It is proposed to take the Report from the Select Committee on Finance and General Affairs on the Litter Pollution Bill, 1996; No. 8 — motion to extend the date for reporting back of certain joint committees; No. 3 — Education Bill, 1997 — Order for Second Stage and Second Stage; No. 21 — Credit Union Bill, 1996 — Second Stage (resumed). It is also proposed, notwithstanding anything in Standing Orders, that (1) the Dáil shall sit later than 8.30 p.m. tonight and business shall be interrupted not later than 10.30 p.m.; and (2) No. 8 shall be decided without debate. Private Members' Business shall be No. 53 — Motion No. 20 re. water charges.
Order of Business.
An Leas-Cheann Comhairle
There are two matters to put to the House. Is the late sitting agreed?
I understand it is intended to take Second Stage of the Social Welfare Bill tomorrow in one day. It has been the practice in this House for many years that the Social Welfare Bill was taken over two days. We do not have any difficulty with the timing of the debate tomorrow but it should be taken over two days as has been the practice. The Social Welfare Bill was always taken over two days and the Finance Bill over three days. There is no reason that should not happen again.
It is my understanding that the same number of hours are being provided for this Bill, which will be taken tomorrow, as would have been the case in the past over two days. If there is a difficulty I am sure the Whips can discuss it this evening before the Bill is ordered tomorrow morning.
I appreciate the Tánaiste's agreement to take the Bill over two days. As this legislation will cost £4.5 billion to implement, it should be taken over two days. The Minister's opening statement is comprehensive. It analyses what is contained in the Bill and expands on the Budget Statement. People outside this House help the Opposition examine the Minister's statement overnight. That is the reason it should be taken over two days and I welcome the Tánaiste's indication that it will be.
There is no difficulty. We can order other business for part of tomorrow and take the Social Welfare Bill tomorrow and Thursday.
An Leas-Cheann Comhairle
Is the late sitting agreed? Agreed. Are the proposals for dealing with No. 8 agreed? Agreed.
I note from media reports yesterday that a number of Bills are to be passed over the next few weeks including the prompt payments Bill, Local Government (Financial Provisions) Bill, the bail Bill, for which we have been waiting for months, and the Licensing of Drugs (Food Safety) Bill. Will the Tánaiste indicate if this is the programme to the end of the life of this Dáil? Will he tell the House what will happen to the courts services Bill, the prisons board Bill and the administrative procedures Bill which I have requested for weeks on end?
Legislation will continue to be brought forward as it is approved by the Government and as it is completed by a draftsman's office. The media reports obviously refer to legislation that is ready. Further legislation will be brought forward as soon as it is ready.
Will legislation to facilitate holding a referendum on Cabinet confidentiality be published before Easter?
As the Deputy has been informed by the Taoiseach, the legislation will be brought forward when it is ready. I cannot give a definitive response as to whether it will be before Easter.
When does the Government intend, in line with a commitment in its Programme for Government, to introduce legislation to provide for the bonding of private third level colleges? Next Monday there will be an application in the High Court in respect of the Advanced Technology College to bring in an examiner. It is my understanding that a pledge of some limited funding from the Government, in tandem with the examinership, would go a long way to sorting out the problems for the students concerned. My only concern, and I imagine the Tánaiste's only concern, is that we should be seen to act on humanitarian grounds in an effort to fulfil the education needs of the students who have only about three months to finish their course. There is an insufficiency of State places because of democratic decisions etc. I would appreciate it if the Government could make some response. Nobody has yet met the students.
An Leas-Cheann Comhairle
I may not call the Tánaiste on that issue.
On a point of order, this relates to promised legislation. There was a promise in the document, A Government of Renewal, to legislate to protect consumer and employee rights in third level colleges.
That legislation will be brought forward when it is ready. Nobody wants to see students sitting on the steps outside a college, a private venture which has gone wrong.
Why will the Minister not meet them?
An Leas-Cheann Comhairle
Let us hear the response.
It has been suggested that there are ways in which we can facilitate these students. Everything that can be done will be done in that respect.
Will the Tánaiste require his colleague in Government, the Minister for Education, to meet the students who have been affected by this disaster and show some concern so that their plight can be alleviated?
An Leas-Cheann Comhairle
We may not proceed any further with that issue.
In view of the current crisis in the prisons which has caused the Government to resort to expedients which are endangering prison staff and security in the prisons, when is it proposed to introduce the Attachment of Earnings Bill so that we can at least stop sending people to prison for inability to pay fines and civil debts?
The legislation in question is at a preliminary stage of examination.
Is the proposed telecommunications Bill to be used to amend the Postal and Telecommunications Services (Amendment) Act, 1984 which guarantees job security to those who work in Telecom Éireann, in view of the fact that 1,200 are now to be let go from that organisation? Why was this information regarding the 1,200 layoffs not divulged to the workers before selling off the shares in Telecom Éireann? Why was it kept secret?
Regarding the proposed legislation, the answer to the Deputy's question is in the negative.
Does the Minister have legislation in preparation to enable second level students who appeal State examination marks to have the relevant subject teachers present at such appeals procedures? Does the Tánaiste accept that appeals procedures in Ireland are one of the last in modern democracies where the appellant has no right of representation? Does he accept that the Price Waterhouse report on this matter is intellectual waffle and should be publicly burned or shredded? Does he further accept that the Minister for Education should hire a firm of educational glaziers to erect a clear glass door between the managers of the examinations system and the teachers, students and parents of Ireland?
Regarding the matter raised by my party leader and by Deputy Michéal Martin, will the Tánaiste bear in mind that if the students concerned are transferred to other colleges to complete their courses, they will enter in the middle of a term? Will he keep the core of teachers in the existing college to continue the courses so that the students involved can complete their courses and sit their exams?
Will the Tánaiste instruct the Minister of Education to meet the parents and the students to see if this can be resolved?
An Leas-Cheann Comhairle
The Deputy may not ask the Tánaiste that.
I do not see why not. It is outrageous that more than 500 students are out on the streets very close to this building, and the Minister will not meet them. I want to know why the Minister will not meet them. The Government's own backbench Deputies are calling for this.
What progress has been made with the Inspectors of Social Services (Inquiries) Bill, and when is it likely to be published? I support the call that the Tánaiste instruct the appropriate Minister to intervene in the dispute involving the 537 students and would encourage the Tánaiste to take this opportunity to reply.
I understand the Bill will be published next year.
Given that it was the Oireachtas that set up the hepatitis C tribunal, could the Tánaiste indicate to the House when it might report?
I understand this matter will be dealt with on the Adjournment this evening.
Not that specific issue. I would like information on the publication of Mr. Justice Finlay's report.
I will communicate with the Deputy.