Dáil Éireann debate -
Thursday, 19 Dec 1996

Vol. 473 No. 3

Order of Business.

The Taoiseach

It is proposed to take No. 14 — Financial Resolution re. Central Bank Bill, 1996; No. 14a — Financial Resolution re. Dublin Docklands Development Authority Bill, 1996; No. 14b — motion re. sub-committee of the Committee on Procedure and Privileges on report of Judge Buchanan on alleged payments by Dunnes Stores Ltd.; No. 5b — Appropriation Bill, 1996 — Order for Second Stage and Second and Remaining Stages; No. 22 — Statements on the European Summit Meeting; No. 23 — Statements on the Book of Estimates, 1997; Statement by Deputy Michael Lowry shall be taken today following the announcement of matters on the Adjournment under Standing Order 21.

It is proposed, notwithstanding anything in Standing Orders, that: (1) Nos. 14, 14a, 14b shall be decided without debate; (2) The Second and Remaining Stages of No. 5b shall be taken together without debate and shall be decided by one question which shall be put from the Chair and which shall, in relation to amendments, include only those set down or accepted by the Minister for Finance; (3) No. 22 shall be confined to the Taoiseach, to the main spokespersons for the Fianna Fáil Party, the Progressive Democrats Party, the Democratic Left Party and to the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs, who shall be called upon in that order, and shall not exceed 15 minutes in each case; (4) No. 23, if not previously concluded, shall be brought to a conclusion at 2.30 p.m. today and the following arrangements shall apply: (i) the statement of the Minister for Finance 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 statement of each other Member called upon shall not exceed 15 minutes in each case; (iii) Members may share time; and (iv) a Minister or Minister of State shall be called upon not later than 2.15 p.m. to make a statement in reply; (5) Deputy Michael Lowry shall make a statement which shall be brought to a conclusion not later than 4.45 p.m. today; and (6) The Dáil, on its rising today, shall adjourn until 1.00 p.m. on Wednesday, 22 January 1997; and Question Time shall take place between 2 p.m. and 3.45 p.m. on that day.

An Ceann Comhairle

Is the proposal that Nos. 14, 14a and 14b be decided without debate satisfactory? Agreed. Is the proposal for dealing with No. 5b satisfactory? Agreed. Is the proposal for dealing with No. 22 agreed?

Mr. Sargent

On what basis is the Green Party excluded from making a statement on the European summit meeting in light of the fact that another party without recognised group status is able to make a statement?

A Deputy

The party referred to is in Government. The Green Party is not.

An Ceann Comhairle

It is desirable and fair that Members should be facilitated in these matters but the time factor must be taken into account.

Mr. Sargent

I appreciate that and I ask that the need for me, on behalf of the Green Party, to make a statement on the European summit meeting be taken into account also. Could that be accommodated?

The Taoiseach

Perhaps we could accommodate the Deputy by giving him a five minute slot before the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs replies to the debate or perhaps we could extend the time by five minutes. If that is not possible, the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs will give up five minutes of his time.

An Ceann Comhairle

Is that satisfactory?

Mr. Sargent

I appreciate that, a Cheann Comhairle.

An Ceann Comhairle

Is the proposal for dealing with No. 22 satisfactory? Agreed. Is No. 23 agreed? Is the proposal for dealing with the statement by Deputy Michael Lowry satisfactory? Agreed. Is the proposal for the Adjournment of the House satisfactory? Agreed.

Mr. B. Ahern

Will the budget be announced on the day the Dáil resumes?

The Taoiseach

Yes.

Mr. B. Ahern

Does the Taoiseach agree with the analysis of the British Prime Minister that the progress in the peace process is effectively stalled?

The Taoiseach

I have not seen the statement to which the Deputy has referred. I would prefer to read it in full before making a comment.

Mr. B. Ahern

I look forward to it.

Miss Harney

I congratulate the Taoiseach, Tánaiste and Minister for Finance on a very successful summit. I wish the Government, on its last Christmas in office for some considerable time, a very happy Christmas.

The Taoiseach

This will be our last Christmas in office for 12 months.

