The Order of Business today shall be as follow: No. 15, motion re Double Taxation Relief (Taxes on Income and Capital Gains) (Republic of Slovenia) Order, 2002; No. 16, motion re Double Taxation Relief (Taxes on Income and Capital Gains) (Republic of Croatia) Order, 2002; No 17, motion re Approval by Dáil Éireann of the Freedom of Information Act, 1997 (Prescribed Bodies) (No. 2) Regulations, 2002; No. 17a, motion re appointment of members to the Joint House Services Committee; No. 17b, motion re referral to joint committee of proposed approval by Dáil Éireann of a Council Framework Decision on combating the sexual exploitation of children and child pornography; No. 4, National Development Finance Agency Bill, 2002 – Order for Second Stage and Second Stage; and No. 5, Criminal Justice (Temporary Release of Prisoners) Bill, 2002 – Order for Second Stage and Second Stage, to be taken not later than 1.30 p.m. today and the order shall not resume thereafter. It is proposed, notwithstanding anything in Standing Orders, that Nos. 15, 16, 17, 17a and 17b shall be decided without debate.
Order of Business.
There is one proposal to be put to the House. Is the proposal to deal with Nos. 15, 16, 17, 17a and 17b without debate agreed?
I have no objection to No. 17, which provides for the extension of freedom of information obligations to a number of new bodies, but I wish to ask the Minister whether the National Development Finance Agency Bill, which is on today's Order Paper, will be included under freedom of information obligations. We probably will not get another opportunity to extend its remit, given that the legislation does not provide for this. This is an agency to whose workings the House and the public will want to have access via freedom of information legislation.
That question would be more appropriate when the legislation is debated in the House.
The Government extends the provisions of freedom of information legislation to different bodies by order, which is what we will do today. It is not done by way of amending legislation.
It would not be appropriate for the House to decide this until such time as the Bill is debated.
This is the procedure for introducing an order to extend the provisions of freedom of information legislation. If this agency is not on the list it should be put on it at an early date. I seek a reply from the Tánaiste that it is on the list or that it will be added to it at an early date.
It is difficult to understand how it can be on the list until the House decides whether to pass the Bill.
A week ago today the city was brought to a halt by the weather.
We are discussing the proposal for dealing with business.
Are we, Sir?
Yes, Nos. 15, 16, 17, 17a and 17b.
I thought we had disposed of those.
Does the Deputy agree with the proposal to deal with those items without debate?
I do, every word of it.
I call Deputy Ó Caoláin to speak on the proposal before the House.
In relation to Nos. 15 and 16, the motions regarding double taxation relief with Slovenia and Croatia, will the Tánaiste advise the House what measures have been taken to examine previous agreements to address—
That matter does not arise at this time. Is the Deputy opposing the proposal?
I need the Tánaiste's assurance that there are no opportunities for tax avoidance or the setting up of shelf companies arising from such arrangements, which would be contrary to the interests of the Exchequer.
We are not talking about previous legislation, we are talking about the legislation before us. Does Deputy Ó Caoláin agree the Order of Business?
I am asking for clarification that the necessary assessments have been made based on the experience of such agreements in the past.
That matter does not arise at this stage. I suggest that the Deputy submit a parliamentary question on that matter.
Tax discipline on the Slovenian side is much better than here.
Is the proposal agreed?
A Cheann Comhairle—
Only one member of the Deputy's party should contribute on this and Deputy Richard Bruton has already done so.
Is it in order for me to oppose the Order of Business?
It is not in order for you to oppose it because Deputy Richard Bruton has already done so.
I wish to ask the Tánaiste about the Government's legislative programme on justice, equality and law reform. Last week the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform revealed figures which show that the number of violent assaults in Dublin is now five times what it was three years ago. This year's figures, which have just been released, are appalling. The Minister also released his Estimates which show far from zero tolerance; they show zero provision for the Garda next year.
A question on legislation.
How realistic are the commitments to introduce reform in criminal justice, in Garda inspection and complaints and in many areas of justice against a background of zero provision?
