Dáil Éireann debate -
Thursday, 9 Dec 1999

Vol. 512 No. 5

Order of Business.

The Tánaiste

The Order of Business today shall be as follows: No. 13, Supplementary Estimates for Public Services, Votes 2, 20, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, including a second Supplementary Estimate, 32, 33, 34, 42 and 43; No. 13a, motion re arrangements to facilitate joint sitting; No. 14, motion re referral to joint committee of proposals to approve agreements between the Government of Ireland and the Government of the Russian Federation; No. 43, Statute of Limitations (Amendment) Bill, 1998 – Order for Report and Report and Final Stages; No. 42, Illegal Immigrants (Trafficking) Bill, 1999 – Second Stage (resumed); No. 15, motion re annual report by the Minister for Defence regarding service by the Defence Forces with the United Nations in 1997; and No. 16, motion re annual report by the Minister for Defence regarding service by the Defence Forces with the United Nations in 1998.

It is proposed, notwithstanding anything in Standing Orders, that No. 13, Supplementary Estimates for Public Services shall be moved together and shall be decided without debate by one question which shall be put from the Chair and any division demanded thereon shall be taken forthwith; Nos. 13a, 14 and 15 shall be decided without debate; Report and Final Stages of No. 43 shall be taken today and the proceedings thereon, if not previously concluded, shall be brought to a conclusion at 1.30 p.m. 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; the proceedings on the resumed Second Stage of No. 42, if not previously concluded, shall be brought to a conclusion at 2.30 p.m.; the proceedings on No. 16, if not previously concluded, shall be brought to a conclusion at 4.45 p.m. and the following arrangements shall apply to the debate thereon: (i) the speech of a Minister or Minister of State and the main spokespersons for the Fine Gael Party and the Labour Party shall not exceed 15 minutes in each case; (ii) the speech of each other Member called upon shall not exceed five minutes; and (iii) Members may share time.

An Leas-Cheann Comhairle

Is the proposal for dealing with No. 13 agreed? Agreed. Is the proposal for dealing with Nos. 13a, 14 and 15 agreed?

Mr. Noonan

My party has a difficulty with the Order of Business this morning. What was, in effect, a supplementary budget costing £125 million was announced yesterday outside the House. We cannot agree the Order of Business until we get a commitment from the Tánaiste that the Minister will come in here, make his announcements in the House in the normal way, and allow for some debate on the new proposals he has made. The figure of £125 million is bigger than some budgets we have had in recent memory in their totality. It is not just a minor amendment to what was announced last week. We need the Minister in the House. We need a statement. We need an explanation. The principal policies underpinning the budget were to increase the labour force. The effect of this is to make it more difficult—

An Leas-Cheann Comhairle

Deputy Noonan, just on the Order of Business, please.

Mr. Noonan

—for people on the standard rate band to go back to work. The policy is all over the place. This is a fiasco. Parliament is the place—

An Leas-Cheann Comhairle

Deputy Noonan has made his point.

Mr. Noonan

—where the Minister should be accountable.

Mr. Flanagan

Deputy Healy-Rae is now the Minister for Finance.

Mr. Stagg

In the context of the Order of Business, we have ordered, and the Whips have agreed, business for next week which includes time to debate the budget further. Perhaps the Government could diffuse the situation this morning by indicating to the House that the Minister will avail of the Government time that has been ordered to make an official statement in the House on the changes in the budget.

Mr. Sargent

Tá roinnt mhaith daoine fós ag fanacht chun seans a fháil labhairt ar an gCáinaisnéis agus ba mhaith an rud é don Tánaistek dá mbeadh seans ag an Aire a mhíniú cad tá athraithe agus seans a thabhairt do na daoine atá ag fanacht díospóireacht a bheith acu.

Mr. Higgins

(Dublin West): I waited here last night to get an opportunity to speak on the budget but there was no time. It is unthinkable that we leave the Dáil this weekend without a further discussion on an issue about which the country is talking. Will the Tánaiste make time available today to continue the discussion so that we can highlight the continuing outrage of ordinary people over a budget patently for the rich and privileged in this society, cooked up in the villa in the south of France—

An Leas-Cheann Comhairle

The Deputy has made his point.

Mr. Higgins

(Dublin West): —by the Tánaiste and the Minister for Finance, along with the steak and red wine?

An Leas-Cheann Comhairle

Deputy Higgins has made his point.

