It is proposed to take No. 8 — motion re. Irish rendering industry; No. 1 — Harbours Bill, 1995 — Amendments from the Seanad; No. 3 — National Standards Authority of Ireland Bill, 1996 — Order for Second Stage and Second Stage and No. 16 — Statements on the Report of the Task Force on the Travelling Community (resumed). It is also proposed, notwithstanding anything in Standing Orders, that (1) the proceedings on No. 8, if not previously concluded, shall be brought to a conclusion within one hour and the following arrangements shall apply: (i) the speech of a Minister or Minister of State, of the main spokespersons for the Fianna Fáil Party and the Progressive Democrats Party and of each other Member called upon shall not exceed ten minutes in each case; (ii) Members may share time; and (iii) a Minister or Minister of State shall be called upon to make a speech in reply which shall not exceed five minutes; (2) the proceedings on No. 1, if not previously concluded, shall be brought to a conclusion at 4.30 p.m. today and any amendments from the Seanad not disposed of shall be decided by one question which shall be put from the Chair and which shall, in relation to amendments thereto, include only those set down or accepted by the Minister for the Marine.
Order of Business.
Are the proceedings for dealing with No. 8 — Motion re. Irish rendering industry satisfactory and agreed? Agreed. Is the proposal for dealing with No. 1 — Harbours Bill, 1995, Amendments from the Seanad — satisfactory and agreed? Agreed.
In view of the gathering storm clouds in so many areas of vital public service, will the Taoiseach convene and chair a special meeting of the Central Review Committee?
I am not sure if that arises on the Order of Business. I assure the House, as I have said on many occasions, that the Government is anxious to respect in full the terms of the Programme for Competitiveness and Work. We are in constant consultation with the social partners with a view to ensuring that the terms of the Programme for Competitiveness and Work. including its terms regarding industrial peace, are adhered to. Furthermore, we are anxious to continue the process of social partnership across a range of Government activities in the period following the expiry of the present programme. That continues to be a preoccupation of mine and the Government and discussions are ongoing to that end.
If the Taoiseach does not intend to convene and chair a special meeting, will he consider giving Government Dáil time to debate these necessary issues?
This is quite irrelevant to the Order of Business.
It is very relevant.
Will the Taoiseach indicate if there is any change in the Government's position regarding the cost and competitiveness review in the ESB in view of yesterday's developments and the commitment to introduce legislation on electricity in the House?
Deputy Molloy will have to raise that matter at another time.
The legislation to which I referred is proposed.
Is legislation proposed in this area?
It relates to the review of the ESB.
Let us ascertain the position.
The promised Electricity Bill to give effect to the restructuring of the electricity industry will be introduced during the first half of 1997. As regards the day-to-day management of the Electricity Supply Board, as the Deputy is no doubt aware this is a matter for the board of the company under its founding statutes.
It has been directed by the Minister.
It is on the front page of today's newspapers.
Given the confrontational nature of his instruction to the ESB, will the Minister for Transport, Energy and Communications make a statement on the matter today?
That question is inappropriate now.
Given that a strike is taking place and arising from the debate on the Adjournment last night, will the Taoiseach, who has been preoccupied with the expiry of the Programme for Competitiveness and Work, use his offices to ensure that the thousands of outstanding area aid applications are deal with?
The matter was discussed in the House yesterday evening and should not be repeated this morning.
These premium payments are essential to farmers where TB eradication schemes have come to a halt.
It is disorderly to raise this morning a matter which was discussed at some length last night.
It is time the Taoiseach got a grip of the situation.
As I have already pointed out to Deputy O'Rourke, the Government is most anxious that the terms of the Programme for Competitiveness and Work should be adhered to in full by all sides. These terms include not only pay terms but also industrial peace terms.
Tell that to the farmers.
Will the Taoiseach ensure that the report of the Price Waterhouse investigation into the errors uncovered in last year's leaving certificate art examination will be made available to Members as soon as possible?
The Deputy should raise that matter at a more appropriate time.
The recommendations should have been published before the commencement of this year's examinations. It is ridiculous that the issue has been let drag on for so long.
May I ask the Taoiseach if the Government intends to introduce legislation to implement the action plan put forward by the Western Development Partnership Board?
Is legislation promised in this area?
Legislation is not promised in this area but I assure the Deputy that the board's report is being considered by the Minister of State with responsibility for western development, Deputy Donal Carey.
Has it been considered by the Government?
The matter is being considered by the Minister of State appointed by the Government to deal with this matter, Deputy Carey, and I expect his proposals to come before the full Cabinet shortly.