The legislation outlined in the programme earlier this year will be published and debated, I hope, as quickly as possible. In fact, I understand a large number of Bills from the Department of Justice, Equality and Law Reform await space at committee.
As happens now most Thursdays, Dublin city will be brought to a halt – by the weather last Thursday and by taxis today. I know the Government cannot do too much about the weather but can it do anything about the taxis? My colleague, Deputy Broughan, raised the postal dispute—
A question appropriate to the Order of Business.
My question in a nutshell is, will this be Christmas under the Coalition – no house grants, no taxis, no Luas—
Sorry, Deputy, you will have to find another way to raise these issues.
—no medical cards—
Deputy Rabbitte, please.
—no Christmas cards and, after the cut in forestry, no Christmas trees next year?
Please, Deputy Rabbitte. Do you have a question appropriate to the Order of Business?
I have, Sir. Will this be the shape of Christmas future under the coalition—?
I call Deputy Joe Higgins.
—with no medical cards, no taxis, no Christmas cards and no Christmas trees?
Deputy Rabbitte, I ask you to resume your seat.
We will have the Christmas pantomime.
Deputy Rabbitte, as leader of your party, I expect you to give good example to the other members of your party and obey the Standing Orders. I call Deputy Joe Higgins.
I wish to ask a question on legislation. Under the schedule of legislation published, the Government promised that 15 Bills would be published during this term. There are only three weeks left in this term and only two Bills have been published to date. Is there something wrong in the Attorney General's office or is there something wrong with the promise? Will the Tánaiste distribute them in the post to the country?
I assure Deputy Rabbitte Santa will come to the Rabbitte household if the Government has anything to do with it. If it makes him happy, I will undertake to send him a Christmas card as well.
Will the Tánaiste undertake to deliver it?
Given that he is an important constituent, that would be in order.
I hope the Tánaiste does not come around to deliver it in a taxi.
I might come around in person if I get a nice invitation. A number of Bills will be published between now and the end of the session.
Yesterday, the Dublin coroner pointed to glaring anomalies in the Coroners Acts in the matter of the inquest into the unfortunate and cruel deaths of two women in the community care home in Grangegorman. Those inadequacies caused a lot of distress to their families.
Do you have a question appropriate to the Order of Business?
Yes. Will those glaring anomalies be resolved in the coroners (amendment) Bill? Will the Government hold an inquiry into the circumstances surrounding those tragic deaths which has been sought by the family?
The coroners (amendment) Bill to put into legislative effect the recommendations of the review group of the coroners service will be published next year.
What about an inquiry?
In the horn of Africa, specifically in Ethiopia, up to six million people are facing a humanitarian crisis and perhaps death. I tabled a private notice question yesterday and I ask, whether through the Estimates being taken in the House or some other device, the Whip to provide an opportunity to debate the matter. It is a pending crisis which needs urgent consideration.
It is a matter for the Whips.
Perhaps the Tánaiste might take that on board and find some device to allow a debate in the House.
It is a matter for the Whips to discuss.
At this moment the Simon Community, St. Vincent de Paul, Threshold and Focus Ireland are publishing a report showing that one out of three new households in the country and 42% of new households in urban areas cannot afford to buy their own home.
Deputy, a question appropriate to the Order of Business.
As the Minister for the Environment and Local Government, Deputy Cullen, now wants people to rent rather than to buy, when will the Government publish the Bill to give some protection to tenants? When will the Government circulate and allow a discussion in the House on the scandalous regulation which has been brought in by the Minister for Social and Family Affairs to cap rent allowances to the poorest 60,000 tenants?
The legislation on the private rented sector will be introduced early next year.
What about the capping of rent allowance?
Is legislation promised?
When will the regulation being brought in to cap rent allowances to the poorest tenants be brought before the House? Do members of Fianna Fáil and the Progressive Democrats, who have complained about house grants in the last couple of days, know about it? They will know about it on Saturday when tenants turn up at their clinics.
