I wish to seek leave later to introduce a Private Members' Bill but, first, I have a question on promised legislation. Following the Council of Ministers' failure to agree on regulating embryonic stem cell research yesterday, the Tánaiste said this country is in a state of limbo on the issue. Does the Taoiseach believe we will need legislation to regulate such research? Has the Government received legal advice, or what legal advice is available, regarding the—
Order of Business (Resumed).
The Deputy should submit a question to the appropriate Minister regarding the second point.
It is an important topic of national importance.
Of course it is, Deputy, but it is not a matter for the Order of Business.
What legislation does the Government propose to introduce when the Council of Ministers cannot agree? Where is the legislation that shows the funding has to go ahead?
I do not think this matter is governed by legislation because this research was not going to happen in this country anyway.
The Tánaiste indicated yesterday that it could happen now.
In view of the length of time being taken to consider higher education grants, when is it proposed to introduce the Higher Education Authority (Amendment) Bill so that this matter can be debated?
As regards the Higher Education Authority (Amendment) Bill, discussions are ongoing between the Department of Education and Science and the authority to transfer certain funding responsibilities and operational matters from the Department to the HEA. I do not have a date for the transfer as the discussions have not been completed.
Yesterday the Government announced the decentralisation, or should I say the relocation, of 10,000 civil servants out of Dublin. This appeared to bear little relationship to the national spatial strategy. Will legislation be introduced to make the national spatial strategy operational?
Is legislation promised?
No, it is not but I have already answered the question by saying that some areas might require legislation.
It is dead in the water.
In view of the massive turnout in Ennis and Nenagh against the Hanly report, will the Taoiseach instruct the Minister for Health and Children to withdraw the report in so far as it relates to Ennis and Nenagh to protect the accident and emergency service in County Clare?
The Deputy should submit a question directly to the responsible Minister.
Will the Taoiseach sack the Minister for failing to provide a proper health service?
Sorry, Deputy Breen, I am calling Deputy Costello.
There is nothing in the budget for health.
Deputy Breen will have an opportunity during the budget debate to outline what he would like to see in the budget.
Will the Taoiseach heed people power concerning Ennis and Nenagh?
Please allow Deputy Costello to speak without interruption.
The people of Ennis and Nenagh have spoken and I am asking the Taoiseach to listen to them.
Deputy Breen should resume his seat and allow Deputy Costello to speak.
The people have spoken.
We have not commenced the budget debate yet and Deputy Breen will have an opportunity during that debate to make his points.
Deputy Breen deserves an answer.
The House will meet tomorrow.
I noticed that the Curragh is to be one of the areas to which decentralisation is to take place so perhaps the Prison Service could go there rather than to Longford. In the context of the ongoing dispute between the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform and the Prison Officers Association, one of the deadlines is 1 January. The Minister has stated that if that deadline is not reached he intends to privatise the escort service.
Does the Deputy have a question on legislation?
Legislation would be required to privatise that service. If the deadline is on 1 January, where is the legislation that would be required to do that?
In this respect, the only legislation is the Prison Service Bill, which will put on a statutory basis an independent Prison Service, and work is in progress on that.
The Minister cannot carry out his threat?
Is it possible for the Taoiseach to set some time aside for a discussion on agriculture before we rise for—
That does not arise. I call Deputy Broughan.
The point I want to make is on job losses.
Deputy, you can make the point during the budget debate without any intervention from the Chair.
On the reported agitation and upset of the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources, Deputy Dermot Ahern, last week, can the Taoiseach give us a timeframe for the electricity Bill given the key issues associated with it? The Taoiseach probably received the district electoral divisions figures on unemployment for his constituency and mine and many north side and west side constituencies. He will have noted that many of them still have unemployment rates of approximately 25% or 26%.
The Deputy's first question is in order but the second is not.
The Taoiseach knows the question I am asking. Has he any plans about relocating jobs to those areas?
On the first question on legislation.
Does the Taoiseach have any plans about relocating jobs to those areas?
Sorry, Deputy, we cannot anticipate the budget debate. You will have an opportunity later today or tomorrow to make your contribution. I call the Taoiseach on legislation.
The electricity Bill will be published in early 2004.
Will the Taoiseach indicate when it is intended to bring the drug offenders Bill before the House in view of the serious problems of increased criminality associated with drugs?
Work on the drug offenders Bill is at a preliminary stage of examination. It is not possible to give a date at this stage.