It is proposed to take items Nos. 1 and 2. It is hoped to take all stages of the Turf Development Bill, 1988, if possible. That will be followed at 6.30 p.m. until 8 p.m. by the Labour Party motion, item No. 100.
Order of Business.
On the Order of Business, could the Leader of the House clarify something for me? It had been my impression that item No. 3 had been ordered for today, if that were possible. That can, perhaps, be clarified between the Whips. Could the Leader of the House find out for us whether the Government intend to bring the Broadcasting Bill to this House before the summer recess? I strongly urge him to advise the Government that this is legislation that could well do with being left in abeyance for the period of the summer recess when, perhaps, cooler heads and reason can prevail. I would be grateful if he could let us know the Government's intention in that matter.
I would also like the Leader of the House to note the publication yesterday of the report of Combat Poverty on marriage breakdown in this country and the appalling picture it paints. I would like to ask for an early debate on this report, especially in view of the very many promises of reform which were made by his party during the recent divorce referendum and of the fact that none of these promises has been put into effect. I ask that that report be given priority for debate in the House.
I understand that statements will be made in the Dáil on the six months Presidency of Europe and other EC matters. I think we should be given the same information directly as the other House about everything concerning our nation. I ask the Leader of the House to ensure that this House gets the same information directly as Dáil Éireann.
On the question of legislation between now and the summer, it appears there is a great deal of legislation going through the other House at the moment. It is being put in and withdrawn at such a rate that it is hard to recognise at this stage what is likely to be proposed one day and passed the next day. One clear point that emerges is the need to have a programme of legislation initiated in this House. On the Independent benches we get the impression that this Government do not seem to trust this House with the initiation of legislation because there certainly seems to be a lack of legislation being initiated here at the moment. I would ask the Leader of the House to look into that matter.
I would also remind the Leader of the House for the third week in a row, that I have asked him — and I presume he has an answer for me this time — about the response of the Minister for Education to the introduction of the Bill which will seek to remove the discrimination against girls from full participation in secondary education under the Secondary Education Act.
I would also ask the Leader of the House if he would consider putting down, very shortly for discussion in the House the question of cross-Border communications. Just this week, Northern Ireland Railways reported a £1 million loss because of disruptions to the rail link and we can assume Iarnród Éireann had the same problems. There are other communications as well. I do not want to make a speech on it but I am just asking that the matter be considered for discussion next week.
Finally, in terms of the Presidency, I do not expect we will be getting the report on the Presidency. The reality is that schools and health services are still working away under the same cutbacks as they were before the Presidency. We have seen no improvement in our line of business at any rate.
I, too, would like to support Senator Manning's request that we deal at some stage, and as soon as possible, with a motion dealing with the report on marital breakdown. As Senator Manning mentioned, promises were made during the divorce referendum. I look forward to dealing with, and hearing, about all the promises that were made by his party, particularly the Taoiseach of the time, Dr. Garret FitzGerald.
In view of the statement of Commissioner Bruce Millan in the European Parliament yesterday that the Commission have approved £30 million for the reopening of the Ballyconnell-Ballinamore canal, may I ask the Leader of the House if he would convey to the Government the urgency of ensuring that a start-up and completion date are decided on. According to the reply of the Commissioner, no completion date has been set. I need not remind the House of the significant economic impact the reopening of the Ballyconnell-Ballinamore canal will have, not only in my own county of Leitrim but in the region generally. May I ask the Leader of the House to please convey the concern of the House about the lack of a specific start-up date and completion date. Will he request that the Government give their attention to it as early as possible?
I would like to ask the Leader of the House if the Government have in mind the introduction of Question Time into the Seanad, and if he would pursue the matter with the Government.
Senator Manning asked about item No. 3. That matter will be taken tomorrow morning. On the question of the Broadcasting Bill, I certainly will find out what is the intention. I am aware that the intention was to have it in the Dáil first, and then we would have it before the adjournment for the summer recess. I hope that is still the position but I will find out as quickly as possible. Senators Hanafin and Manning queried the question of the report on Combat Poverty. That is something I will consider. It is something that might be appropriate for a debate in this House. Senator Honan asked about statements on EC matters for the past six months. I am not aware of what the plans are in regard to this House. I will check it out and communicate with the Deputy.
On the question of the Ballyconnell-Ballinamore canal raised by Senator Mooney, that is not relevant to the Order of Business. Senator Kennedy referred to the introduction of Question Time. I have no knowledge that that is being entertained at this time. It is something perhaps the Committee on Procedure and Privileges or some other body can talk about. Senator O'Toole referred to the legislative programme a fortnight ago or thereabouts, giving what was then a realistic programme of legislation. It has changed somewhat because of the Broadcasting Bill and the problem there. There will be legislation. There is legislation passing through the other House, such as the Nursing Homes Bill and the Criminal Justice Bill. There are other pieces of legislation which are being finalised in the Dáil and I would like to think we would have those before the summer recess. The Senator also referred to an education motion. I assure him I will have some positive reply for next Wednesday for him, if he wishes to raise it. A debate on the cross-Border issue is something I will consider, but there are no plans for it at the moment.
Order of Business agreed to.