It is proposed to take No. 7 (resumed). Questions will be taken from 2.30 to 5 p.m.
Order of Business.
Might I ask the Taoiseach whether he would think it appropriate at this stage to consider urgently giving time to item No. 3 on the Order Paper which is a Bill to Repeal the Offences Against the State (Amendment) Act, 1972?
No, I think it would not be appropriate.
Further, may I ask the Taoiseach whether the Government themselves would, in substitution for this or any similar proposal, bring forward legislation to achieve the same thing and in that way make some meaningful contribution to the efforts being made by the British and the IRA at present to bring about peace in this country, in which event I would have no further interest in moving or seeking to move item No. 3?
It is not the Government's intention to do as the Deputy suggests. I think it would make no contribution whatever—in fact, the reverse—towards bringing about the situation we all desire.
What contribution is the Government making towards these efforts?
The most useful contribution we can make.
Silence?
I should remind Deputy Blaney that he was a member of a Government which enacted and implemented precisely the same legislation.
Are you against the peace effort?
We cannot have a debate on this matter.
Further, may I ask the Taoiseach when in furtherance of his view that it is not appropriate at this time, he quotes precedent——
The Deputy is continuing to debate the matter.
May I ask him to elucidate the precedent because there just is not any. What is being done at the moment is not even silence; it is, in fact, in reverse of what is being attempted elsewhere.
The precedent is in 1957 when Deputy Blaney was a member of a Government and sat as quiet as a mouse.
There is no comparison and the Taoiseach well knows it. You are not being attacked here by the people you have locked up.
No. 7, Financial Resolution. Deputy O'Brien moved the Adjournment of the debate.
(Interruptions.)
Will Deputy Loughnane please allow business to proceed?
Deputy Loughnane should have a bit of sense.