It is proposed to take Nos. 6, 7, 10 and 11. It is also proposed, notwithstanding anything in Standing Orders that: (1) Nos. 6 and 7 shall be decided without debate; (2) in the case of the resumed debate on No. 11, the speech of each Member called on shall not exceed 20 minutes. Private Members' Business shall be No. 14 and the proceedings thereon shall be brought to a conclusion not later than 8.30 p. m. today.
Order of Business.
May I ask if the proposal that Nos. 6 and 7 shall be decided without debate is satisfactory and agreed? Agreed. Is the proposal for dealing with the resumed debate on No. 11, the budget debate, satisfactory and agreed? Agreed. Is the proposal that Private Members' Business shall conclude at 8.30 p.m. satisfactory and agreed? Agreed.
On 23 March, the Minister for Arts, Culture and the Gaeltacht told the House that he would introduce legislation this session to amend the broadcasting Acts. Will the Taoiseach confirm that he will do so? Will he indicate also if this will deal with and include the results of his review of section 31, in view of the extreme concern in some quarters that the present position may result in the Provisional Sinn Féin representatives on RTE not being asked hard questions about their support for murder on this island and on the neighbouring island?
I take it that legislation has been promised in this area?
Yes. Legislation on a revised broadcasting Act is nearing completion although it may not be ready for introduction this session.
This is a direct contradiction by the Minister, who said it would be introduced this session.
It should not lead to argument now.
I do not wish to argue about it. Will the Taoiseach state whether it will deal with the results of the Minister's review of section 31 of the Broadcasting Act?
The Supreme Court decision will be considered by the Government in due course. As I said, work is proceeding on the broadcasting Bill and if it is ready it will be introduced this session. If not it will be introduced early in the next session.
Yesterday I sought to find out if the Taoiseach would introduce a motion to enable tomorrow's debate on Northern Ireland to be broadcast live by RTE. Has he considered my request and what conclusion has he reached?
This direct suggestion or recommendation is one that ordinarily should be discussed by the Whips.
I appreciate that, a Cheann Comhairle, but if there is no meeting of the Whips it cannot be done. The Taoiseach has not indicated his willingness to have this debate broadcast, although previously he indicated his willingness to allow other debates to be broadcast.
This is not a matter for the Order of Business and will have to be pursued in some other way.
It is a straightforward request that requires a straightforward answer.
It will have to be pursued in some other way. As there is no one else raising legitimate matters on the Order of Business——
I find it extraordinary that on matters such as this the Taoiseach is not prepared to be more forthcoming, which is not the case in regard to other matters.
——I am proceeding to the business of the House proper.
When does the Taoiseach propose to take Nos. 3, 2 and 1?
It is on the second page.
If the Taoiseach wants me to tell him what they are, I will.
No, it is all right. If the Deputy is in touch with his Whips — which I think he is — he will know that the committees are being discussed by the Whips and as soon as they are finalised the matter will be proceeded with here.
Item No. 3 concerning the establishment of the Joint Services Committee is a matter of some urgency in view of the debts in the restaurant——
Deaths.
Yes, the debts, d-e-b-t-s. All the healthy eating this week has obviously had an effect on Deputy Rabbite. He likes the greens.
A diet of humble prose for the Government.
May I ask the Taoiseach if he will arrange to have this motion taken quickly and if he will allow some brief time for its discussion? There is an amendment down about the research services of the House, which have been gravely neglected in the last 20 years in terms of financial support. There is need for a report on the adequacy of the research services, as provided in the amendment. The sooner the motion on the committee establishment is moved and the amendment is put, the sooner the work will start.
The Government is very anxious to have all committees set up immediately. Maybe the Whips could reach final agreement on this matter and we will then proceed with it. Perhaps Deputy Bruton is anxious that Deputy Mitchell write new menus for the restaurant.
Let us now proceed to the setting up of some committees.
Before there are deaths in the restaurants may I ask the Taoiseach——
I do not think the Taoiseach will get an oscar for that one.
I would say the Taoiseach is a candidate himself.
He is not out of the cowshed yet.
Can the Taoiseach tell us where is the beef today?
May I ask the Taoiseach if it is the intention to re-introduce the Solicitors Bill——
(Interruptions.)
Let us hear Deputy Harney.
——that was before Committee in the last Dáil, or will that Bill be withdrawn and a new one substituted?
Some work has been done and it will be introduced.
Is it a new Bill or will the old Bill be re-introduced?
It is a new Bill.
May I ask the Taoiseach if the legislation to implement aspects of the Culliton report will be brought before the House before termination of this session?
The Deputy should raise that matter in another way.
I am amazed at Deputies asking questions on the Order of Business when the Minister concerned is taking Question Time today. One would think if Deputies were so concerned they would have a question down on this matter.
It is promised legislation.
Deputy Quinn has made it abundantly clear that he is almost ready to make statements in relation to the Culliton report.
May I ask the Taoiseach two questions? First, when is it proposed to introduce the promised legislation on fraud? Second, has the Government decided to introduce a Supplementary Estimate to allow for the re-establishment of the Film Board? Is there financial substance to this rather happy announcemnt of last night, or is it merely an exercise in goodwill without financial backing?
An exercise in public relations.
Is the money available?
In answer to the second question, the announcement is not merely an expression of goodwill. The Deputy will be glad to know there is financial substance behind it. We have always regarded this as an area that needs more support.
Just as you did in 1987.
The last Government, under myself as Taoiseach, set up a working group to report on this matter. That group has reported and action is being taken on foot of the report. The announcement is very timely with the success of Neil Jordan's film.
The Taoiseach closed down the Film Board.
I did not close it down. I closed down Ardmore Studios.
The Taoiseach wants to be in the picture with Neil Jordan when he arrives home.
This is another pilot project.
The Deputies do not want any more answers.
Is the money available?
We need legislation on fraud to investigate all these promises.
There are three Deputies offering. If they will be brief and relevant I will hear them.
I appreciate the fact that the Taoiseach was willing to stand up and respond to the request for information with regard to the Film Board even though it was not entirely in order.
It is my role to decide on that matter.
Will he therefore now get on his feet and tell me what is his attitude to the need to broadcast the Northern Ireland debate here tomorrow?
Please, Deputy De Rossa. I am calling Deputy Sheehan.
That is a matter for the Whips. They may discuss it this evening if they so wish.
Will the Minister support it?
RTE decides on that matter.
May I ask the Taoiseach what steps he intends to take to ensure that the service on the Mizen Head signal station, a service that saved the life of his predecessor and that is due to close down tomorrow, will remain in operation?
It did not save his political life.
Will a lighthouse be built in the Taoiseach's constituency?
May I ask the Taoiseach, in view of the widespread unease and concern expressed by the staff of Aer Lingus about the recent appointment of Mr. Owen, who was the main architect of the privatisation of British Airways, if consideration of privatisation of Aer Lingus is part of his brief?
I thought Deputy Cullen had a relevant matter to raise but that is not the case.
It is a matter of policy.
I am proceeding now to item No. 6.