While I appreciate that the Order of Business allows for statements to be made at 3.45 p.m. on the special informal European Council meeting held last week on the Middle East situation and the plight of the Kurds, events have moved on since then, particularly the statement made by President Bush last night. I suggest to the Taoiseach that we need more than just statements in this House on these issues. Would the Taoiseach agree to a much fuller debate on these issues, after discussion by the Whips.
Order of Business (Resumed).
Yes, I will consider that.
Does that mean the statements will go ahead or will a debate be substituted for the statements, which is what I would wish?
I think the statements should go ahead.
And the Taoiseach will consider giving time for a much fuller debate on the position of the Kurds——
On some other occasion.
After discussion between the Whips.
Deputy Spring.
I seek information from the Taoiseach in relation to Item 10 on today's Order Paper and the setting up of a foreign affairs committee. I understand that decisions in regard to the setting up of a select committee on crime and a select committee on foreign affairs have now effectively been taken out of the hands of the Whips and will be decided on by the Taoiseach. May I ask the Taoiseach if it is his intention to set up these committees during this session?
Yes, Sir.
Will they be set up during this session?
Yes.
May I ask the Taoiseach if he intends to have meetings, as he said he would during the last session, with the leaders of the parties and the other necessary components on the setting up of these committees?
The matter will be processed as rapidly as possible.
We have been waiting over a year for such committees.
In regard to the decision made about the wider availability of condoms, may I ask the Taoiseach if this was a unanimous or a majority decision by members of the Cabinet? I am asking in particular about the position of the Minister for Energy, not that it is a matter for him.
He is taking his Lucozade.
(Interruptions.)
Did the Minister for Energy, Deputy Molloy, agree fully with the decision?
I thought the Deputy had something relevant to raise at this time. Deputy Deasy had been offering earlier. I will then call Deputy Noonan and Deputy Currie.
Did all Ministers over 17 years agree with the decision?
It is rather pathetic to see old men being mischievous.
Et tu, Brute.
A Deputy
One is never too old.
There is a pair of them in it.
In view of the number of questions down to the Taoiseach — I think there are 40 — it is obvious that questions to the Minister for Foreign Affairs will not be reached today. May I ask if we will have to wait for another two months before we can ask questions of the Minister for Foreign Affairs or can some special arrangement be made whenever there are an inordinate number of questions down to the Taoiseach and a Minister cannot, therefore, be questioned on particular matters.
Perhaps the Whips will look at that matter. We may make more progress than the Deputy anticipates on Questions today.
I do not think we have ever had a situation where 40 questions were put down to the Taoiseach. There are no two ways about it. They will not all be answered today. I am just asking if some provision will be made to bring forward questions to the Minister for Foreign Affairs, rather than us having to wait another two months.
The matter is governed by Standing Orders to which all parties agreed. I seem to recall that some years ago the complaint was that I was not answering enough questions.
I am not debating that issue at all.
I am calling Deputy Pat McCartan.
(Interruptions.)
When will various Ministers publish legislation which this House can work with during this long session? Does the Taoiseach not agree that the programme available to us at this stage is very scarce? There are no more than seven or nine items of legislation, the majority of which are at a very advanced stage. Four items are at Committee Stage. I understand that next week we are to deal with the Finance Bill which has not yet been published. I hope the House will not be asked for a repeat——
The Deputy should not embark upon a speech. I would prefer if he would put a question appertaining to a particular piece of legislation.
I am asking the Taoiseach in a general sense when he will ensure that his Ministers will publish promised legislation so that this House can consider it in good time, because the legislation before us at the moment does not provide any serious opportunities for this House to work——
Please, Deputy McCartan. Deputy Michael Noonan has been offering.
(Limerick East): When will the Finance Bill be published?
Thursday.
For debate next week?
(Limerick East): How was the question I put down to the Minister for Finance ruled out of order on the ground that it anticipated a debate on the Finance Bill which is currently before the Dáil, when it is clear that the Finance Bill is not currently before the Dáil.
It is, Deputy, and will be circulated tomorrow, I gather.
(Interruptions.)
(Limerick East): Will the Ceann Comhairle explain to me how the Finance Bill is currently before the Dáil, when it is not before the Dáil?
The Bill was introduced in this House before Easter. Deputy Michael D. Higgins.
(Interruptions.)
Please, Deputy Noonan, desist.
(Limerick East): Is this another way of avoiding answering questions in the House?
I will take up the point raised earlier on the Order of Business concerning Question Time. If the questions to the Minister for Foreign Affairs that are listed for today, some including priority ones relating to the appalling situation of the Kurdish people, are not reached today, would the Taoiseach bear that in mind when arranging a speedy short debate on the position of the Kurdish people?
