Skip to main content
Normal View

Dáil Éireann debate -
Thursday, 27 Mar 2003

Vol. 563 No. 6

Order of Business.

The Order of Business today shall be as follows: No. 16, Motor Vehicle (Duties and Licences) Bill 2003 – Order for Report and Report and Final Stages; and No. 1, Freedom of Information (Amendment) Bill 2003 [Seanad] – Second Stage (resumed).

It is proposed, notwithstanding anything in Standing Orders, that: (1) the Report and Final Stages of No. 16, shall be taken today and the proceedings thereon shall, if not previously concluded, be brought to a conclusion at 12.30 p.m. by one question which shall be put from the Chair and which shall, in relation to amendments, include only those set down or accepted by the Minister for the Environment and Local Government; and (2) the proceedings on the resumed Second Stage of No. 1 shall, if not previously concluded, be brought to a conclusion at 3.30 p.m., and the Order for Committee shall be taken immediately thereafter and shall be decided without debate.

There are two proposals to put to the House. Is the proposal for dealing with No. 16, Motor Vehicle (Duties and Licences) Bill 2003 – Order for Report and Report and Final Stages, agreed to?

I object to the Order of Business, as we and other parties have done all week. When 115 beds in the Mater Misericordiae Hospital are due to close, we are here ramming through legislation amending the Freedom of Information Act 1997 where the Government wishes to cover up its actions.

We will deal with that legislation in proposal No. 2.

I understand that. I am objecting to the Order of Business as it includes that proposal.

At present, we are on the proposal for dealing with No. 16.

I also want to object vociferously to the fact that again the Taoiseach is not here on Thursday. Just in case the Minister for Defence does not know where the Taoiseach is, he is invited, if he so wishes, to go to the Sacred Heart Senior School, Killinarden, Tallaght, Dublin 24, for the opening of the Tallaght Youthreach, on behalf of Dublin VEC, by the Taoiseach this morning at 11 a.m. sharp.

He is opening two pubs afterwards.

There are 115 beds to close in the Mater Misericordiae Hospital. This is a scandalous treatment of this House and it is contemptuous. The Taoiseach should be here.

You have made your point.

They are talking about the dual mandate.

Deputy Ring, there should be only one speaker from each party.

I want Standing Orders suspended and I want a debate on the health crisis that now affects the country. Yesterday I pointed out that the letter of expenditure to health boards allowed for an increase of 2.8% whereas inflation in the health area is running at 8.8%.

You have made your point.

I pointed out that that vacuum would be filled by closed beds, closed wards and cancelled functions.

We are dealing exclusively with the Order for Report and Report and Final Stages of the Motor Vehicle (Duties and Licences) Bill 2003.

It is a disgrace that the Minister comes in here and puts forward this Order of Business, which includes an issue which is important, the Motor Vehicle (Duties and Licences) Bill 2003, but which rams through the Freedom of Information (Amendment) Bill—

You will have an opportunity to discuss the proposal on the Free dom of Information (Amendment) Bill in a few minutes.

—to cover up the Government's inadequacies and lack of accountability.

I also want to oppose the proposal for dealing with No. 16. It would appear that it is the norm now for the Government to proceed in the first year of office by way of guillotine. The Labour Party Whip, Deputy Stagg, tells me there is a half dozen guillotines coming up next week. While the Taoiseach tours the constituencies, we are expected to guillotine legislation in this House. No more will we know how Government arrived at decisions because of the way they are closing down access to information and filleting the Freedom of Information Act 1997.

You will have an opportunity on the next proposal to make your point about the Freedom of Information Act 1997.

I will use it again, Sir, but I would like to give you fair warning now.

There was a fairly long debate about this Bill at the time of the budget. The Government is satisfied that the House has had plenty of opportunity to debate what is contained in the Bill.

Question put: "That the proposal for dealing with No. 16 be agreed to."

Andrews, Barry.Ardagh, Seán.Blaney, Niall.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, Tony.Dennehy, John.Devins, Jimmy.Ellis, John.Fahey, Frank.Finneran, Michael.Fitzpatrick, Dermot.Fleming, Seán.Gallagher, Pat The Cope.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.McCreevy, Charlie.McDowell, Michael.McEllistrim, Thomas.McGuinness, John.Moloney, John.Moynihan, Donal.Moynihan, Michael.Mulcahy, Michael.Nolan, M. J.Ó Cuív, Éamon.Ó Fearghaíl, Seán.O'Dea, Willie.O'Donnell, Liz.O'Donovan, Denis.O'Flynn, Noel.O'Keeffe, Ned. O'Malley, Fiona.

