Dáil Éireann debate -
Tuesday, 14 Dec 1999

Vol. 512 No. 6

Order of Business.

The Taoiseach

The Order of Business today shall be as follows: No. 13 – motion re Double Taxation Relief (Romania) Order, 1999; No. 14 – motion re Double Taxation Relief (The Slovak Republic), Order, 1999; No. 15 – motion re Double Taxation Relief (United States of America) Order, 1999; No. 3 – Appropriation Bill, 1999 – Order for Second Stage and Second and Subsequent Stages; No. 38 – Intoxicating Liquor Bill, 1999 – Report Stage (Resumed) and Final Stage; No. 4 – Temporary Holding Fund for Superannuation Liabilities Bill, 1999 – Order for Second Stage and Second and Subsequent Stages; No. 39 – Fisheries (Amendment) Bill, 1999 – Order for Report and Report and Final Stages; No. 40 – Financial Motions by the Minister for Finance [1999] (Resumed), to be taken not later than 8.30 p.m. and the order shall not resume thereafter.

It is also proposed, notwithstanding anything in Standing Orders, that (1) the Dáil shall sit later than 8.30 p.m. tonight and business shall be interrupted not later than 10.30 p.m.; (2) Nos. 13, 14 and 15 shall be decided without debate; (3) the Second and Subsequent Stages of No. 3, shall be taken today and shall be decided without debate 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 Finance; (4) the Report and Final Stages of No. 38 shall be taken today and the proceedings thereon, if not previously concluded, shall be brought to a conclusion after 45 minutes 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; and (5) the Second and Subsequent Stages of No. 4 shall be taken today and the proceedings thereon, if not previously concluded, shall be brought to a conclusion at 7 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 Finance. Private Members' business shall be No. 92 – motion re social partnership.

An Leas-Cheann Comhairle

There are five proposals to put to the House. Is the proposal for the late sitting agreed? Agreed. Is the proposal for dealing with Nos. 13, 14 and 15 agreed? Agreed. Is the proposal for dealing with No. 3 agreed?

Mr. J. Bruton

No. The Government has already added £250 million to the budget, which was presented a few days ago, and is in the process of adding more to it. We should not discuss any financial business without debate or take No. 40 until the Minister for Finance makes a revised Budget Statement altering all the tables and the various statistics associated with it because the original budget no longer exists.

Mr. Quinn

The Appropriation Bill does not reflect the decisions which have been taken since the budget started its journey through the House. We have been informed that other decisions are likely to be made to which the House is not a party. We are being asked to vote taxpayers' money when the precise amount of that money has not yet been determined. We are not, therefore, prepared to deal with this matter without debate.

Question put: "That the proposal for dealing with item No. 3 be agreed to."

Tá

Ahern, Bertie.Ahern, Dermot.Ahern, Michael.Ardagh, Seán.Aylward, Liam.Brady, Johnny.Brady, Martin.Brennan, Matt.Brennan, Séamus.Briscoe, Ben.Browne, John (Wexford).Byrne, Hugh.Callely, Ivor.

Carey, Pat.Collins, Michael.Cooper-Flynn, Beverley.Coughlan, Mary.Cowen, Brian.Cullen, Martin.Daly, Brendan.de Valera, Síle.Dempsey, Noel.Dennehy, John.Doherty, Seán.Ellis, John.Fleming, Seán. Tá–continued

Flood, Chris.Foley, Denis.Fox, Mildred.Gildea, Thomas.Hanafin, Mary.Harney, Mary.Haughey, Seán.Healy-Rae, Jackie.Jacob, Joe.Kelleher, Billy.Kenneally, Brendan.Killeen, Tony.Kitt, Michael.Kitt, Tom.Lawlor, Liam.Lenihan, Brian.Lenihan, Conor.McCreevy, Charlie.McDaid, James.McGennis, Marian.McGuinness, John.Martin, Micheál.Moffatt, Thomas.

Molloy, Robert.Moynihan, Donal.Moynihan, Michael.Ó Cuív, Éamon.O'Dea, Willie.O'Donoghue, John.O'Flynn, Noel.O'Keeffe, Batt.O'Keeffe, Ned.O'Kennedy, Michael.O'Malley, Desmond.O'Rourke, Mary.Power, Seán.Roche, Dick.Ryan, Eoin.Smith, Brendan.Smith, Michael.Treacy, Noel.Wade, Eddie.Wallace, Dan.Wallace, Mary.Woods, Michael.Wright, G. V.

