The business for today is Item No. 2 — Statements regarding European Economic/Monetary Union and European Political Union (resumed) — until 4 p.m. with a sos from 1 p.m. to 2 p.m.
Order of Business.
In view of the news which has just come in from across the water, can the Leader of the House indicate to us if we can expect three out of three before Christmas?
Mitterrand is very safe.
It is my own view that the grassroots are on a sort of a roll at the moment. If this continues we will see many heads roll shortly. I would like to congratulate the poor of the UK and all those who have suffered in the bad years. We hope the new Prime Minister of England will be a friend of Ireland and somebody who will look after those in need in the UK.
I would like to join in the congratulations to the British people this morning. It is very refreshing that we have put in a good woman here and they have managed to dispense with the services of somebody else across the water.
I would like to ask the Leader of the House, in the light of the remarks of my colleague, Senator Ross yesterday about the Government's attitude towards the introduction of legislation from the Independent benches, if he will consider giving time to Item No. 8 — the Interpretation (Amendment) (No. 2) Bill, 1989 which is quite a simple technical matter. A short while ago in the other House, the Taoiseach expressed the view that this was a necessary measure. It removes sexist language from legislation and is long overdue. Also Item No. 10 — the Irish Nationality and Citizenship (Amendment) Bill — is a matter of concern to a considerable number of people wishing to adopt children abroad.
I wish to ask for the guidance of An Cathaoirleach and the Leader of the House on something that concerns all Members of the House. There has been considerable pressure on speakers in regard to time. It seems to me a little unfair that when three hours' speaking time is allocated to a debate, the Minister comes in and takes part of that time. I wonder if this is part of Standing Orders? It is, of course, always interesting to hear what a Minister has to say, but would it not be much fairer if the entire three hours were allocated to the Senators and the Minister came in after that so we do not have a situation where some people are given one, two or three minutes which is not adequate time.
The Committee on Procedure and Privilege can discuss that and consider what should be done in the light of the Senator's remarks.
May I join with other Senators in expressing the wish that the new leader of the Government in Great Britain would pay special attention to the needs of the poor in that country? May I say to Senator Manning that if he is considering placing a bet in relation to three out of three, he should not do it.
The Order of Business should not be confused with external matters over which we have no control in this House.
Whatever our views of her policies over the years, Mrs. Thatcher has made an enormous contribution to the democratic institutions in these island's. We should just note it. There will be a time to go into detail and pass personal comment on what has happened, but I think we are premature.
May I have the consent of the Cathaoirleach in asking this House to congratulate the Irish Woman of Europe, Ms. Frances FitzGerald? She has done an excellent job and I do not think we should forget her personal achievement which was awarded yesterday.
I agree.
On the continuous requests from this House for information from the Leader of the House on whether significant Government legislation will be introduced here, I was very disappointed when the Minister made reference during last night's debate to the Environmental Protection Agency Bill saying that it would be made available —"landed on us" was the phrase. I immediately picked him up by saying: "us" and he said: "No, the Oireachtas". That suggested to me that he does not have the intention of introducing the EPA Bill here. This is a matter of considerable regret to me, since the last major piece of environmental legislation was the Water Pollution Bill. Perhaps the Leader of the House could pursue the matter with him.
Given the excellent speech made by the Taoiseach in Paris during the week on the question of disarmament, it seems to me this is a very appropriate time to suggest that the Nuclear Free Zone Bill, which would give a legal base to the fine rhetoric, sincerely meant, I am sure, by the Taoiseach on nuclear weapons should be introduced into Irish legislation. I do not know anybody who is against what is in that Bill. I cannot understand, therefore, why everyone does not agree that we should pass the Bill in its present form and simply state what we all believe to be the case, that this country should not, and will never be, either a transit route or a haven for nuclear weapons or anything else connected with the nuclear industry. I ask the Leader of the House, since there seems to be a scarcity of legislation, to consider allowing that Bill to be introduced and discussed.
It is not appropriate that we should comment on the current political situation in Britain. We will have to call on the new political leader there to leave the Irish problems in Ireland to the Irish people. Many of us have been restricted for years from doing that because we could be associated or identified with the paramilitaries. The middle ground in politics has not had a very clear voice or has not been clear enough. We should save comment until there is a new political leader in England. That is a matter for themselves, as I hope it will be a matter for the Irish to sort out their problems also.
I have put it on the record that it is outside the control and the functions of this House here. I think we will all agree with that.
I would like to ask the Leader of the House if he would consider the question of taking up with the Government and the Whips the introduction of Question Time to this House? It would greatly facilitate the Members of the House in dealing with the many needs of our constituents.
I would like to reiterate the point raised yesterday by Senator Dardis with regard to the GATT talks, and having an opportunity in the House to have statements on the GATT. We are quickly nearing the completion of those talks. They will have very radical effects on the entire situation in Ireland, particularly agriculture. I would ask the Leader of the House — I know Senator Dardis raised this point yesterday — if it would be possible on an early occasion to have an opportunity to have statements made on the GATT. I recognise also that we did have these discussions on that subject.
On the Order of Business, may I ask the Leader of the House in the light of recent remarks made by the Minister of State at the Department of the Environment, whether he envisages legislation dealing with local government reform being brought forward at an early date? He may not be able to give us details today, but perhaps he could come back to us. Perhaps he could find out the exact position and whether the legislation which has been promised will be brought forward soon.
Senator Manning asked a question about three out of three. I presume he is not talking about Deputy John Bruton so I must assume it refers to Deputy Dick Spring. He should ask the Labour Party about that.
The social democrats have deserted us this morning.
Senator O'Toole and Senator Norris referred to matters which, as an Cathaoirleach has indicated, are not appropriate to this House. Senator Norris also spoke about Items No. 8 and No. 10. I will say to him at this stage that it is not proposed to take those matters certainly today; it is something we can talk about later. He asked the question about a three hour debate and, a Chathaoirligh, you have replied to it and indicated that it was a matter for the Committee on Procedure and Privileges. Senators McKenna and Doyle referred to matters which are not appropriate to the Order of Business. Senator Ryan asked about Item No. 11, the Nuclear Free Zone Bill. It is not proposed to take that. He asked about the initiation of Bills. I have already indicated that we have had in the last month or thereabouts three or four Bills. As I said yesterday, I am actively pursuing Bills to be introduced into this House and that includes all Bills.
For the record, people have asked whether there is a scarcity of work. Bills which I know for certain at this point in time — and there could be more before Christmas — we must take include the Public Hospitals Amendment Bill, International Development Association Bill, Child abduction and enforcement of Custody Orders Bill and the Criminal Law (Rape) Amendment Bill. That is a Seanad Bill and I understand there is a major amendment to the Bill. The Minister is anxious that it should be finalised here in the Seanad before Christmas. We have the Teachers' Superannuation (Amendment) Bill and the Sea Pollution Bill. I am sure there will be others before Christmas but those are the Bills we have to take at present.
Heavy stuff.
Senator McGowan's point was not totally appropriate to the Order of Business and neither was Senator Kennedy's. Question Time is something which has been debated and mentioned a few times. Certainly it is appropriate for the Committee on Procedure and Privileges to change the rules, if that is possible. Senator Hourigan referred to the GATT talks. That was mentioned yesterday by, I think, Senator Dardis. I made the point that we had a long debate on agriculture. The GATT talks at the present time are important. I will see what can be done but I cannot give any promise on it. Senator Cosgrave asked about the legislation dealing with local government reform. I indicated yesterday that, as I understand the situation, reports are still being prepared. Therefore, I have no personal knowledge at this point when the Bill or the reform will take place.
Order of Business agreed to.