Dáil Éireann debate -
Wednesday, 9 May 2012

Vol. 764 No. 4

Order of Business

The Taoiseach

It is proposed to take No. 20, statements on Looking Forward to Ireland's Presidency of the Council of the European Union from January to June 2013; No. 1, Protection of Employees (Temporary Agency Work) Bill 2011 - amendments from the Seanad; and No. 21, Electoral (Amendment) (Political Funding) Bill 2011 [Seanad] - Second Stage (resumed).

It is proposed, notwithstanding anything in Standing Orders, that the proceedings on No. 20 shall, if not previously concluded, be brought to a conclusion after 95 minutes and the following arrangements shall apply: the opening statements of the Taoiseach, Tánaiste and the leaders of Fianna Fáil, Sinn Féin and the Technical Group, who shall be called upon in that order, shall not exceed five minutes in each case, the statements of a Minister or Minister of State and of the main spokespersons for Fianna Fáil, Sinn Féin and the Technical Group, who shall be called upon in that order, shall not exceed five minutes in each case, the statement of the Chairman, the Vice Chairman and a member from Fianna Fáil, Sinn Féin and the Technical Group of the Joint Committee on European Union Affairs, or a person nominated in their stead, who shall be called upon in that order, shall not exceed five minutes in each case, a Minister or Minister of State shall take questions for a period not exceeding 20 minutes, and a Minister or Minister of State shall be called upon to make a statement in reply which shall not exceed five minutes.

Private Members' business shall be No. 55, motion re domiciliary care allowance (resumed), to conclude at 9 p.m. tonight, if not previously concluded.

An Ceann Comhairle

There is one proposal to put to the House. Is the proposal to deal with No. 20, statements on Looking Forward to Ireland's Presidency of the Council of the European Union from January to June 2013 agreed to? Agreed.

Deputy Micheál Martin

I think the Taoiseach will accept that the situation of elderly people and senior citizens is very important as is their need for security and certainty in terms of the provision of care. There has been much concern around the fair deal scheme. The Minister responsible announced that a fundamental review and a legislative review are taking place in regard to the fair deal scheme and providing for the elderly. The demographics are heading in one direction so there is an urgency attached to this. Will the Taoiseach indicate to the House when that review will be completed and when legislation will come before the House in regard to it?

Given that the management of the national lottery is up for sale, when will the regulation of lobbying Bill will be introduced?

The Taoiseach

In regard to the national lottery, I think that will be later this year or early next year. A great deal of work is under way with the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform. I will come back to the Deputy with a more detailed response as I will in respect of the review of the fair deal scheme which is an important issue and of concern to a great number of people. I will ask the Minister for Health to respond directly to Deputy Martin.

Deputy Gerry Adams

Tá ceist agam faoi reachtaíocht atá forógraithe. When does the Taoiseach expect the HSE governance Bill to come before the Dáil? He will know there are plans for the wholesale reduction of services across most sectors, or perhaps all sectors, of our health care system and a proposition to close up to 900 public nursing home beds. There is much distress in the community and a sense of drift. It would be very useful to have some sense of when the HSE governance Bill will be discussed here.

The Taoiseach

The HSE governance Bill will be taken later in this session. I am sorry but I misunderstood Deputy Martin's question on the regulation of lobbying Bill. I thought he was talking about the national lottery. I do not have a date for the regulation of lobbying Bill but I will get him a better fix on it.

Deputy Micheál Martin

It would be useful in advance of the sale of the national lottery.

The Taoiseach

Gabh mo leithscéil faoi sin.

Deputy Willie O’Dea

What are the Government's intentions in regard to the media mergers legislation? It is part of the consumer and competition Bill which, as I understand, will not be before the House until late in the year. Is it the Government's intention, as reported recently in some newspapers, to strip it from that Bill and to bring it in as stand alone legislation? If so, when can we expect to see it?

The Taoiseach

The Government has not made any decision about that. This is part of the consumer and competition Bill. Work is proceeding on that with the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation and it is due later on in the year.

