Dáil Éireann debate -
Wednesday, 6 Jul 2011

Vol. 737 No. 4

Order of Business

The Taoiseach

It is proposed to take No. 8, motion re presentation and circulation of Revised Estimates 2011; No. 4, Electoral (Amendment) Bill 2011 — Second Stage (resumed); the Foreshore (Amendment) Bill 2011 [Seanad] — Order for Second Stage and Second and Remaining Stages, subject to completion in the Seanad, to be included on a supplementary Order Paper and to be taken at 3.45 p.m.; and No. 14. — Finance (No. 3) Bill 2011, Order for Report, Report and Final Stages.

It is proposed, notwithstanding anything in Standing Orders, that: (1) the Dáil shall sit later than 8.30 p.m. and business shall be interrupted not later than 10 p.m.; (2) No. 8 shall be decided without debate and any division demanded thereon shall be taken forthwith; (3) the proceedings in relation to the resumed Second Stage of No. 4. shall, if not previously concluded, be brought to a conclusion at 1.30 p.m.; (4) subject to completion in the Seanad, Second and Remaining Stages of the Foreshore (Amendment) Bill 2011 [Seanad] shall be taken at 3.45 p.m. and the following arrangements shall apply: (i) the proceedings on Second Stage shall, if not previously concluded, be brought to a conclusion at 5.50 p.m.; the opening speech of a Minister or Minister of State and of the main spokespersons for Fianna Fail, Sinn Féin and the Technical Group, who shall be called upon in that order, shall not exceed 15 minutes in each case, the speech of each other Member called upon shall not exceed ten minutes in each case, Members may share time, and a Minister or Minister of State shall be called upon to make a speech in reply which shall not exceed five minutes; (ii) the proceedings on Committee and Remaining Stages shall, if not previously concluded, be brought to a conclusion at 7 p.m. by one question which shall be put from the Chair and which shall, in relation to amendments, include only those set down or accepted by the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food; (5) Private Members’ business shall be No. 24, motion re hospital services (resumed), shall take place at 7 p.m. or on the conclusion of Second and Remaining Stages of the Foreshore (Amendment) Bill 2011 [Seanad], whichever is the later, and shall conclude after 90 minutes; and (6) the Report and Final Stages of No. 14 shall be taken today and the proceedings thereon shall, if not previously concluded, be brought to a conclusion at 10 p.m. by one question which shall be put from the Chair and which shall, in relation to amendments, include only those set down or accepted by the Minister for Finance.

An Ceann Comhairle

There are six proposals to be put to the House. Is the proposal that the Dáil shall sit later than 8.30 p.m. agreed to?

Deputy Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin

I bring to the Ceann Comhairle's attention, because it is very important, the promised publication of the Medical Practitioners (Amendment) Bill 2011, all Stages of which are scheduled to be taken tomorrow. It was promised that it would be published and distributed on Monday.

An Ceann Comhairle

We can deal with that on the Order of Business. It is not related to this matter.

Deputy Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin

It is because I am objecting to it. I want to make my point. The Bill was to have been distributed on Monday. Last night I made inquiries of the Minister's office and we were told the Bill would not be available until tomorrow morning, the day all Stages——

An Ceann Comhairle

What does that have to do with the Dáil sitting late?

Deputy Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin

As the protector of Members of the House and to allow for the proper scrutiny of all legislation——

An Ceann Comhairle

By all means but can we——

Deputy Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin

I am making the point that only following intervention have we now received the Bill on the eve of the proposed taking of all Stages of, I acknowledge, required legislation.

An Ceann Comhairle

The proposal I have put is that the Dáil shall sit later than 8.30 p.m.

Deputy Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin

To whom will I put the question?

An Ceann Comhairle

Put it to me but——

Deputy Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin

I am putting it to the Ceann Comhairle.

An Ceann Comhairle

Put it after this——

Deputy Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin

As the protector of Members' interests and to ensure the proper address of all legislation in this House, the Ceann Comhairle should use his good offices to reflect not only to the Minister for Health but to all Departments——

An Ceann Comhairle

The Deputy is totally out of order.

Deputy Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin

——that legislation should be circulated in good time for proper scrutiny and careful evaluation in advance of debate. That is my point.

An Ceann Comhairle

I do not understand the Deputy's point at this particular juncture.

