The Local Government (Financial Provisions) Bill was listed on the legislative programme for Christmas. Given that this Bill makes provision for changes in local charges, did the Government agree on it today and will it be presented to the House before Easter as promised?
Order of Business (Resumed).
This legislation will be ready in the first half of this year.
Is there no agreed legislation to lay before the House?
The legislation is currently being drafted and we hope to have it ready in the next month or two.
If the Taoiseach cannot tell us its contents, perhaps he can tell us if there is agreement in Government to bring forward this legislation. He has caused rampant confusion.
There is agreement on this and on all other matters.
What is the agreement?
Let us not deviate from the Order of Business.
The Taoiseach agreed to disagree.
Did the Labour Party and Democratic Left tell the Taoiseach what to do because Fine Gael has no policy on these issues?
The Deputy is flapping around the place.
Fine Gael has no policy.
There will soon be an advertisement for a junior press officer in Fine Gael.
The messenger.
Given the Taoiseach's abject confession last weekend that Fine Gael does not have a single policy of its own, separate from those of the Government, will there be equality of treatment for all householders, whether they live in urban or rural areas, under the legislation about which some announcements have been made?
That matter is not in order now.
The Progressive Democrats' policies seem to be slightly contradictory.
The Minister has never heard of the words "equal treatment". He is supposed to have responsibility for it.
All we seek is equality. We did not seek the abolition of water charges. We voted in favour of their introduction but if one is to get rid of them, one must do so on the basis of equality.
We should await the introduction of the measure, we cannot debate the matter now.
The Taoiseach should stand up for the Fine Gael Party.
The Progressive Democrats protest too much.
The Taoiseach has forgotten his roots.
I insist that order be restored in the Chamber, Members in possession should be heard without constant interruption.
When will the Bill to give 5 per cent of the shares in the ESB to workers, as promised in the cost and competitiveness review, be brought forward or will the matter be dealt with in the electricity Bill which the Taoiseach promised will be introduced in the second half of 1998? The ESB seems to be under the impression that a separate Bill will be introduced to meet the Government's commitment in this regard. Will the matter be dealt with in a separate Bill or in the Bill to be introduced in the second half of 1998?
The latter.
When will the consultants report on MMDS to which the Taoiseach referred at Question Time in reply to a question from Deputy Brennan be published? Hundreds of protest meetings are being organised throughout the country.
That matter does not arise on the Order of Business. The Deputy will doubtless find a way of dealing with it.
The Taoiseach answered a question about the matter at Question Time. When will the report be published?
The Taoiseach should answer the question.
Will Members be given an opportunity to debate the issue of special areas of conservation either in the House or at a committee before the Habitats Directive is signed by the Minister for Arts, Culture and the Gaeltacht.
Is this measure to be brought before the House?
Yes.
The purpose is to give effect to legislation which has already been debated and passed.
Will Members have an opportunity to debate it. We have no knowledge of it.
Will the Taoiseach ask the Minister for the Marine to refuse an application for a licence to excavate the Codling Bank, as this would destroy what is a major fishing bank?
Let us have some regard for what is in order, the matter the Deputy has raised is not in order.
In deciding on the matter will the Minister take into account the serious objections expressed?
The Deputy should please desist.
A commitment is given on page 38 of the programme, A Government of Renewal, to introduce legislation to facilitate fair competition between community television broadcasters and MMDS operators. I understand the consultant's report has been presented to the Government today. When will the legislation be brought forward given the Taoiseach's clear commitment during the Cork by-election two years ago to introduce legislation immediately on his return to Government?
Has legislation been promised?
The Taoiseach promised to introduce it on the video.
It is promised on page 38 of the Programme for Government.
I am glad Deputy Molloy has eventually arrived in the House. I dealt with the matter at Question Time. I do not think Deputy Martin was here.
On a point of order, I asked a question about legislation promised in the programme, A Government of Renewal. I am entitled to an answer, not a smart alec response. I did not have to be here at Question Time.
If the Deputy was sufficiently interested in the matter to be here at Question Time, he would know that I told the House the report was only received this morning and the Minister is considering it.
The Taoiseach's backbenchers do not come in for Question Time.
I am disappointed the Taoiseach dealt with the issue of SACs in a flippant way.
It was not flippant.
Under what legislation was the issue discussed?
This is not Question Time.
We are entitled to an answer.
The Taoiseach needs to know what he is talking about.
Why can we not debate an issue which will affect thousands of farmers?
The Deputy may regret that we are a member of the European Union, membership of which imposes obligations which extend to conservation. It is in respect of our obligations as a member of the European Union that this has arisen.
What legislation?
Is the Taoiseach aware that the Minister for Arts, Culture and the Gaeltacht has designated the sites?
What about the need for consultation? Is the Taoiseach saying farmers pose a risk to conservation?
He is not, we met the farmers yesterday.
The Taoiseach is being influenced by the left wing of the Government.
The issue was never discussed.
(Interruptions.)
The Taoiseach should announce the election and get on with it.
The Order of Business is becoming very disorderly. I wonder why.
We cannot get answers.
It is now four months since the Government, responding to public concerns about food safety, announced the establishment of the Food Safety Authority which has been established on a non-statutory basis. A commitment has been given to introduce legislation to place it on a statutory basis. Will the Taoiseach give us a date for our diaries, please?
I expect the legislation to be introduced in the first half of the year.
Will the Taoiseach forward the Opposition a copy of the report on MMDS received by the Government this morning?
The Deputy should table a question to the Minister.
Has any progress been made on the proposed bail legislation since I last posed the question? Is the fact that Fine Gael does not have a policy on any issue hindering progress?
The legislation will be available this session.
The Taoiseach informed me that the Food Safety Board of Ireland Bill would be published in the second half of the year. Has the position changed radically in the Department of Health?
This proves that some Deputies are better than others at getting information.
The Taoiseach referred earlier to NHAs and SACs in the context of the need to update the law to comply with international conventions. When will the Wildlife (Amendment) Bill be published?
The Wildlife Bill will be published in the period May-June.
There will be an election before then.
When is it proposed to publish the Cabinet confidentiality Bill so that the law accords with reality so far as the Government is concerned?
When it is ready.
Under which of the headings "openness", "transparency" and "accountability" does it come?
Under the heading of "readiness at all times".
The Taoiseach is letting himself down.
He is kicking to touch.
With reference to No. 48 on today's Order Paper, the fact that the Government has failed to introduce legislation on this matter and that it will be 1998 before legislation is on the Statute Book, will the Taoiseach give Government time to discuss this issue as it would allow the House the opportunity to deal with this important matter by ministerial regulation?
The Deputy is posing a question which could and should be dealt with in another way.
It is on the Order Paper.
It is a Private Members' motion.
The Deputy is asking for a special deal on the matter.