It is proposed to take Nos. 12 and 13. It is also proposed, notwithstanding anything in Standing Orders that: 1. On the proceedings of the resumed Second Stage of No. 12 the following arrangements shall apply: (i) the speech of each member called on shall not exceed 20 minutes in each case and (ii) a Minister or Minister of State shall be called upon to make a speech in reply not exceeding 15 minutes. 2. The Dáil shall meet tomorrow at 10.30 a.m. and adjourn not later than 4 p.m.
Order of Business.
Are the proposals for dealing with Second Stage of No. 12 satisfactory? Agreed. Is the proposal for tomorrow's sitting agreed? Agreed.
In view of the effect of the continuing political uncertainty on decisions that have to be taken by the Minister for Finance, among others, on important economic matters, would the Minister agree that this political uncertainty should be cleared up by a formal statement by the Government in the House next Tuesday at the latest as to the future of the Government and the future of the legislative programme agreed between the Taoiseach and Deputy O'Malley?
This is not a matter for the Order of Business. It can be pursued in many other ways in accordance with the procedure of the House.
I could give a list of the promised legislation but I do not want to burden the House with it. A lengthy legislative programme was agreed not long ago in good faith, it appears, between the Taoiseach and Deputy O'Malley. I would like to know if that remains the case and if the Government will make a formal statement as to their future.
The legislative programme will continue. There is no uncertainty and the House later today and tomorrow will continue with the legislative programme.
That is an Alice in Wonderland statement.
In relation to promised legislation, I understand that agreement has been reached that the second Finance Bill will be taken by a committee of this House. May I ask the Minister for Finance when that Bill will be published? Will he confirm that it is extremely important that the Bill be put through the House before 1 January?
The Bill will be published within a day or two of 12 November——
In time for the election.
——and it will be concluded before the end of the year. A number of items in the Bill relate to the Single Market and therefore it will have to be concluded and signed before 1 January.
Will the Minister for Finance indicate to the House whether or not the Taoiseach intends to bring forward in this House a motion of confidence in his Government, given the statements by him and the counter statements by the Progressive Democrats, and if not, will he at least provide time here for an Opposition vote of confidence?
There are procedures for that purpose. The matter does not arise now.
This matter is on the Order Paper in my name.
Deputy Paddy Harte.
Will the Minister reply?
That matter does not arise now.
As regards the Single Market, which we look forward to on 1 January 1993, he has not indicated to the House and to the people in the Border areas the steps he proposes to take to protect these people against the devaluation of sterling?
I thought Deputy Harte had a relevant matter to raise.
On a point of order——
No, Deputy Harte. The Deputy must raise that matter in another way.
There are businesses on the line.
It is clearly not a matter for the Order of Business.
I am asking the Minister——
No, Deputy, not now. It is not a matter for the Order of Business. That is clear to me and to the Deputy.
Why does the Minister remain silent?
Please, Deputy Harte.
Surely he owes it to the people in the Border areas——
Deputy Harte should resume his seat.
On Deputy Harte's point——
On a point of Order?
On the same point——
Sorry, Deputy, I have ruled that matter out of order.
This is in order.
I will decide that.
On a point of order——
I asked the Deputy if he wished to raise a point of order and he said no.
Would the Minister for Finance not agree that the Government promised legislation to grant assistance to firms in difficulty as a result of the sterling devaluation? Will the Minister say when this legislation will be introduced in view of the fact that many firms along the border are in acute and immediate difficulty, carrying out contracts on which they are losing money? If this legislation is not brought in very quickly firms will go under and many thousands of jobs will be lost.
The Deputy has made his point. Has this legislation been promised in the House?
It is not promised legislation; it is a market development.
It is promised legislation.
I would like your assistance, a Cheann Comhairle, in that I have tried through Dáil Questions, Adjournment Debates and grievance time to get a statement from the Minister for the Environment on the major problem of repossessions and evictions taking place at present but on each occasion I got a letter stating that this matter was not the responsibility of the Minister.
Deputy Allen may not challenge my ruling in this fashion.
Who is responsible for the repossessions and evictions taking place at present?
The Deputy should check with my office and we will assist him if we can.
Some Minister must be responsible for this matter. They cannot wash their hands of it.
I am proceeding to item No. 12.
On a point of order, surely evictions and repossessions have an impact on householders.
That is not a point of order.
Surely it is the responsibility of the Minister.
The Deputy is continuing to be obstructive.
I have tried in the last four months to raise this matter in the House. Householders are being treated savagely by the financial institutions.
The Deputy should please desist.
The Minister and you, a Cheann Comhairle——
I must ask Deputy Allen to desist or leave the House.
Hands are being washed of this matter.
The Deputy will please desist or leave the House.
You cannot evict him.
The Deputy is taxing the patience of the Chair.
Deputy Vincent Brady is anxious to respond to a matter concerning eviction.
I will call the Deputy in due course.
I am not sure if I am in order but I am sure you will not mind, Sir, if I record my appreciation of the selection of Cork as the next venue for the European Song Contest. Congratulations to all those involved in securing this location.
I appreciate the injection of a little humour into our proceedings. I call Deputy Vincent Brady.
I should like your advice. I have tried by way of the Adjournment process to ask Deputy De Rossa to make a statement in regard to the very serious connotations arising from the allegations in the newspapers this week. Indeed they are sinister connotations——
My office have already conveyed to you, Deputy, that if there is anything appertaining to serious charges being made against a Member, or Members, of this House there is a procedure. It should be put down by way of substantive motion and should not be adverted to in this manner.
At least I stand my ground, unlike Deputy Brady.
It is very shaky ground.
In relation to promised legislation——
(Interruptions.)
Deputy De Rossa is in possession.
Fianna Fáil seem to be obsessed with small parties. They get very excited in regard to parties of six members or fewer.
Members are making a mockery of the procedure of the Order of Business.
I am trying to raise a matter in relation to the Order of Business. Deputy Davern was Minister for Education for 13 weeks and it is rumoured that the Green Paper was delayed, not because there were problems in relation to it, but because he has scribbled on it with his crayon.
(Interruptions.)
If Deputy De Rossa sends me a sample of his handwriting I will have it tested.
On a point of order——
(Interruptions.)
If this continues I will adjourn the proceedings of the House.
On a point of order, I find it strange that you did not rule out the remark on the European Song Contest and did rule out a matter concerning people's livelihood——
The Deputy is making the House look ridiculous.
On a point of order——
I am moving to item No. 12.