It is proposed to take Nos. 2, 10 and 11. Private Members' Business will be No. 25.
Order of Business.
The Taoiseach will recall that he promised the House that a debate would take place on the Dooge report before the next European summit. Is it still his intention that that should happen?
Yes. It is proposed that there should be a discussion on the Dooge report and other related matters. It is a matter for the Whips to arrange an appropriate time which would be convenient to both sides during the weeks immediately ahead. I trust the Whips can get together and arrange for such a discussion.
The Taoiseach will not object if we have a debate rather than a discussion?
I will be perfectly happy with a discussion.
The Taoiseach used the word "debate" the last time.
No. I said "discussion" on each occasion. The Deputy will find that the record reports that.
A Cheann Comhairle, I should like to raise Question No. 336 on the Adjournment, with your permission.
I will communicate with the Deputy.
Could I and Deputy Hyland raise the question of the worsening situation in Nicaragua on the Adjournment?
The Chair will communicate with the Deputy.
Could the Taoiseach or the Minister for Communications let the House know why the Irish Rowan was given away in Hong Kong at £2.5 million as its real worth was £15 million according to the best assessment? Would the Chair allow the Taoiseach or the Minister for Communications to give the House that information? This is a very serious matter. In these days auditors and accountants are supposed to be used for this kind of thing.
I have allowed the Deputy to put it on the record but it does not arise on the Order of Business.
Why did the Minister liquidate the company? Even if he made the decision to liquidate, why did he not bring the ship home so that the robber barons of Hong Kong would not be in a position to force the sale of it at one quarter of its value?
Could I ask the Taoiseach whether the 900 employees who were laid off last weekend from The Irish Press publications will be entitled to PRSI benefits?
That does not arise on the Order of Business.
I tried to raise it yesterday by way of Private Notice Question and on the Order of Business. The Minister for Labour has not come into the House to answer questions since he was appointed. I have no other way of raising it.
It does not arise in this way.
I understand the Taoiseach has made a decision. I just want a yes or a no.
You will not get it here.
Thanks very much.
When is it proposed to proceed with No. 16 on the Order Paper, the Copyright (Amendment) Bill?
In the next session.
Would the Taoiseach not think it desirable to have it passed very shortly?
We cannot have a discussion on it.
The Bill was introduced for the purpose of facilitating the Hyster project in Limerick. It is a very short Bill with only one or two sections. If it were passed the Taoiseach could ring up Mr. Kilkenny and tell him the Bill was passed and give him back his £1 million and perhaps we could proceed with the matter.
The Deputy is out of order.
It is on the Order of Business. The Bill was introduced for that purpose. Does the next session mean October? It would be much more useful to pass this very short Bill within the next week.
The Deputy may not pursue it.
It is worth pursuing for the sake of 800 valuable jobs.
But not as the Deputy is trying to pursue it. He is out of order and should desist.
I am sure the House would facilitate the Government in the passing of the Bill in, say, ten or 15 minutes.
If the Deputy thinks so, he should move in some other way to bring the matter before the House.
I am not aware of any other way. I cannot order the business but I would suggest that this Bill be ordered so that this minimum administrative change can be made.
I am asking the Deputy to resume his seat.
(Limerick West): When is the legislation concerning land tax expected to be before the House?
It will be introduced and passed in this session.
Will it be passed before June 20?
What action do the Government propose taking in respect of the total unsatisfactory and worsening situation on Spike Island?
That does not arise on the Order of Business.
When may we expect the Minister to stop his blundering in this matter?
Perhaps we will send the Deputy down there to carry out a survey.
There are no telephone facilities, no medical facilities and no ferries available there. If rafts can be provided for inmates surely they should be provided for the personnel.
It is a question of paddling your own canoe.
This does not arise on the Order of Business.
There were many red faces in Cork on Sunday last. The question arose then.
The sharks are going in next week.
They were there at the weekend.
Can the Taoiseach say whether the Government have decided on the granting of franchise for the direct broadcasting satellite?
This does not arise.
It relates to legislation. I should like the Taoiseach to tell us, too, whether the relevant legislation will be brought before the House before the Government enter into a deal with some of their national handlers.
I am calling the next item.
I am entitled to ask the Taoiseach whether he proposes to bring before the House legislation relating to direct broadcasting.
The Deputy is entitled only to query legislation that has been promised.
Am I not entitled to ask the Taoiseach if he proposes to bring forward legislation in relation to a matter involving expenditure of £250 million? Surely the Taoiseach appreciates the consequences involved.
The matter does not arise in this way.
Can the Taoiseach comment on whether a deal is being made by certain people abroad and at home?
The Deputy has a fertile imagination.
The Taoiseach knows who is getting the franchise: one of his national supporters and a contributor to Fine Gael.
As I have said, the Deputy has a fertile imagination.
What he is saying is untrue.
The Chair is appealing to the House for order. If Deputy Leyden persists in obstructing the business, he will have to leave.
I wish to raise on the Adjournment the matter of the withdrawal by Roinn an Gaeltachta of the grant towards the dredging of Burtonport harbour.
The Chair will communicate with the Deputy.
I wish to raise on the Adjournment the whole question of the unsatisfactory situation on Spike Island.
The Chair will communicate with the Deputy.