It is proposed to take Nos. 3, 4 and 5. It is also proposed, notwithstanding anything in Standing Orders, that No. 3 shall be decided without debate.
Order of Business.
Is it agreed that No. 3 be decided without debate? Agreed.
Will the Tánaiste agree that the blinkered approach shown once again yesterday by the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland is delaying and stalling the peace process? Will he also agree that a glorious opportunity to consolidate and move the peace process forward is being lost? Has the Taoiseach informed President Clinton of that view? Does the Tánaiste agree that President Clinton's decision to shorten his visit to Britain and Ireland is in part a sign of growing American impatience with the peace process and the snail's pace progress which is being made?
I want to assist Members in raising matters appertaining to peace but the Order of Business is not the appropriate time or place. I ask that a more appropriate time be used to raise such important matters.
The Tánaiste wishes to reply.
First, nothing is lost. We are in consultation and discussions with the British Government to try to avail of the window of opportunity which exists. It is very obvious that we want to make progress, we are devoting all our energies to that at present and shall continue to do so. It is important to resolve the impasse, avail of the opportunity which exists and have a political underpinning of the peace process, which we all want to continue. I am optimistic that we can make the breakthrough. Although it takes time and is painstaking and difficult, we all want to see progress being made and I hope we can do that.
This matter is not appropriate to the Order of Business.
I wish the Tánaiste well in his efforts to achieve that. However, as Leader of the largest party in the House, I find it upsetting that each day on the Order of Business and at Question Time we seem unable to talk about this but as soon as we leave the Chamber everybody feels free to do so in an open way. I ask the Tánaiste to keep up the efforts. As far as we are concerned, the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland is holding up the peace process and has been unhelpful to the Government and the people. It is time he moved away from this intransigent position.
I would like to ask the Tánaiste about promised legislation to deal with the drugs crisis. I know there are legislative proposals to deal with drug trafficking in the justice area. As regards public education, has the Government any proposals, through the Department of Health or the Department of Education, to introduce a programme to protect young people from their own foolishness in relation to taking ecstasy and on other drug abuse matters? Can the Government promise any measures to deal with the growing concern among parents in relation to drug abuse, particularly ecstasy, which has caused the deaths of many young people?
Has legislation been promised in this area?
The Government is very conscious that our response to the drugs problem must be multifaceted, involving the Departments of Justice, Health and Education. The Government has agreed the Heads of a Bill for a general scheme on drug trafficking. The Minister for Education introduced an information programme in senior schools last October — the documentation was made available to every Member — and we will continue with that effort. No legislation is necessary in that area. The Government set up an interdepartmental committee of the Departments to which I referred so that a co-ordinated Government response would be made to the issue. We are also seeking assistance from the EU in that regard.
In the context of legislative proposals in this area, will the Tánaiste explain why no action has been taken at primary school level and substance abuse prevention programmes are not part of the curriculum at primary and second level? The programme was disseminated at second level——
These are matters appropriate to Question Time.
Teachers are not being trained to operate the programme and there is a lack of urgency by the Minister for Education on the issue.
Legislation is not necessary in this area.
I accept that, but action is necessary.
There is no lack of urgency by anybody in this House in regard to the drugs crisis. Everybody, including parents and legislators, is facing this problem. As with the previous Government, this Government takes the matter very seriously.
Nothing is being done in the schools.
The Deputy obviously does not know what is being done. He is being irresponsible.
I am not being irresponsible. The Tánaiste should talk to the teachers and people involved instead of trying to bluff me.
I talk to teachers every day of the week.
Will the Tánaiste state whether the Government has proposals to amend the Licensing Acts to deal with the sale of ecstasy tablets in pubs, clubs, discos and so on?
This is not Question Time.
That matter will be examined by the Government.
Will the Tánaiste comment on the fact that President Clinton will not visit Ballybunion as originally proposed? Perhaps he will draw the President's attention to the fact that yesterday Kinsale won the supreme accolade for environmental tourism, and suggest that as a location to visit.
Whatever about playing golf in Ballybunion, I note the President will not have dinner with the Queen, which might be a sign of his thoughts on the recent behaviour of the British Government. Will the Tánaiste say when the Appropriation Bill will be published?
Very shortly.