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Dáil Éireann debate -
Thursday, 27 May 1999

Vol. 505 No. 5

Order of Business.

It is proposed to take No. 4, Companies (Amendment)(No. 2) Bill, 1999 – Order for Second Stage and Second Stage and No. 51, the Statute of Limitations (Amendment) Bill, 1998 – Second Stage (Resumed).

There are no proposals to put to the House.

I am sure the Ceann Comhairle and Members, especially the Taoiseach because we know where his heart lies, would wish to congratulate Manchester United on completing the treble last night. It gave great pleasure to Irish people watching it. It certainly allowed traffic to run more smoothly, as I found when I drove home after the vote in the House. There were very few cars on the road because everyone was enjoying the match. We are especially proud that at least two Irish players were in the squad, even if only one was on the team. Denis Irwin played but Roy Keane was not able to play. Nonetheless, it was a great night for both sports fans and those who do not follow sports. I am sure everyone joins in congratulating the team.

I realise legislation is not promised in this area, but perhaps the Taoiseach could introduce legislation to assist the Irish football team to enjoy again the success they and we enjoyed in the past.

Within one hour the Taoiseach will meet the President of the European Commission, Mr. Romano Prodi. Will he tell us exactly what he intends to say to Mr. Prodi about the Irish Commissioner? Would he be in a stronger position in attending the meeting if he had with him the name and qualifications of the person to be nominated so that he could lobby for a portfolio based on that person's experience? The UK already knows who its commissioners will be and will, therefore, have a stronger case to make.

This is not Question Time. We are on the Order of Business.

If the Taoiseach proposes to nominate the Minister for Health and Children, Deputy Cowen, or the Minister for Public Enterprise, Deputy O'Rourke—

He does not propose to nominate me.

—surely he has a better chance of obtaining a portfolio if he explains to Mr. Prodi their excellence in all they have done? Will the Taoiseach tell us what he will say?

The question is not in order but the Taoiseach can make a brief comment if he wishes.

Will the Taoiseach share any information? On legislation, does the Government have any proposals on the adoption contact register, the Medical Practitioners (Amendment) Bill or in any other health legislation to deal with the lacuna in the legislative framework—

I cannot allow the Deputy to ask questions on the content of legislation. She is scoring own goals.

I suppose I am being shown the yellow card.

It will be the red card in a minute.

Does the Taoiseach have any proposals, possibly under the Medical Practitioners (Amendment) Bill, to deal with the issue of embryo freezing and the possible adoption of embryos? It is an issue which is exercising the medical profession at present.

It is not covered in that legislation. Assisted human reproduction is not governed by any specific health legislation. Medical practice in the area is governed by guidelines issued by the Irish Medical Council. The proposals for assisted human reproduction raise significant legal and ethical issues. The matter has been under consideration in the Department since it was raised some time ago, and discussions are ongoing with the Attorney General's office with a view to including the issue in a proposed research agenda for the Law Reform Commission. That will be in future. The matter is under discussion but will not be covered in any imminent legislation from the Department of Health and Children.

Has the Government cleared the heads of the local government reform Bill, a piece of political striptease paraded every so often by the Minister for the Environment and Local Government?

The Bill is being drafted. Sections have been brought forward and have been cleared at the various stages of preparation by the Minister. There are about four lots of heads and there are more than 150 heads in the Bill. We have cleared most of them.

I will ask the question again because I am not sure if the Taoiseach answered it. Has the Government cleared the heads of the frequently announced local government Bill?

Most of the heads of the legislation have already been cleared.

We saw a miracle last night in injury time. Does the Taoiseach anticipate another miracle in having it published between now and 11 June as was promised yesterday by the Minister, Deputy Dempsey?

It will be published as soon as possible. It will probably be difficult to have it completed and published in that time but it is possible.

If the heads have not yet been cleared by the Department and bearing in mind the extraordinary capacity of the Attorney General's office to produce legislation, does the Taoiseach seriously say to the House and does he stand over what the Minister, Deputy Dempsey said yesterday on the Pat Kenny programme that the legislation will be published by 11 June?

Where did I say that yesterday?

The Minister is quoted in today's paper. He should deny it otherwise.

I did not say it yesterday.

He is quoted in today's paper.

We cannot have an argument on the matter.

Is it correct that the Bill will not be published before 11 June?

Four tranches of this major Bill to modernise local government and implement a range of measures have already been put in place. The final tranche is being completed in the Department and the legislation, as promised, will be published in mid-year. The Bill will involve a raft of major reforms and great credit will be due to the Minister for the Environment and Local Government, Deputy Dempsey, on its introduction.

I wish to quote—

It is not in order to quote on the Order of Business.

(Interruptions).

With regard to the promised amendment of the child care legislation, the Taoiseach indicated that the provisions governing inspection would be extended to certain child care institutions. Will he clarify the position in respect of this matter because other Ministers have indicated that such legislation will be forthcoming before the commission the Taoiseach established delivers it report? There appears to be confusion between the Taoiseach's announcement and certain Ministers' interpretation of the position. Will he indicate whether he intends to establish a proper independent inspectorate to oversee matters relating to the various residential child care homes?

The Child Care (Amendment) Bill will form part of the Children Bill which will, I hope, be brought forward later.

Given ordinary people's disillusionment with standards in public life, will the Taoiseach explain the delay in publishing the standards in public office Bill? Is this delay due in some small measure to the failure of Government backbenchers to accept the need for tax clearance certificates?

