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Dáil Éireann debate -
Wednesday, 5 Nov 1997

Vol. 482 No. 4

Order of Business.

It is proposed to take No. 5a, motion on the appointment of Members to the Joint Committee on Foreign Affairs; No. 8a, Children Bill, 1997, Report and Final Stages and No. 2 Irish Film Board (Amendment) Bill, 1997, Order for Second Stage and Second Stage. It is also proposed, notwithstanding anything in Standing Orders, that No. 5a be decided without debate and that Private Members' Business will be No. 15, motion re Dublin's traffic conditions (resumed).

Is the proposal for dealing with item No. 5a agreed? Agreed.

What are the Government's plans for the publication of the Juvenile Justice Bill, which was brought to Committee Stage by the previous Administration? In preparation for debate on this Bill, will the Taoiseach agree to a debate on the report published today on the level of drug addiction among children and young people which suggests that we have the youngest drug addicts in Europe? Data on drug addiction in Ireland is deficient in many respects and the House needs to debate this urgently, given the risk that addiction will blight an entire generation of young people.

The legislation is being restored to the Stage it was at before the dissolution of the last Dáil, and should be dealt with speedily. The EU report regarding drug addiction among young people could be discussed here with the agreement of the Whips or in committee. I agree with the Deputy that the report's findings are alarming. It is something we have been aware of for some time. A number of initiatives have been taken in this area such as the action programme on drugs, the various task forces, the community groupings and the action plans. The Minister of State, Deputy Flood, is dealing with these issues but I would welcome debate on this matter.

I will not detain the House further. May I ask the Taoiseach——

We will be detained all day.

Did I hear a voice?

In your head.

The Deputy should not listen to those voices.

It may have been a maiden speech, or perhaps Deputies feel oratory coming on. I can see Deputy O'Dea, the Cicero of the Dáil, is present. Does the Taoiseach agree that there is a particular problem in that the vast bulk of drug addicts are young males, and that the majority of suicides among young people are also among young males? There is a particular problem in society with males in their late teens that needs to be addressed not just in terms of the symptoms, such as drug abuse, but also in the context of the social forces causing problems for these young people. The House needs to address this problem, which could get worse before it gets better.

The issue of social exclusion appears from statistical evidence to affect young males particularly. This is evident from research published on suicide and drug abuse. Often these people are the victims of modern society.

The report, which covers a number of years, shows cannabis addiction here is particularly high compared to that in Europe. A number of mechanisms have been put in place and a considerable amount of resources has been spent on dealing with the problem of drug addiction in the community. Eleven groups, one in Cork and ten in Dublin, have been set up in the past year or so to help attack the problem. Much, however, remains to be done. I would welcome the opportunity to debate the report either in committee, perhaps the social and family affairs committee which will be set up shortly, or in the House.

Since the matter was raised yesterday in the House I understand the Taoiseach has had a discussion with French Prime Minister Jospin. Is he confident there will be an early resolution of the difficult problem in France? Did he get any assurances from the Prime Minister that the outstanding money due to Irish truck drivers from last year's dispute will be paid at an early date? If not, will he press the Commission to stop receipts being paid to France so the money owed may be paid?

I have not spoken to Prime Minister Jospin but have sent a detailed letter outlining our concerns. We have also been in touch with the Commission and I asked our embassy to highlight the problems. I am satisfied our concerns, and those of many other countries, have been conveyed to the French Government and a number of other initiatives will be taken today to continue to highlight them. I hope the talks which commenced today will lead to a satisfactory conclusion. This is an internal French problem which is affecting other European countries. That is the message we must convey to the French authorities, and one of which I believe they are already aware.

I suggest the Taoiseach make an effort to contact Prime Minister Jospin by telephone. The actions of the French are making a mockery of free movement and are causing disruption to Irish business. The Taoiseach should also raise with the Commission the question of stopping receipts because otherwise I do not believe our truckers and companies will be paid.

I am certain the Taoiseach will want to express his great relief at the good news that our colleague, Deputy Healy-Rae, has returned to full health and wish him an early return to the House in the event the Government intends to bring forward legislation before Christmas. I do not know if his regular driver, the Minister for Social, Community and Family Affairs, Deputy Dermot Ahern, has been dispatched with fruit and flowers yet.

The Deputy has a scowl on his face.

On the point raised by Deputy John Bruton on the latest drugs report, will the Taoiseach agree to a debate within the next week to ten days on this issue given that the committees have not yet been set up? A proper debate on this important issue could take place on a Thursday. If the Taoiseach would agree to that now, we could settle the matter this evening at the Whips meeting.