Deputy Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin

There is no other place for me to hang it. The Ceann Comhairle is a long time in this House and he will understand very well——

An Ceann Comhairle

I understand that when a proposal is has been put——

Deputy Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin

——that I must avail of the opportunity to make the point. The Minister should understand——

An Ceann Comhairle

The Deputy should resume his seat.

Deputy Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin

——and be sympathetic to the point I am making.

An Ceann Comhairle

There are six proposals to be put to the House. I am putting the first proposal, which is that the Dáil shall sit later than 8.30 p.m. tonight. Is that agreed? Agreed. That is the point I was making.

Deputy Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin

I hope the Ceann Comhairle understands the point I was making also.

An Ceann Comhairle

The second proposal deals with No. 8, motion re presentation and circulation of Revised Estimates 2011. Is that agreed? Agreed. Is the proposal for dealing with No. 4, Second Stage of the Electoral (Amendment) Bill 2011, agreed to?

Deputy Joe Higgins

It is not agreed. This is the first of three Bills where a guillotine is proposed today. The Taoiseach is quickly becoming the Madame Defarge of the Thirty-First Dáil. All he is short of is a knitting set.

Deputy Alan Shatter

It is better than being one of the three stooges.

An Ceann Comhairle

We should get on with it.

Deputy James Reilly

Will the Deputy have enough speakers?

Deputy Joe Higgins

I would rather be a stooge than a stool pigeon like the Minister, Deputy Shatter.

Deputy Pádraig Mac Lochlainn

The Minister for Star Trek. He should remember the leaflets he sent out.

Deputy Joe Higgins

A Cheann Comhairle——

An Ceann Comhairle

Please allow the Deputy to continue, although he is inviting the interruptions.

Deputy Mattie McGrath

Never.

Deputy Bernard J. Durkan

It is the young lad beside him.

Deputy Joe Higgins

In fairness, I am trying to be kind to the Government backbenchers.

An Ceann Comhairle

I know all of that. I appreciate the Deputy's generosity but he should get on with it.

Deputy Joe Higgins

It is reported in the press that the backbenchers feel frustrated at not having sufficient time to express themselves in this Dáil.

Deputy Paudie Coffey

We are frustrated listening to you.

Deputy Joe Higgins

There are three guillotines before us and if we allow the practice now, what will happen in the autumn, when far more pressure comes on this Dáil from legislation and other issues? Has the Government Chief Whip ascertained how many speakers are offering on the Electoral (Amendment) Bill, how many have been cut and why the Government proposes three guillotines? It promised, as one of its reforms, that the guillotine would rarely be used.

The Taoiseach

I understand there was a briefing on this on Monday, and this will allow for Committee Stage to be taken appropriately. There will be ample opportunity to make amendments and debate those, as the Deputy always does.

Question, "That the proposal for dealing with Second Stage of the Electoral (Amendment) Bill 2011 be agreed to", put and declared carried.

An Ceann Comhairle

Is the proposal for dealing with Second and Subsequent Stages of the Foreshore (Amendment) Bill 2011 agreed to? Agreed. Is the proposal for dealing with Private Members' Business agreed to? Agreed. Is the proposal for dealing with No. 14, Order for Report, Report and Final Stages of the Finance (No. 3) Bill 2011 agreed to? Agreed.

Deputy Micheál Martin

The Minister for Health has announced his intention to abolish the Health Service Executive and take direct legal and legislative responsibility for decisions where he currently only has administrative responsibilities. This will include decisions to withdraw services from local hospitals.

Deputy James Reilly

Changes.

Deputy Micheál Martin

Will the Taoiseach indicate when the legislation will be published?

The Taoiseach

The Minister will bring forward proposals later this year to abolish the HSE board by amending the Health Act 2004. It will be necessary in that context to put alternative arrangements in place to ensure appropriate corporate governance of the HSE in the absence of that board.

Deputy Micheál Martin

So it is just the board. It will not be the executive.

The Taoiseach

It will be later this year. The Minister will bring forward proposals to the Government later this year to abolish the HSE board by amending the 2004 Act.

Deputy Micheál Martin

That is the board. What about the HSE? That was the promise he made.

The Taoiseach

It is the board.

Deputy Micheál Martin

The promise was to abolish the entire HSE.

The Taoiseach

Sometimes the Deputy jumps to conclusions.

Deputy Micheál Martin

No, I listened very carefully to what the man said.

Deputy Bernard J. Durkan

That is what the Deputy heard.

Deputy Micheál Martin

We probably took him and the Taoiseach too much at face value. We are genuinely seeking clarity on the issue. Is the legislation to abolish the board or the entire HSE?

