Dáil Éireann debate -
Wednesday, 1 Dec 1999

Vol. 512 No. 1

Order of Business (Resumed).

The Taoiseach

The Order of Business today shall be as follows: No. a7 – Motion re: Leave to introduce Supplementary Estimate [Vote 31]; No. b7 – Motion re: Referral of Supplementary Estimate [Vote 31] to Select Committee; No. a32 – statements on the Implementation of the Good Friday Agreement; No. 32 – National Beef Assurance Scheme Bill, 1999 [Seanad] – Second Stage (Resumed); No. c7 – Budget Statements, and the Financial Motions by the Minister for Finance [1999] shall be taken on the conclusion of questions to Members of the Government.

It is also proposed, notwithstanding anything in Standing Orders, that; (1) the Dáil shall sit later than 8.30 p.m. tonight and the motion for the General Financial Resolution shall be moved not later than 12.00 midnight whereupon business shall then be interrupted and the Dáil shall adjourn forthwith; (2) No. a7 and, subject to the agreement of No. a7, No. b7 shall be decided without debate and any divisions demanded on Nos. a7 and b7 shall be taken forthwith; (3) the proceedings on No. a32, if not previously concluded, shall be brought to a conclusion at 1.30 p.m. and the following arrangements shall apply: (i) the opening statement of the Taoiseach and the main spokespersons for the Fine Gael Party and the Labour Party shall not exceed 20 minutes in each case; (ii) the statement of each other Member shall not exceed 10 minutes in each case; and (ii) Members may share time; and (4) following the Budget Statement of the Minister for Finance and the statements by the main spokespersons of the parties in Opposition, the sitting shall be suspended for 30 minutes.

An Ceann Comhairle

There are four proposals to put to the House. Is the proposal for the late sitting agreed? Agreed. Is the proposal for dealing with Supplementary Estimates agreed? Agreed. Is the proposal for dealing with No. a32 agreed? Agreed. Is the proposal for dealing with the suspension of sitting in regard to the budget agreed? Agreed.

Mr. J. Bruton

The daily lives of most people are being affected by global forces and competition more than ever before. The rules for this are being laid down in Seattle in a round starting there this week but the House has not debated the issue or the Government's position on it. Does the Taoiseach agree the House should debate the world trade round and globalisation generally so people have a clear understanding of Ireland's position on it within the EU?

The Taoiseach

The commencement of the world trade round will be this week. If time allows, there could be a debate on it before Christmas. It will be a long and protracted matter but the Whips can agree to arrange a debate on it either before or after Christmas.

Mr. Gormley

It should be held before Christmas because the public is concerned about it. As the Green Party is the only party which opposes neo-liberal policies—

An Ceann Comhairle

We cannot have statements on the matter.

A Deputy

The Deputy should grow up.

Mr. Quinn

Will the Taoiseach explain to the House and to suffering passengers in Dublin city why he has denied the required increase in the number of taxis over the past two years by his duplicitous behaviour in setting up the taxi forum in the first instance and then unilaterally announcing a decision without consultation, which has already resulted in a spontaneous, unofficial strike at Dublin Airport? Although it is welcome, will he indicate why this decision was made? Why have people been denied taxis for two years?

An Ceann Comhairle

It would be more proper to deal with that matter in a parliamentary question.

Mr. Quinn

Will the Taoiseach make any statement?

Mrs. Owen

It is the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment, Deputy Harney's party.

Mr. G. Mitchell

Given that Ireland will formally join the Partnership for Peace this morning, will the Government depart from conducting security policy through the back door and publish the White Paper on defence as promised? When will this White Paper be published?

The Taoiseach

As I promised, it will be published before the end of the year.

Mr. G. Mitchell

Will it be before Christmas?

Mr. Finucane

Due to concern about our disappearing coastline, when will the Bill relating to coastal zone management be introduced? Will it be introduced during the lifetime of the Government?

The Taoiseach

The heads of the Bill are being prepared in the Department and are expected later next year. The introduction of the Bill is still some time away.

Mr. Sargent

Níl ach Bille amháin le foilsiú faoin Roinn Oideachais agus Eolaíochta roimh Nollaig, sé sin an Teaching Council Bill. An gá athbhreithniú a dhéanamh ar sin anois leis an méid múinteoirí atá sna scoileanna gan cháilíocht? An gcuirfidh sé smacht ar an Aire gan múinteoirí a chur ar fáil atá cáilithe chomh maith?

The Taoiseach

The Education Council Bill is still expected this session.

Ms Clune

When will legislation relating to a penalty point system for driving offences be introduced?

The Taoiseach

The Road Traffic Bill is due in the middle of next year.

Mr. Gilmore

Has the Government completed its consideration of the legislation to provide for directly elected full-time mayors and county council chairpersons? Will that consideration be completed in time for the publication of the Local Government Bill which I understand is due in January?

The Taoiseach

I hope that will be the case. The Government's deliberations on the Local Government Bill and that issue are nearing a conclusion. I hope it will be available in January.

Mr. M. Higgins

An féidir leis an Taoiseach a rá cathain a fhoilseofar an reachtaíocht atá geallta i leith cúrsaí Gaeltachta agus Gaeilge? Is é atá i gceist agam ná an ceann faoi chúrsaí tithíochta atá geallta le fada, an ceann a bhaineann leis an mBille Teanga agus an ceann eile faoi chumhachtaí an Údaráis.

The Taoiseach

The Gaeltacht (Amendment) Bill will be available early next year, I hope shortly after Christmas.

Mr. M. Higgins

My other questions related to the Gaeltacht Housing (Amendment) Bill, which is most relevant at present and has been promised for some time, and the Bill on the right to do business through Irish, An Bille Teanga, as an t-Aire Stáit called it when he spoke about it.

The Taoiseach

An Bille na Gaeilge is due to be introduced in early spring while the other Bill is due directly after Christmas. Both Bills should be dealt with in the next session.

Ms Fitzgerald

Given that Ireland will join the Partnership for Peace today and that the Taoiseach said the White Paper on defence will be published before Christmas, will he clarify the Government's response to the Department of Finance's proposal to reduce the number of Defence Forces personnel by 3,500?

An Ceann Comhairle

That is not in order on the Order of Business.

Mr. Yates

It involves 3,500 people.

Mr. Barrett

It was in the newspapers.

Mr. Yates

There will be nobody left in Newbridge.

Mr. Quinn

Yesterday the Taoiseach indicated that the Irish Nationality and Citizens (Amendment) Bill was due for consideration and finalisation by the Government. In light of the advances made in the implementation of the Good Friday Agreement of which the Bill is an integral part, will the Taoiseach indicate when exactly it will be published and if the Government intends to have even Second Stage debated before the Dáil adjourns on 16 December?

The Taoiseach

The Bill cleared Government yesterday. A number of small matters have to be tidied up in the Department but I hope the Bill will be published in the next week.

Mr. Quinn

Is that the final draft and not the heads of the Bill?

The Taoiseach

It is the final draft. However, I doubt it will be ready to be debated before Christmas.