Tá–continued

Power, Peter.Roche, Dick.Ryan, Eoin.Sexton, Mae.Smith, Brendan.Smith, Michael.

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

Níl

Boyle, Dan.Breen, James.Broughan, Thomas P.Bruton, Richard.Burton, Joan.Connaughton, Paul.Connolly, Paudge.Costello, Joe.Coveney, Simon.Crawford, Seymour.Cuffe, Ciarán.Deasy, John.Durkan, Bernard J.English, Damien.Enright, Olwyn.Gilmore, Eamon.Gogarty, Paul.Gregory, Tony.Harkin, Marian.Hayes, Tom.Healy, Seamus.Higgins, Joe.Higgins, Michael D.Howlin, Brendan.Kehoe, Paul.Kenny, Enda.Lynch, Kathleen.McCormack, Padraic.McGrath, Paul.

McManus, Liz.Mitchell, Gay.Mitchell, Olivia.Morgan, Arthur.Moynihan-Cronin, Breeda.Naughten, Denis.Neville, Dan.Ó Caoláin, Caoimhghín.Ó Snodaigh, Aengus.O'Dowd, Fergus.O'Keeffe, Jim.O'Shea, Brian.O'Sullivan, Jan.Pattison, Seamus.Penrose, Willie.Quinn, Ruairí.Rabbitte, Pat.Ring, Michael.Ryan, Seán.Sargent, Trevor.Sherlock, Joe.Shortall, Róisín.Stagg, Emmet.Stanton, David.Timmins, Billy.Twomey, Liam.Upton, Mary.Wall, Jack.

Tellers: Tá, Deputies Hanafin and Kelleher; Níl, Deputies Durkan and Stagg.
Question declared carried.

Is the proposal for dealing with No. 1, conclusion of Second Stage of the Freedom of Information (Amendment) Bill 2003, agreed?

This is not agreed and I object to it. On the basis that the Government has made an announcement of the appointment of a new Ombudsman and Information Commissioner, I proposed that the Freedom of Information (Amendment) Bill should be withdrawn at the end of Second Stage and that we should wait until the new commissioner has an opportunity to give her verdict and analysis on the Bill, or adopt the Labour Party suggestion of freezing the entire business for 12 months until we take into account the recommendations of Deputy Fleming's committee, which was to allow extra time for consideration and further amendments.

In respect of the Sustaining Progress social partnership agreement published yesterday, chapter 1.7 states: "The Government has agreed to consult the social partners as appropriate on policy proposals." It goes on to state, "The Government is committed to consultation with the social partners to take place in a spirit of good governance and recognising the need to involve appropriate stakeholders in the development of policy." Clearly there is an opportunity for Government to show it has no intention to cover up or hide the lead-in to decisions taken by the previous Administration five years ago. For that reason I suggest that in a spirit of openness, accountability, transparency and good governance, the Government should withdraw this Bill at the end of Second Stage and allow for reflection and further analysis. I am objecting to the Order of Business on that basis.

I also oppose this. My party had ten names down to contribute to the debate. It is not possible to do that in the time provided. It shows particularly shameless determination by the Government to railroad the Bill through. If the new Information Commissioner had not been appointed prior to this measure being brought in to fillet the Freedom of Information Act, I believe she would not have accepted the post. If the Government had tried to do so when she was in office, she would have resigned the post. I would expect her to do that because in so far as it relates—

The Deputy is wrong.

It is a bit of a joke for the Minister, Deputy Ó Cuív, to give me a lecture on freedom of information after what I saw him do to the RAPID programme in my constituency.

The Deputy never listens.

We have ten Deputies who want to contribute to this debate. The effect of it is that in so far as Government decision-making goes on, there will be no access in future as contemplated in the original Act. There is no point in the Taoiseach repeating every morning that it does not damage access to information by the public. From what was said by Deputy Fiona O'Malley we know it does in one important respect. It is the government process and what the original 1997 Act has done for the character of governance and for openness in decision making that is important. That is what is being rowed back. It is back to the future for Fianna Fáil.

