It is proposed to take Nos. 1, 5 and 9. It is also proposed, notwithstanding anything in Standing Orders, that No. 5 shall be decided without debate and the Report Stage of No. 1 shall be taken immediately thereafter. Private Members' Business shall be No. 16.
Order of Business.
Are the proposals for dealing with Nos. 5 and 1 agreed?
I wish to move an amendment to the Order of Business: to insert after Nos. 1, 5 and 9, save that No. 1, the Finance Bill, shall not commence until 6 p.m.
I move this motion because I do not believe the Dáil should go any further in discussion of the Finance Bill, which imposes a 1 per cent levy on all compliant taxpayers, until it has first heard the Minister for Justice state how she intends to ensure that the proposed tax write-off is not used for money laundering by criminal groups.
There should be no speech now, Deputy.
I am merely making a short statement as to why I wish to make this amendment. Further, this debate should not take place until the Minister for Finance has stated how the moral foundation of the tax system will be preserved if those who break the law can subsequently get away without paying their taxes. To allow the Ministers concerned to explain their position on this tax write-off before proceeding with the Finance Bill, I propose we defer commencement of the Finance Bill debate until 6 p.m.
I regret I cannot allow Deputy John Bruton's amendment on the Order of Business. Members will recollect that under Standing Order 25 it is the Taoiseach's prerogative to determine the Order of Business and how it shall be taken each day. Accordingly, any amendment addressed to changing the order in which business has been announced by the Taoiseach on the Order of Business, in any manner, is out of order. I trust the Deputy will accept my ruling as clear, unambiguous and authentic.
I merely make a submission that my amendment is designed to postpone the commencement of discussion — not to prevent it taking place. In view of your ruling I have no option but to vote against the taking of the Finance Bill today because I do not believe we can take it until the Government clears up its intentions in regard to this demoralising proposal to introduce a tax write-off which is profoundly unjust.
Question put: "That notwithstanding anything in Standing Orders, No. 5 shall be decided without debate and the Report Stage of No. 1 shall be taken immediately."
The Dáil divided: Tá, 71; Níl, 41.
Tá
- Ahern, Bertie.
- Ahern, Michael.
- Ahern, Noel.
- Bell, Michael.
- Bhreathnach, Niamh.
- Bree, Declan.
- Briscoe, Ben
- Broughan, Tommy.
- Burke, Raphael P.
- Byrne, Hugh.
- Callely, Ivor.
- Collins, Gerard.
- Connolly, Ger.
- Davern, Noel.
- Dempsey, Noel.
- de Valera, Síle.
- Ellis, John.
- Ferris, Michael.
- Fitzgerald, Brian.
- Fitzgerald, Eithne.
- Fitzgerald, Liam.
- Flood, Chris.
- Foley, Denis.
- Gallagher, Pat the Cope.
- Gallagher, Pat.
- Haughey, Seaacute;n.
- Higgins, Michael D.
- Howlin, Brendan.
- Hughes, Seáamus.
- Hyland, Liam.
- Jacob, Joe.
- Kavanagh, Liam.
- Kemmy, Jim.
- Kenny, Seán.
- Kirk, Séamus.
- Kitt, Michael P.
- Lenihan, Brian.
- Leonard, Jimmy.
- McCreevy, Charlie.
- McDaid, James.
- McDowell, Derek.
- Moffatt, Tom.
- Morley, P.J.
- Moynihan, Donal.
- Moynihan-Cronin, Breeda.
- Nolan, M.J.
- Ó Cuív, Éamon.
- O'Dea, Willie.
- O'Donoghue, John.
- O'Hanlon, Rory.
- O'Keeffe, Batt.
- O'Shea, Brian.
- O'Sullivan, Gerry.
- Penrose, William.
- Power, Seán.
- Quinn, Ruairí.
- Reynolds, Albert.
- Ryan, Eoin.
- Ryan, John.
- Ryan, Seán.
- Shortall, Róisín.
- Smith, Brendan.
- Smith, Michael.
- Stagg, Emmet.
- Taylor, Mervyn.
- Treacy, Noel.
- Wallace, Dan.
- Wallace, Mary.
- Walsh, Eamon.
- Walsh, Joe.
- Woods, Michael.
Níl
- Ahearn, Theresa.
- Barrett, Seán.
- Boylan, Andrew.
- Bradford, Paul.
- Browne, John (Carlow-Kilkenny).
- Bruton, John.
- Bruton, Richard.
- Clohessy, Peadar.
- Connaughton, Paul.
- Cox, Pat.
- Crawford, Seymour.
- Crowley, Frank.
- Cullen, Martin.
- Currie, Austin.
- De Rossa, Proinsias.
- Doyle, Avril.
- Finucane, Michael.
- Fitzgerald, Frances.
- Flaherty, Mary.
- Flanagan, Charles.
- Foxe, Tom.
- Gilmore, Éamon.
- Harney, Mary.
- Higgins, Jim.
- Kenny, Enda.
- Keogh, Helen.
- Lowry, Michael.
- McDowell, Michael.
- McGahon, Brendan.
- McGrath, Paul.
- McManus, Liz.
- Molloy, Robert.
- Nealon, Ted.
- O'Donnell, Liz.
- O'Keeffe, Jim.
- O'Malley, Desmond J.
- Quill, Máirín.
- Shatter, Alan.
- Sheehan, P.J.
- Timmins, Godfrey.
- Yates, Ivan.
Tellers: Tá, Deputies Dempsey and Ferris; Níl, Deputies E. Kenny and Boylan.
Question declared carried
When will the legislation to ratify the UN convention in regard to money-laundering and the Council of Europe convention in regard to money-laundering which have been promised in the joint programme be introduced? Will the Taoiseach give us an assurance that this legislation will be introduced before the Dáil considers the proposed tax write-off in view of the possible use of the tax write-off for money-laundering otherwise?
