It is proposed to take Nos. 4, 9, 10, 11 and 12. It is also proposed that business shall be interrupted at 10.30 p.m. today. It is further proposed that No. 4 shall be taken without debate. Private Members' Business shall be No. 21.
Order of Business.
May I ask if the proposal for a late sitting today is agreed? Agreed. Is it agreed that No. 4 be taken without debate? Agreed.
Would the Taoiseach agree that the decision taken by the Director of Public Prosecutions in a recent case involving a Member of the Oireachtas really represents a straining of a constitutional privilege properly granted to Members of this House?
That matter does not arise now. It is not relevant to the Order of Business this morning
I am asking for an opinion. It is a matter which should concern us. There is a constitutional privilege granted to Members of the Oireachtas
Deputy Dukes, desist please. There are procedures for dealing with matters of that kind in this House.
I seek to raise on the Adjournment the death of a prisoner in Mountjoy Prison, the eighteenth such death in seven years.
I will communicate with the Deputy.
Following the tragic death to which Deputy Spring refers of a 19-year-old in Mountjoy Prison last night, I would refer to the request I have made in the past for a debate on the Whitaker report on Penal Reform. We are talking about a matter of life and death.
The Deputy should put down a question on that matter. This is not the appropriate time to raise it.
I would urge the Taoiseach to accept my request, which I have made many times, for a Dáil debate on penal reform. I would urge the Taoiseach to provide time for such a debate.
In view of the tragic and untimely death of a young girl in Mountjoy Prison, would the Taoiseach reconsider the remarks he made in this House yesterday that the Minister for Justice is doing a perfectly good job?
I have ruled on that matter. It is audacious of the Deputy to fly in the face of the Chair's ruling.
He is doing nothing about it. If he read the Whitaker report he would know what he ought to do. It is all written down there.
If Deputy McCartan persists in interrupting I shall have to take appropriate action.
I have made my point well.
When are the Cabinet likely to respond positively to the submission from the joint VECs of North and South Tipperary?
Deputy Ferris should put down a question on that matter.
I seek permission to raise it on the Adjournment.
I will communicate with the Deputy.
I seek to raise on the Adjournment the report of a team of inquiry from this country into the conditions on the island of Neros for psychiatric patents there and the role of the Minister for Health as chairman of the Council of Health Ministers.
I will be in touch with the Deputy.
Ba mhaith liom cead a iarraidh ceist easpa iarbhunoideachais ar Oileán Árainn Mhór a phlé ar an Athló.
Gheobhaidh tú freagra uaim ar ball, a Theachta.
When do the Government intend to bring legislation before the House to set up representative structures in the Defence Forces? Would the Taoiseach agree that the matter is now particularly urgent since not only are the noncommissioned officers and men in a state of some agitation about it——
This is not a matter appropriate to the Order of Business.
——but the officer corps in the Army are showing great concern about this matter? When will we have that promised legislation?
In a matter of weeks.
The sooner the better.
A Cheann Comhairle, you interrupted the Leader of the Opposition when he was making a very valid point about promised legislation. Would you like to consider your attitude to these benches when these points are being raised? This is a persistent attitude on your part.
I will not permit a reflection of that kind on the Chair.
When do the Taoiseach or the Minister for Health expect such procedures as are necessary in relation to orders placed before this House to be completed so as to enable members of Galway Corporation to take places on the Western Health Board?
Is there legislation involved here?
It went through last week.
My question is when the time will expire so as to enable appointments to be made.
The Deputy is welcome back.
I thought I had settled this matter before I left.
The Deputy did not settle the other matter too well.
I wish to raise on the Adjournment the deplorable conditions of Mountjoy female prison, particularly in view of the sad occurrence there yesterday.
I will communicate with the Deputy.
I wish to raise on the Adjournment the on-going industrial disputes at Anglo-Irish Meat Processors in Rathkeale which has caused a lot of hardship within the constituency.
I will be in touch with the Deputy.
I wish to raise on the Adjournment the serious flooding in south Galway and my demand for an immediate Government inspection.
I will communicate with the Deputy.
I wish to raise on the Adjournment with the Minister for Health the inadequacy of the provision for homeless young people nationally and particularly in Dublin's north side.
I will be in touch with the Deputy concerning the matter.
I seek permission to raise on the Adjournment the serious threat to the Ring of Kerry road due to serious coastal erosion at Waterville.
I will communicate with the Deputy.
I seek to raise on the Adjournment the question of the provision of a regional technical college in County Mayo.
I will be in touch with the Deputy concerning the matter.
Because of the cutbacks in the Carriage Office in Dublin city there has not been any public service vehicle inspections for the past 12 months, resulting in the possibility of unsound and unfit taxis operating without complying with the proper standards. I should like to raise this matter on the Adjournment.
I will communicate with the Deputy.
Have the Minister for Industry and Commerce or the IDA made any progress in regard to finding a replacement for Zenith Electronics, Kells, where 75 of the workforce are due to be laid off in a fortnight's time?
Will the Deputy please put down a question in regard to that matter?
I did that about a month ago but nothing happened.
I seek your permission to raise on the Adjournment the need for the Government to deliver on their commitment to decentralise a Government Department to Waterford.
I will communicate with the Deputy.
I should like to raise on the Adjournment the exceptional number of nurses — over 50 per cent — employed on a temporary and part-time basis at St. Joseph's Hospital, Clonmel.
I will be in touch with the Deputy.
I seek to raise the matter to which I referred on the Adjournment.
I will communicate with the Deputy.
I wish to raise on the Adjournment the issue of irregular work practices in the Department of Justice, particularly in the area of community service supervisors.
I will communicate with the Deputy.