The regulation was brought in under existing legislation. Clearly, if Members wish to debate it, they can arrange that with the Whips.
It is a scandalous decision taken by the Minister.
Deputy Ryan, I ask you to resume your seat. I have called Deputy Sargent.
People must wait years on housing lists and live in rented accommodation—
Deputy Ryan, the Chair does not intend to spend the entire morning on the Order of Business. A number of your colleagues are offering and I will have to cut the Order of Business short if Members are disorderly.
There certainly is a need for an urgent debate on the housing crisis. Will the Environmental Protection Agency (Amendment) Bill be introduced before Christmas, as promised so that we may have a debate on the Askeaton crisis and the IFA report which says the EPA is badly flawed?
One would think the Criminal Justice (Terrorist Offences) Bill was a priority. Was the Government invited by the US to participate in its so-called war on terrorism? Will this be a reason to bring forward the legislation any earlier?
The answer to the second questions is, no. That legislation will be published this session. The Environmental Protection Agency (Amendment) Bill will be published before Christmas and will be taken in the Seanad.
A Cheann Comhairle, as a rural person, I know you will not let me down on this occasion.
A question, Deputy.
Will the Tánaiste ask the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources to bring both sides together in the postal dispute?
Deputy, that does not arise—
The people in rural areas are the most disadvantaged because they are furthest away from—
I call Deputy Howlin.
A Deputy
Deputy Ring should speak up, we cannot hear him.
It is not fair on rural people and rural Members will know all about it this weekend.
A Cheann Comhairle, it is not fair of you to call me after Deputy Ring.
I wish to ask the Tánaiste about legislation pertaining to her Department. In her contribution on the Estimates yesterday, she made much play of increased funding for the Science Foundation Ireland Fund in spite of a 5% cut in the overall Estimate. When will the Industrial Development Science Foundation Ireland Bill be before the House? She announced in her contribution that she intended to bring in a revised scheme of fees before the House in relation to work permits. Is the work permit Bill being proceeded with? Does the Tánaiste intend reducing the amount of work permits and when will we have a chance to debate the Government's intention in this regard?
On the legislation coming before the House.
I hope the science foundation Bill will be published before Christmas. Already this year we have issued more work permits than for the whole of last year.
Will we have the legislation to underpin it?
The legislation is proceeding.
When can we expect it?
Next year.
Among the documents placed before the Dáil is the most recent NESC report, An Investment in Quality: Services, Inclusion and Enterprise. Given that this document will inform the partnership negotiations, will the Tánaiste provide time for a debate on it to allow those of us on this side of the House to contribute to these negotiations?
That is a matter for the Whips. I call Deputy Durkan.
I am making a request for time. It is on the Order Paper.
When is it coming before the House, Tánaiste?
It is a matter for the Whips to discuss.
Will the Tánaiste indicate whether or not it is intended to introduce emergency legislation to cater for the housing needs that will arise as a result of two developments – the capping of the rent allowances and the ongoing increase in rent which will result in about 10,000 families becoming homeless?
The Deputy is being repetitive. That issue has already been raised by Deputy Gilmore. The Deputy must raise a question appropriate to legislation.
It is appropriate. It requires emergency legislation.
Is there intended legislation coming?
If the Tánaiste is oblivious to what is happening then, unfortunately, we will have to find other means to do it.
Arising out of the 44% reduction for services for people with disabilities in the Book of Estimates, what plans are there now for the new disabilities Bill, which was promised before the end of this year?
When is the disabilities Bill coming before the House, Tánaiste?
It was in the Fianna Fáil manifesto prior to the election when Deputy Mary Wallace was scapegoated. Where stands the Bill now?
Allow the Tánaiste to speak.
I understand the Minister of State, Deputy O'Dea, is still involved in the consultative process in regard to that matter.
Will the Tánaiste indicate if, in the context of promised legislation, the people of Monaghan will be permitted to make complaints about the lack of accident and emergency services at Monaghan General Hospital?
