It is proposed to take Nos. 5, 9 and 10. It is also proposed that No. 5 shall be taken without debate.
Order of Business.
May I ask if the proposal for dealing with No. 5 is agreed? Agreed.
On the Order of Business, Sir, may I again ask the Taoiseach if he is prepared to make Government time available to allow the House to debate the current situation in the Defence Forces?
Yes, I have already indicated that I agree in principle to having a debate on the Defence Forces but there is an aspect of this matter which I should like to draw to the Deputy's attention, that is, that before the summer recess we will have to deal with the Defence Estimate. Perhaps it might be possible to bring that Estimate forward and have the debate on the Estimate, but I suggest that matter could be dealt with by the Whips.
Given the Minister for the Environment's unwillingness or inability to explain on the radio this morning what exactly the Government can do about spiralling house prices in Dublin and a potential rise in interest rates, perhaps the Taoiseach will take this opportunity to explain to the House what steps the Government can take in the matter.
It is not a matter for the Order of Business.
May I ask the Minister for Justice at what stage is the reforming legislation on the Solicitors' Acts, whether we are likely to see it during this session and whether the legislation, when it is in being, will cover any of the serious revelations in recent litigation with regard to the unfairness of legal examinations and access of entry into the solicitors' profession?
Is this legislation promised?
Legislation is in the pipeline but it is not very far advanced and will not be introduced during this session.
I wish to raise on the Adjournment the case of a 19 year old girl from Crumlin who died tragically having been discharged from the Meath Hospital. I hope that you, a Cheann Comhairle, will find it possible to allow me to raise this matter this evening.
I shall certainly be in touch with the Deputy as soon as possible concerning the matter.
May I seek your permission, a Cheann Comhairle, to raise on the Adjournment, on behalf of the five Dún Laoghaire Deputies, the reports that Sealink are pulling out of Dún Laoghaire and moving to Dublin Port?
I will communicate with the Deputy.
Arising from the Minister for the Environment's statement yesterday in relation to the Second Stage of the Finance Bill and his statements today, may I ask the Taoiseach if the Government propose to introduce amendments to the Finance Bill to give effect to the aspirations expressed by the Minister for the Environment and, if so, if he can indicate when those amendments will be circulated?
That hardly arises now Deputy.
A Cheann Comhairle, I asked——
This debate is ongoing. We shall be resuming it very shortly.
May I have another go? May I ask the Minister for the Environment when he proposes to circulate the amendments in relation to the Planning and Development Bill which he has already promised?
I indicated yesterday that the amendments would be circulated before the end of next week.
In view of the Taoiseach's earlier reply with regard to the Solicitors Acts, I seek permission to raise on the Adjournment the unsatisfactory circumstances which surround entry into the solicitors' profession, as revealed in recent High Court litigation, indicating a very unfair and undemocratic process.
I will be in touch with the Deputy concerning that matter.
I wish to attempt again to raise on the Adjournment the crisis in the Southern Health Board area, especially in relation to hospital services in Kerry.
I will communicate with the Deputy.