It is proposed to take Nos. 10, 15, 16, 17, 2 and 18. It is also proposed that, notwithstanding anything in Standing Orders, No. 10 shall be decided without debate. It is further proposed that the Dáil shall meet tomorrow at 10.30 a.m. and shall adjourn not later than 4 p.m.
Order of Business.
May I ask if the proposal that No. 10 be taken without debate is agreed? Agreed. And the proposal for tomorrow's sitting? Agreed.
In regard to the proposed European debate next week, could the Taoiseach agree to circulate some form of position paper to Members to give us an update on the negotiations and on the Government's position in advance of the debate so that the discussion and the contributions in the House will be more meaningful? I ask this particularly in view of the fact that the Minister for Finance has effectively refused to answer written questions about the Govenment's position on various aspects of European Monetary Union. We are left to debate this matter without sufficient information.
The Deputy should refer more closely to legislation.
It refers to the order of Dáil business.
It is quite an extension of procedure on the Order of Business.
Last week I asked the Taoiseach when various Bills would be debated. He replied that it was not clear at that time what our legislative programme would be for the remainder of the session. Is the Taoiseach in a position to indicate the Bills he expects to have through the House before Christmas?
With regard to the second question, I hope that the Whips will be able to discuss that matter very shortly. With regard to the form of the debate next week, I am not sure how far I can go to be of assistance to the House. The Deputy will understand that even at this stage there is a great deal still unclear and there are many aspects which are still the subject of intense negotiations, not just bilaterally but multilaterally. It is very hard to see at what point I could give information to the House, but I will consider in what way I can be most helpful. The Deputy and others will understand that in a situation like this we, too, have to play our cards reasonably close to our chest because there is a great deal of bargaining, negotiation and possible compromise in the air.
In relation to promised legislation, have the Government parties resolved the difficulties they have had in regard to the Shannon Estuarial Authority Bill? Do the Government intend to introduce this legislation or has it been abandoned?
A dangerous question.
The Deputy has an unholy preoccupation with alleged differences between the Government parties.
According to the headlines.
Sometimes I suspect that all this is a ploy by the Deputy to distract attention from some interior difficulties that he may have.
Check with the Minister for Energy, who landed the Government in it yesterday.
The Taoiseach knows that nobody has any problems other than himself. Two weeks ago on 8 November I asked the Taoiseach if he would indicate who was representing the public interest at the beef tribunal. That matter has become more and more urgent. It is a matter of concern for the Dáil since it was the Dáil which established the tribunal in the first place. Exchanges between counsel for the Attorney General yesterday and the chairman of the tribunal indicate that nobody——
I am sorry, Deputy De Rossa. I simply cannot relate it to the Order of Business in any shape or form.
I am seeking to find out if the Taoiseach is addressing himself to this issue, if he proposes to bring forward some proposal to the Dáil in relation to it or if some action is to be taken.
I am sure Deputy De Rossa will find another way of dealing with that matter.
Would the Chair indicate in what way it can be raised? The reality is——
I am certain it is not in order now.
Hear me out. The problem is that this side of the House——
I cannot permit the Deputy to make a speech now.
I am seeking your assistance. This matter can only be raised by this side of the House by private motion which we do not have time for. I appeal to the Taoiseach to indicate——
I think we are entering into an area that may well be sub judice.
We are not. I would appeal to you——
Please, Deputy De Rossa, I must ask you to desist. The matter is not in order now and you may not proceed with it.
I appeal to you not to rule out this issue on the basis of sub judice. It is not sub judice. We are not going into the detail of the tribunal. It is a question of who is representing the public interest.
The Chair will have strict regard to that matter. The Deputy need not worry about it.
Could the Taoiseach indicate if the Government have yet decided to introduce legislation granting voting rights to emigrants, as proposed in the Programme for Government? Will it be introduced this term?
There will be no legislation this session.
Now that we are gearing ourselves up for a European debate next Thursday and Friday, will the Taoiseach take whatever steps are necessary to bring the long-promised terms of reference of the foreign affairs committee before the House so that we can get it set up within the next week? Would it not be appropriate? Will the Taoiseach agree to do so?
I thought we had resolved that matter.