The question must relate to when a particular Bill comes before the House.
It relates to the health complaints Bill.
When will the health complaints Bill come before the House?
The heads of the Bill were cleared recently. It will be next year, 2003.
There are promised amendments to the Official Languages (Equality) Bill, 2002. Will the Tánaiste indicate if it is intended to introduce an amendment to ring-fence the expenditure on Irish textbooks in primary and secondary schools?
When will the Bill come before the House?
The amount has been cut by over three quarters this year which means that there are no textbooks available for students in Gaelscoileanna. This will spell disaster for the Irish language if it is not reversed.
We cannot debate what is in the legislation on the Order of Business. When will the legislation come before the House?
The legislation is currently before the Seanad.
In respect of the Taoiseach's request to the GAA to allow Croke Park to be used for the European Championships, does the Tánaiste not agree that if the Taoiseach had not gone out with a cheque for €60 million that they would have admitted them by vote and that he stopped them?
Sorry, does the Deputy have a question appropriate to the Order of Business?
It is funny for the Taoiseach to go on his knees through the floods in Drumcondra to ask that the—
Deputy Rabbitte, we have to move on to the next business if Members are not going to obey Standing Orders. I call Deputy Lynch.
The Abbotstown sports centre authority Bill.
On the legislation, Tánaiste.
Will the Tánaiste indicate when it will be introduced into the House and will it have the full support of her party?
I do not have a date in regard to that matter.
Will it be in the lifetime of the Government?
Is the Bill withdrawn or not?
Will the Bill be introduced in the lifetime of the Government?
The Olympic pool is almost finished out there so there will be legislation to provide a framework for its operation.
I call Deputy Lynch.
It was a good bargain.
The sum of €400 million for a pool was a good buy.
It was the most cost effective pool built anywhere in Europe.
If it had been built in Tolka Park it would have avoided the flooding at least.
If the Deputy does not want to let his colleague in then I will call Deputy Allen.
I am always reluctant to interrupt my leader.
The Deputy will be off his Christmas card list if she does not mind herself.
I would not be getting it anyway because of the mess the Government made of the postal service.
Allow Deputy Lynch to ask a question appropriate to the Order of Business.
Will the Tánaiste indicate if community welfare officers will be allowed to supplement the income of people who will now be forced to pay their own rent—
That does not arise. We are moving on. I call Deputy Allen.
—because of the cap on rent allowance?
The Deputy knows she is out of order.
No. My question relates to the Social Welfare (No. 2) Bill, 2001.
The Social Welfare (No. 2) Bill.
Will community welfare officers be allowed under that Bill to supplement the income of people who now have to pay exorbitant rents?
It will be this session.
Will it be allowed to supplement the incomes under it?
Allow Deputy Allen.
Will the Tánaiste indicate if the reduction in car costs arising from deregulation within the European Union will be passed on to the consumer in the Finance Bill?
I call Deputy Shortall. The Deputy is asking about the content of the Finance Bill.
Because of the chronic traffic chaos, it is becoming increasingly difficult for people to move around Dublin, whether they are trying to get to work, do business or go shopping. The public transport provision is hopelessly inadequate.
Does the Deputy have a question appropriate to the Order of Business.
Yes, I have a question on the Order of Business. It is accepted that part of the reason for the current chaos—
To what legislation is the Deputy referring?
I am coming to that now.
Deputy, we have to move forward.
I am coming to the legislation if you will allow me, a Cheann Comhairle.
We have to move on. A number of your colleagues wish to speak and it will not be possible to facilitate them if Second Stage speeches are made.
It is accepted that part of the problem is due to the fact that over 20 agencies regulate transport and traffic in the city.
Deputy, we are moving on. I call Deputy Crawford. The Deputy is not asking about promised legislation. She is making a speech about its contents. Standing Order 26 is very specific. We have quoted it here, time and again. There are at least 25 Deputies offering. I have endeavoured in the past to facilitate every Deputy who offered but it is not going to be possible. The precedent is for approximately 20 minutes for the Order of Business. We cannot have 25 Deputies in 20 minutes.
