Order of Business

The Taoiseach

It is proposed to take No. a8, Finance Bill 2012 – Financial Resolutions; No. 8, motion re membership of committee; No. 13, Dormant Accounts (Amendment) Bill 2011 [Seanad] - Second Stage (resumed); and No. 14, statements on the action plan for jobs (resumed).

It is proposed, notwithstanding anything in Standing Orders, that Nos. a8, and 8 shall be taken immediately on the conclusion of Order of Business and shall be decided without debate and in the case of No. a8, Financial Resolutions Nos. 1 to 4, shall be moved together and decided by one Question which shall be put from the Chair. Private Members’ business shall be No. 40, motion re State assets.

An Ceann Comhairle

There is one proposal to be put to the House. Is the proposal for dealing with Nos. a8 and 8, Finance Bill 2012 - Financial Resolutions Nos. 1 to 4, and motion re membership of committee, without debate, agreed to? Agreed.

Deputy Micheál Martin

I seek the guidance of the Chair on a matter. We have read with some astonishment this morning about €50,000 worth of toners being procured from the Houses of the Oireachtas.

An Ceann Comhairle

Has the Deputy a question on proposed legislation?

Deputy Micheál Martin

Has the Oireachtas a means of inquiring into this matter because I find it incredible that one individual would use this quantity?

An Ceann Comhairle

I am reminded by the Clerk that the Committee on Procedure and Privileges is available.

Deputy Micheál Martin

I acknowledge that changes have been made but I ask if the changes were made as a result of this practice. Either one entire political party was using the toners because it is incomprehensible that one individual would use €50,000 worth of toners-----

An Ceann Comhairle

The Clerk has very kindly offered to send the Deputy a note on the matter.

Deputy Micheál Martin

That is much appreciated. I have a question about promised legislation on the fiscal treaty. Given the earlier announcement about a referendum, I ask the Taoiseach to outline to the House whether he intends to establish a forum within the House to discuss this matter in greater detail. When will the Referendum Commission be appointed? When is the fiscal responsibility Bill to be published? I ask for the timeline for the appointment of the Referendum Commission, the publication of the legislation and the holding of the referendum. Will a significant public information campaign be organised on the content of the treaty?

The Taoiseach

Deputy Martin will recall that on my return from the EU Council meeting where the text of the treaty was agreed, I advised the Cabinet the following morning and the Tánaiste wrote to the Attorney General. It was made clear on many occasions that arising from the legal advice of the Attorney General the Government would act appropriately. Just this morning the Attorney General advised the Cabinet of her view that, on balance, a referendum would be necessary in order to ratify the treaty. For that reason, the Government made that decision just this morning.

I confirm that work on the fiscal responsibility Bill has been advanced in the past number of weeks and it will be produced in this session. I expect to have some further information tomorrow when the House discusses the statements on the pre-European Council. The Government will be required to produce a referendum Bill in advance of a referendum, to appoint a Referendum Commission, and to put in train the processes necessary to lead to the question to be asked in the referendum. The House will have the opportunity to debate the matter thoroughly and comprehensively so that people will be properly informed. The referendum will be a brilliant opportunity for Irish people to look to the future of the country, of our people and our place in the European process and an opportunity to consolidate confidence and investment in jobs as a consequence. The Government did not consider the timeline today but we will decide over the next period how best to deal with it. The work on the fiscal responsiblity Bill is advanced and it will be dealt with this session. I will give more details tomorrow about the process.

Deputy Micheál Martin

Will the Taoiseach consider a special sub-committee of the Committee on European Affairs to consider the treaty and the referendum Bill? There is a need for detailed all-party discussion with a view to getting a grip on the treaty.

The Taoiseach

I agree with the merit of the Deputy's proposal. The Lisbon treaty was discussed at a special sub-committee under the chairmanship of Deputy Paschal Donohoe and good work was produced.

Deputy Joe Higgins

What is the date for the referendum?

The Taoiseach

I have not decided the date yet.

