It is proposed to take No. 14.
Order of Business.
I simply want to ask the Taoiseach, in relation to Item No. 17 on the Order Paper, the Broadcasting Bill, when can we expect to have the amendments to that Bill which is due to be taken on Wednesday.
We hope to circulate them today.
Could I ask the Taoiseach to convey, on behalf of all Members of this House, our good wishes to the Maguire family, and to welcome the findings and the decisions made yesterday by the Director of Public Prosecutions in England? I suggest to the Taoiseach that it be indicated to the British Government, on behalf of all Members of this House, that we believe there should be no further delays, as has been stated previously but even more so in the light of yesterday's events, in the release of the Birmingham Six. The British Government should put into place the type of inquiry that has taken place in relation to the Maguire family——
I have allowed the Deputy some discretion. I am not satisfied this is strictly a matter for the Order of Business, but I hesitate to rule on it at the same time. The Deputy is placing the Chair in an invidious position.
The Taoiseach may want to respond.
In view of the fact that it cost twice as much per mile to travel from Dublin to Paris as it does from Dublin to London, I want to raise on the Adjournment, or ask the Minister to refer to the Director of Consumer Affairs and Fair Trade, the increases in air travel by Aer Lingus, approved by the Department of Tourism and Transport late last night.
If the Deputy raises that matter with me on Tuesday, Wednesday or Thursday of next week I will be glad to communicate with him on the matter.
It was in the paper a month ago.
It was approved at 9 p.m. last night. Why did the Minister not speak on "Morning Ireland" this morning?
It was announced on 18 May.
A 12 per cent increase was announced at 9 p.m. last night.
It was announced in the Irish Independent of 18 May.
Why did the Minister not defend himself on "Morning Ireland" this morning?
Order, Deputy Mitchell must desist from any further interruption.
Will the Minister desist from announcing these red herrings at 9 p.m. at night?
Please, Deputy Mitchell.
In view of the fact that today is the first anniversary of the Government losing their overall majority in this House, I wonder if the Taoiseach has arranged any event to commemorate this anniversary, or does the absence of the Progressive Democrats indicate——
Deputy Richard Bruton.
The Deputy should not tempt me in these areas.
Would the Taoiseach like to have a go again?
Could I ask the Taoiseach if, on behalf of the European Council of which he is President, he will be making a statement regarding the situation in Romania, on which many Heads of State have expressed concern? We, on this side of the House, would like to see Ireland, as President, similarly express concern about what is occurring there.
A request for statements of that kind is more appropriate to Question Time proper in this House.
The Taoiseach is not usually so reticent in his capacity as President.
In view of a reply received from the Minister for Tourism and Transport last Tuesday, I would ask the Minister go give a commitment to this House not to privatise CIE Tours prior to having the matter discussed in the House.
The matter is not in order now, and I am proceeding to deal——
I asked the Minister about this matter last Tuesday. It was the only question I put down——
Please, Deputy Ryan.
I merely invite the Taoiseach, in the interests of all Members of this House, to respond to the matter that I raised. Will the Taoiseach take some new initiative in regard to the position of the Birmingham Six?
I have already ruled on that matter.