Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Wednesday, 9 Nov 1988

Vol. 383 No. 9

Order of Business.

Minister for Finance (Mr. MacSharry)

It is proposed to take Nos. 6 and 7. It is also proposed that No. 6 shall be taken without debate. It is further proposed that Votes 13 and 14 shall be taken together for the purposes of debate, and the questions necessary to bring the proceedings, if not previously concluded, to a conclusion shall be put at 12.30 p.m. today and the following arrangements shall apply: first, the speech of each Member called on shall not exceed 15 minutes and, secondly, the Minister for Finance shall be called on to conclude the debate not later than 12.20 p.m.

It is further proposed that No. 7 and Vote 3 shall be taken together for the purposes of debate; that the proceedings on all Stages of No. 7 and on the Vote, if not previously concluded, shall be brought to a conclusion at 7 p.m. by one question in each case, which shall be put from the Chair; and in the case of No. 7 the question shall, in relation to amendments, include only amendments set down by the Taoiseach.

It is further proposed that any division challenged on any Estimate today shall be taken forthwith. Private Members' Business shall be No. 19.

An Ceann Comhairle

Is the proposal that No. 6 be taken without debate agreed? Agreed. Are the proposals for dealing with Votes 13 and 14 agreed? Agreed. Are the proposals for dealing with No. 7 and Vote 3 agreed? Agreed. Is it agreed that any division challenged on any Estimate today shall be taken forthwith? Agreed.

Mr. Dukes

Was any decision made at the Government meeting last Sunday relating to the appointment of a Commissioner to the European Communities?

An Ceann Comhairle

This is a question that has been raised continuously.

Mr. Dukes

That particular question has not been raised. I understand there was some discussion of the matter in the House yesterday, where I think the Minister for Foreign Affairs gave the House some information which does not, in fact, reflect reality in the sense that he suggested that there is no difficulty or worry externally about the delay in appointing a Commissioner.

An Ceann Comhairle

It has been adverted to on numerous occasions in recent times.

Mr. Dukes

I understand the Government did not make any decision on this matter last Sunday. Contrary to what the Tánaiste——

(Interruptions.)

Mr. Dukes

I spent the past two days in the company of members of 14 Christian Democratic parties——

An Ceann Comhairle

Please, Deputy Dukes.

Mr. Dukes

——of the Community and there is utter bafflement as to why no decision has been made by this country.

Mr. MacSharry

The specific answer to the particular question is no.

Proinsias De Rossa

I wish to raise on the Adjournment the serious implications of the current strike at the ESB and the failure of the Chief Executive to meet with the trade union.

An Ceann Comhairle

I will communicate with the Deputy.

Mr. M. Higgins

I seek permission to raise on the Adjournment the current position at the Regional Hospital, Galway, and the right of Galway Corporation to nominate two members of the Western Health Board.

An Ceann Comhairle

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

Mr. Birmingham

With your permission, I seek to raise on the Adjournment the position of schools recognised as disadvantaged for grant purposes but not for staffing purposes and the difficulties they are now facing with the changes in the pupil-teacher ratio as evidenced, in particular, by Scoil Fhursa in Kilmore West.

An Ceann Comhairle

I will communicate with the Deputy.

Mr. J. O'Keeffe

I wish to raise on the Adjournment the refusal by the Minister for Social Welfare to make available to Members of the Oireachtas details of the circulars on which decisions under the revised national fuel scheme are made and the many anomalies created under that revision. I should mention that my colleague Deputy Flaherty is also anxious to join with me in raising this issue.

An Ceann Comhairle

I will communicate with the Deputy.

Mr. Boylan

Following your refusal yesterday to allow me to raise on the Adjournment the atrocious conditions under which hundreds of families in my county are living at present in relation to county roads, may I ask the Minister for the Environment——

An Ceann Comhairle

Please, Deputy. I presumed the Deputy was raising the matter with me. He may not discuss the matter across the floor now.

Mr. Boylan

It is very relevant. There is an outrageous situation——

An Ceann Comhairle

The Deputy has ways and means open to him to raise such matters. It is not in order now. Deputy Boylan will now resume his seat. Deputy Boylan, please resume your seat. I will not call you a third time to resume your seat. Deputy Boylan, desist forthwith.

Mr. Yates

I wish to raise on the Adjournment the case of an elderly patient in a psychiatric hospital who was found dead last Sunday.

An Ceann Comhairle

I will communicate with the Deputy.

Mr. J. Mitchell

I would like to ask the Minister for Finance if it is the Government's intention to lay before the House the report of the national Combat Poverty Agency into moneylending and if any legislative change is proposed before Christmas?

An Ceann Comhairle

Is legislation proposed?

