Vol. 441 No. 1
It is proposed to take items Nos. 9, 10 and 1.
It is also proposed, notwithstanding anything in Standing Orders, that the proceedings on item No. 9 shall be brought to a conclusion within one hour and any amendment from the Seanad not disposed of shall be decided by one question which shall be put from the Chair and which shall in relation to amendments thereto include only those set down or accepted by the Minister for the Environment.
Private Members' Business shall be No. 14.
Are the proposals for dealing with item No. 9 satisfactory and agreed? Agreed.
In regard to item No. 8 — Estimates for Public Services, 1994, the Taoiseach said in the House that the money for the Tallaght hospital was included in the National Development Plan, 1994 to 1999. It now appears that in fact it is not, that the Community Support Framework is not likely to fund the Tallaght hospital, that the Irish Government will have to find the money, in other words Irish taxpayers will have to find the money.
Can the Deputy relate his question——
——to item No. 8.
Is legislation proposed?
It relates to item No. 8 on the Order Paper — Estimates for Public Services, 1994. Will a Supplementary Estimate now be necessary for the Department of Health to provide for the additional taxpayer contribution to this project; further, will a Supplementary Estimate for the Department of Transport, Energy and Communications be necessary to provide for the additional taxpayer contribution towards the cost of the proposed peat-fired generating station?
The Deputy should be encouraged by the excellent First Quarterly Returns for this year. In regard to the items he has raised, I might refer him to the fact that the Community Support Framework has not yet been agreed. However, the Deputy and the House can be assured that——
It is in the bag.
——Europe will be contributing to the building of the Tallaght hospital and that Europe will be contributing to the peat-fired generating station in the midlands. If the Deputy has any other problems he should just ask me about them.
Yes, I have a few other problems for the Taoiseach.
The tan will not cover it all.
The Taoiseach looks lovely; none of us should be envious, certainly I am not. Would the Taoiseach say whether a Supplementary Estimate will be necessary because the EU contribution towards these two projects will not be at the level anticipated by the Government?
We do not plan nor do we expect to have to introduce any Supplementary Estimate this year in relation to the projects referred to by Deputy John Bruton.
Reference was made to the Taoiseach's holiday, to which he is entitled but, given the inclement weather we had here, perhaps we all regret we did not go with him. Nonetheless he may be aware that during his absence——
The Taoiseach may be aware that while he was away a new adviser was appointed who does not have to take up office for two months. Given the inclement weather we have had and the likelihood of a political storm in the near future, can the Taoiseach say whether the Government will consider appointing an officer from the Meteorological Service because it is fair to say that the ethics in Government——
Deputies are taking some liberties.
Will the Taoiseach say when the Ethics in Government Bill will be published. Can he also give the House an assurance that no more advisers will be appointed before that Bill is debated in the House.
You are ringed by mobile telephones.
The Government expect to be in a position shortly to publish the Bill requested by the Deputy. In relation to good, bad or inclement weather, jealousy will get Deputies nowhere in relation to the tan.
Would the Taoiseach say whether it is intended to publish a list of promised legislation for this session since we have not had such a list since the session which ended in December last. Can the Government indicate, other than through newspaper columns, what legislation it is proposed to take between now and the summer recess, and whether the Ethics in Government Bill will be taken in this session?
I have said on a number of occasions that the Government is working on the existing list and that when that has been completed, we will produce a new one. If the Deputy has any specific Bill in mind he can discuss it with the Whips at any time.
Like the Gilbert and Sullivan song. I have a little list, getting even longer.
It would be in order to publish the list of legislation with which the Government proposes to deal in this session. We have all sorts of lists——
No, Deputies have one.
We have, for example, the list contained in the Programme for Government, which is not quite the same as that published in December and which certainly has not been adhered to in terms of the timescale set out in the Programme for Government. Will the Taoiseach publish a list of the legislation with which the Government proposes to deal in this session, not in the course of the life of this Government?
I have said already that we are working from the existing list. However, I might point out to the Deputy that this Government has put through a record number of Bills within the first 12 months of its term of office. Surely he does not expect all of the Programme for Government to be implemented in this session? Indeed we have plenty of legislation for this session. If there is any specific Bill about which he wants to inquire at any given time, he should feel free to do so.
Is the Taoiseach aware that his Chief Whip published a list on 6 October, 1993 of Bills expected to be published between then and the Christmas recess and which included the Ethics in Government Bill which was not published before Christmas? He was asked on 22 February last if he expected the Ethics in Government Bill to be published before the end of the session then in progress. He replied in the affirmative but the Bill did not materialise. He was then asked on 22 March, 1994——
The Deputy seems to be imparting rather a lot of information instead of seeking it.
