It is proposed to take Item No. 5 (resumed).
Order of Business.
May I ask the Minister for Finance when the Finance Bill will be circulated?
I hope it will be circulated next Wednesday.
For discussion the following week?
On 2 June.
When is it proposed to introduce the Criminal Justice (Evidence and Procedure) Bill?
I will communicate with the Deputy about that matter.
Will the Taoiseach get permission first from up there?
The Taoiseach promised this Bill urgently and action was planned against crime during the by-election. When I mentioned this Bill as Minister I was told that Fianna Fáil had already prepared it. What is delaying it?
That was before the Ard-Fheis of the Workers' Party. They said certain things at that time which are now tying the Taoiseach's hands.
(Cavan-Monaghan): When is it proposed to introduce a Bill dealing with late-night drinking, discos, extensions and so on?
The late night hooley in Ballyfermot did not achieve the desired result.
(Cavan-Monaghan): I have asked a serious question. I understand the Minister for Justice has been showing great concern recently about violations of the law and many promises have been made to introduce a Bill to amend the law regarding late-night extensions for functions of one sort or another. Has the Taoiseach any proposals to introduce such a Bill?
There was no promise of any such legislation.
(Cavan-Monaghan): Do I take it that there is no proposal to introduce such legislation?
The Deputy is talking about some vague piece of legislation of which I have no knowledge.
(Cavan-Monaghan): I am talking about letters I have received from the Minister for Justice within the past month informing me that legislation of such a nature is at an advanced stage in his Department. Is the Taoiseach aware of any such legislation and can he say when it is proposed to introduce it? It is perfectly serious question.
The Deputy made reference to legislation dealing with dancing and discos.
(Cavan-Monaghan): And drinking.
If the Deputy is talking about legislation to amend the licensing laws, that is a different matter.
(Cavan-Monaghan): That is what I am talking about and that is what I asked about.
I may not be hearing the Deputy properly.
(Cavan-Monaghan): I make allowances for the Taoiseach this morning.
He said something about legislation dealing with discos and dancing.
He referred to late-night drinking.
(Cavan-Monaghan): Now that the matter has been clarified, if there was any ambiguity about it, will the Taoiseach tell us whether he or his Minister has any proposal to introduce legislation to deal with bar extensions for late night functions such as discos, dinners and so on?
The Taoiseach does not think that is in the national interest.
Could we have a repiy from the Taoiseach now that he understands the question?
If Deputies, a Cheann Comhairle, would do you and me the courtesy of indicating that they wish to raise these matters I would be in a position to give replies, but I am not in a position to take questions like this about any matters Deputies feel like raising.
The Taoiseach should be in a position to do so. I was, when I was Taoiseach.
(Interruptions.)
Can we restrain ourselves a little, please?
I wish to raise a matter about which notice has been given. When does the Minister for the Environment propose to introduce a motion establishing the select committee on building land?
I have already had discussions with some Deputies on this matter. It is important to get an agreed set of terms of reference for the committee. I hope to deal with this matter as soon as possible, perhaps within the next week or ten days.
With your permission, I wish to raise on the Adjournment the subject matter of Question No. 910 on yesterday's Order Paper.
The Chair will communicate with the Deputy.
I wish to raise on the Adjournment the subject matter of Question No. 6 of 6 May.
The Chair will communicate with the Deputy.