asked the Minister for the Environment the estimated cost of running the inner city authority outlined in the arrangement announced in the Dáil on 9 March 1982 between Deputies Haughey and Gregory-Independent.

9.

asked the Minister for the Environment the estimated annual cost to the Exchequer of the establishment of the inner-city development authority as outlined in the arrangement between Deputies Haughey and Gregory-Independent announced in the Dáil on 9 March 1982.

10.

asked the Minister for the Environment the terms of reference and general conditions, applying in respect of the proposed new inner city authority, including the probable membership; whether such membership will be representative of various interested organisations; the budget which will be allocated to such an authority; and how soon they are likely to be established.

(Dublin South-East): With the permission of the Ceann Comhairle I propose to take Questions Nos. 8, 9 and 10 together.

The proposed new Dublin Inner City Development Authority will replace the existing non-statutory inter-departmental Dublin Inner City Group. A sum of £1.7 million was provided in the budget for the proposed authority in the current financial year, in addition to £300,000 already allocated in my Department's Vote for 1982 for the inner city group. I hope to introduce the legislation providing for the establishment of the authority this session. It would be inappropriate for me at this stage to say anything about the proposed membership of the authority or to comment on its terms of reference. The House will have ample opportunity to consider these matters when the Bill is published.

Would the Minister concede that he is already in default by failing to meet the terms of the agreement which required that steps be taken to implement this within three months of the signing of the agreement?

(Dublin South-East): No, I would not.

We could argue about what is going to be paid or repaid but surely it is a matter of fact whether something is inside or outside three months?

(Dublin South-East): The Deputy is aware of the business before the House and legislation will be introduced as quickly as possible. It is hoped to introduce it in this session.

Would the Minister confirm that it is the Government's intention to abdicate responsibility to appoint members of this committee, and also the chairman, to one particular Member of the House?

(Dublin South-East): I look forward to hearing Deputy Birmingham's contribution to the debate when the Bill in introduced. It would be inappropriate for me to pre-empt any discussion on the Bill when it has not been published.

May I ask the Minister whether he is quite clear and is in a position to guarantee this House that he will introduce that legislation this session, as was promised prior to the election in a private agreement and subsequent to the election by the Taoiseach in this House, that it is not just a question of a hope but that the Bill will be introduced during this session? Secondly, may I ask the Minister — who apparently is reluctant to comment even on the terms of reference of the inner city authority — whether he considers it reasonable that their terms of reference, and indeed detailed membership, can be the subject of detailed negotiations and dealing outside this House while Deputies in this House apparently are refused the courtesy of even being able to ask, by way of Parliamentary Question, and get a reasonable answer, the terms of reference of a body which is designed to replace an existing agency? Is that fair or equitable treatment?

(Dublin South-East): I feel that the reply that I have given is totally adequate given the position prevailing at present. It is difficult to stand up here and give the House an absolute commitment to introduce a Bill. I said I hoped to introduce the legislation. Surely Deputy Keating knows — he has had an opportunity of introducing Bills himself — that one can hope to introduce a Bill and, for one reason or another, that just might not be possible. That is the best and only answer I can give the Deputy now. It will be my absolute intention to get on with this legislation as rapidly as I possibly can. But there are other Departments pressing in as well, as the Deputy will realise.

(Cavan-Monaghan): Hell's play, in other words.

(Dublin South-East):—— and heaven.

Would the Minister sort out which road he is on?

A final supplementary from Deputy Keating.

(Dublin South-East): Deputy Boland knows that when he points one finger there are three pointing back at him.

With regard to the question of the terms of reference of this body, which in principle I welcome and look forward to its being established, may I ask the Minister, for the benefit of the House, whether they were discussed in negotiations outside this House. May I ask him further whether he feels it appropriate, therefore, that he should answer a question about those terms of reference by saying that he feels it now inapproprivate to discuss it with elected representatives in this session?

(Dublin South-East): I would have absolutely nothing whatever to add to that. It is inappropriate to discuss it at this stage.

Is the Minister aware that the details of the so-called and proposed inner city authority were the subject of detailed negotiations and discussions right down to and including who would nominate members to that authority in a bid to purchase power in this field?

Deputy Keating will appreciate that a Bill will be coming before the House on this matter. I think he will accept that we have exhausted what is appropriate for question and answer at this stage.

If members who have no mandate whatever from the public can be involved in negotiations, which include not just the general terms of reference but the detailed aspects of a proposal, including its membership, if that can be done outside this House months ago, is it not reasonable that the Minister should be able to give this House some information about the terms of reference of a body that is going to be publicly funded? Yet the Minister is refusing to do so. I ask the Minister: is that defensible behaviour?

Deputy Keating, as far as the Chair is concerned——

I would like the Minister to answer for himself.

The Minister is subject to the Chair as well. I do not think it would be appropriate for the Minister to discuss what is proposed in legislation at Question Time.

I am asking for an answer. Is the Minister going to answer?

(Dublin South-East): I am happy to give an answer. I do not agree with what the Deputy has said in the context of my reply to that question.

It is the truth, though.

(Dublin South-East): Would the Deputy hold it just for a moment. If the Deputy has anything further specific he wants to ask me outside the terms of that question, he should put it down on the Order Paper——

I have it here in Question No. 10.

(Dublin South-East): I have replied——

Not to Question No. 10, with respect.

(Dublin South-East): I have replied to the questions that have been tabled.

Not to No. 10.

(Dublin South-East): If the Deputy wants to amplify that in a different direction, well then he should table another question and I will answer it.

I am now calling Question No. 11.

May I, with your permission, Sir, draw the Minister's attention to Question No. 10 which reads:

To ask the Minister for the Environment the terms of reference and general conditions applying in respect of the proposed new inner city authority, including its probable membership; whether such membership will be representative of various interested organisations; the budget which will be allocated to such an authority; and how soon it is likely to be established.

Therefore there is no need to ask that question again; that is all I want information on. That information is not available today in this House months after it was the subject of detailed negotiations and haggling behind closed doors——

I am moving on to Question No. 11.

On a point of order, perhaps the Minister could indicate to the House how it is inappropriate and improper for this House to ask information now on the suggested membership of a committee when every newspaper in the land published a document, signed by Deputy Haughey, now Taoiseach, which goes into the most extreme detail about its proposed membership, including the obligation of the Chairman, the Departments which will be represented on it, the fact that people nominated by another Deputy will have an opportunity, against this background——

The Minister has indicated that a Bill is coming before the House. That being the assurance given by the Minister of State, the Chair does not deem it appropriate to allow a debate on the matter now.

Would I be safe in thinking that the Chair would not deem it appropriate, then, for any Deputy of this House to sign a public agreement anticipating the contents of a Bill?

I have called Question No. 11.

That would be the logical consequence. It is corruption, that is what it is.

(Dublin South-East): I have not been permitted to answer supplementary questions——

Minister, I have called Question No. 11, please.

(Dublin South-East): I very much look forward to the debate when the time comes.

So do I.

11.