It is proposed that statements on European Economic and Monetary Union and European Political Union shall be made now and, not-withstanding anything in Standing Orders, the following arrangements shall apply: (1) the statement by the Taoiseach shall not exceed 40 minutes; (2) the statement of the main spokesperson for each of the groups shall not exceed 30 minutes; (3) the statement of each other Member called on, shall not exceed 20 minutes; and (4) the statements shall conclude not later than 5 p.m. It is also proposed that at the conclusion of business today, the House shall adjourn until 2.30 p.m. on Tuesday, 13 November 1990.
Order of Business.
Are the proposals for dealing with the statements agreed? Agreed. Is the proposal for dealing with the adjournment of the House agreed?
I have submitted to you an amendment to that proposal "That the House shall adjourn next week for 7 November only and that the House shall sit in the normal way on Tuesday and Thursday". I propose that amendment because, there is, as the Taoiseach has already indicated on previous occasions, a very long list of legislative proposals which need to be dealt with urgently, to name but a number of them, the Radiological Protection Bill, the Criminal Rape Bill and the Child Care Bill. They need urgent attention and I do not believe we should adjourn this House for longer than is necessary next week. For that reason I am proposing the amendment I have already indicated.
The House has heard the Deputy's amendment. I am putting the question, therefore, "That the words proposed to be deleted stand".
Vótáil.
Will those who are demanding a division please rise in their places?
Deputies Byrne, De Rossa, Gilmore, McCartan, Mac Giolla, Rabbitte, Sherlock, Garland and Gregory rose.
As fewer than ten Deputies have risen, in accordance with Standing Orders I declare the question carried. The amendment is lost. The names of those demanding a division will be entered in the Journal of the Proceedings of the Dáil. I now call on the Taoiseach to make his statement.
On the Order of Business, may I ask when accommodation will be ready in this House for all Members so that Deputies can conduct their business and attend meetings within the precincts of the House instead of having to go through what some Deputies went through yesterday?
I am aware that many Deputies had to go through a lot yesterday but I think we will have fairly good news soon. The Chief Whip will be in touch with the other Whips to make sure that we make the best of the new arrangements.
Before the Order of Business the Taoiseach announced that he was assigning the position of the Minister for Defence to himself. Will that be a permanent arrangement or does he intend to appoint a Minister for Defence? In view of the particular importance of current developments within the Defence Forces and the implications of the Gleeson report, it is clearly a job which requires the undivided attention of a specific Minister.
I take the Deputy's concerns into account.
Will the Taoiseach — or perhaps the Minister for the Environment — say when we will have the text of the Environmental Protection Agency Bill?
Fairly soon, I hope it will not be much longer.
Is it the intention that Second Stage will be moved between now and Christmas?
Hopefully, yes.
May we proceed with the Order of Business proper?
On promised legislation, I am sure the Taoiseach is aware that the former workers of the Irish Hospitals Sweepstakes have been awaiting legislation for a long time — Item No. 22 is the Bill concerned. Can the Taoiseach give an idea if it is likely to be enacted this session?
That is the intention.
Last night on television Deputy De Rossa claimed that when his candidate — that is the Independent candidate — is in the Áras he will then have access to all the files in the Áras——
(Interruptions.)
Could the Deputy expand on how he will get all those files?
He never said any such thing.
Let us get down to the Order of Business.
A Cheann Comhairle——
I am now calling on the Taoiseach to make a statement.
(Interruptions.)
On a point of order——
I have called An Taoiseach.
On a point of order——
What is the point of order, Deputy?
The point of order is my right to defend myself in this House. An accusation has been made against me and I have a right to respond, surely.
Please, Deputy De Rossa.
A Cheann Comhairle, please. I understand that according to Standing Orders——
(Interruptions.)
I am trying to be orderly and I am seeking your assistance in this matter. An accusation has been made against me——
And the Deputy has commented on it.
I am not asking to comment now on the matter. Could I have some order, or perhaps the Chair could get some order for me?
(Interruptions.)
I am seeking to restore order Deputy. I am seeking desperately to restore order.
Thank you, a Cheann Comhairle. Under Standing Orders I understand that if an accusation is made against a Deputy, an opportunity is then given to that Deputy to refute that allegation. I am requesting that at some point during the day when I have had an opportunity to get a copy of the transcript of what I said so that I can quote it.
(Interruptions.)
I know you do not like tapes.
(Interruptions.)
You should really settle down. You survived by the skin of your teeth last night, so you should really settle down.
Deputy De Rossa, I am sure——
I am requesting an opportunity to put on the record of this House the precise transcript of what I said last night.
I am sure the Deputy will avail of an opportunity——
I am seeking an opportunity today.
——and the Chair will facilitate him in the matter.
It never ceases to amaze me that those whose main political weapon is vilification can themselves be so sensitive.
(Interruptions.)
This is not going to go on now.
The Taoiseach, I am sure, can be forgiven after his traumatic experience.
(Interruptions.)
He has more to come, I can assure you.