Dáil Éireann debate -
Wednesday, 18 May 1994

Vol. 442 No. 9

Order of Business.

The Taoiseach

Today the Select Committee on Enterprise and Economic Strategy shall consider the Estimates relating to the Department of Transport, Energy and Communications [Vote 18]; the Select Committee on Social Affairs shall consider the Estimates relating to the Department of Education [Votes 26 to 29]; and the Select Committee on Legislation and Security shall commence its consideration of Committee Stage of the Family Law Bill, 1994.

Private Members' Business shall be No. 11 and the proceedings thereon shall be brought to a conclusion at 6 p.m. tonight.

An Cheann Comhairle

Is it agreed that Private Members' Business shall conclude at 6 p.m. this evening? Agreed.

Mr. J. Bruton

Will the Government make decisions in good time to give Ireland the best possible chance to obtain the Commission Presidency?

The Taoiseach

That question does not need an answer. I have clearly stated the position about this matter.

An Ceann Comhairle

It is not related to the Order of Business.

Mr. G. Mitchell

The Taoiseach does not wish us to win the Presidency.

An Ceann Comhairle

There are many ways and means of raising this matter.

The Taoiseach

It would be helpful if the Opposition, who have such fantastic sources of information in the capitals of Europe and Brussels, would state who those sources are and what names they will support for the Presidency?

Mr. G. Mitchell

The Tánaiste asked for clarification and he received it.

An Ceann Comhairle

I call Deputy Harney.

Miss Harney

I will give way to Deputy Bruton.

An Ceann Comhairle

I note that, but the Chair should be obeyed.

Mr. J. Bruton

If the Corfu Summit does not agree a candidate European Ministers will seek a compromise between existing candidates. It is important that our Government should do everything in its power in good time to ensure that Ireland would be in the best possible position to secure that office.

An Ceann Comhairle

This matter is not one for the Order of Business.

Mr. G. Mitchell

It is a matter of national interest.

An Ceann Comhairle

There are other ways and means of raising this matter under the procedures of this House.

Mr. J. Bruton

I appreciate that, Sir. I am responding to a question from the Taoiseach. Anyone who studies the matter will realise what I have said is true.

An Ceann Comhairle

I cannot allow a debate now.

Miss Harney

I understand most countries have a list of two or three candidates for this position — a favourite and other possibilities. I am told the Danes, the French, the Spanish and the Portuguese have Mr. Sutherland on their list. Will the Taoiseach meet Mr. Sutherland to discuss how he might advance the case?

An Ceann Comhairle

The Deputy is continuing to comment on a matter I have ruled out of order.

Proinsias De Rossa

Will the Taoiseach indicate when he expects the negotiations in Brussels on the National Development Plan will be completed? Does he propose that the new plan will be debated in the House?

An Ceann Comhairle

I want to assist Deputies if I can, but they must relate their matters to the Order of Business proper. The matter raised by the Deputy is not relevant now.

Proinsias De Rossa

I raised this matter on a previous occasion before the original plan was brought before the House. The question was allowed at that stage and the Taoiseach replied to it. I seek information on whether it is intended the new shredded programme will be brought before the House for approval.

An Ceann Comhairle

That question slipped through inadvertently but that does not make it in order.

Mr. G. Mitchell

Item No. 6 on the Supplementary Order Paper is a motion in my name and that of Deputy Bruton to seek the establishment of a committee of inquiry into the Dublin and Monaghan bombings of 1974 and the Dublin bombings of 1973. In view of the Mass and the commemoration service yesterday, will the Taoiseach agree to debate the motion on the setting up of the proposed committee and to appoint a special investigator to look into those matters?

An Ceann Comhairle

If it is on the Order Paper it is in order.

Mr. Barrett

Of course it is in order. Deputies opposite should get their act together.

The Taoiseach

It is a Private Members' motion.

Mr. J. Bruton

On a point of order, it is in order to raise a question about whether the Government will take a Private Members' motion in its time. The Taoiseach should answer the question.

The Taoiseach

I have no hesitation in answering the question. The Fine Gael Party can move that motion in its Private Members' Time any time it so wishes.

Mr. J. Bruton

Is it not important enough to be taken by the Government?

Mr. R. Bruton

Will the Taoiseach indicate the stage of preparation of the mental health Bill? A Green Paper was issued in June 1992 and the closing date for submissions was October 1992, nearly two years ago. Many people consider this area of health gets a raw deal in terms of Government priorities. When will the Bill be published?

The Taoiseach

As a result of the Green Paper approximately 100 submissions have been received and a White Paper will be published before the end of the year.

Mr. Barrett

I like to see Ireland enjoy success. I note the Jordan team, a small company competing with the big boys, is doing exceptionally well in formula one motor racing. We should be positive and send a letter of congratulations.

An Ceann Comhairle

Such matters rest with the Taoiseach.

Mr. Barrett

I am sure the Taoiseach will agree to do so.

The Taoiseach

I will be pleased to send a letter of congratulations to the Jordan team.

Mrs. Owen

Will the Taoiseach go and wear the jersey?