The Tánaiste

The Minister for Finance is not available today. He is going to Helsinki and I understand the Leaders of the Opposition parties are going there also.

Mr. Rabbitte

He is a lot safer there.

Mr. Finucane

He very nearly sank the Tánaiste.

An Leas-Cheann Comhairle

Deputy Finucane, allow the Tánaiste to continue.

The Tánaiste

Deputy Noonan said the amount was bigger than budgets of recent years. That is true because the rainbow budgets made Scrooge look very generous.

Mr. Finucane

The Tánaiste had a hard time on "Questions and Answers" the other night.

Mr. Dukes

Where is the accountability now, Tánaiste?

Mr. Sheehan

Our speakers were in the House last night.

An Leas-Cheann Comhairle

Deputy Sheehan should resume his seat. The Tánaiste, without interruption.

The Tánaiste

I am aware that Fine Gael had its party last night. I heard it was a very good night.

Mr. Sheehan

I was in the House at 11.30 p.m.

The Tánaiste

I heard it was a great party. I was referring to the Labour Party, Deputy Sheehan.

An Leas-Cheann Comhairle

The Tánaiste should address her remarks through the Chair.

Mr. Stagg

We were not partying last night.

The Tánaiste

The Labour Party never has any fun. The Minister for Finance cannot be in the House today as he is travelling to Helsinki.

Mr. Dukes

You had a friendlier audience on television last Monday night, Mary.

An Leas-Cheann Comhairle

I would ask Members of the House to refer to the Tánaiste as the Tánaiste, Deputy Harney. It is a long and honoured tradition in this House that Ministers and Members are addressed by their appropriate titles.

Mr. Dukes

The Tánaiste, Deputy Harney, had a friendlier audience on television last Monday night.

The Tánaiste

The debate on the budget is ongoing—

Mr. Rabbitte

It is ongoing in Fianna Fáil.

The Tánaiste

—and will resume next week and Deputies will have an opportunity to make their comments on the budget. Although we have voted on certain provisions of the budget, we have not voted on the budget itself.

Mr. Gormley

Will we vote on the budget?

The Tánaiste

The Finance Bill and the Social Welfare Bill will be introduced in the House next year and Deputies will have every opportunity to discuss the budget details as they pertain to the legislation.

Mr. Noonan

In the absence of the Minister for Finance, can the Tánaiste assure us that yesterday's adjustment is the only one which is being made on the budget or will there be further adjustments following talks with the social partners?

An Leas-Cheann Comhairle

That matter does not arise on the Order of Business.

Mr. Noonan

On a point of order, the Tánaiste has defended the Government's position by saying that time is available—

An Leas-Cheann Comhairle

That is not a point of order.

Mr. Noonan

It is a point of order. Time is set aside to debate the budget and Deputies will avail of that time. If the Government intends to make other amendments to the budget, the House should know about it. We cannot discuss the budget if other amendments are pending. There is a scandal about the low paid.

An Leas-Cheann Comhairle

We cannot discuss the contents of what will be discussed during the time set aside to debate the budget. The matter to which the Deputy refers arises in the context of the debate on the budget, not on the Order of Business.

Mr. Stagg

Did the Tánaiste indicate to the House that the Minister would actually use some of the Government time to speak during the debate and did she further indicate that at the end of the ordered debate there would be a vote on the budget?

An Leas-Cheann Comhairle

That matter does not arise at this stage.

Mr. Stagg

Did the Tánaiste indicate that to the House? Could we have clarification on that?

An Leas-Cheann Comhairle

I call Deputy Rabbitte.

Mr. Stagg

I asked a question which I believe the Tánaiste is prepared to answer.

An Leas-Cheann Comhairle

The matter does not arise on the Order of Business.

Mr. Stagg

It does.

An Leas-Cheann Comhairle

The question of who might speak during a particular debate does not arise on the Order of Business.

Mr. Shatter

On a point of order, the Leas-Cheann Comhairle is correct in saying that the question of who speaks during the debate does not arise on the Order of Business. However, the Minister has presented his budget and it would not be in accordance with the normal rules of the House for him to come back into the House during the middle of the debate. That would present a procedural problem. I wonder whether the Opposition parties are agreeable to the Minister coming into the House when the budget debate resumes next week. The Fine Gael Party would not have any objection to that. Will the Minister come into the House and put the new budgetary provisions and any further changes he proposes to make on the record of the House prior to the debate resuming?

