Order of Business.

The Taoiseach

It is proposed to take No. 12, motion re referral to joint committee of proposed approval by Dáil Éireann of a proposal that section 17A of the Diseases of Animals Act 1966 shall continue in force for the period ending on 8 March 2011; and No. 4, Finance Bill 2010 — 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. tonight and business shall be interrupted not later than 10 p.m.; and No. 12 shall be decided without debate. Private Members' business shall be No. 76, motion re remuneration of public servants.

An Ceann Comhairle

There are two proposals to be put to the House. Is the proposal for the late sitting agreed to? Agreed.

Is the proposal for dealing with No. 12, motion re referral to joint committee of proposed approval by Dáil Éireann of a proposal that section 17A of the Diseases of Animals Act 1966 shall continue in force for the period ending on 8 March 2011 without debate, agreed to? Agreed.

Deputy Enda Kenny

It is not that I have a recently freed candidate for this position, but in respect of the local government (office of the Dublin mayor and regional authority of Dublin) Bill, we are now approximately 14 weeks from having to appoint or elect a nominee to this position. Given that it is on list C and the heads have not yet been approved by Government, when can we expect it to be published? It is mentioned to be published sometime during 2010.

Given the appalling report about the facilities at St. Ita's Hospital in Portrane, in respect of the mental health (amendment) Bill, is the Taoiseach in a position to announce progress on expediting the contract to provide decent facilities for those people who are suffering to an enormous extent with grossly inferior Dickensian facilities in St. Ita's Hospital?

Deputy Eamon Gilmore

I wish to speak about the first item Deputy Kenny mentioned. I do not at this stage wish to declare whether I have a candidate. However, I would like to know when the election will take place. There was some newspaper reportage on speculation that the Government would approve the heads of the local government (office of the Dublin mayor and regional authority of Dublin) Bill. Has that happened? When will the Bill be published?

A Deputy

Did the Taoiseach clear it with Deputy Bertie Ahern?

Deputy Eamon Gilmore

Will the heads of the Bill be circulated? Can the Taoiseach make a categorical statement on the matter? The Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government has been saying that the election would be held in June.

A Deputy

Which year?

Deputy Eamon Gilmore

This year. I would like the Taoiseach to make a categorical statement as to whether it will be held in June.

Deputy Pat Rabbitte

Some chance of that.

The Taoiseach

The programme for Government stated that this election will be held during 2010. The Minister has indicated his hope that he would like to have it in the middle of June. At the moment that depends on the passage of the legislation and the work being done on it. The commitment in the programme for Government is that it will take place this year and we intend honouring that commitment. The heads of the Bill were approved today.

Regarding the matter raised by Deputy Kenny and the mental health infrastructure replacement programme, the Government is honouring its commitments given in adopting A Vision for Change as national policy. Some €25 million was provided in the 2009 Supplementary Estimate from the proceeds of historical disposal of assets associated with the mental health service. Budget 2010 made provision for a further investment of €43 million in 2010 to be met from the proceeds of disposals of existing properties. The Department of Health and Children is reviewing the capital proposals and following up with the HSE where further details may be required. The matter is being taken up by the Minister of State, Deputy Moloney.

Deputy Eamon Gilmore

I thank the Taoiseach for telling us that the heads of the local government (office of the Dublin mayor and regional authority of Dublin) Bill have been approved. Will he circulate the heads to the political parties? It is in the public interest that we know what kind of post the Government has in mind. In the interest of electoral fair play, if there is to be an election for this office some time in 2010 it would be important to have the heads of the Bill so that we can at least see the job description for the post, which would be useful for all political parties in discussing the post with prospective candidates.

The Taoiseach

I shall ask the Minister what are his plans in that regard. The heads of the Bill have been approved today.

Deputy Liz McManus

The House has passed the Broadcasting Act, which contains requirements for the Minister to make appointments to two boards, the RTE board and the Broadcasting Authority of Ireland board, and also for the Oireachtas joint committee to come forward with recommendations. We went through an exhaustive procedure to come up with our recommendations. Unusually for a Green Party Minister, the Minister did not make the appointments. We now find he has had to put a stay on all the appointments because there is some legal difficulty.

