It is proposed to take Nos. 4, 10, 6 and 2. It is also proposed, notwithstanding anything in Standing Orders, that Nos. 4 and 10 shall be decided without debate. Private Members' Business shall be No. 17, motion No. 14.
Order of Business.
Is the proposal for dealing with Nos. 4 and 10 satisfactory? Agreed.
I wish to raise a routine matter. For several years the Government has been promising to introduce legislation to convert the Land Registry and the Registry of Deeds into a commercial semi-State body. There are major delays in processing property transactions and much revenue which could be gained by way of a speedy conclusion of these transactions is being lost to the State because of the non-filling of vacancies in these bodies. When will this legislation which was promised in March 1993 and on several previous occasions be introduced?
Work is proceeding to convert the Land Registry into a commercial semi-State body. Work is also proceeding within the Land Registry to choose the most appropriate people to move to Waterford. Both matters are being dealt with together.
Will the Taoiseach confirm reports that the promised Ethics in Government Bill is to be published in the near future? Will it deal with instances where citizenship has been conferred on people in respect of investments connected with members of the Government?
The Deputy need not elaborate now.
Will the matter be dealt with in that legislation or will other legislation be needed to unearth what has happened in the past in that regard?
I hope the Ethics in Government Bill will be published within a week.
I did not get an answer to my question.
It was totally irrelevant.
The Deputy should ask his friends who were in Government.
Sherlock Holmes is on the rampage again. Another brown bag operation.
Does the Taoiseach consider, in respect of the £2.5 million spent on PR consultants, that he is getting value for money having regard——
The Deputy knows what the procedure is at this time. The matter to which he has adverted is irrelevant on the Order of Business.
The Minister for Social Welfare verbally abused a journalist from The Cork Examiner who pointed out to him——
I am sorry but this does not arise now.
The journalist in question——
If the Deputy wants to proceed along those lines he has other avenues open to him. It is not relevant now.
He has to canvass now, a Cheann Comhairle.
I caution the Deputy against mentioning persons outside the House who have no redress against accusations made against them in this privileged assembly.
May I put a different question?
If it is relevant.
Will the Minister for Social Welfare make a statement to the House about misleading the House last week——
This is disorderly.
——on the issue of the entitlements of 70,000 women under the social welfare code?
The Deputy will resume his seat. I have already said in the House that if Members wish to make a serious allegation against another Member, especially a Minister——
I am making an allegation.
I made it last Thursday.
——there is a procedure for doing so. The Deputy must put down a substantive motion. He may not throw accusations across the floor in a disdainful manner.
He missed the last edition.
The Minister for Social Welfare misled the House last week and there is chapter and verse to be quoted on the matter. He did mislead the House.
(Interruptions.)
The Deputy may not suggest that. I have told him the procedure. It is unfair and unethical——
It is not.
——to make such an allegation.
It is accurate.
The Deputy should put down a motion on the matter.
I will do that.
That is the Deputy's privilege.
I regret that attacks were made on a journalist in Cork.
He visited the Deputy at his clinic during the weekend.
(Interruptions.)
The Deputy will have regard for the ruling of the Chair.
Ring Barney Murphy.
I invite the Minister for Social Welfare to make a statement in clarification——
The matter does not arise now.
The Minister's statement, on the confidentiality clause in respect of equality payments made to women could be construed as misleading.
The Deputy should desist and have regard to my admonition that if he wishes to make a serious charge against a Member there is a procedure. I invite him to avail of that procedure. He may not do so in this ad hoc manner.
I have the record of the proceedings last Wednesday and it shows that misleading statements were made.
Deputy Avril Doyle is offering.
On a point of order——
Will we hear Deputy Doyle?
It relates to the same subject matter.
I fail to see how a point of order can arise.
On a point of order——
There are two points of order.
——when I raised a query on the Ethics in Government Bill, the Minister for Transport, Energy and Communications, Deputy Cowen, mentioned a brown paper bag operation. Will he elaborate on that? I will, if necessary.
I told Deputy O'Malley some time ago either to put up or shut up and he had to.
Let us be serious.
I have had an opportunity to check the record of the statements made by the Minister for Social Welfare last week. In the interest of the House not engaging in the cumbersome procedure of accusation, I invite him to make a statement of clarification.
That is sufficient, Deputy.
I made one last week. The matter is before the courts.
I read the Minister's statements and they are at variance with the facts.
Please, Deputy Bruton.
Is it permissible for the Minister to mislead the House? He should make a statement.
Deputy Rabbitte should resume his seat.
We have long been promised changes in the archaic law on occupier's liability. The Law Reform Commission recently published another report indicating more changes in this area. At least 15 national organisations, such as recreational, sporting and farming organisations——
I must dissuade the Deputy from making a speech.
——are considering what is being referred to as the occupier's liability alliance lest this legislation is not passed in this session. Will the Taoiseach fast track that legislation in this session and introduce emergency legislation if necessary to avoid any implications for our tourism industry this summer? Will the Taoiseach ensure that this legislation is put in place before the end of this session?
I take it this legislation is promised?
Yes.
It is promised, but we need it this session.
I told the House last week that as soon as we received the report from the Law Reform Commission the legislation will be prepared at full speed. It will be published at the earliest possible date.
Will it be this session?
I am sure you, Sir, heard the Minister for Social Welfare a few minutes ago again attempting to mislead us by saying the matter is sub judice.
I have advised Deputies how to proceed on this matter.
The Deputy should put down a motion.
I am making the allegation that the Minister misled the House in relation to the confidentiality clause of equality payments settled outside the High Court.