It is proposed to take Nos. 10 and 11. It is also proposed, notwithstanding anything in Standing Orders, that: 1. Business shall be interrupted not later than 12 midnight tonight and the Dáil shall adjourn forthwith; 2. No. 10 shall be decided without debate and any division demanded thereon shall be taken forthwith; 3. Following the Budget Statement of the Minister for Finance and the statements of the main spokespersons of the parties in Opposition, the sitting shall be suspended for 30 minutes; and 4. There shall be no Private Members' Business today.
Order of Business.
Is it agreed that business shall be interrupted not later than 12 midnight tonight? Agreed. Is it agreed that No. 10 shall be decided without debate and that any division demanded there on shall be taken forthwith? Agreed. Is the 30 minutes sos agreed? Agreed. Is it agreed that there will be no Private Members' Business today? Agreed.
In view of the fact that the Matrimonial Home Bill has been declared unconstitutional, what is the Government's intention in regard to providing for joint ownership? Also, in regard to the divorce referendum, will the Taoiseach indicate when the family law Bill will be published and debated? Will he give an assurance that adequate time will be provided to debate the divorce constitutional amendment Bill prior to the summer recess or will this be a matter to be dealt with in a rushed way before the referendum after the summer recess?
The family law Bill will be published shortly. The question of the constitutionality of the Matrimonial Home Bill was discussed at Government yesterday. A statement was issued following that meeting indicating that a full evaluation was being carried out by the Minister for Equality and Law Reform, Deputy Taylor and the Attorney General. They will be reporting back to the Government next week and we will then be in a better position to make a more definitive statement to the House.
I also asked the Taoiseach if he could give an assurance that the consitutional amendment Bill, which follows, will be debated here before the summer recess so that we will not be rushing this legislation through the House in September for an October referendum.
I am sure the Deputy, like the rest of the Members of the House, would wish to see us proceed as soon as possible. I assure everybody that it will not deflect the Government from its intention to hold a referendum and the maximum time that can be allocated to the House will be given. We must first decide in which direction we are travelling before I can give a more definitive reply to Deputy Bruton.
No more flawed legislation.
When will legislation be published to establish sub-county structures for the local elections in June?
Shortly.
The Government circulated a Bill to amend our extradition laws last week. Will the Taoiseach state when it is intended to debate that legislation in the House? Will it be taken before the Easter recess?
The legislation to which the Deputy refers is before the House. It is a matter for the Whips to agree when it can be taken. Certainly the Government is prepared to take it whenever the Whips agree a date.
On five separate occasions during the last session of the Dáil the Taoiseach promised that the Ethics in Government Bill would be published and brought before the House. Again, on five separate occasions he promised that the Bill dealing with the compulsory attendance of witnesses at committees would also be published. Can I take it that a list of proposed legislation will be published and that in future the Taoiseach will not make promises during Dáil sessions which he cannot keep?
Deputy Kenny's question is contradictory because on the one hand he wants a list of our best intentions with regard to proposed legislation but if that is not delivered it is regarded as a broken promise. Both Bills are expected this session, I will not go further than that.
Will the Taoiseach indicate to the House when the refugee protection Bill will be published and made available, debated and passed by this House?
It is almost ready and will be brought before the House at the earliest possible date.
Will the Taoiseach indicate when the proposed Bill on occupier's liability will be before the House? Is it likely that it will be taken before the Easter recess?
The Deputy may be aware that the Government is awaiting a report from the Law Reform Commission in relation to this but she can take it that it will be brought before the House as soon as possible. We recognise the difficulties it is causing and the problems that must be solved.
It is reported.
That is not correct. The report is already in.
I am sorry to tell Deputy Bruton that certain aspects of it had to be referred back to the Law Reform Commission.
Delaying tactics.
What do the Taoiseach or the Government propose to do about the huge lay-off of workers a few weeks ago at the AT Cross factory in Ballinasloe? He has no interest in that.
Deputy Connaughton must find another way to raise that matter.
I am surprised at the Taoiseach's comment with regard to the Bill on occupier's liability. We were promised that Bill during the last session and we are now told that it must go back to the Law Reform Commission again. I suggest to the Taoiseach that this is simply a case of passing the buck. No effort is being made to introduce this Bill.
That question has been posed.
Does the Taoiseach require any special legislation to enable the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Forestry to pay the millions of pounds owed to farmers all around the country?
That is not a matter for the Order of Business.