It is proposed to take Nos. 1 and 3. By agreement the following arrangements will apply: the speech of every Member contributing to the Adjournment Debate shall not exceed 30 minutes and the concluding Government speaker shall be called at 3.30 p.m. The questions on the Votes in Item No. 3 will be put successively at 4 p.m. and any divisions demanded will be taken forthwith. At the conclusion of business today the Dáil will adjourn until 2.30 p.m. on Wednesday, 19 October 1983, as agreed between the Whips.
Order of Business.
Could the Taoiseach inform the House when he will be in a position to state whether the local elections will be held in 1984?
There has been no consideration or decision on that point.
It does not arise on the Order of Business.
The House will appreciate that we will not have a further opportunity until some time in October. I merely want to ask the Taoiseach——
If we raise one thing, why not raise another? The Deputy has over 70 colleagues——
I had 70 amendments the other night and I was not allowed to take them.
We did a good night's work last night.
Last night, but not the night before. Could the Taoiseach give an indication whether a decision will be made in the near future? He will accept that it is not fair that political organisations and members of local authorities should be left in doubt about this matter. If he could merely indicate——
The Deputy may not raise that. The Chair must be guided by Standing Orders and I am telling Deputy Molloy that we are in the middle of an Adjournment Debate.
I understand that. Could the Chair ask the Taoiseach if he would care to respond?
I have already responded.
Now that the referendum date has been set for 7 September, will the Minister for the Environment issue an immediate directive to all returning officers that top consideration be given to the employment in polling stations and counting centres of people who are unemployed? The directive should be issued immediately because otherwise the returning officers will say it is too late, I want an assurance from the Minister that such a directive will issue.
If the Minister wishes to comment, he is at liberty to do so.
That matter has already been considered by me within the Department and I see no difficulty in relation to issuing that directive.
Will voting cards be issued prior to the holding of the referendum?
They would not be much good afterwards.
I will clarify the matter in my speech this afternoon.
We hope there will not be an attempt to save money by not sending out polling cards.
The normal procedures will be adopted.
(Interruptions.)
Deputy Molloy is being disorderly.
Would the Taoiseach care to give details of one of his directors of elections in the Galway West constituency not long ago when he sought to vote more than once? Two people can play that game. Questions could be asked why the case never came before the courts.
I hope they give out the polling cards carefully in my constitency.
(Interruptions.)
May I raise on the adjournment——
There will be no adjournment debate today.
(Interruptions.)
I could have disposed of Deputy Leyden quite easily by telling him the Chair would communicate with him but that would have been to deceive him.
It would not be easy to dispose of Deputy Leyden.
The results are usually the same as regards questions I have tried to raise on the Adjournment. On a point of order, the Government should respond because there is an impending closure of a factory in my town with a consequent loss of jobs. It is important as far as the people in my town and constituency are concerned.
Deputy Leyden might perhaps intervene in the Adjournment Debate and raise the matter there.
When Deputy Bruton comes back from Japan he might look after the affairs of my constituency.
In view of the absence of the Minister for Industry and Energy in Japan will the Taoiseach give some indication of the negotiations which are going on between Tara and Bula——
Deputy Fitzsimons is usually a most orderly Deputy. I am surprised at him. This does not arise on the Order of Business.
What I am seeking to do is give some hope to the people not only in County Meath——
(Interruptions.)
May I ask the Taoiseach if the family income supplement will be paid to families——
The most orderly Deputies are being disorderly.
(Interruptions.)