It is proposed to take No. 12 — Refugee Bill, 1995 — Order for Report; No. 13 — Trade Marks Bill, 1995 — Order for Report; No. 14 — Commissioners of Public Works (Functions and Powers) Bill, 1995 [Seanad] — Order for Report; No. 2 — Health (Amendment) Bill, 1995 — Order for Second Stage and Second Stage and No. 15 — Statements on "Developing a Policy for Women's Health" (Resumed). Private Members' Business shall be No. 30 — Prosecution of Offences and Punishment of Crimes Bill, 1996 — Second Stage.
Order of Business.
There is nothing to put to the House.
I wish to raise a matter under the transfer of prisoners legislation. I am aware the Taoiseach is as conscious as I am of the importance of the prisoners issue to the restoration of the peace process. One prisoner, Paddy Kelly, is seriously ill, suffering from the advanced stages of skin cancer. Will the Taoiseach make every effort to arrange with the British Government for his release or at least his transfer to Portlaoise Prison?
As the House is undoubtedly aware, efforts are being made to deal with this matter bilaterally, by the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs, by our Embassy in London and by myself. I will avail of any opportunities available to me to raise the matter.
As the Taoiseach is aware, the European Union proposed to impose a large fine on Ireland for the non-implementation of certain regulations relating to beef intervention. In view of the fact that the Secretary of the Department of Agriculture, Food and Forestry told the Committee of Public Accounts that a parliamentary reply given here on 11 October by the Minister was inaccurate, will the Taoiseach ask the Minister to make a personal statement to the House on the matter?
Did the Deputy see a copy of the statement?
Let us not have interruptions. That is hardly relevant at this time.
It is an important matter. The Minister said in the House on 11 October last that legal proceedings had been instituted against a certain company which he did not clarify in answer to a supplementary question.
This is not the appropriate time to raise this matter.
Will the Minister make a personal statement about it?
There is a priority question tabled for Thursday next when I shall be quite happy to give a full answer to explain the position.
The question tabled on 11 October last was a priority one. Will the Minister now confirm that he gave an inaccurate answer? Does he accept the Secretary of his Department said the Minister gave an inaccurate answer?
The answer I gave orally on that occasion was accurate but there was a slight inaccuracy in the written version of the answer.
We cannot debate this matter now.
On a point of order, may I correct Deputy Harney who attended the meeting? It is she who is misleading the House. I too attended that meeting at which Mr. Dowling, the Secretary of the Department of Agriculture, Food and Forestry confirmed the position had been fully explained in the supplementary reply.
Deputy Finucane knows that is not a point of order.
A Leas-Cheann Comhairle, may I just explain?
Very briefly Deputy, we cannot debate this matter now.
Given what happened, and the history of the Tribunal of Inquiry into the Beef Processing Industry, it is very interesting that an inaccurate answer was drafted for the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Forestry in response to a parliamentary question on 11 October last.
Let us now revert to what is relevant to the Order of Business.
It is very relevant; that is why we had a very expensive beef tribunal.
The Taoiseach said earlier he would talk to the British Prime Minister after Question Time. Can he give the House any more information on his latest telephone conversation with the British Prime Minister?
I said I would talk to him this afternoon or later this evening. That remains the case.
I take it the Taoiseach's telephone call this afternoon was unsuccessful, that we must now wait until later this evening or tomorrow morning for further information.
(Interruptions.)
It is very difficult to know; it is a very peculiar partnership co-operation that ensures we hear nothing. Perhaps somebody in the Press Gallery might tell us some time later what is the position.
(Interruptions.)
Will the Taoiseach inform the House of the position with regard to legislation on the third banking force?
Such legislation will be brought before the House if and when it is decided to proceed with it.
Will that legislation be introduced in the course of this session, the next one or in any session?
That is a matter that will be decided on the basis of the content of the proposals to be advanced. It is unlikely to be introduced in this session.
Is the Tánaiste still negotiating in an endeavour to achieve the objectives of the agreements he made with the previous Government, in which my party participated——
(Interruptions.)
——at the Tinakilly House meeting which was not a very successful one anyway?
Will the Taoiseach say whether his Government intends to seek amendments to The Hague Convention on Child Abduction given that its provisions are forcing a number of Irish women to fight custody battles in foreign jurisdictions where they receive less than a sympathetic hearing and are not accorded rights?
Does this come within the scope of legislation promised?
