It is proposed to take No. 10. Vote No. 38. By agreement debate on Vote No. 38, if not previously concluded, shall be brought to a conclusion not later than 4 p.m. and the Minister for Agriculture shall be called on to conclude not later than 3.45 p.m. By agreement, if a division is challenged on the Estimates today the taking of such division shall be postponed until 8.30 p.m. next Wednesday.
Order of Business.
Has the Minister for Agriculture received notification from the Department of Agriculture in the UK about the threat to our potato industry from the Colorado beetle strain found in East Anglia in the last few days? Has he communicated with the Northern Ireland agriculture section?
There are two points about that. One is that it is not in order on the Order of Business——
It is very important.
——and the other is that we are just about to debate the Estimate for the Department of Agriculture.
I know that but I hoped the Minister would take the opportunity to comment on it because it poses a serious threat to our industry.
Why is the Minister only now setting up an investigation into the allegation of beating of prisoners in Portlaoise Prison when the matter was reported to him in November?
(Interruptions.)
The Minister should ask about the potato industry.
You will find the Colorado beetle in Kinsealy.
(Interruptions.)
Order, please.
The Chair possibly did not overhear a remark made by the Minister for the Public Service.
The future Commissioner.
He made a tendentious interjection. I am well used to tendentiousness by the Minister and I take it in my stride.
Two seats out of three.
However, when he mentions the parish in which I have the honour to reside perhaps he would pronounce it by its correct name which is Kinsealy.
I should like to ask the Taoiseach if the report from this inquiry will be brought before the House and if it will be an independent inquiry?
That does not arise on the Order of Business.
It does. Is the House to be given information about the inquiry?
The impression is being created that information is not being given and that Deputies are not given an opportunity to raise this, that and the other. Deputies have an opportunity to raise anything that is relevant in accordance with Standing Orders. It is not in accordance with Standing Orders to raise this kind of matter on the Order of Business. The Deputy knows that.
I am asking the Taoiseach if this will be an independent inquiry. Surely that is a simple matter for the Taoiseach to confirm.
It is not in order.
In relation to legislation on drugs — I presume this is in order.
I will tell the Deputy when I hear the question.
Is it the Taoiseach's intention, following a recent report in a newspaper, to change the law relating to the possession of quantities of cannabis since the Minister for Labour said that on one or more occasions he has smoked cannabis?
The Deputy may ask a question about legislation that has been promised but he may not make a speech. The Minister stated that he would be in favour of a change.
How did it take the Deputy so long to find that out?
Is the Taoiseach of the same view? Does the Taoiseach intend having such legislation?
We cannot have a discussion on legislation.
This is legislation which was mentioned by a Member of the Government.
The Deputy may ask when it will be introduced but not——
I am asking the Taoiseach.
The Deputy is usually more reasonable when the Leader of his party is here.
He is entitled to be slightly unreasonable on a Friday morning.
That is a pretty good example of tendentiousness.
I take the point made earlier by Deputy Haughey.
When will the legislation promised by the Minister for Labour come before the House?
I cannot give a date but I will inquire and let the Deputy know. If Deputies want information about legislation and give advance notice I will be able to give clear answers.
Does the Taoiseach not realise that everyone is asking when this will happen since it appeared in the newspapers on Friday, 18 May?
Why did the the Deputy take so long?
This is a serious matter. It is undermining the work of the Garda.
It was suggested on a previous occasion that if information is required about pending legislation advance notice should be given. That is reasonable.
Is it the Taoiseach's intention to proceed on the lines suggested by the Minister for Labour?
That is not in order.
(Interruptions.)
Order, please.