In reply to a question the Minister for Agriculture and Food promised that draft regulations to the Abattoirs Act, 1988, would be introduced. When will those regulations be introduced?
Order of Business (Resumed).
Matters appertaining to legislation should not be raised now. The Deputy should put down a question in that regard.
I have raised in the House on a number of occasions the need to update the powers of the Comptroller and Auditor General whose powers date from the 1866 Exchequer and Audit Departments Act. I have been told by the Taoiseach on a number of occasions that the legislation is imminent. I appreciate that the Tánaiste may not have at his finger tips this information but if not, can he return to the House tomorrow morning and tell us when the legislation will be introduced and if it will pass before Christmas?
I will get whatever information is available on that matter and communicate directly with the Deputy without delay.
Can the Tánaiste confirm that the publication of the Estimates is still on schedule for this weekend as indicated last week despite reports emanating from one of the parties forming the Government that they are seeking further cuts? Can the Tánaiste confirm that the Estimates have been approved by the Cabinet and are ready for publication?
I can assure the Deputy that the time schedule outlined to the House will be adhered to strictly.
Have the Estimates been agreed by the full Cabinet?
They will be before they come before this House.
Do not be so confident.
When is it proposed to publish the Bill to abolish ground rents as promised?
I have no information at the moment but, as I said already to Deputy Mitchell, I will communicate with the Deputy.
I am calling Deputy Rabbitte for a final question. I am proceeding to the Order of Business proper.
Will the Tánaiste lend his prestige to appeal to the GAA to change the lamentable decision not to proceed with the double bill football event at the RDS?
I am sure Deputy Rabbitte will find a more opportune time to raise that matter.