Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Tuesday, 6 Feb 1990

Vol. 395 No. 3

Order of Business.

The Taoiseach

It is proposed to take No. 9. It is also proposed that business shall be interrupted today and tomorrow at 10 p.m.

By agreement and notwithstanding anything in Standing Orders or in the Order of the Dáil of 7 November 1989, in relation to Private Members' Business, it is further proposed that:

(a) Private Members' Business which shall be Motion No. 50 shall be taken between 6 p.m. and 10 p.m. today and tomorrow and the proceedings thereon shall be brought to a conclusion at 10 p.m. tomorrow; and

(b) the moving of the motion shall not form part of the sequence set out in the Order of the Dáil of 7 November 1989.

An Ceann Comhairle

Is the proposal for the late sittings today and tomorrow agreed? Agreed. Are the proposals for dealing with Private Members' motion No. 50 agreed? Agreed.

Mr. J. Bruton

When can we expect the promised competition legislation to be introduced, in view of the urgency of such legislation in the face of recently announced and impending price increases, and the damaging effect these price increases are likely to have on the Programme for National Recovery?

The Taoiseach

I agree with the Deputy that it is important legislation. It is at an advanced stage. I will try to give the Deputy a more definite date for its introduction.

Mr. Spring

I am seeking information on two matters. First, I communicated with the Taoiseach yesterday in relation to the imminent release of Nelson Mandela from prison in South Africa and I suggested to the Taoiseach that we should perhaps invite him to address a joint sitting of both Houses.

Has the Taoiseach had time to consider this and could he respond today on that matter? Second, will time be provided, perhaps next week, for the debate on the Legal Aid Board and the resignations therefrom, which he suggested might be possible last week?

An Ceann Comhairle

I am not sure if these are matters properly associated with the Order of Business. I will, however, allow the Taoiseach to reply, if he so desires.

The Taoiseach

I have not yet considered the Deputy's first suggestion. On the second question, my understanding was that the question of the debate on the Legal Aid Board was decided by the Dáil when the matter was put to a vote last week.

Mr. Noonan

(Limerick East): Arising from the reply on competition legislation which the Taoiseach gave to Deputy Bruton, I would like to ask the Taoiseach if he stands over the consumer price index estimate announced during the week in the budget seeing that the price of beer is being increased by 2.5p, the price of a glass of spirits is being increased by 3p and the price of petrol is going up by almost 6p a gallon? These measures effectively cancel out the reduction in the standard rate of VAT announced.

An Ceann Comhairle

These are matters that can be adverted to in the budget debate proper. They do not necessarily arise now.

Mr. Noonan

(Limerick East): As we go into the budget debate proper, it is important that we should have an accurate estimate of the consumer price index.

An Ceann Comhairle

We cannot debate the matter now.

Mr. Noonan

(Limerick East): The reductions in the standard rate of VAT have been cancelled out by the brewers and the distillers and the petrol people. Could we have clarification on that before this very important debate commences after the Order of Business?

An Ceann Comhairle

Deputy Proinsias De Rossa was offering.

Proinsias De Rossa

I strongly support Deputy Spring's proposal to invite Mr. Mandela to address both Houses of the Oireachtas. This House passed a motion last year calling for his release and supporting the struggle of the people of South Africa for a democratic society. I urge the Taoiseach to take that on board.

In view of the Taoiseach's comments yesterday following his meeting with President Mitterrand with regard to German unity and the possibility of a neutral Germany, does the Taoiseach intend to provide this House with an opportunity to debate these issues and to debate the policy——

An Ceann Comhairle

The Deputy should put down a question on this matter.

Proinsias De Rossa

I think it is in order to ask that question on the Order of Business.

An Ceann Comhairle

The Deputy can raise that at another time and in another way.

Proinsias De Rossa

I understand it is in order, a Cheann Comhairle.

An Ceann Comhairle

It is clearly not in order now.

