It is proposed to take No. 11 (Votes 3 to 6). By agreement Votes 3 to 6 will be debated together and a general debate may arise on these Estimates. The questions necessary to bring the proceedings thereon to a conclusion shall be put forthwith and successively at 5 p.m. Also by agreement the following arrangements shall apply:

(1) the speech of the Taoiseach and the Leader of the main Opposition Party shall not exceed 1 hour; (2) the speech of each subsequent speaker shall not exceed 30 minutes; (3) a member of the Government shall be called on to conclude not later than 4.30 p.m.

At the conclusion of business today the Dáil shall adjourn until 2.30 p.m. on Wednesday, 23 October 1985.

Are the arrangements for consideration of the Estimates and the Adjournment of the Dáil agreed?

Agreed.

Two weeks ago you kindly allowed me permission to raise a Private Notice Question on the Irish Leathers group. In his reply the Minister of State at the Department of Industry, Trade, Commerce and Tourism said that he had asked the State agencies to provide all further assistance they could——

What does the Deputy——

——towards maintaining the plant and saving as many jobs as possible.

Apart from ignoring the Chair, what does the Deputy propose to do?

In view of this statement two weeks ago and the commitment in regard to employment in the national plan, will the Taoiseach make a statement on the fact that 130 jobs will be lost tomorrow in Irish Leathers?

Deputy Ormonde, please be reasonable. We are starting a debate now which will last until 5 o'clock and the Deputy can intervene in that debate and demand a reply.

I am beginning to wonder if this House has any relevance anymore to the outside world.

That is a cliché.

A total of 120 jobs will be lost tomorrow in Portlaw and Dungarvan.

I repeat that what the Deputy said is a cliché. It might have some relevance sometime but we are beginning a general debate in which it will be perfectly in order for the Deputy to raise the matter.

Tell that to the workers in Waterford.