It is proposed to take Nos. 9, 11, 12 and 2. It is also proposed, notwithstanding anything in Standing Orders that: (1) No. 9 shall be decided without debate and any division demanded thereon shall be taken forthwith; and (2) the proceedings on the Second Stage of No. 11, if not previously concluded, shall be brought to a conclusion at 6.45 p.m. Private Members' Business shall be No. 6.
Order of Business.
Is the proposal for dealing with No. 9 agreed? Agreed. Is the proposal that the Second Stage of No. 11, if not previously concluded, will be brought to a conclusion at 6.45 p.m. this evening agreed? Agreed.
About 13 months ago the Minister for Justice promised to introduce legislation in fulfilment of a commitment in the Programme for Government to reduce legal costs. I refer to Question No. 34 on 17 February 1993. What is the position on this specifically promised legislation on a very important and topical matter?
I will look into the matter and communicate with the Deputy.
Will the Government be moving the writs for the two by-elections with a view to holding them on 9 June?
The Government has not yet decided on what date the by-elections will be held.
I am delighted the European Union requires us to have the European elections on 9 June; if it did not we would probably not be having those elections. It would be outrageous if the Government denied both of those constituencies, which have been without a Deputy for over a year, the opportunity to vote on 9 June. Why has the Government not made a decision about this matter?
This is not relevant now.
(Interruptions.)
Does the Taoiseach agree that the Government has no role in the proposed sanctioning of the selloff of the Aer Lingus subsidiary and the inevitable risk to jobs for reasons about which I have written to the Minister today?
Deputy Rabbitte, you will find another way of raising that matter. It is not in order now.
Perhaps you would assist me afterwards.
I will be glad to assist the Deputy if I can.
May I raise a separate matter, Sir? Is the Taoiseach conscious of the extent to which he is now seen by the public as the Grand Old Duke of York?
Let us have no derogatory remarks of that kind.
The Taoiseach climbed down in relation to Deputy Haughey last week and on Deputy Jim Mitchell this week. I think he is over the hill. He should tell the House that the Committee of Public Accounts will order its own business.
Deputy Rabbitte will now resume his seat. He is completely out of order, and he knows it.
Can I take it the Taoiseach has backed off, that he has climbed down on the Deputy Mitchell affair?
Deputy Rabbitte, I must insist on you resuming your seat.
Is Deputy Mitchell safe?
(Interruptions.)
I insist that Deputy Rabbitte resumes his seat.