It is proposed to take No. 9, motion on the Framework Co-operation Agreement between the European Community and its member states and the Republic of Chile, No. 10, motion on the Interregional Framework Co-operation Agreement between the European Community and its member states and the Southern Common Market and its party states, and No. 4, the Food Safety Authority of Ireland Bill, 1998, Order for Second Stage and Second Stage. It is also proposed, notwithstanding anything in Standing Orders, that Nos. 9 and 10 shall be decided without debate. Private Members' Business, No. 54, motion on political donations, shall be taken today between 5.30 p.m. and 8.30 p.m.
Order of Business.
Is the proposal for dealing with Nos. 9 and 10 agreed? Agreed. Is the proposal for dealing with Private Members' Business agreed?
No, Sir. I wish to propose an amendment to No. 54 as follows: "to delete the words ‘8.30 p.m.' and substitute ‘9.30 p.m.', provided a question and answer session with the Taoiseach shall take place not later than 6.40 p.m. for a period of one hour and that the Dáil shall sit later for that purpose". A number of questions arose overnight which it is important the Taoiseach should answer in the House and this amendment would allow him to do so.
Three hours have been allocated for Private Members' debate tonight. There was a two hour debate last Thursday on this matter during which I answered extensively questions raised. I will answer extensively in my speech other questions raised and I see no reason whatsoever for a further question and answer session.
Unfortunately, the Taoiseach did not answer accurately on the previous occasion and that is why further questions are necessary.
The Labour Party will support the proposal put forward by the Leader of the Fine Gael Party on the grounds that, while last week's debate was satisfactory in that in the answering of questions as distinct from the delivery of speeches additional information was put on the record, some of the information was misleading. The Taoiseach has an opportunity to correct the record this evening and we support the proposal for questions and answers in the manner suggested.
On behalf of Democratic Left, I support the proposal from the Leader of the Fine Gael Party. It was clear when the Taoiseach answered questions on the last occasion that they were inadequately responded to. New information has come to light and it is essential the Taoiseach subject himself to cross-questioning in the House on the answers he gave last week.
My party supports Deputy Bruton. Last week's debate was an exercise in concealment. The Taoiseach led us on a magical mystery tour and did not answer the questions properly. For that reason, a question and answer session would be in order.
At very short notice last week I made the unusual decision, which was not often made when I was Leader of the Opposition, to answer questions to the best of my ability. In the event that I might have been inadvertently misled, I will clarify the position today. I hope the other people who misled the House last week will also take the opportunity to correct the record.
Is the amendment being pressed?
The problem is that the Taoiseach has known about this matter since last March and, therefore, he was not given short notice. I am pressing the amendment that there shall be a second question and answer session to give the Taoiseach a second chance to get it right, given that he so manifestly got it wrong last week.
Question put.
The Dáil divided: Tá, 63; Níl, 68.
Tá
- Allen, Bernard.
- Higgins, Joe.
- Barnes, Monica.
- Higgins, Michael.
- Barrett, Seán.
- Hogan, Philip.
- Bell, Michael.
- Howlin, Brendan.
- Belton, Louis.
- Kenny, Enda.
- Bradford, Paul.
- McCormack, Pádraic.
- Bruton, John.
- McDowell, Derek.
- Bruton, Richard.
- McGahon, Brendan.
- Burke, Liam.
- McGinley, Dinny.
- Burke, Ulick.
- McManus, Liz.
- Carey, Donal.
- Mitchell, Gay.
- Clune, Deirdre.
- Mitchell, Jim.
- Connaughton, Paul.
- Mitchell, Olivia.
- Cosgrave, Michael.
- Moynihan-Cronin, Breeda.
- Crawford, Seymour.
- Neville, Dan.
- Creed, Michael.
- Noonan, Michael.
- Currie, Austin.
- O'Sullivan, Jan.
- D'Arcy, Michael.
- Penrose, William.
- Perry, John.
- De Rossa, Proinsias.
- Quinn, Ruairí.
- Deenihan, Jimmy.
- Rabbitte, Pat.
- Dukes, Alan.
- Ring, Michael.
- Enright, Thomas.
- Sargent, Trevor.
- Farrelly, John.
- Shatter, Alan.
- Ferris, Michael.
- Shortall, Róisín.
- Finucane, Michael.
