I am ordering the business today in such a way that, although we will conclude the Bills today, I hope that the time allocated will give everybody an opportunity to speak. It is proposed to take items 1 and 2. It is also proposed that, notwithstanding anything in Standing Orders, proceedings on the Second Stage of the Housing (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill, 1992, if not previously concluded, will be brought to a conclusion at 4 p.m. by the putting of the question by the Chair and that the Report and Final Stages of the Interception of Postal Packets and Telecommunication Messages (Regulation) Bill, 1992, if not previously concluded, will be brought to a conclusion at 6 p.m. by one question which shall, in relation to amendments, include only amendments set down by the Government. Business will be interrupted from 1 p.m. to 2 p.m.
Order of Business.
Is Second Stage being concluded today or is it all Stages of the Housing Bill?
In view of the decision by the American Embassy, could the Leader of the House arrange to discuss with the Minister for Foreign Affairs, and also perhaps the Government Chief Whip, our concern in relation to the fact that representations will not be accepted by the Embassy? Obviously if there have been breaches by Members it is a thing we would all view seriously; but it is a privilege that we have, I hope, exercised in a proper manner. Would the Leader look into this matter?
Finally, there have been a number of reports recently, including one in relation to the national lottery and one in relation to safety at work. Would the Leader of the House at an early stage, perhaps at the resumption, allow time for these reports to be discussed?
I would like also to express my concern that the American Embassy has decided to discontinue accepting representations from Members of the Oireachtas. I had a case myself recently when I ran into that problem. I am also very concerned at the reports that appear in the media that the embassy appears to be treating some people in a manner that they consider to be rude. I think that is unnecessary, undesirable and something that I would sincerely hope would be cleared up at the meeting which is taking place today.
May I ask the Leader if, after the break, he will allow a full debate on Telecom Éireann and particularly on the attitude which that company adopts to their consumers?
In relation to the guillotine which the Leader has imposed today, in a way I regret it and I would suggest that the Leader should let these things run. If he has the stomach to let that happen, they usually run out of steam. He is particularly fortunate, in the case of the Housing Bill, that he has Minister Danny Wallace to deal with it, because during the Electoral Bill Minister Wallace showed remarkable stamina and I think he will be more than a match for anything that can be brought up from this side of the House.
I agree with Senator Upton that it is a pity to see two guillotines falling on the same day. It is getting towards Bastille Day and the French Revolution. There is no doubt about that. Certainly, the Housing Bill would have run its course by 4 p.m. and it should have been left to do so.
May I ask the Leader of the House if he would bring to the attention of the Minister for the Environment the fact that Dublin city councillors found it necessary to march to the Department of the Environment yesterday in protest at the failure of the Department of the Environment to make any business grants available to Dublin out of the national lottery?
It is not a matter for the Order of Business, as the Senator knows.
I think this is an absolute insult to the city of Dublin. Perhaps we will set up our own lottery in Dublin. This would be the way to go about it, and perhaps Senator Cosgrave might set up a lottery in Dún Laoghaire.
A joint venture.
A joint venture. Perhaps we would take over from the national lottery and allocate the money to ourselves and to the benefit of the city.
May I refer also to the United States Embassy? I have had many reports also about an unfortunate, unfriendly attitude of officials in the embassy in relation to people who are bona fides seeking holiday visas. It is something that I certainly have not experienced last year or before.
The Senator is making a speech and it is not a matter for today's Order of Business.
Could the Leader of the House bring that to the attention of the Minister for Foreign Affairs?
Deputy Noel Davern is looking after that for you.
On the issue raised by Senators Cosgrave, Upton and Costello in regard to the situation at the American Embassy, I can tell Senators that I will be part of a delegation going to the embassy this morning. I hope I will represent the views of the House. I am sure that with goodwill all round we will get back to the type of co-operation that, in my view, is necessary for all of us to carry out our work.
May I also mention that we will be sitting on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday of next week and we will be dealing with the Housing Bill, the ICC Bill, the Family Planning Bill, the Higher Education (Grants) Bill and also one which is coming into the House today, which is the Foreshore (Amendment) Bill. I am sure there will be agreement in the House to ensure that that is passed before we break for the summer recess and go off to the beaches we are trying to protect.