It is proposed to take Nos. 3, 8, 9, 4, 10 and 11. At 3.30 p.m. items Nos. 9, 4, 10 and 11, if not already reached, will be taken. Private Members' Business will be No. 16.
Order of Business.
Item No. 3.
Is it not in order to ask if the Order of Business is agreed? May I ask the Taoiseach, in view of the steadily deteriorating situation in the Lebanon and the very dangerous state of affairs that prevails there, if he would avail of some opportunity today to give the House some information about the situation as the Government see it and in particular to give us any assurances that might be required about the position of the Irish UNIFIL contingent there?
As the Leader of the Opposition has made this request, I will certainly consider if it is possible to make a useful statement during the course of the day and will communicate with him shortly on the subject.
I would like to ask the Taoiseach why he transferred a question I tabled to him last week asking that——
I regret but that does not arise on the Order of Business.
I want to know why my question to the Taoiseach was transferred to the Minister for Foreign Affairs.
That does not arise on the Order of Business.
(Interruptions.)
I asked the Taoiseach if he will arrange for President Ronald Reagan to visit Killarney having regard to the importance of Killarney to the nation's tourist industry.
That does not arise on the Order of Business.
Why transfer that question to the Minister for Foreign Affairs?
That does not arise on the Order of Business.
I am sure the Tánaiste will ask President Reagan to visit Kerry. I would like to ask a question of the Minister for Communications. I am disappointed he is not here today but unfortunately you see a lot of absenteeism among Ministers——
A question on the Order of Business, please, Deputy.
(Interruptions.)
There is a 60 per cent better performance on this side——
(Interruptions.)
Order, please, Deputies. Have respect for the House. Deputy Leyden has the right to ask a question.
Out of respect for the House the Minister for Communications should be here for questions on the Order of Business. I would like to ask the Minister for Communications, if somebody will communicate with him, to make a statement about the warfare between RTE and Radio Nova which has resulted in the closure of——
That does not arise on the Order of Business.
There has been a loss of 15 jobs and there has been jamming of ambulances and fire brigades in this city——
(Interruptions.)
That does not arise on the Order of Business. Perhaps the Deputy will put down a question for answer by the appropriate Minister.
I will not have an opportunity to put down a question because this is an emergency situation. The fire brigade and ambulances——
Deputy Leyden, please. I am calling Item No. 3.
(Interruptions.)
I have made it very clear to Deputy Leyden that his question does not arise on the Order of Business. He has a right to put down a question and the relevant Minister will answer it.
You have had experience on the radio and I heard your interview recently——
Deputy Leyden, please. Irrespective of who is in the Chair the least I expect is that Deputies would have respect for the Chair.
(Interruptions.)
I thought the Chair would have an interest in RTE jamming Nova——
I am trying to help the Deputy. I am calling Deputy Hugh Byrne.
I know you got a good run on RTE but you were not very helpful when you were on radio.
Is the Taoiseach aware of the incident in the Irish Sea over the weekend when a French trawler was hauled backwards and in a similar incident——
Deputy Byrne, please.
Is he aware that Irish fishermen are fearful of their lives?
Deputy Byrne, a moment please. Would you resume your seat?
I am very anxious to know what the Taoiseach proposes to do about this.
The Deputy is being disorderly. If the Deputy does not resume his seat he will have to leave the House.
I want to know what is going to happen.
Will you resume your seat?
We are at this continuously——
Will you resume your seat?
You are a disgrace to the Chair.
Withdraw that remark, please.
You let the Chair and yourself down badly.
Repeat your remark or withdraw it.
(Interruptions.)
The Chair let himself down badly.
On what issue?
On your radio performance.
That is not relevant to the Order of Business and has nothing to do with the House.
I was trying to get on the Order of Business.
Item No. 3.
May I have an answer to my question?
Deputy Byrne, you raised this matter yesterday and were told it was out of order and you are repeating it this morning. Please resume your seat.
The Taoiseach might be more aware of the situation today.
Let us proceed with the Order or Business.
May I have an answer?
Please resume your seat. Could we proceed with the Order of Business? Item No. 3. Yes, Deputy Noonan?
(Limerick West): I should like to give notice that I want to raise on the Adjournment this evening the subject matter of the Private Notice Question I put to the Minister for Agriculture yesterday.
We will communicate with the Deputy.