The Taoiseach

The Minister will bring forward proposals later this year to abolish the HSE board by amending the Health Act 2004.

Deputy Seán Ó Fearghaíl

It is just the board.

The Taoiseach

It is the board.

Deputy Barry Cowen

I am bored listening to the Taoiseach.

Deputy Mary Lou McDonald

The programme for Government contains the commitment — or threat — to break up the ESB by stripping it of its transmission assets. The Government has in its possession the Cahill report, which clearly sets out the lunacy of that approach. Nevertheless, I see the legislative programme envisages an electricity transmission assets Bill. When is it proposed to publish the Cahill report and what will be the timetable of the Bill? The uncertainty hanging over this large State utility is causing great difficulties for business and investment planning, and it also has industrial relations implications. The Cahill report should be published so we can have the debate and keep the ESB strong and intact.

The Taoiseach

The Cahill report has not yet come to the Government and the Minister will bring forward a memo in due course. The report will be published and the Deputy will be well informed on the matter.

Deputy Mary Lou McDonald

The Minister has the report. I have had correspondence with him and he is deliberately failing to publish a report paid for by taxpayers——

An Ceann Comhairle

Deputy.

Deputy Mary Lou McDonald

——as the report shows the flaw in Government policy.

An Ceann Comhairle

Deputy.

Deputy Mary Lou McDonald

The report must be published——

An Ceann Comhairle

Does the Deputy hear me?

Deputy Mary Lou McDonald

——as a matter of urgency.

An Ceann Comhairle

We are discussing promised legislation.

Deputy Joe Higgins

I have a question for the Taoiseach under Standing Order 36. It appears the posse of men who rode into town last November posing as good samaritans are ripping off blind the Irish people. With only two weeks before the Dáil breaks, will the Taoiseach arrange for a comprehensive report and debate on the real implications of the memorandum of agreement between the IMF-EU and the Government with regard to the incredible €9 billion rip-off?

An Ceann Comhairle

Sorry, Deputy——

Deputy Joe Higgins

What other secrets are contained in the execution of that memorandum in the alleged name of solidarity?

An Ceann Comhairle

Perhaps the Deputy could get in touch with his Whip in seeking a debate on the issue.

The Taoiseach

The Deputy is entitled to ask for a debate on an issue at the Whips' meeting. All of the detail of the headline spoken of by the Deputy was raised and dealt with at Question Time with the Minister for Finance yesterday. As the Deputy is aware, this Government took over when certain obligations were signed by the previous Administration, and those figures are not new. If the Deputy wishes to have a debate about any issue, he should feel free to raise it at the Whips' meeting, the appropriate forum to do so.

Deputy Dara Calleary

I seek leave to move a motion of censure against the Minister for Justice and Equality relating to his withholding of information from the House with regard to the Smithwick tribunal. I seek Government time to have this debated as soon as possible.

An Ceann Comhairle

Is the Government offering time for the motion?

The Taoiseach

There is a motion of censure down against the Minister for Justice and Equality and it is a matter for the party opposite. If it wishes to move it in Private Members' time the party is free to do so. It is a bogus motion as all the issues have been dealt with by the Minister, Deputy Shatter, and the correspondence referred to has been laid before the Oireachtas Library. As I stated yesterday, it is only right and proper that when this House establishes tribunals of inquiry to consider any matter, the taxpayer funds those tribunals. In this case the motion establishing the Smithwick tribunal required that within ten days of public hearings, an interim report would be produced. The Minister for Justice and Equality is quite right in having the public given up to date reports on the progress of the tribunal.

Deputy Micheál Martin

The Taoiseach is avoiding the issue.

Deputy Dara Calleary

Yes, the Minister withheld information.

The Taoiseach

All the correspondence is available and if the party wishes to pursue the motion of censure, it should do so in Private Members' time.

Deputy Dara Calleary

On a point of order, the Minister came into the debate on 1 June in possession of information which was directly relevant to the debate. He deliberately withheld it.

An Ceann Comhairle

Sorry, that is not a point of order.

Deputy Dara Calleary

One would assume that a motion of censure against a Minister would be taken by the Government as a matter of priority.

An Ceann Comhairle

It is not a point of order.

Deputy Dara Calleary

The only bogus thing about this is the withholding of information.

An Ceann Comhairle

You will have to move it in Private Members' time.