An Ceann Comhairle

The Deputy is getting into the detail.

Deputy Liz McManus

I appreciate that.

Deputy Pat Rabbitte

The Minister did not.

Deputy Liz McManus

The House has passed the legislation. There clearly is a difficulty. I have raised the matter before and have not received any clarification as to what is the legal problem. Will the Taoiseach advise the House as to whether the Attorney General has been asked to give an opinion on this, if it has been received, in the event, and what exactly the position is? Does the Taoiseach now intend that there will be new broadcasting legislation brought forward or what are we going to do about the fact that the Broadcasting Authority of Ireland is making major decisions, including budgetary ones, and there is no full board in place? Even the people who have been appointed by the Minister have now had a stay put on their appointments. This is totally undemocratic. It does not allow for scrutiny yet major decisions are being made.

An Ceann Comhairle

Deputy McManus is going into far too much detail.

Deputy Liz McManus

It is a cock-up, the responsibility for which lies with the Taoiseach. Perhaps he could please sort it out and advise this House what the obstacle is and how he and the Government will sort out the mess the Minister, Deputy Ryan, has created.

Deputy Simon Coveney

This is an embarrassing cock-up by the Minister concerned.

An Ceann Comhairle

We cannot have a detailed debate on this matter at this stage.

Deputy Simon Coveney

The Ceann Comhairle has given me about three seconds to make my point.

An Ceann Comhairle

It is a continuation of the previous contribution.

Deputy Pat Rabbitte

Try, "It's not embarrassing".

Deputy Simon Coveney

Does the Ceann Comhairle agree that it is embarrassing for the Minister if there has to be a question? Will the Taoiseach not release the Attorney General's advice or opinion to the Opposition spokespersons who have been involved in the process for the first time as regards the selection of board members to any State authority and, as such, are part of this process? If and when the Taoiseach gets it will he please release it to us so that we may at least try to take some control of the situation? Four people, in the case of those Deputy McManus and I have been involved in selecting, have been appointed to a board, but now find themselves in limbo.

The Taoiseach

The Deputy is aware that the Attorney General's advice is for Government only. That is always the case. As regards the actual matter in question, I shall ask the Minister to contact the Deputies and inform them of the up to date position.

Deputy Arthur Morgan

Does the Ceann Comhairle agree that the Government is not embarrassed about anything?

Deputy Dermot Ahern

The Deputy was embarrassed over the last couple of weeks. The Irish News was looking for him.

Deputy Arthur Morgan

I have two brief questions. First, I ask the Taoiseach whether he would continue moving the two by-elections on the same day — I refer, of course, to Donegal South-West and Dublin Central — given the nature of the vacancies in both cases. It is not as if there has been a bereavement and people have to delay for a decent amount of time. The two could be held very quickly.

In light of the 760 jobs to go at Halifax, will the Taoiseach not require his Ministers to bring forward a stimulus package to try to get those people back to work? I am not going to give the list of job losses——

An Ceann Comhairle

Despite the fact we are from the same constituency, the Deputy will have to find an alternative way to raise this matter.

Deputy Arthur Morgan

——and the Ceann Comhairle knows how serious this is because 130 of those jobs are in his constituency, together with 200 jobs at Bitech last week. Will a stimulus package be introduced to deal with the unemployment crisis?

The Taoiseach

I do not know what further stimulus package the Deputy can have in mind, given that we have a deficit of 10.75%. There is a capital budget of €6.5 billion, as I have repeatedly explained, for this year, which will support many tens of thousands of jobs. Indeed, €1.2 billion is being provided for maintaining and protecting existing jobs and providing training for those who are, unfortunately, out of work. A very significant investment is being made by the Government, but the idea that a further stimulus package could be introduced that would extend the deficit is simply not a viable proposition.

