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Dáil Éireann debate -
Tuesday, 9 Jun 1998

Vol. 492 No. 1

Order of Business.

It is proposed to take No. 20, Employment Equality Bill, l997 [Seanad] , Order for Report and Report and Final Stages; No. 5, Urban Renewal Bill, l998, Order for Second Stage and Second Stage. It is also proposed, notwithstanding anything in Standing Orders that the Dáil shall sit later than 8.30 p.m. tonight and business shall be interrupted not later than 10 p.m.; the Report and Final Stages of No. 20 shall be taken today and the proceedings thereon, if not previously concluded, shall be brought to a conclusion at 6.45 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 Justice, Equality and Law Reform. Private Members' business shall be No. 53, Motion re. Agriculture.

There are two proposals to be put to the House. Is the proposal for dealing with the late sitting agreed? Agreed. Is the proposal for dealing with No. 20 agreed? Agreed.

On the prevention of corruption Bill, which I understand is to be produced before the end of the year to allow ratification of EU and OECD conventions, will this legislation also modernise existing Irish law on corrupt payments which had its most recent enactment in 1916 in Westminster? The principal legislation governing corrupt payments in Ireland dates back to 1889. We have not had a revision of legislation on corruption for more than 100 years. Will this legislation be changed, particularly as affecting the burden of proof imposed on people who have made or received such payments? Currently it effectively requires that a heavy burden has to be discharged by those who suspect corruption?

Deputy Bruton can ask a question about the Bill but not about the details of what is contained in it.

The Chair is correct in his ruling but I would like the Tánaiste to indicate whether this legislation will be confined to ratifying external conventions or will it deal with the fundamentally out of date character of our domestic law on corruption?

I understand the intention is that it will simply ratify OECD conventions in this area, but I share Deputy Bruton's concern about existing legislation. Given the volume of information that is now in the public domain and the necessity that arose for a number of inquiries and tribunals of inquiry, it is time that we updated our law on this matter.

Will the Tánaiste indicate whether the Cabinet has cleared the heads of the Bill to give effect to the legislation promised under the British-Irish Agreement with regard to prisoners? The Taoiseach indicated last week that the matter would be discussed in Government this week.

The matter was not discussed this week. The Taoiseach had to leave the meeting early to go to Lisbon but I understand it will be cleared shortly.

Since the British authorities published their legislation last week, can I take it this legislation will be published and enacted within 15 days from today when the Northern Ireland Assembly elections will take place? Is that the intention of the Government?

I understand that is the intention but the legislation has not been brought before the Government. I understand the Department of Justice, Equality and Law Reform and other Departments are working hard to bring forward this legislation as quickly as possible.

Has the Tánaiste referred the authorised officer's report to the DPP? Will she indicate to the House when the inspector's report to the——

That is not an appropriate question for the Order of Business. It does not deal with legislation.

It does not deal directly with legislation but the Tánaiste has already indicated that she is concerned about the inadequacy of our corruption laws. I am asking her, in relation to these matters, whether——

The Deputy can put down a question on the matter. It is not appropriate to the Order of Business.

When does the Government propose to publish the youth work Bill? Is the Tánaiste aware of the severe financial difficulties currently being experienced by youth organisations as a result of the Government not giving an increase in funding, even at the rate of inflation, in the current year?

I understand that Bill will be published during the summer recess.

The Taoiseach gave a commitment in the House that the Bill would be published prior to the Easter recess, yet it has been put back once again.

The Tánaiste has answered the Deputy's question.

When is it proposed to publish the Health (Amendment) Bill to reorganise the health services? Will the Tánaiste give an assurance that such restructuring of the health services will deal with the appalling problem of long delays for open heart surgery for both adults and children?

That question does not relate to the Bill.

Will the Tánaiste intervene to ensure that this ongoing problem is resolved as it affects people's lives on a daily basis, particularly young children?

That matter does not arise on the Order of Business.

As a former Minister for Health, a Leas-Cheann Comhairle, you will appreciate the importance of this matter.

I also appreciate that it is not appropriate to the Order of Business.

The Health (Amendment) Bill will be published in September.

Has the Government prepared a response to the Green Paper on the convergence of the telecommunications media and information technology sectors? If the Government intends to submit a response, will it be before or after provision is made for a separate regulator for broadcasting, under the broadcasting legislation?

I do not have the answer to that question but I will come back to the Deputy when I speak to the relevant Ministers, if that is in order.

What steps does the Minister for Health and Children propose to take to resolve the ambulance strike in Wicklow?

That matter has been submitted for the Adjournment Debate. It is not appropriate to the Order of Business.

