Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Wednesday, 2 Jul 1986

Vol. 368 No. 9

Order of Business.

The Taoiseach

It is proposed to take Nos. 8, 9, 23, 24 and 1.

By agreement, the Dáil shall sit later than 9 p.m. today and not later than 11.30 p.m. and business shall be interrupted at 11 p.m. Also by agreement, Nos. 8 and 9 shall be taken without debate.

Also by agreement, the proceedings on the remaining Stages of No. 23 shall be brought to a conclusion not later than 12.30 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 Justice.

Also by agreement, the proceedings on the remaining stages of No. 24 shall be brought to a conclusion not later than 10.30 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 proceedings on No. 1 shall be brought to a conclusion not later than 11 p.m. today.

Private Members' Business shall be No. 43.

An Ceann Comhairle

Are the arrangements for taking today's business agreed?

Proinsias De Rossa

I object to the proposal in the Order of Business to take No. 8 without debate today. It refers to the Building Control Bill which is being referred to the Joint Committee on Legislation and I was anxious that the referral be debated in the House. This Bill went through Second Stage nearly two years ago and we are now being asked to refer it to a committee. There is no indication what this committee will do with the Bill. The Bankruptcy Bill went before a committee and was with it for almost two years. In this case there is no indication whether the committee will be dealing with Committee Stage. As far as I am aware, there are no Deputies from The Workers' Party or any independent Deputies on that committee. The referring of the Bill to the committee is a denial of our rights to have an input on Committee Stage. For that reason I object very strongly, first of all to the fact that this motion is being taken today without debate and, secondly, to the fact that it is being referred to the committee in this cavalier way.

The Taoiseach

The Bill is a highly technical one, as indeed was the Bankruptcy Bill. It seemed appropriate to refer it to the Joint Committee on Legislation which was established for the purpose, inter alia, of dealing with Bills of this kind. That committee will deal with Committee Stage of the Bill and the Bill will then come back to this House for Report Stage, at which point it will be open to any Deputy to put down amendments. I hope I am right in saying that and that I am not misleading the Deputy. If I am, the Ceann Comhairle will correct me.

Mr. Haughey

The Bill has to be reported in this House.

Proinsias De Rossa

As I understand it, the Fourth Stage of a Bill does not afford a Deputy——

An Ceann Comhairle

We cannot have a Committee Stage debate on this. I allowed the Deputy to make a submission and the Taoiseach replied. If the Deputy wishes to ask a question I will allow it but not another speech.

Proinsias De Rossa

Is the Taoiseach prepared to allow those Deputies who are not represented on the Joint Committee on Legislation to be co-opted onto the committee so that we may have an input on Committee Stage of this Bill?

Mr. Manning

On a point of information, on the Bankruptcy Bill that was the case. All Members could attend and could speak.

Proinsias De Rossa

I know that I have the right to attend.

Mr. Manning

And speak.

Proinsias De Rossa

The Joint Committee on Legislation have the right to co-opt members who will have the right to vote as well. I am asking the Taoiseach if he is prepared to permit the co-option of Deputies or to instruct that Members on this side of the House be co-opted onto the committee.

An Ceann Comhairle

Is Deputy De Rossa objecting to No. 8 being taken?

Proinsias De Rossa

I am. Could I have a response to the question I asked?

An Ceann Comhairle

Are there any objections to the arguments for taking Nos. 9, 23, 24 and 1? That is agreed. Deputy De Rossa asked a question.

The Taoiseach

There is a precedent for Deputies attending joint committees and putting their views. They are not being deprived of the opportunity to put their views to the committee. Of course, they also have the opportunity to do so on Report Stage in the House. I do not know if that satisfies the Deputy but it is the position as I understand it.

Deputy Proinsias De Rossa rose.

An Ceann Comhairle

I cannot allow the Deputy to put another question. I have allowed him one question and an answer to it and I am not going to allow a debate at this stage.

Tomás Mac Giolla

On a point of order, may I put a question?

An Ceann Comhairle

The Deputy may ask one question.

Tomás Mac Giolla

Is it right that some Deputies should have lesser powers than others in regard to a Bill? This is a serious question.

An Ceann Comhairle

I am putting the question to the House and it will be decided in the ordinary democratic way.

Tomás Mac Giolla

The Chair has a responsibility to see to it that every Member has the same rights and responsibilities.

An Ceann Comhairle

I am putting the question, "That Item No. 8 on today's Order of Business be taken without debate".

Proinsias De Rossa

Vótáil.

An Ceann Comhairle

Will those who are demanding a division please rise in their places?

Deputies Mac Giolla and De Rossa rose.

An Ceann Comhairle

As fewer than ten Deputies have risen, in accordance with Standing Orders I declare the motion carried. Item No. 8 will be taken without debate and the names of those demanding a division will be entered in the Journal of the Proceedings of the Dáil.

Mr. Wilson

I should like permission to raise on the Adjournment the widespread destruction caused by the weekend storm in the Dowra — Shannon Pot area of west Cavan.

An Ceann Comhairle

I will communicate with the Deputy.

Mr. Hyland

In view of the decision of the International Court at The Hague I should like permission to raise on the Adjournment the question of President Reagan's support for the rebels in Nicaragua.

An Ceann Comhairle

I will communicate with the Deputy.

Miss Flaherty

With the permission of the Chair, I should like to raise on the Adjournment the request by the City of Dublin VEC to commence a second level pobal scoil in Ballymun, as passed by the Post Primary Advisory Council recently.

An Ceann Comhairle

The Chair will communicate with the Deputy.

Mr. Calleary

In view of the fact that there is no longer sufficient funding for social employment schemes, may I ask the Minister for Labour what steps the Government will take to ensure that adequate funding will be made available to carry on annual schemes for the remainder of the year?

Mr. O'Malley

On the Order of Business, I wish to move item No. 7, namely, the Oireachtas and Ministerial Pensions Bill, 1986, First Stage.