It is proposed to take business in the following order: Nos. 2, 1, 7 (resumed), 8, 9, 10, 11. Private Members' Business will be taken between 7 p.m. and 8.30 p.m., No. 27 by agreement.
Order of Business.
On the Order of Business I ask the Taoiseach why a question addressed by me to him in relation to a personal assurance that he gave to the Lough Sheelin protection group was referred by him to the Minister for Fisheries and Forestry.
That is not the practice in this matter. The transferring of a question is a matter that goes on all the time.
It is not usually the practice of The Irish Times editorial to applaud the Taoiseach for his prompt action. The Members of the House are entitled to know the nature of the assurance that he gave in his capacity as Taoiseach.
What has been done since?
I should like to ask the question directly of the Taoiseach since he was quoted in the newspaper as giving the assurance.
The Deputy cannot raise this matter at this time.
Do we take it then, that the assurance was not given in a personal capacity and that it was a ministerial assurance on behalf of the Minister for Foreign Affairs?
In this session of the Dáil what usually happens is that as we come to the end of the session we have a discussion on all the Estimates and there is very little serious discussion on them. Will it be possible to see, as we go through this present session, that we have plenty of time to discuss the Estimates?
Yes, yes. I am very glad to tell the Deputy, yes.
Either by increasing the number of days we sit or the hours?
Yes. We are trying to arrange with the Opposition Parties the procedure whereby Estimates will be discussed on Fridays and then we will get through them all.
(Cavan-Monaghan): On the Order of Business, early last month I asked the Taoiseach when he expected the report of the commission on the redrawing of the constituencies to be available. He told me that this would be available last month—that was March. We are now well into April and it has not arrived. Would the Taoiseach please tell me, if he knows, how this has not been published and when he expects that it will be published?
I have no information on that matter.
It was not in the Taoiseach's terms of reference.
I have no information as to why the report of the commission is not available.
(Cavan-Monaghan): May I take it that neither the Taoiseach nor any member of the Government has available to him a copy of the report or an indication of its contents?
I am quite certain that neither myself nor any member of the Government has a copy of the report or any indication as to its contents.
(Cavan-Monaghan): Could the Taoiseach tell me when the report will be available?
I just say to the Dáil that I shall certainly inquire as to the latest likely date for publication of the report. However, the Deputy will appreciate that because of the nature of the commission it is not something about which I would inquire too frequently.
(Cavan-Monaghan): Presumably when the Taoiseach told me that it would be available last month, he had reason to believe that it would be?
Yes.
(Cavan-Monaghan): Has the Taoiseach any further information as to the date of its publication?
I have no further information. However, if the Deputies wish I shall make an inquiry as to what is the best latest reliable information as to when it is likely to come before us and inform the House accordingly.
Could I ask the Taoiseach is it his intention to put the report unaltered before the House?
That is a matter which can be decided when we see the report.
By whom, the House or the Government?
By the House. It is possible that the House might agree unanimously on all sides that some alteration may be made.
Can we take it that there will be no alteration by the Government?
We shall see, when we get the report.
It is not the Taoiseach's intention to live up to the commitment of his predecessor?
I am going to live up to every commitment of my own and of my predecessor. That is my commitment.
Could I ask the Taoiseach, in view of the disturbing situation in the Lebanon affecting the UN forces and especially the Irish forces there, whether he would be prepared to make a statement to this House on the latest position, as known to him?
Yes. The Deputy has indicated, through the usual channels, that there is a desire for such a statement. I shall certainly consider that. I shall agree to the House being informed, perhaps by the Minister for Foreign Affairs, perhaps by the Minister for Defence. That has yet to be decided. I suggest that such a statement might be made tomorrow at 10.30 a.m.
I understand that that assurance has already been conveyed to the Labour Party by the Taoiseach's office. I understood that that was already the case.
I tabled a Private Notice Question to the Taoiseach concerning the tragic circumstances resulting in the death of an innocent person at an Army checkpoint on the Lifford road from Strabane on Sunday of this week, which he disallowed. In view of the serious nature of this incident and the grave possibility that it could happen again, I question the reasons for the Taoiseach's decision and formally give notice that I propose to raise this matter on the Adjournment.
I shall communicate with the Deputy during the afternoon.
Perhaps in the exchange which took place in the House the Taoiseach did not hear the full extent of my question. Was he aware that my question to him had been referred to another Minister and was that his intention?
I was not so aware.
Through the Chair, I am not long a Member of this House and can I take it that the Taoiseach is prepared to answer this question at some stage?
That is a matter for the normal procedures.