Order of Business.

The Tánaiste

It is proposed to take No. 22, Merchant Shipping (Miscellaneous Provisions), Bill, 1997, Order for Report and Report and Final Stages; No. 4, Food Safety Authority of Ireland Bill, 1998, Second Stage (Resumed); and No. 23, Statements on Luas.

It is also proposed, notwithstanding anything in Standing Orders that the Report and Final Stages of No. 22 shall be taken today and the proceedings thereon, if not previously concluded, shall be brought to a conclusion after 30 minutes, 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 the Marine and Natural Resources; the proceedings on the resumed Second Stage of No. 4, if not previously concluded, shall be brought to a conclusion at 1.45 p.m. today; No. 23, if not previously concluded, shall be brought to a conclusion at 4.45 p.m. today and the following arrangements shall apply: the statement of the Minister for Public Enterprise and of the main spokespersons for the Fine Gael Party and the Labour Party shall not exceed ten minutes in each case; the statements of the main spokespersons for the Democratic Left Party, the Green Party and of each other Member called upon shall not exceed five minutes in each case; Members may share time; the Minister for Public Enterprise shall be called upon not later than 2.25 p.m. to make a statement in reply which shall not exceed five minutes; and following the announcement of matters on the Adjournment under Standing Order 21, the Minister for Public Enterprise shall take questions which shall be brought to a conclusion not later than 4.45 p.m.

An Ceann Comhairle

There were three proposals to be put to the House. Is the proposal for dealing with No. 22 agreed? Agreed. Is the proposal for dealing with No. 4 agreed?

Mr. Higgins

(Dublin West): The Food Safety Authority of Ireland Bill, 1998, was introduced last night. It is a substantial Bill of major importance. That the Second Stage of this Bill should be guillotined at 1.45 p.m. today is extraordinary and totally unacceptable. Will the Government give more time next week for Second Stage to allow a proper debate on what is a very important Bill for the future of the food industry, food production and food standards here?

The Tánaiste

I understand this was agreed with the Whips from the other parties.

An Ceann Comhairle

Is the proposal for dealing with No. 4 agreed? Agreed. Is the proposals for dealing with No. 23 agreed? Agreed.

Mrs. Owen

In view of the Tánaiste's statement to the House yesterday that she recognises the need for competition in the media, what legislation does she propose to introduce to ensure greater competition in the media? Will she describe what she means by media? Does she mean not only the written media but the broadcasting and rebroadcasting of TV signals?

An Ceann Comhairle

Is there promised legislation?

The Tánaiste

I am a firm believer in competition. Competition brings about change faster than anything else. This Government has an unprecedented record so far, after only 11 months in office, of agreeing to privatise a number of State companies with a view to providing competition. We have already agreed to the disposal of Cablelink and to ending the derogation in relation to voice telephony a year in advance. That is being done to advance competition. On media issues, I am examining whether we need legislation to prevent the cross ownership of different media interests but that is at a preliminary stage and I am not in a position to say what exactly we may be able to do in that area.

Mrs. Owen

Is it the case that since coming into office the Tánaiste has been examining the newspaper industry? Why has it taken a year for the Minister to produce proposals from that examination?

An Ceann Comhairle

We cannot discuss the matter now. Is legislation promised?

The Tánaiste

My examination was similar to the examination carried out by my predecessor, Deputy Richard Bruton and I am subject to legal advice. It was not possible, as the Deputy is aware, to advance legally in relation to many of the recommendations in that report.

Mr. Quinn

I welcome the Tánaiste on the Order of Business and remind her that her presence here is of considerable relief to many nervous Fianna Fáil backbenchers. In relation to her own Department, when will the legislation to give effect to the establishment of Enterprise Ireland be tabled in the House and when is it expected to have it enacted?

The Tánaiste

The Bill will be circulated today to Opposition spokespersons and to the spokespersons in the Seanad. The intention is to take Second, Committee and Report Stages in the Seanad next week and to take the matter in the Dáil the following week. I understand that has been agreed with Opposition spokespersons. I thank Deputy Quinn for his good wishes. I know he is anxious to get my job. I do not intend to let him have it too quickly.

