It is proposed to take Nos. 7 and 10. It is also proposed, notwithstanding anything in Standing Orders, that: (1) business shall be interrupted at 10.30 p.m.; (2) the following arrangements shall apply for the debate on No. 7; (a) the speeches of the Minister and of the spokespersons nominated by Fine Gael, Labour and the Democratic Left shall not exceed 20 minutes in each case, (b) the speech of the Minister of State replying to the debate shall not exceed ten minutes, and (c) the debate shall not exceed 90 minutes; and (3) the proceedings on the Report and Final Stages of No. 10, if not previously concluded, shall be brought to a conclusion at 10.30 p.m. by one question which shall be put from the Chair, and which shall in relation to amendments, include only amendments set down by the Minister for the Environment. Private Members' Business shall be No. 34/motion 49.
Order of Business.
Is the proposal that business be interrupted this evening at 10.30 p.m. agreed? Agreed.
Are the proposals for dealing with No. 7 agreed?
I object to No. 2 (a), that the speeches of the Minister and of the spokespersons nominated by Fine Gael, Labour and the Democratic Left shall not exceed 20 minutes in each case, and no other speakers are allowed to speak. I would like to know the criteria on which this decision is made. The Workers' Party who received 5 per cent of the vote at the last general election, were not allotted any time while a party who have never gone before the electorate and have no mandate receive 20 minutes.
I would also like to protest at the absence of a provision for me to speak as a representative of the Green Party, Comhaontas Glas.
Other than the objections of the two Deputies I take it that the proposal for dealing with No. 7——
The Taoiseach was about to respond.
I will be glad to facilitate the Taoiseach in replying to the Deputy on the Order of Business. The Taoiseach is quite entitled to do so.
Perhaps Deputy Mac Giolla's former colleagues might consider sharing their time with him?
That is not the question asked. On what criteria——
Deputy John Bruton. Sorry, we cannot have a discussion on the matter now, Deputy Mac Giolla.
I have called Deputy John Bruton and he must be heard.
While I do not wish to object to the order on these grounds, it is very strange that a party of 55 Members is being given the same length of speaking time for this debate as a party of six.
I take it otherwise, that the proposal for dealing with No. 7 is agreed.
It is not.
I must now ask in relation to Item No. 3 if the proposals for dealing with No. 10 are agreed?
On the last two occasions on which an order of this kind appeared the issue was raised that amendments set down by or accepted by the Minister should be allowed to be taken in the event of the time having been exhausted. The order that is before us is confined solely to amendments set down by the Minister and it does not allow him to accept Opposition amendments at all. Would it be possible to have the word processor programmed so as to avoid us having to raise that issue here again?
Agreed.
That seems to have been agreed.
Why is it felt that this House will be able to deal with more than 100 amendments in probably less than two and a half hours on Report Stage of the Environmental Protection Agency Bill. We have only allowed until 10.30 p.m. tonight to deal with it. Surely some more time should be provided.
I protest in the strongest possible manner at the way in which this Bill is being rushed through the House. This is the most important environmental legislation since this Dáil commenced and we are being given only two and a half hours to debate it. It is an absolute disgrace. My question related to more time to deal with this Bill.
It has been agreed, a Cheann Comhairle, and this has been around the House for months.
Would the Taoiseach agree to sit until midnight to deal with it?
If there is a serious objection to the proposal, I shall put it to the House. On the Order of Business, the question is that the proposal for dealing with No. 10 be agreed.
Tá
- Ahern, Bertie.
- Ahern, Dermot.
- Ahern, Michael.
- Andrews, David.
- Aylward, Liam.
- Barrett, Michael.
- Brady Gerard.
- Brennan, Mattie.
- Brennan, Séamus.
- Briscoe, Ben.
- Browne, John (Wexford).
- Burke, Raphael P.
- Calleary, Seán.
- Callely, Ivor.
- Clohessy, Peadar.
- Collins, Gerard.
- Connolly, Ger.
- Cowen, Brian.
- Cullimore, Séamus.
- Daly, Brendan.
- Dempsey, Noel.
- Dennehy, John.
- de Valera, Síle.
- Ellis, John.
- Fitzgerald, Liam Joseph.
- Fitzpatrick, Dermot.
- Flood, Chris.
- Flynn, Pádraig.
- Gallagher, Pat the Cope.
- Geoghegan-Quinn, Máire.
- Harney, Mary.
- Hyland, Liam.
- Jacob, Joe.
- Kenneally, Brendan.
- Kirk, Séamus.
- Kitt, Michael P.
- Lawlor, Liam.
- Lenihan, Brian
- Leonard, Jimmy.