Mr. D. Ahern

Earlier this week I asked the Minister for Finance about the credit union Bill and he said that he expects it will be published over Christmas. I read in today's papers the details of that Bill. Since the papers have already been briefed on the Bill, when will Members have the benefit of seeing it?

The Taoiseach

The Bill will be published tomorrow.

Mr. D. Ahern

It is a pity we did not hear about it before the media.

Éamon Ó Cuív

Is it official Government policy or purely the policy of the Department of Social Welfare to refer to Derry as Londonderry in official publications?

An Ceann Comhairle

Cuir ceist síos mar gheabhall ar ceist sin.

Mr. B. Ahern

What is the position of the national parks and heritage areas Bill, which seems to have been dropped from the list, and the equal status Bill which was to be published in early October?

The Taoiseach

The equal status Bill is not ready for publication but it is hoped it will be published comparatively soon. I expect the other Bill will be published early next year.

Mr. Power

Some weeks ago the Minister for Justice opened the Curragh prison and during her speech that day she assured us that prisoners would be safely ensconced before Christmas. Will the Taoiseach confirm that the turkeys for the Curragh have been cancelled?

The Taoiseach

The Deputy did better than that before. He is not up to his usual standard.

Mr. Sargent

I welcome publication of the credit union Bill and look forward to debate on it. When will the wildlife amendment Bill and the Bill dealing with regional education boards be published?

The Taoiseach

The wildlife Bill will probably be published in March of the coming year. The education Bill is at an advanced stage and I hope it will be published within the next month.

Before we come to the business of the House I wish you, a Cheann Comhairle, and your family a happy Christmas. I also wish Members on all sides a happy and peaceful Christmas. I thank all the staff of the House, those who work in the House, those who guard the House and maintain security and those who assist us in our political work, for their work during the past 12 months and wish them a happy Christmas.

Mr. B. Ahern

I join with the Taoiseach in wishing you, a Cheann Comhairle, your staff and all the clerical staff of the House a happy Christmas. The Members of this House and the Upper House deserve a rest and I wish all of them and their families a happy Christmas. I also wish a happy Christmas to the Captain of the Guard, the ushers and all the staff, including those who work tremendously hard for political parties, who are often not noticed and rarely receive recognition. I also wish the people who cover the proceedings of the House, the journalists and staff in RTE, a happy Christmas. I hope when we return, for what will be probably one day, on 22 January, we will move on with the business.

Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs (Mr. Spring)

I wish you, a Cheann Comhairle and Mrs. Treacy, the Members of all parties and their families a very peaceful and happy Christmas and enjoyable New Year. I also wish a happy Christmas to the Captain of the Guard, the Superintendent and all the staff, both inside the House and around its curtilages, who have had to work long hours during the past 12 months. I wish those who comment on the proceedings of the House, journalists and their families, a happy Christmas. We look forward to entertaining them for ten months in Government next year.

Minister for Social Welfare (Proinsias De Rossa)

I join with my colleagues in Government and on the Opposition benches in wishing you, a Cheann Comhairle, and all Members, supporters and staff who assist us unstintingly in the House, a happy Christmas. Our expectations and hopes are that the Opposition will be in the same position this time next year and the following year.

Mr. D. Ahern

There is no chance of that.

Mr. Sargent

I wish to add my words of good wishes. Ba mhaith liom beannachtaí na Féile a ghuí ortsa, a Cheann Comhairle, ar na páirtithe eile, ar fhuireann an Tí agus ar na hiriseoirí a bhíonn sa Tigh, thar cheann Chomhaontais Glas agus thar cheann mo chomhleacaithe ar na binsí neamhspleacha. Guimis go raibh síocháin agus go deimhin síocháin ghlas ag gach éinne an bhliain seo chugainn.

An Ceann Comhairle

I am very grateful for and moved by the kind remarks of the Taoiseach and other leaders in the House. I reciprocate your good wishes and convey to all of you and to the staff of the House best wishes during this holy season. Nollaig shona agus athbhliain faoi fhéin is faoi mhaise dhiabh go léir. Go mberirimíd go léir beo ar an am seo arís le cúnamh Dé.