I would be happy to do so.

Has the Government authorised the drafting of a Bill to change the date of the next local elections?

No such legislation has been drafted.

That was not the question. Has the Government authorised the drafting of such legislation?

The Government has not authorised the drafting of such legislation.

A Deputy

Come on Ruairí.

(Mayo): Who am I to come between friends or pretenders? Given that yesterday the Dáil and Seanad passed amending legislation to plug a major loophole in the Non-Fatal Offences Against the Person Act, is it proposed to introduce similar legislation to address the problems which have arisen in relation to the issuing of summonses by District Court clerks who have not been properly appointed and which casts a major doubt on convictions already obtained and summonses for cases currently before the courts?

The Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform has no such legislation in mind. The case in question has been appealed to the Supreme Court.

If I was Minister for Justice Fianna Fáil would be calling for my resignation.

Does the Taoiseach share my concern about the appalling conditions at St. Ita's Psychiatric Hospital? Will he bring forward at an early date the Mental Health Bill which will give us an opportunity to deal fully with this matter in the best way possible?

The drafting of the Mental Health Bill is at an advanced stage. It is with the parliamentary draftsman who is finalising the text.

As I can no longer ask you, a Cheann Comhairle, for your vote I will ask the Taoiseach a question. The Report and Final Stages of the Taxes Consolidation Bill were taken in the House yesterday. Will the Taoiseach confirm that, like the previous Government, it is the Government's intention to publish the Bill on CD-ROM so that the entire industry can have access to it?

That is the intention but I am not sure of the timescale. The matter was discussed some time ago and I will ascertain how soon this can be done.

I am very concerned at the Government's complacent attitude to the pending chaos in regard to the appointment of District Court clerks. Is the same complacency attached to the court services Bill or can we expect to see it shortly? The Bill has been published and I would like to know when it will be brought before the House.

As soon as the High Court made its decision on Friday the Minister acted immediately to reappoint the 185 clerks. The Courts and Court Officers Bill will be presented to the House shortly.

In putting together committees of the House does the Taoiseach intend to have parliamentary scrutiny of non-commercial executive State agencies? We have seen from previous cases, such as the one involving the BTSB, the extent to which matters can go wrong. Is it proposed to have regular parliamentary scrutiny of the many executive agencies which often do very important work?

That is an idea worthy of some consideration. The terms of reference of the committees will be discussed tomorrow and that matter can also be discussed by the Whips.

Fianna Fáil and the Labour Party were in Government when the House passed the Road Traffic Act, 1994. During the weeks leading up to Hallowe'en the Taoiseach's constituency and my constituency witnessed again the plague of joyriding where citizens were threatened and communities were put under siege. Will the Taoiseach ask the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform to implement the 1994 Act which contains extensive powers to deal with this menace? When the Minister was in Opposition he lectured us every morning for three years on what should be done about these matters. Yet now that he is in power he will not take action or implement the legislation. Will action be taken on this important Dublin issue?

Is legislation promised?

The Act is in place.

The Minister should resign.

(Dublin West): The Eastern Health Board set a target to accommodate all heroin addicts on programmes by the end of the year. However, it is now clear that thousands of unfortunate heroin addicts will not be accommodated on programmes by that time. Will the Taoiseach bring forward emergency measures to end the scandal whereby sick people are desperate in that they are denied treatment? In representations he makes to the French Prime Minister, will the Taoiseach highlight the disgracefully long hours and unacceptable working conditions which French truck drivers have to endure and which has forced them out on strike? Will he seek to bring an immediate end to this strike?

That matter is not in order on the Order of Business.

(Dublin West): This question must be addressed by the Taoiseach.

On the Eastern Health Board, that body has made substantial progress with the list. The Minister for Health and Children will introduce regulations under the Misuse of Drugs Act, 1977, to assist in the treatment of drug addicts. The Eastern Health Board, which carries most responsibility in this regard, is already implementing many of the regulations that will be introduced.

(Dublin West): There are thousands of drug addicts crying out for help.

The Deputy is not in order. He must raise the matter in another way.

In view of the intense activity in the property market, will the Taoiseach agree the valuation Bill is priority legislation? What is the present state of drafting of the Bill? Have the heads of the Bill been approved by the Government and when will it be introduced in the House?

The legislation to which the Deputy referred is important and it is hoped to introduce it in the middle of next year.

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