It is proposed to take Nos. 16, 17 and 6. Subject to an order for the taking of the Second Reading of the Bill being made, Private Members' Business will be No. 8.
Order of Business.
Will the Taoiseach tell the House what information has been given to the Government by the French authorities in relation to the vessel Eksund, with a cargo of armaments aboard, crewed by persons who, apparently, hold Irish passports?
The Deputy should find another way of raising that matter.
This is a matter of some concern. You ruled it out as a Private Notice Question on the grounds that it was not urgent but I regard it as a matter of considerable urgency since it seems that there may be a connection with subversive organisations here and that there may be a connection with Libya——
I have already notified the Deputy that his question did not have the degree of urgency required by Standing Orders to include it in Private Notice and that there are ways and means open to him to raise this matter.
Will the Taoiseach undertake to keep the House fully informed of developments in this matter?
Yes.
In view of the fact that it is now almost certain that the arms which have been confiscated by the French authorities originated——
I am sorry, I cannot allow this matter to be raised in the House.
If those arms originated in Lybia, will the Taoiseach cancel trips by Ministers——
Please, Deputy.
Will the Taoiseach answer the question? He usually wishes to impart information in the House and he should be allowed to reply.
It is not in order now.
In reply to a recent question, the House was informed that there had been a 20 per cent increase in armed robberies. I wish to raise the matter of that increase on the Adjournment.
I will communicate with the Deputy.
Will the Minister for Health indicate to the House the current position in regard to the ISPCC dispute?
Surely the Deputy will put down a question in regard to that matter?
Have the Government decided how much money will be made available from the national lottery to fund projects and if they will consider alloting time in the House——
This matter is not in order now, as the Deputy knows full well.
What is the present position in regard to the proposed committee of this House on the health services? I understood it was agreed between the two major parties in the House last June that it would be established but we have not heard anything since.
No, there have been no developments since the matter was raised here last.
Is the proposal now abandoned?
I do not think there ever was such a proposal.
The Fine Gael Party were under the impression that there was such a proposal.
The Deputy can let the Fine Gael Party look out for themselves.
They did not do it very well on this occasion.
Will the Taoiseach say when it is proposed to take Report Stage of the Bankruptcy Bill, particularly having regard to the fact that as a result of Government economic policies, it is likely to be increasingly in demand?
Unfortunately, the Deputy is no longer the Whip for his party — there are probably some internal difficulties of which the rest of us are not aware — but the matter is being discussed by the Whips.
Is it proposed to bring forward legislation to prevent the payment of ransom in the event of kidnapping and will the Taoiseach take steps, within the EC, to have a common approach to this very serious problem?
That matter does not arise now.
Could I have a reply to my question?
The Deputy will find another way of ventilating his point of view on that matter.
It is a question of legislation.
(Limerick East): Answer “yes” or “no”.
The Chair has no control over such matters.
(Interruptions.)
Will the Minister for Foreign Affairs give guidance to Members of the Opposition parties who may wish to attend the Birmingham Six hearing as to what arrangements, if any, they must make to be present in the court?
The Deputy will have to find another opportunity of ventilating that question.
Do the Government intend to introduce the Electricity Supply (Amendment) Bill which was brought before the 24th Dáil?
We anticipate that that Bill will be circulated before the end of the year.
I do not wish to be contentious but it is most unfair, when all parties in the House are interested in the case going on in London, that two members of the Government party were facilitated with tickets while no member of the Opposition got one. I hope the Government will bear in mind that all parties are interested in the case.
I am trying to find an alternative way of raising the position in relation to the ISPCC with the Minister for Health as many children are suffering——
If the Deputy communicates with my office, he will find them of the utmost assistance. The Deputy may not proceed with it now.
What action is the Minister taking to bring this dispute to an end?
Will the Minister for Industry and Commerce amend the Insurance Bill at present before the Seanad to prohibit the underwriting of kidnapping insurance?