Níl

Ahearn, Theresa.Allen, Bernard.Barnes, Monica.Barrett, Seán.Bell, Michael.Belton, Louis.Boylan, Andrew.Broughan, Thomas.Browne, John (Carlow-Kilkenny).Bruton, John.Bruton, Richard.Burke, Ulick.Carey, Donal.Clune, Deirdre.Connaughton, Paul.Cosgrave, Michael.Coveney, Simon.Creed, Michael.Currie, Austin.Deasy, Austin.Deenihan, Jimmy.Dukes, Alan.Durkan, Bernard.Finucane, Michael.Fitzgerald, Frances.Flanagan, Charles.Gilmore, Éamon.Gormley, John.Hayes, Brian.Higgins, Jim.Hogan, Philip.Howlin, Brendan.

Kenny, Enda.McCormack, Pádraic.McDowell, Derek.McGahon, Brendan.McManus, Liz.Mitchell, Gay.Mitchell, Jim.Mitchell, Olivia.Moynihan-Cronin, Breeda.Naughten, Denis.Neville, Dan.Noonan, Michael.Ó Caoláin, Caoimhghín.O'Keeffe, Jim.O'Shea, Brian.O'Sullivan, Jan.Owen, Nora.Perry, John.Quinn, Ruairí.Rabbitte, Pat.Reynolds, Gerard.Ring, Michael.Ryan, Seán.Sargent, Trevor.Sheehan, Patrick.Shortall, Róisín.Spring, Dick.Stagg, Emmet.Stanton, David.Upton, Mary.Wall, Jack.Yates, Ivan.

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

Question declared carried.

An Leas-Cheann Comhairle

Is the proposal for dealing with No. 38 agreed? Agreed. Is the proposal for dealing with No. 4 agreed?

Mr. J. Bruton

This is to use up budget surpluses. Is the Taoiseach not getting rid of budget surpluses with all the S-turns, U-turns and Z-turns he is instructing the Minister for Finance to make? This legislation will not be necessary because all the surpluses will be given away in the budget's rapidly ever-changing aspects.

An Leas-Cheann Comhairle

Is the proposal for dealing with No. 4 opposed?

Mr. J. Bruton

When will we reach finality on the Government's budget? When will the Government say "All bets are off, we have now reached the starting gate"? When will the budget be finished? I do not wish to divide the House but the Taoiseach might assist the House by answering a simple question. When will the Government finish tinkering with the budget?

The Taoiseach

We ended that two weeks ago.

Mr. Rabbitte

On the same point, the Minister for Finance has told the House he intends to bring in five budgets. He has already done that – three this year and two previously. Is another budget due from the Minister for Finance and, if so, will he announce it in the House?

Question put: "That the proposal for dealing with item No. 4 be agreed to."

Tá

Ahern, Bertie.Ahern, Dermot.Ahern, Michael.Ardagh, Seán.Aylward, Liam.Brady, Johnny.Brady, Martin.Brennan, Matt.Brennan, Séamus.Briscoe, Ben.Browne, John (Wexford).Byrne, Hugh.Callely, Ivor.Carey, Pat.Collins, Michael.Cooper-Flynn, Beverley.Coughlan, Mary.Cowen, Brian.Cullen, Martin.Daly, Brendan.de Valera, Síle.Dempsey, Noel.Dennehy, John.Doherty, Seán.Ellis, John.Fleming, Seán.Flood, Chris.Foley, Denis.Fox, Mildred.Gildea, Thomas.Hanafin, Mary.Harney, Mary.Haughey, Seán.Healy-Rae, Jackie.Jacob, Joe.Kelleher, Billy.

