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Dáil Éireann - Volume 319 - 20 March, 1980 Order of Business. The Taoiseach Charles J. Haughey The Taoiseach: It is proposed to take business in the following order: Nos. 3, 8, 4 and 9 (Resumed). The House will sit this evening until 8.30 p.m. by virtue of the order made on Wednesday, 12 March, 1980. Ní bheidh aon sos. Mr. Cluskey Mr. Cluskey Mr. Cluskey: On the Order of Business, could I ask the Taoiseach when he intends naming the extra Ministers of State? The Taoiseach Charles J. Haughey The Taoiseach: In due course. Mr. Cluskey Mr. Cluskey Mr. Cluskey: Can the Taoiseach tell us to what Departments they will be assigned? The Taoiseach Charles J. Haughey The Taoiseach: I cannot even at this stage tell the House who they are. Mr. Cluskey Mr. Cluskey Mr. Cluskey: Can the Taoiseach not tell us to what Departments they will be assigned. Would the Taoiseach not agree that it is somewhat peculiar to make a decision to appoint five new Ministers of State if he does not even know which Departments need them. An Ceann Comhairle Joseph Brennan An Ceann Comhairle: We cannot debate that now; the time will come for such an opportunity. Mr. Cluskey Mr. Cluskey 210 [210] Mr. Cluskey: It highlights the political nature of the appointments. Mr. P. Barry Mr. P. Barry Mr. P. Barry: Last week I had a question down to the Minister for Finance asking him to clarify the position about a marginal tax relief in the budget and you, Sir, turned it down very peculiarly on the basis that it was anticipating the budget debate. It is very difficult to debate the budget if we cannot be precisely clear about what the Minister means. This week I had a question down to the Taoiseach asking him about his attitude to the EMS after 12 months of membership and you, Sir, turned it down on the basis that it was anticipating the debate on the budget. With due respect, a Cheann Comhairle, I think that is a ruling— An Ceann Comhairle Joseph Brennan An Ceann Comhairle: The Deputy has always been very willing to co-operate with the Chair and he knows— Mr. L'Estrange Mr. L'Estrange Mr. L'Estrange: Any man's patience can be tested. Mr. P. Barry Mr. P. Barry Mr. P. Barry: But I do not get my question answered, Sir. An Ceann Comhairle Joseph Brennan An Ceann Comhairle: The Deputy knows that it is not orderly, When these questions are turned down they are so turned down for a definite reason. These are matters which can be discussed and elucidation sought in the budget debate. Mr. P. Barry Mr. P. Barry Mr. P. Barry: I want to continue that happy co-operation we have, a Cheann Comhairle, but it is risdiculous that when I put down a question to the Taoiseach about the EMS it is turned down by you, Sir, on the basis that it anticipates debate on the budget. I do not think that is a fair ruling to any Deputy in the House. An Ceann Comhairle Joseph Brennan An Ceann Comhairle: All matters which can be raised and clarified on the budget debate have always being turned down. The Chair is not creating any new regulations. Mr. P. Barry Mr. P. Barry Mr. P. Barry: Yes, but I want the Taoiseach's views on it. The Taoiseach Charles J. Haughey 211 [211] The Taoiseach: May I suggest that the Minister for Finance will be replying shortly to the budget debate and I am quite certain that he will deal with that matter now that the Deputy has raised it. Mr. P. Barry Mr. P. Barry Mr. P. Barry: I was not interested in the views of the Minister for Finance—I can get them in the budget debate—but I was interested in the Taoiseach's views. The Taoiseach Charles J. Haughey The Taoiseach: The Deputy can take it that the views of the Minister for Finance and my own would be identical. (Interruptions.) Mr. P. Barry Mr. P. Barry Mr. P. Barry: Then I take it that the views of the Tánaiste and the views of the ex-Minister for Economic Planning and Development are also the Taoiseach's views? The Taoiseach Charles J. Haughey The Taoiseach: Yes. Mr. P. Barry Mr. P. Barry Mr. P. Barry: Would the Tánaiste's views be the Taoiseach's? The Taoiseach Charles J. Haughey The Taoiseach: The solidarity on this side of the House is astonishing to Fine Gael eyes. Mr. G. Collins Mr. G. Collins Mr. G. Collins: Unbelievable. The Taoiseach Charles J. Haughey The Taoiseach: To Fine Gael people. Mr. P. Barry Mr. P. Barry Mr. P. Barry: Yes, to Fine Gael people. Mr. O'Keeffe Mr. O'Keeffe Mr. O'Keeffe: Fianna Fáil Coalition. (Interruptions) The Taoiseach Charles J. Haughey The Taoiseach: I could start identifying a few fissures over there. An Ceann Comhairle Joseph Brennan An Ceann Comhairle: Order, please. Item No.3. Mr. Cluskey Mr. Cluskey Mr. Cluskey: Would the real Minister for Finance stand up? Dáil Éireann 319 Order of Business. General Debate 19800320
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