It is proposed to take Nos. 6 and 7. Private Members' Business shall be No. 14.
Order of Business.
Item No. 6.
Could I ask the Taoiseach on the Order of Business when he intends to set up committees of this House to deal with the range of business covered by the 13 committees we had in the last Dáil? There were a series of committees of this House and there were joint committees of the two Houses. I would like to know if the Taoiseach intends to set up those committees or if he intends to set-up committees to carry out the same work?
It would be the wish of the Government to have an appropriate number of committees set up as soon as possible. I am not sure whether Deputy Dukes would agree with me but I am not certain whether we should proceed with all the committees we had in the previous Dáil. There was a feeling that there were too many committees and it was difficult for Deputies to find time to attend them all as they would wish. However, that is something we might discuss, but I would be anxious that the Whips would now meet to discuss the matter and get on with the establishment of the committees.
I am not sure whether I would agree entirely with the Taoiseach. I do not think the problem was in relation to the diligence of Deputies in attending the committees; the problem might have been slightly different. Could I ask the Taoiseach if he intends to set up committees to broadly cover the same areas which were covered by the committees of the last House or has he something more restricted in mind?
They would broadly cover the same areas but one suggestion the Deputy might agree to look at is whether the Committee of Public Accounts, which is a statutory committee, might be merged into a larger committee which would include the Committee on Public Expenditure. Perhaps these are matters in which the Opposition would have a more valid interest than the Government. It is a matter on which we would very much like to meet the wishes of the Opposition.
I can assure the Taoiseach that I will be available to discuss the range of matters covered by the committees and any possible combinations, but may I take it that the Taoiseach is now inviting me to suggest to him which committees we believe should be set up? If that is the case, I will respond very rapidly.
That is exactly what I am doing.
I want to advise Deputies that I have called item No. 6. A very brief question from Deputy Sherlock and I am going on to deal with item No. 6 immediately afterwards.
I would like to ask the Taoiseach if he is aware of the decision made by the Southern Health Board at their meeting on Monday last in Tralee and the far-reaching and serious implications——
Deputy Sherlock, this does not arise on the Order of Business. The Deputy will have to find other ways and means of raising that matter.
The Government party campaigned during the general election for a better health service.
I am sorry, Deputy, but I cannot allow this to continue. Item No. 6.
A Cheann Comhairle, the Department advised the board to reduce the number of jobs by 335 but——
Deputy Sherlock knows he is out of order now.
——the number of jobs is to be reduced by 490.
Does the Deputy wish to leave the House? The Chair has been on his feet for some time. Deputy Sherlock should resume his seat immediately.
(Interruptions.)
Deputy Sherlock, leave the House.
A Cheann Comhairle——
I must name the Deputy for continuing disorder.
As the democratically elected representative from that area, I feel I have the right to ask the question.