Proinsias De Rossa

Will the Tánaiste indicate how soon we can expect to have Government time provided for the debate on the report of the Commission on the Family, which is one of the most significant reports produced?

On yesterday's Order of Business I asked the Taoiseach when he expected the prevention of corruption Bill would be introduced to allow the ratification of OECD and EU conventions on combating bribery and corruption. The Taoiseach indicated that it would be late this year, and perhaps even next year, before that Bill is brought before the House. Is the Tánaiste satisfied that the Government is dealing with this issue with the urgency it requires?

The Tánaiste

In relation to the debate on the Commission on the Family, I agree with Deputy De Rossa it is a far reaching and fundamental review of issues affecting the family and society. It would be appropriate to have an early debate in the House. With that in mind, perhaps the Whips might discuss the issue. I understand the Taoiseach said that on a previous occasion.

In relation to the other matter the Deputy raised, we would like to see this legislation as quickly as possible but a large amount of legislation is currently being processed in the Department of Justice, Equality and Law Reform in relation to the British-Irish Agreement and that must take precedence. The intention is to bring forward that legislation before the end of this year.

Mr. G. Mitchell

The number of applicants on Dublin Corporation's housing list has increased from 4,000 to 6,000 and there are now 400 applicants in bed and breakfast accommodation and on the homeless list. In relation to the Urban Renewal Bill, 1998, Second Stage of which is currently being debated in the House, will the Tánaiste consider allowing Committee Stage to be taken in the House so that we can consider the question of Dublin Corporation being allowed to build housing estates for its applicants outside Dublin along the lines of the house building in Tallaght, Clondalkin and Blanchardstown? This is a serious problem. There is now a waiting list for housing which is almost——

An Ceann Comhairle

We cannot have a debate on the issue. The Deputy must ask a question.

Mr. G. Mitchell

There is now a waiting list for housing which is almost as long as the waiting list for special edition Mercedes. This is a grave problem because a two-tier society is developing where people cannot get housing. I ask the Tánaiste to allow the Committee Stage of this Bill to be taken on the floor of the House to deal with this crisis. The Bacon report is welcome but we need a local authority house——

An Ceann Comhairle

The Deputy is making a statement. Does the Tánaiste wish to reply to the question on promised legislation?

The Tánaiste

The committees were established with a view to having a more effective way of dealing with Committee Stage of legislation. If the Deputy wishes to change that it is a matter for the Whips to discuss. As Deputy Mitchell knows, every Deputy can attend the committees and make a contribution in relation to this issue. The Bill can be dealt with more speedily in a committee rather than on the floor of the House.

Mr. Howlin

Will time be made available today for a member of the Government to explain the actions of the Government in relation to the continuous finds of dangerous phosphorus bombs on east coast beaches, and the communication that has taken place between the Irish and British authorities to deal with this ongoing problem which arises from the dumping of weaponry in Beaufort Dyke?

An Ceann Comhairle

The matter is not relevant to the Order of Business.

The Tánaiste

I share the Deputy's concern. The Minister for the Marine and Natural Resources made a statement in relation to this issue yesterday. I understand all the beaches between Greenore and Dún Laoghaire are being searched by the marine emergency service. If members of the public see any unusual objects on beaches they must not go near them and should report them to the emergency services. The Minister has also been in touch with his counterpart in the UK. It will not be possible today to make time available for a debate on this issue and perhaps the appropriate way to proceed would be by tabling a parliamentary question for next week.

Mr. Howlin

Perhaps you, Sir, would accept a Private Notice Question on the matter.

An Ceann Comhairle

The Chair will consider that.