An Leas-Cheann Comhairle

The Deputy has made his point.

Mr. Shatter

Will the Tánaiste reply?

An Leas-Cheann Comhairle

The Tánaiste will reply and I will put the vote as soon as I hear Deputy Rabbitte.

Mr. Flanagan

Is the Minister for Finance still under house arrest?

Mr. Shatter

If he is seeking political asylum, I hope he is treated better than we treat people who come into this country.

Mr. Rabbitte

When the Tánaiste is replying, will she deal with the reports this morning that the Taoiseach informed the social partners last night—

An Leas-Cheann Comhairle

The Tánaiste will not deal with that because she would be out of order.

Mr. Rabbitte

Does the Tánaiste agree with the Taoiseach that the budget is unbalanced?

An Leas-Cheann Comhairle

She would also be out of order to answer that question.

Mr. Rabbitte

I find it extraordinary that any number of Fianna Fáil backbenchers will debate the single income family issue but will not talk about the low paid or the poor. I am not surprised the Minister for Finance is in Helsinki. It is colder there than what he is accustomed to here.

An Leas-Cheann Comhairle

I am calling the Tánaiste. If Deputy Rabbitte does not wish to hear the Tánaiste, I will put the question.

The Tánaiste

I will communicate Deputies' wishes to the Minister for Finance when I next speak with him. I am sure that if he wishes to do so, he will avail of the opportunity to come into the House next week.

The Finance Bill and Social Welfare Bill will come before the House next year. When Deputy Rabbitte's party was in Government, it taxed people at £71 per week and did not introduce a minimum wage. Deputy Rabbitte is a fine one to talk about the low paid.

Question put: "That the proposals for dealing with Nos. 13a, 14 and 15 be agreed to."

Tá

Ahern, Dermot.Ahern, Michael.Ahern, Noel.Ardagh, Seán.Aylward, Liam.Brady, Johnny.Brady, Martin.

Brennan, Séamus.Briscoe, Ben.Browne, John (Wexford).Byrne, Hugh. Callely, Ivor.

Tá–continued

Carey, Pat.Collins, Michael.Cooper-Flynn, Beverley.Coughlan, Mary.Daly, Brendan.Davern, Noel.de Valera, Síle.Dempsey, Noel.Dennehy, John.Doherty, Seán.Ellis, John.Fleming, Seán.Flood, Chris.Foley, Denis.Gildea, Thomas.Hanafin, Mary.Harney, Mary.Haughey, Seán.Healy-Rae, Jackie.Jacob, Joe.Keaveney, Cecilia.Kelleher, Billy.Kenneally, Brendan.Killeen, Tony.Kirk, Séamus.Kitt, Michael.Kitt, Tom.Lenihan, Brian.McCreevy, Charlie.

McDaid, James.McGennis, Marian.McGuinness, John.Moffatt, Thomas.Molloy, Robert.Moloney, John.Moynihan, Donal.Moynihan, Michael.Ó Cuív, Éamon.O'Dea, Willie.O'Donnell, Liz.O'Donoghue, John.O'Flynn, Noel.O'Keeffe, Batt.O'Keeffe, Ned.O'Kennedy, Michael.O'Malley, Desmond.Power, Seán.Reynolds, Albert.Roche, Dick.Ryan, Eoin.Smith, Brendan.Smith, Michael.Treacy, Noel.Wade, Eddie.Wallace, Dan.Wallace, Mary.Walsh, Joe.Woods, Michael.Wright, G. V.

Níl

Barnes, Monica.Bell, Michael.Bradford, Paul.Browne, John (Carlow-Kilkenny).Bruton, Richard.Burke, Ulick.Clune, Deirdre.Connaughton, Paul.Cosgrave, Michael.Coveney, Simon.Crawford, Seymour.Currie, Austin.D'Arcy, Michael.Deasy, Austin.Deenihan, Jimmy.Dukes, Alan.Durkan, Bernard.Enright, Thomas.Farrelly, John.Ferris, Michael.Finucane, Michael.Fitzgerald, Frances.Flanagan, Charles.Gormley, John.Higgins, Jim.