Minister for Social Welfare (Dr. Woods)

The report is expected shortly and I will be quite happy to lay it on the table of the House.

Mr. Quinn

Approximately 12 months ago this House was promised new legislation in the form of a Building Societies Bill and a Central Bank Bill, to be taken in conjunction with it. Is the Minister for Finance now in a position to confirm that that legislation is with the Attorney General and that it will be taken before the end of this year?

Minister for Finance (Mr. MacSharry)

In relation to the Central Bank Bill, I hope that in days rather than weeks it can be circulated to Members of the House. In relation to the Building Societies Bill, this is making speedy progress and I hope it will not be too far behind the Central Bank Bill.

Mr. Quinn

In reply to the Minister's response, for which I thank him, is it still the Government's intention that both these pieces of legislation be debated and taken together?

Mr. MacSharry

I think that is the wish of the House and we are prepared to facilitate the House in that regard.

Mr. Quinn

Is the Building societies legislation being sponsored by the Minister's Department or by the Department of the Environment?

Mr. MacSharry

By the Minister for the Environment.

Miss Flaherty

May I ask the Minister for Health whether he has finalised arrangements for regulations arising out of the Clinical Trials Bill and will he assure the House that he has resolved the serious worries that have arisen with consultants in relation to the danger to research if the regulations go ahead as suggested?

Minister for Health (Dr. O'Hanlon)

I hope to lay the regulations before the House this month.

Mr. Noonan

(Limerick East): We will shortly be debating a Supplementary Estimate and I should like to ask the Minister for Finance what other Supplementary Estimates the Government intend to introduce before Christmas, which Departments will be affected and which Votes will be covered?

Mr. MacSharry

I hope that in the not too distant future I will be able to give a full reply to the Deputy's question. In so far as I am concerned, any Supplementary Estimate will be kept to a minimum and in any case will only be of a technical nature.

Mr. Noonan

(Limerick East): When will this information be provided?

Mr. MacSharry

As soon as it is available.

Tomás Mac Giolla

Can I ask the Minister for the Environment, following the welcome introductions of his smoke control order yesterday, if he will let us know what steps he is taking to advise the residents of the 840 houses concerned about the effects of the order?

An Ceann Comhairle

That is a matter that ought to be raised in another way.

Tomás Mac Giolla

This is a very important matter. The people who are living there have not been told a thing. What level of subsidies is available——

An Ceann Comhairle

That matter is not in order now. Deputy Farrelly is offering.

Mr. Farrelly

May I ask the Minister for Finance if it is his intention to introduce a Supplementary Estimate for Teagasc——

(Interruptions.)

An Ceann Comhairle

Deputy Mac Giolla, another Deputy was on his feet putting a question. This is most disorderly.

Tomás Mac Giolla

Is the Minister going to reply to my question?

An Ceann Comhairle

It is not in order. Deputy Farrelly.

Mr. Farrelly

May I ask the Minister for Finance if it is his intention to introduce a Supplementary Estimate for Teagasc as this organisation seem to be going bankrupt and, consequently, will not be employing people shortly?

Mr. MacSharry

I do not know if that is in order, but I think I can give the same reply as I gave to the general question asked by Deputy Noonan.

Mr. Farrelly

I am sure the new chairman is very anxious for that Department to give him a few pounds.

(Interruptions.)

An Ceann Comhairle

Order, please. Deputy Shatter.

Mr. Shatter

Can I ask the Minister for the Environment whether he intends to introduce legislation amending the Air Pollution Act so as to ensure that the entirety of the city and county of Dublin can be declared a smoke free zone and if he is aware that under the current Act that would not be possible?

An Ceann Comhairle

That might have been put down by way of a question.

Mr. Shatter

On a point of order, outside this House the Minister has promised that he is going to make the entirety of Dublin a smoke free zone. I assume that implicit in that is a promise to bring in amending legislation. Perhaps the Minister could indicate whether he intends to do so.

Mr. J. O'Keeffe

He would not be worried about such technicalities.

Mr. Shatter

The Minister is obviously unaware of the extent of the problems.

Tomás Mac Giolla

I am asking you, a Cheann Comhairle, to reconsider your decision in regard to the legitimacy of my question in view of the fact that a ministerial order was issued yesterday. I consider that the order is incomplete so far as the residents who are going to be affected are concerned. They are going to be prosecuted in six months time and I think they are entitled to know from the Minister——

An Ceann Comhairle

I can only repeat that it is not a matter that is appropriate to the Order of Business.

Tomás Mac Giolla

I think the Minister has proposals ready——

An Ceann Comhairle

I am proceeding to deal with the Order of Business proper.