It is intended to take Items Nos. 1, 2, 3 and 4 today and that we take Item No. 4 from 6.30 p.m. to 8 p.m. I have ordered the Social Welfare Bill which will be completed in the Dáil at 7 p.m. and we may take that this evening between 8 p.m. and 10 p.m. if we have time and if the business allows. We will work from 8 p.m. to 10 p.m. in any event if there is business which has not been concluded by 6.30 p.m. On Item No. 3, we may take all Stages of that Bill but we can have a chat about that with the Whips immediately after the Order of Business.
Order of Business.
A Chathaoirligh, may I extend to you my congratulations on being chosen to represent the Government in Paris on St. Patrick's Day in this year of the Bicentenary. I am sure you will do us all proud.
On the Order of Business, may I ask the Leader of the House for specific answers to specific questions? I know being specific is not something that comes easy to him. Will he tell me the status of the Interpretation Bill? He promised he would have some information for us this week — that is Item No. 15 on the Order Paper. Does he agree that the item on the ozone layer which was mentioned last week could become an all-party motion which could be taken in the first week after the Easter recess? Does he also agree that the motion in my name where the House is asked to note a report on freedom of information and the libel laws could also become an all-party motion and could be taken in the second week after the recess? If the Leader of the House could give me specific answers on these questions I think we would all leave in a happier frame of mind.
I am not too sure I should give specific information when I do not know exactly what the situation is regarding Ministers for the first and second weeks after the recess. However, I do not think there is any problem in turning the motion on the ozone layer into an all-party motion. We will have to have discussions on the actual wording of the motion. There is no problem with the freedom of information motion because it just asks that we note the report. I am afraid I still have no word back on the Interpretation Bill but when I get information on it I will convey it to the House. We can try to have the motion on the ozone layer in the first week back and in the second week we may take the freedom of information but I cannot give a specific commitment on that until I discuss it with the Ministers.
On a point of information, I have just learned that the Social Welfare Bill is being amended in the Dáil so the text of the Bill will not be available to us and so we will not be taking it this evening.
Order of Business agreed to.