It is proposed to take Nos. 17, 18 and 19. By agreement the Dáil will sit later than 9 p.m. today and not later than 12 midnight, and business shall be interrupted at 11.30 p.m. Also by agreement item No. 17 shall be brought to a conclusion not later than 6.45 p.m. 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 Communications. Also by agreement item No. 19 shall be taken at the conclusion of the proceedings on Private Members' Business today, if not reached earlier, and the order shall not resume thereafter. Private Members' Business shall be No. 36.
Order of Business.
Are the arrangeents for today's late sittings agreed? Agreed.
Could I confirm——
If Deputy O'Malley would——
In relation to the order that was read out, can I confirm that what appears to be an agreed guillotine applies to Committee Stage only of the Air Transport Bill and not to all Stages?
The Deputy is correct. Are the arrangements for the conclusion of Committee Stage of item No. 17 agreed? Agreed.
Are the arrangements for No. 19 agreed? Agreed.
We have been informed this morning that the Taoiseach will make a statement today at 3.45 p.m. giving his report on the European Summit. I would ask the Tánaiste if that is the position and if so if he would help to expedite the delivery to us of any document which may be available from the summit. As of now, we have practically no information as to what transpired at the summit. The press reports are very sparse as it finished late last night and we have practically no documents available to us.
The situation is as the Leader of the Opposition has been informed. The Taoiseach will make a statement at 3.45 p.m. I am not aware of any documents being available at the moment but the Taoiseach will be back in the country shortly and I will check with him. If documents are available I will make them available to the Opposition or any other Member of the House who requests them.
Will the Minister for Labour avail of an opportunity today to make a statement to the House concerning the situation in CIE where there is a threatened close down of service?
That does not arise now, Deputy.
The Ceann Comhairle will be aware that a serious situation is developing——
The Deputy should see the Government Whip about it.
Will the Minister indicate whether or not they are prepared to take up the issue today in the Dáil?
I do not have notice of this being raised and I would suggest that the Deputy raise it with the Government Whip.
Now that the Minister has had a minute or two to think about it, perhaps he will indicate——
It is not in order, Deputy. I am sorry.
I would like to press the matter. There is a serious likelihood that the citizens of this city——
Deputy De Rossa knows very well that the Chair takes a very strong line on raising irrelevant matters on the Order of Business.
I am simply asking if a statement will be made, that is all.
There is a formula for raising it.
It is a legitimate formula on an issue of this nature.
It is not. Deputy O'Keeffe.
As the Minister for Communications is in the House I would ask him to allow his Department to restore the multi-channel TV equipment which has been illegally removed in my area, and which was serving the TV viewers in Mitchelstown.
That is not in order. Deputy Hugh Byrne.
(Interruptions.)
I am sorry Deputy, I am calling Deputy Hugh Byrne.
I have no other forum in which to raise this matter——
I am calling Deputy Hugh Byrne.
I am asking you to give me time and the Minister time to reply.
I will consider any application which the Deputy wishes to make to me which is in order.
Let me ask the Minister for Justice if, in view of the startling revelations on the money lending in the Wexford area as portrayed on Today Tonight last night, he will initiate immediately an inquiry——
I am not going to allow it.
——into the bloodsucking areas of some money lenders and the method they attempt in order to collect their debts.
Deputy, you must know that you are not in order. That could go on for a couple of days here if I let it be raised.