Dáil Éireann debate -
Wednesday, 26 Jun 2002

Vol. 553 No. 6

Order of Business.

The Taoiseach

The Order of Business today shall be as follows: No. 21, motion re Council decision concerning the signing of the agreement between the European Community and the Government of the Special Administrative Region of the People's Republic of China on the readmission of persons residing without authorisation; No. 22, motion re Council decision concerning the conclusion of the agreement between the European Community and the Government of the Special Administrative Region of the People's Republic of China on the readmission of persons residing without authorisation; No. 22a, motion re Council regulation on a European enforcement order for uncontested claims and a Council regulation concerning jurisdiction and the recognition and enforcement of judgments in matrimonial matters and matters of parental responsibility; No. 6, Houses of the Oireachtas Commission Bill, 2002 – Order for Second Stage and Second Stage; No. 7, Arts Bill, 2002 – Order for Second Stage and Second Stage.

It is proposed, notwithstanding anything in Standing Orders, that the proceedings on Nos. 21 and 22 shall, if not previously concluded, be brought to a conclusion after 30 minutes in each case and the following arrangements shall apply in each case: the speech of a Minister or Minister of State, the main spokespersons for the Fine Gael Party, the Labour Party and a representative of the non-group Members, and of each other Member called upon, shall not exceed five minutes in each case and Members may share time; that the proceedings on No. 22a shall, if not previously concluded, be brought to a conclusion after 60 minutes and the following arrangements shall apply: the speech of a Minister or Minister of State, the main spokespersons for the Fine Gael Party, the Labour Party and a representative of the non-group Members, and of each other Member called upon, shall not exceed 10 minutes in each case and Members may share time; that Question Time tomorrow shall be taken at 3.30 p.m. until 4.45 p.m. and in the event of a private notice question being allowed, it shall be taken at 4.15 p.m. and the order shall not resume thereafter. Private Members' Business shall be No. 35, motion regarding tourism (resumed), to conclude at 8.30 p.m. tonight.

An Ceann Comhairle

There are three proposals to put to the House. Is the proposal for dealing with Nos. 21 and 22, motions re Council decisions, agreed to?

Mr. Quinn

No, sir. Yesterday this House discussed the forthcoming second referendum on the Treaty of Nice. In the context of that debate, we raised questions concerning the role of the Oireachtas, representing the citizens of this State, in terms of the scrutiny of legislation emanating from Council decisions. These matters arise from the Fourth Protocol to the Treaty of Amsterdam and, in effect, the House is being asked to rubber stamp them. Had the House been sitting for some time, there would be committees to which these matters would normally be referred. However, the committees are not yet constituted because the Seanad elections are not completed.

We are not prepared to accept this rubber stamp device in the House today. It will further alienate the sense people have of the job we have been elected to do – to scrutinise legislation. One of the proposals – not the first matter the Taoiseach has put before us – relates to issues of such intimacy as matrimonial relations and parental responsibility. One could have a situation where citizens could find themselves subject to laws which were never effectively scrutinised and passed through this House. It is the wrong way for this new Government to do its business and, frankly, I am appalled that the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform is bringing forward these measures, having regard to his much vaunted concerns and reservations about the way the European Union is evolving. We are opposed to taking these matters today.

The Taoiseach

Tomorrow, the House will set up the Select Committee on European Affairs to deal with other matters. In relation to these particular matters, there is a time limit of the middle of August. It cannot be done any other way. That is the reason for doing it this way.

Mr. Quinn

I put it to the Taoiseach that one matter was referred to us in May and the other on 7 June. It is simply not the way to do business. The Government may have an overall majority, but it is not an elected dictatorship. We are not prepared to accept this procedure.

Question put: "That the proposal for dealing with Nos. 21 and 22 be agreed to."