Higgins, Joe.Higgins, Michael.McCormack, Pádraic.McDowell, Derek.McGinley, Dinny.McManus, Liz.Mitchell, Olivia.Moynihan-Cronin, Breeda.Neville, Dan.Noonan, Michael.O'Shea, Brian.O'Sullivan, Jan.Perry, John.Rabbitte, Pat.Ring, Michael.Ryan, Seán.Sargent, Trevor.Shatter, Alan.Sheehan, Patrick.Shortall, Róisín.Stagg, Emmet.Stanton, David.Timmins, Billy.Upton, Mary.Wall, Jack.Yates, Ivan.

Tellers: Tá, Deputies S. Brennan and Power; Níl, Deputies Sheehan and Stagg.

Mr. Noonan

The Tánaiste assured us on the Order of Business that the Minister for Finance was in Helsinki, but I noticed him participating in the vote.

Dr. Woods

She said he was going to Helsinki.

Mr. Noonan

Has he been extradited and would the Tánaiste like to correct the record?

The Tánaiste

I said he was going. He and the Taoiseach will shortly go to Helsinki.

Mr. Dukes

The story changes.

An Leas-Cheann Comhairle

Is the proposal for dealing with No. 43 agreed?

Mr. Noonan

No.

Mr. Shatter

The Government proposes to guillotine the Report Stage debate on No. 43, the Statute of Limitations (Amendment) Bill, by 1.30 p.m. The Bill excludes the victims of physical abuse from seeking compensation and it unfortunately excludes a large number of people who have given evidence on the State's behalf in criminal proceedings. A large number of convictions have been obtained as a result.

An Leas-Cheann Comhairle

I understand there are amendments tabled that provide for a debate on this matter.

Mr. Shatter

There may be amendments, but none of them are Government amendments. The Government is seeking to deny those who have come forward on behalf of the State to give evidence against the perpetrators of abuse and hundreds of people are now in jail as a result. However, many of these witnesses are excluded by this Bill from seeking civil compensation. It is not appropriate that we guillotine debate on this Bill at 1.30 p.m. Will the Tánaiste agree to an unlimited period for Report Stage; by its nature Report Stage does not take that long, as people cannot speak more than once, but a Bill as important as this should not be guillotined. The Government is denying basic rights to a large number of people.

Ms O'Sullivan

I published this Bill initially and it originally included physical abuse, but unfortunately that was amended on Committee Stage. We are seeking to restore physical abuse to the scope of the Bill. I agree with Deputy Shatter on the amendments that come towards the end of the Bill. It looks now as if we will not reach them by 1.30 p.m. and I seek extra time to debate those very important issues, which will arise at the end of Report Stage. They deal with people who have brought abuse to public attention. Those people may not be able to avail of the full scope of this Bill and it is very important that we have time to debate this section of the Bill.

Mr. Higgins

(Mayo): I appeal to the Tánaiste, in the interests of the public good and good legislation, to accede to the requests from Deputies Shatter and O'Sullivan to prolong this debate. There is an ongoing public debate on this matter which has only taken off since the Committee Stage debate, when thousands of people who were sadistically physically abused, though not sexually, found they were not covered by this Bill. If we do not get the legislation right today we will enshrine a totally inadequate provision in law that will cover sexual abuse but not physical abuse. Although sexual abuse gets highlighted in many cases, a huge number of people who have been sadistically physically abused have no rights under this Bill's provisions. I ask the Tánaiste to approach this in a measured and responsible way and to ensure the House has adequate time to debate the Bill, rather than bulldozing the measure through at 1.30 p.m. If not, the Bill will become part of an inadequate body of legislation dealing with an important and sensitive issue.

Mr. Higgins

(Dublin West): In the aftermath of the television programme, “States of Fear”, it would be unthinkable that the victims of physical abuse should be treated in this way. It is bad enough that they are excluded from this Bill, but to shorten the debate to an hour and a half or two and a half hours would add insult to the injury already suffered. There is no reason the Government should not extend the time for this debate so that the issue can be fully debated and the concerns of those who have suffered physical abuse can be brought to the Government's attention.

Mr. Flanagan

On the same matter—

An Leas-Cheann Comhairle

We cannot have a debate on this matter.

Mr. Flanagan

I realise that, but will the Tánaiste say why this matter is so urgent? Why is the Government endeavouring to ram this legislation through on Report Stage in an hour and half or two hours?

