It is proposed to take No. 13, Employees (Provision of Information and Consultation) Bill 2005[Seanad]— Order for Report, Report and Final Stages and No. 12, National Sports Campus Development Authority Bill 2006 — Second Stage, resumed. Private Members’ business shall be No. 47, motion re political donations and planning, resumed.
Order of Business.
There are no proposals to put to the House.
When is it proposed to publish the report on the safety of the Corrib gas field, which the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources has been considering for some time?
I was talking to the Minister earlier. He had meetings this morning on some ongoing issues. I will try to get a final date from him but he is trying to bring matters to a conclusion.
I wish to clarify the Taoiseach's remarks yesterday. Is he saying the criminal justice Bill will be put back to a Second Stage debate?
On the same issue, the Taoiseach stated yesterday the Bill would be recommitted, which seems to be in error. I endorse Deputy Rabbitte's request for clarity on what is proposed by the Government because there is total confusion about how the Bill will be handled. The original Bill comprised 36 sections but 255 pages of amendments have been circulated.
I do not want repetition.
We want to deal with this legislation properly and effectively.
I will get full clarity from the Minister and I will give the information to the Whips for the meeting tonight. As I understand it, because of the extent of the amendments to the Bill, it will be recommitted so that we can have effectively a Second Stage debate. Members will be able to contribute on the totality of the Bill. That is my understanding but I will get absolute clarity.
The United Nations conference on environment and development has designated 22 March as world water day. Where stands the Water Services Bill 2003, which is awaiting Committee Stage? Does the Government intend to give priority to this matter? The east of the country will face severe water shortages
We cannot debate this matter.
Water shortages, which are expected by 2020, are being seriously examined by the rest of the world. Is priority being given by the Government to this matter?
I refer to European Commission documents on the Order Paper relating to genetically modified products. Does the Government intend to provide time for debate on these matters, given they are of major concern inside and outside the House?
The Water Services Bill 2003 is awaiting Committee Stage. I will raise with the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government when it is intended to take Committee Stage but the Bill was published more than two years ago and Second Stage has been taken.
It is a matter for the Whips to allocate time regarding the other issues.
It was reported earlier that Iarnród Éireann has lost the contract to transport Guinness in Ireland via rail after almost two centuries. As a result, 1.3 million additional kegs will be transported on our roads.
The Deputy should table a parliamentary question to the line Minister.
I have a question about promised legislation, namely, the rail transport Bill.
It will be taken later this year.
Will the Minister for Transport do anything to stop the erosion of rail freight in Ireland and allowing CIE to lose contracts deliberately?
We cannot discuss the contents of the legislation.
Yet again, I have a sheaf of parliamentary questions to the Minister for Health and Children, which have been referred to the HSE, and I do not know when I will receive a reply.
The HSE will not reply to the Deputy.
Will the Taoiseach give us a copy of the speaking notes he had earlier on the accident and emergency department crisis?
That does not arise on the Order of Business. We cannot go back over Leader's Questions.
Is the Taoiseach willing to circulate that information to us, as it would be useful?
We cannot go back over Leader's Questions. We spent 45 minutes on them.
I have a question about legislation on information and when the Taoiseach replies, he might offer to give us a copy of his speaking notes.
I will not allow that question because that would bring us into a whole new area not covered by Standing Order 26.
The health information and equality authority Bill, under which Member's questions might be answered, must be put on a statutory footing. When is that likely to happen?
The heads of the health Bill have been approved and it will be ready later in the year. I do not have an exact month.
The Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform has defended his defamation of Daily Ireland on the basis that he spoke as a Minister of Government. As Head of Government, does the Taoiseach stand over this comment or will he disassociate himself and his Government from that defamation?
That does not arise on the Order of Business.
When will the defamation Bill be published?
The Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children indicated legislation will be required regarding the insurance aspects of the redress scheme for the victims of Mr. Neary in Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital, Drogheda. When will such legislation be published? When does the Taoiseach expect that Judge Harding Clark's report and recommendations on the redress scheme will be employed?
The Tánaiste said she has asked the judge to conduct an examination. She will not make moves until the judge reports back. I cannot recall how long the judge said it would take but it is not a long period.
The defamation Bill will be published this session.
Does the Taoiseach disassociate himself-——
That cannot be raised on the Order of Business.
A number of months ago, I asked the Taoiseach if he would consider holding a Cabinet meeting in Wicklow to mark the 400th anniversary of the county. Will he confirm that he will do so in early June?
The Cabinet will meet in Wicklow on 7 June.
Would it be possible to lay before the House the Deloitte & Touche report on the ESB and give a copy to Opposition spokespersons on energy? Has it been possible to arrange a meeting between the Taoiseach and the Stardust victims committee?
It might be more appropriate to submit both questions as parliamentary questions.
The Taoiseach wants to reply.
On the second question, I will talk to the Deputy about it.
All parties have made substantial recommendations on Dáil reform and they are all agreed on the need for Ministers to reply in the Dáil on matters concerning statutory agencies under their remit. As we are all agreed on this, is it possible to change Standing Orders to facilitate it?
The Deputy should submit a question on that.
To whom should I submit it?
The Deputy will have to find another way of raising the matter because the House legislated to give responsibility to the agencies.
All parties are agreed on it.