Order of Business.
It is proposed to take business in the following order: Nos. 1, 2, 9, 10, 11 and 12. Private Members' Business will be taken from 7 p.m. to 8.30 p.m., No. 85 by agreement. Also by agreement it is proposed that the House will not meet until 2.30 p.m. tomorrow to enable Members to attend the Arbour Hill commemoration service.
Comment on this
A Cheann Comhairle, I want to protest against your ruling that my Private Notice Question about action by the Government to offset the damaging effect of the rise in interest rates was ruled out on the grounds of lack of urgency. The matter is urgent. I cannot accept your ruling——
Comment on this
I am sorry. The Deputy was informed as to the reasons for my ruling and we cannot debate it.
Comment on this
In line with the precedent which has been given in the past, would you agree that the Taoiseach could now appropriately make a statement on the raising of the bank rate and on the implications for employment——
Comment on this
(Cavan-Monaghan): In considering whether this is a matter of urgency, do you consider that the Dáil might not sit again for a considerable time?
Comment on this
In view of the widespread confusion which exists because of the fact that local authorities who are expected to implement the scheme have no knowledge of the proposed housing package, would the Taoiseach be good enough to indicate whether appropriate legislation will be introduced?
Comment on this
I am asking when a Bill will be introduced in this House to give effect to the package promised.
Comment on this
When I raised this question last week the Minister for the Environment first of all tried to maintain that legislation was not necessary and then rolled back and said that legislation was necessary.
Comment on this
There are two items I wish to raise. They are both matters of great importance in my constituency and I hope that you, Sir, will bear with me to allow me explain what they are. Firstly, I have no choice but to accept your ruling that my Private Notice Question in relation to the hijacking and burning of a bus in my constituency and the intimidation implicit in that of CIE crews was not a matter of public urgent importance because it was discussed last week in the Dáil. I wish to give notice that, as the question of intimidation was raised in the Dáil last week, I will seek to raise in the Dáil on the adjournment this evening the whole question and specifically the hijacking and burning of this bus.
Comment on this
Secondly, it has just been suggested to me that the Semperit factory in my constituency employing 500 people is about to close——
Comment on this
On the Order of Business, I ask the Taoiseach if he will make a statement on the matter——