It is proposed to take Nos. 1, 7, 8 and 9. It is also proposed that No. 1 shall be taken without debate. It is further proposed that the proceedings on the Second Stage of No. 7 shall be brought to a conclusion not later than 5 p.m. today and the Minister of State at the Department of Agriculture and Food shall be called on to conclude the debate not later than 4.45 p.m.
Order of Business.
Is the proposal to take No. 1 without debate agreed?
On No. 1, I would like to be clear as to how this matter arose. Could the Government confirm my understanding that the position is that in appointing members to the Select Committee on the Companies Bill the Government for reasons best known to themselves deliberately omitted the Minister for Industry and Commerce and now find themselves having to carry out, which I regret very much, an action which is to take my own constituency colleague, Deputy Power, off the committee in order to allow the junior partner of the Coalition back on? Is my understanding correct?
As usual the Deputy totally misunderstands the situation. I find it increasingly a practice of the Deputies to misunderstand situations of this kind.
Is the Taoiseach not putting the Minister back on?
I could never attempt to accuse the Deputy of being mischievous in these matters but there is a very simple explanation. On reflection, it was obvious that it would be better if the Minister were to be an actual member of the Committee, as there will be a very considerable number of amendments which he will have to propose and explain, rather than he just being an attender at the committee. It is as simple as that. The Deputy and his party purport to be in favour of committees and giving more work to committees of this Dáil, and this is simply a method whereby we can make this committee more effective and more expeditious in the job we are giving it to do.
In the part of Dublin I come from——
Typical Haughey bluster.
——I can imagine the Minister saying to the Taoiseach "I believe you but thousands would not".
Is it agreed that No. 1 be taken without debate? Agreed. Is the proposal for dealing with No. 7 agreed? Agreed.