We will be coming to that matter shortly.
Legislation has been promised. I am asking if the legislation on money-laundering which is promised will be introduced before the legislation on a write-off of tax which has also, unfortunately, been promised?
Is there any legislation promised in respect of money-laundering as such?
There is. The Bill, which is in course of preparation, will enable Ireland to deal with the United Nations convention against illicit traffic in narcotic drugs and psychopathic substances, the Council of Europe convention on laundering, search, seizure and confiscation of the proceeds of crime and the EC directive on prevention of the use of the financial system for the purpose of money-laundering. All of that is in the course of preparation. It is possible that it may be introduced in this session but if not it will be certainly introduced next season.
It should be introduced before this proposed amnesty.
The Government will decide that, not the Deputy.
When will the apparently more imminent Bill on this tax write-off be introduced? Has the Government now agreed on the details of the Bill? Is it being drafted and, if so, when will it be introduced and when is it hoped to have it debated in this House?
That Bill is being prepared at the moment and will be brought before the House at the earliest possible opportunity.
Is it intended, if the House were foolish enough to agree, to seek to have it passed before the summer recess?
We cannot engage in questioning at this stage.
Can we take it from the lack of an answer——
Any follow-up on this matter can be determined by way of formal questions in the House.
Is it intended to have this legislation disposed of before the summer recess? I think that is a legitimate question.
That is the intention.
If I asked the Taoiseach if he had met Lord Young of Cable and Wireless in Malaysia, would he answer me? I have a letter here from the Ceann Comhairle pointing out that the Taoiseach does not accept it as his responsibility to the Dáil to tell this House what he discussed with the chairman of Cable and Wireless.
The Deputy may not reflect on the rulings of the Chair.
I am not reflecting on the rulings of the Chair.
The Deputy may not raise that matter now.
The spokesperson for the Taoiseach is on record as stating that the Taoiseach met Lord Young.
I am sure the Deputy will follow up the matter at an appropriate time, but he may not do so now.
I put a question to the Taoiseach. Perhaps he could tell us today or tomorrow.
He may not do so now. I am proceeding to the Order of Business proper.
On a point of order, can you, Sir, explain to me——
Deputy De Rossa may not continue to raise points of order when the Chair is on his feet dealing with disorder. I am calling Deputy Dukes.
I am merely asking why this question was refused.
If the Deputy contacts my office, the officials there will assist him to the best of their ability.
I want you to tell me now.
I am not obliged to make rulings now.
Will the Taoiseach make time available this week to debate the conclusions of the EC Agricultural Ministers last week and their disastrous effects on farming and the food industry? Will the Taoiseach agree that this House should have an opportunity to discuss the latest turn of the screw in that area?
The Deputy should raise that matter in the appropriate manner.
Will the Taoiseach make time available this week to debate that matter?
It is not in order to discuss that now. The matter can be pursued in many other ways.
It is entirely in order.
I am calling Deputy Browne.
Will we have an opportunity to debate that matter this week? Is the Taoiseach running away from it? Does he know what the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Forestry, Deputy Walsh, gets up to?
Deputy Dukes must not ignore the Chair.
(Carlow-Kilkenny): May I ask the Taoiseach when the regulations introduced in the Nursing Homes Bill will be brought into effect to assist, in particular, elderly people seeking subvention?
The regulations will be forthcoming.
(Carlow-Kilkenny): What is the point in introducing legislation if its regulations are not implemented?
As somebody who takes students around this House from time to time and with a sense of pride shows them some of the portraits in the hall of the august speakers of this House, could I ask the Taoiseach why Mother Teresa, who is a well respected figure worldwide, has not been invited to address the Oireachtas?
That matter is completely out of order.
Will the Taoiseach clarify the matter?
Deputy Finucane may not advert further to the matter.
I welcome her to Ireland.
In view of the importance of the next round of EC Structural Funds, could I ask the Taoiseach if there will be a debate in this House on the Government's national development plan which it will submit to Brussels?
The Deputy should find some other way of raising that matter.
It is a very important question.
And worthy of a special question.
The Minister for Social Welfare, Deputy Woods, issued a statement last night to the effect that he is withdrawing Circulars 14/92 and 18/92. When I inquired from the Department today I was told that it is under strict instructions not to give Deputies of this House copies of those circulars. Will the Taoiseach insist on the Minister, Deputy Woods, allowing Deputies to have copies of these circulars?
I want to facilitate Deputy De Rossa and others on the Order of Business, but this matter is out of order.
It is an important point.
I am calling Deputy McGahon for a final question.
Deputies are being denied information to which they are entitled.
The Deputy may not pursue the matter now. There are certain matters reserved for this time and that is not one of them.
Has the Minister for Finance any proposals to amend the betting Act to accommodate late night opening by bookmakers?
The Deputy may not pursue that matter.
The Deputy has a personal interest in that matter.
The Deputy must raise a question appertaining to legislation.
The question relates to a serious loss of money to the Revenue which concerns both the Minister for Tourism and Trade, Deputy McCreevy and me.
We will be dealing with the Finance Bill shortly.
In view of the serious shooting in Blackhall Place in the past 24 hours, could the Minister indicate when the promised legislation concerning more severe sentencing for the use of weapons will be brought before the House? It is promised in the Programme for Government.
That legislation is in the course of preparation.
When is it proposed to introduce the harbours Bill? In view of the comments yesterday by the Commissioner criticising the Irish Government for lack of consultation on a regional basis will it be introduced prior to a submission to Brussels regarding Structural Funds?
The Deputy may not elaborate on the matter now.
We expect to publish the Bill in early July.