Tá

Ahern, Bertie.Ahern, Dermot.Ahern, Michael.Ahern, Noel.Andrews, Barry.Ardagh, Seán.Aylward, Liam.Brady, Johnny.Brady, Martin.Brennan, Seamus.Browne, John.Callanan, Joe.Callely, Ivor.Carey, Pat.Carty, John.Cassidy, Donie.Collins, Michael.Connolly, Paudge.Cooper-Flynn, Beverley.Coughlan, Mary.Cregan, John.Cullen, Martin.Curran, John.Davern, Noel.de Valera, Síle.Dempsey, Noel.Dempsey, Tony.Dennehy, John.Devins, Jimmy.Ellis, John.Fahey, Frank.Finneran, Michael.Fitzpatrick, Dermot.Fleming, Seán.Glennon, Jim.Grealish, Noel.Hanafin, Mary.Haughey, Seán.Healy-Rae, Jackie.Hoctor, Máire.Jacob, Joe.

Keaveney, Cecilia.Kelleher, Billy.Kelly, Peter.Killeen, Tony.Kirk, Seamus.Kitt, Tom.Lenihan, Brian.Lenihan, Conor.McCreevy, Charlie.McDowell, Michael.McEllistrim, Thomas.McGuinness, John.McHugh, Paddy.Moloney, John.Moynihan, Donal.Moynihan, Michael.Mulcahy, Michael.Nolan, M. J.Ó Fearghaíl, Seán.O'Connor, Charlie.O'Dea, Willie.O'Donnell, Liz.O'Donoghue, John.O'Donovan, Denis.O'Flynn, Noel.O'Keeffe, Ned.O'Malley, Fiona.O'Malley, Tim.Parlon, Tom.Power, Peter.Power, Seán.Ryan, Eoin.Sexton, Mae.Smith, Brendan.Smith, Michael.Treacy, Noel.Wallace, Dan.Walsh, Joe.Wilkinson, Ollie.Woods, Michael.Wright, G. V.

Níl

Allen, Bernard.Boyle, Dan.Broughan, Thomas P.Bruton, Richard.Connaughton, Paul.Costello, Joe.Coveney, Simon.Crawford, Seymour.Deasy, John.Deenihan, Jimmy.Durkan, Bernard J.English, Damien.Enright, Olwyn.Ferris, Martin.Gogarty, Paul.Gormley, John.Gregory, Tony.Hayes, Tom.Healy, Seamus.Higgins, Joe.Higgins, Michael D.Hogan, Phil.Howlin, Brendan.Kenny, Enda.Lynch, Kathleen.McGrath, Finian.

McGrath, Paul.McManus, Liz.Mitchell, Gay.Moynihan-Cronin, Breeda.Naughten, Denis.Neville, Dan.Noonan, Michael.Ó Caoláin, Caoimhghín.Ó Snodaigh, Aengus.O'Dowd, Fergus.O'Shea, Brian.O'Sullivan, Jan.Pattison, Seamus.Penrose, Willie.Perry, John.Quinn, Ruairí.Rabbitte, Pat.Ring, Michael.Ryan, Seán.Sargent, Trevor.Sherlock, Joe.Shortall, Róisín.Stagg, Emmet.Stanton, David.Timmins, Billy.Upton, Mary.

Tellers: Tá, Deputies Hanafin and S. Power; Níl, Deputies Durkan and Stagg.

Question declared carried.

An Ceann Comhairle

Is the proposal for dealing with No. 22a, motion re Council regulation agreed to?

Mr. Quinn

This matter was not signified to us last Friday when the draft schedule was circulated. The procedure adopted by the Government is totally unacceptable, notwithstanding the fact that it may have been adopted by previous Administrations. The 18th amendment of the Constitution which ratified the Amsterdam treaty made specific provision for the Oireachtas to properly scrutinise measures such as the one before us and while I will not divide the House on this occasion, I ask the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform to have regard for the absolute necessity to change practice in relation to this matter.

Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin

I also wish to register my concern at the way this matter has been placed on the Order Paper. Not only was it not signalled in the schedule as circularised at the end of last week, it was also not referred to at all in the discussed content of the Order for Business for this week at the Whips meeting last week. There was no prior notice. The document laid before the Oireachtas on 7 June is a very complex legal one which requires careful scrutiny. We only received notice yesterday that it was coming before the House. This is a very imperfect way of doing business and I wish to record the objection of the Sinn Féin Party to what I regard as wilfully introducing matter on which Members do not have the proper opportunity to prepare.

