It is proposed to take Nos. 5, 6 and 14. It is also proposed that Nos. 5 and 6 shall be taken without debate. Private Members Business shall be No. 30.
Order of Business.
May I now ask if it is agreed that Nos. 5 and 6 be taken without debate? Is that satisfactory? Agreed.
May I ask the Taoiseach on the Order of Business if he would inform the House when he intends to appoint a Minister for Defence? May I also ask him if would inform the House if it is his intention to institute a Garda inquiry into allegations of interference with an Army officer on 27 January 1982 and, finally, if he would indicate when the Government will publish their Environment Protection Agency Bill?
Some relevant matters have been raised and also some very irrelevant ones.
They are all very relevant.
I shall deal with what I regard as the two relevant matters and the two that are in order. First, I shall indicate the name of the new Minister for Defence in due course. Secondly, it is hoped to produce the Environment Protection Agency Bill very soon.
May I ask the Taoiseach if he would indicate when the Estimates will be published — they are much later this year than in previous years — and what arrangements will be made to have them debated in this House? May I also ask the Taoiseach, in relation to the question of filling a vacancy in Government as distinct from the appointment of a particular person as Minister for Defence, given that under the Constitution it is necessary to bring a motion before the House to fill a vacancy in Government, and such a vacancy now exists, when he proposes to bring forward such a motion?
I have already given the answer to the last question. In relation to the first matter dealing with the Estimates, the preparation of the Estimates is well advanced. Some matters have obtruded on the process——
Early November?
——but they will be completed and published in good time and the House will be afforded an opportunity to discuss them.
In early November?
Yes.
May I ask the Taoiseach when he proposes to take item No. 7 on today's Order Paper? Will he instruct his Whip or involve himself in discussions with the Opposition parties with regard to solving difficulties in taking this matter as it is of great importance to the country?
A difficulty prevails.
May I ask the Taoiseach——
I am not averse to continuing discussions to see if the difficulty can be resolved.
May I ask the Taoiseach whether he will instruct his Whip to meet the Whips of the Opposition parties or whether he himself will meet the Leaders of the Opposition parties to establish a committee on crime which the country requires and on which a commitment has already been given in this House? This is an item which appears daily on the Order Paper and on which no progress whatsoever has been made.
We do our best.
Will you follow precedent?
Deputy Pat Rabbitte is offering. Perhaps he would consider moving item No. 5.
The item with which I am concerned is No. 4.