Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Tuesday, 15 Nov 1988

Vol. 384 No. 2

Order of Business.

The Tánaiste

It is proposed to take Nos 5 and 6. It is also proposed that the Dáil shall sit later than 9 p.m. tonight and business shall be interrupted at 10.30 p.m. It is further proposed that No. 5 shall be taken without debate.

It is further proposed that the proceedings on Vote 20, if not previously concluded, shall be brought to a conclusion at 7 p.m. and the following arrangements shall apply: (1) The speech of the main spokesperson nominated by each of the parties shall not exceed 20 minutes; (2) The speech of each other Member called on shall not exceed 15 minutes, and (3) The Minister for Justice shall be called on to conclude the debate not later than 6.45 p.m. It is further proposed that if a division is challenged on the Estimate it shall be taken forthwith.

Private Members' Business shall be No. 17.

An Ceann Comhairle

Is the proposal for a late sitting today agreed? Agreed. Is the proposal that No. 5 shall be taken without debate agreed? Agreed. Are the proposals for dealing with Vote 20 agreed? Agreed.

Mr. Dukes

Will the Tánaiste say when — if ever — the Government plan to announce the name of the next Irish member of the European Commission? Will it be this week, this month or this year?

The Tánaiste

Deputy Dukes is well aware, and has been informed in the normal way by his Whip, that the announcement concerning Ireland's Commissioner will be made tomorrow at 3.45 p.m. by the Taoiseach.

Mr. Dukes

It is very interesting to have that on the record of the House. May I assume there will be an opportunity for the other parties in the House to comment on the announcement when it is made?

The Tánaiste

The normal procedure will obtain but the proposal is to make the announcement, simpliciter, and the Taoiseach will make such an announcement tomorrow at 3.45 p.m.

Mr. Dukes

I understand the Taoiseach's wish to make an announcement, simpliciter. After all this time it deserves a bit more than simpliciter but, while I am in ignorance of the content of the announcement or who will be designated, it would be useful if the other parties could make a comment, simpliciter, in this House——

An Ceann Comhairle

The Deputy has made his point.

Mr. Dukes

Now that the Tánaiste is in a mood to clarify matters, will he clarify whether there will be an opportunity in the House for other parties to comment?

An Ceann Comhairle

That might be a matter for the Whips to discuss.

Mr. Dukes

It is a matter for the House.

The Tánaiste

The Whips can discuss this during the day. All I am saying is that the present intention is that an announcement will be made by the Taoiseach at 3.45 p.m. tomorrow in this House. He will convey the Government's decision on Ireland's Commissioner from 1 January 1989.

An Ceann Comhairle

I am calling Deputy Shatter.

Mr. Dukes

It is rather ominous——

An Ceann Comhairle

I have called Deputy Shatter.

Mr. Dukes

It is ominous that the Taoiseach, the Tánaiste or the Government do not wish to have any comment——

An Ceann Comhairle

I have called Deputy Shatter.

Mr. Dukes

It is a sad reflection——

An Ceann Comhairle

Deputy Shatter should now rise in his place and respond; otherwise I shall pass on to someone else.

Mr. Shatter

May I raise on the Adjournment the total failure of the Minister for the Environment to tackle the appalling smog problem in Dublin.

An Ceann Comhairle

I will communicate with the Deputy.

Mr. J. O'Keeffe

I request your permission to raise on the Adjournment the anomalies in the revised national fuel scheme.

An Ceann Comhairle

I have not been unkind to the Deputy lately. I will communicate with him.

Mr. J. O'Keeffe

Perhaps you will treat me even more kindly in future.

Proinsias De Rossa

I wish to raise on the Adjournment the failure of the Minister for Education to provide for adequate teaching of French in the girls' comprehensive school, Ballyfermot.

An Ceann Comhairle

I will communicate with the Deputy.

Mr. Birmingham

I wish to raise on the Adjournment the difficulty experienced by children in special education — and by their parents — by the operation of the school transport scheme.

An Ceann Comhairle

I will communicate with the Deputy.

Mr. Dukes

In the event that it is necessitated by the announcement tomorrow, will the Tánaiste say if there will be a motion before the House to appoint another member of the Cabinet?

The Tánaiste

Sin ceist eile.

Mr. Dukes

Agus ceist an-shuimiúil é sin.

An Ceann Comhairle

Tá me ag dul ar aghaidh.

Mr. Dukes

In the event that it is necessitated by the nomination, will the Tánaiste speculate or hypothesise as to whether there will be a motion before the House——

(Interruptions.)

The Tánaiste

I never speculate.

Mr. J. O'Keeffe

Try £1 each way.

Mr. McCartan

I am not sure which Minister has responsibility but in view of the imminent closure of the Rape Crisis Centre do the Government propose any action to rescue this centre——

An Ceann Comhairle

That is hardly a matter for the Order of Business.

Mr. McCartan

I seek permission to raise it on the Adjournment.

An Ceann Comhairle

I will communicate with the Deputy.

Mr. Farrelly

I wish to raise on the Adjournment Question No. 15 on today's Order Paper.

An Ceann Comhairle

I will communicate with the Deputy.

Mr. J. Mitchell

The Minister for the Environment made an order last week in relation to smog. You will appreciate how often I raised this matter in the House but many questions remain unanswered and greater clarification is necessary. Will you allow me to raise this matter on the Adjournment?

An Ceann Comhairle

I will communicate with the Deputy.

Mr. Dukes

Is there any significance whatever in this cordon sanitaire that has been placed around the Minister for Finance——

(Interruptions.)