Mr. Durkan

Like other speakers, I wish to point out the unacceptability of the production of a revised Order of Business. We did not have any forewarning last weekend. While I know these are technical proposals, I would have thought the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform would set a new standard in regard to notifying the Opposition in regard to the proposals for business.

Another practice seems to have been introduced in the new Dáil, that of allowing one Minister take all matters on the Adjournment. This is a practice which is totally unacceptable and without precedent.

An Ceann Comhairle

That does not arise at this point in time.

Mr. Durkan

But it does affect the order of business in a meaningful way. I am setting down a marker now. We do not expect that practice in the future.

Mr. Sargent

On behalf of the Green Party, I also want to register our objection to the taking of the motion on the Council Regulation on the European Enforcement Order. Again it seems to reflect an undemocratic and autocratic approach, particularly regarding European matters, which must stop. I ask that the Government would indicate to us what overriding considerations can be identified to argue that there is any justification for bringing forward an item, of which the Whips have not been made aware, and which is, from our point of view, completely unacceptable in any democratic parliament.

An Ceann Comhairle

Is the question agreed to?

Mr. Sargent

There is no overriding reason, is there?

The Taoiseach

I explained the reason earlier.

Question, "That the proposal for dealing with No. 22a be agreed to,” put and declared carried.

An Ceann Comhairle

Is proposal No. 3 regarding the taking of Question Time tomorrow agreed to?

Mr. Sargent

It is not agreed. First, the taking of questions which do not allow for any participation by many Members of the Opposition on Priority Questions cannot be acceptable in itself. There are a number of groups which are not given recognition during Priority Questions – the Green Party, Sinn Féin, the Socialist Party Deputy and Independent Deputies. We will be objecting to it on that basis alone.

However, there is the added insult to this House in the fact that the referendum Bill is apparently not to be published until after Foreign Affairs questions.

An Ceann Comhairle

That does not arise now. In fact, the Chair has given you some latitude because we are dealing with the timing of Question Time.

Mr. Sargent

It is the one opportunity during which this House can be accountable to the people and the Government can be accountable to this House.

Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin

I wish to object to the proposal regarding Question Time tomorrow. I do so on the grounds that I am a member of a party which does not have the opportunity to participate in an important aspect of business conduct in this Chamber, namely, Priority Questions. It is a key and crucial vehicle for all Members, yet the Green Party, Sinn Féin and the Independent Deputies, including Deputy Higgins, are excluded.

An Ceann Comhairle

The question before us deals exclusively with the time at which questions will be taken tomorrow.

Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin

Nevertheless it is about Question Time tomorrow and it is not only a time consideration.

An Ceann Comhairle

The Standing Order provides for a brief statement relating to the proposal before us.

Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin

It is the fact that we have a two-tier system of representation, recognition and respect in this Chamber and, therefore, I strongly object.

Question put: "That the proposal for the taking of Question Time tomorrow be agreed to."

Tá

Ahern, Bertie.Ahern, Dermot.Ahern, Michael.Ahern, Noel.Andrews, Barry.Ardagh, Seán.Aylward, Liam.Brady, Johnny.Brady, Martin.Brennan, Seamus.Browne, John.Callanan, Joe.Callely, Ivor.Carey, Pat.Carty, John.Cassidy, Donie.Collins, Michael.Cooper-Flynn, Beverley.Coughlan, Mary.Cregan, John.Cullen, Martin.Curran, John.Davern, Noel.de Valera, Síle.Dempsey, Noel.Dempsey, Tony.Dennehy, John.Devins, Jimmy.Ellis, John.Fahey, Frank.Finneran, Michael.Fitzpatrick, Dermot.

