Today's Order of Business is Item 1 until 6 p.m. and, if necessary, from 8 p.m. until 10 p.m.; and Item 2 from 6 p.m. until 8 p.m. The Adjournment Matters will be taken at the conclusion of business.
Order of Business.
I ask the Leader of the House if, by arrangement with the Whips, there could be flexibility on the time given to the principal speakers on Item 2 because it is a Bill, not a motion. Can the Leader give us definite news about a debate on Northern Ireland?
I have run out of patience seeking information on the legislative programme. In a month from now the Leader will probably be telling us about extra days sittings before Christmas but we still do not know the programme of legislation to be initiated in this House. I am considering calling a vote to draw attention to the lack of co-operation from Departments if we do not know by this day next week what legislation is proposed for the remainder of the term. That would encourage people to act more efficiently. I do not include the Leader of the House in those remarks because I know he is seeking a response from various Departments. However it is important to draw attention to the lack of organisation by the Government in the area of legislation. We need someone to take a decision and say when the Bills will be taken, the order in which they will be taken, where they will be initiated and the list of legislation.
I ask the Leader to indicate what progress has been made in providing time for a debate on Northern Ireland. He is aware, as are the Members of the House, that we have been looking for this for several weeks and there have been calls for it from all sides. Perhaps he could indicate when we could expect to have that debate.
It is also important that we have a debate on GATT, and the Leader was asked about this previously. There have been developments in the last week at European Community level and we are due to conclude a deal before the middle of December. Since it is important we discuss this matter before then, perhaps he could make time available.
I ask the Leader to extend the congratulations of this House to the IDA who, in the teeth of international opposition, secured the AST plant for Limerick.
You have said it and it is now on the record. I call Senator Neville.
(Interruptions.)
Where is it going, Clonmel?
It is in the bag.
I ask the Leader if we can have a debate on the national plan now that it is being questioned. Those of us from rural Ireland are extremely concerned that the EC are querying the amount for regional and county roads. There should be no diminution of the inadequate amount allocated to such roads in the plan and we should fight tooth and nail to ensure that.
I raise again a subject I mentioned last week for which I received considerable support, that is the question of drugs, especially in the inner city of Dublin. In a moving programme last night mothers of inner city children spoke passionately and with great dignity on this issue. The Leader indicated he was arranging time for a debate of this issue and perhaps he could say when such a debate might take place so that we could prepare for it.
I support Senator Manning's further call for a debate on the North of Ireland. I am sure that is in the Leader's mind. I ask for a target date for this because he has already given a commitment in principle.
Senator Manning requested a change in times on Item 2 to be taken between 6 p.m. and 8 p.m. I assume he is suggesting the opening speaker should have an extended period because it is a legislative item. I have no difficulty with that if the time could be extended so other speakers would not be excluded as a result. It would show the seriousness——
The Whips will meet on that issue.
I see. I mention one other item, and I am sure you, a Chathaoirligh, will tell me whether it is in order. If not, perhaps the Leader could mention it tomorrow. Every Senator would surely extend the best wishes of this House to the former Taoiseach, Mr. Lynch, who is in hospital. If it is not appropriate for me to mention this today perhaps the Leader would formally do this tomorrow.
One never knows with Fianna Fáil.
A wonderful party.
I support Senator O'Toole. Members of this House will continue to demand that legislation is brought in for debate in this House. The amount of time being allocated is not sufficient; more time should be provided. This House would be more relevant and meaningful by having more legislation to debate. I support that demand.
I support Senator Neville's call for a debate on the National Development Plan. The funding of local authorities needs to be debated here, especially in relation to the funding of our county road structures. I also call on the Government to move the writ for the west Mayo by-election.
There is not a trace of it.
It is on the Order Paper. I will have no option but to call for a vote unless something is done in the near future.
I support Senator Norris in according the best wishes of the House to the former Taoiseach and a constituency colleague of mine in Cork, and wish him well for a speedy recovery. It would be very appropriate if the Leader would do so.
For personal and political reasons I too, would like to be associated with these sentiments because I was privileged to serve here while Jack Lynch was Taoiseach and to be appointed to Government by him. I share the views of so many who loved and respected the man for his attitude to political activity and it is appropriate that we send a message to him.
Is that agreed? Agreed.
On the timetable for the spokespersons, we will talk about that later. In that regard, the Committee on Procedure and Privileges is today discussing the formula for Private Members business and related issues. It is encouraging that the Committee on Procedure and Privileges is meeting on the basis that more people want to be involved in the House. We will deal with that.
With regard to the debate on Northern Ireland, I have spoken to the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and I may have more information for tomorrow morning. My colleagues, Senator O'Sullivan, Senator Magner and I are pursuing the matter and hope to have a definite timeframe on it.
With regard to legislation, I am in contact with the Chief Whip on a daily basis in respect of the need for a legislative programme to be outlined; I spoke to him again this morning. The Adoptive Leave Bill will be initiated in the House tomorrow. Between now and Christmas new legislation will be initiated in this House.
Will the Leader tell us?
As decisions are made by Government, I certainly will.
With regard to the debate on GATT, we will arrange a debate as soon as possible. I have already given a commitment on the National Development Plan. We will debate each operational programme as they come in.
As regards making time available for a debate on the drug problem, for the record we have written to the Minister for Justice asking her to come to the House.
I forgot to say earlier that I compliment the Government on the decision to bring in legislation to set up a still birth register. This is long overdue and every person here welcomes it.
Order of Business agreed to.