Order of Business.

The Taoiseach

It is proposed to take No. 8, motion re proposed approval by Dáil Éireann of the terms of the convention on social security between the Government of Ireland and the Government of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland; No. 9, motion re proposed approval by Dáil Éireann of the accession by Ireland to the Rotterdam Convention; and No. 15, Disability Bill 2004 — Second Stage (resumed). Private Members' Business shall be No. 43, motion re housing.

It is proposed, notwithstanding anything in Standing Orders, that the Dáil shall sit later than 8.30 p.m. tonight and business shall be interrupted on the adjournment of Private Members' Business, which shall be taken for 90 minutes at 7 p.m., or on the conclusion of No. 15, whichever is the later; that Nos. 8 and 9 shall be decided without debate; and that the resumed Second Stage debate on No. 15 shall, if not previously concluded, be brought to a conclusion at 7 p.m. tonight.

An Ceann Comhairle

There are three proposals to be put to the House. Is the proposal for the late sitting agreed to? Agreed. Is the proposal for dealing with Nos. 8 and 9 agreed to?

Mr. Sargent

It is not. I oppose the proposal for dealing with No. 9, motion re the Rotterdam Convention, because the matter needs to be debated in the House. The convention which is relevant to sectors other than agriculture because it relates to the international trade in hazardous chemicals was considered by the Select Committee on Agriculture and Food for just nine minutes. It should be considered as part of the ongoing incineration debate. The Departments of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government and Enterprise, Trade and Employment have certain responsibilities in this regard. The motion should be debated in the House because it has not been sufficiently considered. The nine minutes allocated to the matter by the select committee were not sufficient by any standard.

Question, "That the proposal for dealing with Nos. 8 and 9 be agreed to," put and declared carried.

An Ceann Comhairle

Is the proposal for dealing with No. 15 agreed to?

Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin

It is not.

Mr. Kenny

I am opposed to the imposition of a guillotine on the Second Stage debate on the Disability Bill 2004 which is an important Bill about which the legislative consultation group issued ten serious recommendations. A number of Deputies wish to speak on it. I do not think it is appropriate to impose a guillotine on this legislation. I oppose the proposal to conclude its consideration at 7 p.m.

Mr. Sargent

All Members of the House have received many representations about the Disability Bill 2004. We have a responsibility to oppose the imposition of a guillotine on the legislation which is so flawed that it needs to be withdrawn. The Government should reflect on the matter before adopting a rights-based approach. I oppose the proposal and ask the House to vote against it.

Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin

I also oppose the imposition of a guillotine on the Disability Bill 2004 at 7 p.m. I do not know how many Deputies have yet to contribute but I am aware that some Members who would like to speak on the legislation have not yet done so. It is unacceptable that a guillotine could prevent a Member from participating in the Second Stage debate on an important Bill. Not only do I not accept the guillotine proposed but I also find it most objectionable that a vote will be held on Second Stage at 7 p.m. this evening. The Bill needs to be redrafted.

Mr. Stagg

I understand the number of remaining Deputies who would like to speak on the Disability Bill 2004 is not substantial. That is why the Labour Party has not raised any particular objections to the proposed guillotine. I suggest that the Chief Whip should remove the guillotine because it is possible that the time remaining will be sufficient for the Deputies who have indicated that they would like to speak.

Ms McManus

There are very few remaining Deputies who wish to speak.

The Taoiseach

Like Deputy Stagg, I understand very few Members who wish to speak on the Disability Bill 2004 have not yet done so.

Ms McManus

Yes.

The Taoiseach

They might have an opportunity to speak before 7 p.m. this evening. The amount of time spent on consideration of the Bill to date is three times greater than the average.

Mr. Neville

That time was needed to give Members an opportunity to indicate the problems.

The Taoiseach

The House has spent almost 20 hours on consideration of the Bill. Nobody can suggest that the amount of time provided is insufficient when most Bills are considered in one third of that time. I am aware that the Chief Whip has held discussions about the amount of time to be allocated to Committee Stage. I intend to proceed with the proposal.