Kenneally, Brendan.Killeen, Tony.Kirk, Séamus.Kitt, Michael.Kitt, Tom.Lawlor, Liam.Lenihan, Brian.Lenihan, Conor.McCreevy, Charlie.McDaid, James.McGennis, Marian.McGuinness, John.Martin, Micheál.Moffatt, Thomas.Molloy, Robert.Moynihan, Donal.Moynihan, Michael.Ó Cuív, Éamon.O'Dea, Willie.O'Donoghue, John.O'Flynn, Noel.O'Keeffe, Batt.O'Keeffe, Ned.O'Kennedy, Michael.O'Malley, Desmond.O'Rourke, Mary.Power, Seán.Roche, Dick.Ryan, Eoin.Smith, Brendan.Smith, Michael.Treacy, Noel.Wade, Eddie.Wallace, Dan.Wallace, Mary.Woods, Michael.Wright, G. V.

Níl

Ahearn, Theresa.Allen, Bernard.Barnes, Monica.Barrett, Seán.Bell, Michael.Belton, Louis.Boylan, Andrew.Broughan, Thomas.Browne, John (Carlow-Kilkenny).Bruton, John.Bruton, Richard.Burke, Ulick.Carey, Donal.Clune, Deirdre.Connaughton, Paul.Cosgrave, Michael.Coveney, Simon.Creed, Michael.Currie, Austin.Deasy, Austin.Deenihan, Jimmy.Dukes, Alan.Durkan, Bernard.Finucane, Michael.Fitzgerald, Frances.Flanagan, Charles.Gilmore, Éamon.

Gormley, John.Hayes, Brian.Higgins, Jim.Hogan, Philip.Howlin, Brendan.Kenny, Enda.McCormack, Pádraic.McDowell, Derek.McGahon, Brendan.McManus, Liz.Mitchell, Gay.Mitchell, Olivia.Moynihan-Cronin, Breeda.Naughten, Denis.Neville, Dan.Noonan, Michael.Ó Caoláin, Caoimhghín.O'Keeffe, Jim.O'Shea, Brian.O'Sullivan, Jan.Owen, Nora.Perry, John.Quinn, Ruairí.Rabbitte, Pat.Reynolds, Gerard.Ring, Michael. Sargent, Trevor.

Níl–continued

Sheehan, Patrick.Shortall, Róisín.Spring, Dick.Stagg, Emmet.

Stanton, David.Upton, Mary.Wall, Jack.Yates, Ivan.

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

Question declared carried.

Mr. J. Bruton

What is the point of ordering No. 40, which concerns the budget, when the budget is changing? What are the Taoiseach's plans in ordering this item this week given that the budget we are now considering is not the one referred to on the Order Paper, but a new one that is being altered all the time? Can the Minister for Finance be permitted to make a new statement in the debate this evening, revising the existing budget, so that from here on at least the debate can take place on a new statement with new financial tables and all the revised figures? We would facilitate any alteration of standing orders necessary to allow the Minister for Finance to speak twice in this debate, so that he can correct himself.

Mr. Belton

The budget has now become the eighth wonder of the world.

Mr. Quinn

The House is in an unprecedented position. Effectively, we have had a budget that cannot be put through the House in its present form. We have been informed of that by a number of Deputies who still support the Government. The Minister for Finance has indicated a number of changes already, anywhere but in the Chamber. The decency of the House and the self-respect of the Government requires that the Minister for Finance should come to the House at some stage – the standing orders can be changed to facilitate that – to tell us what he is doing, who he is talking to, what changes will occur and how many more alterations there will be before the House votes on the full contents of the budget.

Mr. Belton

Where did he get the extra money? It must have been egg money.

An Leas-Cheann Comhairle

Please allow the Taoiseach to reply without interruption.

The Taoiseach

As is normal, the budget debate goes on for some time after the budget is presented to the House. This year, because of the enormous tax break in the budget, of £1 billion, including £400 million in welfare, more Deputies than normal want to contribute to the debate to praise the budget.

(Interruptions).

Mr. Howlin

That is a joke.

An Leas-Cheann Comhairle

Please allow the Taoiseach to continue without interruption.

The Taoiseach

From next April, tens of thousands of taxpayers will pay less than they otherwise would have, but for this budget. Last week, an effort was made by the Labour Party to stop people speaking in favour of this budget but, thankfully, democracy prevailed and that effort was defeated.

Mr. Rabbitte

The Taoiseach got stick from his own backbenchers.

