Dáil Éireann debate -
Wednesday, 3 May 2006

Vol. 618 No. 4

Order of Business.

The Taoiseach

It is proposed to take No. 11, motion re Sea Pollution (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2003 [Seanad]; No. 16, Employment Permits Bill 2005 — Report Stage, resumed; and No. 17, National Sports Campus Development Authority Bill 2006 — Second Stage, resumed.

It is proposed, notwithstanding anything in Standing Orders, that No. 11 shall be decided without debate. Private Members' business shall be No. 48, motion re oil and gas sources of energy in Ireland, which shall also take place tomorrow immediately after the Order of Business and shall be brought to a conclusion after 90 minutes on that day.

An Ceann Comhairle

There are two proposals to put to the House. Is the proposal for dealing with No. 11 without debate, motion re Sea Pollution (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2003 agreed? Agreed. Is the proposal for dealing with Private Members' business agreed? Agreed.

Mr. Kenny

Can the Taoiseach give any indication of when the Government intends to bring in the legislation dealing with administrative fines for infringements of the maritime Acts with regard to fishing?

The Taoiseach

On the fines Bill, the heads of the Bill have been approved and I am informed we should have the Bill during this session.

Mr. Rabbitte

Has the Dalton report gone missing or does the Taoiseach know anything about it? Is the Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism, Deputy O'Donoghue, squatting on it or what is the story? With regard to legislation, does the Taoiseach imply that whatever is necessary to refurbish the electoral register, the Government does not intend bringing forward legislation?

The Taoiseach

Not unless the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government wants to bring forward a proposal on the Electoral Act. There are already powers in that Act. I do not know about the Dalton report which deals with Bord na gCon. I will check on it for the Deputy.

Mr. Sargent

Given the report on the Corrib gas pipeline has been published, does the Government intend setting time aside for a debate on the issue? On promised legislation, the control of exports Bill does not seem to have a publication date. Has the Government in mind the Amnesty International report on Irish manufactured military and security equipment and components in this regard? This area does not have any legislative cover or regulation even though the public consultation process required and recommended such. Has the Government a view on that given the serious security and human rights implications?

The Taoiseach

Is the Deputy inquiring about customs and excise legislation?

Mr. Sargent

The control of exports Bill will deal with the matter. I would like to know if it is forthcoming.

The Taoiseach

I do not have a date for legislation to update our export control legislation and cannot say when it is due. The legislation is to be in line with recommendations of the recently published review of Ireland's export control system. I have no indication of when the heads of the Bill will be published.

Mr. Sargent

Will the Bill include military equipment?

Ms Enright

This is the 13th legislative programme published since I came into the Dáil. The register of persons considered unsafe to work with children has moved at last, but only from the Department of Education and Science to the Department of Health and Children. When is this issue likely to move from section C and when is legislation likely to be published on it?

The Taoiseach

Work so far has concentrated on developing procedures for vetting of convictions through the vetting unit. The development of a register gives rise to a range of legal policy and practical implementation issues. The Departments of Education and Science and of Health and Children are in discussion on the establishment of a pre-employment consultancy service. I do not have a date for when they will be able to bring forward proposals. I understand the Minister of State with responsibility for children, Deputy Brian Lenihan, is dealing with the matter.

Ms McManus

Two pharmacy Bills were promised. I understand the heads for one of these have been agreed by Cabinet. Will the heads be published and when will the legislation come to the House?

The Taoiseach

The heads have been approved by the Government. I will bring the Deputy's comments to the attention of the Tánaiste and ask whether the heads will be published.

Ms McManus

I understand the Tánaiste is taking the direction of limited consultation. It would be unfortunate if the heads of the Bill were not published.

The Taoiseach

I will raise that issue.

Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin

As the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children will not attend the Irish Nurses Organisation conference, perhaps the Taoiseach will avail of the opportunity to explain to us the reason the nurses and midwives Bill has been put back for a further year. What is the reason for the further delay?

The Taoiseach

The legislation is listed for next year.

Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin

Why is that the case?

The Taoiseach

It is just not ready.

Mr. McEntee

We all thought we would have an accident-free May bank holiday weekend but it turned out to be the worst on our roads in years. Will the Taoiseach indicate if a date has been set for the introduction of the road traffic Bill?

The Taoiseach

It will be this session.

Mr. Stagg

I asked the Taoiseach previously about the communications Bill. Without discussing its contents, there is a particular section that deals with access by the Irish in Britain to signals from RTE. Will the Taoiseach indicate if it is likely that the Bill will be brought in and completed before the end of this session to ensure they will have the signal for the all-Ireland hurling and football finals in September?

The Taoiseach

I have tried to support Deputy Stagg in this effort. I am aware he has engaged in a lot of campaigning on this legislation and the technical issue that is involved. I have asked about bringing forward the legislation but there are also some issues around the technical requirements in terms of how they can do that. I understand that is being discussed. As soon as I get an answer I will write to the Deputy on the technical issue. I am told it is not a money or a legislation issue but a technical issue. As soon as I know, I will inform the Deputy.

Mr. Stagg

I thank the Taoiseach.

Mr. Boyle

In the light of press reports that proposals are being made to change the name of the Comhairle organisation and give it an English title, will the Taoiseach indicate the status of the Comhairle Bill, Second Stage of which the House has taken? Will that Bill be removed and a replacement Bill introduced?

The Taoiseach

The Comhairle (Amendment) Bill has been published and is ordered for Second Stage.

Mr. Boyle

That was not my question. If there is a proposal to change the name of the Comhairle organisation, will a new Bill be put before the House?

The Taoiseach

Not that I am aware of. My note indicates that the Bill has been published and it is ordered for Second Stage. It is a matter to be taken up with the Minister.

Mr. Boyle

Did the chairman of the organisation say the title was being changed?

The Taoiseach

I have no information on it.

An Ceann Comhairle

We cannot have a debate. The Deputy should submit a question to the Minister.

Mr. Durkan

In view of the urgency of energy matters, will the Taoiseach indicate whether the national oil reserves agency Bill has progressed since I asked him about it previously? Perhaps he will also comment on the electronic communications Bill. There are at least 50 Bills listed under section C in respect of which heads have yet to be approved by the Government. Has any priority list been drawn up and will the Taoiseach give some information to the House in that regard, given that at most one year remains before the next general election? It might be beneficial if a priority list could be drawn up now with a view to passing some of that legislation before the next general election. If so, will the Taoiseach confirm that?

The Taoiseach

The two Bills the Deputy is inquiring about are due this session. I understand the Whip put out the priority list in a schedule. We cover approximately 40 or 50 Bills a year and we have put out the legislation for the remainder of this year.