It is proposed to take business in the following order: Nos. 2, 11, 12, 13 and 6. By agreement it is proposed that the order for Second Stage of the Restrictive Practices (Confirmation of Order) Bill, 1979, which was to be taken on 26 June 1979 be discharged and that the Bill be taken today.
Order of Business.
Will the Government make time available today, or, if possible, have an all-day debate tomorrow, to discuss the damaging effect on the economy of the increased interest rates announced this morning?
That is not a matter to raise on the Order of Business. The Deputy, if he wishes to get time for such a debate, can ask privately about it.
Will the Minister agree to give time for a debate of this nature?
The Whips are discussing Business to be taken between now and the date of the recess.
The Whips are discussing Business for next week but I should like to know if the Minister will agree to give time today to discuss this matter? I am sure the Minister appreciates the damage this move will do the economy.
The Business for today has been ordered.
If the Minister will not agree to give time for this debate I seek the permission of the Chair to raise the matter on the Adjournment.
I will communicate with the Deputy.
I seek the permission of the Chair to raise on the Adjournment the role of the Minister for Finance in relation to the increase in interest rates.
I will communicate with the Deputy.
Will the Chair permit me to raise on the Order of Business a matter which belongs to a category in which the Taoiseach frequently mentioned matters on the Order of Business? I am referring to a report this morning in all the daily newspapers to the effect that the State is going to acquire, if it has not already agreed to do so, a 51 per cent interest in Norsk-Aran.
It is not in order to raise these matters on the Order of Business.
I should like to know why we have to read this in the newspapers and why it is not brought before the House properly in view of the extremely uncandid reply given by Deputy O'Malley last week when he said that there had been no further developments in this matter. He made that statement on Tuesday of last week, as reported in the Official Report, column 6 of Volume 315.
This is not in order.
I should like to ask the Minister for the Environment if he proposes to seek time to give an explanation of his remarks on 15 May last in relation to Question No. 11?
Deputies must realise that it is not in order to raise anything they think of on the Order of Business. That cannot be permitted.
I seek the permission of the Chair to raise on the Adjournment the misleading replies given by the Minister on that date to that question. Will the Minister give a full explanation of his actions on that date?
I will communicate with the Deputy.
I wish to give notice of my intention to raise on the Adjournment the matter of the reported acquisition of 51 per cent of Norsk-Aran by the Minister for Industry, Commerce and Energy.
I will communicate with the Deputy.