It is proposed to take No. 4, motion to appoint the Committee of Public Accounts; No. 6, Taxes Consolidation Bill, 1997, Second Stage; and No. 1, Air Navigation and Transport (Amendment) Bill, 1997, Order for Second Stage and Second Stage. It is also proposed notwithstanding anything in Standing Orders that No. 4 shall be decided without debate. Private Members' business shall be No. 13, motion re. legal case of the Louth residents group against British Nuclear Fuels.
Order of Business.
Is the proposal for dealing with No. 4 agreed? Agreed.
When is it expected the Education Bill will be taken?
The Minister has cleared the contents of the Bill at Cabinet and it is now being drafted. We hope to introduce it in November and, if not, then later in the Christmas session.
I am sure the Taoiseach, as well as all other Members of the House, will have been appalled at the sight of 2,000 people queuing on St. Stephen's Green last Saturday afternoon.
I remind the Deputy the matter is on the Adjournment.
I am glad of that because if it happened to Irish citizens abroad, all of us in this House would be complaining. It should not have been allowed to happen.
Is the Taoiseach satisfied the recommendations of the North report on parades in Northern Ireland will be fully implemented by the British Government as promised?
My reply to Deputy Spring's question, which I gave to Deputy John Bruton earlier, is that the way that was organised last Saturday was entirely wrong.
And the Saturday before that and the Saturday before that again. This is the third time it has happened.
Last Saturday was by far the longest. In reply to Deputy De Rossa, I understand the Bill dealing with the recommendations of the parades commission is likely to be published on Friday this week or early next week, but I have not seen a draft at this stage.
Is the Taoiseach satisfied that the Bill will fully implement the report of the North commission on parades?
I cannot say until I see the contents of the Bill. I have some knowledge of what the North report contains, but I do not know what is in the Bill until it is published.
Will the Taoiseach ask the Minister for Finance to report to the Dáil on his negotiations in Brussels on corporation profits tax? It is clear the Minister has seriously bungled the issue and he should account to the Dáil for what he has done.
Deputy Shatter.
That is a legitimate question which requires an answer.
It is for Question Time.
No, it is a legitimate question. Will the Taoiseach ask the Minister to report to the Dáil tomorrow?
The Minister answered questions last week.
This does not concern Question Time. It is a matter for tomorrow's Order of Business.
The Deputy will have to find another way to raise the matter — on the Adjournment, perhaps.
There will be a presidential election on October 30. To avoid causing the incoming President any embarrassment, has the Taoiseach considered, in light of the report of Mr. Justice McCracken, writing to Mr. Haughey suggesting he resign from the Council of State?
That matter does not arise on the Order of Business.
It is something to which the Taoiseach might want to respond. In light of the McCracken report, it is inappropriate that Mr. Haughey continues to be a member of the Council of State and to exercise constitutional functions of advising the President——
The matter does not arise on the Order of Business. The Deputy will have to find another way of raising the issue.
Will there be local elections in 1998?
It has not been finally decided.
In view of the narrow timeframe between now and the presidential election, has the Taoiseach considered the Electoral (Amendment) Bill published in my name, and will he, at this late stage, move the date of the election to a Friday to facilitate thousands of young people who are very aggrieved at being disenfranchised in this important election?
The date has been fixed. I am not sure the experiment during the summer was a great idea.
Is the Taoiseach satisfied that all orders made by the Minister for the Environment in relation to this election are in order?
The Minister for the Environment must ensure all matters are in order. I understand they are, but I am not responsible for that.
That shows confidence.
In view of the fact that last week the Government abandoned its commitment in the programme for Government to introduce mandatory reporting of child abuse cases, will the Taoiseach ensure interagency co-operation with Britain, as recommended in the Kilkenny incest report, particularly since there is now a fear that British paedophiles are using Ireland as a safe haven? Will he ensure that a register of convicted paedophiles is set up?
Is this promised legislation?
It is clearly stated in the programme for Government. A central part of the programme for Government has now been abandoned.
