The Order of Business today shall be as follows: No. 26a, statements on Northern Ireland; No. 3, Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs (Powers and Functions) Bill 2003 – Second Stage (resumed); No. 28, Residential Tenancies Bill 2003 – Second Stage (resumed). It is proposed that, notwithstanding anything in Standing Orders, the proceedings on No. 26a shall, if not previously concluded, be brought to a conclusion after 70 minutes and the following arrangements shall apply: (i) the statements of the Taoiseach and the main spokespersons for the Fine Gael Party, the Labour Party and the Technical Group, who shall be called upon in that order, shall not exceed 15 minutes in each case; (ii) Members may share time; (iii) the Minister for Foreign Affairs shall be called upon to make a statement in reply which shall not exceed ten minutes. Private Members' Business shall be No. 4, Proceeds of Crime (Amendment) Bill 2003 – Second Stage (resumed) to conclude at 8.30 p.m.
Order of Business.
There is one motion to be put to the House. Is the proposal for dealing with No. 26a agreed to? Agreed.
Has a date been set for publication of the Book of Estimates? Having regard to recent comments on the need for value for money and in the context of changes in how the Dáil does its business, on which I know the Government Chief Whip is working, does the Taoiseach agree it would be very appropriate that committees should be in a position to discuss the Estimates prior to publication of the Budget Statement? Perhaps they could make recommendations with regard to priority shifting of money within Votes. Does the Taoiseach agree that would be a far more effective method whereby Members from all sides could discuss the proposed Estimates before they were actually passed in the budget, unlike the present system of discussing them the following June when the money is practically spent?
I expect the Book of Estimates will be published in mid-November, possibly on Thursday, 13 November. I believe it is practically impossible to have the Estimates discussed before the budget given the present annual sequence of events but I agree they should be discussed far earlier in the year, rather than at the end of the summer session. As I have said previously, it would make far more sense to deal with them very early in the New Year.
When will the amending legislation promised at the time of the retirement of Mr. Justice Flood come before the House?
It is being drafted as a matter of priority. I do not have a date at this stage but it will be done as soon as possible.
What is the position on the building control Bill, having regard to the radon gas issue and the cutback on grants? Will the issue be revisited in order that we can discuss the Bill and other related matters at an early stage? I believe it has been put back to early 2004, although it was to be introduced in mid-2003. Will the Taoiseach explain the reason for the sliding scale of delays in that regard?
The heads of the Bill – 55 in total – have been approved for a long time. The Bill is listed for introduction early in 2004. Apart from the drafting, I am not aware of any other delaying factor.
I note from today's Order Paper that the Road Vehicles (Registration and Licensing) (Amendment) Regulations 2003 have been laid before the House. Will there be an opportunity to debate them in the House in order that we can discuss the pathetic situation whereby people are failing the NCT on the grounds that the name of the county concerned does not appear at the top of the car registration plate?
Perhaps the matter could be debated at the Joint Committee on Transport.
In view of the announcement last weekend that the Minister for Agriculture and Food was going ahead with decoupling of farm payments, with which I believe many would agree, could time be allocated to enable the House to discuss the huge implications—
That matter can be discussed by the Whips.
There are hardship cases. I know of a family—
A matter of that nature is really one for the Whips.
Will the Taoiseach indicate if time will be allocated? Is legislation required?
The Chair has ruled on the matter. We are proceeding to No. 26a– statements on Northern Ireland, to conclude after 70 minutes.