Deputy Michael Healy-Rae

I refer to the proposed companies Bill and the friendly societies and industrial and provident societies (miscellaneous provisions) Bill. As the Taoiseach knows, all community groups are registered companies with limited liabilities which means they are subject to audit. I asked the Minister previously to examine the feasibility of setting up a scheme through the community and voluntary forum whereby communities groups would be able to access audit under a competitive pricing structure.

An Ceann Comhairle

You are rambling a bit, Deputy.

Deputy Michael Healy-Rae

I am sorry but I am trying to get to the point. This would be of enormous benefit to many groups registered with the community and voluntary forum and it could be achieved through the proposed companies Bill.

An Ceann Comhairle

You are doing well now. Do not wear out the hospitality.

Deputy Michael Healy-Rae

Thank you, a Cheann Comhairle, but you get the point I am making.

An Ceann Comhairle

I do, indeed.

Deputy Michael Healy-Rae

These companies are subject to audit and that Bill could be used as a sensible way to assist them in achieving competitive pricing.

An Ceann Comhairle

I am sure the Taoiseach took a note of what you said. When is that Bill due?

The Taoiseach

That Bill is due later in the year and the points made by Deputy Healy-Rae can be articulated when it is published. It is of interest, I know, to a great number of community groups around the country. It is due for later on in the year.

Deputy Michael Healy-Rae

I thank the Taoiseach.

Deputy Ray Butler

When will the internal report on the overspending on printer cartridges be ready? It was promised two months ago. Will it be published and supplied to all Deputies?

An Ceann Comhairle

That is not on the Order of Business.

Deputy Ray Butler

I would like to know when it will be published.

An Ceann Comhairle

We will try to find out for the Deputy.

Deputy Ray Butler

I thank the Ceann Comhairle.

Deputy James Bannon

Given the fact that the Government's main focus is on economic recovery and job creation, when can we expect the collective investment schemes consolidation Bill to be introduced in the House? Rural capitals such as Longford and Mullingar seem neglected as far as job creation is concerned. There is a deficit and little investment has been made in those towns since the Government took office. I would like a more balanced level of development across the country. Jobs have been announced for Dublin, Galway, Cork and the other main population centres, but I want fair play to be dished out to rural areas like Longford, Mullingar and their respective counties.

An Ceann Comhairle

I am sure the Deputy could raise that matter with his parliamentary party.

The Taoiseach

I share Deputy Bannon's view about fair play. That is why the jobs action plan is being pursued by the Government for small towns and locations around the country. Decisions made by multinationals are their choices. One cannot direct them. The collective investment Bill that Deputy Bannon referred to is due for later on in the year.

Deputy Charlie McConalogue

Will the Taoiseach provide an update on the adoption legislation that is to accompany the children's referendum? At what stage is it and will the Taoiseach assure the House that the Bill will be published before the summer recess? If we do not see the adoption legislation, it does not give much heart to the prospect of seeing the children's referendum at the end of the year.

The Taoiseach

When the Minister, Deputy Fitzgerald, was appointed, there had been no work at all done in respect of the adoption Bill. A great deal of that has now been completed. The Minister will expect to publish the adoption Bill along with the legislation in regard to the referendum. I was speaking to Deputy Martin about that yesterday. Hopefully, we can do this as a single entity referendum in the autumn.

Deputy Bernard J. Durkan

On promised legislation, what is the extent of the progress to date in the production of the mediation Bill to provide a mediation service as a viable, effective and efficient alternative to court proceedings, thereby reducing legal costs, accelerating the resolution of disputes and relieving the stress involved in court proceedings? It has been promised for some time. I realise there is a heavy legislative schedule, but this is one Bill that is urgently required and I would be grateful if the Taoiseach would indicate to the House the progress to date in the determination of the heads of the Bill.

The Taoiseach

I can confirm for Deputy Durkan that the heads of that Bill were cleared by Government at the end of February. Work is proceeding on it and it is due some time later this year.