Glennon, Jim.Grealish, Noel.Hanafin, Mary.Haughey, Seán.Healy-Rae, Jackie.Hoctor, Máire.Jacob, Joe.Keaveney, Cecilia.Kelleher, Billy.Kelly, Peter.Killeen, Tony.Kirk, Seamus.Kitt, Tom.Lenihan, Brian.Lenihan, Conor.McCreevy, Charlie.McDowell, Michael.McEllistrim, Thomas.McGuinness, John.Moloney, John.Moynihan, Donal.Moynihan, Michael.Mulcahy, Michael.Nolan, M. J.Ó Fearghaíl, Seán.O'Connor, Charlie.O'Dea, Willie.O'Donnell, Liz.O'Donoghue, John.O'Donovan, Denis.O'Flynn, Noel. O'Keeffe, Ned.

Tá–continued

O'Malley, Fiona.O'Malley, Tim.Parlon, Tom.Power, Peter.Power, Seán.Ryan, Eoin.Sexton, Mae.Smith, Brendan.

Smith, Michael.Treacy, Noel.Wallace, Dan.Walsh, Joe.Wilkinson, Ollie.Woods, Michael.Wright, G. V.

Níl

Boyle, Dan.Broughan, Thomas P.Costello, Joe.Ferris, Martin.Gogarty, Paul.Gormley, John.Gregory, Tony.Harkin, Marian.Healy, Seamus.Higgins, Joe.Higgins, Michael D.Howlin, Brendan.Lynch, Kathleen.McGrath, Finian.McManus, Liz.

Moynihan-Cronin, Breeda.Ó Caoláin, Caoimhghín.Ó Snodaigh, Aengus.O'Shea, Brian.O'Sullivan, Jan.Pattison, Seamus.Penrose, Willie.Quinn, Ruairí.Rabbitte, Pat.Ryan, Seán.Sargent, Trevor.Sherlock, Joe.Shortall, Róisín.Stagg, Emmet.Upton, Mary.

Tellers: Tá, Deputies Hanafin and S. Power; Níl, Deputies Boyle and Ó Snodaigh.

Question declared carried.

Mr. Kenny

The Forfás report on prices confirms what many people have believed for some time, namely, that inflation is growing and price increases are being introduced across a range of consumer products and services. The report indicates that the cost of living in this country is the second highest in the euro zone. Finland is the only country in which it is now more expensive to live. It also confirms the trends revealed in a similar report, contested by RGDATA, comparing prices in Dublin and St. Tropez. While some of these dramatic price increases may well be attributable to the euro changeover, it is also clear, as the reports reveal, along with a continuing headline rate of 4.8%, that there is a serious and persistent inflation problem. The report indicates that the sectors in which prices rose unusually sharply during the changeover included dentists', doctors' and opticians' fees, pharmaceutical products, cinemas, package holidays, beer, spirits and soft drinks in licensed premises, restaurant meals, hairdressers and the provision of services to householders.

Does the Taoiseach accept that the Government has taken its eye off the ball? Does he accept that the continuing rise in the inflation rate is now one of the most serious economic difficulties facing the country and that it is affecting the daily lives of thousands of people struggling to make ends meet? Could he advise the House on his proposals to reverse this trend?

Mr. Quinn

Does the Taoiseach now regret the refusal of his previous Government to introduce some form of price control in January, three months from the conversion to the euro, so that we could have clearly monitored the profiteering that seems to have taken place in a limited number of areas? In light of the reporting on the Forfás report in today's newspapers, does the Government intend to introduce a programme of enhanced competition in protected private sector areas which are not open to the forces of competition that can bring down prices?

The Taoiseach

Forfás commissioned this report last February at the request of the Minister of State at the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment, Deputy Tom Kitt, to identify any unusual price movements during the euro changeover period and to examine the comparative price levels across the euro zone countries. The comparative analysis was taken back to 1999. PricewaterhouseCoopers carried out the research in collaboration with Joe Durkan of UCD. I do not have a copy of the report. Forfás has not yet given the report to the Government but, according to the reports, which I assume are accurate because they usually are in these cases, the findings were that there was no widespread profiteering associated with the euro changeover. However, in specific areas some unusual price increases have been identified. These include doctors', dentists' and opticians' fees, food prices in restaurants and the price of alcoholic drink in pubs and off-licences.

