It is proposed to take No. 4, Finance Bill 2005 — Order for Second Stage and Second Stage. It is proposed notwithstanding anything in Standing Orders that the Dáil shall sit later than 8.30 p.m. and business shall be interrupted on the adjournment of Private Members' business, No. 40 — motion re Northern Ireland, which shall be taken for 90 minutes at 7 p.m. or on the conclusion of the opening speeches of the Finance Bill 2005, whichever is the later.
Order of Business.
There is one proposal to be put to the House. Is the proposal for dealing with Private Members' business agreed? Agreed.
In respect of the Abbotstown sports campus Bill, will there be an investigation into the fact that the roof was blown off the National Aquatic Centre which cost €16 million of public money? This is an extraordinary situation. What investigation will be carried out into the incident?
What is the legislation?
: In respect of the family law Bill, which is No. 70 in the Government's legislative programme, last week the chairman of the Equality Authority and the chairman of the National Women's Council of Ireland stated that women who are at work have to lie to their employers to take time off to look after sick children and that parents are at the mercy of employers when it comes to taking time off for parent teacher meetings.
Does the Deputy have a question appropriate to the Order of Business?
Will the Taoiseach indicate when we are likely to see the Bill? While these kinds of matters may not be dealt with directly in the Bill, will they be addressed by legislation?
The Abbotstown Sports Campus Development Authority Bill is due this session. I think the matters mentioned by the Deputy are being examined. The second Bill, the family law Bill, is due. It will make provision for pension adjustments in the context of separation agreements and certain other reforms. The Bill is due later on this year.
Since the Tánaiste took over the Department of Health and Children, more than 2,000 medical cards have been lost, which is a rate of one card per hour of her tenure.
Does the Deputy have a question appropriate to the Order of Business?
Yes, although I have a slight difficulty because we do not have a name for the relevant Bill. When precisely will the yellow pack medical card Bill come before the House to allow Deputies to examine what is on offer?
The Tánaiste has stated that she is giving priority to a short Bill to deal with this issue. It will be brought before the House as soon as possible.
Does the Taoiseach recall his statement last week that National Toll Roads had a contract for the upgrade of the M50? We found out that this is not the case. He also stated the widening of the M50 was proceeding, although An Bord Pleanála has not yet made a decision on the matter. Does the Taoiseach propose to correct the record because we have found no legal basis for his statement that the State cannot buy out the West Link toll bridge? While he may have been having a stab at issues, his comments were not in line with the facts.
On promised legislation, when will the health Bill come before the House? Will it cover cross-Border needs such as County Donegal's dependence on Derry? Although no arrangements are in place, according to the Hollywood report, the county appears to be dependent on Derry for cancer care services.
The matter does not arise on the Order of Business.
Will the health Bill provide for cross-Border arrangements?
The content of Bills may not be discussed in the House. We must finish the Order of Business.
The health Bill has been passed. There is a health Bill to provide for the establishment of the health information and quality authority and the Irish social services inspectorate on a statutory basis——
The health Bill has not been passed. Is publication expected in 2005?
Does the Deputy mean the Bill to which I referred?
I refer to No. 58 on the legislative programme.
The Bill is due later on this year. It is a different one from the one we have been calling. On the other matter, if I did say anything that was incorrect, obviously, when I am questioned on that issue again, I will correct it.
Will the Taoiseach make a statement on the matter?
Is it possible to buy the toll bridge?
The untruth is on the record.
Is the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources, Deputy Noel Dempsey, willing to draw up a priority list of legislation relating to his Department? Perhaps the Taoiseach will use his good influence in this respect. A number of legislative proposals are mentioned on the Order Paper.
The Deputy should be brief.
A number of proposals have fallen off the Order Paper. Will a priority list of urgent legislation, such as the Postal (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill, the electronic communications (miscellaneous provisions) Bill, and the ESB Bill, be drawn up? What does the Department propose to do and when?
The Deputy has made his point.
The priorities are outlined and the Minister has not changed them. A number of Bills in the Minister's domain are moving through at various Stages and I have answered questions on them. Some of the Bills are due this session and others are being prepared.
Nothing will happen unless the Taoiseach takes a hand to the matter.
In April last year, the House was told that the air navigation (Eurocontrol) Bill would be available in 2004. We are now told publication is expected in 2005. The House was also told the Dublin metro Bill would be available in 2004. We are now told its publication is expected some time in 2005. These Bills come within the remit of the Department of Transport. The House was also told the national roads infrastructure Bill would be available for publication in 2004. Its publication is now expected in 2005. The House was told the transport reform Bill, to provide for reform in public transport, would be published in 2004. Its publication is now expected in 2005. The House was told the transport (companies) Bill, to establish Bus Éireann, Bus Átha Cliath and Iarnród Éireann as separate autonomous companies, would be published——
The Deputy should ask a simple question on legislation.
These are very simple questions.
In accordance with Standing Order 26, I should point out that questions regarding some of the Bills to which the Deputy refers were answered on three occasions last week, namely, on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday. The Deputy should ask a brief question on legislation.
My question is brief and important. We were told these Bills would be published in 2004. Publication is now expected in 2005. Is there some problem with the Department of Transport or does the Minister need some assistance to try to get the legislation in question through the Houses?
The Deputy has made a good case for promotion.
All the Bills the Deputy mentioned which were due in 2004 are now due in 2005.
Does the Minister need additional help?
After the previous contribution, I propose to be brief. Unsecured creditors of the IFI company, which went into liquidation two years ago, were told last week they would receive only 24% of the money due to them. The State held a 51% shareholding in the company. Will the Government pay the remainder of the money due? Will a Revised Estimate be necessary to pay the creditors in question, some of whom are small family businesses that have been left to hang out to dry by the Government for more than two years?
The matter does not arise on the Order of Business.
I am sure the Taoiseach would like to answer.
I note the Taoiseach was out in his hard hat in Adamstown yesterday.
The Deputy must ask a brief question appropriate to the Order of Business.
The Taoiseach is aware that we are in the process of building three or four Adamstowns on the northern fringe of Dublin without any master plans. Developers who are close friends of the Taoiseach's party, are generally the people who build them.
Does the Deputy have a question on legislation?
Does the Taoiseach still believe, given the problems of high density and lack of community facilities, that he should introduce some legislation——
I ask the Deputy to resume his seat.
——to try to exert control and ensure the new city is planned?
Questions on legislation relating to Adamstown have already been asked and answered.
People will call the Taoiseach to account for this in ten or 15 years. We will be back in the Four Courts.
If Deputy Broughan does not wish to allow his colleague, Deputy Howlin, to speak, we will move on to the next business.
I asked the Taoiseach about this matter before.
Last week, on the Order of Business, when I asked that a briefing be provided on the investment funds, companies and miscellaneous company law provision Bill, I was told a briefing would be available for spokespersons. When will it be provided?
I will have to check for the Deputy.