It might be more appropriate to discuss the contents of the Bill during Second Stage.

We do not have the time.

We will not be allowed to speak.

Unfortunately I will not get an opportunity because of the guillotine. One would expect Fianna Fáil, which opposed earlier Governments in efforts to introduce a freedom of information Act, to try to snuff out this one. However, it could not do this without the collusion of the Progressive Democrats.

Hear, hear.

(Interruptions).

Allow Deputy Rabbitte to continue with a brief contribution.

From this seat while in Opposition, Deputy Harney advocated openness and transparency in decision making. That was her main plank at that time. Now the Progressive Democrats are happy to kill off the essential elements of the Act as they relate to Government decision making and it is a shame.

The Green Party will be opposing the taking of No. 1, the Freedom of Information (Amendment) Bill 2003. To do otherwise would be failing in our responsibility to the people who are rightly incensed and angered that the Government talks about openness and transparency but acts with the hallmark of a secret dictatorship under a cover of democracy. The Government should realise that it has among its membership people who would agree this is not the right legislation.

(Interruptions).

Deputy Sargent without interruption.

The Government should listen to Deputy Fiona O'Malley when she criticised this legislation. Perhaps she might vote with the Opposition, as should other members of the Government parties on this matter. We oppose it.

We will admire Deputy Fiona O'Malley if she has the courage.

Only one Member from each party is entitled to make a brief comment.

I oppose the Order of Business on No. 1, the Freedom of Information (Amendment) Bill 2003. It is important that the Government parties recognise the distrust that is growing among the public regarding this legislation. The advent of 21 April is what focuses people's attention on why the Government is trying to suppress the release of information pertinent to the last Fianna Fáil-Progressive Democrats Government. What is the Government trying to hide by not allowing the existing legislation to stay in place?

What has been hidden is the big question.

It is imperative for the Government's credibility that this legislation, if it is not at least set aside for 12 months, is dumped entirely.

Eleven hours have been offered for Second Stage debate on the Freedom of Information (Amendment) Bill.

This is the 11th hour.

It will be clear that Opposition Deputies decided to take up a considerable amount of that time with filibusters and did not debate this.

The Government took five and a half hours of the allocated time.

We lost two and a half hours. I reject the allegation made by Deputy Kenny and Deputy Ó Caoláin.

What allegation?

The people had a chance to give their verdict on our five years in government and they gave it.

(Interruptions).

A Deputy

They also gave a verdict on the Opposition.

The Government bought its way back into power.

If the Minister addressed his remarks through the Chair he might not invite interruption.

While I do not wish to be argumentative, Deputy Ó Caoláin should not accuse the Government of hiding anything.

The Minister's party never gave up its weapons either.

When Deputy Rabbitte reflects on it, he may like to withdraw the comments he made about the ombudsman designate.

Question put: "That the proposal for dealing with No. 1 be agreed to."
The Dáil divided by electronic means.

On a procedural matter, as part of the Labour Party campaign against the bulldozing of the changes to the Freedom of Information Act 1997 through the House—

This is a waste of time.

Please allow Deputy Stagg to continue without interruption.

Under Standing Order 69, as a teller, I wish to call a division by other than electronic means.

In accordance with the Standing Order, as Deputy Stagg is a teller and has demanded a division, the division will take place through the lobby.

Question, "That the proposal for dealing with No. 1 be agreed to", again put.

Andrews, Barry.Ardagh, Seán.Blaney, Niall.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, Tony.Dennehy, John.Devins, Jimmy.Ellis, John.Fahey, Frank.Finneran, Michael.Fitzpatrick, Dermot.Fleming, Seán.Gallagher, Pat The Cope.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.McCreevy, Charlie.McDowell, Michael.McEllistrim, Thomas.McGuinness, John.Moloney, John.Moynihan, Donal.Moynihan, Michael.Mulcahy, Michael.Nolan, M. J.Ó Cuív, Éamon.Ó Fearghaíl, Seán.O'Dea, Willie.O'Donnell, Liz.O'Donovan, Denis.O'Flynn, Noel.O'Keeffe, Ned.O'Malley, Fiona.Power, Peter.Roche, Dick.Ryan, Eoin.Sexton, Mae.Smith, Brendan.Smith, Michael.Treacy, Noel.Wallace, Dan.Walsh, Joe.Wilkinson, Ollie.Woods, Michael.Wright, G. V.

