It is proposed to take business in the following order: Nos. 2, 3, 10 (resumed), 11, 12, 13 and 4. It is proposed, by agreement, to interrupt business at 3.30 p.m. to take item No. 4, if it has not been reached beforehand. It is also proposed, by agreement, that the House will not sit on Tuesday next, 27 October, but will meet at 10.30 a.m. on Wednesday, 28 October.
Order of Business.
On the Order of Business, in view of the completely unfounded and highly personalised partisan attack which the Taoiseach saw fit to make yesterday on my colleague, Deputy Brian Lenihan, will he now provide time in this House for a full debate on the issues concerned, so that the public may be fully informed about the situation?
The trouble for the Opposition is that the public are now informed on the issues.
They are not.
I am not sure if there is any further information which can be given on the matter, but I am willing to have the matter considered by the Whips as to what form of debate is being sought. They can see whether or not something can be arranged.
On the Order of Business, could the Minister for Labour tell us if he has taken any action, or intends to do so — which action I would ask him to take — in the Guinness dispute which has now been going on for some considerable time and which is causing such inconvenience in the Dublin region?
I am sorry. That does not arise on the Order of Business.
I would be grateful if the Minister would let us know if he is doing anything.
I am always here.
Regarding the motion before the House last night, as Deputy Flanagan, Deputy Donnellan and Deputy Joe Sherlock got about four or five minutes in that debate and almost had an argument amongst themselves as to what Deputy would speak next, would the Taoiseach now consider giving Government time to the House to consider further the proposed closure of the Tuam sugar factory, taking also into account that the Government won by the most slender majority of a single vote? It shows the seriousness of the situation.
I am sorry, Deputy. There cannot be an argument on the situation now.
That matter was debated and settled.
Pardon?
It is only asking for Government time denied to the Government.
Time for the Government's own Deputies.
The then Government did not keep open the factory at Cobh. They would not even give it a year's reprieve.
A Deputy
Who closed it?
Fianna Fáil did.
We have given the Tuam factory a reprieve for one year.
The Opposition would not even allow us one year's reprieve.
Speaking on that motion. Deputy Flanagan expressed a wish to speak——
(Interruptions.)
Order, please. Deputy John Callanan, on the Order of Business.
On the motion last night, Deputy Flanagan expressed the wish to speak, as County Offaly was involved. It was Private Members' Time and there are a number of Deputies, as I understand, on both sides of the House, although not many from our side, who would like to speak. I would ask that Government time be given.
I am sorry, Deputy. We cannot continue last night's debate now. Item No. 2.
Last night's debate will carry on for a long time.
A long, long time.
(Interruptions.)