On the Order of Business, with regard to promised legislation, may I remind the Taoiseach that the local government elections are some nine weeks away. Will the Taoiseach indicate when the promised legislation to reform local government will be circulated and when it will be taken in this House? Can he scotch the rumour that there is disarrary within the Government as to the exact provisions that should be contained in the legislation?
The Deputy should not introduce extraneous matters.
Taking the points ser-iatim, the Bill will be published towards the end of this month. It will be taken almost immediately. It will be dealt with in time for the local elections and the Government are totally agreed on every single provision in it.
Deputy Quinn.
Will the Taoiseach indicate if the Bill will be guillotined or if there will be an opportunity for a debate on it?
I have called Deputy Quinn.
The Deputy should not put ideas about a guillotine into my mind.
That is the intention — local democracy without national democracy.
In relation to the matter just referred to, will the management team which will draft that Bill be the one which drafted the Roads Authority Bill?
The Roads Bill will also be taken this session.
When will the Roads Authority Bill be published?
It will be taken this session.
Are you really sure?
(Interruptions.)
You promised it every session for the past two years.
In relation to a matter of great public concern, will the Taoiseach say whether time will be provided in this House to discuss the whole future of a national, Irish-owned, Irish-based, Irish-controlled radio service in view of the fact that the Broadcasting Act is now so obviously seen to be a total farce?
That matter does not arise now. Doubtless the Deputy will find another way of raising the question.
A Cheann Comhairle——
I was going to call your brother——
(Interruptions.)
A Deputy
Last in, first out.
I would always be happy to yield to my able and younger brother.
(Interruptions.)
Having regard to the Taoiseach's replies in relation to the Local Government Reform Bill and the National Roads Authority Bill which has been promised on 19 occasions "in this session", will we also have a Housing Bill in this session, and when will it be published?
Is this legislation promised?
Yes.
No, the Deputy has received the list of legislation which, despite his colleague's complaints, is quite substantial. The Housing Bill is not included in that list but the list is not definitive, it is just an indication of the legislative programme we hope to pursue.
Is the Taoiseach not aware the Minister told the House there would be a Housing Bill in this session and that a social housing document was published by his Department six or eight weeks ago. However, details have not been provided to the local authorities. When will we have this Bill? Will it be in this session? Will it be before the summer recess?
The Bill is under way, but most of the programme the Minister outlined can be pursued and implemented without legislation.
Or money.
In relation to the Local Government Bill and the Housing Bill, is the Taoiseach aware that the Minister for the Environment last Saturday at the General Council of County Councils stated that the Local Government Bill would be enacted before the middle of May? Is the Taoiseach satisfied that the period from the end of this month to the middle of May, which will constitute no more than six or seven sitting days, will be adequate time to debate such legislation? In relation to the Housing Bill, is the Taoiseach or the Minister for the Environment aware that there is rampant confusion because the policies announced in the programme on housing have not yet been enacted, nor the necessary circular sent to the local authorities?
We have already had some information on that subject.
Will the Minister for Justice make a statement today in relation to the serious situation that has arisen as a result of reports of a leaked document, the property of the Garda Síochána, which has been made available to a member of the IRA——
The matter should be raised at an appropriate time. It is not in order now.
I am asking a simple question. Will a statement be made?
It is not in order to raise such a matter now. The Deputy knows that.
There is a question of State security involved. Surely it is traditional that the Minister should come in and make a statement to the House.
Doubtless the Deputy will find another way of raising that matter.
(Interruptions.)
What is the point in going outside the House and making statements? Can he not come in here?
Deputy Barrett knows the procedure on the Order of Business.
It is not usual for such serious document to be made available to an illegal organisation, a document which could involve the possible loss of safe and possible damage to the relationship with Northern Ireland.
The Deputy will have to find another way of raising that matter. I am calling Deputy Sherlock.
I am not finished taking my point.
Deputy Barrett——
I am asking a simple question of the Taoiseach.
Deputy Barrett ——
There is provision for Minister to make a statement in relation to a serious matter. I am asking, if that statement will be made today.
It is not in order to raise that matter now Deputy. I am ting that categorically.
I am asking the Taoiseach, through you——
(Interruptions.)
If I table a Private Notice Question——
If Deputy Barrett persists in obstructing and defying the Chair in this matter I shall have to ask him to resume his seat.
I do not want to defy the Chair but to ask a simple question. If I table a Private Notice Question——
I will consider the matter together with any other questions that may arise.
