Dáil Éireann debate -
Thursday, 14 May 1998

Vol. 491 No. 2

Order of Business.

The Taoiseach:

It is proposed to take No. 7c, the motion on the Merchant Shipping (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill, 1997, Nos. 7d to 7f, inclusive, the Finance (No. 2) Bill, 1998, Financial Resolutions, No. 3, the Finance (No. 2) Bill, 1998, Committee and Remaining Stages, and No. 1, the Oil Pollution of the Sea (Civil Liability and Compensation) (Amendment) Bill, 1998, Second and Remaining Stages.

It is also proposed, notwithstanding anything in Standing Orders, that No. 7c shall be decided without debate, Nos. 7d to 7f, inclusive, shall be moved together and decided without debate by one question which shall be put from the Chair, that proceedings on Committee and Remaining Stages of No. 3, if not previously concluded, shall be brought to a conclusion at 1.30 p.m. today by one question which shall be put from the Chair and which shall, in relation to amendments, include only those set down or accepted by the Minister for Finance, that Second and Remaining Stages of No. 1 shall be taken today and the proceedings thereon, if not previously concluded, shall be brought to a conclusion at 4.30 p.m. today by one question which shall be put from the Chair and which shall, in relation to amendments to the Bill, include only those set down and accepted by the Minister for the Marine and Natural Resources and that the Dáil, on its rising today, shall adjourn until Tuesday, 26 May 1998.

An Ceann Comhairle:

Is the proposal to deal with No 7c agreed? Agreed. Is the proposal to deal with No. 7d to 7f, inclusive, agreed? Agreed. Is the proposal to deal with No. 3 agreed? Agreed. Is the proposal to deal with No. 1 agreed? Agreed. Is the proposal to deal with the Adjournment of the Dáil agreed? Agreed.

Mr. J. Bruton:

Will the Taoiseach agree to provide time today for statements to restore confidence in the Blood Transfusion Service in light of the fact that we have to import blood from Holland to meet critical operational needs in our hospitals?

The Taoiseach:

It is not necessary to have questions, although Members may table questions in the normal way if they wish to raise this issue. The Blood Transfusion Service Board is making a determined effort to ensure its stocks of blood increase and is appealing to the public. I support the appeal to the public which has always been generous in its support of the Blood Transfusion Board and should show its support again. It is not unusual, although it is not satisfactory, that we have had to use stocks of blood from other countries as has happened many times over the years. The campaign being launched by the Blood Transfusion Service Board deserves our support.

Mr. Quinn:

Yesterday, I asked the Taoiseach if he had any legislative proposals to address the threat by the Garda Síochána to the commencement of the Tour de France. In the light of the escalation of that threat, will the Taosieach assure the House that contingency arrangements will be put in place by the relevant Government authorities to ensure this event——

An Ceann Comhairle:

The Taoiseach indicated that legislation had not been promised.

Mr. Quinn:

Legislation may be necessary and the Government will need time to prepare it. That is the reason I ask the question now.

An Ceann Comhairle:

As legislation has not been promised, this question is not in order on the Order of Business.

Mr. Quinn:

I know it has not been promised and I do not wish to dispute with you, but is it possible that in the light of the escalation of this threat, the Government intends to bring forward legislation to deal with it?

The Taoiseach:

Legislation will not resolve this matter. I hope in the future, and as the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform pointed out at meetings in recent days, the effort to bring people back to the table and to get the GRA to negotiate with the Government and those who have been negotiating with it will be successful. If that is not successful, the operational requirements of ensuring that event goes ahead will have to be put in place.

Mr. Rabbitte:

When is it proposed to bring forward the promised legislation to terminate ground rents?

The Taoiseach:

Constitutional matters are still under consideration in the Department of Justice, Equality and Law Reform, which is dealing with this matter. It will be some time before they are resolved.

Mr. J. Bruton:

That was in Fianna Fáil's 1977 manifesto. It is manifest nonsense.