As regards the bank job losses, I have outlined my regret that this has happened. It relates to the withdrawal from the market by this company in respect of some of its activities. A redundancy package will obviously be offered to the employees, but it is important to emphasise, based on the considerable losses we have seen in the banking system, that there have been job casualties there, as with other sectors of the economy, where losses have been incurred.

Deputy Seymour Crawford

I have two issues to raise. In light of the ongoing efforts of EirGrid to install a cable from North to South and the problems that this is creating for many people, when will the——

An Ceann Comhairle

That is not appropriate for the Order of Business.

Deputy Seymour Crawford

It is totally appropriate.

An Ceann Comhairle

No it is not, there is no new legislation involved.

Deputy Seymour Crawford

There is, on this agenda, the electricity transfer of permission assets Bill, which specifically relates to EirGrid. That would allow us to discuss the whole EirGrid situation in this House.

Deputy Bernard J. Durkan

Hear, hear, it is perfectly reasonable.

An Ceann Comhairle

The Deputy should not expand the debate at this stage.

Deputy Seymour Crawford

It is vital that issues such as this should be brought before the House. There is a major health problem in the Ceann Comhairle's constituency and mine, with medical people on the radio this morning advising us as regards the facts.

An Ceann Comhairle

Allowing for the north-east latitude, this is really stretching things.

Deputy Seymour Crawford

When will the health information Bill be introduced so that we may get the truth as regards the health system, rather than something someone wants to ram down our throats?

The Taoiseach

The health information Bill will be introduced in the middle of this year, I understand, and the electricity transmission of assets Bill will be later in the year.

Deputy P. J. Sheehan

What steps will the Taoiseach take to ensure that Oireachtas Members' inquiries and parliamentary questions will be answered and proper service given to democratically elected public representatives?

Deputy Bernard J. Durkan

Hear, hear.

Deputy P. J. Sheehan

I have contacted five Departments today and got no replies.

An Ceann Comhairle

This is not for the Order of Business, Deputy, please. I call Deputy Fergus O'Dowd.

Deputy Bernard J. Durkan

There has to be an answer to that, Ceann Comhairle.

An Ceann Comhairle

A sub-committee is dealing with these matters.

Deputy Bernard J. Durkan

On a point of order, we have raised that question countless times on this side of the House. Every time we raise this, it is washed over and we are told that a committee is dealing with it. The committee is here now and the issue is this — will each Minister answer questions as put to him or her relative and relevant to the particular Department? As long as that is ignored, there will be no democracy in this country and——

An Ceann Comhairle

This is the Order of Business.

Deputy Bernard J. Durkan

——the Ceann Comhairle has a duty, as Chairman of the House——

An Ceann Comhairle

Will the Deputy please resume his seat?

Deputy Bernard J. Durkan

——to protect the Members of the House.

An Ceann Comhairle

Will the Deputy resume his seat? I call Deputy Fergus O'Dowd.

Deputy Bernard J. Durkan

For God's sake, this is what we go through every day. Where are we going?

Deputy Bernard J. Durkan

I had two dozen questions last week and it was the same old story with every one of them — no answer. The Government must be laughing at us.

Deputy Fergus O’Dowd

In view of the fact that the penalty points system has been brought into disrepute due to the fact that 20,000 drivers were handed down serious convictions in the District Courts for road traffic offences such as dangerous driving, driving without insurance, driving defective dangerous vehicles, etc., and the penalty points incurred cannot be applied to them because the law does not require the compulsory recognition of the driving licence number, when will the Road Traffic Bill 2009 be brought before the Dáil to address this issue?

The Taoiseach

That is due in this session, but there are already provisions in legislation where that can be handled.

Deputy Kieran O’Donnell

I raise the Finance Bill that the House is debating today. The Taoiseach is probably fully aware that people in Limerick have concerns as regards the regeneration project. Does he envisage that the Government will be——

An Ceann Comhairle

This matter is on the Adjournment.

Deputy Kieran O’Donnell

It relates to the legislation. Will the Government bring forward amendments to the legislation to provide capital allowances and tax designations for the regeneration areas in Limerick, and furthermore will he commit to provide funding for the area as well?

