It is proposed to take No. 1, the Employment Equality Bill, 1996, Order for Second Stage and Second Stage. Private Members' Business shall be No. 34, motion 15, concerning the beef industry.
Order of Business.
Is it the Government's intention to introduce legislation to deal with the disposal of hazardous medical waste? Given that this is a serious issue, will the Taoiseach instruct the Ministers for Health and the Environment to ensure the planning laws are not breached in this regard?
Is this a matter of promised legislation?
Legislation is not promised on that matter. Enforcement of the planning laws is a matter for the local authority in question.
Given that people are very concerned about this crisis, will the Government consider legislation on the matter? I am aware it is not on the legislative list for this session, but the problem has only recently arisen. Will the Taoiseach consider legislation in this regard?
The question is not to be resolved by legislation but by adequate methods of disposal and that matter is engaging the attention of the relevant authorities at present. Legislation is not promised on the matter and may not be required. Enforcement of the planning laws is a matter for the relevant local authority, which will not be prevented from doing its duty in that matter.
Will it be instructed to do so? It has been aware of what is going on for the past six weeks.
In view of the commitment in the programme for Government to provide for a third banking force, will the Taoiseach say when legislation will be introduced to provide for its establishment?
I cannot give an answer to that question. No immediate timetable is indicated on that matter but obviously it is under consideration.
Is it still the Government's intention to bring in legislation in this area?
Legislation is not promised on this matter. If decisions are taken which require legislation, it will be introduced to give effect to them.
Legislation was promised in the programme for Government but it has gone by the wayside.
There is a commitment in the programme for Government in regard to a third banking force which would involve the sale of the Trustee Savings Bank. In light of the new Standing Orders introduced a fortnight ago, it is now in order to ask the Taoiseach on the Order of Business about statements made outside the House. Given that the Tánaiste announced to members of the Labour Party that it is no longer proposed to sell the TSB, will the Taoiseach reconsider his reply to Deputy Harney and say whether a proposal will be put forward regarding the TSB? As reported in last Sunday's newspapers, the Tánaiste told Labour Party Deputies that, owing to objections by certain members of the Cabinet who do not agree with the proposal put forward by the Minister for Finance, this idea has been dropped and that will remain the position for the lifetime of this Government. Is the commitment in the programme for Government still valid?
If the Deputy wants to quote speeches he should get the accurate text of what was said. The Tánaiste told me that he did not refer to the TSB in his speech at the weekend. He did, however, refer to the rather confused and "not too certain as to their status" proposals by Fianna Fáil for a wholesale sell-off of the public interest in State companies. I have no doubt that concern was expressed about this within Fianna Fáil as much as anywhere else.
Shame on the Labour Party. This goes against everything for which the trade union movement stands. The Tánaiste has never shown an interest in workers.
(Interruptions.)
The Tánaiste should check his facts, if he is ever in the country to do so.
Is the Tánaiste denying that he has given a commitment to Labour Party members that the TSB will not be sold off during the lifetime of this Government?
We cannot debate the matter now.
We cannot have it both ways.
The Deputy may raise it by way of question but he may not debate it on the Order of Business.
We will have to raise it on another occasion as the newspapers have been briefed that the Tánaiste disagrees with the Minister for Finance and that this proposal has been dropped for the lifetime of this Government.
Is there any connection between the fact that the Minister for Justice recently had a private viewing of the film about Michael Collins and its subsequent classification in a category which has never before been used by the film censor and not allowed for in legislation? In view of this does the Government intend to introduce legislation to amend the censorship of films Acts?
That matter does not arise now.
(Interruptions.)
I have asked a question. Does the Government intend——
We are dealing with questions regarding promised legislation.
——to amend the censorship of films Acts to allow for this new classification?
It would be more appropriate to raise that matter by way of question.
Was it the film that made the Deputy's hair stand up?
The question is too sophisticated for and way beyond me.
The Deputy's hair has been standing up since he saw the film.
Is it not time to review the legislation governing the disposal of clinical waste in view of the fact that it excludes options for dealing with it at local level?
The Deputy should raise that matter on another occasion.
It needs to be dealt with urgently.
It will be raised on the Adjournment this evening.
On 9 October I asked the Taoiseach if it was the Government's intention to publish regulations governing indoor rock concerts in view of the evidence which emerged during the inquest into the circumstances surrounding the Point Depot tragedy. In reply he promised to communicate with me but I do not seem to have received any communication to date. Is he now in a position to answer the question?
As the Deputy is aware, I answer questions about principal legislation. It is not normal to expect the Taoiseach to have information on secondary legislation, that is, regulations made under principal Acts.
The Taoiseach said he would communicate with me.
As the Deputy correctly said, I undertook to make inquiries about the matter. As soon as they have been completed, I will communicate the results to him.
Is legislation due arising from the agreement reached at European level on extradition? Does the Taoiseach agree that, if it is the intention of European countries to tighten the law on extradition, there should be a parallel understanding on civil rights and the rule of law?
Has legislation been promised in this area?
There is no specific legislation of which I am aware. The issues raised by the Deputy relating to the content of legislation would most appropriately be considered when and if it is introduced.
Is it not the case that European Governments have agreed to ratify an agreement on extradition and that such an agreement would normally have to be ratified by the House?
If legislation is required to ratify the agreement it will be introduced. While some EU regulations are directly applicable, others require legislation before they can be introduced here. I have not received any notice of the Deputy's question in regard to the specific issue. I would wish to make inquiries and inform the Deputy as fully as possible on the matter but no legislation has been promised. That is not to exclude the possibility of legislation being introduced in the future.
Will the Taoiseach confirm that agreement has been reached at European level? I understand that it will have to be ratified by all member states.
I have already indicated that I will make inquiries and I hope to revert to the Deputy as quickly as possible.
Will the Taoiseach clarify the different signals being sent in relation to the Bill dealing with Cabinet confidentiality? Has the Government made a collective decision?
That matter was dealt with extensively in the House last week at Question Time when I indicated in response to questions from Deputy Bertie Ahern and Deputy Mary Harney that we did not expect to have the legislation available for consideration this year and that, therefore, there would not be a referendum on the topic this year. I explained in considerable detail the considerations which led the Government to make that decision.
Is that a Government decision?
I have just said so.