It is proposed to take Nos. 4, 5, 6, 7 and 8. It is also proposed, notwithstanding anything in Standing Orders, that (1) the following arrangements shall apply in relation to No. 7: (i) statements shall be confined to the Taoiseach and the main spokespersons for the Fianna Fáil Party and the Progressive Democrats Party and shall not exceed 15 minutes in each case; and (ii) the Taoiseach may be called upon to make a concluding statement not exceeding five minutes; and (2) the Dáil, on its rising today, shall adjourn until 12 noon on Tuesday, 3 October 1995. Private Members' Business shall be No. 13.
Order of Business.
Is the proposal for dealing with statements satisfactory and agreed? Agreed. Is the proposal to adjourn the House until 12 noon on Tuesday next satisfactory and agreed? Agreed.
Will the Taoiseach agree that at the United Nations yesterday the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs set down the Irish position on decommissioning and the starting of all party talks? This position is very close to what I and my Fianna Fáil colleagues have been arguing for the past six months. The Tánaiste set down the position in a clear-cut fashion and that is what I sought to get a reply to here yesterday from the Taoiseach rather than the wishy washy answers he gave on the decommissioning question.
The Deputy is raising a major issue worthy of special consideration in this House. It is hardly appropriate now.
Will the Taoiseach agree that the Tánaiste has posed a clear challenge to the British Government and when he is next talking to Prime Minister Major, will he make it clear to him that what the Tánaiste said yesterday is both his position and that of the Minister for Social Welfare, Deputy De Rossa, rather than the unclear line that has been given?
I would prefer if this important matter were dealt with in a more regular way.
May I ask the Taoiseach when we will see the legislation to provide for the part sale of the Local Loans Fund?
That question was asked yesterday and answered.
Yesterday I asked about the third banking force. I am now asking about the sale of the Local Loans Fund to make money available for the equality payments. I understand securitisation legislation is necessary.
That legislation was cleared at Cabinet on Tuesday at head stage. I expect the detailed fully drafted Bill will be ready within three months or so.
The tradition over the past ten years has been that on the week the session commenced the Opposition was given a legislative programme. In the absence of any document this week, can I take it the Government does not have a legislative programme or cannot agree one for this session?
The document will be ready for the Deputy next week.
May I ask the Taoiseach when the compellability of witnesses Bill will come before the House? In view of the refusal of the Minister for Transport, Energy and Communications to attend a committee, will he expedite that legislation as quickly as possible?
The Deputy will be waiting a long time.
The legislation in question will be before the House and will be debated either in December of this year or early next year.
Will that include the Minister for Transport, Energy and Communications?
I am glad to hear that the legislative programme for the new session will be published next week. Will the Juvenile Justice Bill be included in that programme?
I am glad the Deputy asked that question. It was a question that was of concern also to Deputy Frances Fitzgerald earlier in this session. I indicated to the House that I expected——
It is of concern to many people.
——that the legislation would be ready before Christmas. In saying so I was erroneous. I believe now it will not be ready until the spring and I am sorry that the information I gave the House in response to Deputy Frances Fitzgerald's question was not accurate. I thank Deputy Quill for giving me the opportunity to give full and accurate information.
The Taoiseach is very touchy this morning.
Every Deputy in the House is concerned about juvenile justice. It is a disgrace——
Order. Deputy Quill may not proceed to make statements in a sitting position.
I apologise but it is still a disgrace.
The Deputy is still out of order.
In relation to the National Park and Areas Heritage Bill is the Taoiseach aware that under the REPS scheme farmers are being asked to sign a form saying they will not appeal against the heritage areas——
The Deputy may not proceed in this fashion. What he is asking is essentially a question. Please table it as such.
In view of the fact that undertakings are being asked on a Bill that has not yet been published, is the Taoiseach willing to give the date of publication of the National Park and Heritage Areas Bill? It is a disgrace to look for indemnities against that Bill before it is even published.
This Bill will be available in the spring of next year.
Will the Taoiseach say if legislation is planned in respect of tolling the Dublin ring road? Will he explain why the Government has an advertisement in this morning's newspapers calling for invitations to toll the Dublin ring road?
It does not arise now.
For whom the bell tolls.
This will shock the foundations of the Dublin——
(Interruptions.)
Is legislation promised?
Deputy Brennan, please do not try to circumvent my rulings on this matter. If you are asking a question on proposed legislation, what precisely is it?
I am asking the Taoiseach if legislation is planned to toll the Dublin ring road.
My understanding is that legislation was passed into law under Fianna Fáil Ministers for the Environment.
That legislation was not for the ring road.
(Interruptions.)
I call Deputy Michael Ahern. I observe that Deputy Ahern is ignoring the Chair.
The people of Dublin will thank you for the ring road — the one million motorists.
I will pass over Deputy Ahern altogether. Intervene Deputy, immediately or else.
This year the Geological Survey of Ireland celebrates its 150th anniversary. I ask the Taoiseach if there is a major change in policy by the Minister for Transport, Energy and Communications, Deputy Lowry——
A Deputy
It would not be the first time.
That is irrelevant.
Has the Taoiseach any plans in the context of legislative reform of this House in the Dáil Reform Bill that is pending and will he ensure that Ministers will come before the House to respond to Adjournment debates?
The Deputy can raise that matter in so many other ways.
The record of the Minister for Education on this front is atrocious. Last night we had the Minister of State at the Department of Agriculture, Food and Forestry responding to a question on the Adjournment on education. That is making a mockery of this House.
Deputy Martin, resume your seat.
It is outrageous.
I have a recollection when the Deputy's party was in office that when I raised matters on the Adjournment from the Deputy's benches I found that the Deputy's Ministers were notably absent from the debates in response to Adjournment matters.
Will the Government be requesting the Attorney General to contest the legal fees awarded to the Goodman team in the beef tribunal?
That is irrelevant.
What is the state of play in regard to the promised legislation to reform the law relating to landlord and tenant, in particular to protect long term elderly tenants?
I am not aware that legislation has been specifically promised on that matter——
It is in the Programme for Government.
——in terms that are permissible here on the Order of Business in the sense of a promise made in the House. However, in deference to the Deputy's longstanding interest in this matter, I will arrange to communicate with him on the Government's intention.
The Taoiseach is correct in what he said about the status of the National Roads Authority Bill. The question to which we want a reply is whether the Minister for the Environment will give approval to this morning's advertisement when the tenders are in.
Obviously, the Minister will have to take account of the statutory provisions that were made by his Fianna Fáil predecessor in coming to decisions about this matter. I am sure he will also take other factors into account.
Will he toll the ring road?