It is proposed to take Nos. 6, 7 and 1. It is also proposed that No. 1 be taken not later than 3.45 p.m. and the order shall not resume thereafter. Private Members' Business shall be No. 14.
Order of Business.
Will the Taoiseach tell the House when the Government intend to introduce their Adoption Bill, as promised last week?
It is a matter for the Whips to decide when it will be taken.
The Taoiseach indicated last week, as did the Minister, that the Government would produce their Adoption Bill within two weeks, that would be next week. I can assure the Taoiseach that if it is proposed to introduce it next week the Fine Gael Whip will certainly agree but I would like an assurance that it will be introduced within that time scale.
Every effort will be made to ensure that will be the case.
With regard to legislation promised, I raised last week the question of the need for building by-law regulations following the explosions which occurred in this city as a result of the distribution of gas. On the afternoon of the day I raised the matter there was another explosion. May I ask the Taoiseach how soon we can expect to have such legislation before the House? He will appreciate it is extremely urgent and that I have raised this matter on a number of occasions.
Perhaps the Minister for the Environment would like to respond.
The task force dealing with the Raglan House explosion will be producing their report on 20 July next. Because it is felt that report might impinge on the regulations, it is necessary to wait until then so that the building regulations to be introduced will be comprehensive.
In October?
In view of the fact that this matter is urgent and that the Minister has been dragging his heels on it, I should like to seek permission to raise it on the Adjournment.
I will communicate with Deputy G. Mitchell.
Could the Minister for the Environment tell the House how long these regulations have been in draft form or in course of preparation?
While I do not think this matter arises on the Order of Business I can say the regulations have been in preparation for some considerable time, are at an advanced stage and can be introduced as soon as the report of this task force is to hand.
Does that mean they have been in course of preparation for about 20 years?
The Deputy should observe the Chair.
I have been waiting for the Government to come back to order, Sir. Arising out of the Minister's reply with regard to legislation promised and to an earlier undertaking by the Taoiseach in the carry-over of business agreed by all parties in the last Dáil, surely the Minister for the Environment is in a position to inform the House when the Building Control Bill, 1984 will be resumed in this House? That is the framework of legislation within which the regulations governing, among other things, the problem to which Deputy G. Mitchell referred, can be given legal status. Is the Minister for the Environment in a position to indicate when that Bill — which had been given a considerable degree of parliamentary time — will be reintroduced in this House?
The Deputy is quite right when he says the Bill is at an advanced stage. It is proposed to introduce it in the House as soon as possible.
When do the Government intend to introduce legislation in this House to formally set up An Bord Glas which appears to have been put together with unseemly haste in recent weeks? I am very interested to know when the legislation will be introduced in the House.
As the Deputy is aware, the board is actually in being and functioning on an ad hoc informal basis. The relevant legislation is being prepared but will not be ready before the autumn session. It will be introduced in the autumn session.
A Cheann Comhairle, may I have your permission to raise on the Adjournment the reported sightings of C5A giant military transport planes that have been flying over the Watergrasshill and Carrignavarr area of my constituency on a regular basis recently, which planes are used to transport Cruise missiles to and from Great Britain?
I will communicate with Deputy Allen.
With your permission, a Cheann Comhairle, I wish to give notice of my intention to raise on the Adjournment the current financial position of the B & I Company.
I will communicate with Deputy Desmond.
On the Order of Business, may I ask the Minister for the Environment when it is proposed to reintroduce the Bill dealing with homeless persons?
At an early date. A commitment was given that I would consult with some interested parties. That consultation will take place within the next week or two. There will be no delay as far as I am concerned in the introduction of that Bill.
Will the Minister say if "at an early date" means before 26 June or some time later in October of this year?
If the consultations with the interested parties are concluded before the end of this session it will be introduced at that time.
May I ask, Sir, if on the Adjournment you might consider allowing some time for discussion of the proposed phasing out of educational facilities in our prisons?
I will communicate with Deputy McCartan in respect of that matter.
May I ask once again, Sir, if you will allow me permission to raise on the Adjournment the specific question of the real and imminent closure of the Royal Hospital in Baggot Street? With all due respect, I know you have given a general ruling in regard to these matters — which I am not challenging — but it is impossible in the framework of the various debates we are having on health to raise specific items to which we can get a specific reply.
I will communicate with the Deputy but the Chair has to have regard to the fact that quite a lot of this week's time is devoted to matters appertaining to health.
A Cheann Comhairle, I hope you never have to depend on the services of that hospital because, by the time——
The Deputy has ample opportunity of ventilating his views in that regard.
A Cheann Comhairle, in view of your ruling yesterday in relation to my Private Notice Question, which of course I accept, I would like to ask your permission to raise again the matter of children under 16 years of age suffering from prescribed illnesses. It is a legal matter and separate altogether from the debate which began last night and which will be continued tonight. It is the question of whether an assurance will be given that no services will be withdrawn from those children. I gave details of services that had been withdrawn from children in this category, including one child who suffers from cerebral palsy and also autistic children and others.
I will communicate with Deputy Higgins in that regard.