The Order of Business today shall be as follows: No. 9, motion re ministerial rota for Parliamentary Questions; and No. 1, Air Navigation and Transport (International Conventions) Bill 2004 [Seanad] — Second Stage. It is proposed, notwithstanding anything in Standing Orders, that No. 9 shall be decided without debate. Private Members’ business shall be No. 34, motion re social welfare cuts.
Order of Business.
There is one proposal to put to the House. Is the proposal for dealing with No. 9, motion re ministerial rota for Parliamentary Questions, without debate, agreed to? Agreed.
Did the Government at its meeting this morning approve the final draft of the electoral Bill which will provide for electronic voting? When can we expect that Bill to be published? Will it give the independent panel scope to express reservations about the current proposal of Government and, if it will make a recommendation of that nature, will the Government accept it?
The Deputy's first two questions are in order.
The Bill was cleared by the Cabinet this morning and it will be published in the next few days. The matters relating to the independent commission are dealt with in the Bill. The Deputy will have to await the Bill to see what it states about the commission.
How long will the Deputy have to await the publication of the Bill? Will the independent panel have access to the source code?
The Deputy's first question is in order.
The Bill will be published in the next day or two, I presume by the end of the week.
Will the independent panel have access to the source code?
We cannot discuss the content of the Bill at this stage. I call Deputy Sargent.
The Ceann Comhairle will be relieved to hear that I do not propose to do that. Will the independent panel have access to the source code?
That does not arise on the Order of Business.
Clearly, intellectual property issues arise in regard to this, as the Deputy will be aware, but that will be a matter for the commission, as I understand it.
It will be a matter for the commission, for the panel of five people set up by the Government?
I suggest the Deputy submits a question to the appropriate Minister, as we cannot have a debate on this matter now.
It is a matter for them to seek access.
It is a matter for them to seek access? This is an important matter.
That is why it should be dealt with in a proper fashion by submitting a question to the appropriate Minister.
It applies to the 165 Members of the House other than yourself, Sir.
I will not tell the commission what it should not should not do.
The panel will have the right to seek it. That is quite a different matter.
We all have the right to seek access to it.
This matter does not arise on the Order of Business.
We should get clarification on what that means.
I can neither speak for the commission——
Minister, we are on the Order of Business, not questions to the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government.
I am delighted we have the right to seek access.
Taking account of the Ceann Comhairle's ruling that this matter does not arise on the Order of Business, I ask that he facilitate party representatives coming together to provide some consultation on it, as proposed by his former colleague, the then Minister, Deputy Molloy, who insisted that this matter would be dealt with through consultation. We are not seeing that. Such consultation might take the place of the exchanges we must have on the Order of Business in the absence of consultation.
It is not necessary to have these exchanges on the Order of Business.
Unfortunately, it is because there has not been consultation on this matter. However, I wish to ask a question about promised legislation.
The Tánaiste stated that legislation on this matter will be published and when it comes before the Dáil Deputies will have an opportunity to speak on it.
It was expected that there would have been consultation on this matter.
On promised legislation, although it is to be dealt with soon, it is important that the maritime safety Bill and the maritime security Bill should be published early to enable us to get to grips with the lack of Government policy in regard to the marine. This involves health and safety aspects, trawlers sinking and the serious threat to life posed by that.
I understand that Bill will be published later on this year.
Given that Traveller and business people literally took over the town of Clones on St. Patrick's Day and there were many articles written about the trouble caused by the abuse of alcohol on that day, when will the intoxicating liquor Bill be introduced to ensure that there will be control and understanding in this regard?
The intention is that the Minister will circulate the heads of that Bill later this year.
We were promised two Bills from the Department of Health and Children this session, the health and social care professionals Bill and the health (amendment) Bill. Can the Tánaiste confirm whether those Bills will be introduced this session?
The health professionals Bill will be ready this session as will the health (amendment) Bill.
On 10 March the Taoiseach responded that the civil liability and courts Bill was ordered for Second Stage for the following day, 11 March. Can the Tánaiste indicate when it is intended it will be brought before the House?
That Bill is currently in the Seanad. It is matter for the Seanad to conclude its deliberations on the Bill and then it will come to this House, soon, I hope because it is important for the Government's insurance reform programme that it is enacted as quickly as possible.
In respect of the Garda Síochána Bill, on the occasion of the visit of the US President to Ireland this year, has the Government considered and can the Tánaiste confirm that it is the Garda Commissioner who will lay down the criteria for qualification to carry arms here during that visit and not the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform?
I am surprised at this question. As the Deputy knows, it has nothing to do with the legislation.