I am asking about promised legislation. I am perfectly in order.
The Deputy is in order.
Deputy Shortall, I call Deputy Crawford.
What about the greater Dublin authority Bill?
That is not what the Deputy spoke about. I will come back to Deputy Shortall if there is time at the end. Deputy Crawford.
I am in order.
The Deputy is not in order. The Chair has ruled in accordance with precedent for 80 years in this House. I call Deputy Crawford. I will come back to Deputy Shortall.
What about the promised legislation of the greater Dublin authority Bill?
The greater Dublin authority Bill.
Next year.
It was promised for this year.
I call Deputy Crawford. I will ask Deputy Shortall to leave the House if she does not resume her seat.
The Government has done nothing to address the problem.
Deputy Shortall. When the Chair is on its feet the Deputy must resume her seat.
A Cheann Comhairle, you could not send her home in traffic like this.
If Deputy Shortall is disorderly again it is obvious she wants to leave the House and the Chair will facilitate her.
I do not want to leave the House.
Then the Deputy must resume her seat. I have called Deputy Crawford.
There is traffic chaos out there.
I have called Deputy Crawford. Deputy Shortall must resume her seat or leave the House.
This is outrageous.
Deputy Shortall will have to leave the House.
That is unfair.
There is no sense of urgency about the traffic chaos.
They all have State cars. They do not have to worry about traffic.
People cannot move around.
I move: "That Deputy Shortall be suspended from the service of the Dáil."
That is outrageous.
It is an abuse of your position.
The Deputy was given a fair chance. Is the motion opposed?
Deputies
Yes.
The Deputy was in order as she raised a question on promised legislation.
Under Standing Order 61, any division is postponed to take place immediately before the Order of Business on the next sitting day.
You are out of order, a Cheann Comhairle. That is an abuse of your position.
The Deputy must leave the House. I call Deputy Crawford. Will the Deputy please leave the House?
You are not entitled to nor do you have the power to make that ruling. The Deputy was in order.
The Chair has ruled in accordance with its predecessor.
Deputy Shortall asked a question on promised legislation and was in order in raising it.
I ask Deputy Shortall to leave the House.
The Deputy should not leave the House. She should stay where she is.
I ask Deputy Shortall to leave the House.
Can the Tánaiste give an undertaking?
On a point of order, I do not wish to make an attempt to infringe the—
I would not get involved.
It was a fair question and the Deputy had resumed her seat.
I am sure it was not intended but the Deputy got plenty of warning. The Chair has ruled. I ask Deputy Shortall to leave the House.
Will the Tánaiste give an undertaking that she will take traffic gridlock in this city seriously?
I ask the Deputy to leave the House.
The city is coming to a standstill and the Tánaiste does not give a damn about it.
People are stuck in traffic all day and cannot get to work.
Where is the Minister for traffic announcements? Of course he is not here.
Deputy Shortall withdrew from the Chamber.
On a point of order, if a Deputy raises a matter concerning promised legislation, is the Deputy entitled to ask through you, the Tánaiste—
I refer the Deputy to the ruling I made last week in accordance with the Standing Order and if he reads the Standing Order he will see himself.
We heard the ruling, a Cheann Comhairle, and the Deputy you just suspended from the House was in accordance with the ruling and entitled to raise the question. Your ruling, Sir, was wrong in accordance with the decision you made and gave to this House. The Deputy raised a matter concerning promised legislation and was in order. You were wrong to put her out. It was a biased decision on your behalf.
I would like the Deputy to come to my office and I would be glad to discuss the ruling. He has been in the House a long time and he knows Standing Orders as well as me.
According to the programme of Government, 50% of new jobs are supposed to be created in the BMW region. Is the Tánaiste aware that 40 jobs are about to be lost in Clones while another 100 are under threat? Will she give a commitment—
Has the Deputy a question on legislation?
Will the commitment be honoured?