We are still without a foreign affairs committee. It will not be resolved until we have the committee.
We have had fair words but no action.
May I ask the Taoiseach if he will do that within the next week? He should take decisive action——
I have dealt with that matter ad nauseam.
Yes, but where is the committee?
Please, Deputy.
That is outrageous conduct on the part of the Taoiseach.
It should not give rise to debate, argument or disorder now. It is primarily a matter for the Whips.
The Taoiseach brushes this matter aside. We still do not have such a committee. Can I have the committee within the next week?
You personally?
Deputy McCartan has been offering.
On behalf of my party and the House. I must protest, a Cheann Comhairle. This is very undemocratic behaviour on the part of the Taoiseach.
Deputy McCartan has been called.
This is very——
Please, Deputy O'Keeffe.
With regard to promised and very urgent legislation, may I ask the Taoiseach when the legislation to amend the Extradition Acts will be brought before the House to cover the loopholes which exist? I want to advise the Taoiseach that certainly from this side of the House there will be the fullest co-operation in dealing with this legislation if it is brought before the House sooner rather than later.
The prospect of receiving full co-operation on any matter from that side of the House fills me with delight and anticipation.
Can we have the legislation?
It is far greater than the co-operation he is getting from his own side of the House at present.
The Taoiseach has not had much delight in his life recently.
(Interruptions.)
A Deputy
Do not tempt him.
He has not listened to Albert. He who hesitates is lost.
(Interruptions.)
The Deputy's namesake got a bad hammering the other day. I know the game you are playing. The legislation will be brought forward as quickly as possible.
Is the Taoiseach comparing himself to the winner in Louisiana who was convicted three times for corruption?
The Deputy will understand that it is complex legislation and we have to give it very deep and careful thought.
In the light of the difficulties being experienced by many local authorities in relation to housing and, in particular, the shared equity proposals, may I ask the Taoiseach if it is still intended that the Housing Bill will be taken in this session?
That is bound up with the answer I gave to Deputy Bruton. The Whips will have to consider what we can get through between now and the Christmas recess.
Deputy Spring.
Is it a priority of the Government to have it enacted before Christmas?
I am glad the Deputy appreciates the value of the legislation.
Deputy Dick Spring.
I appreciate the problems currently being faced by local authorities.
Let us hear Deputy Spring.
Things are in a mess.
It is a disgrace.
Not to mention the thousands who are looking for housing.
I have called Deputy Spring three times. The interruptions should cease——
If I could revert——
——from the Front Benches there.
Gentlemen, behave yourselves. I should like to revert to the totally non-mischievous question I put to the Taoiseach. I appreciate the warmth of the Taoiseach's response but is there any chance of getting a reply?
I am not sure exactly what the status of that legislation is at present but I will look into it and communicate with the Deputy.
May I ask the Taoiseach if it is intended to introduce broadcasting legislation before Christmas.
Hardly.
May I ask the Taoiseach or the new Minister for the Environment if they are aware that many local authorities and, in particular, Dublin City Council, have to fix their rates next Monday but they still have not been told what the rate support grant from the Government will be? This is an impossible situation. I appreciate that this matter has been raised here before——
Absolutely, ad nauseam.
It will continue to be raised.
There is now only one working day left before Dublin City Council have to set the rate for the capital city of the country.
There are ample ways and means of raising that matter in the House.
(Interruptions.)
Deputy Michael Moynihan for a final submission on the Order of Business. I am going on to the business ordered now.
Legislation to amend the Wildlife Act, 1976, has been promised for some time. Can the Taoiseach now indicate when this legislation will be introduced?
It does not refer to the dissidents on the Government benches.
It does not refer to members of the Taoiseach's party.
I am not too clear what legislation the Deputy has in mind.
There are 22 dissidents over there.
I will be meeting the Deputy in Killarney tomorrow and we can have a talk about it then.
There are some endangered species on the Government benches.
I have a greater interest in the Wildlife Act than most Deputies in the House. May I ask the Taoiseach, now that the situation has clarified itself, if he will say who is representing the public interest at the beef tribunal since his counsel has disowned——
Please, Deputy. Let us proceed to proper business.