It is proposed to take statements concerning the extradition warrant issue; No. 5, motion concerning the instrument for the establishment of the restructured Global Environment Facility; and No. 1, Transport (Dublin Light Rail) Bill, 1996, Order for Second Stage and Second Stage. It is also proposed, notwithstanding anything in Standing Orders, that the following arrangements shall apply in relation to the statements on the extradition warrants: (i) statements shall be confined to the Minister for Justice and the main spokespersons for the Fianna Fáil Party and the Progressive Democrats Party and shall not exceed 20 minutes in each case; and (ii) following the statements, the Minister shall take questions for a period not exceeding one hour. The proceedings on No. 5 shall be brought to a conclusion within one hour and the following arrangements shall apply: (i) the opening speech of the Minister or Minister of State and of the main spokespersons for the Fianna Fáil Party and the Progressive Democrats Party shall not exceed 15 minutes in each case; (ii) the speech of other Members called upon shall not exceed five minutes in each case; (iii) Members may share time; and (iv) a Minister or Minister of State shall be called upon to make a speech in reply which shall not exceed five minutes.
Order of Business.
Is the proposal for dealing with statements on the extradition warrant issue satisfactory and agreed?
Having fought all day yesterday to have a debate on this issue and to have the Minister for Justice answer questions on it we are ready for the debate when the House so decides. To run a Parliament there is a need to get the co-operation of Members. The Taoiseach is beginning to think this is a game. The Minister for Justice was paired today in order to go to Loughan House and the officials in the Department of Justice were working through the night to prepare a script for the Minister. At 10 a.m. today the Government Whip rang the Fianna Fáil Whip to say the debate would commence at 10.30 a.m. The Taoiseach knew that Deputy O'Donnell, who is central to this debate, was thrown out of the House last night, and that Deputy O'Donoghue is in hospital. Those Deputies are central to the debate. If the Taoiseach wants to run this House in an orderly manner and get the co-operation of the Opposition——
What is the game?
Deputy Ahern spent all day yesterday seeking a debate.
If the Deputies opposite want pairs during the next six months they had better be quiet. We are not going to play this game with the Government parties.
Let us not have a repeat of yesterday's disorder.
I suggest the Taoiseach have respect for the Opposition, otherwise we will play the game with him.
The Deputy was playing a game throughout yesterday.
This is an important issue and we were trying to raise it in the House.
I think Deputy Spring changed the Taoiseach's mind over night.
Stand up, Deputy Brennan, I cannot see you.
On a point of clarification, will it be possible in the opening statements for Members to share time?
If that is agreed by the House I have no problem with it.
I would normally put that to the House. May I take it that the proposal for statements is agreed? Agreed.
May I follow on the precedent that has been set in asking if the opening slot may be shared, by putting a request? I wish to point out that as the opening statements will have to be concluded within an hour, it effectively leaves no time for myself, who is very interested in contributing on that matter.
I express the hope that the Deputy, and any other Deputies concerned, will be facilitated. It is of course a limited debate.
Is the proposal for dealing with No. 5, the instrument for the establishment of the restructured Global Environment Facility, satisfactory? Agreed.
In view of the insulting comments in the form of terms of address to you, Sir, last evening I wonder if Deputy Harney intends instructing Deputy O'Malley to formally apologise to the House?
I do not need instructions from anybody. I understand that under Standing Orders I should not have addressed the Chair in the manner in which I did, that I should not have addressed the Chair by name but as Ceann Comhairle and because I made that error I regret it and withdraw those remarks.
I have been called worse.
Given that statements will be made later on an important matter, will the Government arrange for the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Forestry to come into the House to explain the reported serious and significant irregularities in the operation of the milk quota regime?
I am sure the Deputy is aware that the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Forestry will deal today with questions pertaining to his Department.
This matter——
That should be adequate.
I have put down this matter for the Adjournment debate and perhaps I can be facilitated.
I will consider the matter.
I wish you a good day, a Cheann Comhairle.
The Deputy should give lessons in etiquette to his colleagues on that side of the House.
The Taoiseach would not know anything about etiquette.
The Taoiseach should take a few lessons.
This style does not suit the Deputy.
I will put manners on the Taoiseach if he does not start co-operating. I have been co-operating with him for the past 16 months and I am fed up with him and his colleagues.
No more "Mr. Nice Guy".
It definitely does not suit the Deputy.
We will see.
When is it proposed to introduce the reorganisation of work time Bill so that the EU directive on work time can be implemented?
Is legislation promised in this area?
I expect that legislation to be ready by the end of July.
When is it proposed to introduce the long awaited credit union Bill?
A Deputy
It has to be approved by the Minister of State, Deputy Rabbitte.
I expect that legislation to be available in the autumn of this year.
That is very disappointing.
Having regard to the question I raised with him last week, has the Taoiseach given any further consideration to the necessary amendment to the Firearms Act, 1925, to ensure that the Government's actions in delegating powers under the Act to the Minister for Arts, Culture and the Gaeltacht are legal?
Could this matter not be pursued by way of question?
There is no promised legislation in this area.
I take it that the Taoiseach will not take action and allow the Government to be taken to court.
That matter can be pursued effectively in many other ways.
When will the promised utilities regulatory commission Bill under which a new commission will be set up to oversee the independent regulation of the energy, transport and communications sectors be introduced?
It is expected that legislation will be available in February or March next year.
We will have a busy 1997.