The Taoiseach

As far as any debates on the substantive issue are concerned, the Finance Bill and the Social Welfare Bill will be debated in March, as in every other year. At this stage, the budget as announced is what is being debated.

Mrs. Owen

What? When will the changes be debated?

The Taoiseach

The Opposition will by now have received submissions from organisations representing the handicapped, sporting organisations, voluntary groups and farming groups who want to declare their support for the budget. I look forward to hearing their comments both tonight and tomorrow night.

Mr. J. Bruton

On this topic—

An Leas-Cheann Comhairle

Deputy Bruton, we have already dealt with this topic by way of a vote. As Deputies are aware, the issue is on the Order Paper for tonight and will be dealt with under No. 40. It is not appropriate to continue this discussion which has already been dealt with.

Mr. J. Bruton

Could the debate tonight be assisted by the Minister for Finance producing revised tables, taking into account the changes in the distribution of benefit between different families at different income levels as a result of the changes that have been announced to the budget since budget day? Could we have revised tables so that at least the debate will take place on up-to-date information?

Mrs. Owen

A reality check.

Mr. J. Bruton

The Minister does not have to bring it out on video or in gold print, just give us the figures.

An Leas-Cheann Comhairle

Please, Deputy Bruton we are not debating this issue.

Mr. Dempsey

We will send Deputy Bruton a calculator.

Mr. Quinn

The Leader of the Fine Gael Party and I specifically asked the Taoiseach a question which he chose not to answer, or perhaps forgot. The question was, in light of the changes that have been announced outside the House since the Budget Statement was first presented, will the Minister for Finance come in today – which is the last day of debate on the budget – to make a statement?

An Leas-Cheann Comhairle

It would be more appropriate to raise that matter during the debate tonight on No. 40.

Mr. Quinn

In all fairness, how could the matter possibly be raised during that debate which will comprise a series of statements? With due respect, the Leas Ceann Comhairle knows the procedure as well as I do.

An Leas-Cheann Comhairle

The matter can be raised tonight.

Mr. Quinn

Is there any shame left?

An Leas-Cheann Comhairle

Who will speak in the debate is not an appropriate question for the Order of Business.

Mr. Quinn

This House is being treated with contempt. The budget is being changed, yet the Minister for Finance is sitting there dumb. Some indication could be given as to whether he will come into the House to explain what has happened.

Mr. D. Carey

The Taoiseach can always find extra money, no matter where.

An Leas-Cheann Comhairle

Deputy Carey, please allow your colleague, Deputy Gay Mitchell, to ask a question appropriate to the Order of Business.

(Interruptions).

Mr. G. Mitchell

On No. 51, a constituent of mine was admitted to the casualty unit of Tallaght Hospital at 6 p.m. yesterday and is still in a wheelchair. I was informed by the hospital—

An Leas-Cheann Comhairle

That is not appropriate to the Order of Business.

Mr. G. Mitchell

I have been informed by the hospital that, as of 3 p.m. today, two people who were admitted to casualty last Friday have still not been allocated beds.

An Leas-Cheann Comhairle

There are other ways of raising that matter. The Deputy may raise it by way of a question on the Adjournment.

Mr. G. Mitchell

Having regard to these three people who since last Friday have been in wheelchairs in the casualty department of Tallaght Hospital, when will the debate resume on No. 51 – statements on the Office of the Ombudsman? The remit of the Ombudsman has to be extended to cover these people who since last Friday have been in the casualty department of Tallaght Hospital without a bed.

An Leas-Cheann Comhairle

The Taoiseach will answer the Deputy's question on No. 51.

Mr. G. Mitchell

He has not even stood up to answer the question. Those three people are up in the casualty department of Tallaght Hospital and they do not even have a bed.

An Leas-Cheann Comhairle

The Deputy will have to resume his seat.

Mr. G. Mitchell

Am I going to get a reply?

Mr. Dempsey

Sit down and you will find out.

An Leas-Cheann Comhairle

I have called on the Taoiseach and Members should allow him to reply.

The Taoiseach

No. 51 – statements on the 1996 annual report of the Ombudsman – has been on the Order Paper for three years and I have no indication from the Whips that they wanted to discuss it before the next millennium.

Mr. G. Mitchell

I will give notice now.

