The Order of Business is No. 15, Safety, Health and Welfare at Work Bill 2004 — Report Stage (resumed) and Final Stage; and No. 16, Land Bill 2004 [Seanad] — Second Stage (resumed). It is proposed notwithstanding anything in Standing Orders that Private Members’ business, which shall be No. 43, motion re suicide, shall also take place tomorrow immediately following the Order of Business and shall be brought to a conclusion after 90 minutes on that day.
Order of Business.
Is the proposal for dealing with Private Members' business tomorrow agreed to? Agreed.
I thank the Taoiseach for sending me a detailed response in respect of the implementation of sections of the Children Act. I hope those timescales can be adhered to.
When are we likely to see the document from City Hall dealing with the privatisation of prisoner escorts which the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform referred to recently? When will the Minister of State and Chief Whip, Deputy Kitt, bring forward proposals for Dáil reform?
Last weekend vandals caused €100,000 worth of damage to sculpted figures in a little park in Kiltimagh, County Mayo. The only trace of the culprits was beer cans. While a Garda investigation is taking place, it might——
Does the Deputy have a question appropriate to the Order of Business?
It might be helpful in these kind of cases if at least the relevant section of the Intoxicating Liquor Act was implemented, whereby beer cans bought in off-licences would carry the stamp of the point of sale. That is in the Act but it has not been implemented. I do not suggest there is any wrongdoing on behalf of the proprietors of these establishments but it might be helpful to Garda investigations——
The Deputy has made his point.
——if staff in off-licences could at least inform the Garda of who might have been in purchasing drink prior to going on a rampage like this.
It is the intention to implement all the regulations and to try to stop these kind of public order offences. The Garda currently have powers to investigate these matters.
The Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform has already spelled out in detail the action which he intends to take in regard to amendments to the legislation. I do not have details of any particular amendment which he will put forward but I am sure he will be able to deal with any query which the Deputy may have. The Minister currently has a number of Bills before the House
The Government Chief Whip wants to complete his discussions with other parties and try to bring forward agreed measures regarding proposals for Dáil reform.
Will he lift the road block?
We will formalise them as soon as possible.
I would not put it past the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform if it is his intention for the prison escort service to go to Michael O'Leary and the taxi service he can provide.
Can he make them pay for their own transport?
Will the Taoiseach indicate when the Tánaiste will bring to the House the redress scheme for relatives of people in respect of the long-stay charges issue in institutions?
I do not think it requires legislation. The work in setting up the procedures to deal with this issue are moving forward. Regular discussions take place on an almost daily basis to try to bring forward the scheme. I am sure the Tánaiste would be glad to answer questions on it.
The Electoral (Amendment) Bill is before the House. Given that this legislation provides for greatly increased allowable expenditure at elections, is it time at long last to bring about the publication of the charities regulation Bill so that political fundraising might be covered and regulated along with other charities which are currently looking for that legislation?
Following my question to the Taoiseach earlier, is any promised amendment envisaged to the Planning and Development Act 2000 that would close the loophole where currently no matter how large a site is it does not require an environmental impact assessment if it is being developed by certain State agencies?
We cannot discuss what might be in the legislation.
I am looking for promised legislation in that regard.
The charities Bill will be brought forward next year. The Planning and Development Act was enacted three years ago.
Can the Taoiseach give any indication of whether unsecured creditors of IFI will be paid and, if so, will a Revised Estimate be required by the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment?
That does not arise on the Order of Business.
Deputy Timmins asked about a Supplementary Estimate.
Will a Supplementary Estimate be required from the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment?
There is no provision for a Supplementary Estimate.
We will be finalising the Safety, Health and Welfare at Work Bill shortly. When will the regulations to improve safety standards at construction sites be introduced under existing health and safety legislation passed by this House? They are overdue by 18 months. I raise the matter in the light of a 40% increase in fatalities in the first four months of this year.
I will have to ask the Department.
When is it proposed to introduce the Bill to alter the corporate status of the Voluntary Health Insurance? Will it be soon?
It is not possible to indicate a date at this stage but legislation is being prepared to alter the corporate status of the VHI. I understand it is not likely to come forward in the immediate future.
Luas drivers feel themselves in the grip of a regime of stress, arbitrary sackings and intimidation. A form of industrial action taken yesterday was hampered by a no-strike clause. Does the Taoiseach consider this acceptable?
Does the Deputy have a question on legislation?
Does he believe industrial relations legislation should prevent that kind of regime from operating?
We now move on to a statement by the——
This is a very important issue.
It may well be. Because it is such an important issue perhaps it would be better to ask it in the appropriate fashion.