It is proposed to take Nos. 7, 8, 15, 16 and 1. It is also proposed that the Dáil shall sit later than 5.30 p.m. today and business shall be interrupted at 9 p.m. It is further proposed that Nos. 7 and 8 shall be taken without debate. It is further proposed that the proceedings on the Second Stage of No. 15 shall be brought to a conclusion not later than 2.30 p.m. and the Minister of State at the Department of Industry and Commerce shall be called on to conclude not later than 2.10 p.m. It is further proposed that the proceedings on the Second Stage of No. 16 shall be brought to a conclusion not later than 5 p.m. and the Minister of State at the Department of Agriculture shall be called on to conclude not later than 4.45 p.m. It is further proposed that the Second Stage of No. 1 shall be brought to a conclusion not later than 9 p.m. and the Minister of State at the Department of the Marine shall be called on to conclude the debate not later than 8.40 p.m. It is further proposed that the Dáil shall meet at 10.30 a.m. tomorrow and shall adjourn not later than 5 p.m. and business shall be confined to Supplementary Estimates.
Order of Business.
May I ask the Taoiseach if he is in a position to tell the House when the Minister for Justice will make the promised full report to the House on the results of Garda searches in recent weeks?
There are questions on the Order Paper today in respect of that matter. Question No. 4 relates to it and, from memory, I would say that Questions Nos. 38 and 39 also relate to that subject matter. In the circumstances, is it fair that they should be dealt with now?
I am not disputing that but the Taoiseach agreed some time ago in the House that the Minister for Justice would, at an appropriate time, give the House a full report, that is separately from answering these questions. It would be appropriate if the Taoiseach could simply indicate to us when that might be. It does not in any way prejudice the questions that are down for today.
The Chair is very concerned that the questions on the Order Paper should be respected in fairness to the Deputies who have tabled these questions which are to be replied to today.
I do not wish to be disorderly but I cannot see how an indication by the Taoiseach of when the Minister for Justice might give a complete report would in any way interfere with the right of Members of the House to get answers to their questions today. I am not asking the Taoiseach to say anything about the search; I am simply asking him to say when the Minister will give a report.
That is fair enough provided the questions tabled today are not jeopardised.
I am aware that Deputies are anxious to have such a report and indeed it has been a matter of concern to me that we have not been able to report yet to the House because I recognise the right of the House to a full report at the earliest possible moment. The Minister for Justice is in Copenhagen at present attending a Council meeting but I can give the House an assurance that a full statement will be made before the House adjourns next week for Christmas.
Is the search over?
May I ask the Taoiseach or the Minister for the Environment if they have taken cognisance of the appalling smog which has bedevilled this city for the last number of days and if the Minister for the Environment will, given that there is a serious threat to health, make a statement to this House on the cause and the effects and what course of action can be taken by the Government in this regard?
While we are all concerned about that matter it does not arise now.
It arose in the House last night.
Has the Minister for the Environment made all the necessary regulations required to be made under the Air Pollution Act, particularly the regulations in relation to industrial air pollution? That is relevant to the appalling smog that has hung over the city for the last number of days.
This legislation has been promised?
It is arising from legislation. It relates to regulations which have been promised on foot of legislation already passed by this House the time of the last Government.
Regulations were made under the Air Pollution Act in September to take effect on 1 October this year.
That does not seem to comply with correspondence I received from the Minister. Does that include regulations under section 3 concerning industrial pollution?
That question does not arise.
Let him answer it.
Can the Taoiseach tell us today when we will have a homeless persons Bill, as promised so long ago for before the end of this session?
It will not be in this session, but——
Why not?
It would not have been possible anyway, with the amount of business on the Order Paper that we must deal with but we will certainly be able to deal with it in the next session.
Will you circulate it?
No, it will not be circulated.
A Deputy
Would you bet on that?
I would.
I seek once more to raise on the Adjournment the long delay in appointing a contractor for Dore national school in Donegal. It went to tender last October 12 months and they are still waiting for a contractor to be appointed.
I will communicate with the Deputy.
I wish to raise on the Adjournment the subject matter of Questions Nos. 79, 80 and 81 of 9 December.
I will communicate with Deputy Crotty.
Can I raise on the Adjournment the decision not to proceed with the harbour authority for Dún Laoghaire?
I will communicate with the Deputy.
Will the Taoiseach say when the legislation in relation to the Dublin Transport Authority will be before the House?
The matter is being discussed by the Whips.
What will be the position of the chief executive while the matter is being discussed by the Whips?
I am not sure——
That does not arise now Deputy. Deputy McCartan, please.
Will the Minister for the Environment say, in relation to a homeless persons Bill, whether——
With respect, a Cheann Comhairle——
——if it will not be dealt with during this session, it will be dealt with very early in the next session or in the middle of the next session? When can we expect it? Will we see it at all?
Yes.
Yes, what?
I am calling Deputy John Boland.
I am giving notice of my intention to raise on the Adjournment the continuing failure of the Minister for Finance to answer questions relating to statistical information which has been prepared in his Department regarding educational matters.
I will communicate with the Deputy.
Before we go on to the business of the House, I am afraid, as I notice from my notes, that I was not fully alert to the exact question that my young colleague Deputy Bruton was asking me yesterday, and I unfortunately misled the House. I was thinking about a different piece of legislation.
When is it intended to circulate that legislation?
I do not know, but——