It is intended that we take item No. 1 today.
Order of Business.
On the Order of Business, in view of the fact that the Minister for Agriculture and Food waited until the Dáil had risen yesterday before issuing his statement on the Goodman affair, that the Minister's statement has left most of the key issues unanswered and that this is the only House of the Oireachtas now in session, we are asking for a special debate today to allow the Minister to come in and answer the still unanswered questions.
An Leas-Chathaoirleach
This hardly arises on the Order of Business. It is a matter for elsewhere. It is unusual to have a request of that kind here.
I am giving notice that we will be making a request under Standing Order 29.
Ní bheadh sé de dhánaíocht ionamsa an Béarla atá sna bileoga seo a cheartú mar a rinne cara liom thall roinnt blianta ó shin, ach uaireanta ceapaim go gcuirtear isteach cuid des na rudaí seo díreach ar mhaithe leis na bileoga a líonadh. Far be it for me to correct the English in this Order Paper, as a colleague did on one occasion, but I feel sometimes that some of the insertions are put in just to fill up the pages. For instance, item No. 29 is a little out of date. It reads:
That Seanad Éireann urges the Minister for Finance to extend the deadline for the current tax amnesty to the 31st December, 1988.
An Leas-Chathaoirleach
The Chair would point out that the withdrawal of a motion is entirely a matter for the Senator who tabled the motion. It is not a matter for the House or for the Chair.
I just thought reading that week after week and also No. 25, that it was just filling up space.
Tá rud amhain eile a luadh cheana anseo agus, os rud é go bhfuilimid gar do Lá Fhéile Phádraig, b'fhéidir go bhfuil sé oiriúnach é a rá arís. Baineann sé leis an deacracht atá le litreacha nó rud ar bith a fháil déanta trí Ghaeilge sa Teach seo. Tá sé an deacair ar aon Chomhalta, nó go fiú ar Aire, litir a fháil scríofa i nGaeilge.
I would like to say how difficult and embarrassing it is at times to try to get anything done through Irish here. It is extremely difficult to get a letter written in Irish. Even Minister find it difficult. I have had the experience on several occasions of ringing up and being given the name of a Department in Irish, which is usual, and because the name has been announced in Irish I have asked for the extension in Irish——
An Leas-Chathaoirleach
Although it might be an appropriate week in which to talk about the language and nationalism and so on, it does not really arise on the Order of Business.
I just thought it would be current, because of St. Patrick's Day.
I am glad to see that the Leas-Chathaoirleach is giving the usual latitude while the Cathaoirleach is away on her patriotic duty. I support the proposal made by Senator Manning on the Order of Business, that the House be given an opportunity to debate the so-called Goodman affair which was raised in the other House, not only because there are a lot of unanswered questions as a result of the Minister's speech yesterday——
An Leas-Chathaoirleach
This does not arise, and as Senator Manning has given notice that he is going to ask for a facility under Standing Order 29, perhaps the Senator may very well have an opportunity later on, but on the Order of Business it is hardly in order, the Senator will agree.
No, it is not. I would just like to say in response to what the Leader of the House said about taking item No. 1 today, that it would be helpful to this House if we were allowed fairly liberally to debate relevant, topical and immediate issues when the other House is not sitting. It would also enhance this House if today we could have a debate with a Minister here who could answer the questions about the Goodman affair which have not been answered in the other House or in the public arena. It would simply help this House. That is why I am supporting Senator Manning's request.
An Leas-Chathaoirleach
Will Senator Lanigan, the Leader of the House, conclude on the Order of Business, please?
The Order of Business is item No. 1.
Order of Business agreed to.