It is not in order if it is not promised legislation.
It is in order because it is in the programme for Government and it relates to the recommendation in the Kilkenny incest report. I want to ensure that provisions relating to the protection of children are retained. I do not know if the programme for Government is a work of fiction or fact because so many parts have been abandoned.
It must be promised legislation.
We must ensure that children are protected.
We all welcome the fact that the Committee of Public Accounts will soon be established. When will the Taoiseach set up the four legislative committees or is there a problem because of the numbers in the House?
As soon as the technical group resolves its difficulties, I will have no difficulty establishing the committees.
Is the Taoiseach aware of the anger and frustration felt by flood victims in Clonmel as a result of the delay in publishing the expert group's report on the cause of the flooding? Numerous Government promises have been broken in this regard. Is he also aware that the Minister of State at the Department of Finance, Deputy Cullen, did not honour a commitment to attend a meeting of Clonmel Corporation last Tuesday night to allay the people's fears——
That is not promised legislation.
——and to assure them that something is being done? The people of Clonmel have been more than patient.
The Deputy will have other opportunities to raise that matter.
On a point of order, it was the practice of the previous two Administrations to answer questions about the programme for
Government on the Order of Business. I ask the Taoiseach to respond to the serious questions raised by Deputy McManus.
It must involve promised legislation.
Questions should be permitted on the Order of Business on solemn promises made by the Taoiseach and the Tánaiste.
Only if they deal with promised legislation.
Will the national psychological services board for schools, which is a feature of the programme for Government, be set up with statutory provisions? It seems to be missing from the Taoiseach's list of intentions.
A planning group has been established but it has not yet reported on whether it will be on a statutory basis. I hope it will do so shortly.
In view of the remarks made about the programme for Government and Deputy McManus's description of it as fiction, I remind the Taoiseach that two weeks ago, while visiting University College Dublin during freshers' week, he joined the Science Fiction and Fantasy Society.
That does not arise on the Order of Business.
He is a life member.
Deputy Jim O'Keeffe is an outgoing member.
Will he now withdraw his application on the basis that the society will make him a lifelong associate member?
That does not involve promised legislation.
Do the Taoiseach and the Tánaiste believe it is appropriate for Mr. Haughey to remain on the Council of State?
I remind the Deputy that matter does not arise on the Order of Business. There are other ways for the Deputy to raise it.
The Taoiseach should have a point of view on this matter.
That matter relates to the Office of the President and under Standing Orders it cannot be raised in this House.
It is out of order.
Why is the Taoiseach afraid to answer the question?
It is not a presidential appointment.
It is a disgrace the Taoiseach will not pursue the issue.
It is out of order for a number of reasons.
I ask the Taoiseach to take an interest in something with which he can deal. There is an ongoing dispute at the National Museum of Ireland in Collins Barracks. It gives an inferior presentation——
That does not arise on the Order of Business.
It is in the Taoiseach's constituency.
That does not make it in order.
It is not fantasy or fiction.
It is not promised legislation so it does not arise on the Order of Business.
The Taoiseach should take an interest in it as the Minister for Arts, Heritage, Gaeltacht and the Islands is in America.
When does the Taoiseach propose to set up the Joint Committee on Women's Rights?
I hope it will be done within the next week.
Has the Minister for Education any plans to abolish fees for student nurses attending university?
Is it promised legislation?
It should be.
It does not arise on the Order of Business.
Why did the Deputy not do it when he was in Government?
Mr. Hayes
Will the Government hold a referendum on the Council of State so that certain people can be kicked off it?
That is not promised legislation.
Is the Taoiseach aware that under the terms of the EU Commission's midterm review all counties on the east coast will be discriminated against in relation to tourism grants under Measure V of the programme for tourism? Will he ensure that the Minister for Tourism, Sport and Recreation resolves this matter, otherwise all counties from Louth to Waterford will be badly affected?
Is this promised legislation?
No, but the Minister for Tourism, Sport and Recreation is dealing with the matter.