Deputy Gerry Adams

I thank the Taoiseach for the additional, although limited, information on the referendum. Sinn Féin's legal advice was that a referendum was necessary. I note the Taoiseach says the referendum is a brilliant opportunity for the Irish people and I agree with him. However, if this is the case, why was he so reluctant to hold one?

Ceist faoi reachtaíocht atá fógraithe, the programme for Government contains a commitment to reform the current law on the rights of workers to engage in collective bargaining in order to ensure compliance by the State with recent judgments of the European Court of Human Rights. This court has ruled that the accepted right to join a trade union includes the right to bargain collectively. When will this legislation be published?

The Taoiseach

I do not have the details of that legislation to hand but I will respond to the Deputy's question. I understand that with 434 ink cartridges it is possible to produce 3 million letters.

The Deputy might carry out an inquiry in his own party into what is going on with the Deputy sitting behind him. I will respond to the Deputy on the workers' legislation when I get a more accurate fix on it.

Deputy Gerry Adams

The Taoiseach should ask the person beside him about his party's involvement with Repsol Press, forgery and all the rest of it. Will he also make it clear that the Deputy behind me spent this in his constituency informing citizens-----

An Ceann Comhairle

Sorry, Deputy, we cannot have across the floor debates on matters that do not arise on the Order of Business.

Deputy Ray Butler

Thirty five to 40 pallets of paper, 100 leaflets through every door in the constituency-----

The Taoiseach

I understand Deputy Ó Snodaigh-----

Deputy Ray Butler

-----printing machines running seven days a week-----

An Ceann Comhairle

Deputy-----

Deputy Ray Butler

The Deputy said that he used the system.

An Ceann Comhairle

Deputy, will you resume your seat?

Deputy Ray Butler

It was an abuse of the system.

An Ceann Comhairle

Deputy Butler-----

Deputy Ray Butler

He should be ashamed of his life.

An Ceann Comhairle

Deputy Butler, you are abusing a system also. Never stand up without being called upon.

Deputy Ray Butler

He abused the system-----

An Ceann Comhairle

Never stand up without being called upon.

Deputy Ray Butler

I am standing up for the people of this country-----

An Ceann Comhairle

As long as I am in the Chair-----

Deputy Ray Butler

-----when somebody spends €52,000 on cartridges.

An Ceann Comhairle

You will find yourself outside in a minute if you are not careful.

Deputy Ray Butler

I am standing up for the people of this country.

An Ceann Comhairle

You can when it is in order.

Deputy Ray Butler

That man over there spent €2,500-----

Deputy Michael Healy-Rae

I am sorry now. I spent nothing.

An Ceann Comhairle

Sit down.

Deputy Michael Healy-Rae

I did nothing.

Deputy Brendan Howlin

That is collateral damage.

Deputy Michael Healy-Rae

I do not want to be hit with the fire-----

An Ceann Comhairle

Will you please sit down?

An Ceann Comhairle

Deputy Butler, that is your last warning or else you will go outside. That is totally unbecoming of you. You are in a Chamber where there are rules and regulations and you speak through the Chair.

Deputy Gerry Adams

A Cheann Comhairle-----

An Ceann Comhairle

Deputy Adams will resume his seat. I call Deputy Collins.

Deputy Niall Collins

What is the publication date for the social welfare and pensions Bill? Is there promised legislation in regard to the non-payment of the household charge and attaching non-payment to deductions from social welfare payments? Did the Taoiseach or one of his Ministers promise that during the debate? Is it in train?

The Taoiseach

No, that is not promised. The social welfare and Ppensions Bill will be published in this session.

Deputy Michael Healy-Rae

Part of the major reform of rural transport announced today is a proposal for special rural hackney licences. Is legislation required to enable these licences to be made available and, if so, when will it come before the House as this would be particularly helpful to small publicans in rural areas? I raised this here before.

The Taoiseach

There is no legislation promised. It is something the Minister of State, Deputy Kelly, wants to bring in. If legislation is required, it will be brought in. I am sure it will be of great value in Kilgarvan and places outside Kenmare in the future.

