Dáil Éireann debate -
Thursday, 23 Apr 1998

Vol. 490 No. 1

Order of Business.

The Taoiseach

It also proposed to take No. 1, Adoption (No. 2) Bill, 1996 — amendment from the Seanad; No. 19, Statements on the Asia Europe Summit; No. 18, Education (No. 2) Bill, 1997 — Second Stage (resumed).

It is further proposed, notwithstanding anything in Standing Orders, that No. 1 shall be decided without debate; No. 19, if not previously concluded, shall be brought to a conclusion after 75 minutes and the contributions shall be as follows: (i) the statement of the Taoiseach and of the main spokespersons for the Fine Gael Party and the Labour Party shall not exceed 15 minutes in each case; (ii) the statement of the main spokespersons for the Democratic Left Party and the Green Party shall not exceed ten minutes in each case; and (iii) the Minister for Foreign Affairs shall be called upon to make a statement in reply which shall not exceed ten minutes; and any division demanded today upon the conclusion of the Second Stage of No. 18 shall be postponed until immediately after the Order of Business on Tuesday, 28 April 1998.

An Ceann Comhairle

There are three proposals to put to the House. Is the proposal for dealing with No. 1 agreed? Agreed. Is the proposal agreed for dealing with No. 19? Agreed. Is the proposal for dealing with No. 18 agreed? Agreed.

Mr. J. Bruton

Will the Government provide time for a debate on the decision it takes on Luas, probably the major infrastructural decision that will be taken this decade? Will we have a debate in the House before the Government makes a decision on the issue?

The Taoiseach

I understand the report will be presented to the Minister at the weekend, Saturday is the latest date I have heard. The Government will have an opportunity to have an initial look at the report at our meeting next week. We may make a decision at that stage. I am not against holding a debate on the matter, but I would like to see the report before making a decision.

Mr. Quinn

What is the present status of the legislation dealing with television coverage of major sporting events? The Taoiseach will recall I raised this matter with him on a previous occasion.

The Taoiseach

I have asked that the Bill be speeded up. I understand it was not supposed to be ready until some time next year. I have asked that the date be brought forward because, as I said prior to Easter, it is an important issue. I hope the date for its publication can be brought forward.

Mr. Allen

Has the Minister for Tourism, Sport and Recreation received the report of the inquiry into the incidence of sex abuse in swimming? If so, will he publish the report in full?

The Taoiseach

Dr. Murphy has asked for a further two weeks to complete the report. I understand he wishes to deal with matters of legal clarification. I understand the report has been completed and it will take him two weeks to get that legal clarification. He will present the report to the Minister in about two weeks' time.

Mr. Gilmore

I understand the Government intends to publish the Bacon report on housing today and to announce what it proposes to do regarding the crisis in house prices. When will Members be supplied with copies of the report and the Government's announcement? At the very least, will Opposition spokespersons be provided with the information before it is circulated to the media so we they can make an informed comment when it is released?

Mr. Howlin

I understand a press conference has been arranged for 11.30 a.m., which is 35 minutes from now. Will the Taoiseach inform the House if legislative or statutory instrument changes need to be carried out by the Government? The Government made the decisions on Monday or Tuesday and it would be courteous to inform the House on the matter before the media is informed in 35 minutes' time.

The Taoiseach

I understand from the Minister of the Environment and Local Government that the report will be in the pigeon holes in about half an hour's time. The proposals will require legislation.

Mr. Howlin

This is a matter of important principle. If there are to be legislative announcements or changes in legislation by way of statutory instrument, will the Taoiseach inform the House now rather than inform journalists outside the house in a half an hour?

Mr. Dempsey

There are established precedents for this.

The Taoiseach

There will be legislative requirements in this regard. I understand the Minister for the Environment and Local Government is taking questions next week when I am sure the details of this will be announced.

Mr. J. Bruton

I understand that there are precedents for the Taoiseach being coy in his answers about the Bacon report, but the Minister for Finance has announced outside the House that stamp duty for first time buyers is to be abolished, as Fine Gael has been advocating. It does not make much sense that the Taoiseach cannot say this in the House and is clothing himself in procedural discretion. It makes the place look a little silly.

Mr. Smith

The Deputy will get the information in half an hour.

Mr. J. Bruton

He could not say anything here yesterday on the issue of security, but his colleague could answer all questions outside the House.

An Ceann Comhairle

I call Deputy Jim Mitchell.

Mr. J. Bruton

Obviously, the buttoned lip did not apply in this case.

Mr. J. Mitchell

Is the Taoiseach prepared to give time for a debate on the question of the leaking of official documents before the presidential election and the disquieting arrest two days before that election of an innocent person, against whom no charges have been brought or evidence produced, under political pressure from members of the Government?

Mr. M. Smith

That is totally untrue.

An Ceann Comhairle

The matter does not arise on the Order of Business.

Mr. J. Mitchell

Will he deny that members of his Government pressurised the Garda to make an arrest?

An Ceann Comhairle

The matter does not arise on the Order of Business.

Mr. J. Mitchell

A Cheann Comhairle, I am asking if the Taoiseach will give time for a debate on the matter of an innocent person being arrested——

An Ceann Comhairle

It is not appropriate on the Order of Business.

Mr. J. Mitchell

——two days before the election.

An Ceann Comhairle

The matter is not appropriate now.

Mr. J. Mitchell

Will the Taoiseach deny a member of the Government telephoned the Garda more than once to put pressure on them?

