It is proposed to take Nos. 12 and 13. It is also proposed that the proceedings on the Report and Final Stages of No. 12, if not previously concluded, shall be brought to a conclusion at 6.45 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. 24 and the proceedings thereon shall be brought to a conclusion at 8.30 p.m. tonight.
Order of Business.
Are the proposals for dealing with No. 12 agreed to? Agreed.
In relation to the taking of the Local Government (Planning and Development) Bill, I ask that the formulation applied to other Bills under which amendments unlikely to be reached which are acceptable to the Minister be considered in order when the final question is put. I ask that the Order of Business be amended to accommodate that procedure.
I agree to that proposal.
Are the proposals for dealing with Private Members Business, No. 24, that a vote shall take place at 8.30 p.m. tonight, agreed? Agreed.
Recently there has been comment in relation to the West Midlands Police Force. In regard to our position here can the Taoiseach say when the Government expect the criminal procedures Bill to implement the recommendations of the Martin Committee in regard to miscarriages of justice in this jurisdiction will come before the House? It was promised by the Minister at his most recent Question Time and also in the Joint Programme for Government.
It is in the early stages of preparation and should be with the House towards the latter end of this year; if possible, before that.
I understand that discussions have taken place between different Members of this House in relation to the structure and composition of the Oireachtas Joint Committee on Foreign Affairs. Is the Taoiseach now in a position to indicate when that committee can be established and commence their work?
I understand the matter will be discussed again by the Whips on Thursday when I expect the Government Whip to report back to me.
Subject to agreement being reached and it being satisfactory to the Government and others, can the Taoiseach say whether it is his intention to ensure that the necessary resources will be made available so that the committee can be established immediately?
Yes, that is the position.
In regard to the Programme for Government, specifically page 17, dealing with proposals with regard to voting rights for emigrants, can the Taoiseach say whether the Government have taken a decision on the report relating to this matter and whether legislation will be promised arising from it?
Has legislation been proposed in this matter?
No.
A Cheann Comhairle——
Please, Deputy, do not argue when it is proven that no legislation has been proposed in this matter.
A Cheann Comhairle, it is my understanding that legislation has been promised.
I can only accept the word of the Taoiseach in that regard.
A Cheann Comhairle, what is wrong with my word?
The Programme for Government promised that a comprehensive paper would be brought before the Government immediately.
A comprehensive paper is not legislation.
That is not legislation.
That is a word the Taoiseach should introduce into his lexicon.
I will consider it.
As soon as possible.
Can the Taoiseach give the House an assurance that there will be a debate here as soon as the talks on reform of the Common Agricultural Policy have been concluded, if possible this week?
That is a matter which should be dealt with in another way. It is not appropriate to the Order of Business.
Irrespective of whether the talks are conclusive or inconclusive can we have a debate in this House this week?
Commissioner MacSharry said we should consider our position under the Common Agricultural policy.
I have facilitated Deputy Deasy even though the matter is not appropriate now. I see Deputy Byrne offering.
A Cheann Comhairle, there are numerous precedents regarding this matter. I am asking the Taoiseach whether he will allow time for a debate in this House.
I am calling Deputy Byrne.
A Cheann Comhairle, we are entitled to know what is actually happening.
Deputy Deasy can pursue that matter in so many other ways.
I cannot.
You can, Deputy, and my office will be able to facilitate you, if possible.
So much for open Government.
When does the Taoiseach intend introducing the legislation, which has been promised for years, allowing this country to ratify the European Council Directive 87/102 on consumer credit, as this legislation has implications vis-à-vis the problems created by legal and illegal moneylending? I believe we were supposed to have ratified that Directive in the year 1990. When does the Taoiseach intend introducing this legislation in the House?
I expect it to come before Government shortly.
With regard to promised legislation, after the Christmas recess a list was circulated from the Taoiseach's office of Bills expected to be published this session and in it there was reference to the Family Home Bill. However, recently a new list circulated by the Government did not contain any reference to that Bill. Therefore, would it be correct to assume that media reports of the abandonment of this Bill are correct?