I was asked last year by the House to bring those proposals before the committees. They have been considered and dealt with by the committees which completed their deliberations two weeks ago and legislation is now being drafted by the Minister for Finance. There has not been any undue delay other than that caused by the fact that the House had to have an input into the rules which will govern Members' affairs in the future.

Is it not the case that there is resistance among certain Members opposite who do not wish to produce tax clearance certificates?

There may be resistance in the Deputy's party but there is none in mine.

Yesterday, in her vulgar attempt to secure tickets for the next Bruce Springsteen concert, Deputy Owen forgot to thank the Government for resolving the post office dispute. Perhaps she will do so this morning.

The Government created the post office dispute.

Does Deputy Power have a question relevant to the Order of Business?

When will the results of Deputy Rabbitte's fitness test be made available to the House?

(Mayo): Yesterday, the United Nations Tribunal on War Crimes decided to indict President Milosevic. There is not any legis lation in this country to give effect to the agreement concluded last June in Rome in respect of the International Criminal Court. When will such legislation be introduced?

The Department of Justice, Equality and Law Reform and the office of the Attorney General are considering that matter. I will communicate with the Deputy on it later.

Does the Government intend to introduce legislation in the area of financial regulation, particularly if the McDowell committee is unable to report because of the dispute widely reported in the newspapers?

A report was produced on Friday last by Mr. McDowell's committee and it has been sent to the Tánaiste and the Minister for Finance for consideration.

Are they at odds with each other about it?

Has the Taoiseach's attention been drawn to the reported statement of Northern Ireland's economic minister, Mr. Paul Murphy, to the effect that he expects action from the IRA, possibly within days, on the matter of the "disappeared"? Does the Taoiseach have any information about this matter?

The House passed legislation relevant to this matter some time ago and I thank Members for its speedy passage. I understand the British legislation is to be passed today and when it is completed a number of people will be nominated to assist in receiving the bodies of the disappeared and returning them to their families. I hope there will be immediate action on this matter.

Does the Taoiseach expect speedy action to be taken?

On behalf of the Labour Party I support the sentiments expressed by Deputy Currie. When will the Supplementary Estimate for the Department of Health and Children be introduced?

The Estimates are following their normal course. I do not know when the Estimate to which the Deputy referred will be introduced but I will ask my office to provide him with the relevant information on it.

Do it take it that, as reported in today's newspapers, Tallaght Hospital will continue to be without the necessary funds until the Estimate is published?

The Minister for Health and Children will take parliamentary questions later today.

I am merely teeing it up for him.

When is it proposed to introduce the criminal justice Garda SMI Bill? Will the Taoiseach take this opportunity to join me in condemning an outfit calling itself the "IRSP Dublin Cumann" which is circulating threatening notices in inner city flat complexes.

It is not in order to display such notices in the House.

Will the Taoiseach ensure that the Bill to which I refer provides the Garda with the necessary resources to deal with outfits of this sort which believe that they represent the State?

We cannot discuss the contents or provisions of a Bill.

The organisation to which I refer is operating on both sides of the canal in my constituency.

The Deputy may pursue this matter in another way. It is not in order on the Order of Business.

When will the criminal justice Garda SMI Bill be introduced in order that the House may have the opportunity to discuss the behaviour of the organisation to which I refer?

The legislation will be introduced later in the year.

(Dublin West): The deputy leader of Fine Gael revealed an astonishing breadth of interest when speaking about rock ‘n' roll yesterday and soccer this morning.

I am showing my age.

(Dublin West): Deputy Owen almost provided us with a rendition of “Born in the USA” yesterday and, had the team competing in the European Champions' Cup Final last night been different, I am sure she would have sung “You'll Never Walk Alone” this morning.

I wish to ask the Taoiseach about a matter which is related to both rock ‘n' roll and soccer, namely, the Episcopal statement drawing attention to the World Health Organisation's report on alcohol which pointed out that, in terms of its destructiveness, alcohol does more damage in this country than all other drugs put together. In view of that, does the Taoiseach intend to introduce amending legislation proposing a ban on all alcohol advertising—

That is a matter for a parliamentary question, it is not relevant to the Order of Business. There is not promised legislation in that area.

(Dublin West): I was attempting to clarify whether it is proposed to introduce legislation to ban the advertising of alcohol in view of its destructiveness.

Is legislation promised in this area?

Not at this stage.

Mr. Hayes

Yesterday a High Court judge inquired if legislation was planned to outlaw the practice of gazumping. Following its decision last year to oppose the Fine Gael initiative on this abominable practice, does the Government plan to introduce legislation to ensure that consumers are given greater protection in the house purchasing market?

The Government and the Attorney General have requested the Law Reform Commission to review the payment of booking deposits and the associated practice of gazumping and to submit to the Attorney General proposals to reform those procedures which the commission considers appropriate. The commission has commenced its review.

Last night was a great one for sport and I am sure the Taoiseach, like me, is rejoicing. However, it seems that during its two years in office the Government has not spent a penny on local sport infrastructure. Will the Taoiseach announce the sports capital grants before 11 June?

That is not a matter for the Order of Business. The Deputy can pursue it in a number of ways.

Where stands the valuation Bill which has been promised for some considerable time? Will the Taoiseach comment on the reports of exorbitant penalty charges on arrears in mortgages by at least one building society? Is there any proposal to prevent exorbitant penalty payments being requested?

Is legislation promised on the matter?

Yes. The Bill is being drafted and it will be some time before it is presented.

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