It is proposed to take Item No. 13. Private Members' Business will be No. 22.

Can the Taoiseach give the House an indication of the time frame the current Government had in mind for the introduction of legislation to provide for a referendum in regard to ratification of the Maastricht Treaty which I understand he will be signing within the next day or so?

No date had been fixed but it was the general intention to hold it, probably before the summer.

Would the Taoiseach arrange for the Minister for Energy to explain to the House today precisely what is the directive to the ESB?

There are many ways of raising that matter but it is not in order now.

A Cheann Comhairle, it could be solved very simply by the Minister for Energy coming in here and explaining for the record what is the directive to the ESB.

Please, Deputy De Rossa, I must ask you to desist. There are many ways of raising that matter but it is not in order now.

It could be solved simply by the Minister explaining why he is withdrawing the directive. He is making a total mess of it.

Will the Taoiseach clarify for the House reports in relation to yesterday's Cabinet meeting concerning leaks to the effect——

Please, Deputy Yates——

——that the transatlantic stop-overs at Shannon——

This is not in order, Deputy Yates. The Deputy will please desist and resume his seat.

——on which some 8,000 jobs in the mid-west region are dependent——

This is not in order, Deputy. The Deputy has heard the Chair and will resume his seat.

A Cheann Comhairle, the Minister for Tourism, Transport and Communications should make a statement to the House fully clarifying the position because it is vital to the interests of the mid-west region.

Deputy Yates should desist. He is now defying the Chair.

I should like to know whether the Progressive Democrats, partners in Government, have agreed to this.

Deputy Yates must resume, his seat or leave the House.

It is very interesting to witness the crocodile tears being shed by Fine Gael about Shannon because when Fianna Fáil were building up Shannon creating an entirely new city there, they were opposed totally by Fine Gael.

Hear, hear.

That is not true.

Will the Taoiseach confirm whether those reports are correct, or are we to take it that this is to be his final act in Government, to stab Shannon in the back?

I am calling Deputy Quinn.

Arising from the Taoiseach's reply in regard to the matter of the referendum on Maastricht, will he outline to the House what will be the time-table, first, for the publication of the White Paper and, second, the introduction of the relevant legislation in this House? Is it likely to be before or after the Easter recess? Can he give the approximate date for the holding of the relevant referendum?

I have already dealt with the question of the introduction of the White Paper on several occasions. It is at a very advanced stage. The intention is to introduce it as early as possible so that the national debate can begin. Of course, the legislation would have to be introduced in relation to the timing of the referendum. I would visualise the process taking place within the first six months of this year.

I have a question to the Taoiseach in relation to legislation passed by this House some time ago the provisions of which have not yet been implemented. I refer to the Health (Nursing Homes) Act, 1990, and the provision for the payment of subventions to private nursing homes in regard to which, as far as I am aware, no regulations have been introduced. Have such regulations been introduced to give effect to this provision?

Will the Deputy wait until he hears what I have to say today?

In between canvassing.

I can understand Deputy Sherlock's concern about nursing homes for the elderly at this stage of his career.

I am calling Item No. 13.

Will the Taoiseach be paying them a subvention out of his fat cheque?

I am calling Item No. 13.