Níl

Boyle, Dan.Breen, James.Broughan, Thomas P.Bruton, Richard.Burton, Joan.Connaughton, Paul.Connolly, Paudge.Costello, Joe.Coveney, Simon.Crawford, Seymour.

Cuffe, Ciarán.Deasy, John.Durkan, Bernard J.English, Damien.Enright, Olwyn.Gilmore, Eamon.Gogarty, Paul.Gregory, Tony.Harkin, Marian. Hayes, Tom.

Níl– continued

Healy, Seamus.Higgins, Joe.Higgins, Michael D.Howlin, Brendan.Kehoe, Paul.Kenny, Enda.Lynch, Kathleen.McCormack, Padraic.McGrath, Paul.McManus, Liz.Mitchell, Gay.Mitchell, Olivia.Morgan, Arthur.Moynihan-Cronin, Breeda.Naughten, Denis.Neville, Dan.Ó Caoláin, Caoimhghín.Ó Snodaigh, Aengus.O'Dowd, Fergus.

O'Keeffe, Jim.O'Shea, Brian.O'Sullivan, Jan.Pattison, Seamus.Penrose, Willie.Quinn, Ruairi.Rabbitte, Pat.Ring, Michael.Ryan, Seán.Sargent, Trevor.Sherlock, Joe.Shortall, Róisín.Stagg, Emmet.Stanton, David.Timmins, Billy.Twomey, Liam.Upton, Mary.Wall, Jack.

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

Question declared carried.

The Taoiseach's cavalcade has now arrived in Killinarden, Tallaght, Dublin 24, to open the Tallaght Youthreach at 11 a.m. this morning. This is yet another absence of the Taoiseach from the House at a time when the health service is in crisis—

That is not in order on the Order of Business.

—and 115 beds are being closed in the Mater Hospital, yet the Taoiseach chooses to be in Killinarden, probably with the Tánaiste, parachuted behind Deputy Rabbitte's front line.

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

In view of the fact that this country is utterly defenceless and the Minister for Defence has admitted so, what discussions has he had about the protection and security of this country in the event of a terrorist attack?

That does not arise on the Order of Business.

It does arise, a Cheann Comhairle – under the Estimates for the Department of Defence, published on Tuesday's Order paper.

It is important.

I suggest the Deputy submits a question to the Minister on that matter.

He is asking the question now.

The Minister has admitted that there is no security in terms of the defence of our country. Are we in a position to defend ourselves?

The Minister's hour has come.

He wants to answer.

When will the Estimates for the Minister's Department be taken?

These questions on the Estimates were dealt with yesterday for two hours.

When will the Minister's Estimates be taken?

That question was not answered.

It was addressed yesterday.

That question has not been addressed at all.

The defence of the country is in the Minister's hands.

It is just as well it is not in the hands of Deputy Durkan.

I am grateful to Deputy Kenny for the information on the Taoiseach being in my constituency this morning. I hope he will revive some of the CE schemes he shut down, since he is effectively on one himself in the Dáil – he spends about two days a week here now.

The Chair would appreciate if the Deputy asked a question relevant to the Order of Business.

I will do so, Sir. What success is the Minister for Defence having in the marketplace in the purchase of the new fleet of jets for the Government? Is the position affected by the war?

He might be able to get some cheap ones from Saddam.

It is better that the Taoiseach is in Killinarden rather than killing Iraqis. A maritime law conference was held yesterday which pointed out the Government's serious failings in not having effected EU legislation with Bills such as the sea pollution (miscellaneous provisions) Bill, which is waiting to be enacted, the coastal zone management Bill and the mercantile marine (amendment) Bill – to overhaul commercial ship registration legislation. Given that 90% of the EU oil comes by sea—

In fairness to the Minister, the Deputy has asked about three Bills. I do not want him to confuse the House with a Second Stage speech on the matter.

The heads of the sea pollution (miscellaneous provisions) Bill were approved by the Government in January and it is expected to be published in the middle of this year. A draft memorandum for Government on the mercantile marine (amendment) Bill, is in preparation and the heads of the Bill are expected soon. The heads of the coastal zone management Bill are expected in early 2004.

