It is proposed to take Nos. 10, 11, 12 and 13. It is also proposed, notwithstanding anything in Standing Orders, that the sitting shall not be suspended at 1.30 p.m. Private Members' Business shall be No. 24.
Order of Business.
Is it agreed that the sitting shall not be suspended at 1.30 p.m.? Agreed.
In light of the commitment given in the programme, A Government of Renewal, what is the present position in regard to the debate within Government on the third banking force?
The matter is under discussion.
Who is discussing it?
The country knows that the matter is under discussion but would the Taoiseach care to elaborate on the differing opinions which have emerged on the issue?
I would not care to elaborate. On a matter of this nature there will be different views as to the best way to proceed. The matter is being considered by the Cabinet in the normal way and a decision will be announced in due course.
Given that Democratic Left has expressed the view that it does not oppose the privatisation of some of the banks in State ownership, will the Government bring forward legislation to provide for the disposal of these banks? When can we expect legislation in this area?
Has legislation been promised?
Yes
Any legislation required to give effect to Government decisions on this matter will be brought forward in due course but until definitive decisions are taken I cannot outline the shape the legislation will take or its timing.
Never-never land.
We have heard the views of the Minister for Finance and the Minister of State at the Department of Enterprise and Employment. Is it Fine Gael which is holding out for State control?
The House is seeing the extent to which the views of all members of the Government are approximating ever more closely to those of the others. The Deputy should be happy for us.
Will the Taoiseach make time available to discuss the future of semi-State companies now that the socialists in Democratic Left favour privatisation?
That matter can be dealt with in so many other ways.
Has the Government abandoned the commitment to adopt an all-party approach to the divorce referendum, particularly in view of the answers given to questions by the Minister for Equality and Law Reform last week when he said nothing about this new departure in relation to the upcoming referendum? Is the Taoiseach aware of what the Minister said last night and does he agree that this is the right way to proceed at this stage?
I would much prefer if the Deputy raised that matter in another way.
It relates to promised legislation.
A sub-committee of the Cabinet is sitting and has yet to report on this subject. Views as to the shape of the proposals the Government would wish to discuss with the other parties are crystallising at this stage and as soon as they are finalised in a formal way we will then wish to discuss them with the Opposition and take its views into account.
It is too late.
There has been ongoing consultation with the Opposition on this mater. We are anxious that there should be an all-party approach. It is worth remembering that the Minister for Equality and Law Reform specifically referred to that fact in his remarks yesterday and acknowledged publicly that there is all-party consensus on this matter.
He has presented us with a fait accompli.
That is an important part of the Government's approach to this matter. At the same time a proposal has to be put forward for discussion. This will be done in due course.
I thank Deputy Eric Byrne for expressing his concern about the Army apprenticeship school by tabling Question No. 125 on today's Order Paper but I wish to inform him that there is no Army apprenticeship school in Athy.
In view of the decision taken by Stena Sealink and the snub to the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Forestry as reported in this morning's Irish Press, may I ask the Taoiseach what action will be taken——
I must dissuade the Deputy from putting on such a display.
I would like to know the position in regard to live cattle exports——
Deputy O'Keeffe should desist. He is completely out of order.
Will the Taoiseach inform the House why he refuses to meet the south Galway flood victims committee?
I am calling Deputy O'Donoghue.
Is the Taoiseach aware of the plight of the people in south Galway whose homes were flooded and who have been given no assistance by the Government?
The Deputy should raise that matter in another way.
It is a disgrace that the Taoiseach refuses to meet these people.
While wishing to compliment the Garda on its fight against crime, will the Taoiseach say whether the Government has concrete legislative proposals to assist it in its efforts?
In the context of tomorrow's debate on the White Paper on Education, which was published almost a month ago, will the Taoiseach indicate whether copies of the White Paper have been printed for access by the general public. It is ridiculous and farcical that this House will debate a White Paper that is not available to the public. It makes a mockery of this House and the entire democratic system. This is an important point and the Taoiseach should respond to it.
I understand that a limited edition of the White Paper was published, but sufficient copies to meet all foreseeable demands will be issued today.
Since Deputy O'Keeffe raised the issue of the Irish Press, will the Taoiseach say when the Government will allow time in the House to debate the Green Paper issued by the Minister for Arts, Culture and the Gaeltacht, Deputy Higgins, in respect of competition in the media?
I suggest the Deputy ask his party Whip to raise that matter at the next Whips meeting where a decision may be made on whether or when time will be provided for that purpose.
I will not permit questions to go on interminably; I wish to bring them to finality quickly. I observe three Deputies offering and if they are brief and relevant I will hear them.
In view of the fact that the Supreme Court has set the date of 23 May for the hearing of the challenge to the Judicial Separation Act, is it the Government's intention to publish proposals for the divorce referendum in advance of the summer recess?
We have given an indication in response to various questions that we wish to have reasonable and fruitful discussions with the Opposition parties about this matter. It is a matter for decision as to whether it would be better to publish proposals before consulting the Opposition or to consult the Opposition first. Until that decision is taken and the Government's proposals are finalised formally, it is not possible for me to answer Deputy Woods's Question.
Will the Taoiseach say when it is proposed to introduce legislation to give effect to the report of the Commission on Electoral Boundaries which was published yesterday?
Since the report was published only yesterday the Government has not yet considered the legislation to give effect to it. That legislation will be introduced in due course but I cannot give a precise date.
Will it be before or after the next election?
Some Ministers published it last week.
The Taoiseach has a vested interest in not publishing it.
In the context of the legislation that will arise from the Green Paper on Broadcasting, will there be a provision whereby stressed out Taoisigh need not consult with reporters?
We should await that legislation.