Dáil Éireann debate -
Friday, 17 Dec 1993

Vol. 437 No. 5

Order of Business.

The Taoiseach

It is proposed to take No. 2.

It is also proposed notwithstanding anything in Standing Orders that:

1. The proceedings on No. 2 shall be brought to a conclusion not later than 4 p.m. and the following arrangements shall apply in relation to the debate;

(i) the speeches of the Taoiseach and of the main spokespersons for the Fine Gael Party, the Progressive Democrat Party and the Technical Group shall not exceed 45 minutes in each case;

(ii) the speech of each other Member called on shall not exceed ten minutes in each case; and

(iii) the Tánaiste shall be called on not later than 3.30 p.m. to make a speech in reply not exceeding 30 minutes.

2. The Dáil on its rising today shall adjourn until Wednesday 26th January 1994 and consideration of the Committee Stage of legislation in Committees shall commence from 10 January 1994.

An Ceann Comhairle

May I now ask if the proposal for dealing with No. 2 is satisfactory and agreed? Agreed. Is the proposal in relation to the adjournment of the House satisfactory and agreed? Agreed.

Mr. J. Bruton

I do not propose to ask any questions about promised legislation on the Order of Business today. I just want to wish you, Sir, and every Member of this House and all the people who live on this island and in our neighbouring island not just a happy but a peaceful Christmas.

Proinsias De Rossa

I wish to muddy the calm waters a little. I should like to ask about promised legislation, legislation that has been promised so often it is vying now with the draining of the Shannon. Since 1988 we have been promised the Consumer Credit Bill, which deals with money lending. It was promised yet again the other day by the Minister of State at the Department of Enterprise and Employment, Deputy O'Rourke, and it is still not published. I should like to ask the Taoiseach when will it be published and will it be passed in this House before we meet here again for the next Christmas recess? It is a money lending Bill. It is important that it is dealt with so that the people of this country do not have to face another Christmas at the mercy of unscrupulous money lenders?

The Taoiseach

I expect the Consumer Credit Bill to come before the Government next Tuesday for final clearance. It will be published during the Christmas recess.

Miss Harney

I, too, want to offer you, a Cheann Comhairle, the Taoiseach and the Government a Happy Christmas. Like Deputy Bruton I sincerely hope it is a peaceful Christmas for all of us. I thought we might do this at 4 p.m. after the debate. Can the Taoiseach confirm if the budget will be on 26 January?

The Taoiseach

The Deputy is correct, 26 January is budget day.

Mrs. Doyle

Can the Taoiseach indicate what is happening in relation to the introduction of the new tier of Government — the regional authorities? There was an indication that an order for its commencement on 1 January would be made. When will the order be made? When will the regional authorities come into force?

An Ceann Comhairle

Strictly speaking, it is not in order now.

Mr. G. Mitchell

The Minister for Justice promised that the Refugee Bill would be published before Christmas and recently the Taoiseach mentioned that the Bill was at an advance stage of preparation. Has the Bill been cleared by Cabinet or is it proposed to clear it next Tuesday?

The Taoiseach

It will be published during the recess.