In reply to Deputies Kenny and Quinn, when the Government receives this report it will examine it in detail and set about taking action where it can. Other comparative work done over the last six months also shows that wage increases have risen and outstripped those of other countries. Together with the fact that inflation has been quite high over the last number of years, this means that our ranking will have gone right up. We have been rising in the rankings for the last seven or eight years, so the fact that we are second does not surprise me.

The Government will, of course, give close attention to the findings of the report as soon as we receive it and, as we have done in recent years, we will focus on bringing about greater competition, in the interest of consumers, in the areas identified. These areas are clearly the professions. This is not the first report to identify this: it has been outlined in the regulatory report I published last February and identified in the regulatory work which is continuing in a number of Departments to deal with these issues. The root cause of a number of problems in the professions is the regulatory regime we operate, which is fairly closed.

Mr. Kenny

I do not know whether the Taoiseach has noticed the increased price of drink in his own local but it seems that everybody feels they are getting less for their money. We may have the second highest level of prices in Europe but we do not have the second highest level of wages. This is a critical matter for hundreds of thousands of families.

Does the Taoiseach accept that in 1997, when he came into office, he inherited an inflation rate of 1.5%, which was then the lowest in Europe, and that after five years of Fianna Fáil and PD Government, the inflation rate is now 4.8%, which is double the European average? Has he discussed this with the Cabinet? Does he intend to take measures to reduce inflation, which is putting so many families under pressure?

The Taoiseach

With economic growth rates averaging 7.5% to 8% over a number of years, inflationary pressures were inevitable. All our economic policies aim to address that and to keep inflation as low as possible. It is a fact that our wage levels, as shown in all the comparative analyses, are some of the highest in the euro zone. That is a fact and a feature of the situation. All of these matters will need to be examined in the report but report or no report, greater competition and regulatory reform are absolutely essential to keep order on prices. It is clear from reading the reports of the Forfás survey that these price increases are not just related to the euro changeover.

Mr. Quinn

In the interests of social partnership and the maintenance of good relations between workers and employers, will the Taoiseach raise with the board of Ardagh plc, a company in my constituency that reported profits last year of €49 million, its refusal to implement a Labour Court recommendation to grant five weeks' termination to workers being made redundant in the interest of profit? The plant is currently being occupied by these workers who have co-operated over a number of years with this company and have been treated in an outrageous fashion. Will he endeavour, through IBEC, with which this Government is intimately connected, to have this matter raised directly? It is undermining confidence in social partnership in a manner that does no good to anybody who is working in this country.

Mr. Kenny

In view of the fact that he was one of the principal architects of the continuation of social partnership, which is very important for the economic wellbeing of the country, will the Taoiseach give us an indication of how things are progressing on that front?

The Taoiseach

I will take up the matters requested by Deputy Quinn. This has gone on for some time and it would be best to deal with it through the social partners and the implementation group. The Deputy has asked me to take it up with IBEC.

Mr. Quinn

No, with the company.

The Taoiseach

I will take it up with them. I presume the company is represented by IBEC, as the Deputy said. The work of social partnership continues and discussions on the next round of social partnership, whether there is to be an agreement or not, will take place in the autumn.

Mr. Quinn

These workers are an example of workers who have lost their jobs over the last number of years and have been denied the redundancy packages recommended by the Labour Court. It is not that there is a lack of money in the social insurance fund. The Taoiseach's Government, in the last budget, raided the fund, which is not the Government's money but belongs to the employers and the workers. It is a separate fund. It was raided to the tune of €635 million to make this budget appear to balance its books. The cost of the package in relation to the IGB, for example, is €24 million, less than half the profits declared by this company. A change is required in the legislation. My colleague, Deputy Rabbitte, has repeatedly asked for the legislation to be amended to bring it in line with normal Labour Court recommendations which are, on average, a minimum of two weeks per year. Is the Taoiseach prepared in light of the amount of money in the social insurance fund to amend the legislation to bring it into line with what has been the practice of the Labour Court for some time and to make it retrospective for workers such as those in Peerless Rugs in Athy and others who lost their jobs through liquidation and where the liquidator had no discretion to pay above the statutory recommendations?

