Will the Taoiseach indicate when it is intended to bring forward the ethics Bill which was promised in the Programme for Government? It was promised before Christmas but still has not appeared.
Financial Resolutions, 1993. - Order of Business (Resumed).
The Bill will be introduced during this session.
May I ask the Taoiseach when it is proposed to bring before the House the Juvenile Justice Bill? Will it be introduced in this session?
Only last week in the House the Minister for Justice made a very extensive statement in relation to the position on the Juvenile Justice Bill and I have nothing further to add.
In the last session the Taoiseach told the House several times that the promised Bill on compellability and privilege of witnesses appearing before Oireachtas Committees would be circulated in that session. Before Christmas he said it would be circulated during the recess. Will the Taoiseach be more specific and say whether the Bill will be published shortly and whether it will be enacted in this session?
I expect it to be ready for publication this session.
The "Minister for Poverty" has described widows' pensions as perks. Will the Taoiseach and the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs dissociate themselves from these Dickensian remarks of the so-called "Minister for Poverty"?
Sorry, Deputy Currie, I sought——
This is written in black and white on page seven of her statement.
Shame.
I call Deputy McManus.
The Government promised to bring in legislation——
Her remarks are similar to those made by the Minister of State at the Department of the Environment, Deputy Stagg, about nursing homes.
Arrogance.
Let us hear Deputy McManus.
The Government promised to bring in legislation to give each spouse an equal share in the family home. Will the Taoiseach state whether he intends to bring in this promised——
(Interruptions.)
The Tánaiste should not mutter; if he has something to say he should say it.
Keep chasing your rainbows, John.
Order. This kind of bickering across the floor of the House——
I will see him at RTE today——
Please, Deputy Bruton——
——and he will not run away from this one.
This kind of bickering across the floor of the House should cease.
(Interruptions.)
To say he is not available——
I call Deputy McManus.
The Government promised to bring in legislation to give each spouse an equal share in the family home. This legislation has been promised in the Joint Programme for Government and in the House. Does the Taoiseach intend to bring in this legislation? Yesterday he stated he was not going to do anything about the Bill.
This matter was raised yesterday.
I should like an answer from him. Is he going to live up to the commitment he gave?
Rather than have repetition I will ask the Taoiseach if he will intervene again in the matter.
I will, and I hope it is the last time I have to repeat what I said yesterday, that is, we brought in legislation but the principle enshrined in it was struck down by the Supreme Court. As both the Minister for Equality and Law Reform and I said yesterday, we are not proceeding with that Bill, the principle of which has been struck down by the Supreme Court.
The Minister spent a lot of time in the Supreme Court.
May I ask the Taoiseach one supplementary?
Sorry, Deputy McManus, this matter must not give rise to debate now.
What other parts of the Joint Programme for Government are to be jettisoned with the Matrimonial Home Bill?
I am proceeding to recommence the budget debate.
A Ceann Comhairle——
I will hear one or two more Deputies before proceeding to the business ordered.
Will the Taoiseach indicate when the Minister for Equality and Law Reform will be in a position to introduce the occupiers' liability Bill?
Is this promised legislation?
It has been promised many times.
As I said last week — apparently I have to answer the same questions every week — we are awaiting a report from the Law Reform Commission on aspects of the Bill.
(Interruptions.)
Will the Taoiseach clarify whether the ethics Bill has been cleared by the Cabinet and give an indication of when it might be published?
I have answered that question.
Was the Taoiseach aware at the time he raised no objections to the granting of a visa to Gerry Adams to enter the United States or the public relations exercise which he and his party——
This is a deviation from the Order of Business.
Has the Taoiseach any comment to make?
I am proceeding to item No. 14.
A Cheann Comhairle——
I am sorry I did not see the Deputy, who might apply his voice as well in situations of this kind.
When I do I am told to stay quiet.
I will hear the Deputy.
Will the Minister of State at the Department of Social Welfare explain her comments about widows and the perks they receive?
Sorry, Deputy——
Will she clarify her comments to the House today?
That is a very good question and it might be tabled appropriately.
Is the Minister of State thinking of abolishing the widow's pension?
I am proceeding to the business ordered.