- Leyden, Terry.
- Lyons, Denis.
- Martin, Micheál.
- McCreevy, Charlie.
- McDaid, Jim.
- McEllistrim, Tom.
- Molloy, Robert.
- Morley, P.J.
- Nolan, M.J.
- Noonan, Michael J. (Limerick West).
- O'Connell, John.
- O'Dea, Willie.
- O'Donoghue, John.
- O'Hanlon, Rory.
- O'Keeffe, Ned.
- O'Kennedy, Michael.
- O'Leary, John.
- O'Malley, Desmond J.
- O'Rourke, Mary.
- O'Toole, Martin Joe.
- Quill, Máirín.
- Reynolds, Albert.
- Roche, Dick.
- Smith, Michael.
- Stafford, John.
- Treacy, Noel.
- Tunney, Jim.
- Wallace, Mary.
- Walsh, Joe.
- Woods, Michael.
- Wyse, Pearse.
Níl
- Ahearn, Therese.
- Barrett, Seán.
- Barry, Peter.
- Belton, Louis J.
- Boylan, Andrew.
- Bradford, Paul.
- Browne, John (Carlow-Kilkenny).
- Bruton John.
- Bruton, Richard.
- Byrne, Eric.
- Connaughton, Paul.
- Connor, John.
- Cosgrave, Michael Joe.
- Cotter, Bill.
- Creed, Michael.
- Crowley, Frank.
- D'Arcy, Michael.
- Deasy, Austin.
- Deenihan, Jimmy.
- De Rossa, Proinsias.
- Doyle, Joe.
- Durkan, Bernard.
- O'Brien, Fergus.
- O'Shea, Brian.
- O'Sullivan, Gerry.
- O'Sullivan, Toddy.
- Quinn, Ruairí.
- Rabbitte, Pat.
- Farrelly, John V.
- Fennell, Nuala.
- Ferris, Michael.
- Finucane, Michael.
- FitzGerald, Garret.
- Flaherty, Mary.
- Flanagan, Charles.
- Garland, Roger.
- Gilmore, Eamon.
- Higgins Michael D.
- Howlin, Brendan.
- Kavanagh, Liam.
- Kenny, Enda.
- Lee, Pat.
- McCartan, Pat.
- McCormack, Pádraic.
- McGahon, Brendan.
- Mac Giolla, Tomás.
- McGrath, Paul.
- Mitchell, Gay.
- Noonan, Michael.
- (Limerick East).
- Reynolds, Gerry.
- Spring, Dick.
- Taylor, Mervyn.
- Taylor-Quinn, Madeleine.
- Yates, Ivan.
Does the Taoiseach remember any major legislation that has been put through the Dáil in the last year every section of which was properly discussed on Committee Stage? Again, today, we have decided to put through legislation the bulk of which will not be discussed section by section. Would the Taoiseach not agree that there is some urgency in establishing a system of standing committees to deal properly with every section and every amendment of every Bill rather than have a charade of a parliamentary process, as will be the case this evening in regard to this legislation, where the bulk of the Bill will not be discussed?
Deputy Bruton will accept that, however laudable the point he makes, it is not one for the Order of Business.
The Taoiseach may wish to reply.
I will put the question in a form that will meet your very exacting standards of order, Sir. The Government have proposed Oireachtas reforms; these are promised items of business. May I ask the Taoiseach when these Oireachtas reforms will appear and will they deal with the need to ensure that all legislation is discussed in full on Committee Stage section by section, amendment by amendment, line by line, without a guillotine?
Deputy Bruton will accept that such advertised reformation, however desirable, can be dealt with at other levels.
It is promised business.
In so far as there are well known matters that are appropriate to the Order of Business, I think the Deputy knows that the matter to which he refers does not qualify.
The Taoiseach may wish to reply.
The Chair will give to Deputy Farrelly an opportunity to raise a point on the Order of Business when we have dealt with other speakers.
May I seek to elicit information from the Taoiseach in relation to legislation which passed through this House recently — the Social Welfare Bill? May I ask the Taoiseach if the Minister for Social Welfare has issued regulations curtailing the availability of pay-related benefit to many workers who are on short-time work, for example, in places such as the Waterford glass factory? I believe the Department have made a statement to this effect. Does the Taoiseach realise the difficulties for workers in that there will be further restrictions on their take home earnings?
Deputy Spring will accept that the matter he has raised does not refer to promised legislation but to legislation that is being dealt with in the House at present. It will be possible for the Deputy and other Deputies to raise such matters when we come to that legislation.
I am seeking clarification arising from legislation which very quietly passed through this House in the last fortnight. I would like to know whether the Minister for Social Welfare has signed these regulations.
