During Question Time yesterday there was a good exchange about the crisis facing many families who are unable to buy a home of their own and the tens of thousands on housing waiting lists. Will the Taoiseach consider making time available for a debate on the housing crisis or introducing the two Bills promised which deal with housing matters?
Order of Business (Resumed).
I am not sure to which Bills the Deputy is referring.
I am referring to the traveller accommodation Bill and the Housing (Gaeltachts) Bill which may provide us with an opportunity of widening the consideration to the housing crisis in non-Gaeltacht areas.
That matter is not appropriate to the Order of Business.
A good try.
When will the Social Welfare Bill be circulated?
Next week.
On a number of occasions before Christmas I asked the Taoiseach about the implementation and operation of the relevant provisions of the 1994 Road Traffic Act which deal with joyriding. People in my constituency and that of the Taoiseach are continually terrorised by these criminals. Will the Taoiseach ask the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform to implement the relevant provisions of that Act given the mayhem which occurs on a nightly basis on the north side of Dublin?
That matter is not appropriate to the Order of Business.
It is the Taoiseach's responsibility.
Has the Government decided to legislate on the question of Sunday working? The Taoiseach will remember the spectacular strike against the head by the Minister of State, Deputy Kitt, before Christmas.
He dropped the ball.
It is an issue to which the Minister of State is devoting much time.
Sunday after Sunday.
Is there a transfer fee for changing clubs?
The Minister of State and the social partners are trying to reach agreement on a voluntary code so that people will not be forced against their will to work on Sundays.
The Minister of State introduced a good Bill not so long ago.
As the Deputy knows, the social partners did not support it.
We supported it.
The Deputy's party did not support it when the Minister of State first tried to implement it. An effort should be made to reach agreement on a voluntary code. That is the only way we will be able to effect change.
Nonsense.
In light of the sale of foreign beef, door to door, in County Galway and the ongoing controversy about genetically modified foods, when does the Government propose to introduce the Food Safety Authority of Ireland Bill?
It will be circulated this session.
When will legislation be introduced to establish the Sports Council on a statutory basis?
Proposals have been circulated. The Bill will not be introduced this side of summer.