It is intended that we take Items Nos. 1, 2 and 3 today. Item No. 3 will be taken at 6.30 p.m.
Order of Business.
I would like to raise a point with the Leader of the House that I raised some time ago and I think it is now of some importance, that is, the recently published report by the European Community on the implications of the internal market by 1992. I believe that in this House we have a very good opportunity to have a series of discussions and debates on the implications for this country of the completion of the internal market. I am not suggesting that we should have one or two debates but that, by agreement with the Whips, in a structured way we could look at the various implications of the completion of the internal market in this House over the coming weeks and months. I believe that we have a great duty to inform ourselves and to inform the wider public of its implications. I also believe that there is little point in doing this two or three years down the line. I feel that now, through consultation, this is something which all parties would wish to see done. I would like the Leader of the House to give his commitment to putting this in train as soon as possible.
I understood that the Adoption (No. 2) Bill was going to be ordered today for its Report Stage. I heard yesterday that that was not to be the case. It is important to the orderly work of this House, particularly on Bills, that we should know reasonably in advance what matters are being taken. I would like the Leader of the House to confirm if it is the case that the Adoption (No. 2) Bill on Report Stage will be taken tomorrow. Could he indicate to us what other business is proposed to be taken. It is very difficult to prepare properly for Bills unless we know in what order they will be taken. I appreciate that it is difficult at times when Ministers have to be got ready, but there seems to be more of a change around recently in a rather sudden way than had been the case before for whatever reason. I would certainly welcome clarification of the position particularly in relation to the Adoption (No. 2) Bill.
On the matter raised by Senator Manning I agree with him that it would be important in this House that we have an early debate on the internal market and on the enormous implications for Ireland of moving towards 1992. I also feel that another report of the Oireachtas Joint Committee on the Secondary Legislation of the European Communities which was ordered last week but which could not be taken because of pressure of other business, that is, No. 7 on the Order Paper, the report on the Implementation of the Directive on Product Liability, is extremely important. Ireland should already have implemented the Directive on Product Liability. We should either have legislation or at the very least a statutory instrument implemented, because the time limit for implementation has now passed. We do not have any intimation from the Government of what steps are going to be taken.
I noticed that when there was a recent list of proposed measures to be passed by the Oireachtas — certainly passed by the Dáil before the summer — there was no reference to legislation on the issue of product liability. We are bound by our commitment at European Community level to implement the Directive on Product Liability and it is extremely important. What is particularly important is that it may well be that, if Ireland fails to implement by legislation——
I think the Leader of the House has got your message.
Yes, it is not a matter of referring to a report; it is actually necessary legislation. The report was ordered last week and for various reasons was not reached. It is extremely important that the report is reached because it recommends the importance of bringing in early legislation to ensure that we meet the deadline. We have now missed the deadline but at least we should be bringing in legislation at the earliest opportunity. I would welcome clarification of that position.
I would like to support what both the Leader of the Opposition, Senator Manning, and my colleague, Senator Robinson have said about the necessity and urgency for a debate on the completion of the internal market. I would like to add my voice to that of Senator Robinson because I pointed out some months ago that a situation was developing where, for example, while we were required to bring into effect certain protocols protecting information systems, we had allowed the date to lapse. This is important particularly when we consider the Custom House development and the possibility of introducing a financial centre. So, I think there is a degree of urgency and I would welcome an indication from the Leader of the House on when such a debate will take place.
May I first of all support Senator Robinson? On the question of the Adoption (No. 2) Bill, I was under the impression that it was being taken today. The last time I checked was yesterday afternoon and it was being taken today. I was a bit nonplussed when I discovered this morning that it was not being taken today. We on this side of the House have tried very hard to make use of the fact that legislation has been introduced here. We have tried to deal with legislation constructively, to introduce amendments and talk to people who are interested in legislation and in general try to take the business of the House with the seriousness that important business deserves. It is not possible to do that if the order is being continually changed around and if notice is not given, and if we cannot know from week to week what precisely is being taken from week to week.
I am fairly sure that, as always in these cases, it is neither the Leader of the House nor the Government Whip who are responsible for this misorganisation. I would like clarification that the Adoption (No. 2) Bill will be taken first tomorrow and that it will not be postponed, especially if the Insurance Bill is not completed. I would like to know when it will be taken tomorrow.
Secondly, may I agree with the Leader of the Fine Gael group that it is more than timely for him to suggest that we should have a debate on the implications of the internal market, given in particular the fact that Fine Gael, among other people, assured us that VAT on foodstuffs would not be a consequence of the Single European Act and that they now propose to introduce it themsleves at 15 per cent——
First of all, you are entitled to ask a question but not to attack another party.
A very harmless attack.
In expressing my utter disgust at what happened in the home of a young Catholic family last night in Belfast, I would like to ask the Leader of the House if he intends to have a debate and open up discussions on Northern Ireland before the summer recess? It is very important that as many ideas as possible can be thrown into the melting pot so that we can anticipate what has to be done next November and perhaps produce some constructive thinking about a reasonable pursuit of the process on which we have embarked.
Senator Manning and other Senators have asked for a debate on the internal market. I totally agree that this is a matter which has not been adequately addressed by anybody in the country yet. However, a report is to come before the Houses of the Oireachtas shortly from the Joint Committee on the Secondary Legislation of the European Communities. I suggest that we start a debate as soon as possible after we get that report, having given people time to digest what is in it. I totally agree with the need for the debate because there is an inadequacy of information throughout the country on the implications the internal market will have for us as, indeed, it will have for other countries throughout the Community.
On the questions raised about the Adoption (No. 2) Bill, I reject the comments that have been made that there is constant changing on the Order of Business and on Bills. In fact, there has not been any inconsistency either in regard to the Order of Business. This is the first time there has been a change at such short notice. It is not of my making. However, the House can be assured that the Adoption (No. 2) Bill will be before us tomorrow. It will be No. 2 on the Order Paper tomorrow. There is a Veterinary Surgeons Order which we will have to go through, but it should not delay the House too long. I say that with reservation because often when one expects things not to go on too long, that is the very time the debate can become extended. However, it is intended to take the Adoption (No. 2) Bill as Item No. 2 tomorrow.
On Item No. 7, we will have, I think, an early debate. I will report the comments to the Government in terms of legislation that might be needed to be implemented. Over the next few weeks we will be taken up with Government business. Next week we will be sitting three days and the major business will be the Finance Bill. We will continue with the Insurance Bill and the Companies (No. 2) Bill throughout the next few weeks. I cannot give any commitment as to when these Bills will finish. At this stage there are over 132 amendments printed to the Insurance Bill on Committee Stage and a further list of Government amendments has come in, so that the Bill cannot go through at an early stage.
The Companies (No. 2) Bill will be back with us again over the next couple of weeks and we will get as much work done as possible. Some people are of the opinion that the Bill is being held up here. It is being held up here but for the right reason, that is, it is very important legislation and changes are being made and amendments are being brought in which are being considered by the Government. That is the way most people would wish to see such a major piece of legislation as the Companies (No. 2) Bill being dealt with. The same situation arises on the Insurance Bill. That again is legislation which is long overdue for change and again it is not a Bill that can be rushed out of this House.
Senator Robb wishes to have a debate on the continuing horrific events in the North of Ireland. I will take this into account and we will have a debate on that matter as soon as it can be arranged.
Order of Business agreed to.