It is proposed to take Nos. 1, 7, 8 and 9. Private Members' Business will be No. 55.
Order of Business.
I asked for a Private Notice Question concerning the statements made by the Taoiseach at the weekend in relation to the telephone conversation which was allegedly published the other day. I asked what decision the Government had taken since the Taoiseach indicated that they would be coming to a decision in relation to that matter.
I dealt with that question.
You said it was not a matter of urgency——
Deputy Woods, please, I heard your submission. I considered your question in the light of the relevant Standing Order and I came to the clear conclusion that it was not covered by the Standing Order governing Private Notice Questions. I have, accordingly, ruled it out. If Deputy Woods wants to come to my office to discuss this, even at some length, he is welcome to do so. We can argue it there but it is disorderly to argue in the House.
You have already communicated that it is not a matter of great urgency but I submit that a judicial inquiry into this whole matter is now vitally urgent——
I am surprised that Deputy Woods is being disorderly.
It is a matter of great urgency.
I wish to raise on the Adjournment the disastrous situation in relation to the Pigs and Bacon Commission.
The Chair will communicate with the Deputy.
I wish to raise on the Adjournment the closure of Youghal Carpets Ltd. The Minister for Labour should intervene——
I will communicate with Deputy Ahern.
Would the Tánaiste allow the Minister for Communications to make a statement on the Cork-Swansea summer ferry service?
That is not a matter for the Tánaiste; it is a matter for the Chair and the Chair rules it out of order.
Considering the plight of Cork, I want to ask the Minister——
Deputy Fitzgerald can raise it in a number of other ways.
Preferably not in your office, Sir.
The Deputy should not heed prompts.
Could I ask the Minister if he would outline to the House what he said to the deputation from Cork last Friday?
That is not in order on the Order of Business.
Will the Tánaiste request the Minister for Labour to return from his long weekend abroad as a serious situation has arisen in Cork due to the closure of Youghal Carpets and the sit-in of the workers due to the paltry redundancy payments which have been offered to those workers?
The Deputy is out of order.
When do the Government plan to bring proposals before the House for a judicial inquiry into the allegations of political interference with the Garda? The terms of reference were set out when the Government came to office in December 1982. When does the Tánaiste propose to go ahead with these plans?
The matter is under consideration by the Government but no date has been fixed at present.
(Interruptions.)
I wish to raise on the Adjournment the question of the water pressure in Sallynoggin.
I will communicate with Deputy Andrews.
In relation to the reply given by the Tánaiste regarding the judicial inquiry, which I presume is appropriate to discuss on the Order of Business——
It is not in order to discuss it; you may ask a question.
Does the Tánaiste consider that this is a matter of very considerable urgency? It has been allowed to run on for over a year and until it is resolved there will be repeated allegations and counter-allegations. The only way to deal with this matter is through a judicial inquiry which the Government promised in the first instance. Will the Tánaiste proceed with that in the interests of this House and of democracy?
I have been asked by the ordinary workers in my constituency to say that they are sick to death of these allegations and counter-allegations about bugging——
I will not allow a discussion——
(Interruptions.)
Deputy Prendergast must resume his seat.
I wish to raise on the Adjournment the continued deterioration of the unemployment problem in Wexford, now close to 30 per cent.
I will communicate with Deputy Byrne.
When will the Government publish their White Paper on housing?
I regret that I do not know at present but I will ascertain the date and inform the Deputy as soon as possible.
When is it proposed to bring in legislation to deal with the retail grocery trade? Fine Gael put down a Private Members' Bill in 1981; we understand that Deputy John Kelly and Deputy Frank Cluskey also had Bills prepared.
The Chair is not aware that that was promised.
Surely it is not too much to ask?
It is not too much to ask but——
(Interruptions.)
The Taoiseach promised us a White Paper on the question of the extension of voting rights under the Constitution. Can the Tánaiste give us any information as to when that White Paper might be available or the intentions of the Government in regard to that matter?
The Government consider that the whole question of voting rights for British citizens should be dealt with as quickly as possible. I am aware that the Taoiseach wishes to have discussions with the Leader of the Opposition on his return from the United States with a view to bringing this matter before the House as quickly as possible.
I am glad he does not expect me to go to the United States to talk to him.
Has the Minister for Foreign Affairs seen the reports that children of eight and nine years of age are being used as soldiers in the Iran-Iraq war and will he make a statement on the matter?
That is not in order.