It is proposed to take Business in the following order: No. 9—Vote 9 (resumed); Questions at 2.30 p.m. and when concluded to resume the order.
Order of Business.
I should like to ask the Taoiseach when it is proposed to take item No. 12 on the Order Paper.
I cannot say at this stage.
Is the Government running away from this also?
We never ran away from anything.
I understand that the Minister for Justice informed our spokesman on the Department of Justice last night that the Law Enforcement Commission's report would be published today and in connection with this publication the Minister proposed to make a statement in the House. Is that the position?
So far as I am aware it is. I believe there is some arrangement that Deputy Andrews is away and the Minister wants to synchronise the time with his presence.
I am afraid that is not putting it the right way. Deputy Andrews was told by the Minister last night that he proposed to make a statement. If that was the case one would except that it would be announced as part of the Order of Business.
A statement of this sort is normally made by the Leader of the House and the application for permission of the House to make the statement will be made when the statement is about to be made.
The Taoiseach will appreciate that a statement of that type would have some implications and the Opposition would be expected, and entitled, to make a statement as well. Therefore the Opposition ought to be told whether such a statement is to be made.
I appreciate that but I understand that the Minister and Deputy Andrews arranged or were in contact with each other as to the most suitable time for it to be made.
I thought the suitability of time referred to the synchronisation of the announcement between Dublin and London.
No, not necessarily so.