Mr. Noonan

A group of victims of such abuse is outside the gates of the House in the rain this morning. If the Tánaiste listened to them she would not rush the Bill through. I ask her to accede to a reasonable request from the Opposition and not to guillotine this debate. We are not trying to filibuster and we will not do anything by way of Parliamentary tactics. We want an adequate debate and if the Tánaiste lifts the guillotine we will not press this to a vote.

The Tánaiste

The reason the Bill has been brought forward is that the Labour Party, which initiated the Bill, has asked for it on the Order of Business on many occasions. Physical abuse has not been excluded; it has been referred to the Law Reform Commission because the issues involved are very complex and need further consideration.

Mr. Shatter

No more complex than sexual abuse

The Tánaiste

There were long Second Stage and Committee Stage debates on these matters and it is not possible to give any more time this morning.

Question put: "That the proposal for dealing with item 43 be agreed to."

The Dáil divided: Tá, 73; Níl, 56.

Tá

• Ahern, Dermot.
• Ahern, Michael.
• Ahern, Noel.
• Ardagh, Seán.
• Aylward, Liam.
• Blaney, Harry.
• Brady, Johnny.
• Brady, Martin.
• Brennan, Matt.
• Brennan, Séamus.
• Briscoe, Ben.
• Browne, John (Wexford).
• Byrne, Hugh.
• Carey, Pat.
• Collins, Michael.
• Cooper-Flynn, Beverley.
• Coughlan, Mary.
• Cowen, Brian.
• Daly, Brendan.
• Davern, Noel.
• de Valera, Síle.
• Dempsey, Noel.
• Dennehy, John.
• Doherty, Seán.
• Ellis, John.
• Fleming, Seán.
• Flood, Chris.
• Foley, Denis.
• Gildea, Thomas.
• Hanafin, Mary.
• Harney, Mary.
• Haughey, Seán.
• Healy-Rae, Jackie.
• Jacob, Joe.
• Keaveney, Cecilia.
• Kelleher, Billy.
• Kenneally, Brendan.
• Killeen, Tony.
• Kirk, Séamus.
• Kitt, Michael.
• Kitt, Tom.
• Lenihan, Brian.
• Lenihan, Conor.
• McCreevy, Charlie.
• McDaid, James.
• McGennis, Marian.
• McGuinness, John.
• Moffatt, Thomas.
• Molloy, Robert.
• Moloney, John.
• Moynihan, Donal.
• Moynihan, Michael.
• Ó Cuív, Éamon.
• O'Dea, Willie.
• O'Donnell, Liz.
• O'Donoghue, John.
• O'Flynn, Noel.
• O'Keeffe, Batt.
• O'Keeffe, Ned.
• O'Kennedy, Michael.
• O'Malley, Desmond.
• Power, Seán.
• Reynolds, Albert.
• Roche, Dick.
• Ryan, Eoin.
• Smith, Brendan.
• Smith, Michael.
• Wade, Eddie.
• Wallace, Dan.
• Wallace, Mary.
• Walsh, Joe.
• Woods, Michael.
• Wright, G. V.

Níl

• Barnes, Monica.
• Bell, Michael.
• Belton, Louis.
• Boylan, Andrew.
• Bradford, Paul.
• Broughan, Thomas.
• Browne, John (Carlow-Kilkenny).
• Bruton, Richard.
• Burke, Ulick.
• Clune, Deirdre.
• Connaughton, Paul.
• Cosgrave, Michael.
• Coveney, Simon.
• Crawford, Seymour.
• Currie, Austin.
• D'Arcy, Michael.
• Deasy, Austin.
• Deenihan, Jimmy.
• Dukes, Alan.
• Durkan, Bernard.
• Enright, Thomas.
• Farrelly, John.
• Ferris, Michael.
• Finucane, Michael.
• Fitzgerald, Frances.
• Flanagan, Charles.
• Higgins, Jim.
• Higgins, Joe.
• Higgins, Michael.
• Hogan, Philip.
• Kenny, Enda.
• McCormack, Pádraic.
• McDowell, Derek.
• McGahon, Brendan.
• McGinley, Dinny.
• McManus, Liz.
• Mitchell, Olivia.
• Moynihan-Cronin, Breeda.
• Neville, Dan.
• Noonan, Michael.
• O'Shea, Brian.
• O'Sullivan, Jan.
• Perry, John.
• Rabbitte, Pat.
• Ring, Michael.
• Ryan, Seán.
• Sargent, Trevor.
• Shatter, Alan.
• Sheehan, Patrick.
• Shortall, Róisín.
• Stagg, Emmet.
• Stanton, David.
• Timmins, Billy.
• Upton, Mary.
• Wall, Jack.
• Yates, Ivan.