Mrs. Owen

Will the Tánaiste discuss with the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the possibility of him coming into the House to explain what is happening with regard to the Garda Síochána? Government spokespersons are saying a deal has been offered to the gardaí. The gardaí deny that and they have now threatened to stop work for two days by using their annual leave. Will the Tánaiste ask the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform to explain whether this country will have security from the Garda Síochána or whether the Government will continue to mishandle the issue of their pay claims?

The Tánaiste

It is not true that the Government has done a deal with the Garda Síochána, as the Deputy suggests. There is a forum to resolve these issues through negotiation. We wish to see the gardaí return to that forum because nothing can be solved by the ongoing dispute. I hope the gardaí will not take the type of action they took some weeks ago. That is not in the public interest. It is not good for our democracy to see gardaí marching on the Houses of Parliament. I appeal to them and to their representatives to get back to the negotiating table. This matter can only be resolved through negotiation.

As the Deputy knows, the Government is determined to hold the line in relation to public sector pay. That is fundamental to the operation of this Government and, therefore, any resolution of a dispute in relation to public sector pay will have to be done within the parameters set down by the Government.

Mr. S. Ryan

In light of the recent increase in vicious attacks on the elderly throughout the country, including last night's fatal attack on an elderly man in Dublin 7, will the Tánaiste outline the Government's plans, if any, to protect the elderly and to reassure them in regard to their safety, including the provision of wardens?

An Ceann Comhairle

Is legislation promised in this area?

The Tánaiste

The Government shares the Deputy's concern about the recent spate of attacks on elderly people and others. This is an operational matter for the Garda Síochána. I do not think there is any necessity for new legislation.

Mrs. Owen

What about Operation Shannon?

Mr. Finucane

Deputy Howlin asked a question I had intended to ask.

Mr. Finucane

Minister Ahern was fairly rattled last night.

Mr. Belton

The messenger boy.

Mr. Finucane

The task force on radioactive dumping embraces the area of the Beaufort Dyke. Will the Tánaiste indicate when the task force will report, which will allow this matter to be investigated?

An Ceann Comhairle

It will be more appropriate to table a parliamentary question on that matter.

Mr. Rabbitte

On promised legislation for a national minimum wage, will the Tánaiste state if the inter-party committee she has established is preparing the legislation or, as reported, seeking to gain the arguments of the commission? If the committee is preparing the legislation, when will it be published?

The Tánaiste

An interdepartmental committee, not an inter-party committee, is examining how the Government can introduce the national minimum wage. If the Deputy had been in the House last week when I answered parliamentary questions he would have heard me say that the legislation will be brought forward next year. It will be enabling legislation but as the Deputy knows, this is a complex and difficult area. If it were not, Democratic Left and Labour in Government would have introduced a national hourly minimum wage but they chose not to do so. We have to move forward in a way that protects jobs and guarantees workers a decent minimum hourly rate. We intend to do that but, as the commission said in its report, it has to be done in a way that does not affect employment or competitiveness. That is the reason the interdepartmental group was established. I will be meeting the social partners over the next number of weeks to discuss——

Proinsias De Rossa

That sounds like a U-turn to me.

The Tánaiste

We are introducing it.

Mrs. Owen

The Tánaiste should not have done the interview on Sunday.

An Ceann Comhairle

We cannot have a debate on the issue.

Mrs. Owen

The Tánaiste is turning around what she said on the radio.

Mr. Belton

She is busy catching up.

The Tánaiste

Fine Gael did not even look at the issue. It has yet to tell us whether it supports the proposal.

Mr. Belton

The Tánaiste was kept in the dark.

The Tánaiste

Does Fine Gael support this proposal? I have yet to hear its view. The national minimum wage will be introduced, as the commission suggested, when Partnership 2000 comes to an end in April 2000. We have two years to prepare for its introduction and that is what we are doing.

Mr. Allen

At 5.30 p.m. yesterday, five Government Departments had failed to respond to Deputies' parliamentary questions. That is par for the course in recent weeks and it is a grave infringement on our rights. I ask you, a Cheann Comhairle, to ensure that parliamentary questions are answered and the replies available to Deputies at the conclusion of Question Time.