Deputy Micheál Martin

A Cheann Comhairle——

An Ceann Comhairle

Sorry, we are not having a debate on this.

Deputy Micheál Martin

Your role as Cheann Comhairle is to protect the rights of the Members of the House.

An Ceann Comhairle

Absolutely. I will do that.

Deputy Micheál Martin

This is a very serious issue. We asked the Taoiseach a question when we allowed this debate to take place. We put it to him clearly that more time should be allowed and that all documentation should be provided to Members before the motion amending the terms of reference came before the House. No such documentation was provided. The Government pressed ahead and guillotined the debate. Members were denied access to crucial correspondence between the Minister and the judge of a tribunal that was established by the Oireachtas. The tribunal was established by the Oireachtas — it is not just a matter for the Government and the Opposition.

An Ceann Comhairle

I understand.

Deputy Micheál Martin

This inquiry was established by the collective membership of this House. Serious documentation was withheld from the Members. Some attempt should be made to——

An Ceann Comhairle

You are making a very serious charge here.

Deputy Billy Kelleher

It is a serious charge.

Deputy Micheál Martin

It is factual. It happened.

An Ceann Comhairle

You are making a serious charge.

Deputy Micheál Martin

The issue eventually came out through freedom of information.

An Ceann Comhairle

Yes.

Deputy Micheál Martin

The judge——

An Ceann Comhairle

We are dealing with a request for a motion to be taken. The Deputy asked whether the motion can be taken in Government time. The Taoiseach has indicated that it cannot.

Deputy Dara Calleary

A Cheann Comhairle, you said it is serious.

An Ceann Comhairle

If the Deputy's party wishes to use its Private Members' time to debate the issue, it can do so. I cannot do anything to force the Government to allow time for a motion to be considered. In effect, it is now a Private Members' motion.

Deputy Dara Calleary

You said it is serious.

An Ceann Comhairle

Of course it is a serious matter.

Deputy Dara Calleary

It is certainly not bogus.

An Ceann Comhairle

I regard a motion against any Minister as a serious matter.

Deputy Alan Shatter

It is entirely bogus and Deputy Calleary knows it.

Deputy Micheál Martin

It is not.

An Ceann Comhairle

That is a matter for the Deputies who tabled it.

Deputy Dara Calleary

It is not.

Deputy Alan Shatter

You are a disgrace to make that allegation.

Deputy Dara Calleary

Aithníonn ciaróg ciaróg eile.

Deputy Alan Shatter

It is entirely bogus.

Deputy Micheál Martin

You withheld the documentation.

Deputy Alan Shatter

This is political play-acting.

Deputy Jerry Buttimer

We have the Punch and Judy show again.

An Ceann Comhairle

I do not need the usual assistance from up there.

Deputy Dara Calleary

You withheld it.

Deputy Micheál Martin

If any other Government behaved like that——

Deputy Jerry Buttimer

What happened to the promise to end the Punch and Judy show?

Deputy Micheál Martin

——there would be blue murder and you know it.

Deputy Thomas P. Broughan

I note that the Revised Estimates for 2011 are on this morning's clár. In light of the serious developments we are seeing in certain areas, will it be possible for the Dáil to examine the first Estimates for 2012 in the next few weeks, or even on our resumption? For example, this morning——

An Ceann Comhairle

We cannot debate that now.

Deputy Thomas P. Broughan

——I received a petition from approximately 1,000 parents.

An Ceann Comhairle

That is totally out of order.

Deputy Thomas P. Broughan

I want to tell the Taoiseach about the petition I received——

An Ceann Comhairle

Maybe you can write to him and tell him.

Deputy Thomas P. Broughan

——from approximately 1,000 parents in Darndale-Belcamp parish.

An Ceann Comhairle

I have to ask you to resume your seat.

Deputy Thomas P. Broughan

It seems that a class for children with moderate learning disabilities may be closed in September, unfortunately.

An Ceann Comhairle

Will you please resume your seat?

Deputy Thomas P. Broughan

I would like the Minister for Education and Skills to look at that situation.

An Ceann Comhairle

Will you resume your seat now?

Deputy Thomas P. Broughan

He knows the parish well.

Deputy Billy Kelleher

Man overboard.

Deputy Thomas P. Broughan

It is one of the areas of Ireland with the lowest take-up of third level education.

An Ceann Comhairle

Deputy Broughan, please resume your seat.

