It is proposed to take Nos. 8, 2 and 9. It is also proposed that all Stages of No. 8, if not previously concluded, shall be brought to a conclusion at 12 noon 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 Finance.
Order of Business.
Are the proposals for dealing with No. 8 agreed? Agreed.
I hope the Taoiseach had a comfortable trip home. I should like to ask the Taoiseach if it is his intention on his return from this trip to announce an election as he did on his return from his previous trip?
The Deputy should keep his fingers crossed.
Does the Taoiseach fear the same result?
Needless to say, when President Bush goes to Inishvickillane he will talk about the local elections. I should like to ask the Taoiseach if in his absence the Government have decided to reintroduce the Shannon Estuarial Authority Bill.
Not at present.
At Question Time recently the Taoiseach indicated that he would give serious consideration to have a debate on foreign affairs, particularly in relation to developments in Europe, and I should like to know if he has given consideration to that matter. When can we expect such a debate to take place?
That question is not strictly in order now.
I would appreciate if the Taoiseach would respond.
I hope to come to a conclusion about it fairly soon.
(Limerick East): Two weeks ago I suggested that interest rates were on the way up and the Minister for Finance said he had better information and that they were not. In view of the report of the Central Bank yesterday which stated that interest rates are high, will remain high and will probably go up, will the Taoiseach arrange for his Minister for Finance to supply better information to the House?
Clearly this is not a matter for the Order of Business and the Deputy knows that full well. The Deputy will doubtless find a way of raising that matter at the appropriate time.
(Limerick East): Rising interest rates may stop economic growth.
The matter may not be raised now.
Interest rates will be rising very quickly.
(Limerick East): I should like to ask the Taoiseach if he intends introducing legislation to restore mortgage interest relief either by separate legislation or in the Finance Bill.
That type of preface does not put the matter in order.
(Limerick East): The only way mortgage interest relief can be provided is by including a provision in legislation. Will the Minister for Finance provide us with the secret information he has that interest rates are going to go down.
Deputy Noonan must desist.
(Limerick East): Who is advising the Minister for Finance if it is not the Central Bank?
It is not the Deputy, that is for sure.
(Limerick East): Is the Minister looking into his heart in the traditional Fianna Fáil fashion.
The Kanturk school of economics.
I should like to ask the Taoiseach when the proposed Bill on liability for defective products will be circulated. That Bill should have been before the House and passed into law by July 1988, according to an EC Directive. It is in the schedule of business for the current session.
I will communicate with the Deputy.