An Ceann Comhairle

Three Limerick Deputies are on the Adjournment tonight, speaking on this area, including Deputy O'Donnell. I call Deputy David Stanton.

Deputy Kieran O’Donnell

I refer to a point of legislation, Ceann Comhairle, and I believe I am in order to raise that.

The Taoiseach

Deputy O'Donnell will be able to make his points on the Second Stage of the Finance Bill, which will be commencing shortly.

Deputy David Stanton

I realise he has been busy recently but has the Taoiseach had time yet to brief himself on the proposals on which his hard working Chief Whip has been working regarding Dáil reform because I understand we are waiting for the Taoiseach's imprimatur? When will the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government publish his proposals for Seanad reform? We were told they would be coming forward last Christmas.

The Taoiseach

I assure the Deputy that regarding any proposals I have for Seanad reform, I will let my parliamentary party know in advance.

Deputy Bernard J. Durkan

The Taoiseach should not go too far down that road.

The Taoiseach

In respect of the Dáil reform issue, I will be discussing it with the Chief Whip shortly.

Deputy Enda Kenny

We know all the stories.

Deputy David Stanton

The question was when will the legislation promised with regard to Seanad reform be published. When is it expected to be published? The question is in order.

Deputy Enda Kenny

We will discuss it with Senators.

The Taoiseach

I am not aware any date has been given for it.

An Ceann Comhairle

The query is really a matter for the Seanad.

A Deputy

We will have to ask the Minister, Deputy Batt O'Keeffe.

Deputy David Stanton

The Minister has promised legislation.

An Ceann Comhairle

It is a matter for the Seanad.

Deputy Bernard J. Durkan

It is not a matter for the Seanad. It is a matter of Dáil reform.

Deputy Joe Costello

The Government published its strategy on homelessness entitled The Way Home two years ago and it promised to abolish long-term homelessness by the end of 2010. Will the Taoiseach indicate if this is still the policy, considering the Government has just closed down, or will be closing down by the beginning of March, one of the two homeless shelters on the northside, Cedar House? What does he propose to do in the absence of any alternative provisions for the 100 plus homeless people who are being dealt with in that shelter?

An Ceann Comhairle

Is there promised legislation in this area?

The Taoiseach

I am not aware of the detail the Deputy relates in respect of the particular facility to which he refers in his part of the city, but a homelessness strategy is being implemented. A lot of good work has been done in recent years and considerable moneys have been applied, which has resulted in an improvement in the situation. I am not aware of the specific matter the Deputy raises. It would be better to table a parliamentary question to the Minister concerned.

An Ceann Comhairle

I call Deputy Michael Creed.

Deputy Joe Costello

It seems the way to do it is not to eliminate homelessness but to eliminate the shelters.

An Ceann Comhairle

Deputy Costello, please.

Deputy Joe Costello

The Taoiseach should note there is no alternative.

An Ceann Comhairle

Please Deputy Costello.

Deputy Joe Costello

This affects ordinary people who are given shelter there on a regular basis.

An Ceann Comhairle

Will the Deputy resume his seat, please?

Deputy Joe Costello

The service being provided is being done away with.

An Ceann Comhairle

Will Deputy Costello resume his seat, please?

Deputy Joe Costello

It was decided by someone in an office.

An Ceann Comhairle

Will Deputy Costello resume his seat, please?

Deputy Joe Costello

This is the target of the Civil Service.

An Ceann Comhairle

The Deputy should resume his seat when the Chair is on his feet, please.

Deputy Joe Costello

That is the policy in 2010. It is outrageous.

Deputy Michael Creed

Last Thursday, the Government delivered a calculated deliberate snub to the Office of the Ombudsman by the manner in which it dealt with the Ombudsman's report on the Lost at Sea scheme. Will the Taoiseach indicate if his Government has opened up any communication with the Ombudsman's office to progress a satisfactory solution on this matter, which has been dealt with comprehensively?

An Ceann Comhairle

Is there promised legislation in this area?