According to the report on the social partnership agreement, the Government is contemplating price controls in certain circumstances. Did I miss something, because it appears all the price increases have come from Ministers themselves such as those relating to the ESB, VHI, the gas company, medicines and motor tax, all of which are administered by Ministers? Does the Government propose to bring legislation on price control before the House?

No such legislation is promised.

We have a crisis in the main Dublin hospitals. Beds are being closed, staff laid off and patient care is being directly affected. I request a debate on the serious crisis that has emerged as a result of Government policy.

The matter may not be discussed at this stage.

How will the Ceann Comhairle ensure that Deputies can carry out their functions properly? I cannot get information from the Department of Health and Children by way of answers to parliamentary questions, which I have sought since early February.

The Chair has no control over replies to parliamentary questions.

Surely the Chair has a role to ensure that the information I need is provided by the Minister for Health and Children. You are my protector here, a Cheann Comhairle.

As the Deputy knows, the Chair has no control over replies to questions.

There was a rule that parliamentary questions must be replied to.

The issue was raised at the Committee on Procedure and Privileges and Departments were communicated with. I call Deputy Joe Higgins.

I have tabled two parliamentary questions—

Sorry Deputy, that does not arise on the Order of Business.

—to find out what on earth is going on in the Department of Health and Children.

The Chair has made the position clear.

Does that mean the Ceann Comhairle has no role in ensuring I can do the job I am elected to do?

That is correct, but the Deputy is well aware of the rules of this House and if she wants them changed—

The rule of this House is that parliamentary questions are answered.

If the Deputy wants to change the rules—

I cannot get an answer to my questions.

I ask the Deputy to resume her seat. She is being disorderly. I call Deputy Joe Higgins. The Chair has made it clear it has no control over replies to questions.

Where should I go to get the answers to my questions?

The Freedom of Information Act.

There are other ways the Deputy can raise the matter such as on the Adjournment.

Will the Ceann Comhairle guarantee that I can have a debate on the matter on the Adjournment?

The matter will be considered along with all the other submissions. I ask the Deputy to resume her seat. She has made her point. I will ask the Deputy to leave the House unless she resumes her seat.

There is legislation providing for the ratification of the EU convention on inter national criminal matters. Will the Government call on the US ambassador in order to lodge a strong protest against the slaughter of innocent civilians in Iraq and can that be done today?

Hear, hear.

I suggest the Deputy raises the matter another way.

I asked a question on legislation.

What legislation?

It is called the criminal justice (international co-operation) Bill.

Work on the heads of the Bill is in progress and they are expected in mid-2003.

Heads are rolling in Baghdad.

How many of the extra 30,000 extra US troops being sent to Iraq are being shipped through Shannon Airport—

I call Deputy Durkan.

—to kill more people?

If the Deputy does not resume his seat, I will move on to the next business.

What is the status of the veterinary medicine Bill?

It has been ring-fenced.

The dual mandate Bill seemed to have achieved great urgency some weeks ago – has it stalled somewhere? What is the update on the status and progress of the mineral development Bill?

The mineral development Bill will be before the House around Easter, the veterinary medicine Bill is currently being drafted and I expect it to be published in mid-2003.

Earlier this week, I asked about the International Criminal Court Bill and the Taoiseach helpfully replied that the Bill was at its fourth draft. However, he did not indicate whether this was the final draft or when the legislation would be published. It is important that it is published and approved by the House if it is, for example, to deal with the actions of those involved in the illegal activities in Iraq and the attack against a sovereign country.

The position is unchanged since the information was given to the Deputy by the Taoiseach. The fourth draft is being examined in the Department.

My question was explicit. I said I had asked the Taoiseach earlier this week when the International Criminal Court legislation would be brought before the House. The answer I received was that there was a fourth draft. I am not interested in how many drafts there are. I am interested in, and am entitled to ask, when we are likely to see it. Perhaps the Minister will put his mind to this and answer my question. When will the legislation be brought before the House?

The fourth draft is being examined in the Department and the Bill is expected in mid-2003.

The line to Medjugorje is a bit vague again.