Proinsias De Rossa

I want to ask the Taoiseach to provide time for a debate on the issue of foreign policy.

An Ceann Comhairle

The Deputy should put down a question. This is not Question Time.

Proinsias De Rossa

Could I ask then in relation to that, if the Taoiseach would consider urgently the establishment of a foreign affairs committee?

An Ceann Comhairle

These are all separate matters quite unrelated to the Order of Business.

Proinsias De Rossa

The question of a foreign affairs committee is related to the Order of Business.

An Ceann Comhairle

Please, Deputy De Rossa, do not persist. The Deputy knows full well that is not in order now.

Proinsias De Rossa

I am asking the Taoiseach whether he intends to introduce a committee to discuss foreign policy in this House. It is a matter which has been referred to and promised on numerous occasions by the Government.

An Ceann Comhairle

The Deputy should raise that matter in a more formal manner.

Proinsias De Rossa

It has been allowed on numerous occasions on the Order of Business. I am simply exercising my right. Does the Taoiseach intend to introduce at an early date a foreign affairs committee into this House so that we can discuss the policy options facing this country?

An Ceann Comhairle

Deputy Spring is offering.

(Interruptions.)

An Ceann Comhairle

Deputy De Rossa, I have given you a lot of latitude.

Proinsias De Rossa

You could give the Taoiseach some latitude and let him answer a legitimate question.

An Ceann Comhairle

As the Deputy knows, patience does wear out.

Proinsias De Rossa

It is a legitimate question.

Mr. Spring

In regard to my request for a debate on the resignations from the Legal Aid Board last week, I accept that my request was defeated by a democratic vote of this House. At that time the Taoiseach indicated he would be quite prepared to facilitate me next week. Because of the business of the House this week it is obviously not possible, so I am asking the Taoiseach if he could give a positive indication in relation to that debate if the Whips can agree it at their meeting this week?

The Taoiseach

The only thing I could point out about that is that the Deputy did not go to any lengths to facilitate me last week.

Mr. Quinn

Are you looking for a pair?

(Interruptions.)

The Taoiseach

The Deputy is always entitled to trespass on my good nature.

Mr. Connaughton

In the absence of the Minister for Agriculture and Food, would the Taoiseach please tell the House why the file for the disadvantaged areas is still lying in Agriculture House? There is something wrong. I smell a rat.

(Interruptions.)

Mr. Ferris

I would like to raise on the Adjournment the difficulty that has arisen with many local authorities following the tremendous storm and flood damage on all our roads throughout the country in the past four days, particularly in County Tipperary. There is no way we can deal with the crisis in view of the funding the Minister has allowed.

An Ceann Comhairle

I will communicate with the Deputy in regard to his request to raise the matter on the Adjournment.

Mr. Rabbitte

I wish to raise on the Adjournment the question of the acquisition of a site and the delay in the construction of Jobstown Community College.

An Ceann Comhairle

I will be in touch with the Deputy concerning the matter.

Mr. Quinn

When do the Government propose to introduce the legislation to give effect to the National Roads Authority?

The Taoiseach

It is still in the course of preparation. I am not sure of the latest position but I will let the Deputy know.

Mr. Noonan

(Limerick East): I wish to raise on the Adjournment the recent increases in the price of beer, spirits and petrol.

An Ceann Comhairle

I will be in touch with the Deputy concerning that matter.

Mr. J. O'Keeffe

The Chair will have noted how very orderly I was when I did not protest against the exclusion of my Private Notice Question about the storm damage in County Cork. Continuing in that line, I would like to be very orderly by asking to raise on the Adjournment the real need for emergency funding for the Cork County Council to repair that storm damage. I also want to raise the discrimination against County Cork in that funding was provided in the budget for two other areas and County Cork, as usual, was totally ignored.

An Ceann Comhairle

I will communicate with the Deputy concerning the matter.

(Interruptions.)

Mr. Deenihan

Once again, I seek to raise on the Adjournment the question of continued funding for our 14 national youth information centres.

