It is proposed to take Nos. 5 and 6. It is also proposed, notwithstanding anything in Standing Orders, that Private Members' business shall be No. 16, and the proceedings on the Second Stage thereof shall be brought to a conclusion at 8.30 p.m. tonight.
Order of Business.
Are the proposals for dealing with Private Members' Business agreed? Agreed.
Will the Tánaiste consider giving Government time today to discuss the regrettable decision by the chairman of CIE to resign?
It does not arise now. The Chair has already ruled on that matter and advised Members how they might proceed.
Let me add a rider to that. Does the Tánaiste not agree that actions such as this will put any decent man or woman off serving on a State board?
I have ruled the matter out of order. Is there anything else appropriate to the Order of Business?
(Interruptions.)
In the context of the forthcoming Education Bill, and given that the Labour Party has had control of Irish education for the last three to four years, does the Government intend to take any urgent legislative steps to reduce the appalling inequality in access to third level education as revealed by the Clancy report?
Deputy Martin——
It is becoming increasingly difficult for low income and disadvantaged groups to gain access to third level education. Thousands of students will be marching this week.
Deputy Martin may not ignore the Chair.
It relates to a legislative proposal. I am asking the Tánaiste when the Bill will be brought forward.
The Deputy has a habit of ignoring the Chair. I simply will not tolerate it. He will resume his seat forthwith.
Will the Tánaiste intervene directly in regard to the impasse in Irish Steel which is causing great concern in my constituency?
If the Deputy is serious about that matter he should raise it at an appropriate time.
I am very serious about it. This is a crisis and the Tánaiste has not become involved.
I wish to ask the Tánaiste about the Court and Court Officers Bill, but first I want to say that I hope the Government will use the opportunity to put in place a board in CIE that has a strategic and commercial focus, not merely a political one. When will the Court and Court Officers Bill be published?
I hope to have it before the House shortly. It is being discussed by the Whips at present.
This Bill is major legislation which proposes to reform the whole structure of our courts and establish a new court of appeal. I am anxious that there should be time between its publication and debate on it in this House. My party is prepared to co-operate with the Government regarding other legislation which is essential, but I do not wish to see the Court and Court Officers Bill suffer in that process.
The Deputy has made her point very effectively.
Nobody wants to rush legislation through the House. We will make sure that adequate time is given to this Bill. The Deputy knows there are certain urgencies in relation to it.
Is there a deal being done?
No deals from us.
Would the Tánaiste agree, in view of his very public criticism of the treatment of Irish prisoners in British jails, that the decision by the Minister for Justice to release two prisoners who she knew would be automatically rearrested——
Has the Deputy a matter to raise which is appropriate to the Order of Business? The matter which the Deputy raised is not appropriate. It would be far more suitable to a question, and there are many ways of tabling questions in this House.
The Taoiseach recently indicated that the Government intends to introduce amendments to the official secrets legislation. Given that the amending legislation has not yet been prepared, does the Government intend to ask the Attorney General to intervene to prevent the Director of Public Prosecutions appearing on the Marian Finucane show? There is a possibility of breaches of the Official Secrets Act and seriously prejudicing pending prosecutions——
The Deputy has raised a matter——
I think the Tánaiste would like to answer the question.
I heard the Deputy this morning and he was very good.
The Deputy should put down a separate question on that matter.
Which Deputy?
The Attorney General wrote to "Prime Time" to prevent what he saw as potential prejudice. Yet the Director of Public Prosecutions can appear on the Marian Finucane show for a chat.
Does the Tánaiste still hope a summit can take place before President Clinton's visit?
I want to assist the Deputy in eliciting information at the appropriate time——
I think the Tánaiste would like to reply.
A question on that matter has been tabled for answer by the Taoiseach today.
(Interruptions.)
Will legislation be introduced to deal with the appeals to the Department of Justice against fines and the uncertainty in that area?
To the best of my knowledge, no legislation is proposed in this area.
Given the recent High Court decision and the promises made by the Taoiseach prior to the Cork by-election, does the Government intend to introduce legislation to legalise rebeaming for South Coast Community Television in the Carrigaline area?
I will have to communicate with the Deputy in regard to that matter.
I would like to hear the views of the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Forestry on the proposal to remove the ban on the use of growth hormones in beef production.
That is a very good question and it might be tabled appropriately.