An Ceann Comhairle

I call Deputy Proinsias De Rossa.

Mr. Allen

Will we get an answer from the Tánaiste? Are Ministers ignoring Deputies?

The Tánaiste

This is clearly a procedural matter, not one for me. However, I hope the questions are answered, even if it takes longer than one might wish. I recall waiting a year ago until 8 p.m. or 9 p.m. on occasions for replies from Departments. The important point is that we get replies and that they are as detailed and thorough as possible.

Mrs. Owen

Has the Tánaiste forgotten everything else?

Proinsias De Rossa

I wish to ask the Tánaiste about item 69 on the list of promised legislation. The Minister indicated this morning that the Department of Justice, Equality and Law Reform was working on various Bills to implement the British-Irish Agreement. Item 69 relates to the promise to abolish ground rents, which are one of the last feudal remnants in this State's property laws. This is the only State, apart from Britain, which still has ground rents. Will the Tánaiste undertake to have that legislation brought forward? Deputy Woods introduced a Private Members' Bill on this matter when he was in Opposition and it would be relatively easy to bring that Bill before the House.

The Tánaiste

As the Deputy knows, the previous Attorney General, Mr. Gleeson, advised there were major constitutional legal issues involved in the full abolition of ground rents. These are currently being examined. I cannot say when that examination will conclude but, presumably, the Bill will be brought forward if the legal issues can be resolved.

Proinsias De Rossa

On that point——

An Ceann Comhairle

The Deputy must be very brief — the Order of Business must end soon.

Proinsias De Rossa

That is the same answer I have been receiving in this House for the past 15 years.

An Ceann Comhairle

We cannot have a discussion or debate on the issue. The Deputy may ask a brief question.

Proinsias De Rossa

One of the parties currently in Government introduced a Private Members' Bill to abolish ground rents.

Mr. Belton

When in doubt leave them out.

Mr. Cowen

How long did it take Deputy Belton to learn that line?

Mr. Belton

Who told Deputy Cowen to say it?

Mr. Cowen

The Deputy did.

Mr. Belton

The Deputy is mixing me up with someone else.

Proinsias De Rossa

They included it in their programme for Government and they are now saying they cannot do it.

Mr. Currie

I wish to ask the Tánaiste about two items of legislation. When will the Housing (Traveller Accommodation) Bill be discussed in the House? Will she update the House on the further delay of Committee Stage of the Children Bill, 16 months after it received its Second Reading in the House?

The Tánaiste

As the Deputy knows, the Housing (Traveller Accommodation) Bill has been published and I understand from the Chief Whip that it will be brought into the House as soon as possible, subject to the agreement of the Whips. The Minister intends to bring forward quite fundamental amendments to the Children Bill, which is why it has been delayed.

Mr. Currie

It is a disgrace that it is 16 months late.

Mr. Higgins

(Mayo): When can we expect to see the Prison Services Bill, which will place the establishment of prisons on a proper footing, with a prison board, parole board and a prison inspectorate? I remind the Tánaiste that the previous Government commissioned an expert report which made recommendations on the heads of a Bill, yet nothing has happened. The result is that Mountjoy Prison is chaotically overcrowded while other prisons have less than their normal complement. When we can expect to see this Bill, which will try to introduce a rational approach to prison management?

The Tánaiste

I agree this is important legislation and it is vital to have it as soon as possible. There will be a memorandum before the Government from the Department of Justice, Equality and Law Reform within the next couple of weeks in relation to this issue. Following decisions in relation to that memorandum, the legislation will be prepared and published.

Mr. Higgins

(Dublin West): Will the Tánaiste outline the arrangements for Committee Stage of the Food Safety Authority of Ireland Bill, 1998? Will she make time available today to discuss the extraordinary blackmailing of TEAM workers to accept a sell out of a premier company to a multinational?

Dáil Éireann debate - Thursday, 4 Jun 1998

Dáil Éireann debate -
Thursday, 4 Jun 1998