The Taoiseach

There are a number of points. The social insurance fund is in considerable surplus so there is no difficulty. The Deputy's interpretation appeared to suggest that, because some money was taken out of the fund, it was in deficit. There is no difficulty with any drawdown from the social insurance fund because it is in considerable surplus. The traditional practice is that any Labour Court decision should be honoured. I have always taken that view and have always insisted that the Government take it. We have always stuck to them. Even in difficult years Labour Court recommendations have been honoured by Government. In this case, a private company is involved which obviously is not honouring its commitments following negotiations. I will take up that matter.

On the legislation, the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment stated previously that she had begun the preparation of new legislation. I am sure that will form part of the September list of new legislation.

Mr. Hogan

Has the Taoiseach any proposals to amend the Competition Acts to bring about greater competition in the marketplace, especially in light of a recent Forfás report on prices in the context of the euro changeover and other factors in the economy which the Government has failed to address over a considerable period?

The Taoiseach

There is no specific legislation but the regulatory reform committee across a number of Departments is working in several areas, such as electricity, insurance and gas, and examining these issues.

Mr. Naughten

The Government programme made a commitment to plan the break-up of the Aer Rianta control of Shannon, Cork and Dublin airports. In light of the Forfás report and a report published yesterday on Ireland losing its free economy rating, when will that decision be taken and the legislation brought forward, especially given Aer Rianta's objection to competition in car parking at Dublin Airport?

The Taoiseach

The relevant Minister will bring forward legislation in due course if it is required. It is to separate the board functions of Aer Rianta.

Mr. Quinn

Is it the Government's intention to publish legislation to give effect to a second referendum on the Treaty of Nice and will the Taoiseach confirm that the legislation will be published tomorrow morning so that questions can be asked of the Minister for Foreign Affairs tomorrow afternoon assuming they are in order?

The Taoiseach

The legislation is to be published. I do not know exactly when.

Mr. Quinn

It would be a facilitation of the democratic process and the principles of transparency which are required if the legislation were published. The Taoiseach controls the timetable. Will he give an undertaking to the House that it will be published before noon tomorrow?

The Taoiseach

It will be published as soon as possible. I was in the House from 2.30 p.m. until 8.50 p.m. yesterday answering questions in this regard and it was not affected by the legislation.

Mr. Boyle

When will time be made available to debate and decide upon the Data Protection (Amendment) Bill given the report of the data protection commissioner who was responsible for drafting the legislation and who highlighted the fact that the European directive upon which it is based has been effective since 1995?

The Taoiseach

The Data Protection (Amendment) Bill has come from the Seanad. It was published some time ago and will be reinstated on Second Stage.

Mr. R. Bruton

Yesterday the Minister for Finance indicated that the budget would be on 4 December. Will the Taoiseach give an undertaking that all the tax increases and social welfare changes will come into force on 1 January, the due date, and that we will not have the scenario of arrears—

An Ceann Comhairle

That does not arise on the Order of Business.

Mr. R. Bruton

It is a matter of the ordering of business in the House. We made a decision that the budget would be held earlier in the year to permit these things to happen.

An Ceann Comhairle

The Deputy should put a question.

Mr. R. Bruton

The Government will seek amending tax legislation to allow late payment and this is a matter relevant to the House.

An Ceann Comhairle

Not at this stage.

Mr. Durkan

Does the Taoiseach propose to encourage amendment of the consumer protection laws to prevent a recurrence of the rip-off of consumers in the past six months—

An Ceann Comhairle

That does not arise.

Mr. Durkan

—given that we are heading into the summer recess and, if no action is taken or flagged, there will be a repetition?

Ms McManus

There is clear evidence that a number of major acute hospitals are experiencing budget overruns and this has serious implications for the carrying out of procedures for the rest of the year.