Deputy Thomas P. Broughan

The Taoiseach represents the area with the highest take-up of third level education.

Deputy Billy Kelleher

I think the Government has a man overboard.

Deputy Thomas P. Broughan

I am asking the Taoiseach whether we will see the Estimates for 2012——

An Ceann Comhairle

No, no. Will you please resume your seat, Deputy?

Deputy Thomas P. Broughan

——on the floor of the Dáil in the next few months.

An Ceann Comhairle

I call Deputy Boyd Barrett on the Order of Business.

Deputy Thomas P. Broughan

I would like the Taoiseach to answer the question I asked about the timing of Dáil business.

The Taoiseach

The Deputy will have an opportunity to debate all the Estimates at the various committees in due course. It will take place in a much more transparent and accountable form than previously.

Deputy Micheál Martin

You must be joking.

The Taoiseach

We had a situation where 15 minutes applied for all——

Deputy Micheál Martin

You must be joking.

The Taoiseach

I am not joking, actually.

Deputy Micheál Martin

You are joking.

An Ceann Comhairle

Sorry, Deputy.

The Taoiseach

What you did when you had the authority was a disgrace.

Deputy Micheál Martin

We have not had a committee meeting yet.

The Taoiseach

We are going to change all of that.

Deputy Micheál Martin

You will change nothing.

The Taoiseach

The Estimates have not been published yet. When they are, they will be brought before the committees.

Deputy Micheál Martin

You need not think you are codding anybody.

Deputy Bernard J. Durkan

We do not need to go back over that.

Deputy Micheál Martin

We have heard all about the comprehensive spending review.

Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett

According to Standing Order 26(2)(a), the Taoiseach orders the business of the Dáil on the Order of Business and arranges the sittings. In that context, I want to ask the Taoiseach if the Dáil will have a chance to discuss the cannibal logic that the IMF-EU delegation, which is coming here in the next two weeks, is applying to our economy.

An Ceann Comhairle

The Deputy should resume his seat. He is totally out of order.

Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett

That logic involves destroying our economy and our services, supposedly in order to save them.

An Ceann Comhairle

He should ask his Whip to raise the matter.

Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett

It is sucking us dry to the tune of €9 billion.

An Ceann Comhairle

Please resume your seat. You are out of order.

Deputy Joe Higgins

On a point of order, Deputy Boyd Barrett is absolutely correct.

An Ceann Comhairle

When did Deputy Higgins take over the job of Chair? He should also resume his seat.

Deputy Barry Cowen

Hard luck, Joe.

An Ceann Comhairle

Deputy Boyd Barrett is not a member of Deputy Higgins's party, by the way.

Deputy Joe Higgins

I want to make a point of order, which is my entitlement.

An Ceann Comhairle

No.

Deputy Joe Higgins

I am sure you will protect my right to do so.

An Ceann Comhairle

I will protect your right, but you are totally out of order. You cannot be questioning——

Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett

We are looking for clarification.

An Ceann Comhairle

There is no point in quoting Standing Order 26(2), which relates to the ordering of business. That is not the point here. This is the Order of Business.

Deputy Joe Higgins

The Taoiseach frequently answers our queries with regard to the ordering of business by referring to the Whips.

An Ceann Comhairle

Correct.

Deputy Joe Higgins

It is the business of the Taoiseach, fundamentally, to order the arrangements for sittings——

An Ceann Comhairle

That is Government business.

Deputy Joe Higgins

——and the business taken in the Dáil.

An Ceann Comhairle

Yes, that is Government business.

Deputy Paul Kehoe

The Deputies should ensure it is raised this evening.

Deputy Joe Higgins

He should answer.

An Ceann Comhairle

No, he should not. He is out of order if he does. Will you resume your seat?

Deputy Joe Higgins

He should respond to what has been requested by us, rather than fobbing it off to the Whips.

An Ceann Comhairle

Will you please contact your Whip and ask her to arrange a debate on the issue?

Deputy Paul Kehoe

Get your Whip to raise it this evening.

Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett

Every time we ask, the Government Whip says "No".

Deputy Paul Kehoe

It was never asked.

Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett

We asked about the McCarthy report.

An Ceann Comhairle

Can we have some order please? I call Deputy Donohoe.

Deputy Paschal Donohoe

The supply of alcohol to minors continues to be a very big problem for gardaí and communities. As the summer approaches, the potential for this problem to flare up again is great. The Government has given a commitment to introduce a sale of alcohol Bill, which will give the Garda and other agencies even greater power to tackle these issues, including the growing problem of the supply of alcohol from private premises. Can the Taoiseach tell the House whether this Bill will be ordered before the summer or later this year?