An Ceann Comhairle

The Deputy must resume his seat. He can raise the matter at a more appropriate time. It is not appropriate on the Order of Business.

Mr. J. Mitchell

I sought to raise it by way of parliamentary question a month ago.

An Ceann Comhairle

The Deputy should resume his seat when called on by the Chair to do so. If he wants to pursue the matter he should do so through a Whips meeting.

Mr. J. Mitchell

Will the Taoiseach give Government time for a debate on this very important matter when there is evidence to suggest——

An Ceann Comhairle

It is not in order to pursue the matter on the Order of Business.

Mr. Quinn

Is it not in order for a Deputy to ask the Taoiseach on the Order of Business to indicate whether he will allow time to debate a matter of public concern? That is what Deputy Mitchell is asking.

Mr. M. Smith

He is levelling accusations.

An Ceann Comhairle

Matters of detail are not in order on the Order of Business.

Mr. J. Bruton

I was allowed ask a question about time for a debate on Luas.

An Ceann Comhairle

I call Deputy Stagg on the Order of Business.

Mr. Stagg

The Taoiseach indicated a few minutes ago that the Minister for the Environment and Local Government would take questions next week. That is not true. Yesterday morning you, Sir, ruled me out of order on the question of a debate on Luas, but this morning you allowed the Leader of the Opposition, Deputy Bruton, to raise that question and the Taoiseach to reply. Is there any possibility that the long promised road transport Bill will see the light of day before the summer?

The Taoiseach

This legislation will amend and update the Road Transport Acts of l933 to l986. It will not be possible to progress the Bill until the enactment of the carriage of dangerous goods by road Bill, which will be given priority. Therefore, it will not be introduced this year.

Mr. Stagg

When will the carriage of dangerous goods by road Bill be published?

The Taoiseach

That will be introduced in the middle of the year.

Mr. Higgins

(Dublin West): Has the Government plans for amending legislation, in line with statements by the main party before the election, to make it obligatory for the Environmental Protection Agency to hold public oral hearings on applications by multinationals like Monsanto for licences to experiment with the genetic engineering of plants and vegetables and to ensure that a company whose product agent——

An Ceann Comhairle

The Deputy cannot go into detail on the matter. He has asked a question about legislation and he should allow the Taoiseach to reply. He cannot develop the matter any further.

Mr. Higgins

(Dublin West): I am not developing it. This is an important matter. A company whose product laid waste——

An Ceann Comhairle

The Deputy cannot develop the matter further. Is there promised legislation on the matter?

The Taoiseach

There is no legislation in this area, but for the information of the Deputy and the House a consultative policy document is being prepared which will be used for widespread consultation with those who have an interest in the matter.

Mr. Higgins

(Dublin West): When will it be ready?

The Taoiseach

Sometime before the June bank holiday weekend.

Mr. Sargent

Is the Taoiseach prepared to allow time for that report to be debated as there has been no debate in the House on genetic engineering? Will he bring forward the wildlife amendment Bill, which is on the "also ran" list, particularly in light of the crisis in special areas of conversation? They are in a deeper crisis than before they were seen to be of value and are being devalued by a dearth of legislation to protect them.

The Taoiseach

As I stated earlier, there has been widespread consultation on that issue. It is a matter for the Whips if that is to include a Dáil debate.

Mr. Howlin

It could be debated in committee.

The Taoiseach

Yes, it could be discussed by the Select Committee on Environment and Local Government. The wildlife amendment Bill is due before the House during the autumn session.

Mr. Ring

I refer to the western development commission Bill. The last time I asked about it the Taoiseach said it would be published in June but I do not see it in the list of promised legislation. This is holding up major investment in the west. Will he introduce it before the summer recess?

The Taoiseach

I answered that question yesterday. I said the matter was before the Government and legislation is expected in the middle of this year.

Ms Shortall

In regard to the massive demonstration outside the House on Tuesday by several thousand gardaí on the issue of pay and conditions and their proposed ongoing pressure until there is a Government response, what does the Taoiseach propose to reply to their requests?

An Ceann Comhairle

This matter is not appropriate to the Order of Business. There are ample ways for the Deputy to raise it, such as by way of a parliamentary question or on the Adjournment.

Ms Shortall

There is no other way. Will the Taoiseach ask the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform to meet representatives of the Garda at an early date?

Mr. J. Mitchell

On the question of leaking official documents, the Taoiseach has already addressed this question on the Order of Business on two or three occasions and has made political charges which have been the subject of counter charges. What is the state of play in regard to the inquiry into the leaking of official documents, especially given that a person was arrested two days before the presidential election——

An Ceann Comhairle

I ruled this is a matter of detail and is not appropriate to the Order of Business.

Mr. J. Mitchell

Is it appropriate to ask where is the inquiry which the Taoiseach announced on the Order of Business?

Mr. Shatter

The question should be answered.

Mr. J. O'Keeffe

Can we have an answer to a reasonable question?

Mr. J. Mitchell

It is a political cover-up. Where is the inquiry?

Mr. Broughan

While the Taoiseach was involved in historic Northern work in recent weeks, serious allegations were made to my colleague, Councillor John Mulvihill, a former Deputy, regarding the operation of Irish Steel in Cobh, County Cork. These allegations have been widely reported in the media. Will the Taoiseach direct the Tánaiste and the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform to immediately begin an investigation into them?

An Ceann Comhairle

The matter should be raised in another way as it is not appropriate to the Order of Business.