The Deputy is trying to alter the rules which are designed to deal with legislation that is promised; the Deputy is seeking to deal with legislation post factum.
I will try to stay within the rules of this House. As I recall, no date was mentioned by the Minister for Social Welfare during the debate in this House on the Social Welfare Bill and the many restrictive measures in that Bill. I am seeking clarification whether the regulations have been signed and, if so, whether they are in the Library of this House?
The Deputy will accept that the information he is seeking may be obtained by other mechanisms, for example, through parliamentary question.
The time for parliamentary questions has passed.
The timetable does not allow for such questions.
There is no provision in Standing Orders which limits parliamentary questions.
On a number of occasions on the Order of Business the Taoiseach indicated that the Government package of Dáil reform will be available soon. Is it intended to circulate the proposals during the Easter recess? Would the Taoiseach indicate the steps he is taking to clarify the position with regard to the Minister for Education, and his admission that he leaked a document to a person outside of his Department, and failed to honour the fact that an inquiry into that leak was under way, and allowing suspicion to fall on people in that Department?
Deputy De Rossa knows as well as I do that——
It is important, a Leas-Cheann Comhairle——
——he is abusing the time allowed to the Order of Business. He knows that the matter to which he refers is not appropriate to the Order of Business. Deputy Gay Mitchell.
A Leas-Cheann Comhairle——
I have called Deputy Mitchell.
Since 1989 I have consistently raised in this House the need to update the powers of the Comptroller and Auditor General. Legislation in this area has been promised session after session, the last promise that it would be taken before the end of March. I understand there are other pressures on the Government, but that will always be the case. Could pressure be brought to bear to ensure that the one constitutional officer who works for this House is given the powers he should have? I would appreciate if the Taoiseach would give special attention to this matter. I know that the Government Chief Whip has a special interest in the matter and I would ask that the legislation be published today.
The Chair is happy to acknowledge that the Deputy is in order and welcomes such a change from the general standards.
I expect this matter to go before the Government shortly. I am sure the Deputy will appreciate that this is my first session as Taoiseach.
What is the definition of "shortly"?
I do not know how many more times I will have to raise the matter.
Is the Taoiseach aware of the reported endorsement of support for Gerry Adams by Proinsias Mac Aonghusa, the chairman of a State body, if he considers it appropriate for Proinsias Mac Aonghusa to endorse a terrorist of the calibre of Gerry Adams, and if he will consider removing him from that post?
It is not appropriate for the Taoiseach to comment at this stage on the matter to which the Deputy has referred.
Regardless of whether it is appropriate to comment, it may be necessary to do so.
It is unacceptable for the chairman of a semi-State body to make such utterances.
I am surprised that Deputy Boylan is making little of the House by addressing the Chair from a seated position. The Deputy is out of order.
Will the Taoiseach answer my question?
There is a Deputy already in possession and, therefore, it is not in order for anybody else to rise. I have indicated to Deputy McGahon that the matter he has succeeded in raising is not relevant on the Order of Business. They are the rules of the House.
How may I raise the matter?
If the Deputy contacts the Ceann Comhairle's office he will be very happy to advise him.
It is a matter for Government action.
On Wednesday last on the Order of Business I sought to raise with the Taoiseach the issue of voting rights for emigrants and whether issues in the joint Programme for Government could be taken as promised legislation. The Taoiseach replied that no such legislation was promised. May I take it that the Government have decided that voting rights for emigrants will not be granted?
Deputy Creed is entitled to make any deductions he wishes from the reply given, but he is not in order in attempting to resurrect the matter.
It is promised legislation.
I understand that the Taoiseach had quite a lot on his plate last Wednesday and that this may have been a throw-away remark. However, I would like confirmation from him that he is not going to proceed with voting rights for emigrants.
Deputy Creed is not in order in pursuing the matter now.
May I take the Taoiseach's silence as being confirmation?
It is promised legislation.
It is not promised legislation.
The Taoiseach is acknowledging that it is promised.
Tá go leor daoine atá fábharach don Ghaeilge buartha faoin ráiteas a dhein an tUascal Mac Aonghusa, agus tá go leor daoine sa Teach seo buartha faoi freisin. An bhfuil an Taoiseach chun an fear seo a thógaint isteach agus a rá leis nach cóir dó fanacht a thuilleadh mar Chathaoirleach do Bhord na Gaeilge?
Is cuma cé mhéid daoine atá buarcha faoin ábhar atá i gceist agat, níl sé ceadaithe é a ardú anois, agus tuigeann tú féin é sin. Is cuma i nGaeilge nó i mBéarla atá sé, níl sé in ordú.