An Leas-Cheann Comhairle

It is not appropriate to give notice now. I ask Deputy Mitchell to resume his seat. I have called Deputy O'Kennedy.

Mr. G. Mitchell

There are 20 people in Tallaght hospital who cannot get a bed.

An Leas-Cheann Comhairle

Does Deputy Mitchell wish to leave the House?

Mr. G. Mitchell

It is a disgrace.

Mr. O'Kennedy

Having regard to the resolutions of this House on 7 October 1997, and subsequently on 1 July 1998, setting up the Tribunal of Inquiry into Certain Planning Matters, which is now known as the Flood tribunal, and having regard to the terms of reference given by this House to that tribunal, one of which was that the tribunal would report back to this House on the progress that has been made in the hearing—

Mr. Stagg

What has that got to do with the Order of Business?

Mr. O'Kennedy

It is on the business of this House. It is the responsibility of this House to follow through on the terms it gave.

An Leas-Cheann Comhairle

Does Deputy O'Kennedy have a question appropriate to the Order of Business?

Mr. O'Kennedy

In so far as this House not only requested but directed that the inquiry be completed in as economical a manner as possible and at the earliest date consistent with a fair examination, having regard to the fact that the tribunal has, two years later, not reported back to this House in any detail and that the amended terms of reference were set after consultation with Mr. Justice Flood—

An Leas-Cheann Comhairle

It is not appropriate to raise—

Mr. O'Kennedy

—will the Taoiseach consult with the Leaders of the other parties—

An Leas-Cheann Comhairle

The Deputy's question is not appropriate to the Order of Business.

Mr. O'Kennedy

I am concerned—

Mr. G. Mitchell

The Deputy is getting away with murder. It does not matter about the people in Tallaght hospital but a Fianna Fáil Deputy can speak for as long as he likes.

An Leas-Cheann Comhairle

I am ruling the Deputy out of order, in the same way I ruled Deputy Mitchell out of order.

Mr. O'Kennedy

—about the interests of the people and the taxpaying public.

An Leas-Cheann Comhairle

The Deputy's question is not appropriate to the Order of Business. I call Deputy Gormley.

Mr. Stagg

It is a scuttle job.

Mr. O'Kennedy

Will the Taoiseach ask—

An Leas-Cheann Comhairle

This is not appropriate. The Deputy must find another way to raise the matter. I call Deputy Gormley.

Mr. Gormley

Is the Taoiseach aware the Minister for the Environment and Local Government has promised us legislation on electoral reform and direct elections for mayors, a tax on plastic bags, a carbon tax to deal with the problem of global warming and legislation on the Environmental Protection Agency?

Mr. Belton

He is the Minister for promises.

Mr. Gormley

He has promised all this and more, but in two and a half years he has delivered absolutely nothing.

(Interruptions).

An Leas-Cheann Comhairle

Has the Deputy a question appropriate to the Order of Business?

Mr. Gormley

The question is—

Mr. J. Bruton

The question is "Is it worth a photo opportunity?".

Mr. Gormley

—given the fact that one of his few constructive proposals to deal with the environmental crisis was to tell housewives to put a brick in their toilet cisterns last week—

(Interruptions).

An Leas-Cheann Comhairle

I call Deputy Jim Higgins.

Mr. Gormley

—is the Minister the appropriate man to hold this office?

An Leas-Cheann Comhairle

I call Deputy Jim Higgins on a question appropriate to the Order of Business.

Mr. Gormley

When is the Taoiseach going to get rid of the Minister for the Environment and Local Government?

An Leas-Cheann Comhairle

I ask Deputy Gormley to resume his seat.

Mr. Gormley

Does the Minister's attitude reflect the appalling attitude of the Government to the environment?

(Interruptions).

An Leas-Cheann Comhairle

Deputy Gormley, please. I have called Deputy Jim Higgins.

Mr. Gormley

On a point of order, I asked about five items of legislation.

An Leas-Cheann Comhairle

The Deputy did not ask a question.

Mr. Gormley

On a point of order, I listed five items of legislation that I—

An Leas-Cheann Comhairle

The Deputy did not ask a question about them.

Mr. Gormley

I did. I asked if the Taoiseach was aware of this promised legislation and when we would see it. Will we have to wait another two and a half years?

