It is proposed to take item No. 1, without debate, and item No. 2, the Social Welfare Bill, Second Stage to conclude not later than 6 p.m. today, with a sos between 1 p.m. and 2 p.m.
Order of Business.
I want to inform you, a Chathaoirligh, that I have discovered my political home; in future, I want to categorise myself as a member of the "democratic left behind" because it is a good description of my political position.
When will the Leader be able to give us precise details of when all the business he outlined for the next two weeks will take place? What precisely is planned for each day?
What the situation is in relation to the publication of the White Paper on Maastricht? Can I urge that it be published as soon as possible so that we all might have a clear idea what is and what is not possible in relation to this matter? Second, has the Leader any information about who is going to pay the bill for the clean up of the oil pollution on the west coast of Ireland? I understand that in County Clare the money is being taken from the Road Fund which is creating great problems.
I would like the Leader to express our disappointment and regret at the proposal to withdraw moneys from the Irish Productivity Centre and the resultant closure of that organisation.
That is not appropriate to the Order of Business.
It is a very important issue. It is a unique experiment in cooperation between employers, trade unions and the state in order to improve the productivity of Irish industry and to help industry to become highly successful. It should be a headline for further worker involvement.
I have indicated that the matter is out of order.
Over a number of days in recent months, Senator Ryan has asked for a debate on how we treat the unemployed. I have a feeling there is a great need for that debate. Last week a young man walked out of the labour exchange in Cork and jumped into the Lee. Were it not for the fact that there were people present he could well have lost his life. It appears to me that he must have been rather badly treated in the exchange to have resorted to such extreme action. Second, would the Leader of the House convey my compliments, and this House's compliments, to the Minister for Justice for taking Greecnore to the court to get back the money which it cost to produce the report on Greencore.
It is not relevant to the Order of Business.
I would like to ask two questions. Has the Leader yet managed to ascertain any clear specific information about the Government's legal response to the European Court decision in a case I took? I would be grateful if we could get that information. I am reluctant to re-enter the case, but I may be forced to do that if we do not get something positive from the Government. I am a little concerned that we should be presented with a White Paper which will represent the Government's crystallised position rather than an negotiating paper. Bearing that in mind, I would like some information on the matter.
Secondly, will the Leader express to the Government the concern of Members of this House with regard to continuing delays about the development of the Tallaght Hospital and, particularly, with regard to the position of the Adelaide Hospital? There is not an item on the Order Paper referring to this, but it is my intention to put one down today.
I would like to ask the Leader of the House two questions. First, can we expect the debate on the Culliton report next week? I would also like to ask the Leader of the House if he is going to provide time for a debate on the famine situation which is still raging particularly in some African countries? It has been shoved completely out of the public consciousness for the past couple of months. The Community, as well as this country, should be doing more. I would like an opportunity to have a debate on the tragic situation.
I would like to ask the Leader what is the latest time the Maastricht referendum can be held? How soon can we get full and final details vis-á-vis what will be presented to the people? It is a matter of great urgency that the people out there are made aware of what is included in the Maastricht proposals.
With regard to the list of business I mentioned — on Wednesday next week I hope we will deal with the Electoral Bill and on Thursday, the Culliton report. As I mentioned last week, it may need more than a day to discuss the industrial policy report. There will be an adequate opportunity to discuss unemployment, training, education and industrial policy on Thursday. On Tuesday and Wednesday of the following week, we will deal with the Environmental Protection Agency amendments from the Dáil, the Seanad reform debate, and also possibly the Bill dealing with the ACC.
On the Maastricht White Paper — it is to be hoped it will be produced as quickly as possible to us. I will inquire from the Minister for Foreign Affairs the timescale involved. On the European Court decision, perhaps Senator Norris would give me time until after the weekend to talk to the Minister for Justice to find out what his intentions are on that decision. The Tallaght Hospital matter was extremely well debated last night in the other House. I imagine that debate had the latest information on the subject.
Order of Business agreed to.