Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Thursday, 23 Jun 1988

Vol. 382 No. 7

Order of Business.

The Taoiseach

It is proposed to take Nos. 12 and 13 — Votes 31 and 43. It is also proposed that the Dáil shall sit later than 5.30 p.m. today and business shall be interrupted not later than 7.30 p.m. It is further proposed that the proceedings on Committee and Remaining Stages of No. 12 shall be brought to a conclusion, if not previously concluded, at 1.30 p.m. 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 the Environment.

It is further proposed that the debate on Vote 31 shall not exceed two and a quarter hours and the debate on Vote 43 shall not exceed two and half hours provided that the proceedings thereon shall be brought to a conclusion, if not previously concluded, at 5 p.m. and 7.30 p.m. respectively, by one question which shall be put from the Chair and the following arrangements shall apply: (1) The opening speech of the Ministers moving the Votes shall not exceed 20 minutes; (2) the speech of any other Member shall not exceed 15 minutes and (3) the Ministers moving the Votes shall be called on to conclude not later than ten minutes before the stated times. It is further proposed that the Dáil shall meet tomorrow at 10.30 a.m. and shall adjourn not later than 4.30 p.m.

An Ceann Comhairle

Are the proposals in respect of the late sitting today agreed? Agreed. Are the proposals for dealing with No. 12 agreed? Agreed. Are the proposals for dealing with Votes 31 and 43 agreed? Agreed. Is the proposal for a late sitting tomorrow agreed? Agreed.

Mr. J. Bruton

I have two questions to put to the Taoiseach in respect of prospective business. The first relates to a matter which I raised with the Taoiseach on Tuesday. There is a problem in regard to the ratification of the Community Patents Convention where a referendum might be necessary on a particular interpretation of the Constitution. Will the Taoiseach consider raising this matter at the European Council with a view to having a regulation made by the Council which would resolve this difficulty? Has the Taoiseach had an opportunity of investigating this possibility? The second question relates to the summer recess. Will the Government be prepared to consider bringing forward legislation to Second Stage before the summer recess with a view to allowing the possibility, in respect of non-contentious legislation, for such legislation to be processed through Committee Stage in special committee during the recess so that an amount of legislative work could be dealt with during that time?

The Taoiseach

I do not think that either of the questions is strictly in order but, out of courtesy, I will answer them. The suggestion regarding the Patents Convention is under consideration. I do not know if the Deputy's other suggestion about legislation enabling committees to meet would be a practical proposition although it can be considered.

Mr. Barry

The Minister for Communications is not here but I should like the Taoiseach to remind him that in the Official Report, volume 381, column No. 971, the Minister for Communications promised to bring to the House before the recess the sale of Whiddy and Whitegate and to have them discussed.

An Ceann Comhairle

That is hardly a matter relating to legislation.

Mr. Barry

The Minister promised to bring it forward in this House. The Minister volunteered that information, therefore we would like to see it.

An Ceann Comhairle

It does not refer specifically to legislation.

Mr. Quinn

On a number of occasions the House has been promised legislation in relation to the reform of the building societies legislation and the Central Bank Acts, and we know it is to be taken in the autumn. Will the Taoiseach indicate to the Dáil if the Bill has completed its drafting stage and will it now definitely be taken in the autumn session?

The Taoiseach

It is still gestating in the draftsman's office. It is very complex.

Mr. J. Bruton

What Minister is responsible for the draftsman's office?

Mr. Quinn

Will the Taoiseach say whether it is gestating or festering?

The Taoiseach

It is being drafted.

Mr. Noonan

(Limerick East): Will the Taoiseach arrange to have the half yearly Exchequer returns circulated in advance of the debate on his Estimate next Thursday, because it will be very relevant information and it would be due that afternoon anyway? If the Taoiseach could bring forward publication by 24 hours it would certainly facilitate the Opposition.

The Taoiseach

It is totally out of order but I am full of benign courtesy this morning and I assure the Deputy that that will be done and the Deputy will be very pleased with the Estimates, when he gets them.

Mr. Noonan

(Limerick East): I am asking for this to facilitate the Taoiseach. If one wants to boast about Exchequer returns, it should be done in the House and not during the recess.

(Interruptions).

The Taoiseach

You are referring to the 1987 financial accounts?

Mr. Noonan

(Limerick East): The half yearly accounts.

The Taoiseach

This year's half yearly accounts?

Mr. Noonan

(Limerick East): Yes.

The Taoiseach

They will not be ready.

Mr. Noonan

(Limerick East): They are due on 30 June anyway.

The Taoiseach

As the Deputy knows, they can change up to the very last minute.

Mr. Noonan

(Limerick East): The Taoiseach's debate is on 30 June.

(Interruptions.)

The Taoiseach

If the Deputy wishes to know, the rate of inflation is going down all the time.

(Interruptions.)

Mr. Noonan

(Limerick East): That cannot be doing a whole lot for buoyancy.

An Ceann Comhairle

The Chair has been guilty of some latitude here this morning, but this cannot continue.

Mr. Griffin

I wish to raise on the Adjournment the situation in which Tipperary Town Chamber of Commerce finds itself. Having agreed to participate in the social employment scheme and to employ two young ladies to act as tourist information officers in their new premises, they now find that this scheme has been temporarily suspended and the whole scheme falls apart.

An Ceann Comhairle

I will communicate with the Deputy.

Mr. Cosgrave

Will the Taoiseach extend his courtesy a little further? In view of the assurances given recently to the residents of Darndale, regarding the Darndale project, will he inform the House——

An Ceann Comhairle

Please, Deputy Cosgrave, I have given some latitude this morning, but this is stretching the imagination too much

Mr. McDowell

I wish to raise on the Adjournment with the Minister for Health a matter I mentioned the day before yesterday, namely, the death of a child on 16 March in Holles Street Hospital and the death of the mother on 17 March in St. Vincent's Hospital.

An Ceann Comhairle

I will communicate with Deputy McDowell in respect of that matter.