It is proposed to take Nos. 14, 3 and 4. It is also proposed that the Dáil shall sit later than 5.30 p.m. today and business shall be interrupted at 7 p.m.
Order of Business.
Has the Taoiseach lost his voice?
You will hear my voice loud and strong over the next——
(Interruptions.)
I will see Deputy McCartan at Fairview Corner any time.
Order.
I will begin again, a Cheann Comhairle.
It is proposed to take Nos. 14, 3 and 4. It is also proposed that the Dáil shall sit later than 5.30 p.m. today and business shall be interrupted at 7 p.m. It is further proposed that the Committee and remaining Stages of No. 14 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 Social Welfare. It is further proposed that Second Stages of Nos. 3 and 4 shall be taken together for the purposes of debate and the proceedings thereon and on subsequent stages of the two Bills shall be brought to a conclusion, if not previously concluded, at 7 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 Education.
In relation to Second Stage——
Allow me to proceed with the Order of Business and I will facilitate the Deputy.
Young man, never display zeal.
Mr. Noonan
(Limerick East): The Taoiseach should follow his own advice.
(Interruptions.)
Is the proposal for a late sitting today agreed? Agreed. Is the proposal for dealing with No. 14 agreed? Agreed. Is the proposal for dealing with Nos. 3 and 4 agreed?
I should like clarification from the Taoiseach as to what he envisages happening——
We all want to know that.
One does not need a university degree to know what will happen.
The Deputies opposite should not be so disrespectful as it is the last occasion on which the Taoiseach will be dealing with an Order of Business. In relation to this item, will Committee Stages be taken after Second Stage, which is normal, or will opportunities be available to Members to table amendments?
The Chief Whip will discuss that with the other Whips this morning.
Does the Taoiseach know——
These are matters which clearly should be discussed more appropriately by the Whips.
In the middle of July.
As the Order of Business has been presented to the House by the Taoiseach, my understanding is that the University of Limerick Bill, as amended, as set out in the Order of Business seems to suggest that it will go through a clear five Stage process whereas, in the case of No. 4, the Dublin City University Bill, all Stages will be taken together. There clearly will not be an opportunity for putting down amendments between Second and Committee Stage. It seems to be suggested that the procedure for dealing with that Bill is affected by the previous one.
These are matters which could be tidied up by talks between the Whips.
It is not as simple as that. I am anxious to be of assistance and it puts an onerous burden on your staff and on the House if——
I do not mind that, Deputy.
If it is not as I have suggested, it means that there will be a simple repetition of all amendments on No. 4 which were tabled for No. 3. This is not a matter for the Whips; it relates to the orderly procedure of the legislation and getting it through in time in a way that will satisfy all Members of the House.
With due respect, I suggest that it is a matter for the Whips. The purpose of the paragraph in the Order of Business is to enable the two Bills to be discussed.
Mr. Noonan
(Limerick East): This is a bad start.
It is intended that the Second Stage of the two Bills can be taken together on Second Stage and I suggest that the Whips make arrangements for dealing with amendments to both Bills as is appropriate.
The Committee Stages will be taken separately.
I should like to raise two matters on the Order of Business and I anticipate that the first may result in some hilarity from Deputies opposite, but we should get clarification of the matter. I should like to ask the Taoiseach whether it is intended next week to take the Committee Stage of the Planning Bill which has been languishing in this House since last autumn. The second matter of concern that I should like to raise is the following, in the unlikely event of an election being called today, could the Taoiseach indicate to the House whether he will make time to make a statement to the House as to whether he has sought advice, and if so what that advice is, from the Attorney General as to the likelihood of the results in individual Dáil constituencies being challenged if an election takes place.
The second matter the Deputy has adverted to does not arise on the Order of Business.
Clearly, the Taoiseach has not sought that advice.
The remaining Stages of the Planning Bill will be taken at the earliest possible date.
What about the second question put to the Taoiseach? Are Fianna Fáil still a slightly constitutional party?
During the week the Taoiseach indicated in the course of press and television interviews that he proposed to make a statement today to the House as to whether the Dáil will be dissolved and I should like to ask him if he will indicate what time he proposes to make that statement. Will the Taoiseach give us advance notice of the statement?
The Deputy will not get much of an opportunity to reply, anyway.
I am not aware of any such statement.
I am drawing the attention of the House to the fact that a statement was made and I am asking the Taoiseach if he will indicate at what time the Dáil statement will be made.
I should like to ask the Deputy if in the event of him being elected to the European Parliament he will sit in it?
I will be happy to answer any questions put by the Taoiseach today when he tells us whether the Dáil is being dissolved or not.
The Deputy should answer the question he has been asked.
(Interruptions.)
The Taoiseach will find the atmosphere outside the House a little less adulatory than it is in here.
(Interruptions.)
Especially in the hospitals.
Order, I am calling Deputy Flaherty.
The Taoiseach is making a grave error.
GUBU Mark II.
I have asked Deputy Flaherty to respond to my call.
I should like to ask the Chair, and the Taoiseach, if there will be an opportunity for an Adjournment debate today.
As far as the Chair is concerned, yes.
The Chair does not share the concerns of other Members of the House, obviously.
With some trepidation, and amidst all the giddiness, I seek to move item No. 9 on today's Order Paper, in accordance with notice served on the Chair and the Government Whip.