Can the Taoiseach tell us if the Government intend to issue any further clarification today of the position in relation to social welfare expenditure where a substantial amount of expected revenue is not explained——
Order of Business (Resumed).
This is not in order now.
It seems that the figures we have been given——
There must be a more appropriate way of dealing with such matters.
——reveal a substantial taxation proposal or some other jiggery pokery of the figures. Could we have more details during the day?
May I ask the Taoiseach——
There is no explanation for this. There is about £54 million of unexplained revenue.
Please, Deputy, it is not in order now.
Can the Taoiseach indicate when it is proposed to have the debates on the Estimates published yesterday? Could he also indicate how much time will be reserved to dispel the suggestion that the cuts have come to an end?
We will certainly provide time for a discussion on the Estimates, particularly as they have been so well received by the general public.
How soon?
The Taoiseach must be the only fellow who believes that.
I would like to give Deputies an opportunity to express their appreciation also.
I thought the theatre festival was over.
I have asked the Chief Whip to consult with the other Whips about the details.
The Taoiseach can appreciate our desire to respond as quickly as possible.
(Limerick East): To facilitate debates on the Estimates——
I heard the Deputy this morning and he did not seem to understand them very well.
(Limerick East): That is exactly the reason why I got on my feet. Would the Taoiseach arrange, by either publication or statement, to provide us with the policy decisions which underpin the reductions or increases in the Estimates to facilitate debate in the House? Anyone who announces Estimates on the day of the Malta match must be hiding something.
Two victories to one.
May I ask the Taoiseach——
Ce sera sera.
Is the Taoiseach going to Italy?
Now that the Irish soccer team have qualified for the World Cup, without any obvious participation by the Taoiseach in this sporting event, can he confirm that the local elections will not be held next summer, despite what Deputy Molloy says?
We had that matter in the House quite recently.
The night before last the Minister for Foreign Affairs indicated the role that Ireland will be playing in the United Nations today in the vote on Cambodia. As the Minister is not present, perhaps the Taoiseach would draw to his attention the article which appeared in yesterday's Financial Times which stated that “Cambodia's murderer prepares to take power as UK and others prevaricate”. It is true that we are one of the countries prevaricating, by allowing this murderer back into power in Cambodia.
Cambodia was the subject of a comprehensive debate in this House.
Even at this late stage could we discuss with the Minister the possibility of changing our stance in this matter?
This is not good enough.
You supported the Minister for Foreign Affairs.
(Interruptions.)
In view of the consensus——
(Interruptions.)
Order, please.
In view of the interest that exists in this House on a number of matters as indicated this week, including Cambodia, and in view of the consensus we believed existed here, will the Taoiseach once and for all respond to the agreement that exists in the House and which has been offered to him, for the establishment of a foreign affairs committee?
This has been raised continuously in the House.
I can assure the Ceann Comhairle that it is no more tedious for any Member of this House than it is for me to have to continue to press this matter literally for years. I am just interested so that I can save the time of this House in the future. Will the Taoiseach indicate whether he is favourably considering establishing a foreign affairs committee?
I would point out to the Deputy that any committees we establish now will last for five years and therefore I have to give their establishment very serious consideration.
On this point——
(Interruptions.)
The Taoiseach may safely assume my absolute seriousness in relation to his intentions but all I am interested in is if the Taoiseach is going to recommend to his party the establishment of such a committee.
(Interruptions.)
I could put an end to this very easily if I knew the Taoiseach's intentions by simply going ahead with a motion in this House.
It might be an idea to pursue that avenue.
Has the Taoiseach considered the urgent introduction of legislation governing national schools in view of the evidence contained in reply to Question No. 296 of 14 November to the effect that many of the leases for national schools are invalid as being in breach of the legislation?
Is there legis-legislation?
Is the Taoiseach aware that this is a matter that requires no further Dáil questions but actions by the Government in the form of amending legislation?
The Deputy has made his point.
Has the Taoiseach now received the agenda for the EC summit meeting which will take place this weekend in Paris and if so, will he indicate its contents to the House?
That need hardly arise now.
On a previous occasion when this question was asked the Taoiseach indicated that he had not up to then received the agenda.
Deputy Quinn, I have to disabuse Members of the notion that the Order of Business can be turned into a mini question time.
Is it intended to introduce the industrial relations Bill?
Is the legislation promised?
Shortly.
This session?
A Deputy
You have been saying that for two years.
Deputy Joe Doyle has been offering.
I seek permission to raise on the Adjournment the proposed sale of the Switzer Group to Ewarts PCL and the implications this will have for employment in the Switzer Group.
