When does the Taoiseach intend to publish the revised National Development Plan? Would he agree there is an urgent necessity to have that plan debated in this House so that the various organisations, particularly community groups who expect assistance under the plan, will know where they stand? This is not a matter that can be put off further. I appreciate it was necessary to do so from the Taoiseach's point of view before the elections, but it is important that people know where they stand in regard to the plan.
Order of Business (Resumed).
The answer to that question is the same as that I gave before and during the elections; it is a matter for the Commission in Brussels — it is on its agenda — when to make a decision on the issue.
When will the long promised juvenile justice Bill be published? Will it be introduced before the recess?
The Bill is in the course of preparation. It is a very detailed Bill covering approximately 200 sections and it will not be published before the summer recess.
In view of the low turn out at the recent elections and the protracted nature of some of the election counts, will the Taoiseach say when the Bill to reform our electoral law will be published? Can we expect to see it before the summer recess?
It is possible that it will be published before the summer recess. Drafting of the Bill is well advanced.
The Minister of State at the Department of Justice promised some time ago that amending legislation would be introduced to protect long-standing tenants from eviction from ordinary residential property. Is the legislation ready? It was indicated that it would be dealt with before the summer recess.
The legislation is at a very early stage of preparation.
The Minister for Justice promised some time ago in this House, in response to a Private Members' Bill from Deputy Shatter dealing with refugees, that a Government Bill would be introduced. Will the Taoiseach say when that Bill will be published in view of the urgent need for it? Will that Bill include amendments to the current business migration scheme or will that be dealt with under a separate Bill?
The latter part of the Deputy's question is a matter that can be debated fully under the Ethics in Public Office Bill and the Deputy may put forward amendments to that Bill. On the first part of the question, I will be in a better position to give that information on the Order of Business tomorrow. I have just made a request to the Attorney General's office as to when the Bill will be completed. I believe it is near completion but I will be in a position to give more definite information tomorrow morning.
The Taoiseach has promised for some months the introduction of the Bill to give Oireachtas committees power to compel witnesses to appear before them and to give privilege to those witnesses. Will that Bill be published in this session? Is it intended to introduce legislation before the summer recess to deal with the revision of constituency boundaries?
I do not expect either Bill to be in the House before the summer recess.
When will the harbour boards Bill, which was promised, be published?
During the next session of the Dáil.
Is the Taoiseach saying that the deficiencies in the business migration scheme can be resolved through the Ethics in Public Office Bill? Where does this stand in view of the commitment given by the Tánaiste that statutory proposals would be advanced to deal with the deficiencies in that scheme?
As I said in the House before, an interdepartmental committee, which is sitting, will bring recommendations before the Government and the Government in turn will introduce appropriate legislation on the basis of those recommendations.
The Taoiseach indicated that amendments could be tabled to the Ethics in Public Office Bill. Is he saying that as a result of the working group's report the Government will introduce amendments to that Bill?
The House will have an opportunity to propose amendments to the Ethics in Public Office Bill if Members so wish and all amendments will be openly debated.
That does not answer my question.
We are all interested in doing the right thing and if we get co-operation in the House we will be only too delighted to do the right thing.
Will the Government bring forward amendments to the Ethics in Public Office Bill arising from the interdepartmental group's report?
This is not Question Time.
I said that Members may put forward amendments.