It is proposed to take No. 13 (resumed). Private Members' Business will be taken from 7.00 to 8.30 p.m., No. 42, by agreement.
Order of Business.
Arising out of the unsatisfactory employment situation in the Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown area, it is my intention to raise the subject matter of Question No. 3 on the Adjournment, with the permission of the Ceann Comhairle.
I will communicate with the Deputy.
Would the Taoiseach consider allowing Government time to debate the Tánaiste's call for a national economic and social plan, or would he indicate to us to whom that call was directed by a member of his Government who are charged with the responsibility of producing such a plan—if it ever emerges? Was it directed to Fianna Fáil? If the Taoiseach wants to ask us I suppose we shall have to respond if the Government cannot respond to their own call.
Mr. Kevin Boland addressed a letter to you recently to which you have not replied.
(Interruptions.)
Where is your answer?
The Deputy Leader of this Government has made a call for a national and economic and social plan——
I have allowed the Deputy to raise the matter; it may not be pursued.
Why do you not answer Mr. Boland? He was once described as a rock of integrity.
This is the usual play acting. I submit to the Chair that Deputy O'Kennedy's question is a relevant one and should not be ignored.
The Chair has allowed the question.
The Taoiseach has not replied to it.
(Interruptions.)
Could we get a reply from the Taoiseach?
If the Taoiseach will not reply to Deputy O'Kennedy would he reply to me on Deputy O'Kennedy's question? Will he allow Government time for a debate on this matter? Here is a member of his own Cabinet calling on the Taoiseach and his colleagues to do something. Has the Taoiseach no function in doing that himself? Would the Taoiseach answer the simple question; will he allow time for the debate?
The answer is: no, sir.
Fair enough.
Ba mhaith liom a fháil amach an ndéanfar teagmháil liom mar gheall ar an iarratas a chuir mé isteach chun cead d'fháil le ceist a 31 agus ceist a 32 a phlé ar an Ath-ló.
Cuirfidh me freagra cun an Teachta.