It is proposed to take business in the following order: Nos. 24 and 1.
Order of Business.
I gave notice that I would ask the Taoiseach, in view of the fact that matters appeared to be moving towards some sort of conclusion as far as the applications of certain countries for membership of EEC are concerned, whether he would fulfil the promise given by the Minister for Foreign Affairs on behalf of the Government that we would have a debate on the EEC once per month. As far as I can remember it is now two or three months since we had such a debate and that was a continuation of the debate that was initated by the Taoiseach, I think, in June, 1970. It is peculiar that we have not had statements in the House in view of the fact that greater detail of their negotiations is made available to the British people through their Parliament. There is a great deal of silence about our negotiations. In Britain——
The Deputy is asking when we can have a debate on the question.
I wanted to adduce some reasons——
The Deputy is entitled to ask the Taoiseach a question on the Order of Business but we cannot debate why or when.
I am sure the Taoiseach would be interested to know why we would like this promise fulfilled.
It would not be in order for anyone to discuss the matter at this stage.
All we have got in recent weeks is the copy of the speech delivered at some dinner party by the Minister for Foreign Affairs at which one of the Commissioners, Signor Spinelli, was present. There was no indication in that speech of what stage our membership application had reached. I therefore request the Taoiseach to give consideration to having a statement from the Minister for Foreign Affairs to this House in the immediate future and a debate. I am informed that the Chief Whip has informed the other whips that there is to be a discussion as to when this should take place but it is significant that this communication was only made when one of the members of this party, Deputy Dr. O'Donovan, put down a parliamentary question which was subsequently disallowed by the Chair.
Even before this question appeared I had been in consultation with the Minister for Foreign Affairs about an early debate along the lines indicated by him here some months ago. The contact between the Whips' Offices was a follow-up of that suggestion as well, of course, as taking account of the fact that there was a question down. I understand the whips will meet tomorrow to see how soon such a debate can be arranged.
What length of debate?
The whips will discuss that. It will be a short debate I expect.
That agreement was made two months ago.
Unfortunately, the Budget came in between. There was some attempt or suggestion to have the debate but it was not possible to fit it into the timetable we have had since then. The Deputy will agree that the Budget debate has dominated matters for some weeks past now but I hope we shall have a continuing monthly debate as indicated by the Minister and I hope that tomorrow's meeting will produce this result.
(Cavan): I asked the Taoiseach last week when the Government propose to take the Second Stage of the Local Government (Planning and Development) (No. 2) Bill, 1969. The Taoiseach then said he would like notice of that question. Could he now tell the House when this long overdue Bill will be taken? It has been on the Order Paper for a couple of years.
I have been in contact with all the Ministers about their impending legislation and trying to get from them the priority in which they would like the legislation put forward so that we can ultimately discuss with the whips of the other parties what legislation would be desirable. The Minister for Local Government has been considering the content of that Bill and he will probably be in a position to give an indication next week.
In regard to the Ministers and Secretaries Bill promised several months ago, will it be introduced at a very early stage in view of the urgency——
It has been introduced. We are awaiting the Second Reading.
I mean the Second Reading. When will we have that.
We hope that will be as early as possible. We shall try to arrange that also as early as possible. If we could get some agreement about finishing the Budget debate we could proceed with many of these things.
May we assume, therefore, that the discussion with the whips tomorrow will also deal with the conclusion of the Budget debate?
If it cannot be done sooner, I should like them to consider it tomorrow.