That does not arise on the Order of Business.
It is extremely important to the people of Clones.
When the Government's legislative programme was announced, there was a fanfare about addressing issues concerning people with disabilities. My colleague, Deputy Costello, has referred to one issue. The education for persons with disabilities Bill was referred to in the legislative programme. It still has not been published.
I call the Tánaiste on promised legislation.
The suggestion in the press release on the legislative programme was that it would be addressed in this session. When will the Bill be published and dealt with?
It will be published this session.
Will it be dealt with as opposed to published?
It will be published next year, not this session.
The press statement and spin doctors stated it was an issue that would be dealt with this session.
I call Deputy Coveney.
Do assurances given in the House count for anything?
No.
The Government has more spin doctors than legislation.
The Deputy will have to find another way of raising the matter. It is not in order on the Order of Business.
A press release was sent to the media which stated the issue would be dealt with this session. All we have received so far is a cutback of 44% in the Estimates for people with disabilities. Such press statements mislead the public.
The Government publishes more press releases than legislation.
I call Deputy Coveney.
I thank you, a Cheann Comhairle. I thought you had forgotten me as you were distracted by all the hot air coming from the Labour Party.
No, we have to rotate between the parties.
We will give the Deputy hot air if he wants it.
I refer to two Bills. When will legislation be introduced regarding the proposed Garda inspectorate to deal with Garda complaints? Is the Tánaiste aware that one in five taxi drivers in Dublin has a criminal record? Yesterday legislation to vet taxi drivers was promised. When will legislation be introduced?
A new taxi regulator will be appointed to deal with standards and the issues raised by the Deputy early next year. The Garda inspectorate Bill will be introduced in the middle of next year.
Given that it took Eamonn Coughlan who is able to run a mile in 3.7 minutes, 3.7 hours to travel one mile to get to RTE earlier, what is the position regarding Nos. 119, 120, 121 and 122 in the Government's legislative programme? These Bills are supposed to deal with traffic gridlock and enable people to travel a mile quicker than 3.7 hours.
The answer is to get a State car. That is the only way and there are no penalty points.
He was given a Garda escort.
They are all hypocrites on that side of the House.
The Bills referred to by Deputy Stagg will be published next year or in subsequent years.
I want to know specifically what the position is on No. 191. I then want to know what the position is on Nos. 120, 121 and 122. These are all transport measures and I want to know specifically when they will be introduced. That is all I am asking.
Will the Deputy name the Bill about which he is inquiring?
We are not getting answers.
The Government should move some of its spin doctors into the Bills Office.
The Deputy should allow his colleague to ask his question.
We need more parliamentary draftsmen, not spin doctors.
No. 118 is the driver test agency Bill; No. 119 is the greater Dublin area land use and transport authority Bill; No. 120 is the road traffic (amendment) Bill; No. 121 is the control of road works Bill; and No. 122 is the transport (miscellaneous provisions) Bill.
Is there not a No. 191?
It is before No. 192.
The last Bill to which the Deputy refers provides for an increase in CIE's borrowing limits and the previous one relates to road openings. I am not sure they have—
Which are causing traffic problems.
I call Deputy Stanton.
I dealt with No. 119, which will be taken next year.
In view of the—
Will you allow the woman to answer the question, please, a Cheann Comhairle? The House is restrictive enough as it is.
The driver testing Bill will be introduced next year. I told Deputy Shortall, who raised the greater Dublin area authority Bill, that it will be published next year. It is not possible to give a date for the road traffic (amendment) Bill.
Why not?
Because preliminary work on the Bill is ongoing.
Where is the Minister for announcements?
The Minister for Transport usually issues two statements a day.
The Deputy should allow the Tánaiste to reply.
Prior notification to, and approval of, the EU Commission is required for the transport (miscellaneous provisions) Bill and that is expected next year. Preliminary work on the control of road works Bill, which relates to telecommunications operators and road openings, is under way and it is expected late in 2003.
It will take another two years.