(Interruptions).

Mr. Gormley

Absolutely useless.

An Leas-Cheann Comhairle

The Taoiseach, on promised legislation.

Mrs. Owen

Another brick in the wall.

The Taoiseach

The Planning and Development Bill was published on 25 August, three and a half months ago, and the local government reform Bill should be published in January or February.

An Leas-Cheann Comhairle

Deputy Jim Higgins.

Mr. Gormley

On a point of order—

An Leas-Cheann Comhairle

I have called Deputy Jim Higgins. I will call Deputy Gormley again if he has an appropriate question.

Mr. Gormley

I asked about much more than that. When will we get electoral reform?

Mr. O'Kennedy

Is there no concern about the ongoing cost of the Flood tribunal?

An Leas-Cheann Comhairle

I ask Deputy O'Kennedy to resume his seat.

Mr. Gormley

When will there be direct elections for mayors? I want answers to my questions.

An Leas-Cheann Comhairle

I call Deputy Jim Higgins.

Mr. Gormley

This man has got away for too long. I want—

An Leas-Cheann Comhairle

I have called Deputy Jim Higgins and I will call Deputy Gormley again.

Mr. Gormley

On a point of order—

An Leas-Cheann Comhairle

Deputy Gormley, on a point of order.

Mr. Gormley

It is only fair that I get answers to my questions.

Mr. Dempsey

The Deputy should table a question to me.

Mr. Gormley

I have tabled a number of questions.

Mr. Dempsey

The Deputy has not tabled a question to me for ages.

Mr. Belton

That is ambition – now we know who is looking for what.

Mr. Gormley

That is because I do not get in. When will we see a tax on plastic bags? When will see a carbon tax? When will we see legislation on the EPA? Can I have answers to those questions?

(Interruptions).

An Leas-Cheann Comhairle

The Taoiseach, on promised legislation.

The Taoiseach

The heads of the Bill are expected in February. It will be published later in the year.

(Interruptions).

An Leas-Cheann Comhairle

Deputy Jim Higgins.

Mr. Belton

Deputy Roche came out of the bushes yesterday.

Mr. Finucane

He ambushed the Minister.

An Leas-Cheann Comhairle

Deputy Jim Higgins must be allowed speak.

Mr. Higgins

(Mayo): There have been four tragic prison suicides in the past two months, the latest at 3 a.m. yesterday when a 35 year old man hanged himself in Mountjoy Prison.

An Leas-Cheann Comhairle

Has the Deputy a question on legislation?

Mr. Higgins

(Mayo): Will the Taoiseach give an absolute guarantee that the prison service Bill, which is long overdue and has been in gestation for three years, will be a priority for the Government, in order to bring some semblance of order to the present chaos and catastrophe of our prison system?

The Taoiseach

The Bill will have priority and is expected later next year.

Mr. Rabbitte

I wonder if Deputy O'Kennedy's other place of employment has approved this campaign he has undertaken.

An Leas-Cheann Comhairle

That is not appropriate. I want to conclude the Order of Business.

Mr. Rabbitte

I was going to ask—

Mr. O'Kennedy

The Deputy is an expert on tribunals.

An Leas-Cheann Comhairle

The Deputy must allow Deputy Rabbitte to ask a question appropriate to the Order of Business.

Mr. O'Kennedy

He wanted personal papers to be sent to the tribunal.

An Leas-Cheann Comhairle

Deputy O'Kennedy must allow Deputy Rabbitte to ask a question appropriate to the Order of Business.

(Interruptions).

Mr. Rabbitte

This is a convenient time for Deputy O'Kennedy – it would be rough if it was 10.30 a.m. Is the Taoiseach as dissatisfied as the rest of the country with the size of the Minister of State, Deputy Brennan's, candle?

An Leas-Cheann Comhairle

That is not appropriate to the Order of Business. I call Deputy Quinn.

Mr. Rabbitte

I am not finished, a Leas-Cheann Comhairle. Will two income families—

An Leas-Cheann Comhairle

That is not appropriate to the Order of Business.

Mr. Rabbitte

—get two candles?

(Interruptions).

Mr. Rabbitte

When will the question of low pay be dealt with in the context of the budget? Will there be an announcement by the Minister for Finance—

An Leas-Cheann Comhairle

I call Deputy Sargent.

