It is proposed to take No. 14. Private Members' Business shall be No. 25.
Order of Business.
Will the Taoiseach provide the House with an opportunity during the day, either now or later, to express its sympathy with the Indian people and the greatest and largest democracy in the world on the tragic murder of one of their most important political leaders, Mr. Rajiv Gandhi? Ireland has had close links with India and I know the Irish people share with the Indian people their sense of loss.
I will arrange something appropriate.
When does the Taoiseach intend to bring forward proposals in relation to item No. 8 on today's Order Paper which deals with a committee on crime? There are but five weeks left in the session.
I have nothing further to add at this stage.
To add to what?
May I take it from that very abrupt reply that the Taoiseach does not intend to proceed to the formation of a committee on crime or a foreign affairs committee of this House?
The Deputy may not take anything of the sort.
Will the Taoiseach explain to the House the reason we cannot have these committees, which were agreed many months ago. It now looks as if we will not have them before the summer recess.
It is a matter which has been adverted to in this House many times recently.
We have a budget each year.
I thank the Taoiseach for indicating that he intends to provide us with an opportunity today to convey our concern about the killing of Rajiv Gandhi. Will he also clarify when the legislation promised by the Minister for the Environment to deal with the problems presented by fighting or killer dogs, which are widespread in the country, will be introduced? Will it be introduced as a matter of urgency given that there are many people in housing estates living in terror of these dogs?
I am not certain that the legislation to which the Deputy refers was promised in the House.
It was not, Sir.
It has been promised.
The legislation was not promised in the House. It is my recollection that the Minister indicated it would be considered but the regulations which are more urgent will be made within a week.
The problem with regulations is that there are no dog wardens to implement them.
It should not give rise to controversy now, Deputies.
On the same point, will the Taoiseach clarify whether it is intended to introduce further legislation dealing with dogs? Did the Minister not give such a commitment on the radio this morning?
One should not believe what one hears on the radio.
What is the Deputy's point?
I am asking if it is intended to introduce any new legislation dealing with dogs and is it not the case that the Minister made such a promise this morning on the radio?
It was not promised in this House within the normal terms.
One cannot believe what one hears on the radio.
I suggest that the Opposition have made enough of a dog's dinner out of this.
The Taoiseach has disowned his own Minister.
(Interruptions.)
We will continue to hound the Taoiseach on this issue.
May I ask the Taoiseach if any new legislation to control pitbull TDs will be introduced?
That would take the Deputy out of the House.
In view of his earlier replies to the House will the Taoiseach agree that the time has now passed to publish and circulate the family planning amendment Bill? When will the legislation be published?
After the local elections.
As I said, the legislation is imminent but I suggest that Deputy McCartan cannot have it every way. He keeps demanding that we give priority to other matters.
Such as?
Will the Taoiseach outline the present position regarding the legislation to deal with the disgraceful situation at Cheeverstown House where places are urgently needed for mentally handicapped patients? Legislation has been promised——
The matter is not appropriate to the Order of Business.
Legislation has been promised by the Minister for Health.
Legislation was indicated in a speech by the Minister of State, Deputy Flood.
I am being forced into being disorderly by responding to these questions.
Legislation has been promised.
Legislation on that matter has not been promised in the House.
It has.
Another Minister bites the dust.
Furthermore, legislation may not be required but if it is it will be introduced when necessary.
May I inform the Taoiseach that when I attempted three weeks ago to point out in this House how easy it was for people to bring dogs into the country from Britain——
I am sorry, but I thought the Deputy had something relevant to raise. I am calling Deputy Nuala Fennell.
——I was ruled out of order. There are no regulations to stop people from bringing dogs into the country from Britain.
The Deputy should please desist.
This morning on the radio the Minister said he was satisfied that these dogs could not be brought into the country from Britain.
I am surprised at the Deputy.
One can bring puppy dogs back from Britain in the boot of one's car as there are no regulations to prevent this.
The Deputy will now resume her seat. I now call Deputy Fennell.
In view of the fact that the Minister for Health was not in the House last night for the Adjournment Debate, when we expressed our great concern at the detention of a woman, can he indicate when the inquiry will be completed——
I afforded the Deputy an opportunity of ventilating her grievance on that matter last evening and I am surprised that she should raise it again this morning.
The Minister was not available and I am very concerned about this case.
It is not relevant to the Order of Business.
Will the Minister tell us what he will do?
Deputy Fennell, please resume your seat.
I presume the Minister wants to tell us publicly——
He may not do so.
Would the Taoiseach clarify the situation in relation to the legislation on the sale of the B & I Line? I understand the negotiations are running into particularly heavy weather. Does the Taoiseach intend that the legislation will be taken in this session, and when will it be published?
The legislation will be taken whenever it is appropriate.
A Deputy
In what year?
Today we will be discussing the Committee Stage of the Finance Bill, 1991, which gives effect to a very comprehensive range of tax allowances for the Temple Bar area. The Taoiseach did indicate that we would be discussing conterminously the legislation to establish on a statutory basis the company to administer such generous tax allowances. Perhaps the Taoiseach could indicate when we will see the documentation for that legislation.
I am seeking to have it arranged that it will be published as quickly as possible. I regret to say I may not be able to adhere to that undertaking to have them discussed conterminously.
I accept that and I understand the constraints on the Taoiseach. Is it possible, however, that his Minister might be in a position to give a broad outline of how the company is envisaged so that our debate on Committee Stage may be better informed?
I will see what can be done.
The Comptroller and Auditor General is the only officer mentioned in the Constitution who specifically works for this House and not for the Executive. The Public Accounts Committee issued a report two years ago seeking to update his powers, which date from 1966, and the Taoiseach had kindly indicated that the Government would bring in legislation. During the last session I was told that it would not be introduced during that session but that it would possibly be taken in this session and we are now talking about the next session. May I ask that the House make a special effort to introduce the legislation in this session and perhaps the Taoiseach would consider that?
I appreciate and understand the Deputy's concern because this matter is of particular interest to him, and also, I can assure the Deputy, to the Government. I understand it is being discussed by the Whips at present and we will make every effort to get it in this session, if possible, or at least to have it circulated in this session.
Are the Taoiseach and the Minister for Health aware that nearly all the private nursing homes who cater for geriatric patients in the Eastern Health Board area have very serious cashflow problems——
The Deputy should raise that matter in another way——
——because the Eastern Health Board are four months in arrears with their subvention payments.
Deputy Lee is out of order in pursuing the matter now.
There is no money for the health boards.