I sincerely hope it is not the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform, as we would all have to leave.
In regard to the right to carry arms, what is happening in relation to President Bush's visit is no different from what happened for the former President Clinton or anybody else.
Not since Sam rode at the Battle of Aughrim has there been anything like the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform.
The Ceann Comhairle knows I have been raising the issue of Luas line safety in the House for some time. I understand there is a proposal to create a public safety authority. When will the long-awaited Report Stage of the Rail Safety Bill, for which we have been waiting almost 12 months, come before the House in order that these important matters can be raised? The Tánaiste will be aware of the serious issue of Luas line safety.
I understand from the Minister that it will be in the next month or so.
The Minister sounds like a broken record.
In regard to issue, raised by Deputy Kenny, about the right to carry arms in Ireland, the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform has also stated that the security services who come to this country will have the right to shoot.
Does the Deputy have a question on legislation?
I do.
Perhaps the Deputy would come to the legislation.
The right to shoot to save lives seems an unusual one. Does the Government have proposals to amend the Diplomatic Immunity Act 1967 so that secret service agents can shoot in this country?
There are no proposals to amend any diplomatic immunity Act, as the Deputy well knows. He should be careful in case he misquotes individuals. The Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform did not say what the Deputy suggests he did.
The Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform should be careful in case he misrepresents the people.
The pigeons need to be careful too.
Members have received correspondence from the dormant accounts disbursement board about future decisions and probably the last ones to be made by it. Given that Government policy dictates that the board will become an advisory one and decisions will be made for the Minister for slush funds, that is, the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs, when will the dormant accounts (amendment) Bill come before the House? Will it be before the local elections and will the Minister make decisions on the disbursements of dormant accounts before the local elections?
I do not know when the legislation will come before the House but it is due to be published towards the middle of this year.
It will be after the local elections.
The broadcasting authority of Ireland requires legislation before it can be set up. When can the House expect that legislation given that it had been promised for early this year?
The new registration system for marine leisure craft promised by the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources also requires legislation. When can we expect this and will it be before the summer?
If legislation is required in regard to the leisure craft registration system, it will go before the Government in the second half of this year. The heads of the broadcasting authority of Ireland Bill will be published in the middle of the year.
What is the cause of the delay in bringing the Report Stage of the Education for Persons with Disabilities Bill before the House? It is well over a month since we completed Committee Stage. It appeared on a list approximately three weeks ago and was taken off before it came to the floor of the House.
I do not know whether it is an issue of time or one in respect of amendments. I will check into the matter for the Deputy.
On promised legislation, given the constant reassurances of the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government to the House regarding the authenticity and security of the proposed electronic voting system, will he explain why the travelling roadshow——
Can we have a question on legislation?
This is on the legislation. Why is the travelling roadshow making appeals to the public for submissions to enhance further or ensure compliance with the Minister's wishes?
The Deputy should submit a question to the Minister responsible.
The Minister shrilly reasserted his views on this issue in the House on several occasions.
The Minister would be out of order to interrupt at this stage.
Perhaps the Minister might like to come forward and reassure the House.
I call Deputy Kenny on something appropriate to the Order of Business.
Two years ago, the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform published legislation dealing with the financing of terrorism, abduction of hostages and terrorist offences. That Bill has not yet been sent to committee. Given the urgency with which the Government has moved following the Madrid atrocity and the meeting of last week, has the Government considered taking Committee Stage of the Bill and when can we expect it?
The Bill is a priority for the Government and the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform. I understand a number of amendments will be tabled and the views of the Human Rights Commission must be considered in their drafting. I understand it is a matter of the Whips agreeing time.
On a recent visit to Clonshaugh industrial estate, I noticed that seven major factories are lying empty, including two 30,000 square metre units.
Does the Deputy have a question appropriate to the Order of Business?
Will the Tánaiste arrange for a debate on the rules she agreed to in regard to regional economic aids in the EU because they discriminate against Dublin?
If the Deputy wishes to table a question on this matter, I will answer it. He has already asked me about it. As the Deputy is aware, employment in Dublin is still buoyant. We still have some unemployment blackspots but, of all the capital cities in Europe, Dublin probably has the lowest level of unemployment.
I do not know whether it was a mini Ard-Fheis in the House but the Taoiseach promised a fast-track approach to certain industrial development. We have heard nothing since and I wonder if it has been relegated to the slow lane. What is happening to it? When can we expect the legislation?
The Minister for Transport is building the tracks.
I understand the Deputy is referring to the fast track for strategic decisions. I understand the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government will come forward with proposals to the Government shortly in that regard.