Question put: "That the proposal for dealing with No. 15 be agreed."

The Dáil divided: Tá, 64; Níl, 47.

Tá

Ahern, Bertie.
Ahern, Dermot.
Ahern, Michael.
Ahern, Noel.
Andrews, Barry.
Ardagh, Seán.
Blaney, Niall.
Brady, Johnny.
Brady, Martin.
Brennan, Seamus.
Browne, John.
Callanan, Joe.
Callely, Ivor.
Carey, Pat.
Cassidy, Donie.
Collins, Michael.
Coughlan, Mary.
Cowen, Brian.
Cregan, John.
Cullen, Martin.
Curran, John.
de Valera, Síle.
Dempsey, Noel.
Dempsey, Tony.
Dennehy, John.
Devins, Jimmy.
Ellis, John.
Fahey, Frank.
Fitzpatrick, Dermot.
Fleming, Seán.
Gallagher, Pat The Cope.
Glennon, Jim.
Haughey, Seán.
Jacob, Joe.
Keaveney, Cecilia.
Kelleher, Billy.
Kelly, Peter.
Killeen, Tony.
Kirk, Seamus.
Kitt, Tom.
Lenihan, Conor.
McEllistrim, Thomas.
McGuinness, John.
Martin, Micheál.
Moynihan, Donal.
Mulcahy, Michael.
Nolan, M. J.
Ó Fearghaíl, Seán.
O’Connor, Charlie.
O’Donnell, Liz.
O’Donovan, Denis.
O’Flynn, Noel.
O’Keeffe, Batt.
O’Malley, Fiona.
O’Malley, Tim.
Parlon, Tom.
Power, Peter.
Power, Seán.
Roche, Dick.
Sexton, Mae.
Treacy, Noel.
Walsh, Joe.
Wilkinson, Ollie.
Woods, Michael.

Níl

Boyle, Dan.
Breen, James.
Broughan, Thomas P.
Bruton, Richard.
Burton, Joan.
Connaughton, Paul.
Connolly, Paudge.
Costello, Joe.
Cowley, Jerry.
Crowe, Seán.
Cuffe, Ciarán.
Deasy, John.
Deenihan, Jimmy.
Durkan, Bernard J.
Enright, Olwyn.
Gilmore, Eamon.
Hogan, Phil.
Howlin, Brendan.
Kenny, Enda.
Lynch, Kathleen.
McCormack, Padraic.
McEntee, Shane.
McGinley, Dinny.
McGrath, Paul.
McManus, Liz.
Mitchell, Olivia.
Morgan, Arthur.
Moynihan-Cronin, Breeda.
Neville, Dan.
Ó Caoláin, Caoimhghín.
Ó Snodaigh, Aengus.
O’Keeffe, Jim.
O’Shea, Brian.
Pattison, Seamus.
Penrose, Willie.
Perry, John.
Quinn, Ruairi.
Rabbitte, Pat.
Ryan, Eamon.
Ryan, Seán.
Sargent, Trevor.
Sherlock, Joe.
Shortall, Róisín.
Stagg, Emmet.
Stanton, David.
Timmins, Billy.
Upton, Mary.

Tellers: Tá, Deputies Kitt and Kelleher; Níl, Deputies Neville and Boyle.

Question declared carried.

Mr. Kenny

The charities regulations Bill is expected in 2005. Does the Taoiseach have any idea when that Bill might be produced?

The Taoiseach

Work is continuing on the Bill. As I have said previously, it is a very complex Bill because of the old arrangements on charitable donations but work is continuing. I hope the Bill will be forthcoming but it is complex.

Mr. Kenny

Will we see it some time next year?

The Taoiseach

That is the hope.

Order of Business.

Tá

Níl

Dáil Éireann debate -
Tuesday, 19 Apr 2005