It is proposed to take No. 1 and, by agreement, the following arrangement shall apply: the statement of each Members called on shall not exceed 45 minutes and a Member who has concluded a statement on this report shall not be called on to make a further statement.
Order of Business.
May I ask the deputy leader of the Government——
The Deputy is mixing up the parties.
The Taoiseach is not here. Perhaps he has gone to apply for membership of the PD.
There is a slowing down in that area. There has not been a defection since yesterday.
What is the position in relation to the legislation to deal with the matter of the handling of stolen goods? The Minister has said that he regards that legislation as a priority but indicated that a shortage of staff might mean a delay in the preparation of the legislation.
Deputy Haughey raised this matter yesterday and I allowed it. I included the marker that I thought the matter could be dealt with more appropriately when the debate on the Bill that is before the House is resumed. We cannot have discussion on the issue again today.
Deputy Haughey asked about the Larceny Bill. The Minister has indicated that he considers it a priority to deal with the question of the handling of stolen goods.
That was part of the debate on the Private Member's Bill which will be before the House again on Tuesday next.
When do the Government intend introducing the legislation that has been promised in this area?
That was dealt with yesterday and it can be raised again on Tuesday next.
Is it the position that the Government are short of parliamentary draftsmen?
That does not arise on the Order of Business.
It arises in so far as the preparation of the legislation is concerned.
Deputy Woods is being difficult and I am not allowing the question.
The Chair might find it difficult to get agreement with that view.
The Deputy can put down a question in relation to the matter he is raising.
In relation to legislation that has been promised, will the Government appoint a sufficient number of draftsmen to ensure that the legislation can be prepared?
This does not arise on the Order of Business.
It is a nonsense.
It is a priority issue. Last year goods to the value of £34 million were stolen.
The Deputy might read the Order Paper.
The Government cannot provide the necessary number of draftsmen.
I am calling Deputy Flynn.
When Deputy Cluskey was Minister for Trade, Commerce and Tourism, he indicated that he would be introducing legislation in the company law area to deal with fraudulent trading. On a number of occasions we have been told, including on one occasion by the Taoiseach, that that legislation was forthcoming. Is the Minister for Industry, Trade, Commerce and Tourism in a position to say whether finally this necessary legislation to deal with fraudulent directors and traders can be introduced in this session?
This is an extremely complicated piece of legislation. The heads of the Bill have been prepared and I will communicate with the Deputy later in regard to giving details of when the Bill will be introduced.
I am pleased to hear that, because Deputy Cluskey is on record as saying——
The Deputy asked a question and got an answer.
I will be looking forward to hearing from the Minister.
In connection with the Bill on company law——
We cannot have a debate on it.
I just want to ask a question.
You may ask a question.
Does the Minister not agree that the work on this Bill had been virtually completed before I resigned from office? It is incomprehensible that this very important legislation has not been brought before the House.
The work had not been completed before Deputy Cluskey left office——
It was virtually completed.
It is extremely complex and difficult legislation and needs very careful drafting.
Is the Minister saying that Deputy Cluskey is telling lies?
When will the Bill on the liquor licensing laws come before the House?
I will communicate with the Deputy later on in the day.
It was indicated last summer and again in the autumn by the Taoiseach that he would be introducing reforming legislation in so far as the legal system and dealing with jury awards is concerned. It should have been introduced before Christmas and I wish to ask the Minister if that legislation will be introduced this session?
I am not in a position to give that information at present but I will communicate with the Deputy later on.
Will the Minister also communicate with me regarding the information I sought?
I will.