It is proposed to take business in the following order: Nos. 8, 9, 10, 11 (resumed), 12, 13 and 14. By agreement, the order fixing the Committee Stage of the Local Government (Superannuation) (No. 2) Bill, 1979, for Tuesday, 6 May, is to be discharged and the Committee Stage of that Bill will be taken after item No. 8 today. Business will be interrupted at 3.30 p.m. to take item No. 14 and the order will be resumed thereafter. Private Members' Business from 7 p.m. to 8.30 p.m. will be item No. 23 (resumed).
Order of Business.
I should like to ask the Taoiseach if he intends making a statement in the House regarding the situation in the Lebanon?
Yes. If that is considered desirable I would be prepared to enter into discussions as to when might be the most appropriate time to have a statement on the Lebanon. There was a fairly full exploration of the situation at Question Time yesterday but if something further is required I would be prepared to have the Whips discuss it.
I appreciate the Taoiseach's reply. The Taoiseach indicated on two consecutive weeks that he was anxious that the House be kept fully informed. There is a meeting of Foreign Ministers next Friday and it might be beneficial to have it after that meeting. The Taoiseach referred to discussions on the subject in the House at Question Time but there are aspects of the situation in the Lebanon, particularly our recognition of the PLO, which, in my opinion have not been justified to the House and to the country.
We cannot have a debate on that matter now.
I accept that. I am grateful to the Deputy for taking the point that probably it would be more advantageous to have it after Friday's meeting. I appreciate that while a statement from me would be discharging my obligation to keep the House fully informed, nevertheless Deputies might wish to discuss certain aspects of the matter. Perhaps through the Whips we could work out some process by which this could be done.
A wider discussion would be acceptable to me.