Perhaps you could help me, a Cheann Comhairle, in relation to this matter. Would I be in order in asking the Taoiseach whether he intends to make time available next week or the week after to enable either the Minister for Justice or the Minister for the Environment to make a comprehensive statement in this House with regard to the ongoing Garda inquiry into allegations of corruption and bribery in Dublin local authorities' planning departments?
Order of Business (Resumed).
Deputy Quinn knows there are other ways of raising such matters.
I know there are.
The Deputy should avail of that avenue of approach.
Unfortunately such attempts to raise this matter in other ways effectively have been blocked because of the nature of the matter involved——
My office will be glad to assist if they can in relation to this matter.
May I suggest to the Taoiseach that, in order to remove the pall of suspicion that remains hanging over officials in those departments——
The Deputy may not pursue the matter now. Of course it might also be discussed by the Whips.
Would the Taoiseach request his Whip to raise this matter and make time available for the appropriate Minister to make a statement in this House? It is a very important matter.
I can hear no more of the matter now, Deputy Quinn.
On the Order of Business may I ask the Taoiseach whether, in the national interest, the Government have any intention to make application to Italy for the extradition of Eamon Dunphy.
(Interruptions.)
Nobody wants him back.
A little humour is acceptable but let us not lower the proceedings to flippancy.
I want to revert to some very much more serious matters. Would the Taoiseach say when it is proposed to take the Estimates for the Department of Communications?
The taking of the Estimates will be discussed between the Whips.
Do I take it that the Estimates for the Department of communications will be taken before the end of July?
I have given my answer, a Cheann Comhairle.
Would the Minister for Social Welfare say whether with regard to the review of the indication from An Post that they intend to close 500 local sub-post offices he has had discussions with An Post in relation to the consequences for the economy and pensioners generally?
That matter does not arise now and the Deputy knows that full well.
In view of the fact that we will not have social welfare questions again before the end of this session may I seek your permission to raise this matter on the Adjournment?
I will be in touch with the Deputy concerning that matter.
A Cheann Comhairle, with your permission, I should like to raise on the Adjournment the likely imminent decision of the Office of Public Works on granting permission for a third golf course in Killarney until such time as a proper management plan for the national park there is available.
I will communicate with the Deputy.
For the third time, a Cheann Comhairle, I seek your indulgence to raise on the Adjournment this evening the destruction of archaeological sites throughout the country recently highlighted in newspapers and the subject of my Question No 27 of Tuesday last?
I will communicate with the Deputy.
With your permission, a Cheann Comhairle, I should like to raise on the Adjournment the serious matter pertaining to the position which has arisen in schools catering for mildly, moderately and severely handicapped children in Cashel resulting from the receipt of a letter from the Department of Labour to the effect that the employment of those engaged under the provisions of the Teamwork scheme will now be terminated as a result of which the day care centre may have to close two days a week.
I will communicate with the Deputy.
This has been by seventh attempt to raise on the Adjournment the case of an in-transit refugee who has been jailed by the Minister for Justice without charge since 10 May last and who could have been released had the Minister a humanitarian streak in him and directed——
I will be in touch with the Deputy. I believe that perseverence counts.
With regard to promised legislation is the Taoiseach aware that many people, including myself, are now fishing illegally? Would he say when the promised legislation for the repeal of the Fisheries Act will be brought before the House or whether it has been prepared?
We had that matter before the House recently.
Legislation is imminent.
Will we have it before the end of this term because I want to be able to fish legally?
That is a matter for the Minister.
I would like to raise on the Adjournment the report of the Dublin inner city teachers' group showing that two in every ten inner city children have severe emotional or psychological problems, that 24 per cent have serious learning difficulties, that half of the children surveyed——
The Deputy cannot elaborate now. I will be in touch with him concerning the matter.
I should like to raise on the Adjournment the matter of whether the Minister for Education has proposals to alleviate this very severe problem being experienced by Dublin's inner city children.
I will be in touch with the Deputy.
Would the Taoiseach say when the colleges Bill and the Dublin Institute of Technology Bill, which the Government said they intended to introduce in the House this session, will actually be published.
I am afraid it is not likely in this session.
Would the Taoiseach explain why, for the third time, the Government have failed to live up to their word and introduce this legislation in time?
The Deputy may not debate the matter now. I see Deputy Quinn is offering again.
A Cheann Comhairle, you said that with a weary tone of voice. I hope I am not being too troublesome. I am merely trying to do my job as you are.
Repetition is a luxury we cannot afford at this time in the morning.
Without sounding too wearisome would it be in order to ask the Taoiseach whether this House will be able to celebrate Ireland's Green Presidency by being able to read in detail the text of the environmental protection agency legislation which has been promised but has not yet been circulated?
The legislation is on the way.
That is what I feared the Taoiseach might say.
As in all environmental matters it is much better to work with nature than against it.
In this case we are working with natural laziness.
In view of the very severe road tax about to be imposed on Irish hauliers by the German authorities, its potential impact on their livelihood, and Irish exports, would the Taoiseach avail of the opportunity during the forthcoming Summit to endeavour to get our German counterparts to desist from imposing this tax?
I thought the Deputy was seeking my permission to raise a matter on the Adjournment. The matter to which he has adverted should be raised in another way.
A Cheann Comhairle, again may I seek your permission to raise on the Adjournment the need for the Minister for Education to introduce a second ordinary mathematics syllabus at leaving certificate level?
I will communicate with the Deputy.
May I again seek your indulgence, Sir, to raise on the Adjournment the disastrous state of the sheep industry.
I appreciate the Deputy's interest in the matter and will communicate with him.
In the context of promised legislation may I ask the Taoiseach when it is intended to introduce in the House an Adoption Bill to implement the recommendations of the Law Reform Commission with regard to the recognition of foreign adoption orders. This matter has become particularly urgent because of the large numbers of Irish couples adopting children outside Ireland at present.
I have no recollection of such legislation having been promised.
Perhaps the Taoiseach would look into the matter since this report of the Law Reform Commission has been sitting on someone's desk for two years now and the matter is becoming increasingly urgent.
I might suggest that the Deputy raise that matter in a more appropriate way.
In view of the critical problems for homeless young people in Dublin and the lack of clarity as to responsibility for them, when will the Child Care Bill be back in this House for Report and Final Stages?
I share the Deputy's anxiety to get the Bill through, but I do not think it will be here before the next session.