Dáil Éireann debate -
Thursday, 12 Jul 2012

Vol. 772 No. 3

Order of Business

The Tánaiste

It is proposed to take No. 10b, motion re Standing Orders 82 and 165A to 165F; No. 16a, motion to rescind Order of Referral of the Criminal Justice (Search Warrants) Bill 2012 [Seanad] to the Select Committee on Justice, Defence and Equality; No. 20, Criminal Justice (Withholding of Information on Offences Against Children and Vulnerable Persons) Bill 2012 [Seanad] - Order for Report, Report and Final Stages; No. 19, Personal Insolvency Bill 2012 - Second Stage (resumed), to adjourn at 3.30 p.m., if not previously concluded; and No. 2a, Gaeltacht Bill 2012 [Seanad] - Second Stage, to adjourn at 5.30 p.m. if not previously concluded.

It is proposed, notwithstanding anything in Standing Orders, that: (1) the Dáil shall sit later than 5.45 p.m. tonight and shall adjourn on the conclusion of Oral Questions; (2) Nos. 10b and 16a shall be decided without debate; (3) Second Stage of the Gaeltacht Bill 2012 [Seanad] will be taken today and if not previously concluded, shall adjourn at 5.30 p.m. and the order shall resume thereafter with Topical Issues and Oral Questions; (4) the Dáil shall sit tomorrow at 10.30 a.m. and shall adjourn not later than 3.30 p.m. and the business to be transacted shall be as follows: (i) Personal Insolvency Bill 2012 - Second Stage (resumed), to adjourn at 12.30 p.m. if not previously concluded; (ii) Gaeltacht Bill 2012 [Seanad] - Second Stage (resumed), which shall if not previously concluded, be brought to a conclusion at 3.30 p.m.; and (iii) any divisions demanded shall be taken immediately after the Order of Business on Tuesday, 17 July 2012.

An Ceann Comhairle

There are four proposals to be put to the House. Is the proposal that the Dáil shall sit later than 5.45 p.m. agreed to? Agreed. Is the proposal for dealing No. 10b, motion re Standing Orders, and No. 16a, motion re Referral of the Criminal Justice (Search Warrants) Bill 2012 [Seanad] to the Select Committee on Justice, Defence and Equality without debate, agreed to? Agreed. Is the proposal for dealing with No. 2a, Second Stage of the Gaeltacht Bill 2012 [Seanad], agreed to? Agreed. Is the proposal for the sitting and the business of the Dáil tomorrow agreed to?

Deputy Jonathan O’Brien

It is not agreed. Given that the Dáil is sitting tomorrow, is it possible to have Leaders' Questions and Topical Issues rather than concluding business at 3.30 p.m.?

The Tánaiste

The arrangements for Leaders' Questions and Topical Issues are on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday. The sittings on Fridays, which are a new innovation in this Dáil, deal with legislation. We propose to deal with the Personal Insolvency Bill, which is very important legislation designed to assist people who are having difficulties with their mortgages. The Government has given a high priority to assisting people who are in mortgage distress. We hear about it all the time from our constituents. We know of people who are having great difficulties with their mortgages. We are anxious to progress the personal insolvency legislation, which is important and radical legislation that will introduce for the first time non-judicial debt settlements for people who are in difficulty. We need to deal with that legislation tomorrow and to give it the maximum amount of time possible and also to deal with the Gaeltacht Bill 2012.

Question, "That the proposal for the sitting and the business of the Dáil tomorrow be agreed to", put and declared carried.

Deputy Michael Moynihan

The Minister for Health has said that he is all about the patient being at the centre of the health system, yet he seems to be reluctant to produce legislation from his Department. The health information Bill is meant to bring in better governance and promote individual patient care. When can the House expect this Bill to be published?

The Tánaiste

It is intended to publish that Bill later this year.

