Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Thursday, 13 Dec 1984

Vol. 354 No. 12

Order of Business

The Taoiseach

It is proposed to take Items Nos. 11, 7 and 6. By agreement and notwithstanding anything in Standing Orders the Dáil shall sit later than 5.30 p.m. and not later than 10.30 p.m. and business shall be interrupted at 10.00 p.m. The sitting shall be suspended from 1.30 p.m. to 2.30 p.m. today. The Dáil shall meet tomorrow at 10.30 a.m. and shall adjourn not later than 4.00 p.m.

Also by agreement the proceedings on the remaining Stages of Item No. 11 shall be brought to a conclusion not later than 1.30 p.m. today by one Question which shall be put from the Chair and which shall, in relation to amendments, include only amendments set down by the Minister for Social Welfare.

Also by agreement the debate on Item No. 6 shall commence not earlier than 3.30 p.m. today. The speech of each Member contributing to the debate on the motion for the adjournment for the Christmas Recess today and tomorrow shall not exceed 30 minutes with the exception of the opening speaker and the Leader of the Fianna Fáil Party who shall not exceed 45 minutes. The Taoiseach shall be called on to conclude not later than 3.10 p.m. tomorrow.

The debate on the motion for the adjournment for the Christmas Recess shall be adjourned at 3.55 p.m. tomorrow, whereupon the proceedings on the Supplementary Estimates, the Excess Votes and the First Stage of the Appropriation Bill, 1984 shall be brought to a conclusion forthwith and successively and decided without debate. The proceedings on the Remaining Stages of the Appropriation Bill, 1984, and on the motion for the adjournment for the Christmas Recess shall be brought to a conclusion at 4.00 p.m. tomorrow by one Question which shall be put from the Chair.

Just a point of correction. I said, in the course of reading the Order of Business, "the opening speaker" when I should have said "The Taoiseach".

An Ceann Comhairle

Yes, it should have been "the Taoiseach". Are the arrangements for business today and tomorrow agreed?

Mr. Haughey

Does that mean that the Taoiseach will have not more than 45 minutes for his concluding speech?

An Ceann Comhairle

The relevant section is contained in paragraph 4 which should have read:

.... The speech of each Member contributing to the debate on the motion for the Adjournment for the Christmas recess today and tomorrow shall not exceed 30 minutes with the exception of the Taoiseach and the Leader of the Fianna Fáil Party who shall not exceed 45 minutes...

Are the arrangements agreed?

Mr. Haughey

Yes, Sir. I asked the other day about the date of the budget. Perhaps the Taoiseach would be in a position to give the House some information about the date of the 1985 budget. Might I ask him also — in view of the unsatisfactory situation in regard to the office of Attorney General — if he will indicate if it is proposed to make any announcement in the House today about the appointment of an Attorney General?

The Taoiseach

The House will be informed about the date of the budget debate. I shall do that tomorrow, Sir. With regard to the Attorney General, there is nothing unsatisfactory about the position but the appointment of a new Attorney General will be announced. There is nothing unsatisfactory about the position of the Attorney General. I simply want to negate that statement. Any necessary announcement will be made in the House.

Mr. Haughey

In the House?

The Taoiseach

Although that was not the precedent the Deputy opposite followed on the last occasion, I shall do so.

Mr. Haughey

In the House?

The Taoiseach

Yes.

Mr. R. Burke

On the Order of Business, in the absence of the Minister for Communications, I wonder would the Taoiseach agree to comment on the Minister's decision now to withdraw from Aer Lingus as he did recently from Irish Shipping Limited in view of comments contained in The Irish Times? This is an important matter concerning our national airline and I would like the Taoiseach to comment on it.

An Ceann Comhairle

That does not arise.

Mr. Wilson

I should like to raise the position of some of the students of the Regional Technical College in Cork, the students of marine radio, who have been in touch with the Minister for Communications about the unsatisfactory arrangements for their practical six months experience. This has added to the problem of the 11 students of marine science of the regional technical college in Cork——

An Ceann Comhairle

That does not arise at this time in that way.

Mr. Wilson

I wanted to tell the Chair, in as friendly a manner as possible, that I wish to raise the matter on the Adjournment.

An Ceann Comhairle

I will communicate with the Deputy.

Dr. Ormonde

I should like to ask the Taoiseach, or the Minister for Agriculture, when legislation will be introduced to give effect to the proposed land tax contained in their document, Building on Reality. Will the Minister indicate whether the soil survey carried out by An Foras Talúntais——

An Ceann Comhairle

The first part of the Deputy's question does not arise on the Order of Business.

Dr. Ormonde

Will the Minister indicate whether the soil survey will be used as a base to——

An Ceann Comhairle

I read a story in one of this morning's newspapers to the effect that the Deputy proposed to mention that matter today. I will consider it.

Dr. Ormonde

May I have a reply from the Taoiseach?

An Ceann Comhairle

The question has been ruled out of order.

(Interruptions.)

Mr. E. O'Keeffe

I should like to ask the Minister for Industry, Trade, Commerce and Tourism to make a statement on the proposed NET-ICI joint venture which is the cause of great concern to many people.

An Ceann Comhairle

That does not arise.

Mr. E. O'Keeffe

It is relevant and I would rather hear a statement on it here than read about it in Christmas week in The Cork Examiner.

Mr. J. Bruton

I would be more than delighted to talk about it.

Mr. D. Moynihan

I should like to ask the Minister for Communications to take the necessary action to ensure that the proposed closure of Béal na Marbh post office at Coachford, County Cork, does not take place.

An Ceann Comhairle

That does not arise on the Order of Business.

Mr. D. Moynihan

I should like to raise the matter on the Adjournment.

An Ceann Comhairle

I will communicate with the Deputy.

Mr. S. Walsh

With the permission of the Chair I should like to raise on the Adjournment the serious plight which still exists for sheep farmers on the Dublin mountains.

An Ceann Comhairle

I will communicate with the Deputy.