Deputy Michael Creed

A report is laid before the Houses of the Oireachtas——

An Ceann Comhairle

We held a debate last week on the matter.

Deputy Michael Creed

Therein lies the kernel of the matter. We did not hold a debate. We had bland, meaningless, sterile statements where they circled the wagons to protect one of their own in Fianna Fáil.

Deputy Bernard J. Durkan

Hear, hear.

An Ceann Comhairle

The Deputy will have to find another way to pursue this matter.

Deputy Michael Creed

Will the Taoiseach indicate if his Government intends to open up dialogue with the Office of the Ombudsman to bring about a satisfactory solution——

An Ceann Comhairle

The Deputy will have to find an alternative way of pursuing this matter, please.

Deputy Michael Creed

——or is it elevating the interests of Fianna Fáil above the interests of the Ombudsman's office and the citizens who complain to it?

An Ceann Comhairle

The Deputy will have to bring forward a motion to deal with it. We will move on.

Deputy Michael Creed

In an effort to be helpful in this matter, will the Taoiseach agree to allow the Joint Committee on Agriculture, Fisheries and Food consider this matter in forensic detail? Will the Taoiseach facilitate that debate by instructing his Members on the committee to agree to a request to examine in detail the Ombudsman's report?

The Taoiseach

No. The matter has been dealt with in a report and brought to plenary session here and debated in the House.

Deputy Michael Creed

There was not a debate in the House, as the Taoiseach knows.

An Ceann Comhairle

Deputy Creed, please.

Deputy Michael Creed

There was a sterile, meaningless debate.

An Ceann Comhairle

Will Deputy Creed resume his seat?

Deputy Michael Creed

It is the first time the Ombudsman's report has been rejected by Government——

An Ceann Comhairle

Will Deputy Creed resume his seat?

Deputy Michael Creed

The Taoiseach is a disgrace.

The Taoiseach

The Deputy is a disgrace.

Deputy Michael Creed

The Taoiseach is a disgrace by undermining the Ombudsman's office. He should be ashamed of himself. It is an independent office.

An Ceann Comhairle

I call Deputy Bernard Durkan.

Deputy Michael Creed

This issue will not go away.

Deputy Bernard J. Durkan

On promised legislation——

Deputy Michael Creed

It tramples on the little people; that is what the Taoiseach's Government is about.

An Ceann Comhairle

Deputy Creed, please.

The Taoiseach

That is rich coming from the big farmer.

Deputy Michael Creed

Has the Taoiseach a problem with farmers now as well?

An Ceann Comhairle

Will Deputy Creed resume his seat, please?

The Taoiseach

There are rich farmers and other people.

Deputy Michael Creed

I do not have an acre of land in my name. The Taoiseach resorts to playing the man, not the ball. That is what he is at.

The Taoiseach

That is the Deputy's game.

An Ceann Comhairle

Will Deputy Creed resume his seat, please?

Deputy Michael Creed

The Taoiseach is a disgrace.

An Ceann Comhairle

Deputy Creed, please. I call Deputy Bernard Durkan.

Deputy Michael Creed

The Taoiseach should not trample on the little people.

Deputy Bernard J. Durkan

Speaking of bigger people, I refer to the promised legislation to consolidate the legislation relating to the Central Bank into a single statute. Publication is expected in 2010. As the Taoiseach is well aware, I have raised this matter before and I am raising it again. What progress has been made to bring that Bill before the House since I last raised the matter on the second day of this month?

I refer to the Central Bank (No. 2) Bill which aims to address the question of necessary changes and enhancements to the regulatory functions of the Central Bank. Surely, it must be a priority in this country at this time? The legislation is to consolidate and modernise financial services legislation according to the Government's better regulation agenda, a matter I have raised before in the House. "Publication expected." was the answer to the question on the last occasion and it was not possible to indicate a date at that stage. Will the Taoiseach indicate what progress, if any, has taken place since I raised that question on the last occasion?

Dáil Éireann debate - Tuesday, 9 Feb 2010

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Dáil Éireann debate -
Tuesday, 9 Feb 2010