Dáil Éireann debate -
Wednesday, 31 May 1995

Vol. 453 No. 7

Order of Business.

The Tánaiste

It is proposed to take Nos. 6, 7, 8, 14 and 15.

It is also proposed, notwithstanding anything in Standing Orders, that:

(1) Nos. 6 and 7 shall be decided without debate.

(2) The proceedings in relation to No. 8, if not previously concluded, shall be brought to a conclusion today at 1.30 p.m. and the following arrangements shall apply: (i) The speech of a Minister or Minister of State and of the main spokespersons for the Fianna Fáil Party and the Progressive Democrats Party shall not exceed 20 minutes in each case; (ii) The speech of each other Member called upon shall not exceed 15 minutes in each case; and (iii) A Minister or Minister of State shall be called upon not less than 15 minutes before the debate is due to conclude to make a speech in reply.

(3) Private Members' Business shall be No. 21 and the proceedings thereon shall be brought to a conclusion at 8.30 p.m. tonight.

An Ceann Comhairle

There are three matters to put to the House. Is the proposal that Nos. 6 and 7 be decided without debate satisfactory and agreed? Agreed. Are the proposals for dealing with No. 8 satisfactory and agreed? Agreed. Is the proposal in respect of Private Members' Business that it conclude at 8.30 p.m. satisfactory and agreed? Agreed.

Mr. B. Ahern

In fairness to the Tánaiste there were two questions I wanted to ask the Taoiseach. The Taoiseach's office usually informs me if the Taoiseach is unable to be in the House for the Order of Business but obviously he is not available today for some other reason. I had been pursuing the issue of the implementation of the recommendations of the Costello report with the Taoiseach. Last year there was a plan to bring in a Bill dealing with charitable organisations to deal with that particular issue. Perhaps the Tánaiste would raise that issue at Government. I have pursued the matter with the Taoiseach on a number of occasions and he continues to say he will come back to me.

The Tánaiste

I appreciate the courtesy of the Leader of the Opposition on this matter and I shall certainly communicate with the Taoiseach and Deputy Ahern.

Miss Harney

At what stage is the legislation in relation to compellability of witnesses?

The Tánaiste

The matter will be considered by the Government very shortly and we will communicate with the Deputy.

Mr. S. Brennan

When will the freedom of information Bill be published and will the Tánaiste confirm that it will deal with making public information — and not only information on oneself — available?

The Tánaiste

The draft heads of the Bill are being prepared at present and I hope it will be published very shortly. There is also a question on the matter on the Order Paper today which I do not want to anticipate.

Mr. O'Dea

In regard to the legislative programme, may I ask the Tánaiste, in view of the fact that aspersions were cast in this House yesterday on previous Fianna Fáil appointed Attorneys General who are now on the Bench, when is it proposed to introduce the Courts and Court Officers Bill to enable people to be appointed to the Bench by an independent system? In asking that question I am not casting any aspersions on the towering intellectual giants appointed to the Bench over the last four to five months.

An Ceann Comhairle

Is legislation promised in this area?

The Tánaiste

I do not think anybody would take the Deputy's aspersions seriously. That Bill will be published during the session.

Mr. M. McDowell

When will we see the trade marks Bill? It is now two and a half years since the time for compliance with European law expired and we still have not seen any Bill except mine.

The Tánaiste

God preserve us from the Deputy's Bill. The heads of that Bill are being prepared and I will try to ensure the Deputy has it for his summer reading.

Mr. Martin

Will the Tánaiste indicate whether the Minister for Education has completed her re-examination of the unfair quota system imposed on higher diploma places in our universities and, if so, perhaps she will communicate with the thousands of students, as soon as possible, as it is causing them tremendous stress? I do not have the facility to raise this matter in any other way.

An Ceann Comhairle

It is for another time, Deputy.

Mr. Callely

Will the Tánaiste state when the Bill to deal with the accountability of the health boards will be introduced?

The Tánaiste

We hope to have the heads of the Bill before the Government very shortly.

Mr. Callely

This session?

Mr. O'Dea

On a point of Order, the Tánaiste just informed the House that the Court and Court Officers Bill will be published shortly. That Bill is already published and is at Second Stage. I want to know when it will be taken? I suggest to the Tánaiste——

An Ceann Comhairle

The Deputy is engaging in argument now. This is not in order. Have you a pertinent question to raise concerning legislation promised, Deputy? Let us hear it.

Mr. O'Dea

Yes, we want to know when the Court and Court Officers Bill will be taken so that the Government will not continue to stuff the Bench with their own supporters?

The Tánaiste

This session.

Mr. Molloy

Will the Tánaiste inform the House when it is intended to take the Electoral Bill?

The Tánaiste

That will be taken this year.

Mr. B. Ahern

I want to refer to the Tánaiste's reply to Deputy Callely. The Health (Amendment) Bill, as the Tánaiste knows, was based on the commitment we gave in relation to the amnesty money. The Bill was to be ready before the end of last year. If they are only on the heads of the Bill now it is running late.

Dr. Woods

I know this is not very high on the Government's list of priorities but when is it intended to bring before the House the Domestic Violence Bill? In February we were told it would be in this session, in March we were told in two months and at the beginning of May we were told the same thing. When will this Bill be taken? Domestic violence is a continuing problem.

The Tánaiste

Within two months.

Mr. Molloy

May I have clarification from the Tánaiste in relation to the reply he gave earlier? To which electoral Bill was he referring when he said it would be taken this year? Was he referring to the Constituencies Bill or to the Bill in relation to electoral expenses?

The Tánaiste

The Constituencies Bill will be published this session and the other Bill will be taken this session.

Mr. Flood

When is it proposed to publish the Juvenile Justice Bill and, secondly, the legislation which will give effect to proposals to break up the Eastern Health Board?

The Tánaiste

I shall communicate with the Deputy on both matters.

Mr. Callely

Will the Tánaiste state how serious the commitment is in relation to accountability, particularly in relation to the Health (Amendment) Bill which was meant to be published six or seven months ago?

(Interruptions.)

Mr. Callely

That speaks volumes. A refusal from the Tánaiste to reply.