When is it intended to bring the Irish Land Commission (Dissolution) Bill, 1989, before the Dáil? With regard to the local government reform Bill, is the Taoiseach aware of the great disquiet in his own party at local level with regard to the abolition of urban councils and town commissioners?
We cannot discuss the local authorities Bill today.
With regard to the Irish Land Commission (Dissolution) Bill, what is the position? When will the Land Commission Bill be taken?
The Land Commission Bill must await a Land Bond Bill. The Land Bond Bill will be taken this session and the Land Commission Bill will be taken after that.
Almost three years ago the Committee of Public Accounts reported to the Dáil on the question of updating the powers of the committee and of the Comptroller and Auditor General. The Taoiseach indicated during the last session that legislation would be forthcoming this session. May I ask him if it is intended to introduce legislation updating the powers of the Comptroller and Auditor General early in the current session?
It is still at the drafting stage. It is quite complicated and is not likely to surface this session.
I would like to make two points in relation to the making of statements today. First, I am sure no discourtesy is intended but there is nothing in either the schedule or the Taoiseach's programme which indicates to me or to any of the other Independent Deputies in this House how long the statements will take. Second, as a representative of a registered political party, I protest once again that no provision has been made for me to make a statement.
The Deputy has made his point. Deputy Creed is offering.
May I have the answer?
It is not a matter for me. It is the rule of the House under Standing Orders.
Surely the Taoiseach knows how much time will be available for the debate.
If it is of any consolation to the Deputy, I will not take very long.
In view of the recent difficulties regarding the sale and distribution of liquid milk products, may I ask the Taoiseach if we can expect the Milk Agency Bill this session?
I am afraid not.
May I remind the Taoiseach that a specific commitment was given in the Programme for Economic and Social Progress to introduce it during the last session? In the absence of——
This should not give rise to argument now.
First, may I ask the Taoiseach when it is intended to schedule the legislation to privatise the B & I and if he intends to ask his Minister for Labour to take any action to ensure that there will be a B & I to privatise having regard to the imminent dispute? Second, you very kindly permitted me, a Cheann Comhairle, before the Easter recess, following information I got in reply to a parliamentary question, to raise on the Adjournment the question of the abandonment by the Government of the building of the Tallaght hospital. I would be glad to know if there is any way now open to me to continue to pursue this matter on behalf of the people of west Dublin, because it was a disgraceful breach of a promise——
I would prefer if Deputy Rabbitte would communicate with my office in respect of these matters rather than raising them now. They do not seem to be in order now.
I accept that. Would the Taoiseach indicate when it is intended to take the legislation relating to the B & I?
This session.
Would the Taoiseach confirm that a member of the Government intervened to have a speedy conclusion brought to the pothole competition being run by an RTE radio programme which had been running for three weeks and which was due to continue for another three weeks?
I thought the Deputy had something appropriate to raise now.
The Minister for potholes should be allowed to give a response by agreement of the House.
(Interruptions.)
May I ask the Taoiseach when the Solicitors (Amendment) Bill, which has been promised for some considerable time now, will be published and circulated? Anticipating a suggestion that it might be taken this session, would the Taoiseach indicate, given the length of the session, which end of the session it is likely to be taken?
It will certainly be taken between the beginning and end of this session.
Can the Taoiseach tell us if the Government have any plans to introduce legislation this term to establish an Irish language television service?
Is legislation promised in this area?
I am disappointed to learn that the Deputy was not glued to his television set on the night of my Presidential address to the Fianna Fáil Ard-Fheis.
I had clinics that night.
He would have learned conclusively about that matter.
(Interruptions.)
I think we have dwelt long enough on other business. I propose to proceed to items Nos. 4 and 5 shortly. I will hear brief questions.
In relation to legislation already passed, is it acceptable that Government Departments should actively support the breaking of the law and turn a blind eye? I refer to the Broadcasting Bill and the growth of pirate radio stations about which nothing has been done——
The Deputy should raise that matter at another time.
(Limerick East): May I ask the Taoiseach if the Bill which will implement the recommendations of the Gleeson Report No. 31, which among other things alters the rules for ministerial pensions, will be introduced this session?
It is on the programme for this session.
It depends on the Progressive Democrats' conference.
Item No. 4, Presidential Establishment (Amendment) Bill——
(Limerick East): If I may——
I gave the Deputy a good innings this morning.
(Limerick East): I am trying to get an answer. Will it be introduced this session?
I said it is on the programme for introduction this session.
(Limerick East): That formula of words is different from the one normally used.