On promised legislation, will the Tánaiste indicate when the proposed defence (amendment) Bill will be brought before the House? Has the Government considered including a section to define the role of Army personnel when they are required to cover for personnel on strike, particularly as it has been claimed that the people on standby in the Wicklow ambulance strike are not adequately qualified?

The first part of the question is in order.

I understand that Bill will be brought forward later this year. The Army assists the civil authorities in emergencies such as the one in Wicklow to which the Deputy referred. Given that a Labour Court recommendation has been made on that strike, I urge the persons involved to return to work and use the machinery of the State which exists for resolving disputes.

When will the Government table and take in the House the motion to bring into effect the Houses of the Oireachtas (Compellability, Privileges and Immunities of Witnesses) Act?

I understand that motion is on the Order Paper. It is a matter for the Whips to agree when it can be taken.

Is the Tánaiste indicating we can take it immediately because it would greatly strengthen the hand of the committees? There is a motion in the name of the Labour Party on today's Order Paper. If it is agreeable I am sure we can take it immediately without debate.

As the Deputy knows, we are awaiting the guidelines——

We can do it now while the Taoiseach is away.

——but the Chief Whip tells me they will be available shortly and the motion will be taken before the summer recess.

I may need the Chair's guidance on this matter. I tabled a Private Notice Question for today on a matter which I regard as extremely important, namely, the capitulation of the Minister for the Marine and Natural Resources, Deputy Woods, at the EU fisheries talks in Luxembourg——

That matter is not in order on the Order of Business.

——in which he conceded to Spanish fishermen and to an environmental lobby.

They will not have one seat left in south west Cork after this.

(Mayo): What is the position of the refugee Bill? The Minister indicated on several occasions that he would introduce a refugee Bill to put the procedures on a proper statutory basis, particularly given that the number of people awaiting proper processing of asylum applications has reached a record 5,300. What is the position of the long promised attachment of earnings Bill?

I understand the attachment of earnings Bill is at an early stage. There will not be legislation from the Department of Justice, Equality and Law Reform on the refugee issue before the summer recess——

That is outrageous.

——but as the Deputy knows, 72 staff members have been taken on and there has been an improvement in the handling of these cases.

In view of the deepening crisis in the Garda Síochána, does the Government intend to introduce legislation to give gardaí the right to strike and to join trade unions?

That is not a question for the Order of Business.

Subsequent to my tabling a Private Notice Question on a statutory sports council, the Taoiseach promised legislation four weeks ago. What is the state of play? Will the Tánaiste indicate when the report of the inquiry into alleged sex abuse in swimming will be published, and if it will be published in full?

The legislation to which the Deputy refers will be brought in later this year.

Next Tuesday the Government will consider the report on abuse in swimming and, subject to legal advice, the intention will be to publish that report.

Four weeks ago the Taoiseach promised that we would have the legislation.

That is not a question for the Order of Business.

I congratulate the Government and the Minister for Foreign Affairs on their initiative entitled Towards a Nuclear Weapons Free World: The Need for a New Agenda. Will it be possible to put aside some time to discuss this important initiative? Is the intention of the Government to introduce legislation to declare Ireland a nuclear free zone?

The second part of the question is in order.

Whether there will be a debate is a matter for the Whips. As there is general unanimity on this issue, a debate might not be necessary. No legislation is promised in this area.

Earlier in the year I raised the matter of the Western Development Commission Bill. I was told by the Taoiseach in February that it would be ready in the middle of the year. This is an important issue because its delay is preventing the creation of many jobs in the west. Not many come our way and we want to get the few that are going. Will the Tánaiste use her influence in the Government because Fianna Fáil has failed——

A question on the Bill, Deputy Ring.

The question is coming.

Like the Westport train.

Will the Western Development Commission Bill be before the Dáil before summer or will it be next year?

What does the Deputy think?

A Deputy

Never.

The Bill will be published later this summer.

It has been derailed.

As the Deputy knows, there has been an unprecedented level of investment in the west in recent months and he is well aware of our continuing commitment in that regard.

In light of the difficulties faced by the IMF in a number of countries which could precipitate serious general financial repercussions, when is it proposed that Ireland should make its contribution by introducing and passing the Bretton Woods Agreement Bill, something which has been on the cards for a long time?

In 1999, not this year.

What is the problem? This is a ratification of an international instrument. What is the reason for the delay? Is it not a priority?

I understand the Department and the Minister are considering an IMF study on the matter and that is why it has been delayed. I will check the position and let the Deputy know.

What sort of study? What is it about?

It is not appropriate to go into detail.

It is an IMF study.

Of conditionality. I will revert to the Deputy. I am not familiar with the subject of the study.

Will the Tánaiste give an undertaking that, if the Government is proceeding with any barracks closures——

That is not appropriate to the Order of Business. A question would be more appropriate.

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