Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Legislative Programme. – Dáil Éireann (27th Dáil) – Wednesday, 5 Apr 1995

Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Legislative Programme.

Bertie Ahern

Question:

4 Mr. B. Ahern asked the Taoiseach the new Bills which have been published since this Government took office; the dates of publication; the Bills carried over from the previous Government; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6833/95]

Bertie Ahern

Question:

5 Mr. B. Ahern asked the Taoiseach the legislative programme intended for the next session; the criteria used to prioritise legislation; and the items which will definitely be introduced in the next session. [6837/95]

The Taoiseach

I propose to take Questions Nos. 4 and 5 together.

Eight Bills have been published since the Government took office on 15 December 1994. I am arranging to have a list of those Bills and the dates of their publication, as well as a list of 13 Bills which were carried over from the previous Government, circulated in the Official Report. The legislative priorities are identified by the Government at the commencement of each session and a programme is circulated by the Government Chief Whip at that stage. This practice will continue to be observed.

In accordance with the commitment in the Government's programme, a list of promised legislation to assist the Ceann Comhairle and Members was published by the Government Chief Whip on 14 February 1995. It is intended that this list will also be updated at the commencement of each session.

The legislative programme is discussed by the Whips on a regular basis. From time to time matters arise which require urgent attention and while the Government, in the main, works to a planned programme, account must be taken of developments as they arise. Any changes to the programme are, of course, also discussed in advance with the Whips.

Bills carried forward from previous Government.

1. Electoral Bill, 1994.	Order for Second Stage.
2. Occupiers' Liability Bill, 1994.	Order for Second Stage.
3. Regional Technical Colleges (Amendment) (No. 2) Bill, 1994.	Order for Second Stage (later withdrawn).
4. Heritage Council Bill, 1994 [Seanad].	Second Stage (resumed).
5. Courts and Court Officers Bill, 1994.	Second Stage (resumed).
6. Adoptive Leave Bill, 1993 [Seanad].	Second Stage.
7. Stock Exchange Bill, 1994.	Committee Stage.
8. Refugee Bill, 1994.	Committee Stage. (prior to Second Stage).
9. Consumer Credit Bill, 1994.	Committee Stage.
10. Casual Trading Bill, 1994.	Committee Stage.
11. Competition (Amendment) Bill, 1994.	Committee Stage.
12. Ethics in Public Office Bill, 1994.	Committee Stage.
13. Family Law Bill, 1994.	Report Stage.

Bills published since Government was formed on 15 December 1994.

Title of Bill.	Date Published.
1. Ministers and Secretaries (Amendment) Bill, 1995.	16/01/1995.
2. Civil Legal Aid Bill, 1995 [Seanad].	02/02/1995.
3. Package Holidays and Travel Trade Bill, 1995.	10/02/1995.
4. Regulation of Information (Services Outside the State for Termination of Pregnancies) Bill, 1995.	22/02/1995.
5. Criminal Law (Incest Proceedings) Bill, 1995.	01/03/1995.
6. Social Welfare Bill, 1995.	02/03/1995.
7. Minerals Development Bill, 1995.	09/03/1995.
8. Criminal Law (Incest Proceedings) (No. 2) Bill, 1995.	14/03/1995.

Mr. B. Ahern

There are now 17 committees of the House. Deputies are meeting themselves coming back. We can make up our minds later about whether this is a good system, but we need to know the legislation that will be taken next session. I was long enough around the Cabinet table to know that legal, drafting and other difficultes can arise in respect of some Bills. As the Bills to be taken in the next session should be almost complete, will the Taoiseach tell us what they are? Will he ask his Cabinet colleagues to stop the practice of tabling a large number of amendments the night before Committee Stage of a Bill is taken in the House? While I acknowledge this may have happened occasionally when we were in Government, it leads to constitutional challenges, difficulties, arguments and an impossible position for an Opposition not to mention a Minister. Will the Taoiseach ensure that there is not a recurrence of what happemed recently in regard to a Bill introduced by the Minister for Equality and Law Reform, Deputy Taylor? It is understandable that it might be necessary at a late stage to table some technical amendments to a Finance Bill, but it should not happen with a Bill that was drafted months earlier. It is unacceptable that, say, 60 amendments should be tabled at 10 p.m. which the Opposition are expected to debate the following morning. That is not proper parliamentary procedure.

The Taoiseach

I do not favour the practice of tabling amendments late on the night before a Bill is taken in Committee Stage. That is bad parliamentary practice and I would actively discourage Ministers from doing that. I hope all those involved in preparing amendments will note what I have said. If amendments are to be considered properly it is important that sufficient time is available to Members to consider them. Occasionally it will be necessary to table amendments at a late stage and we are working with limited resources. It is, however, undesirable that amendments should be presented to the Opposition or other Members the night before Committee Stage is taken in the House. I will do everything I can, within reason, to overcome that difficulty. Perhaps the Whips could communicate in this regard.

Miss Harney

I presume the Taoiseach would agree that there are a few fillers on the Order Paper at present, namely, the Arts Plan and the Interim Report of the Task Force on Long Term Unemployment which could more appropriately be debated by the committees. Would the Taoiseach elaborate on the Government's attitude on the forthcoming constitutional referendum on divorce? Is it the intention to publish proposals fairly soon after the hearing of the case in the courts? Are those proposals being prepared? Is it still the Government's intention to hold a referendum in 1995?

Dáil Éireann debate -
Wednesday, 5 Apr 1995