It is proposed to take Nos. 6, 7 and 8. By agreement it is proposed that notwithstanding anything in Standing Orders, statements in relation to the progress of the negotiations now under way within the European Community, with particular reference to the proposed introduction of a super-levy on milk, and the question of the future financing of the Community, may be made subject to: (1) no Member shall make more than one statement, (2) the statements of the opening speakers from the Government and the Opposition shall not exceed 45 minutes, (3) the statement of each subsequent speaker shall not exceed 30 minutes and (4) the concluding speaker who shall be a Government speaker shall have 45 minutes and will be called on at 4.15 p.m. tomorrow. Business will be interrupted at 3.30 p.m. today to take these statements. By agreement, Private Members' Business will be No. 11.
Order of Business.
Is the Taoiseach in a position yet to tell us what is the situation in regard to the publication of the Book of Estimates for 1984? May I remind him in that connection that in the Programme for Government published by the two parties now in office there was the promise that Estimates would be brought forward in September for discussion by the Dáil. It was pointed out in that Document that the early publication of the Estimates was a central matter in the purported programme of Dáil reform put forward by the Minister for Industry and Energy.
The Deputy should not develop his question into a speech.
This is just a reciting of facts. On the last time on which I raised this matter the Taoiseach indicated that the Estimates would be brought forward in November. Can he tell us now what exactly is the position with the Government in this regard? Have the Estimates been settled by the Government and have they gone for printing? When will the House see the Book of Estimates, having regard to the fundamental importance of the Estimates at this time for economic policy in 1984?
The work of preparing the Estimates is virtually completed and there is a timetable thereafter for printing. So far as we can calculate, the Book of Estimates should be available to the House by early December. The delay arises from the fact of the requirement of the Minister for Finance particularly, but of other Ministers also, to attend a series of Council meetings in relation to the EEC proposals regarding the super-levy. This has eaten seriously into Government time and is the reason for the delay in bringing forward the Book of Estimates.
Would the Taoiseach——
We cannot have a discussion across the Floor.
But this is a fundamental matter.
I have allowed a very long question from the Leader of the Opposition.
Surely you must allow the Opposition to ask some questions on this fundamental matter.
I have allowed a question as to when the Book of Estimates is to be produced. I have allowed also a long explanation as to why the Estimates should be produced early and we have had an answer to that.
I wish to ask a further question.
So long as it is a short question.
I am not sure that the Leader of the Opposition in a democratic Parliament should be necessarily restricted to short questions.
Deputies
Hear, hear.
With due respect to the Chair——
With due respect to the Leader of the Opposition, the Chair does not wish to restrict anyone but I must operate Standing Orders. The Chair is of the opinion that if he were to allow question and answers sessions across the Floor matters would get out of hand.
Is it not perfectly legitimate for me to ask questions of reasonable length on the Order of Business about business which the Government propose to bring forward? I propose with your kind permission to ask such a question. Can the Taoiseach say if the position is now that the Estimates have not been completed by the Government and that the House may not expect them until early December?
That is what I said.
Perhaps all the aspiring Taoisigh on the benches opposite would control themselves. There is only one Taoiseach.
Order, please.
The Taoiseach may be a little edgy about this but I should like him to hear my question in full. Is it the position that the Estimates have not been finalised by the Government and may not be expected by this House until December? In view of the fact that this is the third postponement of the Estimates by the Taoiseach, does he not accept that this is a further major reneging on a promise made by him and his Government?
The problem is that they are unable to govern.
The Deputy would do a good job.
Now Fergus.
Deputy Begley.
I want your advice, a Cheann Comhairle. On 8 November on the Adjournment Debate, Deputy Molloy made a very serious allegation against myself, that I was responsible for the death of a person. With your permission, I would like an opportunity in this House to make a personal statement on that.
If Deputy Begley wants to seek permission for a personal statement I would suggest that he prepare the personal statement and submit it to me in my office.
Thank you.
Ba mhaith liom a fhiafraí d' Aire na Gaeltachta an bhfuil sé i gceist aige aon eolas a thabhairt don Dáil ar chúrsaí maidir leis an Údarás atá faoi chonspóid i láthair na huaire agus go bhfuil go leor sna páipéir nuachta faoi inniu. An bhfuil sé i gceist aige aon eolas a thabhairt don Dáil ar na cúrsaí seo agus cén uair a bheidh an t-eolas sin le fáil?
Ní éiríonn sé sin ar Riar na hOibre.
Tá eolas faoi leith sna páipéir inniu. An bhfuil sé i gceist ag Aire na Gaeltachta an t-eolas sin a thabhairt don Dáil. Sin an rud atá i gceist agam.
(Cur isteach.)
Chomh luath agus a dhéanfar réiteach idir an dá pháirtí maidir le ham feiliúnach agus chomh fada agus a bhaineann liom d'fhéadfadh sé sin a bheith ann anois; is cuma liomsa.
(Cur isteach.)
For the fifth time I wish to ask permission to raise on the Adjournment the matter of Athlone hospital.
The Chair will communicate with the Deputy.
Yesterday I endeavoured to raise the question of the health risks from Windscale on the Adjournment but, as is your prerogative, that matter was refused. Yet last evening a debate ensued on the very same question to a member of the Government. I am just wondering——
The Deputy——
A Cheann Comhairle, I must be afforded an opportunity to talk in the House. We cannot be muzzled. I will be very reasonable in my question to you. I do not doubt Deputy Bernard Allen's sincerity in raising the matter, not at all, I totally concur with him. But surely the Adjournment is a time that is afforded to the Opposition. I raised the question of Cruise missiles last week. You would not allow a debate on that matter. Yet a question appeared on the Order Paper the following day. As members of the Opposition are we not in a position in this House to raise matters on the Adjournment? Can I ask you that question?
If the Deputy will sit down I will answer that question. In so far as yesterday was concerned, I might say that Deputy Allen first sought to raise the matter that he was granted permission to raise yesterday on the second of this month and he sought on practically every day since the second to raise it. Secondly, there is no ruling, Standing Order or precedent giving the right exclusively to the Opposition to raise matters on the Adjournment. But I hasten to say that I am very conscious of the fact that the bulk of the Adjournment debate should be given to the Opposition. That is my thinking and understanding of it. That is how I am operating. Since the Dáil resumed the Government have had two days and the Opposition have had the rest.
May I endeavour to raise on the Adjournment with your permission, a Cheann Comhairle, the implications for this country on the siting of Cruise missiles in England?
I will communicate with the Deputy.