An Ceann Comhairle

I will be in touch with the Deputy.

Mrs. Taylor-Quinn

On the Order of Business, may I ask the Taoiseach, given recent media reports, when he is going to be in a position to announce the resolution of the rod licence dispute?

An Ceann Comhairle

Please, Deputy. Deputy Currie has been offering.

Mrs. Taylor-Quinn

The Taoiseach was about to respond.

An Ceann Comhairle

Deputy Currie has been called.

A Deputy

The opening day of the trout season is on 15 February.

Mr. Currie

As a celebration of the Green Presidency and as an earnest of the Government's commitment to it, would the Taoiseach put some pressure on the Minister for the Environment to sign, two years and five months after it was introduced, the special amenity area order for the Liffey Valley?

Mr. Nealon

I would like to raise on the Adjournment the massive coastal damage in the Sligo area caused by successive storms. I am looking for equal treatment with the east.

An Ceann Comhairle

I will be in touch with Deputy Nealon concerning that matter.

Mr. M. Higgins

I would like to raise on the adjournment the widely reported breach of the Programme for National Recovery contained in the proposal to sell off the Great Southern Hotels group to the private sector.

An Ceann Comhairle

I will communicate with the Deputy.

Mr. Byrne

I wish to raise on the Adjournment the plight of 30,000 householders in the Crumlin, Drimnagh and Bluebell areas of Dublin who are to be deprived of conversion grants following the decision to ban the sale and distribution of coal. This raises the question of the status of smoke control zones in the city.

An Ceann Comhairle

I will communicate with the Deputy.

Mr. J. Bruton

Can the Taoiseach tell us when legislation will be introduced to legalise the activities of the regional technical colleges in co-operation with industry? This legislation was promised for each of the last two sessions of the Dáil.

The Taoiseach

I will have to ascertain the latest position on that and let the Deputy know.

Mr. J. Bruton

Is the Taoiseach aware that the regional technical colleges are currently acting in defiance of the law in activities they are conducting? Furthermore, is the Taoiseach aware that the Minister for Education, Deputy O'Rourke, promised this legislation would be taken "next session" during the last two sessions? Perhaps the Taoiseach would interest himself in this matter to ensure that there is some degree of expedition in it.

The Taoiseach

At least she is consistent.

Mr. J. Bruton

Can we take it that she will seek consistently to postpone this matter?

Mr. J. O'Keeffe

She consistently neglects her duty.

Mr. Ryan

I wish to raise on the Adjournment the accommodation problem at Fingal Community College in Swords.

An Ceann Comhairle

I will be in touch with the Deputy concerning that matter.

Mr. Taylor

I seek leave to raise on the Adjournment the failure to provide adequate halting sites for travellers in the greater Dublin area resulting in many travellers having to lodge on the side of the road at places such as Newlands Cross, Clondalkin and other locations.

An Ceann Comhairle

I will communicate with the Deputy.

Mrs. Taylor-Quinn

Wishing to be totally orderly, may I ask the Taoiseach, in view of the fact that the fishing season is about to open, to tell us when he will be in a position to bring legislation before the House, which has been promised, to amend the 1937 Fisheries Act?

Deputies

It was never promised.

Mrs. Taylor-Quinn

It was promised.

An Ceann Comhairle

I have already ruled on that matter, Deputy.

Mr. Boylan

May I ask the Taoiseach, in the absence of the Minister for Agriculture and Food to outline what the position will be for Cavan farmers vis-à-vis the proposals to extend severely handicapped areas? This is an important question. Could I get the Taoiseach's attention?

An Leas-Cheann Comhairle

Does the Deputy wish to raise it on the Adjournment?

Mr. Boylan

Can the Taoiseach reply to my query now?

An Leas-Cheann Comhairle

It is not in order now.

Mr. Boylan

May I raise it——

An Leas-Cheann Comhairle

The Ceann Comhairle will communicate with the Deputy.