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Dáil Éireann debate -
Thursday, 6 Feb 1997

Vol. 474 No. 5

Order of Business (Resumed).

May I ask the Taoiseach if, following the European Union's decision yesterday on broadcasting and the restricting of commercial TV stations using various sporting events for their own commercial use, he intends to bring forward legislation, as promised a long time ago, on those matters?

We have proposals on that matter in the broadcasting Bill. Important sporting events are a matter for all the people and should not be confined to those who can pay over the odds.

I raised this matter before one of the Stephen Collins fights over a year ago and was told that legislation would be brought in before it. We are now before another Stephen Collins fight and all the golf tournaments are set up. Are we likely to see those proposals in the foreseeable future?

I will take note of the Deputy's suggestion. He is obviously a close follower of sporting events and knows all the dates of all the fixtures. I wish Stephen Collins well.

The House will recall that last year a neighbour of mine was killed at a concert in The Point. Following that tragic event the Minister and Minister of State said they would bring in legislation for the control of crowds. How far has that legislation progressed?

There is no specific promised legislation on that matter but there is a review of the crowd control problems at important public events, open air and indoor. It would be best if I revert to the Deputy because I would like to give him accurate information. Progress has been made.

What about the——

(Interruptions.)

I will revert to Deputy Ahern on the matter he raised.

Has the Government promised to introduce legislation under which student unions will be reimbursed the £400,000 in legal costs incurred in connection with the case involving the provision of abortion information?

The answer is in the negative.

Given that the Dáil has passed the Equality Employment Bill, when is it intended to introduce the Medical Practitioners Bill which will eliminate discrimination in the appointment of doctors?

That Bill will be introduced during the second half of the year.

On the point raised by Deputy Michael Ahern, the Taoiseach omitted to refer to the report commissioned by a Minister and signed by a judge. Will the Taoiseach comment on the recommendations of the report or say whether it is proposed to take action on them?

That matter should not be entertained now. It is not appropriate to the Order of Business.

It is a matter more appropriate to a parliamentary question.

Many months ago Deputy Eoin Ryan raised in the House and in the public domain the use of syringes by criminals. Yesterday a man in Tallaght was stabbed with a syringe and a taxi driver was attacked by someone with a syringe. If the attacker is HIV positive these incidents constitute attempted murder. Some time ago the Taoiseach promised to introduce legislation which would define syringes used in such circumstances as lethal weapons. When are we likely to see this legislation, which I understand will be very short?

The Deputy is referring to the offences against the person legislation which will be introduced before Easter. It will deal with the use of syringes to threaten people with serious harm. It is very important that this matter is dealt with promptly.

It is very urgent.

It is urgent because of the increasing use of this appalling threat.

Will it also cover shillelaghs?

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