It is proposed to take Nos. 9, 1 and 2. Private Members' Business shall be No. 25.
Order of Business.
There was a commitment in the Programme for Government to set up a commission to manage the courts. Has progress been made on that?
The Minister for Justice will be bringing proposals to Government on that matter shortly.
Is it proposed to have a commission of examination or to bring forward legislation?
This matter will be dealt with by legislation but the precise nature of the legislative proposals has yet to be determined by Cabinet. The Minister has circulated her proposals.
I thank the Taoiseach for his help. Is it proposed that the commission will cover all our courts?
The Cabinet has not decided that. The Minister has tabled certain proposals which are being prepared for consideration by Cabinet. I could not answer the Deputy's precise question without having the decision of Cabinet on this matter.
Will the Taoiseach tell the House what the Government intends to do about the criminal activities being perpetrated on small and medium sized businesses, as outlined in a recent report?
That does not arise now, Deputy.
Is it intended to amend the Postal and Telecommunications Services Act, 1983, to implement the proposed sale of 40 per cent of Telecom Éireann, as envisaged in the secret report of the Minister?
Is this promised legislation?
There is no such legislation promised.
When does the Government intend to deliver on its commitment in its programme, A Government of Renewal, to introduce protections for long standing tenants in private rented accommodation to prevent them from being evicted?
I would like to make inquiries on that matter and come back to the Deputy tomorrow.
Will the Taoiseach indicate if the Education Bill, this long promised Bill flowing from the White Paper on education will be delayed or its progress disrupted by the fact that the teachers' unions have decided not to co-operate with the Minister for Education on education matters generally and to ballot for strike action because of the bungled talks on early retirement?
The legislative programme on education will not be disrupted.
When does the Government propose to introduce the Social Welfare (No. 2) Bill which will incorporate certain changes in the social welfare code which will be necessary before divorce can be introduced?
The general scheme was approved by the Government on 4 April 1995. It is now with the Office of the Attorney General and the Bill is in the course of being drafted.
I think the Taoiseach was willing to reply to my earlier question. May I rephrase the question and ask the Taoiseach if legislation is promised in the area to which I referred?
No legislation is promised specifically dealing with the matter referred to but, as the House is no doubt aware, the Minister for Justice has met with RGDATA which represents various retailers who have been subject to attacks by criminals. The Garda intend to take strong action to address this problem and the Minister will be keeping close sight of the matter. I also expect to hold discussions with the Garda Commissioner on the crime problem.
In view of the statement of the Minister of State with responsibility for Science and Technology on the insurance claims culture, when is it intended to bring the insurance control Bill before the House?
That legislation is not specifically promised.
In relation to Deputy O'Donoghue's question, is there anything in the Government's legislative programme that would tend to assist the Garda Síochána to reduce the type of crimes perpetrated against shopkeepers since one in three shopkeepers has been the victim of violent crime in the past two years?
What about your three years in the Department of Justice?
The entire range of matters dealing with crime and drugs in the Government legislative programme will, of course, be relevant to abating the spate of attacks on retail premises. It is important to make the point that some of this crime, if not most, is related to drugs.
The question of access to Ireland in this context must be addressed forcefully. I take this opportunity of complimenting the Garda Síochána on their remarkable success in identifying and confiscating hauls coming into the Irish market.
All the drugs?
Further progress can be made in this area by co-operation between Ireland and other administrations. I took the opportunity of raising this matter when I met various heads of Government of the European Union countries recently.
The Government has no special legislative proposals to deal with this matter?
The Taoiseach raised it with President Yeltsin.
I endeavoured to raise this issue last week with the Tánaiste. Will the Taoiseach clarify if legislation will be forthcoming to allow a fair, comprehensive system of inquiry and investigation to take place where there are serious allegations of physical and verbal abuse of children in our schools? Is it not totally unacceptable not to investigate such allegations? The Minister for Education said legislation would be required to have the type of comprehensive investigation which was sought by the parents concerned in County Donegal.
This matter will be dealt with in the course of general education legislation which is being prepared and which, as I indicated, will continue to be prepared and presented in the normal way.
The Tánaiste said there would not be legislation.
I, too, join with the Taoiseach in complimenting the law enforcement agencies on their recent drug seizures. Is the Taoiseach aware it is estimated that only 10 per cent of the illegal drugs coming into this country are being confiscated and that it is his duty to raise this matter with the European Union in order to obtain assistance to protect the frontiers of this island?
The Taoiseach has decided not to attend the Washington Conference, which will be held next week on the basis that the British Prime Minister is not to attend. Will the Taoiseach have a rethink on this as this important conference will be dealing with our country, not with Mr. Major's country?
On foot of what was decided at the recent meeting of the Western European Union, does the Government anticipate bringing forward legislation which would allow for the Garda Síochána to participate in a policing role in Bosnia?
He prefers Moscow.
Given that other neutral member states such as Austria, Finland and Sweden are participating, does the Taoiseach anticipate that the Irish Government will change its mind and allow for such an eventuality?
Some time back on the appointment of a Minister to the Office of the Tánaiste we were promised a freedom of information Bill. Is there any possibility such Bill will see the light of day in the near future particularly as the Minister has been to the far side of the world to get information?
The Deputy speaks as if he has never travelled outside of this country. The legislation is being prepared industriously in the office of the Tánaiste. It is path-breaking legislation, there are no precedents for it and care must be taken in drafting it.
When will the White Paper on foreign policy be published?
That is not promised legislation but I will make inquiries and let the Deputy know.
What is promised legislation?
The Minister for Justice indicated that legislation was due.
I did not indicate anything.