Mr. Barrett

Item 15 on the Order Paper is a motion relating to the new planning regulations. The Minister for the Environment is endeavouring to slip through 172 pages of planning regulations to replace the existing regulations under the Planning Acts. The only vehicle open to the Opposition is to table a motion to annul them. I, on behalf of the Fine Gael Party, have done this. We need Government time to debate this matter as it must be debated within 21 sitting days.

An Ceann Comhairle

That is a matter the Whips might consider.

Mr. Barrett

I contacted the Whips on this matter. Will the Taoiseach revert to the original decision that if a member of the Opposition tables such a motion Government time will be given to debate it? This week's Dáil business amounts to nothing. This morning's meeting is an excuse.

An Ceann Comhairle

I have given Deputy Barrett quite some latitude, but he must relate the matter to the Order of Business.

Mr. Barrett

Will the Taoiseach allow us one or two hours to debate 172 pages of new planning regulations?

An Ceann Comhairle

The Deputy should table a question on the matter.

Mr. Barrett

I have tabled the motion.

An Ceann Comhairle

Let us come to the motion in due course.

Mr. S. Barrett

I am seeking Government time to debate it.

An Ceann Comhairle

It is not strictly in order to ask for Government time in respect of a matter at this time.

Mr. Barrett

Can the Chair not see that in accordance with the legislation——

An Ceann Comhairle

If the Deputy has a motion down, doubtless it will be dealt with in due course.

Mr. Barrett

We have legislation which says that if regulations are being made the Minister will lay them before the House and they may be annulled within 21 days. We are asking that this be done.

The Taoiseach

There is a request from Fine Gael to the Whips for Government time to discuss this. That will be discussed this evening at the Whips' meeting. I do not expect that anything will happen this week but probably next week.

Mr. Rabbitte

I thank the Taoiseach for his ongoing support for my candidacy. I hope he will keep it up in the days ahead.

The Taoiseach

We will do our best for the Deputy.

Mr. Rabbitte

Will the Taoiseach consider the latest member of my group, Deputy Cox, as a candidate for the presidency of the Commission or does he have something better in mind for him? I think Deputy Cox would make an excellent President and I know Deputy Cox believes that too.

The Taoiseach

I am awaiting a request from his former leader.

(Interruptions.)

An Ceann Comhairle

Deputies should avoid flippancy at this stage.

Mr. J. Bruton

I appreciate the Government's helpfulness on the motion tabled by Deputy Barrett. Perhaps the Government would agree, in the same spirit, to discuss the question of the Dublin and Monaghan bombings and the motion we have tabled on that matter to see whether agreement could be reached on some form of inquiry which would help alleviate the grief felt by relatives even 20 years later.

Deputies

Hear, hear.

An Ceann Comhairle

Again I suggest — perhaps it is impertinent of me — that the Whips might discuss this matter.

Mr. J. Bruton

That is perfectly acceptable to me and I hope the Whips will approach it in the same spirit in which they approached the other matter.

Mr. Power

Will the Taoiseach confirm that a request has been made to the United Nations to send a peacekeeping force to the Munster area?

An Ceann Comhairle

I thought we had ended the flippancy. I am calling Deputy Kenny.

Deputy Harney rose.

An Ceann Comhairle

I apologise to the Deputy. I will certainly call her. I shall not forget.

Mr. E. Kenny

It is not usual for the Chair to be in any way forgetful. I wonder did he intend to give his customary céad míle fáilte to the former Deputy and Minister, Mr. Lalor, who is in the Visitor's Gallery?

An Ceann Comhairle

I meant no disrespect to the former Minister and Deputy. He is very welcome.

Miss Harney

On the Order of Business three weeks ago the Tánaiste said that the ethics in public office Bill would be published in about three weeks. Can I take it, therefore, that the Bill will be published this week?

The Taoiseach

It will be published as soon as it is completed and it is almost ready.

Miss Harney

Will that be before the election?

The Taoiseach

It will not be published this week but it will be very shortly.

Miss Quill

Will it be during this session?

Mr. Nealon

I may not be totally in order, but it is the practice of this House to recognise great sporting achievements. I think everyone would wish us to convey our congratulations to Sligo Rovers, and perhaps in addition to the congratulations of the House the Taoiseach might write a letter congratulating them and explaining that it was done at my request.

An Ceann Comhairle

How could I disallow the Deputy?

Mr. Allen

I seek the advice of the Chair on an important issue. During the debate on the Private Members' motion yesterday on social welfare equality payments, the Minister for Social Welfare alleged that the terms of confidentiality that were imposed on settlements amounting to tens of millions of pounds were imposed not by him but by a third party.

An Ceann Comhairle

If Deputy Allen wished me to make a considered reply to such a question he should have done me the courtesy of asking me in advance. I will not hear it, Deputy.

Mr. Allen

I will raise it again.

Ms F. Fitzgerald

I support what Deputy Barrett said about the planning regulations and his request for Government time to discuss them. Many people are concerned about these regulations.

An Ceann Comhairle

That has been resolved, I hope to the satisfaction of the Deputy's party.

Ms F. Fitzgerald

There have been no meetings of the Social Affairs Committee and other committees for many weeks and at the same time detailed regulations are going through without discussion.

An Ceann Comhairle

I have to dissuade the Deputy from making speeches at this time.

Sitting suspended at 11.35 a.m. and resumed at 4.30 p.m.