Mr. Rabbitte

Will the minimum pay Bill be rewritten to take account of the fact that low paid people were not dealt with in the budget?

An Leas-Cheann Comhairle

That matter arises in Private Members' time tonight. I call Deputy Sargent.

Mr. Rabbitte

The minimum pay Bill is promised legislation.

Mr. D. Carey

The Taoiseach will find extra money.

An Leas-Cheann Comhairle

The Taoiseach, on promised legislation.

The Taoiseach

Minimum pay comes into effect next April. There will be minimum pay legislation. As Deputy Rabbitte knows, this Government promised a minimum pay Bill, unlike the Government of which he was a member which could not have cared less about a minimum pay Bill.

Mr. Quinn

The Taoiseach is the Minister for promises.

Mr. Sargent

Nach bhfuil sé in am an national minimum wage Bill a thabhairt chun cinn? Tá care assistants ar £2.50. Ní féidir daoine employ care assistants on those wages. Nach bhfuil sé in am, thar an Nollaig ach go háirithe, an national minimum wage Bill a thabhairt chun cinn, nó na socraithe a thabhairt chun cinn, de bharr go mbeidh Nollaig éigin ag daoine atá le mí chumas? Care assistants cannot be employed on those wages.

An Leas-Cheann Comhairle

The Taoiseach has dealt with that. I call Deputy Quinn and I will then call Deputy Sargent for a final question.

Mr. Sargent

Taispeánfadh—

An Leas-Cheann Comhairle

The Taoiseach has already dealt with that.

Mr. Sargent

Not satisfactorily. Mí Aibreán, a dúirt sé. Will he not stand up and answer the question? Tá sé ró-phráinneach.

The Taoiseach

Deputy Sargent was not listening to me.

Mr. Sargent

Bhí mé ag éisteacht go géar.

The Taoiseach

I said it is effective from 1 April. The legislation will be passed well in advance of that. The legislation is almost ready. I stated that the Government has a minimum wage Bill, whereas the last Government did not even promise to do anything about the minimum wage.

Mrs. Owen

We have not got the Bill yet.

Mr. Quinn

This Government also promised that priority would be given to legislation to give effect to the Good Friday Agreement, which has now happily moved on. It is almost the second anniversary of its signing, let alone enactment on 22 May. Will the Taoiseach indicate what items of priority legislation have not yet been published or enacted?

The Taoiseach

The human rights Bill has not yet been enacted but it is before the House. Most of the other legislation is now either before the House or has already been passed. I cannot readily think of any outstanding Bill.

Mr. Quinn

Will the Taoiseach indicate—

Mrs. Owen

What about the insurance Bill?

The Taoiseach

It was considered by the Government this morning.

Mrs. Owen

When will it be published?

The Taoiseach

In the next few days.

Mr. Quinn

Today's newspapers carry reports that the Government was going to consider the issue of immigration today. Will legislation be promised as a result of today's discussions or was the newspaper report accurate?

An Leas-Cheann Comhairle

Is legislation promised?

The Taoiseach

There are a number of changes in the Government's proposals which will be announced by the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform.

Mr. Howlin

In the House?

An Leas-Cheann Comhairle

I will take a final question on the Order of Business from Deputy Boylan.

Mr. Boylan

Respect and dignity are words often used in this House. How can the Taoiseach justify his decision taken yesterday to ignore the just claims of the people of Cavan and Monaghan for one of the regional offices of the cross-Border institutions?

An Leas-Cheann Comhairle

That matter is not appropriate to the Order of Business. We are moving on to an announcement by the Minister of State at the Department of the Taoiseach, Deputy Seamus Brennan, on Irish representation at the Council of Europe.

The Taoiseach

I hope Cavan and Monaghan will get a substantial body.

Mr. Boylan

How can the Taoiseach justify his decision given that the people of Cavan and Monaghan have suffered so much as a result of the violence?

Mr. D. Carey

It is a Dublin Government for Dublin people.

An Leas-Cheann Comhairle

I call the Minister of State. The Order of Business is concluded.

(Interruptions).

An Leas-Cheann Comhairle

I call the Minister of State at the Department of the Taoiseach.