No, the Deputy is not correct. This Bill has not been abandoned. Some complex issues have arisen which must be ironed out by the Attorney General. When that has been done the Bill will come before the House. It is unlikely that that will take place this session.
Would the Taoiseach say whether the Government intend introducing a supplementary Estimate for the Olympic team who now find themselves bankrupt in their final preparations for the Olympics because of failed promises by former Ministers for Finance and Sport?
That matter can be persued in another way, Deputy.
Will the Taoiseach say whether the Government intend introducing a Supplementary Estimate? Our Olympic team now find themselves bankrupt having relied on letters not honoured. Will the Taoiseach say where are all the national lottery funds that were promised?
Deputy Farrelly will please resume his seat.
They were given letters of discomfort.
Where are all the national lottery funds that were promised?
(Interruptions.)
Further to the Taoiseach's comments on the Order of Business yesterday afternoon, can he say whether the Minister for Health has circulated alternate proposals for the family planning legislation to those published by the Government some time ago? Will he say whether an alternate Bill will be published and, if so, when?
The Minister for Health has not yet circulated alternative proposals but I expect he will in due course.
Is the Taoiseach now informing the House that the Bill circulated is to be withdrawn by the Government?
No, I did not say that.
In view of the public outrage regarding the recent circumstances surrounding the Phoenix Park murder and the terrible crime problems prevailing in Dublin, may I ask the Taoiseach, in relation to Vote 19 — Office of the Minister for Justice — whether he will bring forward the Estimates so that this House will be given an opportunity to register that public outrage and have action taken in regard to the terrible crime problems confronting this city?
The matter of the Estimates is being discussed by the Whips at present. I am sure they will be able to accommodate Deputy Gay Mitchell's request.
Is the Taoiseach considering introducing new regulations, or is he taking a personal interest in the problem of those seeking asylum in this country, who are spending up to eight or nine months in our prisons pending a Government decision on whether they can remain here? Will he say whether any legislation will be forthcoming to ensure we adopt a more humane approach to people seeking asylum here?
That is a matter which might be dealt with in another way.
It amounts to temporary internment.
As my colleague, Deputy Carey, has just said, this amounts to internment. We must remember that these are people who have not been convicted of any charges, who are spending nine months——
This is not a matter for the Order of Business, Deputy Barrett.
Some legislation must be introduced to deal with this matter since all other requests I have made by way of parliamentary questions, letters to the Minister and so on, have failed.
Deputy Barrett has made his point. He may not elaborate now.
This House must be in a position and is entitled to help people seeking asylum here.
A Cheann Comhairle, I need your help in that I endeavoured to raise this matter on the Adjourment and at Question Time but failed. It relates to the free legal aid dispute continuing between the Incorporated Law Society and the Department of Justice. I sincerly ask the Minister for Justice to bring an end to that strike. Criminals are now roaming the street of Cork city but it appears the Minister is paralysed and will not take a decision.
Please, Deputy Allen.
My understanding is that, on a previous occasion, an announcement was made that a Cabinet subcommittee was meeting on the subject of votes for emigrants. There was a publication at the beginning, in the very early stages of the Government's programme of legislation, to the effect that there would be legislation introduced in this area. Will the Taoiseach say whether that Cabinet sub-committee have completed their work and whether legislation will be forthcoming and, if so, when?
The answer to the first part of the question is "no". The second part does not arise at this stage.
There are a lot of subcommittees in that Cabinet.
Can the Taoiseach inform the House whether somebody has absconded with national lottery funds? Where have all those funds gone?
I am now calling item No. 12.
Before you do so, Sir, may I draw your attention — in your capacity as Ceann Comhairle and your responsibility to this House and to democracy — that there were two specific matters raised here, one a local issue, which evidently cannot be discussed, which is of national interest? I refer to the Common Agricultural Policy, the fact that there are people in prison here who have never been brought to trial and also the problem of free legl aid in Cork city. You, Sir, have some kind of responsibility to respond to such requests. You might endeavour to look at the rules of this House to ascertain whether such matters can be raised and debated——
If Deputy Barry wants to change the rules governing the Order of Business that is his prerogative. Whatever this House decides in the matter I will faithfully implement.