Yesterday evening the Minister for Finance indicated that the Government would be coming forward with a series of proposals in relation to the operation of the House, including the proposed forum or committee on jobs. May I ask the Taoiseach if it is his intention to have informal discussions either with the party leaders or with the Whips in advance of those proposals or must we await a final announcement without any prior consultation?
Order of Business (Resumed).
That matter is still before the House.
The debate is still before the House but the proposals were offered in response to a previous question. Perhaps the Taoiseach would like to avail of the opportunity to respond?
As the Minister for Finance made clear yesterday evening, we are listening to the debate with interest, we will take into account the points being made and we will then proceed to decide on what we believe are the appropriate structures to involve all the various sectors in the discussions.
Do I take it that the decision will be made by the Government without consultation with the Opposition parties?
We already have the proposals and the views of the Opposition parties. We had them even before the debate and we listened to the debate to see if there were any new ideas forthcoming.
If the Government want an all-party approach to a problem of this kind they should have prior consultation with the Opposition.
Certainly.
Simply announcing that the Government will listen to a debate and then announce their conclusions without consultation is not acceptable.
This matter should not give rise to argument or tend towards debate now. The matter is before the House.
In relation to promised legislation and legislation before the House, may I ask the Taoiseach whether the colleges Bill will be proceeded with as published and, if so, the timeframe for its expected reintroduction into the House?
The colleges Bill will proceed as promised.
May I ask the Taoiseach when the allocation of national lottery funds in respect of amenity or recreation funds will be advised to local authorities? Will he confirm that they will have absolute discretion in how this money is spent?
That matter should be dealt with by way of question.
Has the Taoiseach had the opportunity to clarify the position with regard to the promised legislation arising out of the two year old report from the Martin Commission dealing with miscarriages of justice? Can the Taoiseach indicate whether that legislation is now before the Government and would he be prepared to comment on the suggestion that progress is being arrested because of opposition from senior members of the Judiciary? The former Minister promised that this would be acted upon as a matter of urgency.
Has this legislation been promised in the House?
It has been promised.
We were told that it would be acted upon as a matter of urgency.
Legislation has not been promised in the House.
To which legislation is the Deputy referring, because he did not spell it out for me?
I am referring to the legislation which we were promised would arise from the report of the Martin Commission dealing with miscarriages of justice.
It is under active consideration in the Department of Justice and will be brought forward at the earliest possible date.
Deputy Spring has been offering for some time.
In relation to promised legislation, may I ask the Taoiseach if the Government parties have resolved their differences in regard to the Shannon Estuarial Authority Bill which was promised in the Programme for Government?
Remember that?
In the present programme?
Yes.
Deputy Deasy was offering.
No answer?
Some open Government.
Order, please.
Ask your former Minister for Foreign Affairs.
Former?
Former Government.
May I ask the Taoiseach if there is any provision whereby the Attorney General can appear before the House to make a statement or to answer questions on matters of great national concern such as the recent case regarding the 14-year old girl?
I am sorry, Deputy Deasy, but there are other ways of raising such a matter.
I am trying to have the position with regard to the Attorney General clarified.
I am also concerned about the sub judice aspect of the matter to which the Deputy is referring.
I merely wish to ask if there is a provision whereby the Attorney General can attend the Dáil.
It does not arise now. Deputy Gay Mitchell was offering.
If not, have the Government any proposals to change the law so that he can appear?
The Deputy has many ways of raising that matter.
In relation to the legislation which has been promised relating to the register of Members' interests, which I understand is to be enacted before September, may I ask the Taoiseach when that Bill will be published and if it is intended to have consultations with other sides of the House before the Bill is published?
The matter is under consideration at present by the Minister for Finance.
Will there be consultations?
May I ask the Taoiseach whether the Government have any plans to break up the ESB——
This is not in order and the Deputy should know that.
It has been indicated that legislation would be required, as indicated by a Minister in a major public speech recently.
Deputy Michael Higgins.
