It is proposed to take business in the following order: item No. 12 (resumed).

On behalf of my party I congratulate the two Members who have now formally joined the Cabinet and I wish them a very happy but short sojourn in those posts.

May I also join with my colleagues in the House in extending the best wishes to our colleagues on their elevation.

I should like to ask the Taoiseach if the Government will give time for a short debate, or a statement by the Minister for Justice, on the District Court clerks' dispute which, as I am sure he is aware, is causing a great deal of distress.

I will consider that.

Will the Taoiseach indicate if it will be early next week?

The Deputy has not given me any notice of this but as he has raised it now I will consider it.

(Waterford): I wish to raise on the Adjournment the closure of and the loss of 150 jobs in The Sunday Tribune and Daily News.

The Chair will communicate with the Deputy.

I should like to ask the Minister for Labour if in view of the urgency attaching to the current gas dispute and the hardship and danger which will almost certainly be caused to thousands of customers he will outline what action he has taken or proposes to take to try to bring this dispute to an end.

This does not arise on the Order of Business but the Deputy can seek to raise it on the Adjournment.

I will put down a Private Notice Question and perhaps you might consider it for this afternoon if the Minister for Labour does not want to answer it now.

Is the Taoiseach aware of grave allegations against the Minister for Justice contained in The Irish Times this morning by Sergeant Thomas Tully of Boyle, County Roscommon, relating to interference in Garda affairs by the Minister for Justice? Will the Taoiseach make a statement on the matter?

That does not arise on the Order of Business.

I wish to raise this matter on the Adjournment.

The Chair will communicate with the Deputy.

When does the Minister for the Environment intend to bring in amending legislation to introduce rent tribunals for private rented dwellings?

The preparation of legislation is nearing completion and I hope to introduce it in this session.

I should like to ask the Minister, since he will be busy between now and Christmas, if the heads of that Bill have been circulated to the Cabinet?

The internal matters of Cabinet business are not normally discussed. It is my intention to introduce it in this session.

I do not wish to make this a question time but there has been a practice whereby such information was given. Is the Minister saying that it has not been circulated or that he refuses to give the information?

It is not normal practice to divulge internal Cabinet business and I have no intention of doing so. I told Deputy De Rossa that it was my intention to introduce the Bill in this session.

When are we likely to see the children's Bill before the Dáil? I remind the Minister for Health that we were promised this during the last session. What is the present expected date?

The heads of the Bill are currently being prepared and will be available shortly.

We have been expecting an announcement about the members of the national community development agency for some time. This legislation went through very quickly before the Dáil recess over four months ago. When are we likely to see the agency commence work?

Shortly.

Has the Order of Business been announced?

Yes.

Why is the debate on the Polish situation not going ahead today as planned?

The Government were quite prepared to take this business but I understand that agreement could not be reached between the Whips.

Is it true that because there was reference to the Soviet Union in an amended statement The Workers' Party would not agree to it?

I do not know what discussions took place between the Whips. The Government were prepared to provide time between 3.30 p.m. and 5 p.m. for the debate but the Whips could not agree on the taking of the motion.

Has Deputy Deasy a copy of the alleged amendment from The Workers' Party? No such thing exists.

I did not say that, but is it true that there was an objection from The Workers' Party?

We cannot have a debate on this. Deputy Desmond was in possession on item No. 12.