Even if it is the season of Christmas, a Cheann Comhairle, there are some very important happenings taking place. May I ask the Taoiseach whether he has spoken to Goodman International about the Tuam position, as is widely reported in our local newspaper this morning?
Order of Business (Resumed).
Please, Deputy Connaughton, that clearly is not——
Has the Taoiseach actually called in Mr. Goodman or has Mr. Goodman called him?
(Interruptions.)
Deputy Connaughton, the Chair is on its feet——
Would the Taoiseach let us know what happened?
——seeking to restore order.
The House will be aware that on a number of occasions I have asked the Taoiseach if a certain document will be placed before the House before we adjourn. I rushed with anticipation and excitment to my pigeonhole this morning hoping that the long awaited regulations in relation to the environmental impact assessment would be delivered by the present Government but regrettably I was disappointed. There was no such documentation there. I wonder if——
You may not make a speech now, Deputy.
I am not making a speech. I am just wondering if the Government have broken this promise as they have broken so many others.
A very important meeting will take place next week in Brussels in relation to the arrangements for fish quotas for 1990. May I ask the Taoiseach what the Government strategy will be at that meeting?
Please, Deputy, these are matters that can be adverted to during the Adjournment Debate. They do not arise now.
May I just——
The Deputy knows that matter does not arise and she will have to resume her seat.
The future of the Irish fishing industry depends on the negotiations.
The Taoiseach indicated his willingness to answer. Now that he is in such an affable Christmas spirit maybe he would let us know what presents he has for the fishing industry——
It is not in order now, Deputy.
Could I ask the Minister for Industry and Commerce if he intends to advise the House, before we rise, on the report that has now come to hand from the Fair Trade Commission on the take-over of Master Meats?
That is not in order and the Deputy knows that.
I would say we will get it on Christmas Eve.
I would like to ask the Minister for Health if he would make a statement to clear the air as regards the unfounded statement from the Department of Health about a certain type of cheese——
Deputy Sheehan——
This cheese has been tested and found to be perfect and I would like the Minister for Health to clear up the matter immediately.
Deputy Mary Flaherty.
Can we have an answer from the Minister?
Sorry, Deputy Flaherty has been called. Deputy Sheehan will resume his seat and allow Deputy Flaherty to put her question.
There are a number of jobs at stake.
(Interruptions.)
If Deputy Flaherty does not respond I shall call another speaker.
(Interruptions.)
If the Deputy will proceed I will maintain order for her.
There is another group who are badly in need of assistance this Christmas. I wonder if the Minister for Social Welfare plans to make an announcement today in regard to those who are on disability benefit.
That is not in order, Deputy, Deputy Gilmore.
I would like to raise that matter on the Adjournment if we do not get a satisfactory response during the Adjournment Debate today.
There is no provision for a matter on the Adjournment today, Deputy.
You could make an exception.
Could the Taoiseach or the Minister for the Environment inform us when it is proposed to establish the committee on local government? Will the delay in the establishment of this committee cause the postponement of the local elections which are due next June? Secondly, would the Minister——
Is the Deputy referring to legislation?
It is promised legislation.
No.
We were told that this committee was to be established on the formation of the Government so it is now six months overdue.
Sorry, Deputy, you will have to raise that in another way.
A Cheann Comhairle, it is——
Deputy Gilmore will obey the Chair and resume his seat. I observe that he is not resuming his seat.
On a point of order——
Deputy McCormack.
There is a second matter I wish to raise.
I have called Deputy McCormack.
On a point of order, Deputy Gilmore indicated that there is a second matter he wishes to raise with you and he is seeking to do that now, with your permission.
I do not understand the point of order made by the Deputy.
I am seeking to draw attention to the fact that Deputy Gilmore has sought to raise a second matter with you. You ordered him to resume his seat but he was seeking to simply move on to the second matter he wanted to raise in the House.
He ought to have been in order in the first instance, Deputy.
I wish to raise a matter regarding promised legislation, as this is our last sitting day before the end of this year. Several Government Ministers promised that the rod licence dispute would be settled. How can we settle it between now and 4 p.m.?
Please, Deputy McCormack, I have consistently ruled that matter out of order.
I raised the matter earlier this week. It appears that the Government have ruled it out of order as well.
Please, Deputy McCormack, resume your seat.
We have to get an answer.
Resume your seat, Deputy McCormack.
I would like——
For the third and last time, resume your seat or leave the House.
On a point of order——
When will we see the promised legislation?
A promise was made in relation to the rod licence and we deserve an answer in this House from the Taoiseach.
Please, Deputy. I am proceeding to the Business of the House.
Mr. Gilmore rose.
I heard the Deputy earlier.
(Interruptions.)
I attempted earlier to raise a second matter and I am asking your permission to raise that matter now. Will the Minister for the Marine indicate to us when he intends to appoint the Dún Laoghaire Harbour Authority which he promised in this House on several occasions?
This is most audacious of the Deputy. It is completely out of order.
(Interruptions.)
On a point of information, when these unruly school children——
(Interruptions.)
Let us hear the Deputy.
——get over the excitement of the Christmas holidays, could the Ceann Comhairle clarify whether it is in order on the Order of Business to inquire about promises made by Ministers in this House regarding the establishment of committees which require a decision of the House? I would also refer to the other matter which Deputy Gilmore raised in relation to regulations. Is it not in order to raise these matters on the Order of Business?
Not unless they appertain to legislation promised in this House.
Are you saying that the appointment of a committee of this House does not——
Deputy, you will not argue with the Chair and I have no intention of permitting you to do so. If the Deputy feels my rulings are wrong he has a procedure at his disposal.
Is it correct that the appointment of committees do not come under——
I am not going to argue with the Deputy any further. I have ruled on the matter. If it does not appertain to legislation promised in this House it is not in order.
The appointment of a committee on local government was promised in this House.
I am proceeding to the business of the day.