- Spring, Dick.
- Flanagan, Charles.
- Stagg, Emmet.
- Gildea, Thomas.
- Stanton, David.
- Gilmore, Éamon.
- Timmins, Billy.
- Gormley, John.
- Upton, Pat.
- Hayes, Brian.
- Wall, Jack.
- Higgins, Jim.
- Yates, Ivan.
Níl
- Ahern, Bertie.
- Keaveney, Cecilia.
- Ahern, Dermot.
- Kelleher, Billy.
- Ahern, Michael.
- Kenneally, Brendan.
- Ahern, Noel.
- Killeen, Tony.
- Ardagh, Seán.
- Lenihan, Brian.
- Blaney, Harry.
- Lenihan, Conor.
- Brady, Johnny.
- McCreevy, Charlie.
- Brady, Martin.
- McDaid, James.
- Brennan, Matt.
- McGennis, Marian.
- Brennan, Séamus.
- McGuinness, John.
- Briscoe, Ben.
- Moffatt, Thomas.
- Browne, John (Wexford).
- Molloy, Robert.
- Callely, Ivor.
- Moloney, John.
- Carey, Pat.
- Moynihan, Donal.
- Collins, Michael.
- Moynihan, Michael.
- Cooper-Flynn, Beverley.
- Ó Cuív, Éamon.
- Coughlan, Mary.
- O'Dea, Willie.
- Cowen, Brian.
- O'Donoghue, John.
- Daly, Brendan.
- O'Flynn, Noel.
- Davern, Noel.
- O'Hanlon, Rory.
- de Valera, Síle.
- O'Keeffe, Batt.
- Dennehy, John.
- O'Malley, Desmond.
- Doherty, Seán.
- O'Rourke, Mary.
- Ellis, John.
- Power, Seán.
- Fahey, Frank.
- Roche, Dick.
- Fleming, Seán.
- Ryan, Eoin.
- Flood, Chris.
- Smith, Michael.
- Foley, Denis.
- Treacy, Noel.
- Fox, Mildred.
- Wade, Eddie.
- Hanafin, Mary.
- Wallace, Dan.
- Harney, Mary.
- Wallace, Mary.
- Haughey, Seán.
- Walsh, Joe.
- Healy-Rae, Jackie.
- Woods, Michael.
- Jacob, Joe.
- Wright, G.V.
Tellers: Tá, Deputies Barrett and Stagg; Níl, Deputies S. Brennan and Power.
Question declared lost.
Is the proposal regarding Private Members' Business agreed?
No, it is not agreed. We want questions answered.
Is the Deputy pressing it?
The Deputy just voted on an amendment to it.
If that had settled the issue, the Chair would not be putting the question.
Is the Deputy pressing it?
No.
The proposal is agreed to.
With everything that has happened over the past ten days, has the Taoiseach had a chance to consult the Department of Justice, Equality and Law Reform on whether the necessary legislation required to give effect to the British-Irish Agreement will be enacted before the end of June? Will he list the legislation?
As soon as this matter comes before the Cabinet I will consult the leaders of the Opposition parties as agreed.
Today is 3 June. The Taoiseach is due to attend the Cardiff summit. Is he satisfied there is adequate time between now and the end of June to meet the obligations this country has entered into and which were endorsed by the electorate?
We must abide by the Agreement. The matter has not yet been introduced in the Department of Justice, Equality and Law Reform. It is being examined and I hope it will come before the next Cabinet meeting.
Item No. 69 of the Government's programme of legislation is the prevention of corruption Bill which will allow for ratification of the OECD/European Union Convention on combating bribery and corruption. When does the Taoiseach expect it to be brought before the House? How far advanced is the legislation? I assume it could be discussed quickly given that it is simply a Bill to allow for the ratification of these Conventions.
It was due at the end of this year, but could drift into early next year. There is an enormous amount of legislation in the Department of Justice, Equality and Law Reform. It now must take on and give priority to at least half a dozen measures under the British-Irish Agreement. I am afraid it will probably drift into 1999.
When will the report of the inquiry into sex abuse allegations in swimming be published and will it be published in full?
It is with the Attorney General and is due for publication shortly. I have no information about the way it will be published. I presume the report will be published as it was presented.
Will that happen next week?
I expect it will be published in the next few days.