Dáil Éireann debate -
Thursday, 7 May 1992

Vol. 419 No. 3

Order of Business.

The Taoiseach

It is proposed to take Nos. 6 to 53, inclusive, 59, 60 and A1, and that A1 shall be taken at 3.45 p.m. today.

It is also proposed, notwithstanding anything in Standing Orders, that: (1) Nos. 6 to 53, inclusive, shall be decided by one question and A1 shall be decided without debate; (2) the proceedings on the Second Stage of No. 59 shall be brought to a conclusion not later than 2.15 p.m. today; and on the conclusion of such proceedings, the question necessary to bring proceedings on the Second Stage of No. 60 to a conclusion shall be put forthwith; (3) the Committee and remaining Stages of Nos. 59 and 60, if not previously concluded, shall be brought to a conclusion at 5 p.m. by one question in each case, which shall be put from the Chair and which shall, in relation to amendments, include only amendments set down by the member of the Government in charge of the Bill; (4) the Dáil shall meet tomorrow at 10.30 a.m. and shall adjourn not later than 4 p.m. and the following arrangements shall apply to statements re the United Nations Conference on the Environment and Development, Rio de Janeiro, which shall take place tomorrow: (i) the statement of the Minister for the Environment and of each speaker called on shall not exceed 20 minutes; and (ii) the Minister of State at the Department of the Environment shall be called on to make a concluding statement which shall not exceed 15 minutes.

An Ceann Comhairle

Is the proposal that Nos. 6 to 53, inclusive, shall be decided by one question and that A1 shall be decided without debate agreed? Agreed. Are the arrangements for dealing with Second Stages of Nos. 59 and 60 agreed?

Mr. Garland

I do not agree that the Committee Stage of this legislation should be taken in one and a quarter hours. More time should be given to it.

An Ceann Comhairle

I take it that the proposal is agreed, with Deputy Roger Garland dissenting. Agreed. Are the proposals for dealing with the remaining Stages of Nos. 59 and 60 agreed?

Proinsias De Rossa

Item No. (3) refers to the Committee and remaining Stages of Nos. 59 and 60 which are two very important matters with which the House is dealing. I would remind the House that when we were dealing with the SEA we had a day to deal with the Committee and remaining Stages; that in 1983 we also had a day to deal with the Committee and remaining Stages of the Eighth Amendment to the Constitution. We have been repeatedly told in this House that the amendment to the Constitution with which we are dealing now is the most important since we adopted an amendment to our Constitution to enable us to join the Community in 1972. It is grossly inadequate to allow 75 minutes to debate the substantive issues that arise from the nine amendments I have already put down to this Bill. I do not know whether any other party have put down amendments. So far the debate on Second Stage, as is normal, has dealt with the principles of entry to the European Union. This House not only has a right but an obligation to examine the details of what is being proposed. This morning there has been circulated to us——

An Ceann Comhairle

I am sorry, Deputy. I must dissuade you from making a speech. An indication of opposition is quite sufficient.

Proinsias De Rossa

It may be regarded as sufficient by the Chair but the fact is we are being asked to deal with two Bills one of which seeks to amend the Constitution.

An Ceann Comhairle

The Chair has allowed the Deputy some discretion in the matter.

Proinsias De Rossa

I have one final point to make, a Cheann Comhairle. There was this morning delivered to us a supplement to the White Paper on the Treaty on European Union relating to the Patents Bill — this single sheet of paper I am holding up — which explains Government thinking in relation to the Patents Bill. Apart from the fact that it is a grossly inept way of dealing with these serious matters, it is not good enough to allow 75 minutes to debate its content.

An Ceann Comhairle

I take it the Deputy is opposing the proposal. I am now putting the proposal to the House.

The question is: "That the proposals for dealing with the remaining Stages of Items Nos. 59 and 60 be agreed to."

Proinsias De Rossa

Vótáil.

An Ceann Comhairle

Will the Deputies who are claiming a division please rise in their places?

Deputies Byrne, De Rossa, Garland, Gilmore, Mac Giolla, McCartan and Rabbitte rose.

An Ceann Comhairle

As fewer than ten Members have risen in their places I declare the question carried.

Question declared carried.

An Ceann Comhairle

The names of the Deputies who claimed the division will be recorded in the Journal of the Proceedings.

(Interruptions.)

An Ceann Comhairle

Finally, on the Order of Business I must ask if the proposals for tomorrow's sitting, including the proposal for dealing with statements, is agreed? Agreed.

Mr. J. Bruton

May I ask the Taoiseach when it is intended to take the Second Stage of the Family Planning Bill, which was published last September, nine months ago, and promised to be taken in the House last October, eight months ago? May I ask the Taoiseach if he is aware that the delays in taking this legislation cast doubt on any promises made by the Government to deal at any particular time with difficult social questions? If the Government wish their statements on other social questions to be believed they must show willingness to face this issue quickly.

An Ceann Comhairle

The conversation in the lobbies is intruding into the Chamber and constitutes disorder.

The Taoiseach

The matter raised by the Deputy will be dealt with by the Government in due course.

