It is proposed to take Nos. 6, 7 and 8. Private Members' Business will be No. 59.
Deputy Kelly rose.
Order of Business.
In case Deputy Kelly thought I was being short with him earlier on, I should like to explain that since assuming the position of Ceann Comhairle I am certain that I refused matters of any description to be raised before Question Time. There is a solid reason for that. If I were to allow a number of matters to be raised after I had announced Question Time I would be eroding the hour specifically set apart under Standing Orders for Question time.
It is not for me to comment on your reasons and I entirely accept that that is so but, if that is the case, that possibility should be ruled out by Standing Orders and, as they stand, Standing Orders appear to permit the course I wanted to take. However, with your leave I intend to raise on the Adjournment the matter of the length of time and the conditions under which a large group of women are reported to have been detained after their arrest in the Phoenix Park.
I will communicate with Deputy Kelly.
I also want to say——
This matter is sub judice.
I intend to say nothing which would affect the outcome of any trial.
I will consider the matter and communicate with Deputy Kelly.
I wish to raise the matter of the continuing inconvenience to the public in their efforts to tax their cars at the Corporation Taxation Office, River House. It is an ongoing scandal where people are subjected to the elements——
I will communicate with the Deputy.
It is a very important matter——
The Deputy cannot make his case at this stage and, if he is allowed to raise it on the Adjournment, he will have 20 minutes to do so.
Will you give my application serious consideration?
Of course, I always do.
Could the Taoiseach inform the House what measures the Government intend taking to inform the public about the issues to be voted on in the constitutional referendum which will be held on 14 June?
The Government intend to place advertisements in the newspapers and on Radio Telefís Éireann to explain the nature of the referendum which, of course, has the unanimous support of the House. It is most important that maximum publicity be given because there is a danger that it is being overwhelmed by the European elections. It is important that people should be aware of the referendum, the issues and that it has the unanimous support of the House. We are taking the necessary steps to achieve that and I am grateful to Deputy Molloy for giving us an opportunity to create additional publicity here.
I am sure the Taoiseach will appreciate that the reason I have raised this now is because the Government have been negligent in their duty in bringing the issues in the referendum to the notice of the electorate who are expected to express an opinion on this matter in the polling booths on 14 June. I am afraid the Taoiseach may have left it a bit late. In the case of the last constitutional referendum the Government spent a fortune——
I cannot allow an argument.
There was no negligence on the part of the Government and they are taking appropriate action which is best concentrated in the period immediately before the referendum which is next weekend. All the parties should publicise this event and I trust that Deputy Molloy and all speakers on his side of the House will do as I have done in by-election speeches and make the point with regard to the referendum. If we all do that——
It is a matter for the Government.
The House can do without snide innuendoes.
Here is Long John Silver.
Arising from the Order of Business, has the Taoiseach decided to introduce legislation to extend the special purchase scheme for ground rents since it finishes at the end of the month?
There are no proposals for legislation in that regard at present.
What will happen——
Limerick East): I will shortly be putting proposals to the Government in regard to this matter.
I wish to raise on the Adjournment the question of the redundant workforce in the Kilrush pottery factory.
I will communicate with the Deputy.