The Taoiseach

The Deputy has raised an important point. This Bill will be ordered later this year.

Deputy Willie O’Dea

When the Minister for Education and Skills was standing in for the Taoiseach on Leaders' Questions approximately three weeks ago, I asked about the proposals in the programme for Government to assist people who have difficulty paying their mortgages. The Minister, Deputy Quinn, undertook to get back to me within a week. That promise seems to have had the same status as Deputy Reilly's election promises, unfortunately. Will the Taoiseach get back to me on this matter as quickly as possible? Many people are very worried about it. A substantial section of the programme for Government deals with it.

An Ceann Comhairle

Is the Deputy asking about a promised debate or about a report?

Deputy Willie O’Dea

I am asking about a list of promises to assist people who have difficulty paying their mortgages. This long list of legislative and administrative proposals takes up half a page of the programme for Government.

An Ceann Comhairle

Is legislation promised?

Deputy Willie O’Dea

The Government seems to have forgotten about it already. It is in the programme for Government.

The Taoiseach

The Minister for Finance will report progress on this issue directly to the Deputy.

Deputy Willie O’Dea

I hope he will be much quicker in getting back to me than the Minister for Education and Skills was.

Deputy Michael Noonan

I will send some material to the Deputy.

Deputy Willie O’Dea

I appreciate that.

Deputy Pat Rabbitte

The Deputy looked well on "Tonight with Vincent Browne". I enjoyed the programme.

Deputy Pádraig Mac Lochlainn

The matter I would like to raise is relevant to the Taoiseach and the Minister for Education and Skills. Apparently, the Office of the Attorney General has advised the Government, or its predecessor, that it is legally acceptable to end the closed school rule, which is an historical commitment that was made to certain rural communities. Will the Government publish this advice and explain the rationale that makes the Government think it is acceptable to bring the rule to an end?

An Ceann Comhairle

That is not promised legislation.

Deputy Pádraig Mac Lochlainn

It should be.

An Ceann Comhairle

Maybe it should, but that is none of my concern.

Deputy Pádraig Mac Lochlainn

Can I explain my point?

An Ceann Comhairle

The Deputy should table a question.

Deputy Pádraig Mac Lochlainn

I am raising this matter because a growing number of communities are questioning the legal rationale for this change. They believe legislation should have been introduced to give effect to it.

An Ceann Comhairle

Can I help the Deputy? There are two ways of raising this matter. He can table a parliamentary question or use his party's Private Members' time.

Deputy Pádraig Mac Lochlainn

I have done so.

An Ceann Comhairle

What about using Private Members' time?

Deputy Pádraig Mac Lochlainn

I think the Taoiseach could respond to what I have said. Will he publish the Attorney General's advice? It is a simple question.

An Ceann Comhairle

That is out of order.

Deputy Pádraig Mac Lochlainn

The Taoiseach will not publish the advice. What does the Government do with the advice it receives from the Attorney General?

An Ceann Comhairle

That is a matter for the Government.

Deputy Pádraig Mac Lochlainn

Does it accept it and say it is fine? One needs to have hundreds of thousands of euro if one wants to go through the High Court or the Supreme Court to get that information.

An Ceann Comhairle

I call Deputy Niall Collins.

Deputy Pádraig Mac Lochlainn

It is not right.

Deputy Niall Collins

At a committee meeting yesterday, the Minister, Deputy Varadkar, informed us that Dundalk Port Company has failed to meet its obligations to maintain its pension fund properly and to register with the Pensions Board and has reneged on a number of other responsibilities. He said he sought to refer the matter to the Office of the Director of Corporate Enforcement but he received legal advice from the Attorney General to the effect that he could not do so because company law does not provide for it. Does the Government have any plans to amend the Companies Acts to allow action to be taken in the event of corporate governance failures by companies like Dundalk Port Company?

An Ceann Comhairle

Is there promised legislation in this area?

The Taoiseach

There is no promised legislation.

Deputy Willie O’Dea

There is.

Deputy Micheál Martin

A companies Bill is on the agenda.

The Taoiseach

I am sure the Minister, Deputy Varadkar, will consider the consequences of what he told the committee yesterday.

Deputy Willie O’Dea

I will not bother informing them.