Tellers: Tá, Deputies S. Brennan and Power; Níl, Deputies Ferris and Sheehan.

Question declared carried.

An Leas-Cheann Comhairle

Is the proposal for dealing with No. 42 agreed to?

Mr. Noonan

On No. 42, Second Stage is resumed but it will be guillotined at 2.30 p.m. The Bill on which we have just voted will probably finish with a vote at 1.30 p.m. and the debate on Second Stage of this important Bill will last only for approximately three quarters of an hour. We have speakers listed who are anxious to speak on it, but they will not get an opportunity to do so. I ask the Tánaiste to allow the Whips to meet to see if we can get extra time for this important legislation which was the subject of recent controversy.

The Tánaiste

The Whips have already met and agreed this matter will be taken in this way.

Mr. Dukes

The lady is not for turning.

An Leas-Cheann Comhairle

The question is: "That the proposal for dealing with No. 42 be agreed to".

Question put and declared carried.

An Leas-Cheann Comhairle

Is the proposal for dealing with No. 16 agreed? Agreed.

Mr. Dukes

Mindful of your esteemed advice, a Leas-Cheann Comhairle, about the proper appellation of Members of the House, I note that you gave yourself liberty to depart from it when nominating the real tellers for the last vote. When will we see the Valuation Bill?

The Tánaiste

Early in the next millennium.

Mr. Dukes

Not in 1999.

Mr. Rabbitte

The Tánaiste boasted about the minimum pay Bill, which we have not seen and which has already been overtaken by the marketplace, even by Dunnes Stores. Will she make representations to the Minister for Finance in respect of the £10 he provided in personal allowances which further undermines the Bill before it is published?

An Leas-Cheann Comhairle

That is not appropriate to the Order of Business.

Mr. Rabbitte

If you, a Leas-Cheann Comhairle, were on the low pay of the tens of thousands of workers who are the victims of this budget, you would not think it was irrelevant on the Order of Business.

An Leas-Cheann Comhairle

The Chair is obliged to outline the Standing Orders.

Mr. Belton

It is Deputy Healy-Rae's budget.

Mr. Rabbitte

When will the Tánaiste publish the minimum pay Bill and will she make the type of renovations to it that we saw made to the budget last night?

An Leas-Cheann Comhairle

The first part of the question is in order.

The Tánaiste

The Bill will be introduced early next year and it will be in force by April. It will be published within the next couple of weeks.

Mr. Noonan

I understand there are ongoing talks between certain Ministers, the Taoiseach and the social partners. If there are further changes to the budget as a result of those talks, what procedure has the Tánaiste in mind for communicating those decisions to the House?

An Leas-Cheann Comhairle

That is not appropriate to the Order of Business.

Mr. Belton

It is the greatest hand brake turn of the century.

Mr. O'Kennedy

Arising from a recent decision of this House, I ask the Tánaiste to ensure that whoever represents the Government at Partnership for Peace proposes that our fellow partner for peace, Russia, be suspended from Partnership for Peace or we will have an opportunity to review the terms and conditions of membership of that peaceful organisation?

An Leas-Cheann Comhairle

That is not in order. The Deputy will have to raise it by way of a parliamentary question or on the Adjournment.

Mr. O'Kennedy

Thousands of innocent people are being bombarded out of their homes.

An Leas-Cheann Comhairle

There will be an opportunity to discuss it under No. 16 this afternoon. I call Deputy Fitzgerald.

Mr. O'Kennedy

I want to ask a question.

An Leas-Cheann Comhairle

The Deputy is being disorderly.

Mr. O'Kennedy

I did not hear what you said. Under what proposal this afternoon will I have an opportunity to discuss this matter?

An Leas-Cheann Comhairle

The Deputy may discuss it under No. 16, the Annual Report by the Minister for Defence regarding service by the Defence Forces with the United Nations in 1998.

Ms Fitzgerald

I ask the Tánaiste to confirm if the White Paper on defence will be published before the end of the year or will the ongoing arguments between the Department and the Defence Forces mean it will be put off once again? The Taoiseach said it would be published in December.

The Tánaiste

I understand it will be published.

Mr. Dukes

In December.

