It is proposed to take Item No. 10. By agreement Private Member's Business will be No. 17.
Order of Business.
Is the Taoiseach aware of press reports indicating that B & I ship repair orders have been lost to Verolme Cork Dockyard? In the interests of employment there and the employment situation in Cork generally would he make an immediate approach to the B & I asking them to postpone orders going abroad——
Please, Deputy.
——until such time as further discussions can take place?
Deputy Gene Fitzgerald is perfectly well aware that it is just not possible to raise matters like this on the Order of Business.
A Cheann Comhairle, I am sorry but——
I should like to facilitate Deputy Gene Fitzgerald and other Deputies but I am bound by Standing Orders and precedents and there is nothing I can do about it.
I am sorry, a Cheann Comhairle, to have to say this to you, because I accept that you do endeavour to be fair to all sides of the House, but I am a bit tired of being ruled out of order because of antiquated and archaic rules here governing procedure. At a time when my city and county are falling apart I believe I am entitled to raise the Verolme Cork Dockyard issue here. I am entitled to know what steps the Taoiseach will take to stop the B & I from transferring shipping repair orders abroad.
Please, Deputy——
If the Deputy would raise it in the proper fashion we could answer it.
I am asking you, Sir, if I may raise it by way of Private Notice Question as a matter of urgency.
Would the Deputy please resume his seat? I could be smart and narky and say that I am tired of listening to things being raised on the Order of Business that are obviously not in order but I will not. These things are not in order. If the Deputy feels as strongly as he appears to be about it——
I do.
——then he should take steps to at least try to have Standing Orders changed.
Might I have your permission, Sir, to introduce a Private Notice Question today because the Taoiseach has indicated that he will respond if I can get your permission?
If Deputy Gene Fitzgerald submits a Private Notice Question we will vet it. If it is in order and meets the criteria for Private Notice Questions it will be allowed——
——and is in in time.
And if it is in in time.
Thank you, a Cheann Comhairle.
On that very question, Deputy Haughey, I was criticised here one day by the Leader of the House on the Opposition side for having taken something a couple of minutes after the time.
Might I ask the Taoiseach if he would inform the House when it is expected that legislation will be introduced to amend the Electoral Acts in view of the changes we understand are required to be made prior to the holding of the European elections? Would the Taoiseach accept that it is important that these new proposals be brought before the House as soon as possible in view of the fact that selection conventions of the major parties will be coming up very soon?
Legislation will be ready in the near future. Perhaps the matter could be taken up with the Whips. The legislation will be available to the House in the next couple of weeks.
Might I ask the Taoiseach when the amending legislation announced by the former Minister for Trade regarding amendments to the Insurance Acts, in particular in relation to car insurance, will be brought before the House?
I would require notice of that question.