It is proposed to take Nos. 1, 2 and 4. It is also proposed, notwithstanding anything in Standing Orders, that: (1) the proceedings on No. 1, if not previously concluded, shall be brought to a conclusion at 12 noon and the following arrangements shall apply: (i) the opening 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 15 minutes in each case; (ii) the speech of each other Member called upon shall not exceed five minutes in each case; and (iii) a Minister or Minister of State shall be called upon not later than 11.55 a.m. to make a speech in reply; (2) the proceedings on No.2, if not previously concluded, shall be brought to a conclusion at 7 p.m. and the following arrangements shall apply: (i) the opening 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 30 minutes in each case; (ii) the speech of each other Member called upon shall not exceed 20 minutes in each case; and (iii) a Minister or Minister of State shall be called upon not later than 6.45 p.m. to make a speech in reply; and (3) Private Members' Business shall be No. 11 and the proceedings thereon shall be brought to a conclusion at 8.30 p.m. tonight.
Order of Business.
Are the proposals for dealing with No. 1 satisfactory? Agreed. Are the proposals for dealing with No. 2 agreed? Agreed. Are the proposals for dealing with Private Members' Business this evening satisfactory? Agreed.
May I ask the Minister for Finance if the Government will conduct a fundamental review of the legislation dealing with child sexual abuse and, if necessary, change the law so as to ensure that cases are prosecuted with every prospect of success where the evidence warrants it?
I am sure that like me everyone shares the Deputy's concern about recent revelations and I undertake on behalf of the Government to ensure that the planned legislation dealing with the area to which he referred will be prioritised so that all the legislative protection required is put on the Statute Book as soon as possible.
I urge the Government to require the mandatory reporting of child sexual abuse. It is wrong that people are not required under statute law to report instances of child abuse. Until such time as there is mandatory reporting these cases will not be brought to the attention of the civil authorities with a view to ensuring successful prosecutions.
Let us not debate the matter now.
I would be interested in hearing the response of the Minister who replied to Deputy Ahern's question.
New guidelines on the matter to which the Deputy referred have been agreed between the relevant authorities and these will assist——
They do not apply to the churches; they only apply to the health boards and other people.
They apply to the health boards and the Garda.
This House is responsible for health boards and the Garda.
The church made settlements——
This matter should not give rise to argument now.
I thank the Minister for his reply and urge the Government to carry out a review. The Director of Public Prosecutions has made clear the type of action which should be taken and the areas to which it should apply. I trust the Minister will stick to the commitment he has given to the House. What is the position in regard to the compellability and privilege legislation which was promised by the Taoiseach first in June and then in October?
I am happy to inform the Deputy that the legislation will be before Government next Tuesday.
Having regard to his earlier reply, may I ask the Minister what precise legislation is planned in regard to child sex abuse? I am not aware of any information on this in the Government's legislative programme.
I responded to the Leader of the Fianna Fáil Party in an open manner. I can get the precise information for the Deputy. I would not wish to mislead him, bearing in mind that he was responsible for that legislation in the House for a long time.
What legislation?
I am sure the Minister for Finance was disturbed by what the leaders of SIPTU said about the Programme for Competitiveness and Work. Does the Taoiseach or the Government intend to hold an early meeting of the Central Review Committee to address some of the obvious problems within the social partnership?
The question is not strictly relevant to the Order of Business.
It is an important one.
It is indeed very important and should be dealt with in the proper manner.
1913 looms again.
Regarding the programme for Government and its specific commitment relating to direct taxation, will the Minister for Finance elaborate on the remarks he made at the weekend concerning his intention to shift the burden from direct to indirect taxation?
That is not in order now and the Deputy knows that.
In view of the widespread concern among a variety of groups about the forthcoming equal status Bill, will the Minister indicate when it is expected to be published?
Detailed discussions on that comprehensive legislation are ongoing, but it is not expected to be published until 1996.
Will the Minister for Finance indicate when the Social Welfare (No. 3) Bill is expected to be introduced?
I am informed it will be available in mid-November this year.