It is proposed to take item No. 6. Private Members' Business will be No. 22.
Order of Business.
I would like to remind Members that when the proceedings on item No. 22 have been concluded, the postponed division on the Vote for the Environment will be taken.
I would like to ask the Taoiseach if he is aware of the massive proposed increases in postal charges from 25 February and if this is really the hidden budget which we hear about.
The Deputy knows that that is not in order.
The charges were announced yesterday and they have given rise to serious problems in business generally.
Deputy Leyden should listen to the Chair and act accordingly. That does not arise on the Order of Business.
I think the Minister should make a statement on this.
Perhaps, Deputy, you should take that up with the Whips.
I tried yesterday, by way of Private Notice Question and by way of a question on the Adjournment, to raise the matter of the £7 million in youth training cuts. Let me ask the Taoiseach to confirm or deny whether that £7 million is a transfer to education or a cutback as part of the £28.6 million?
Deputy, I am sorry, I cannot allow it. It will start a debate.
A Ceann Comhairle, let me ask for your advice. I was told yesterday at lunchtime and last night that the reason I could not raise this was that it was part of the ongoing discussions. I have already spoken on the budget and how could any of my colleagues refer to it because we do not know what the £28.6 million——
I am sorry, Deputy, I cannot allow it.
This puts me in an impossible position. I am asking the Taoiseach to confirm or deny——
No. I would then be establishing a precedent and making it impossible for me to — Taoiseach, I would prefer if we did not have any discussion on this issue.
I would like to make one point——
Then another one will come back.
One point raised seemed to me to be in order, the question about the publication of the £28.6 million.
The publication, yes. That was dealt with yesterday.
I want to tell the Deputy who raised that yesterday that the details of both the reductions and increases in public spending in the budget will be circulated today.
Arising out of the Taoiseach's policy of informing this House rather than making statements outside the House, let me ask the Minister for Finance through the Taoiseach if he would give a report on his meeting with the construction industry and the decision he has arrived at?
Deputy——
That should be discussed in this House rather than outside it as it is a major feature of the budget.
That does not arise on the Order of Business.
I have asked the Taoiseach——
And I have ruled it out.
It is very important because of the unemployment in the country. The Taoiseach has even appointed a Leader in the House in one of his Ministers. I ask that the statement be made in the House.
That is what the Whips are for.
What is the Leader of the House for?
(Limerick West): In view of the statement made by the Minister for Agriculture, let me ask the Taoiseach if the farm rescue package will continue from the end of March and, if so,——
Deputies should not ignore the Chair, and they are ignoring the Chair. That is not in order, Deputy.
(Limerick West): By re-allocation——
Let me ask the Taoiseach if £7 million from the youth employment levy is now being used by the——
I have ruled that out of order.
(Interruptions.)
Deputy De Rossa.
Would you tell us——
I have ruled it out of order.
Would you tell me how I can raise it?
The Deputy should study Standing Orders.
When is it proposed to bring forward legislation on the Garda complaints procedures? Is it proposed to bring them in soon or to wait for the outcome of the Kerry tribunal hearing?
The legislation is at an advanced stage and will be before the House before long.
Before long; that is a new thing.