I will communicate with the Deputy.
I seek permission to raise on the Adjournment the circumstances surrounding the death of Joseph Cawley by suicide in Mountjoy Prison recently.
I will be in touch with the Deputy concerning that matter.
When do the Government intend to introduce legislation to provide for an emergency plan governing a radiological accident?
That is hardly in order now.
It is promised legislation.
No such legislation is promised.
Deputies
It is.
I wish to raise on the Adjournment the urgent need for a statement from the Minister for Foreign Affairs on the present situation in San Salvador where perhaps more than 1,000 people have been killed and over a thousand injured, and the danger to Irish citizens particularly the Sisters of St. Clare and members of the Franciscan Order who are in the areas that are being bombed.
I will communicate with the Deputy.
An undertaking was given in the Programme for Government and repeated by the Minister for Foreign Affairs in the US last month that funds would be made available to immigrant organisations in the US. This does not appear in the Book of Estimates. Will the Taoiseach or the Minister inform me if it will be in the budget, or when will we see the amount and under what subheadings?
That does not arise now, Deputy.
Funds were promised.
(Interruptions.)
I propose to raise on the Adjournment the present position with regard to the provision of an employment exchange in Killarney.
I will be in touch with the Deputy about that matter. There is a number of Deputies offering.
In view of the fact that the Taoiseach was perhaps understandably unable to answer the question I put on the Order of Business about urgent legislation governing leases for national schools, I wish to raise this matter on the Adjournment.
I will communicate with the Deputy. I now call Deputy Nora Owen.
I do not think the Ceann Comhairle has come to grips yet with my re-election to the House. I wish to raise on the Adjournment the future structure of the family mediation scheme now that they have completed their three year pilot programme.
I will be in touch with the Deputy.
I wish to raise on the Adjournment the subject matter of my question, No. 38, on yesterday's Order Paper addressed to the Minister for Health about the proposals to change the minimum age of marriage which, I might add was rather surreptitiously transferred by the Minister of State to be taken in conjunction with another question of little connection with it.
I will communicate with the Deputy.
I made several attempts during the past two weeks to raise on the Adjournment the provision of funding for the proposed extension to Listowel vocational school and I would like to raise the matter this evening if possible.
I will be in touch with the Deputy on the matter.
I wish to raise on the Adjournment the problems in An Bord Pleanála which have been caused by the lack of provision by the Minister for the Environment for adequate staff, with consequent delays in relation to planning permission.
I will communicate with the Deputy.
I seek to raise on the Adjournment, following the publication of the Book of Estimates yesterday, the 11 per cent increase in the road fund which will mean an extra £6.60p per mile for roads in County Cavan and which clearly indicates——
I will communicate with the Deputy.
——that the Government cannot keep up with the problems of local authorities in this country.
(Interruptions.)
Order, please.
I would draw the attention of the House to the lead article——
(Interruptions.)
——on page 6 of this morning's Irish Independent where it states in big headlines “New Surgery Team to Treat Children Here.” Last night on the Health Estimate and a week ago the Minister for Health stated quite clearly that he had——
I want to be of assistance to the Deputy, but he may not make a speech now.
The paper states quite clearly, and I will read it for the House——
Deputy, are you seeking to raise this matter on the Adjournment?
I want to draw the attention of the House to the fact——
Do you wish to raise this matter in the proper way?
(Interruptions.)
Please Deputy I am seeking to facilitate you to raise the matter properly if you so desire.
How can I raise it properly?
I assume you are seeking my permission to raise it on the Adjournment and I will communicate with you.
With your permission, I would like to raise on the Adjournment the provision of a second level school in the most populous area of the country, Castleview in Tallaght, having regard to the apparent non-provision for this school in the Book of Estimates.
I will be in touch with the Deputy concerning the matter.
I want to raise on the Adjournment the funding in the Estimates for the board of An Teagasc.
I will be in touch with Deputy Farrelly on the matter.
I would like to seek permission to raise on the Adjournment the problems faced by people on social employment schemes. On the Order of Business, I would also like to ask the Taoiseach if the Minister for the Marine will today be announcing the membership and terms of reference of the Dún Laoghaire Harbour Authority which was promised in the House on Friday last.
That is a separate matter.
I would like to raise on the Adjournment the fact that we have no physiotherapist service for GPs on the north side of the city and the fact that the physiotherapy department in Navan was closed for three days this week.
I have already had a request from the Deputy in respect of a separate matter. However, I will consider it.