I wish to advise the House of the following matters in respect of which notice has been given under Standing Order 21 and the name of the Member in each case: (1) Deputy Boylan — the need to discuss the low prices being offered by factories for reactor cattle; (2) Deputy Sargent — the need to introduce interim measures, to have immediate effect, to protect important habitats until such time as the Wildlife (Amendment) Bill has been enacted in the light of the unprecedented destruction of habitats, in particular, wetlands, dunes and hedgerows and in recognition of Ireland's obligations under EU law to implement the Bird Directive and the Habitat Directive; (3) Deputy Gerard Reynolds — the need for the Minister for the Environment and Local Government to provide funding in his 1999 Estimates for the provision of a sewerage scheme facility in Drumsna, County Leitrim; (4) Deputy Ring — the need for the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment to confirm what steps she will take to secure alternative industry for the town of Ballinrobe, County Mayo, in view of the pending closure of a factory there and whether she will meet the employees being laid off; (5) Deputy Kenny — the matter of newspaper reports alleging impropriety in the matter of fundraising in respect of the National Gallery of Ireland; (6) Deputy Neville — the need to include County Limerick as a rural tax designation area; (7) Deputy Brendan Smith — the serious concerns about poor cattle prices paid to farmers by meat factories in view of evidence of improved market conditions for beef worldwide; (8) Deputy Broughan — the need to ensure that every effort is made to maintain the 330 jobs at Irish Steel under the survival package for the company until 2001 and the current difficulties do not result in job losses; (9) Deputy Timmins — the need for greater funding for asthma sufferers; (10) Deputy Jim Higgins the need for clarification by the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment as to whether official approval has been given for the proposed auto—turning centre at Ballina, County Mayo; (11) Deputy Moynihan-Cronin — the need for the Minister for the Marine and Natural Resources to ensure that the fishing rights and the development of the Caragh River, Glenbeigh, County Kerry are protected and that every effort is made to ensure that they are kept in public ownership; and (12) Deputy Gormley — the need for the Government to clarify its intentions on participation in the Partnership for Peace.
The matters raised by Deputies Jim Higgins, Boylan, Brendan Smith and Timmins have been selected for discussion.
Deputy Gormley gave me notice that he wished to raise a matter under Standing Order 31, but as he is not in the House I will move to the Order of Business.