It is intended to take Items Nos. 1, 2 and 3 today.
Order of Business.
Could I clarify that we are just taking Second Stage of Item No. 2 today? Secondly, will the Leader of the House inform us when it is proposed to introduce legislation dealing with the proposed university status of NIHE, Limerick and NIHE, Dublin and whether this will involve consequent changes in the university representation in the Seanad?
That is a bit wide for the Order of Business.
Very pertinent.
May I also ask the Leader of the House if he has any information on the establishment of the Anglo-Irish parliamentary tier? What progress has been made on that?
When will it be possible to take Item No. 20 on the Order Paper. That motion has been there for almost a year. Many people, especially in the rural areas, are quite alarmed and do not know what to expect from the unseasonal weather. The European Community have recently taken note of this problem——
We are not taking it now.
I appreciate that but could I have an indication of when it will be possible to take time for this very important item?
I would like to ask the Leader of the House about Item No. 12 on the Order Paper, a Bill in the name of myself and other Independent Members entitled Register of Members of the Oireachtas Interests Bill, 1989. I would like the Leader of the House, to accommodate me and the other Members by allowing that Bill to be printed which entails a simple motion to that effect. If at some stage, either tomorrow or next week, he would agree to that I would be most grateful.
May I ask the Leader of the House what progress, if any, has been made on a proposal made many times in this House about the establishment of a joint Oireachtas committee on foreign affairs?
I would like to ask the Leader of the House if he would give Government time for Item No. 9 on the Order Paper which is the Bill dealing with abolition of the death penalty. It is a very simple, straightforward Bill which should be non-partisan and non-contentious in political terms. I know that Amnesty International this year are going to launch a special campaign to abolish the death penalty and I would be interested in the Government's response to this Bill which is in my name and the other Independent Senators.
In response to Senator Manning, yes, it is intended that today we take only Second Stage of Item No. 2. There will have to be changes because of the status that was conferred upon the two new universities recently. I am sure the consequent changes in regard to representation in this House will be taken into account when the actual universities have been formally set up.
On the question of the Anglo-Irish parliamentary tier, I will query the relevant Minister on that item. On Item No. 20, I would suggest that if the Leas-Chathaoirleach feels very strongly about that, he can put it down as the next Fine Gael motion to come before the House.
The question of the establishment of a joint Oireachtas committee on foreign affairs has come up on many occasions in the House. I do not think there is any indication that this committee will be set up but I will speak to the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs on that matter.
It is not intended to give Government time to Item No. 9. As regards Item No. 12, I can discuss with Senator Ryan the relevant time to introduce that item.
Order of Business agreed to.