Dáil Éireann debate -
Tuesday, 7 Dec 1993

Vol. 436 No. 7

Order of Business.

The Taoiseach

It is proposed to take Nos. 1, 7, 8, 9, 15, the Report and Final Stages of the Social Welfare (No. 2) Bill, 1993 subject to the agreement of paragraph 4 below, and Nos. 16 and 3.

It is also proposed, notwithstanding anything in Standing Orders that: (1) business shall be interrupted not later than 10.30 p.m. today; (2) Nos. 1, 7, 8 and 9 shall be decided without debate and if a Division is demanded on No. 7 it shall be taken forthwith; (3) The proceedings on the Report and Final Stages of No. 15, if not previously concluded, shall be brought to a conclusion at 7.00 p.m. by one question which shall, be put from the Chair and which shall, in relation to amendments, include only those set down or accepted by the Minister for Foreign Affairs; and (4) The proceedings on the Report and Final Stages of the Social Welfare (No. 2) Bill, 1993, 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 those set down or accepted by the Minister for Social Welfare.

Private Members' Business shall be No. 25/Motion 14.

An Leas-Cheann Comhairle

There are four matters to be put to the House. Is it agreed that business shall be interrupted at 10.30 p.m. today? Agreed. Are the proposals for dealing with items Nos. 1, 7, 8 and 9 agreed? Agreed. Are the propoals for dealing with item No. 5 agreed? Agreed. Are the proposals for dealing with the Report and Final Stages of the Social Welfare (No. 2) Bill, 1993, agreed? Agreed.

Mr. J. Bruton

On 15 June last the Taoiseach stated that a Bill to amend the law in regard to juvenile justice would be available "within the next few weeks". When will it be ready?

The Taoiseach

I have already stated to the House that this legislation will be forthcoming in the next session.

Minister for Transport, Energy and Communications (Mr. Cowen)

In a few weeks.

Mr. J. Bruton

It was supposed to be ready last July. Therefore, I am not exactly overwhelmed by the optimism expressed by the Taoiseach. At the beginning of the year the Government promised legislation in regard to fraud and dishonesty, particularly white collar crime. Will the Taoiseach say when that legislation will be prepared? The precise reference is 17 February 1993, that is when that legislation was promised.

An Leas-Cheann Comhairle

Is this promised legislation?

The Taoiseach

Yes, it is being prepared at present.

Miss Harney

Will the Taoiseach state when the Book of Estimates will be published and whether the Government has agreed to a date for the introduction of the forthcoming budget.

The Taoiseach

The Book of Estimates is at present with the printers. I expect it to be published on Thursday and debated before the end of this session.

Miss Harney

And a date for the budget?

Prionsias De Rossa

Will the Taoiseach give the House an undertaking, in view of the outcome of the current GATT negotiations, the long term interests of farming and the food sector, in addition to consumers and the unemployed, that he will not use the veto on the GATT Agreement?

An Leas-Cheann Comhairle

The Deputy will have to find some other way of raising that matter?

Mr. Deasy

Will the Taoiseach say whether, if there is no improvement in the present position regarding the GATT negotiations, the Government will use the veto to ensure that Irish farming and thus our economy, are protected?

An Leas-Cheann Comhairle

That is not a matter for the Order of Business.

Mr. Deasy

As only eight days remain before the finalisation of these negotiations will the Taoiseach make a statement on the matter? I presume the Taoiseach's silence means we can take it for granted they will not use the veto.

Mr. Rabbitte

Will the Taoiseach inform the House whether an order will be brought before the House this week or next by the Government, or by the Minister for Arts, Culture and the Gaeltacht, to renew the order under section 31 of the Broadcasting Act?

An Leas-Cheann Comhairle

I am informed that it is not promised legislation.

Mr. Rabbitte

A Leas-Cheann Comhairle, this is a requirement under the existing Act. Since the House will not be sitting between 17 December and 19 January next the Taoiseach should indicate when the order will be brought before the House.

An Leas-Cheann Comhairle

The Deputy must find another way to approach that matter. I note that Deputy Yates has been offering.

The Taoiseach

It has to be laid before the House only.

Mr. Rabbitte

A Leas-Cheann Comhairle, I think the Taoiseach is doing his best to get your attention to allow him in but——

The Taoiseach

I am trying to help.

Mr. Yates

If the Taoiseach wants to reply, certainly I will give way to him.

An Leas-Cheann Comhairle

Deputy Rabbitte has had a lot of leeway on this one; he made his point; perhaps he will raise it in another way.

Mr. Rabbitte

I think the Taoiseach was indicating that it is not necessary, while the House is sitting, to lay the order before the House before 17 December. I note the Taoiseach is furiously nodding his head. I take it that that means——

The Taoiseach

No.

(Interruptions.)

An Leas-Cheann Comhairle

Deputy Yates has the floor.

Mr. Yates

Item No. 7 deals with six supplementary estimates which involve a very substantial overrun of expenditure as opposed to what was allowed for in the budget. Will the Taoiseach clarify, as all these have to go through before the Appropriations Bill next week, whether there will be another raft of these supplementary estimates rushed through the Dáil in the next few days? What is the total level of over expenditure now that we are returning to the bad old days of false bookkeeping and over-runs in expenditure?

The Taoiseach

Deputy Yates need have no worries. We are not going back to the bad old days.

Mr. Yates

What is the total overshoot?

The Taoiseach

This is the seventh year in a row when we are bringing in the figures almost on target, but certainly underneath it.

Mr. Yates

You overshot by over £200 million.

The Taoiseach

Do not worry unduly.

Mr. Carey

When 400,000 are unemployed and the fundamentals are right.

An Leas-Cheann Comhairle

Order, please, Deputy Carey.

The Taoiseach

When I get a little bit of order I may be able to speak. For the information of Deputy Yates, there has never been a year in this House when there were not supplementary estimates. There will be a few more next week.

Mr. Yates

I told you.

Mr. Crawford

Does the Taoiseach intend to take any steps to preserve this country's birthright before he allows his team to sign the GATT agreement? He has refused to answer——

An Leas-Cheann Comhairle

That matter is not relevant at this time. We had it on Question Time. I am moving on now.

Mrs. Owen

There is a fundamental if you want one. There are no answers.

Mr. J. Bruton

As the Taoiseach is aware, this is the year of the elderly. As part of the Programme for Government and also on 30 March 1993 the Government promised that the Minister for Equality and Law Reform would introduce legislation to improve the legal arrangements for the management of the affairs of the elderly. When will this legislation be introduced? Is it still part of the Minister's responsibility or is he solely concerned with marriage breakdown problems?

The Taoiseach

I will communicate with the Deputy as to the up to date position.

Mrs. T. Ahearn

Is the Taoiseach prepared to make a statement or to bring forward proposals to alleviate the enormous fear and anxiety of the farming community in view of the GATT agreement?

An Leas-Cheann Comhairle

I am sorry, Deputy, that matter is not for discussion now. It was comprehensively dealt with at Question Time.

Mrs. T. Ahearn

Can I have some assurance in this House——

Mr. Boylan

I have a specific question. May I ask the Taoiseach if the Government ment is prepared to use the veto to protect the vital national interest of this country?

An Leas-Cheann Comhairle

This is not the appropriate time to raise that matter.