In regard to an issue raised by Senator Manning yesterday namely, the Green Paper on Education, there are printing problems but everybody will shortly have a copy.
Order of Business.
We have got it.
Some people have not as yet, but it is on its way. It is proposed to take Item No. 2 until 6 p.m., with a sos between 1 p.m. and 2 p.m.; Item No. 49, an Independent Private Members' Bill will be taken from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. I suggest in relation to Item No. 2 that we take Second Stage and then Committee Stage as progress is made.
I thank the Leader of the House for the speedy way in which his intervention has resulted in the arrival of the Green Paper. Nonetheless, I believe all Members here felt a bit annoyed that we had not been given the Green Paper earlier.
In view of the current vigorous attitude of the Taoiseach on the question of suing newspapers and other media on questions of alleged libel and defamation, and also in view of the Fianna Fáil Party's commitment to the establishment of a press council, and in view of the recent publication by the Law Reform Commission on civil defamation, have the Government any firm intention to bring in legislation on this matter and, if so, when? Second, if not this session but early in the next session, could we have a full debate on the question of civil defamation?
I have been asked the Leader of the House for some time if we could discuss the lack of local government elections. I notice that the Taoiseach spoke yesterday in the Dáil explaining what subsidiarity meant, saying that it was about decisions being taken at the appropriate level. If a decision is best taken at ground level, that is where it should be taken. In other words, we are trying to stop the growth of the anonymous super State.
What is your question?
If the Taoiseach is trying to make the decision process more relevant to the lives of ordinary citizens, is there any better way of doing that than by having sub-county structures where people can be involved in that process?
You are making a speech. Have you a question for the Leader, please?
Could we have a debate on subsidiarity? The Taoiseach is calling on us to do it. Why could we not do it in this House?
You have made your point. Thank you very much.
Could the Leader give us an indication of the matters we will be discussing next week? Will he confirm that the President's address to both Houses of the Oireachtas will take place next Wednesday? Can he give us an indication why it appears to have been changed from its already scheduled date of Friday, 10 July?
Senator Murphy.
That was my question.
You had indicated.
I will make up a question if you like.
No, I do not want you to make up a question.
I ask the Leader of the House if he will give time for a debate on motion 48, the Oireachtas Joint Committee on State-Sponsored Bodies report on Bord na gCon which is a very far reaching and important document. Would he at some stage, perhaps early in the next sessions, give time for a debate on that very important report?
I should like to leave the Chair for that debate myself. Senator Costello has indicated. You are very slow this morning Senator Costello.
Not really. The hand was up and perhaps it was you who were slow in not seeing it. I would ask the Leader if he inadvertently referred to Item No. 2 when he really meant to refer to Item No. 3 as being on the Order of Business today, the Criminal Evidence Bill. Item No. 2 is the Electoral Bill which was on the Order of Business yesterday.
Yesterday's Order Paper. I was right, Senator Costello. You are very slow today. And you re blushing also, Senator. I have waited months for this, gentlemen.
My apologies. Could I ask the Leader of the House, now that he has correctly adverted to the fact that the Green Paper is being printed and made available to us, when we can have a debate on the Green Paper? The Minister had indicated that he is not going to discuss the matter publicly until after the summer period, but it would be appropriate, considering the amount of interest and expertise in education in this House, that we should have debate prior to the House going into recess.
In reply to Senator Manning I think that we will get a chance to deal with the Fianna Fáil commitment to set up a press council before the summer recess. When we come back, I have already indicated that we will have a debate on the laws related to civil defamation. With regard to the timing of the President's speech at 4.15 p.m. next Wednesday, I have no say in that. The House will be adjourning at about 3.30 p.m..
We can have a debate on Bord na gCon in the autumn and a Green Paper on Education. We can bring that paper to the Kerry or Galway beaches to read over the summer months.
What about my question?
The Leader has replied.
Order of Business agreed to.