Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Thursday, 18 Oct 1984

Vol. 352 No. 12

Order of Business.

The Taoiseach

It is proposed to take item No. 8.

By agreement and notwithstanding anything in Standing Orders and the Order of the Dáil of 16 October, the speech of every Member contributing to the debate on the National Economic and Social Plan today will not exceed 20 minutes, with the exception of the final speaker for the main Opposition Party who shall be called not later than 3.30 p.m. today and the concluding speaker, who shall be a member of the Government and who shall be called not later than 4.15 p.m. today.

An Ceann Comhairle

Are the arrangements for today's debate agreed?

Agreed.

Mr. Haughey

Yesterday, during the course of a number of rather abusive personal remarks by the Taoiseach in regard to my good self, he spoke about my having a figment of the imagination in regard to an invitation being issued to the Army to participate in the November Armistice Day memorial service.

An Ceann Comhairle

If the Deputy would bear with me for a moment——

Mr. Haughey

I was going to ask a question.

An Ceann Comhairle

Yes, but we discussed this matter yesterday.

Mr. Haughey

It has arisen out of something said yesterday by the Taoiseach.

An Ceann Comhairle

The Chair understands from the newspapers that there is correspondence going on between the Whips and would it not be better to leave the matter to the Whips?

Mr. Haughey

Yes, there is correspondence going on. However, yesterday the Taoiseach accused me of having a figment of the imagination in regard to an invitation being extended to the Army to take part in the Remembrance Day service next month. I want to ask him if, when he was making these remarks, he was aware of press reports — one in particular in The Irish Press on 2 October — which indicated quite clearly that the British Legion spokesman, Colonel Brian Clarke, said that he had rung the office of the Adjutant-General to verbally extend an invitation to attend on the same scale as last year. The invitation, he said, would be confirmed in written form later. I want to ask the Taoiseach if that is a fact and, if so, if he is now prepared to withdraw his rather offensive remarks about my having figments of the imagination.

The Taoiseach

I did not make any offensive or abusive remarks. No invitation has been received in respect of this matter. There have been some informal consultations with the Adjutant General in relation to the matter but no invitation has been received. I would not have told the House that that was the case if it were not true.

Mr. Haughey

Is the Taoiseach then saying that Colonel Clarke is not accurate when he says that he rang the Adjutant-General's office to verbally extend the invitation to attend on the same scale as last year? This is a statement which has been published in a reputable newspaper and has not been denied by anybody. If it is true, then I suggest that the invitation was extended to the Army to participate and that the Taoiseach has misled the House on the matter.

The Taoiseach

I understand that that is not a correct reflection of the nature of the communication that has taken place.

Mr. Haughey

Pardon?

The Taoiseach

I said that is not a correct account of the nature of the communication that has taken place.

Mr. Haughey

Could the Taoiseach give us the correct version of the invitation that was extended?

Mr. Cooney

No invitation has been given.

The Taoiseach

No invitation has been extended. There have been some consultations. I have explained to the House four or five times that no invitation has been extended.

Mr. Haughey

The Taoiseach accused me personally of suffering from figments of the imagination.

An Ceann Comhairle

The Deputy will have to listen to the Chair. I have allowed not one but two questions from the Leader of the Opposition and I have allowed answers from the Taoiseach. We cannot go on having a Question Time. That is understandable.

Mr. Haughey

One final question. Would the Taoiseach indicate if he states that an invitation as such has not been extended, exactly what was the nature of the consultations to which he has referred? Could they be regarded as constituting an invitation, or what was the nature of these consultations?

The Taoiseach

They do not constitute an invitation. There has not been an invitation. I have explained that to the House on a number of occasions.

Mr. Haughey

What was the nature of the consultation? Was it about the ceremony. Was it about the Army participating?

An Ceann Comhairle

I am moving on to the next item.

Mr. Haughey

Is the Taoiseach not prepared to admit that, in fact, an invitation was extended?

The Taoiseach

That is wrong.

An Ceann Comhairle

I have allowed the question and answer. I am going on to the next item. I call Deputy Gregory.

Mr. Haughey

The Taoiseach is equivocating.

Mr. Cooney

The Deputy's party should come down out of the trees in this matter.

An Ceann Comhairle

I am calling Deputy Gregory.

Mr. Haughey

The Taoiseach is becoming very choleric about the matter. He knows that he has been found out.

Mr. Cooney

Come down out of the trees in this matter.

Mr. Gregory-Independent

I would like the Chair's permission to raise on the Adjournment the issue of the strike action at Dunnes Stores based on the sale of South African goods and the refusal of staff members to handle South African goods.

An Ceann Comhairle

The Chair will communicate with the Deputy.

Mr. Noonan

(Limerick West): May I ask the Taoiseach if it is the Government's intention to introduce legislation to control the sale and use of pesticides for agricultural purposes?

An Ceann Comhairle

That does not arise on the Order of Business.

Mr. Noonan

(Limerick West): It is legislation.

An Ceann Comhairle

It is legislation promised?

Mr. Noonan

(Limerick West): Would the Taoiseach convey to me if it is the intention of the Government——

An Ceann Comhairle

I am not allowing that question.

Mr. Haughey

It was promised in the newspapers.

An Ceann Comhairle

If legislation was promised by a member of the Government I will allow the question.

Mr. Noonan

(Limerick West): It was.

The Taoiseach

I cannot give the House that information without notice. If the Deputy wishes I will make inquiries to find out about it. I am not aware of the position in respect of that.

Mr. Noonan

(Limerick West): Is the Taoiseach aware that there was a newspaper announcement to the effect that the Minister for the Environment stated that it was the intention to introduce legislation?

An Ceann Comhairle

I allowed the question but I will not allow it to be dragged out in any shape or form.

Mr. Haughey

It is the Taoiseach who is up in the trees. He does not know what his Minister for Agriculture is doing.

Mr. Calleary

With your permission, I wish to raise the subject matter of Question No. 731 of 10 October 1984 on the Adjournment.

An Ceann Comhairle

The Chair will communicate with the Deputy.

Mr. Gene Fitzgerald

With your permission I wish to raise on the Adjournment the grave situation in the Cork Regional Hospital caused by the savage cutbacks by the Minister for Health.

An Ceann Comhairle

The Chair will communicate with the Deputy.

Mr. M. Ahern

On 14 March I was informed that the Department of Communications were considering an application for a foreshore licence for the Midleton sewerage scheme. I would like to know if the Minister for Communications could let us know if he is still considering it.

An Ceann Comhairle

It does not arise on the Order of Business.

Mr. M. Ahern

I should like to raise it on the Adjournment.

An Ceann Comhairle

The Chair will communicate with the Deputy.