It is proposed to take Nos. 3 to 8, inclusive, and Nos. 12 to 14, inclusive. It is also proposed that the Dáil shall sit later than 9 p.m. today and business shall be interrupted at 10.30 p.m. It is further proposed that Nos. 3 to 8, inclusive, be taken without debate. It is further proposed that the proceedings on the Report and Final Stages of No. 12, if not previously concluded, shall be brought to a conclusion 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 Justice. It is further proposed that No. 14 be taken at 3.45 p.m. and the order shall not resume. Private Members' Business shall be No. 24.
Order of Business.
Is the proposal for a late sitting today agreed? Agreed. Is the proposal that Nos. 3 to 8, inclusive, be taken without debate agreed?
I object to the taking of Nos. 3, 5, 6 and 7 without debate. I argue that where there is disagreement in relation to this item, or any other, there should be a debate on it. The proposal is to establish a number of committees of this House. We have sought at meetings of the Whips to have the numbers on these committees extended to provide a place for The Workers' Party. It is difficult to comprehend the mentality of those who refuse to provide an opportunity for people in this House who are anxious and willing to participate in their proceedings——
I have given the Deputy an opportunity to make his point.
In the case of the women's committee all that is required is an additional member to provide a place for us. The attitude adopted in relation to our party is incomprehensible.
Question, "That Nos. 3 to 8, inclusive, be taken without debate" put.
Will the Members claiming the division please rise in their places?
Deputies Byrne, De Rossa, Gilmore, Gregory, Mac Giolla, McCartan, Rabbitte and Sherlock rose.
As fewer than ten Members have risen I declare the question carried. In accordance with Standing Order 59 the names of the Deputies dissenting will be recorded in the Journal of the Proceedings of the Dáil.
Question declared carried.
Is the proposal for dealing with Item No. 12 agreed? Agreed.
Is the proposal for dealing with Item No. 14 — that is to say that Item No. 14 shall be taken at 3.45 p.m. and the order shall not resume — agreed? Agreed.
Sir, I wish to seek your permission to raise on the Adjournment the statement made by the Hospital Consultants' Association last evening which pointed out that hospital services on the north side of Dublin are a shambles. I wish to raise the matter with the Minister for Health to ascertain what steps he proposes to take.
I will communicate with the Deputy.
Prior to the untimely demise of the 25th Dáil a lengthy Second Stage debate had taken place in this House on the Shannon Estuarial Authority Bill; Second Stage had actually been voted on. Would the Tánaiste say whether it is intended to reintroduce that Bill in this session?
Not in this session, I understand but in the next session, in the New Year.
With your permission, a Cheann Comhairle, I should like to raise on the Adjournment the serious position that has arisen in agriculture with the collapse of cattle prices, the non-payment of reactor grants and a litany of other serious problems appertaining to the agricultural community.
I will communicate with the Deputy.
With your permission, Sir, I would like to raise on the Adjournment the privatisation of local authority services particularly in view of the imminent decision of local authorities in County Meath to abdicate their reponsibility for refuse collection.
I will communicate with the Deputy.
Would the Minister for Finance clarify two statements, one made by himself in the House that there would be no taxation on coal — to reduce the price of smokeless fuels — and the statement made by the Minister of State, Deputy Harney, in Limerick on Sunday to the effect that there would be a tax on coal? This has led to further uncertainty.
The Deputy must find another way of raising that matter.
May I seek your permission again, Sir, to raise on the Adjournment the problems caused the construction industry by delays in the office of An Bord Pleanála because of lack of staff in that office due to the failure of the Minister for the Environment to make adequate provision therefor?
I will communicate with the Deputy.
With your permission, a Cheann Comhairle, I should like to raise on the Adjournment the serious position obtaining in Dublin with regard to smog in that the EC levels have been exceeded on four successive days.
I will communicate with the Deputy.
A Cheann Comhairle, I should like to raise on the Adjournment the very serious position that has arisen in the Mater Hospital, which is located in my constituency, and the statement by the board of that hospital that they will not admit any elective patients in the foreseeable future.
I will communicate with the Deputy in regard to that matter.
A Cheann Comhairle, with your permission I should like to raise on the Adjournment the serious lack of staff to deal with 670 applications for road freight carrier licences from the Department of Tourism and Transport.
I will communicate with the Deputy.
A Cheann Comhairle, may I seek your permission again to raise on the Adjournment the matter of the family mediation scheme?
I will communicate with the Deputy.
May I seek your permission, Sir, to raise on the Adjournment a matter I have raised repeatedly over the last week, that of the Housing Finance Agency voluntary payments in respect of deserted wives?
I will be in touch with the Deputy concerning the matter.
With your permission, Sir, I should like to raise on the Adjournment the document leakage from the Department of Education concerning the future status of the Regional Technical College in Tallaght, the contents of which document would seem to propose to diminish the status of that college even before it is built.
I will be in touch with the Deputy concerning that matter.
A Cheann Comhairle, may I seek your permission to raise on the Adjournment the question of the refusal of the Department of Education to fund secretarial facilities in St. Anne's Convent School, Tipperary, affecting 400 children and their parents?
I will communicate with the Deputy concerning that matter.
I wish to raise on the Adjournment the contents of a recent report on stress in the nursing profession.
I will be in touch with the Deputy concerning that matter.
I again seek permission to raise on the Adjournment the urgent necessity of upgrading the N67 route from Limerick to Tarbert from a national secondary route to a national primary route.
I will communicate with Deputy Finnucane in respect of that matter.