It is proposed to take No. 1, Qualifications (Education and Training) Bill, 1999 [Seanad], Second Stage; Private Members' Business shall be No. 70, motion re. proposal to dispose of Great Southern Hotel group.
Order of Business.
There are no proposals to put to the House.
What is the present position with regard to the prevention of corruption Bill?
This Bill to allow ratification of the OECD and EU conventions in combating bribery and corruption will be introduced late in 1999.
Has the Government any plans to amend domestic law in regard to corruption?
That is not appropriate on the Order of Business.
The Taoiseach will be aware that representations are being made in relation to people with disabilities. The National Disability Authority Bill, which was initiated in the Seanad, is now with the select committee. Will the Taoiseach indicate when the legislation will be progressed?
Report Stage is due to be taken tomorrow.
Dúirt an tAire Stáit i Roinn na Gaeltachta an tseachtain seo caite go mbeadh an Bille um Údarás na Gaeltachta (Leasú), 1999 sa Dáil go gairid agus go mbeadh sé tríd an Dáil roimh an samhradh i dtreo is go bhféadfadh na toghcháin d'Údarás na Gaeltachta a bheith sa bhfómhar. An bhféadfadh an Taoiseach a rá cathain go beacht a thabharfar an Bille os comhair na Dála?
The Minister of State said last week that the Údarás na Gaeltachta (Amendment) Bill would be put through the Oireachtas before the summer and that adequate time would be available for a proper discussion so the Údarás na Gaeltachta elections can go ahead.
A total of 71 per cent of the people believe that a referendum should be held with regard to the Partnership for Peace. Has the Government changed its mind on holding a referendum?
That matter is not appropriate to the Order of Business. The Taoiseach may deal with the Deputy's first question about Údarás na Gaeltachta.
(Dublin West): Is the new position that the Government will introduce legislation for a referendum and allow the people to have their say?
That matter is not appropriate to the Order of Business.
The Údarás na Gaeltachta (Amendment) Bill contains 18 sections. It will be enacted in June 1999.
I wish Deputy Rabbitte a happy birthday.
(Mayo): Yesterday in the Central Criminal Court a judge said he was horrified that a rapist, who is due to be released in October, still has not received therapy or treatment although the defendant previously served a four year jail sentence. The 290 sex offenders in prison do not receive treatment or therapy.
That is not appropriate to the Order of Business. I suggest the Deputy submits a question.
(Mayo): Regarding vital legislation which might rectify the chaotic situation in our prisons, when will the prison service board be established?
It is lost in the Department of Justice, Equality and Law Reform.
The prison service board is not appropriate to the Order of Business.
(Mayo): It relates to promised legislation. The heads of the Bill were drafted by the previous Government.
The board is already established on a non-statutory basis.
(Mayo): An interim board has been established. What is the position regarding the legislation, which came from the McAuley committee, to establish it on a statutory basis?
As I said three weeks ago, it will be introduced later this year.
Last week the possibility of taking Second Stage of the Statute of Limitations (Amendment) Bill in Government time was discussed. Is the Taoiseach in a position to indicate when this business is likely to be ordered by the Government?
That matter has been discussed. The debate has been scheduled to take place in Government time tomorrow week.
Why is the Western Development Fund not in operation? Why did it take so long for the fight to go to Brussels?
That matter is not appropriate to the Order of Business.
It was the great white hope for the west. We were told last month that the matter was being sent to Brussels.
It was cleared in Europe.
I suggest the Deputy submits a question on the issue. I call Deputy Gormley.
I have three questions for the Taoiseach.
I hope they are appropriate to the Order of Business.
The Leas-Cheann Comhairle should not prejudge them. Given the Taoiseach's intemperate, intolerant and undemocratic remarks yesterday, is it now the Government's intention to introduce legislation to ban the Green Party? Is the Taoiseach aware that the Minister for the Marine and Natural Resources, Deputy Woods, said last week that the Government had not yet made up its mind on whether legislation should be introduced on the Partnership for Peace or if it would be dealt with by a resolution in the House?
That is not appropriate to the Order of Business.
It was not last week.
It arose on the Order of Business last week. Has the Taoiseach considered that 71 per cent of the people are calling for a referendum? Will he change his mind again on the Partnership for Peace?
None of those items is appropriate to the Order of Business. I suggest the Deputy submits a question.
On a point of order, if the Leas-Cheann Comhairle examines my second question, he will find that it is entirely appropriate to the Order of Business. The matter was raised in the House and I received a reply from the Minister for the Marine and Natural Resources. The Minister said he would get back to me on the issue and I would like the answer now.
I am sure he will communicate with the Deputy.
My remarks were not intemperate. I was not talking at the time about the Partnership for Peace, but what the Deputy's party colleague, who is an MEP, said.
The Taoiseach was talking about the Green Party.
I was talking about what the Deputy's colleague said. I was accused of a form of treason because I supported the euro.
What is the Taoiseach's position on the Partnership for Peace? Will he hold a referendum?
What is the Deputy's position on the euro?
The Taoiseach said in Opposition that there would be a referendum. It is a disgrace.
(Mayo): When will the Courts Bill, which will deal with overseeing the appointment of Supreme Court and High Court judges, be introduced?
I do not have a date. Preparatory work is proceeding on the heads of the Bill with a view to circulating Departments this month prior to a submission to the Government for drafting authority. I do not have a date for the Bill's publication.
(Dublin West): Is there a grand coalition between the Fianna Fáil Party and the Fine Gael Party against holding a referendum on the Partnership for Peace?
That is totally out of order on the Order of Business.
Many people want to talk about this issue but they are not being given an opportunity. A total of 71 per cent of the people want a referendum.