Mr. J. O'Keeffe:

In the context of upcoming finance and social welfare legislation, will the Taoiseach give assurances on the question of taxation of social welfare payments as regards the children of widows? The Taoiseach will be aware of the Supreme Court decision yesterday which decreed that child dependant allowance payable for children of widows is liable to taxation. Will the Taoiseach accept that is unfair, particularly——

An Ceann Comhairle:

The Deputy should not develop the matter now. Is there promised legislation on this matter?

Mr. J. O'Keeffe:

Allowances in respect of other children are not taxable. Will the Taoiseach consider that matter with a view to finding a fair solution to the problem?

The Taoiseach:

The judgment will be considered. Yesterday's Supreme Court decision concerns the taxation of child dependant allowance which is in addition to the social welfare widow's contributory pension. The Supreme Court upheld current practice that a widow is liable to income tax in respect of increases in the weekly rate of widow's contributory pension paid to her in respect of each qualifying child resident with her. It is important to note that the Supreme Court decision will not change the current tax treatment. The impression is given that it will, but that is not the case. The Deputy will have an opportunity to raise the matter again, but the judgment is being considered.

Mr. J. O'Keeffe:

Will the Taoiseach accept that £17 per week is a small amount——

An Ceann Comhairle:

The matter may not be debated now.

Mr. J. O'Keeffe:

——and there should not be a claw-back on it.

The Taoiseach:

This is the point that is misinterpreted. It is not the £8 that is taxed but the additional income. If that was the only allowance the person had there would be no question of taxation. The tax is levied on the additional money, and that is current law.

Mr. Power:

Has the Government plans to introduce legislation to place a total ban on tobacco advertising?

The Taoiseach:

There is no legislation, but under an EU decision of this week that matter will have to be dealt with within two years.

Mr. Connaughton:

Is the Taoiseach aware that as of next week it is unlikely there will be shipping facilities from this country for the export of live cattle to the Continent?

An Ceann Comhairle:

There are other ways of raising this matter. It does not involve promised legislation and, therefore, it is not in order.

Mr. Connaughton:

Does the Taoiseach agree this is an extremely serious matter.

Mr. Quinn:

On the Order of Business on Tuesday I asked the Taoiseach to indicate to the House at a convenient date the residual legislative programme between now and the summer recess. Given that the Dáil, on rising today, will not resume until 26 May, when will the Taoiseach communicate to the House or the Whips the legislative programme between now and the end of June?

The Taoiseach:

There are two detailed letters on the way to the Deputy.

Mr. Higgins

(Mayo): When will the Indexation of Fines Bill and the Criminal Law (Insanity) Bill be introduced?

The Taoiseach:

The indexation of fines legislation is at an early stage of preparation. I do not have a precise date for its introduction. The Criminal Law (Insanity) Bill will be introduced at the end of this year.

Mr. J. Bruton:

A commitment was given to introduce that Bill before the summer.

Mrs. Owen:

Will the Taoiseach use his undoubted and much-vaunted talents in industrial relations to ensure the craftworkers' union, which is bringing hospitals and local authorities under severe threat, is brought before the Labour Court or the Labour Relations Commission as quickly as possible?

An Ceann Comhairle:

The Deputy should find another way of raising that matter. It does not involve legislation.

Mr. M. Higgins:

Ba mhaith liom ceist a chur faoi reachtaíocht i leith Údarás na Gaeltachta. Do léigh mé sna páipéirí go bhfuil sé ar intinn ag an Rialtas an ceart vótála a athrú roimh toghchán an Údaráis an bhliain seo chugainn. An mbeidh reachtaíocht sa Teach chun leasú a dhéanamh ar an mbunreacht i leith Údarás na Gaeltachta?

The Taoiseach:

There are no proposals on that matter at present.

Mr. M. Higgins:

Perhaps the Taoiseach will explain that to the Minister of State.