There is not any specific legislation promised on that matter. Since Deputy O'Dea raised the matter here, I will make inquiries and furnish him with the necessary information.
Will the Taoiseach attend the ASEAN Conference during the course of the week? Does he expect to have to introduce some trade legislation arising therefrom? That is information required by the House which would not cost a fortune to produce. Is it so difficult for the Taoiseach to stand up and say "yes" or "no"?
We are entitled to some information on what is taking place.
With a view to openness, transparency and accountability, will the Taoiseach say where he will be later this week? Surely his attendance or non-attendance at the ASEAN Conference is not beyond the bounds of clarification. I am asking a simple question on where the Taoiseach will be later in the week.
(Interruptions.)
My priority is peace and to get a specific date for all-party talks. I will be wherever it is necessary for me to be to achieve that objective.
Deputies
Hear, hear.
Does the Government intend sending a delegation to the world congress against the sexual exploitation of children to be held in Sweden? I gather 55 countries have already agreed to send delegations, that our Government has not responded at all and that there will be a pre-congress meeting held in Brussels.
That is not relevant now, Deputy. The Taoiseach would be out of order in responding, it is not the appropriate time.
As the Government promised to introduce its adoption Bill before the summer recess, does that remain the position? Given that there are Chinese babies — having been fully cleared by both sides — awaiting transfer here, will the Taoiseach draft a letter stating that the changes in the Adoption Bill, 1996 will be included in the Government's legislative programme, after which those children can be transferred to Irish parents straight away?
Is there an element of promised legislation here?
As I indicated, I expect the Adoption Bill, 1996 — to deal with the implications of the Keegan case — will be introduced in the House before the summer. We are working on its possible earlier introduction but its anticipated introduction date will be before the summer recess. I have noted the Deputy's suggestions on what we might say about the contents of the legislation. I can give no commitments on the matter but I will discuss it with the Minister for Health.
I want to proceed with the business of the House proper.
On a previous occasion the Taoiseach said these matters with regard to foreign adoptions would be dealt with within the context of that Bill. I presume that remains the case. If so, I do not understand why the Government cannot draft a letter to the effect that, once its legislation has been passed, these adoptions can be registered. If that is done, and it is a simple administrative procedure——
We cannot go into that detail on the Order of Business.
——I am informed these Chinese children can be transferred here.
I have already indicated to the Deputy that I will investigate the feasibility of his suggestion but, in matters of this kind, one must be guided by what is legal and constitutional.
Will the Taoiseach say when the Social Welfare Bill, 1996 will be published?
I understand it will be available on Friday next.
In March 1995 the Minister for Justice promised legislation which would lead to a referendum being held on bail whereas recent reports from the Taoiseach's junior partners in Government appear to indicate they are against it.
Rubbish.
Deputies
All rubbish.
(Interruptions.)
What is the current status of that legislation and where does the Taoiseach stand on it?
The reports in a particular Sunday newspaper to which Deputy O'Donoghue referred are without foundation. The Government is proceeding to deal with this issue in a cohesive manner. I understand the relevant legislative proposals are at a very advanced stage of preparation.
On a point of clarification, is the Taoiseach now telling the House that legislation will be introduced leading to a referendum on bail?
Proposals from the Minister for Justice are being considered by the Government in an entirely cohesive and united way. We will deal with that matter in that fashion.
(Interruptions.)
Deputies opposite can try as hard as they like, but I do not think this is occupational therapy for the enemy.
We must move on to the business of the House proper.
(Interruptions.)
I want to move on to the business of the House.
Given the gravity of what happened in marking the 1995 leaving certificate art examination and the integrity of the State examination system, is the Taoiseach prepared to allocate time for the Minister of Education to answer specific questions that have been tabled on this issue?
We may not proceed any further on the Order of Business.
The Minister knew on 12 December 1995 but it took her until February to make a public statement.
Perhaps the Deputy can be accommodated on the Adjournment but we must move on.
We already discussed the matter on the Adjournment but the Minister did not answer our questions.
We cannot proceed further with this matter. We cannot make a farce of the Order of Business.
With respect, Sir, the Minister for Education is making a farce of the Dáil.
(Interruptions.)
Last week I asked two specific questions during priority Question Time and the Minister did not answer them.
Will Deputy Martin please resume his seat? The Deputy is leaving the Chair with very few options.
Seven weeks have elapsed with no specific answers to questions.
Item No. 12. Deputy Martin will resume his seat. I have called Deputy Flanagan.