I just want to advise the Taoiseach that it would be wise, when publishing lists, to make sure that they are accurate because he also said in this House, on the Order of Business on 22 March, 1994, that the Ethics in Government Bill would be published during the Easter recess. Again, that did not happen. Can the Taoiseach give the House a definite answer as to whether this Bill will be published at all and, if so precisely when?
If ever.
I am advised that I said on 22 March that I hoped to publish the Bill. My hopes in that regard were not realised but will be at the earliest possible opportunity.
When they stop squabbling.
Will the Taoiseach indicate to the House when the Government will take a decision on the payment of compensation to farmers in Galway whose lands have been flooded since early February, and householders who have had to abandon their houses since that time——
This is not relevant to the Order of Business. There are many ways open to the Deputy to pursue that matter.
A Cheann Comhairle, the matter is very relevant to those who have had to abandon their homes.
The Deputy will obey the Chair.
I hope the Taoiseach will take account of what I am saying.
In keeping with normal Government practice, will the Taoiseach be announcing, outside the House, perhaps at the convention on Sunday next, the date of the urban elections?
I do not think the Deputy would disagree with me that one of the most important announcements in relation to this country in the past 50 years was made in the late forties in Canada. Therefore, I do not think it is anything new for this Government to make announcements outside the House either.
I am talking about the date of the by-elections.
We will give you that in due course.
Will the Commissioner be there?
Would the Taoiseach indicate to the House what plans the Government has to respond to the multi-million pound crisis within our major industry? Although I know he has been absent from the country recently, he may be aware of the adverse weather conditions that have prevailed for many months now and the problems of our farmers——
I have already ruled out that question, Deputy.
I was not speaking about the floods in Galway, I am speaking about the national problem.
The Deputy must pursue that matter in the usual way in accordance with the procedures of this House. I am calling Deputy Rabbitte.
I refer to Vote 31 (Agriculture and Food) on today's Order Paper. I would ask that arrangements be made under Vote 31 to advance £250 million in payments owed to farmers to alleviate the crisis.
The Deputy is trying to circumvent the ruling of the Chair. I am calling Deputy Rabbitte.
I think I am in order.
I am sorry, Deputy, you are not in order now. I have advised you to proceed in another way.
May we have an emergency debate over the next few days as this is our major industry? We would like to know the Government's plans.
That is an important issue.
That is a matter for other people to decide, it is not one for the Chair. I am calling Deputy Rabbitte.
I am offering and willing.
Deputy Doyle rose.
The Deputy knows the Chair has no function in that matter.
Vote 31 allows it.
The Deputy will now resume her seat.
I think I may be in order. I am requesting that Vote 31, item No. 8 on the Order Paper, be brought forward. All I am asking is that farmers be paid what they are owed to get them out of their economic crisis.
Deputy, please desist.
I am trying to be in order.
You are taxing the patience of the Chair. I have called Deputy Rabbitte three or four times. If he does not respond I will go on to other business.
On the Finance Bill, since the Minister of State at the Department of Social Welfare has resurfaced for the first time since her visit to Killarney, will the Taoiseach say why there is no expression in the Finance Bill of her commitment announced in Killarney that this Government would not tax the unemployed and if the Minister for Finance intends to bring forward amendments? I am not sure why the Minister of State has so quickly deserted her position of focus behind the Taoiseach, but it is important that the Taoiseach clarify this issue for the House.
The Deputy is raising a very wide issue.
It is a very wide issue as it affects 300,000 people.
It can be dealt with in the appropriate way. It is not one for the Order of Business.
Is it intended to amend the Finance Bill to give effect to the announcement by the Minister of State at the Department of Social Welfare, Deputy Burton, in Killarney?
I must dissuade the Deputy from making a speech.
The Finance Bill will make its way through the House and the Deputy will have ample opportunity to put down amendments if he so wishes.
Can the Taoiseach clarify, once and for all, when it is proposed to introduce the legislation to move the writ for the Dublin and Mayo West by-elections?
We have had that many times.
Yes, but we have not had clarification. Will the Taoiseach apologise to the people of Mayo for insinuating during the weekend that they were not capable of dealing with four ballot papers for Údárás na Gaeltachta elections, a by-election, European elections and urban council elections?
I did not insult the people of Mayo. People from Mayo pointed out to me that there may be three or four ballot papers and asked me to take those matters into account when making a decision on election dates.
Is the Taoiseach postponing the by-elections yet again?