Mr. Currie:

Will the Taoiseach explain why the Children Bill, which was 20 years in gestation and which received a Second Reading in this House 15 months ago, still has not proceeded to the next stage? What is holding up the matter? What is the present position in regard to an ombudsman for children?

The Taoiseach:

It is intended to take Committee Stage of that Bill in the next fortnight.

Mr. Currie:

When I was on those benches I was harried about the matter.

Mr. Penrose:

In view of the decreasing number of young people engaged in farming — there is less than 11 per cent of people under 35 years of age in farming — will the Taoiseach say when the Government will reintroduce the installation aid scheme. This scheme has been promised ad nauseam and young farmers and farm leaders are wondering what is happening.

An Ceann Comhairle:

The Deputy should pursue that matter by way of parliamentary question.

Mr. Penrose:

One would be blue in the face pursuing matters by way of parliamentary questions and getting bland replies.

An Ceann Comhairle:

The Order of Business is a less effective way of raising the matter.

Mr. Penrose:

I will find some way of getting an answer.

Mr. Stanton:

Is legislation planned to deal with an anomaly in the Social Welfare Act whereby seasonal workers cannot sign on for unemployment assistance or unemployment benefit because of the organisation of working time legislation?

An Ceann Comhairle:

Is legislation promised in this area?

The Taoiseach:

No.

Mr. Kenny:

Will the Broadcasting Bill meet specific Government promises relating to local radio stations and the abolition of the 3 per cent levy on the annual £500,000 maintenance fund?

The Taoiseach:

The Bill is due and the Deputy will have to wait to see what is included in it.

Mr. Hayes:

Is it the Government's intention to introduce the Electoral (Amendment) (No. 2) Bill before the summer recess? We all know what will happen during the summer period.

The Taoiseach:

It is hoped that Bill will be introduced shortly.

Mr. R. Bruton:

In regard to what we were told is urgent legislation, the private third level colleges bonding legislation, will that Bill be introduced for the forthcoming academic year? This is a very important issue. Only two weeks ago the Minister reneged on a specific promise to provide maintenance grants to people in third level colleges. Will he also renege on his commitment to bonding or will the issue be sent to another committee by which underground proposals might be put forward?

The Taoiseach:

This matter should have been dealt with a few years ago, but unfortunately there was a reluctance to do so. Thankfully we now have a Minister for Education and Science who cares about students who experience difficulties.

Mr. R. Bruton:

Why did he renege on his promise?

The Taoiseach:

The Minister will include the provisions of the bonding colleges legislation in the education and training qualifications legislation so that it will be speedily dealt with.

Mr. J. Bruton:

When will that Bill be published?

The Taoiseach:

Later this year.

Mr. Finucane:

Arising from the collapse of a business involved in growing Christmas trees, is it intended to introduce legislation to protect growers who have been codded over a period of time? A bonding arrangement such as that which operates within the travel industry should be introduced.

An Ceann Comhairle:

Is legislation promised in this area?

The Taoiseach:

No.

Mr. Finucane:

It should be.

Mrs. O'Rourke:

When I was on that side of the House I lobbied Deputy Yates about the matter.

Mr. Finucane:

Given that the Minister is from Athlone, did she do anything about it?

Mr. J. Mitchell:

The Minister for Health and Children announced a drugs protocol in February, which will be made effective by means of regulations. This will deal with dispensing and prescribing methadone as a substitute drug for drug addicts. When can we expect the regulation to be put forward?

The Taoiseach:

I will have to inquire for the Deputy.

Mr. J. Mitchell:

Does the Taoiseach appreciate its urgency?

The Taoiseach:

I do.

Mr. J. Mitchell:

Will the Taoiseach write to me on the matter?

The Taoiseach:

I will.

Mrs. Barnes:

When will the Government appoint an ombudsman for children?

The Taoiseach:

The Minister for Health and Children will make a decision on it in due course.