Deputy Mattie McGrath

I rise again in regard to the Water Services (Amendment) Bill 2011. When will we get the conditions from the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government? Three weeks ago he announced that they would be out in ten days. When will we see them and for how long more will this go on? It is farcical at this stage. Hundreds of people will march to the House tomorrow and they want to know the conditions, if any.

The Taoiseach

Between septic tanks and scrap metal, Deputy Mattie McGrath is doing well these days.

Deputy Mattie McGrath

The Scrap and Precious Metal Dealers Bill is a separate matter.

The Taoiseach

I understand that. That is a Friday matter.

Deputy Mattie McGrath

A Friday matter.

Deputy Niall Collins

Scrap Friday.

The Taoiseach

The Minister will be before the House with the regulations very shortly.

An Ceann Comhairle

I call Deputy Durkan.

The Taoiseach

Beidh an t-Aire ag teacht isteach go luath leis na coinníolacha.

Deputy Mattie McGrath

Agus na hionstraimí reachtúla?

An Ceann Comhairle

I call Deputy Durkan for the third time.

Deputy Bernard J. Durkan

I did not hear you before. I must be losing my senses.

An Ceann Comhairle

You must be.

Deputy Bernard J. Durkan

I raise two issues on promised legislation, which I have no doubt are as near to the Ceann Comhairle's heart as mine. The first issue is in regard to matters arising from the recent debate on the location of the proposed national children's hospital and the necessity to have a full debate in the House on this issue rather than-----

An Ceann Comhairle

You should talk to the Chief Whip about that.

Deputy Bernard J. Durkan

No. I am raising proposed legislation to which I will refer when I finish my sentence. Arising from the fact that expert opinion seems to have prevailed heretofore and notwithstanding the Minister's proposal in regard to the reorganisation of the HSE, is it possible to introduce the health information Bill as a matter of some urgency to enable all Members of the national Parliament to debate this issue?

Arising also from an issue which received considerable publicity in recent times where a successful insurance claim was made against the victim of a crime which, to my mind, creates a serious problem for our society, could the criminal justice (victims rights) Bill be introduced in the House to ensure the majority of the Members of the House of Parliament have an opportunity to speak on this issue on behalf of those who are victims?

The Taoiseach

I cannot give the Deputy a date in respect of the second Bill. I do not have any difficulty with the Chief Whip making arrangements for a discussion here on the question of the national children's hospital. The Government considered it this morning and will reflect on its determination to see that this flag-ship project is built. As the Deputy is aware, the Government made a deliberate and conscious decision to build a national children's hospital and has in place a funding model to fund it. The Government is very anxious to pursue and implement its decision. The health information Bill will be introduced in mid-2012.

Deputy John O’Mahony

I would like to ask the Taoiseach about two proposed Bills. Is there a provision in the proposed social welfare and pensions Bill to cover self-employed people who have become unemployed and who find themselves with no entitlements and with obstacles in their way to up-skilling for future employment?

I asked the following question some time ago but is there a definite date for the National Vetting Bureau Bill? It is supposed to be taken in this session but is there a definite date because it is causing difficulties for people in part-time employment and students in employment who change employment at short notice and, therefore, must begin the whole process again?

The Taoiseach

The issue of self-employed people is one which the Minister for Social Protection is considering. It is not possible for me to give the Deputy an answer in respect of the content of the Bill but it is an issue for consideration by the Minister. In respect of the Deputy's comments on the necessity for up-skilling, this is the central point of the pathways to work scheme which was launched last week by the Tánaiste, the Minister for Social Protection, the Minister for Education and Skills and I.

The National Vetting Bureau Bill is an issue of some concern. I am aware of a number of cases where similar things to which the Deputy referred have happened. I do not have a date for it but I will get the Minister to respond in detail to him.

Dáil Éireann debate - Tuesday, 28 Feb 2012

Dáil Éireann debate -
Tuesday, 28 Feb 2012