Vol. 409 No. 6
It is proposed to take Nos. 1, 13 and 14. It is also proposed that the proceedings on the Committee and remaining Stages of No. 13, if not previously concluded, shall be brought to a conclusion at 7.00 p.m. by one question which shall be put from the Chair and which shall, in relation to amendments, include only amendments set down by the Minister for the Marine.
Private Members' Business shall be No. 32, motion 48.
I have to ask if the proposal for dealing with No. 13 is agreed.
Once more we object to the guillotine, in this case on the Sea Pollution Bill. There is no provision for Report Stage and I understand there are still 40 amendments outstanding, so we in The Workers' Party are opposing the guillotine on that item.
In view of his statements in the House today can the Taoisearch state categorically that, notwithstanding the fact that the Government's budgetary assumptions in regard to revenue and unemployment are not going to be achieved, there will not be a mini budget this year?
The matter is not relevant to the Order of Business.
If the Government had any proposals to have a mini budget it would have a very large effect on the legislative programme and I think we should have a clear and unambiguous statement on that.
The House knows full well the matters which can and cannot be raised on the Order of Business. I call Deputy Pat McCartan.
Sir——
May I ask the Taoiseach about a matter that has been raised here——
I want to assist Deputy Bruton but he must raise matters appertaining to the Order of Business.
It is legislation.
No, I have not heard the word "legislation" used.
Any mini budget involves legislation and the Taoiseach himself this very day raised the fact that the unemployment assumptions underlying the budget are not being achieved.
I am not aware that legislation has been proposed in this House in connection with that matter.
Sir——
Deputy McCartan has been called.
It was our understanding in The Workers' Party that the committee on crime would be established by way of motion in this House today at the latest. May I ask the Taoiseach what day it is intended that the motion be moved? Will he confirm that there will be an opportunity for a debate on the establishment of the committee when the motion is being moved?
The matter is relevant but it has been raised very often in the House recently.
It is hoped to have the motion next week. The Chief Whip is absent unavoidably today and, likewise tomorrow. I hope we will get agreement on the terms of reference. That is the normal way in which we proceed.
Arising from what the Taoiseach has just said in relation to committees and having regard to some reports in the weekend newspapers, can he indicate whether it is also proposed to introduce a motion next week to establish a foreign affairs committee?
No, I cannot give that indication at this stage.
Is the Taoiseach now in a position to indicate to the House that this committee is not going to be established?
No, I have nothing further to add at this stage.
Would I be wrong in suggesting that we are not to have a foreign affairs committee simply because there has been a deterioration in personal relations between the Taoiseach and a member of his own party?
Yes, the Deputy would be wrong in his assumptions.
Deputy Michael D. Higgins has been offering for some time.
Will the Taoiseach not agree——
I will call the Deputy again but I have called Deputy Higgins now.
Just because the Taoiseach has fallen out with——
The Deputy is indulging in repetition and it is not in order. I have called another Deputy.
As the originator of the suggestion that we have a foreign affairs committee and as someone who has welcomed the widespread support all around this House for it, I should like to ask the Taoiseach whether, in view of the fact that he has had talks with leaders of the parties about the formation of such a committee, he proposes to have any further talks, particularly as to the terms of reference of the committee? Will he be having such talks in this session?
I have already indicated to the distinguished acting leader of the Deputy's party that I have nothing further to indicate at this stage on the matter.
We can offer a chairman if that is the problem, a very good one.
In the light of the Government's decision recently to settle the case of Mrs. McDermott and Ms. Cotter and in the light of the findings of the European Court of Justice in favour of these two women who, it was found, were victims of discrimination under the EC Directive on Equal Treatment for Men and Women——
Deputy Byrne, I thought you had something relevant to raise.
It is relevant, Sir. Just bear with me.
Deputy, can you say what legislation is involved in this area?
I am about to ask the Taoiseach if he intends to bring forward legislation to pay the 40,000 married women——
I will not permit you to circumvent the ruling of the Chair in this matter. You may raise it another time, not now. I am proceeding to item No. 1.