Is it intended to proceed with the Criminal Justice (Terrorist Offences) Bill considering the substantial concerns of the Human Rights Commission? Will those concerns be taken on board prior to the Bill coming before the House?

The Bill is awaiting Committee Stage.

The Ceann Comhairle will be aware of the serious implications the reduction of activity in the Mater Hospital will have for the Border area. When will the health complaints Bill be published? When will the electricity Bill be published? When will the radio communications Bill be published? We discussed that this morning and there does not appear to be much hope for the Border area in that regard either.

It will ensure better communications.

The heads of the health complaints Bill are expected in the middle of this year. The second Bill will be ready in mid-2003 as well. The third Bill is expected late this year.

Will there be a Supplementary Estimate to provide for the €5 million promised by the Government for Iraq or will the money be taken from the existing emergency fund which is meant to deal with the famine in Ethiopia and other emergencies? Will the sick and dying in Africa have their money taken to provide aid to Iraq?

There is no legislation promised.

Is it the Government's intention to bring forward legislation to introduce mandatory registration for marine leisure craft as well as commercial leisure craft? If so, when will it be published?

Is legislation promised?

This was promised in the media rather than in the House.

I will communicate with the Deputy. I do not think any legislation is promised.

What was the Minister's reply to Deputy Durkan's question as to why the dual mandate Bill had gone missing?

It will be taken before Easter.

In July 2002 the Minister for Agriculture and Food established an expert group to examine issues in relation to food labelling. Are there any plans to introduce legislation to implement the 21 recommendations of that group?

There is no legislation promised.

He only uses regulations.

I raised an issue on the Adjournment last night and got an unsatisfactory reply. I was told last night that the safety, health and protection of employees at work Bill would be introduced this year. It is not on the list. Will the Bill be retrospective? Will it cover the matter I raised last night, the death of Gráinne Dillon in the hotel where she was working?

The content of the Bill is not appropriate for discussion.

The heads of the Bill were approved by the Government on 17 April 2002. It is expected to be published in the middle of this year.

Is it intended to bring a Supplementary Estimate before the House in view of the fact that costs have risen for local authorities?

There is no Supplementary Estimate promised.

Councils are finding it difficult to live within the Estimates.

A few weeks ago the fisheries Bill was debated in the House. Now we are told by the Minister, Deputy Dermot Ahern, that he proposes to radically alter the Bill before Committee Stage. Would it be possible to allow that Bill to proceed and to introduce a new fisheries consolidation Bill, as has been promised for next year? Given that the changes being made to the fisheries Bill are aimed at correcting the misbehaviour and bad administration in the Department by the previous Minister, Deputy Fahey—

That Bill was published in November last year and is awaiting Committee Stage. The Deputy's detailed question should be put directly to the Minister concerned.

Can the Minister say how many of those who bombed civilians in Iraq have passed through Shannon to get there?

I have already ruled that question out of order.

It is an appropriate question this morning.

There are other ways of raising the question. It is not appropriate to the Order of Business under Standing Order 26.

The Minister for Defence should make a statement.

What is the present status of the Grangegorman development agency Bill? Also, what is the status of the Forestry (Amendment) Bill, the fishery harbour Bill and the charities Bill?

Work on drafting the heads of the Grangegorman development agency Bill is at an early stage.

Which Department is dealing with it?

The Department of Education and Science.

It will be published late this year, at best. The fishery harbour Bill is expected in 2004, the charities Bill in late 2004 and the forestry Bill in 2004.

That is a great number of lates.

The Taoiseach indicated yesterday that the Whips would discuss the timing of a debate on Iraq. When will that debate take place?

My understanding is that the arrangements for next week have been made. However, that is a matter for discussion among the Whips.

They have discussed it. In reply to questions from Deputy Rabbitte and Deputy Kenny yesterday, the Taoiseach gave a commitment that the timing for the debate would be settled by the Whips. There is no time allocated next week for that debate. When will that debate take place?

This was discussed at the meeting of the Whips. It was felt that in the event of there being a change in circumstances, it would be advisable to make provision for it. We are merely seeking confirmation of that, lest we start next week's business without clarification.

The House is always willing to try and facilitate all sides on these matters. It should be decided between the Whips to make the arrangements.

The Chief Whip is refusing, on instructions from the Government.

My understanding is that the arrangements for next week have already been made and agreed.

Top
Share