Mr. J. Bruton

Is the Taoiseach aware that we are talking here about legislation which has already been published and in the possession of the House and that it is simply a question of the Government allowing the House time to deal with it? This matter does not require a Government meeting. May I ask the Taoiseach why the Government will not allow the House to deal with that legislation which they published nine months ago?

An Ceann Comhairle

This should not lead to disputation or argument now.

The Taoiseach

The new Minister is reviewing the Bill and will bring his views to Government in due course.

Mr. Flanagan

This Bill was too hot to handle for three Ministers.

An Ceann Comhairle

Deputy Spring.

Mr. Roche

The Deputy should recall that his party did great——

An Ceann Comhairle

Deputy Spring has been called.

Mr. Spring

Over the past few months the Minister for Tourism, Transport and Communications has announced that she will make a decision on the Shannon stopover issue. I notice that in today's newspapers she says she will make this decision shortly. May I ask the Taoiseach if the Government have made a decision on this matter and when an announcement will be made?

An Ceann Comhairle

This is clearly not appropriate to the Order of Business unless the Deputy can convince me that legislation is promised in this area.

Mr. Spring

As, unfortunately, promises from this Government are beginning to mean nothing, I ask the Taoiseach to indicate if an announcement will be made shortly.

Mr. J. Bruton

It will be made in The Dublin Tribune.

Proinsias De Rossa

Yesterday I sought to raise the question of the current postal dispute. May I ask the Taoiseach if he intends to take any steps to try to bring an end to this dispute and prevent the company from seeking to break the union——

An Ceann Comhairle

The Deputy should not persist in raising a matter which was ruled out of order yesterday and is still out of order.

Proinsias De Rossa

It is important.

An Ceann Comhairle

I call Deputy McCartan, who perhaps wishes to raise a new subject.

Mr. McCartan

Yes. May I ask the Taoiseach or some member of the Government to give an explanation why the supplement on the Patents Convention was overlooked in the original White Paper on Maastricht as published? Will the Taoiseach indicate whether voters will be given the opportunity of having a separate say on that convention on 18 June or whether only one vote will be sought?

An Ceann Comhairle

Surely these are matters which can be dealt with in the debate ensuing in this House and in the debate which I understand will ensue next week.

Mr. McCartan

I hoped to have time to raise these matters, but clearly I would not have the opportunity to do so in 75 minutes. I thought the Ceann Comhairle would allow me to put that simple question on the Order of Business.

An Ceann Comhairle

As the Deputy knows, the debate is in the House.

Mr. McCartan

It is almost finished.

Mr. Byrne

May I ask the Taoiseach the current stage of preparation of the legislation to create a single new health authority in the Dublin region to replace the Eastern Health Board?

An Ceann Comhairle

The Deputy should pursue that matter in another way. Is there legislation involved here?

Mr. Byrne

Legislation was promised in this House.

An Ceann Comhairle

Would the Deputy please repeat the question?

Mr. Byrne

When are we likely to hear the Government proposals on the creation of a new health authority to replace the Eastern Health Board?

The Taoiseach

Widespread consultation on that issue will take place before any legislation is drafted.

Mr. Connor

With regard to promised legislation, when is it proposed to publish a new Wildlife Bill?

Mr. Shatter

Tell us about the bunny rabbits.

The Taoiseach

It is at the very early stages of preparation.

Dr. Lee

In light of the recent tragic accident at the football stadium in Corsica, may I ask the Taoiseach if the Department of the Environment have any plans to ban the use of temporary stands at all places of public assembly pending the outcome of the official inquiry?

An Ceann Comhairle

The Deputy has many other ways of raising that matter. It is clearly not in order now.

Mr. J. Bruton

It requires legislation.

Mr. Garland

Is the Taoiseach aware that there is a serious risk of a breach of the peace in Tymon Park in Tallaght where 150 residents are prepared to go to jail to save a public park? Will he advise one of his Ministers to mediate in this case so as to prevent these 150 people going to jail——

An Ceann Comhairle

Since there is such a deviation on the Order of Business I am proceeding to deal with the business proper.

Mr. J. Bruton

On the Order of Business——

An Ceann Comhairle

I wish to proceed to the business of the House proper. I call Deputy John Bruton for a final question.

Mr. J. Bruton

May I ask the Taoiseach when the Government propose to introduce the legislation which has been promised to require all appointees to the boards of State agencies to make a declaration of any interests relevant to membership of such bodies? This legislation was referred to in the Joint Programme for Government, which the Taoiseach agreed, and is promised. In view of the fact that appointments are being made all the time to State bodies in the absence of such legislation, may I ask the Taoiseach when this legislation will be introduced?

The Taoiseach

The matter raised by the Deputy is the subject of guidelines which have been submitted to the various State bodies. It is not a matter for legislation.

Mr. J. Bruton

I do not wish to be difficult, but may I ask the Taoiseach if all appointees to State companies since the Joint Programme was agreed have signed declarations of this kind?

The Taoiseach

That is a separate question. It is a question which should be put down on the Order Paper so that it can be answered in due course.

Mr. J. Bruton

Does the Taoiseach know the answer?