It is proposed to take Nos. 11 and 12. It is also proposed that proceedings on the Second Stage of No. 11 shall be brought to a conclusion not later than 5 p.m.
Order of Business.
Are the proposals for dealing with the Second Stage of No. 11 agreed? Agreed.
Will the House agree to convey our appreciation to the Garda Síochána on the firm and tactful fashion in which they dealt with what could have been a very difficult situation in the wake of the soccer match yesterday?
Deputies
Hear, hear.
I hesitate to decline the suggestion, but I have had no prior notice of this matter.
I merely wished to say what I have said. I am satisfied.
I would like to raise two matters on the Order of Business, the first being the matter raised by Deputy Bruton. Will the Taoiseach afford the Minister for Justice an opportunity to make a statement to the House or send a message clearly from this Parliament that the conduct of the fans in O'Connell Street yesterday was totally unacceptable given the exemplary conduct of the Irish supporters over the last 12 months? I wish time to be made available to the Minister for Justice, who will have the support of all Members of the House in relation to the way the matter was handled by the Garda yesterday. Secondly, perhaps the Taoiseach can indicate when the Book of Estimates will be published. It was promised for early November. The days are slipping by and I would like some indication now as to when it will be published.
As I said before, it will be published in time for the House to have an opportunity to discuss the Estimates before we rise for Christmas.
Next week?
There are printing problems.
(Interruptions.)
That is a new one.
(Interruptions.)
It is editorial rather than printing.
(Interruptions.)
Arising from the Taoiseach's reply on that issue, and given the number of days we have so far lost in this session, it is proposed that the House will sit any extra days between now and the Christmas adjournment? Is it intended to sit on Fridays or to extend sittings, because a whole range of legislation has been promised for this session, including a debate on the Estimates? Is it the Taoiseach's intention to attend the meeting of the Heads of State of the CSCE next week and will an opportunity be given to the House to debate whatever agreement is signed by the Taoiseach at that meeting?
Almost certainly. I do not see any reason why we should not have a discussion. I will almost certainly report to the House on the outcome.
Will the Taoiseach, given the indications by some of the media in Britain yesterday that the appeal by the Birmingham Six may not now go ahead because of lack of evidence by the authorities, make a special appeal to the British authorities to release those six men this week, if possible?
A Deputy
Hear, hear.
It is out of order.
We have matters being raised which are not strictly in accordance with the Order of Business. Deputy Cotter had been offering earlier.
I wish time to be made available to give the Taoiseach an opportunity to make a full disclosure of the extent to which taxpayers' money was abused by the IDA since 1987, as admitted to me at Question Time yesterday by the Minister for Agriculture and Food.
The Deputy should pursue that in another way.
It is a very important matter, and is of serious public concern.
I thought the Deputy had something relevant to raise. He must raise that matter at another time and my office will assist him.
(Interruptions.)
It is a matter of grave public concern and we must discuss it.
We will have to give up the new procedure if this continues.
At the risk of adding fuel to the fire, is the Taoiseach willing to confirm an indication in the papers today by the Government that they will be sending an observer to the trial of Mr. Desmond Ellis?
In relation to a reply the Taoiseach gave earlier to a question I raised about the Report Stage of the Child Care Bill, will the Taoiseach say if it will be brought before the Dáil before the Christmas recess?
It will certainly be in during this session. It was delayed a bit because there were some additional matters which Departments wished to have included in it. It will be on time.
Let us now proceed.
There is a matter which I know is of interest to the Taoiseach and has been for quite some time. Indeed, the Taoiseach indicated that he would deal with this in the House. It relates to the introduction of amending legislation to the Fisheries Act, 1987. Is the Taoiseach in a position to indicate to the House when he will be able to bring that Bill before the House?
Almost immediately.
We heard that six months ago.
Let us now proceed.
May I raise on the Adjournment this evening the question of——
We have a new procedure whereby the Deputy may convey his request to my office and I will be glad to assist him if at all possible in the matter.
It would be in order perhaps, if Deputies were advised of this procedure. I was not advised of it.
I am sorry about that but it is a new procedure which we shall have to get used to.
(Interruptions.)
Is that the only new procedure in the House?
(Interruptions.)
Will the Minister for the Environment confirm or deny the media speculation that he intends amending the housing Acts, to do something about the appalling housing situation particularly in the Dublin area.
This clearly does not arise now.
I am asking about legislation.
Please Deputy Barrett, no. The Deputy must put down a question on that matter. Item No. 11, please.