An Ceann Comhairle

The Deputy should ask a question appropriate to the Order of Business.

Ms McManus

Does the Taoiseach intend to introduce a Supplementary Estimate to ensure the hospitals and the health boards continue to provide services?

An Ceann Comhairle

Is it intended to bring in a Supplementary Estimate?

The Taoiseach

I do not believe so.

Aengus Ó Snodaigh

Does the Taoiseach have any proposal to bring in legislation or a ministerial order to extend the period of protective rent control which lapses this month for a number of dwellings in Dublin and throughout the country? In his reply to a similar question last week, a non-committal answer was given which is not good enough considering the urgency of the matter.

The Taoiseach

An order dealing with that matter will be signed tomorrow.

Mr. Crawford

Does the Taoiseach intend to introduce legislation or does it exist to ensure the Minister for Health and Children can control what is happening in health board areas? I am talking especially about the fact that Monaghan General Hospital may have its accident and emergency—

An Ceann Comhairle

That does not arise on the Order of Business. The Deputy should submit a question.

Mr. Crawford

It arises in so far as Monaghan General Hospital is concerned and the Ceann Comhairle is aware of that. The position is serious.

Mr. Broughan

Will the Taoiseach bring forward as a matter of urgency legislation dealing with the social economy as was promised a few years ago given that the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment is imposing massive cuts throughout the child care sector, the drug—

An Ceann Comhairle

That does not arise. Is legislation promised?

Mr. Broughan

I am asking about legislation. The Taoiseach knows we are losing community employment places with 55% going in Dublin and Cork.

An Ceann Comhairle

If the Chair were to allow Deputies to ask questions about the introduction of legislation which has not been promised, we would be here all day.

Mr. Broughan

We urgently need legislation in this regard and the Taoiseach knows it.

Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin

Regarding No. 35a on the Order Paper which is a motion in my name proposing that the Twenty-fifth Amendment to the Constitution Bill, 2001, which had reached Second Stage prior to the dissolution of the Dáil on 25 April last, be restored to the Order Paper, has the Government, on the advice of Iveagh House and the Minister for Foreign Affairs, set its face against enshrining neutrality in the Constitution?

An Ceann Comhairle

The first part of the question is in order. I call the Taoiseach on when it is proposed to restore the Bill to the Order Paper.

Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin

Will the Government provide some of its time for the moving of this motion and for the passage of the Bill which seeks to put neutrality in the Constitution? It is my belief that a majority in the House would favour it—

An Ceann Comhairle

The Deputy is making a speech. He has asked his question.

Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin

—including the Taoiseach's colleague, the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources, something I welcome.

An Ceann Comhairle

I call the Taoiseach on the restoration of the Bill to the Order Paper.

The Taoiseach

I do not oppose the restoration of the Bill.

Mr. Naughten

In light of the spiralling cost of insurance for companies, the number of fraudulent claims taken every year and the huge cost this is placing on State companies such as CIE, when will we see the legislative package for reforming the insurance sector?

The Taoiseach

The Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment hopes to publish a detailed report on the 67 recommendations and how they will be dealt with by Government in due course.

An Ceann Comhairle

We now move to No. 21.

Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin

The Taoiseach indicated that he had no objection to business proceeding regarding No. 35a but will he provide the time and opportunity to allow for the Bill to go through Second Stage?

Mr. J. O'Keeffe

Certain legislative measures are necessary following the ratification of the Rome Statute and the International Criminal Court, indeed many of us felt that the legislation should have been put in place before ratification. What is the procedure now and what are the Government's proposals regarding putting in place the necessary legislation to ensure we comply with the provisions of the Rome Statute?

The Taoiseach

As I understand it, those matters were being prepared during the course of the last Dáil and will be published soon.

Mr. Boyle

The documents laid before the Dáil, which I referred to on the Order of Business, are divided into statutory and non-statutory sections. The declarations on the Treaty of Nice are referred to under the non-statutory section. Does this mean they have no legal effect?

An Ceann Comhairle

That does not arise on the Order of Business. We now move to No. 21.