It is proposed to take Nos. 1, 8, 9 (Resumed), 4, 10 (Resumed), 11, 12 (Votes 10 and 12) and No. 5. Business will be interrupted at 3.30 p.m. to take Nos. 12 (Votes 10 and 12) and 5 and the order will not be resumed thereafter. By agreement, it is proposed that in the debate on No. 5 the following time limits will apply to speakers; opening speakers, 20 minutes; Minister, 20 minutes; and other speakers 15 minutes each.
Order of Business.
(Cavan-Monaghan): On the Order of Business, might I refer to the fact that in item No. 12, Votes 10 (State Laboratory) and 12 (Office of the Attorney General) are being taken and the House is being asked to pass them today——
By agreement.
(Cavan-Monaghan):——without debate. We have been asked to pass recently, with a curtailed debate, the Agricultural Credit Bill, the Garda and Prisons Estimates on the basis that the money was urgently required. I protest about this manner of ordering the Business of the House and asking the House to pass important debates like that on the Estimate for the Office of the Attorney General on the basis that the money is urgently needed. If we do not agree to give the Estimates we are then accused of withholding money which is urgently wanted. It reflects very badly on the Government not to order business in a way that will afford adequate debate. I suggest that that be done in future.
This is not unprecedented by any means in other Governments and the Deputy knows that.
(Interruptions.)
We cannot have a debate on the Order of Business. It is in order to raise a matter but not to have a debate.
(Cavan-Monaghan): This is not an isolated case. We have had three such requests within ten days concerning three important matters—the Garda Síochána Estimate, the Agricultural Credit Bill and now the Attorney General's Estimate, which is very important.
The Chair was led to believe that this was by agreement between the Whips. I do not know if that is correct. The Deputy has made his point.
(Cavan-Monaghan): It is not necessary for the Chair to get into the debate and I say that with the greatest respect. We have agreed on the basis of blackmail. If we do not agree we are accused of stopping the gardai and the prison warders being paid. We will not continue this and I serve notice of that now.
Fair enough. The Deputy has made his point.
Will the Taoiseach provide an opportunity to tell the House what contingency plans are envisaged by the Government to deal with the situation arising out of a closure of the banks, having regard to the fact that the economy, already on the ropes after the oil crisis and the postal strike——
The Deputy can ask a question but we will not have a debate on the Order of Business.
I merely want to ask the Taoiseach if he proposes to tell the House what contingency plans the Government propose to operate in the event of the four major banks closing down, as they have threatened to do this morning?
Could I ask the Taoiseach on the Order of Business——
(Interruptions.)
Could I ask the Taoiseach on the Order of Business if he proposes to ask for time today to make a statement to the House on what measures he proposes to take to assist in a settlement of the bank dispute following the reaction of his statement last night?
That matter is under consideration.
The making of a statement?
(Interruptions.)
We cannot debate that on the Order of Business. The question was asked and replied to.
Did the Taoiseach say he would make a statement?
When the Taoiseach replied to the question asked by Deputy M. O'Leary did he indicate that he was considering making a statement to the House today?
I said the problem of the bank strike was under consideration.
Item No. 1.
In view of the fact——
We are not having a debate on the Order of Business. It is not in order.
I am not trying to do that. I am asking the Taoiseach if he would consider making a statement?
The question was asked and answered.
A Private Notice Question on this subject has been tabled. Can you tell the House if it will be taken?
I cannot tell the House anything at this stage with regard to a Private Notice Question and the Deputy knows that.
On the Order of Business, could the Taoiseach tell me when item No. 6 can be taken? I gathered that the people concerned are anxious that it be passed.
I cannot tell the Deputy offhand. The Deputies throw questions at me without notice. I will inquire and I will have some information conveyed to the Deputy.
Would the Taoiseach consider making a statement to the House later?
The problems created by the announcement of the Irish Bank Officials Association yesterday are under active consideration. I cannot say any more at this stage.