It is proposed to take Nos. 1, 9 and 10.
Order of Business.
Will the Taoiseach tell the House whether he supports the decision of the Minister for Arts, Culture and the Gaeltacht, Deputy Higgins, on the Mullaghmore project or whether he agrees with the Fine Gael MEP, John Cushnahan, that it was stupid and unbelievable not to go through the due process and that the Minister should have resigned?
Is this matter not before the House for debate today?
At least Fine Gael is providing the Leader of the Opposition with something to say on the Order of Business.
I entirely agree with——
John Cushnahan.
——the decision taken by the Government and I entirely disagree with the comments of the MEP.
What is the Taoiseach's private view?
What about the Boyne project?
When will the party meet to expel him?
Your fellows are in Guadaloupe.
The order of the Chair should be respected by all sides of the House.
Given the very welcome decision of the European Court on competition in the print media, does the Government intend amending the Copyright Act, 1963?
I do not believe legislation is promised on that subject.
The Competition Bill would be the best vehicle to deal with that matter.
I understand that draft heads of that legislation are in preparation.
Yesterday's paper referred to a number of Bills that appear to have been approved by the Government, one of which is the road traffic (amendment) Bill as it relates to drink driving, which we have received today. The tourist traffic (amendment) Bill is also mentioned and it appears from the report that it was approved by Cabinet. When will that Bill be published? I thank the Taoiseach for giving us all the information we sought yesterday, but it was unfortunate we had to extract it in such a way.
The Deputy need not elaborate now on yesterday's proceedings.
The heads of that Bill were approved and it has been sent for drafting.
Is the legislation dealing with the light rail transport system for Dublin near completion? Will the Taoiseach confirm the dates for arbitration between CIE and the public? Is the rumour true that there are serious problems with funding for the light rail transport system for Dublin?
That is not in order now.
As indicated on 23 January, that legislation is in the early stages of preparation.
As this is the last day before the recess, will the Taoiseach give some indication of the progress on the White Paper on Education and when it is likely to be published?
Very considerable progress has been made on the White Paper on Education and I expect it will be published reasonably soon.
On legislation for the protection of refugees which has not been taken since the fall of the last Government, will the Taoiseach indicate what is the status of that Bill and when it will be debated in Committee?
It will be ready shortly after Easter.
In view of statements made outside the House on the removal of the statutory obligation from some businesses for an annual audit, will the Taoiseach say whether a distinction will be made between trading and service companies and whether the proposed legislation will recognise that turnover is not the only means of assessing what is a small enterprise?
The Deputy will have to raise that matter in another way at another time.
Will the Minister for Finance and the Revenue Commissioners support the proposed legislation?
I am calling Deputy O'Dea.
Will the Taoiseach clarify that matter, about which I have received numerous telephone calls from small companies?
There are many ways open to the Deputy to clarify the matter.
While you have been arguing with me the Taoiseach would have given a reply.
What plans has the Government to consolidate film legislation or to amend the censorship laws, in view of the actions of the Minister for Justice last week on the IFC and the showing of Natural Born Killers?
I am not aware of promised legislation in the area of censorship.
In view of the Government's dismal legislative performance to date, will the Taoiseach take steps to ensure an increase in legislative productivity of the drones on the Government Front Bench?
(Interruptions.)
When can we expect to see the Bill relating to the powers of the Attorney General?
That legislation is at an early stage of preparation.
Will the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Forestry take action, as previously requested by me and other Members, to deal with the backlog of applications for farm building grants and put in place a mechanism to allow——
The Deputy should put down a question on that matter.
Will the Taoiseach tell the House when the Green Paper on broadcasting will be published and whether it is likely it will be published during the recess?
That is not legislation.
There have been leaks.
When he was elected the Taoiseach put much store on giving information to the House. He has no conviction in that regard.
On the amendment to the Local Government (Sanitary Services) Act, has the Government plans to help hundreds of voluntary group water schemes, particularly in the west——
This matter does not arise now.
Will the Government agree to the tax free allowance——
I am calling Deputy Keogh.
The Government is doing nothing about voluntary group water schemes.
The Deputy must resume his seat.
The Deputy should study it, he is not properly briefed.
Deputy Finucane is not helping the Chair.
Does the Government intend to introduce legislation to amend the Gaming and Lotteries Act as I believe promises were made on increasing the prize fund?
I am not aware of a promise given in that regard.
As this is the final day before the recess will the Taoiseach continue to make every effort to get the talks process started at ministerial level between Sinn Féin and the British Government and keep us informed during the recess?
Let us not contemplate a debate on that matter now.