Mr. R. Bruton

What has happened to the White Paper on early childhood education? Was it thrown out with the other commitments to children?

The Tánaiste

No.

Mr. Rabbitte

How is partnership for peace this morning between the two Government parties?

The Tánaiste

The Deputy must have stayed too late last night. It is still the intention to publish a White Paper. I do not have a date, but I will communicate with the Deputy.

Ms O'Sullivan

Has the Government any plans to introduce legislation to individualise the social welfare code in view of the fact that many families are on low incomes?

An Leas-Cheann Comhairle

There is no legislation promised.

Mr. Finucane

The annual round of fisheries talks takes place next week and the projected cuts in quotas is estimated at £25 million, which would have a detrimental effect on the fishing community. Will the Tánaiste assure the House this will not happen?

An Leas-Cheann Comhairle

That is not in order.

Mr. Dukes

The Deputy is only fishing.

Mr. Crawford

Can the Tánaiste give a commitment that the Border counties and towns will receive a peace dividend as a result of the establishment of cross-Border bodies?

An Leas-Cheann Comhairle

I suggest the Deputy submits a question on that matter.

Mr. Rabbitte

The Deputy should speak to Deputy Healy-Rae.

Ms Shortall

What has happened to the long promised Green Paper on basic income? It is now several months overdue. When can we expect to see it or has it been lost as well?

The Tánaiste

I do not have a date for that. The Deputy should table a question to the Minister for Social, Community and Family Affairs.

Mr. Dukes

It does not fit in with the Progressive Democrats philosophy.

Mr. Stanton

What is the status of the Nitrigin Éireann Teoranta Bill? When will it be published?

The Tánaiste

It will be next year before the Bill will be published.

Mr. Currie

When will Second Stage of the Children Bill be taken? Can we expect it before the third anniversary of Second Stage of its predecessor?

The Tánaiste

That is a matter to be agreed by the whips but it will not be taken before the end of the session.

Mr. Currie

This is urgent legislation.

Mr. Higgins

(Dublin West): There are disturbing reports that rents set by private landlords continue to rise without any security of tenure from the State for tenants and without maximum rent levels. There has been no procession by Fianna Fáil TDs to the plinth on the issue—

Mr. Currie

They have not had their instructions.

An Leas-Cheann Comhairle

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

Mr. Higgins

(Dublin West): I do. The reason there has been no procession to the plinth is that there are quite a few landlords among the Fianna Fáil TDs. When will the commission on private rented accommodation publish its report and when will that report be brought before the Dáil? When will there be protection for those at the mercy of the rack-renting landlord class?

An Leas-Cheann Comhairle

I suggest the Deputy submits a question on that matter.

Mr. Higgins

(Dublin West): With respect to the Leas-Cheann Comhairle, I am in order. The commission was established by the Taoiseach and I want to know when it will report.

An Leas-Cheann Comhairle

It is not appropriate to ask about reports of commissions on the Order of Business. Deputies may ask about legislation.

Mr. Higgins

(Dublin West): The Taoiseach said that legislation would follow the report being sent to the Dáil.

An Leas-Cheann Comhairle

It is more appropriate to submit a question on this matter.

Mr. Broughan

Given that the Tánaiste is establishing a new company to run the local employment service, does she intend to introduce legislation to give effect to that? There is a great deal of interest on the part of the partnership companies. When does the Tánaiste expect the legislation to establish the social welfare reserve fund will be introduced?

The Tánaiste

Legislation is not necessary for the first matter raised. It will be next year before legislation will be introduced to establish the social welfare fund. I do not have a date for it.

Mr. R. Bruton

Legislative authority for issuing taxi plates has been reassumed by the Department. Will legislation be placed before the House before Christmas so these plates will be available by then?

An Leas-Cheann Comhairle

There is no legislation promised.

Mr. R. Bruton

Will we have the taxi plates in time for Christmas?

An Leas-Cheann Comhairle

The Order of Business has taken over an hour already and I want to move on.

Mr. R. Bruton

There are people on the streets waiting for an answer.

An Leas-Cheann Comhairle

There is a way to deal with the issue and the Deputy knows that he may submit a question or raise the matter on the Adjournment.

Mr. Dukes

The taxis have been deferred like everything else.

Mr. Flanagan

Will the Tánaiste confirm that legislation will be introduced before the end of the session to regularise the position of Deputy Healy-Rae as a member of the Cabinet?