last in reply to a question from Deputy Desmond when the Minister said he would be prepared to give information. He also gave an assurance to the trade union movement that he would issue a White Paper. In these circumstances I would suggest that it would be a great help to the whole community to know what is the present position in relation to this great mining wealth. At present it appears likely to slip out of the hands of the Irish people.
I appreciate Senator Browne's point. It is of course a matter for the House to determine what it will or will not take as regards the business. While I did not get any direct communication from Senator Browne as to his intention to seek to have this taken today, I did understand from the news media that he intended to make the request. I had inquiries made if it would be possible for the Minister to be here and it is not. That is the only information I can give to the House.
I gave a commitment last week to Senator McGowan to try to arrange to take a motion in which he was interested, that is, No. 11. We succeeded in making those arrangements but it transpired that it did not suit the proposers of the motion to take it today. In that sense it might have been possible to fit in another but it was not possible to arrange for this one within the time.
May I ask the Leader of the House, in view of the great urgency of this matter, is it likely that the Minister would be available if I were to try and raise the matter on the Adjournment? Is he out of the country or what is the position?
I could inquire about it.
It would not be possible to raise it on the Adjournment today.
Could it be taken in the near future?
I can inquire about that. I will be in the House all day.
I wish to ask if the Seanad will be meeting tomorrow.
That will depend on how the business goes today.
Order of Business agreed to.