It is proposed to take Item No. 9. By agreement, at the conclusion of business today, the Dáil will adjourn until 2.30 p.m. on Wednesday, 2 May 1984.
Order of Business.
Are the arrangements for the adjournment agreed?
Deputies
Agreed.
The arrangements are agreed but I am sure that all Members will have noted that the adjournment is a week shorter than the normal recess and that we will get due credit.
Might I ask the Taoiseach the reason for the delay in publishing the Report of the Government-appointed task force for jobs in Cork and when action is now likely to be taken on that report?
The report is under consideration at present. The Government hope to be in a position to announce their decision on the report within the next three weeks.
In relation to that task force report might I ask the Taoiseach, first of all, if he would make copies of the report available to Cork Opposition Deputies in the interests of the Cork area? Having acknowledged the serious situation obtaining, will he make copies of that report available to the Opposition Deputies from Cork?
At present the report is under consideration by the Government. As I said, we will be in a position to announce our decisions in regard to recommendations within the next three weeks. The question of publication of the report is something that will be considered at that time, or the question of making it available when that time arises.
Why the delay?
Not a long delay, because there are a number of important recommendations. It is important that they be taken together and that a decision be taken on the whole package.
It is action we want, not recommendations.
(Interruptions.)
May I raise on the adjournment of the Dáil the subject matter of Question No. 348 on yesterday's Order Paper regarding the proposed take-over by RTE Relays of Dublin Cable Systems Limited and the implications of job losses in that event?
I will communicate with the Deputy.
May I ask the Taoiseach when the Bills in connection with company law will be circulated?
There are several Bills; one of them, we hope——
There are two of which I am particularly aware.
It is hoped to have one of them before the summer recess. I will try and get further information and communicate with the Deputy in more detail.
Might I ask the Taoiseach if he would indicate whether the one it is hoped to have before the summer recess is that to implement EEC directives or will it have more to do with domestic company law?
I would prefer to be certain of my answer. I will communicate with the Deputy. I do not want to mislead him now.
Might I ask the Taoiseach when the Government's National Economic Plan will be published?
We expect to receive the plan early next week. The intention is to publish it shortly after it has been received when the Government have had a chance to consider how it should be processed. It will be published shortly after it has been received by the Government.
Deputy Wallace.
Might I ask the Taoiseach if the House will be given an opportunity to debate the plan?
Did I misunderstand the Deputy: he is talking of the National Planning Board's recommendations?
——as part of a National Economic Plan?
No, the recommendations will be published shortly after receipt by the Government. The Government will then be preparing their plan based on that, taking into account the views of the House and those of other people.
Does that mean we will have to wait another year?
No, certaintly not another year in any circumstances.
Will the House be given an opportunity of discussing it?
The recommendations?
Yes.
Certainly. That is a matter for discussion between the Whips. We would certainly wish——
Do I take it from what the Taoiseach is saying that the Government will be publishing this separately and will then come along later with their own economic plan? Is that the idea?
The recommendations we think should be made available to the House and public for discussion while the Government are preparing the plan based on that document and taking into account any views that may be expressed on it.
It would appear the Government will be disowning that document when published.
It is intended to be used as a basis for a Government plan, as was explained at the outset and as I think the Deputy knows very well.
I just want this clarified: the report will emerge and be published, the Government will then proceed to consideration of it and prepare their own plan on foot of that report and we will have an opportunity here of debating the report that has emerged from the board——
Yes.
——in the interim period, while the Government are giving consideration to it?
Yes, because we think it would be useful to have the views of the House as inputs into the Government's plan.
Before we leave that subject a very quick——
I have been endeavouring to call the Deputy's fellow Deputy from Cork for some time. Deputy Wallace.
On the same subject may I ask the Taoiseach if the reported story in last Monday's The Irish Times of divisions within the Cabinet on the plan is the reason——
I am calling Deputy Wallace.
(Interruptions).
Totally false and invented.
Where did Deputy Lenihan bury the body?
(Interruptions.)
It is all an illusion.
(Interruptions.)
Deputy Wallace.
Would the Minister for Justice indicate to the House when the investigation he carried out into the unsatisfactory state of the Circuit Court, particularly in the Cork region, will be——
That does not arise on the Order of Business.
At the last sitting of the Circuit Court in Cork——
The Deputy may put down a question about it but it does not arise——
Will the Minister tell us when we will have some information about——
It does not arise on the Order of Business.
The question was put down twice this year. I put down a question recently and it was dismissed. A very serious situation exists in Cork——
No, I am sorry.
A very serious situation exists in Cork and we do not know if there will be any improvement. It is a very serious situation.
It may be but it does not arise on the Order of Business. The Deputy must resume his seat.
I am seeking your permission, Sir, to raise on the Order of Business the closure of a Galway firm which is due to take place tomorrow.
The Chair will communicate with Deputy Fahey.