A Cheann Comhairle——
I am sorry, Deputy, but clearly that matter does not relate to the Order of Business.
It is perfectly in order and it would require legislation as indicated by a Minister in a major public speech.
Deputies
Hear, hear.
I would like to know if this is Government policy.
What?
I am referring to legislation to break up the ESB and separate its generating and distribution functions.
Deputy Higgins.
Would the Taoiseach clarify this matter?
May I ask the Taoiseach what the present position of the Government is in relation to the current status of the Nicky Kelly case?
Again, Deputy Higgins, I have to say that you must raise that matter in another way.
I wonder, a Cheann Comhairle, for the information of the House if you would make a statement on how you propose to treat the former Workers' Party. Do you propose to treat them as the Commonwealth of Independent Deputies?
That matter, Deputy, is before the Committee on Procedure and Privileges this day. Deputy Garland.
(Interruptions.)
There is not much wealth.
On a point of order. I would like to ask when provision is going to be made to allow me, as leader of the Green Party in the House, to sit on the Front Bench down there?
The Chair has enough anomalies to deal with.
May I ask the Taoiseach whether the Government intend to introduce legislation to change the Voluntary Health Insurance Act? Government sources seem to be indicating that competition will be permitted in the area of health insurance.
I should like to facilitate the Deputy, but clearly this does not relate to the Order of Business.
Legislation dealing with health insurance has been promised and I am trying to ascertain whether——
Has legislation been promised in this area?
No.
Legislation has been promised. A health reform Bill is coming through.
A good try.
May I proceed——
Deputy J. Bruton rose.
I was going to proceed to the business ordered.
In regard to the matter raised by Deputy Deasy concerning the Attorney General, may I ask the Taoiseach when it is proposed to take the Estimate for the Office of the Attorney General which is the responsibility of the Minister for Finance? Would the Taoiseach agree that provision should be made to take this Estimate at an early stage and have it debated in this House?
The Whips could discuss that matter.
Deputy Hogan has been offering for some time.
In view of the fact that this House established an inquiry to investigate the affairs of Greencore, may I ask the Taoiseach if provision will be made for a debate in this House on the final report which is due to be published next week?
Again, this matter is not strictly related to the Order of Business. I would advise the Deputy to put down a question on the matter.
In view of the fact that this House established an inquiry——
I am sorry, Deputy, Deputy Michael Higgins.
May I ask if amending legislation is anticipated in relation to the Companies Acts in view of the decision yesterday in the courts?
Has legislation been promised in this area?
Yes.
It is not promised legislation but undoubtedly the matters which arise will be considered by the Minister for Industry and Commerce.
The Minister for Industry and Commerce has indicated, in relation to high insurance costs, that it is likely that legislation will be brought before the House shortly. May I ask the Taoiseach if he would outline the schedule for the introduction of that legislation?
Has it been promised?
No.
Seemingly, no.
Did that come from the same fax machine that Deputy Michael McDowell used?
He is not Deputy Michael McDowell; he is a former Member.
Deputy Sheehan. I am going on to the business ordered after Deputy Sheehan.
He is a former chairman of Fine Gael in Dublin South-East.
He did not go quite as far in our party as he did in others.
I would like to ask the Taoiseach when he intends to introduce legislation to extend the powers of the Castletownbere harbour master to cover Bere Haven Sound as promised by the former Taoiseach?
The time has come to proceed to the business ordered.
I would like to ask the Taoiseach when he intends to introduce that legislation. Can he answer the question?
I feel sure that Deputy Sheehan will find another way of raising that matter.
The former Taoiseach promised this legislation and it has not been introduced.
Very briefly, before the Taoiseach leaves the House for the Cabinet meeting, may I ask him if the up-to-date and authentic version of the Green Paper on Education will be discussed by the Cabinet in view of the fact that it is vital, as a preliminary measure, to legislation?
It is before the Cabinet and we will complete our deliberations on it very shortly.
We now come to deal with Report Stage of the Merchant Shipping Bill, 1991.