Given the increasing concern over the continued sit-in of IFI workers in the company's canteen in Belfast and their dispute with the Tánaiste, when will the companies Bill be enacted? What action will she take to assist them?
As Deputy Stanton will be aware, that has nothing to do with the companies Bill.
The €5,000 has.
The Bill, which has more than 145 heads, is promised for this session.
The Tánaiste promised the €5,000 without prejudice.
That is correct.
Deputy Rabbitte should allow the Tánaiste to reply.
A 1,000 head companies Bill is due in the middle of next year.
What about the €5,000 she offered without prejudice to IFI workers?
I refer to No. 108 in the Government's legislative programme. The Bill is the responsibility of the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform who made the startling announcement yesterday that he was not a communist. Ireland has joined a small number of countries in the world which refuse international agencies the right to visit prisons. It has been condemned by 14 national directors of Amnesty International.
The Deputy should ask a question about the legislation.
It is the prison services Bill. Will the Minister continue to stop international and human rights agencies visiting Irish prisons before he introduces the Bill?
It is not possible to indicate at this stage when the Bill will be ready but work is progressing on the heads of the Bill.
So the prisons are indefinitely closed to international human rights organisations. We will join Turkey and a number—
The Tánaiste has answered the Deputy's question. We cannot have a debate on the substance of the Bill.
Maybe the non-communist will see the similarities he has with some of the places he condemns.
At least he is in compliance with the trade descriptions legislation.
In view of the lenient penalties at a court in Cork recently, in a case involving the death of a young person from Mallow who fell from a building, when is it proposed to introduce the safety, health and work Bill?
In early 2003.
Given the major problems facing the tourism industry, as highlighted in the recent report from the Irish Hotels Federation, when will the national tourism development authority Bill be introduced?
In this session. It was cleared by the Cabinet a few days ago.
I will take two more questions before concluding.
What is the latest update on the timing of the gas Bill? Will a member of the Cabinet take the Minister, Deputy Ó Cuív, aside and explain that he is the Minister for community affairs?
The first question on legislation is in order.
He refuses to answer questions on community affairs since the Tánaiste and the Minister for Finance slashed community employment. Many community groups have turned to Deputy Ó Cuív but he does not seem to realise that he, not Deputy Coughlan, is the Minister with responsibility for community affairs.
The first question is in order.
The gas regulation Bill will be taken in 2004.
Is the national anti-poverty strategy committee still in existence? If so, did the Government refer its proposed cuts in expenditure to it for poverty proofing, to examine the impact they will have on the least well off?
There is no legislation involved but that body is still in being.
We now move to No. 15.
On a point of order.
Sorry, I have been more than generous this morning. The Deputy has already spoken.
On a point of order.
I have already moved on to the next business. I hope it is a point of order.
It is a point of order. A few minutes ago you asked a Deputy to leave the House. Would you please—
Where is the point of order in that? If the Deputy has a problem with it, he should come to my office and I will be glad to discuss it.
Please listen. You have not heard the question.
I call No. 15, motion re double taxation. That is not a point of order.
Last evening there was a debate on the Adjournment about IFI. The Tánaiste and the Minister of State, who represents the constituency, were in the House—
That is not a point of order, Deputy. You are out of order.
They left the House knowing the debate was taking place and left Deputy O'Dea to take the debate—
That is not a point of order. You will have to find another way of raising it.
—and to attack the Deputy who raised it. Have you any control over Ministers?
That is not a point of order. The Chair has ruled. We move to No. 15, motion re double taxation relief.
Before you move on, a Cheann Chomhairle, will you hear the point of order? It is a valid point of order.
I call on the Minister for Finance, Deputy McCreevy, to move the motion.
It is a valid point and I ask the Chair to hear my colleague.
It is not a valid point. If the Deputy wishes to come to my office, I will discuss it with him.
It is a valid point of order.
It is not a point of order. The Chair will rule in accordance with precedent.
If Deputy Allen wishes to come to my office, I will be glad to discuss it with him.