It is proposed to take No. 23. By agreement, and notwithstanding the Order of the Dáil of 6 May 1986 the proceedings on the Committee Stage, (sections 55 to 108 inclusive, the Schedules and Title) of the Finance Bill, 1986, shall be brought to a conclusion at 4.30 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 Finance. Also by agreement, the Dáil shall meet at 10.30 a.m. tomorrow and shall adjourn not later than 4 p.m. and the business shall be confined to Estimates for Public Services.
Order of Business.
Are the arrangements for today's and tomorrow's business agreed?
It is usual for the Chair to ask us if the items are agreed separately.
If the Deputy wishes I will do that. Are the arrangements for today's business agreed?
I should like to point out that again today there are two matters which the Opposition are agreeing to in order to enable the Government to get their business done.
Deputies
Thank you.
Another indulgence.
Are the arrangements for tomorrow's business agreed? Agreed.
I should like to ask the Chair, in his capacity of representative of all Members of the House, to consider sending the congratulations of the House to the Danish Parliament which yesterday by resolution called on the Swedish Government to close down a nuclear power station in Sweden across the Baltic Straits from Denmark.
Fianna Fáil wanted to open a nuclear plant here.
Will the Chair consider sending the congratulations of this national Parliament to the Danish Parliament and include in that message something to the effect that we look with great admiration on the Danish Parliament for the manner in which they protect their people from the nuclear menace that now threatens humanity.
The Swedes had decided on this action many years ago.
Another "U" turn by Deputy Haughey.
The Chair can only act through a resolution of the House in such cases. If I get a direction from the House, properly proposed, seconded and carried, I certainly will do that.
Will the Chair take such a resolution from us now?
I cannot take it now.
The House should recall the Fianna Fáil proposal on Carnsore.
I would keep very quiet were I the Minister for Communications.
It was a U-turn.
I should like to ask the Taoiseach if he intends to make a statement indicating that travellers this weekend to East European countries may be at risk?
That may not be raised in this way.
My reason for asking is that their bonding arrangements will be invalid unless the Taoiseach makes such a statement.
The Deputy may try to raise it another way but he is not in order now.
Will the Chair assist me as to how I may raise it?
The Deputy has been around nearly as long as I have and he should know.
The Deputy should read the papers.
May I table a Private Notice Question on the matter?
If the Deputy submits a Private Notice Question it will be considered.
The Deputy should read the papers; it is all there.
I know the Taoiseach does not intend to be dismissive but I must point out that this matter is important. Many people have booked their holidays.
Advice has already been given.
If the Deputy read the papers he would know the position.
But the Taoiseach has not made a statement in the House on the matter. The bonding arrangements of travel agents will be invalid unless the Taoiseach makes a statement.
Deputy Reynolds want to intervene.
I should like permission to raise on the Adjournment the serious position of many small companies, legitimate creditors of Dublin Gas, who are not being paid despite the assurances given in the House last week by the Minister for Energy.
I will communicate with the Deputy.
Due to the lack of funding from the Department of Health the North Western Health Board have had to withdraw transport services to external clinics in Dublin and internal clinics, a decision which is causing very severe hardship to the poor in the region, and I should like the permission of the Chair to raise this important issue on the Adjournment.
I will communicate with the Deputy.
I should like to ask the Taoiseach if it is proposed to introduce legislation to give postal voting to the disabled before the referendum and, if not, will other arrangement be made for those people prior to the referendum?
I am not in a position to make a statement on that. The position is being examined but there are very considerable difficulties arising from the experience on a previous occasion which we have not yet been able to resolve. I would wish that we could do so but I cannot guarantee that at this stage.
Is the Taoiseach aware that, due to apprehension among the public in relation to the radioactive fall-out, the demands on the telephone service advertised are such that the line is constantly engaged, that everybody is concerned and one cannot get through on that telephone line at all?
(Interruptions.)
Over the last few days the line has been constantly engaged.
Finance Bill, 1986, section 55——
(Interruptions.)
A Cheann Comhairle——
I have moved on to the Finance Bill, Deputy.
I asked yesterday morning: would the Taoiseach or the Minister for Foreign Affairs explain the reason they have not delegated somebody to attend the tribunal set up by the Canadian Government to investigate the——
That is not in order and the Deputy knows it perfectly well.
A Cheann Comhairle, it is of major importance, a £19 million export order——
The Deputy is still not in order.
It is a further indictment of this Government by the agricultural community. The sooner they stop codding the farmers the better.
Would the Deputy please resume his seat?