Deputy Jonathan O’Brien

At the finance committee yesterday we heard that there is a fund available in Europe to assist those who are affected by a disaster such as flooding. We know that Italy has completed an €18 million drawdown from it. Arising from the floods that took place in Cork recently, many homeowners and businesses are struggling to put their lives back together. Will the Tánaiste confirm whether the Government is considering applying for funding under this fund?

The Tánaiste

The Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government is currently drawing up a report in conjunction with the local authorities arising from the floods which took place and I understand that he intends to make an announcement arising from that report in the near future.

Deputy Seán Ó Fearghaíl

The programme for Government and the reviewed programme for Government published earlier this year made commitments in regard to the survivors of the thalidomide drug which has had a devastating impact on the lives of 32 surviving people. Their demand has been for a redress process and for a health and social care package provided on a statutory basis.

Does the Tánaiste intend that legislation in that regard will be brought forward and might it be addressed in the health and social care Bill which is promised at No. 18 on the "A" list?

The Tánaiste

The Minister for Health has been in discussions with representatives of the people who are thalidomide sufferers. His door is open on this issue and he is available for further discussions. I hope it would be possible to arrive at a solution in those discussions.

An Ceann Comhairle

We cannot have a debate now.

Deputy Seán Ó Fearghaíl

Is it intended this will have a legislative basis? It appears the reason for the failure of the discussions was that what was being offered to these people, who have been very badly let down by the State, was a gesture. They do not want a gesture; they want services based on legislation so that they do not have to continue to beg and plead for services which should be readily available to them.

An Ceann Comhairle

Is there promised legislation in this area?

The Tánaiste

There is not a separate Bill promised on this matter. So far as the Minister for Health is concerned the discussions are not concluded. It would be better if those discussions were resumed and a conclusion reached. How that conclusion is expressed, whether in legislation or otherwise, can be teased out in discussions.

Deputy Barry Cowen

The budget overrun in the Department of Health has been the subject of a recent Private Members' motion. It is clear this has arisen because of the inaction on the part of the Government to bring forward legislation which was promised in the budget last year. I refer to the health (pricing and supply of medical goods) Bill which had provision for savings of €140 million and, allied to other Estimate provisions it was thought up to €300 million, which could be saved in this year's budget. Instead, there is an overrun by the same amount and the prospect of a deficit of €500 million by the end of the year which will impact on patient care and safety. I ask for information on this legislation and other health legislation. When will control of the budget be undertaken and legislation brought forward?

An Ceann Comhairle

We can only deal with legislation at this point.

The Tánaiste

The health (pricing and supply of medical goods) Bill was approved by Government this week and it is intended it will be published this session.

Deputy James Bannon

When will legislation be introduced to tackle white collar crime in banking circles? It is time to foster a new culture of responsibility in banking circles. Will this issue be dealt with in the Central Bank (Consolidation) Bill? Will this Bill be published immediately following the summer recess?

The Tánaiste

The Central Bank (Consolidation) Bill cannot be brought forward until the other Central Bank legislation is completed when it will be then brought forward.

Deputy Pearse Doherty

I have two questions on legislation. The programme for Government makes a commitment to strengthen the regulation of moneylenders. What legislation is proposed by the Government? Legal moneylenders are charging up to 210% APR and not one prosecution in the past seven years has been successfully taken against illegal moneylenders. I have asked both the Taoiseach and the Tánaiste about this on many occasions but have received no response. I have been told I will receive a written response. When will the strategic investment bank legislation be brought forward? I ask the Tánaiste to share this information with the House if possible.

The Tánaiste

On the latter question, the strategic investment fund is to make finance available in order to stimulate the Irish economy. The Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform, Deputy Brendan Howlin, will be making an announcement next week about measures which the Government will take to stimulate the economy. On the issue of moneylenders the Government is committed to legislating for moneylenders and I will revert to the Deputy with the information on which Bill this will be.

Deputy Seamus Kirk

Will it be necessary to bring forward new regulations to deal with Teagasc staff? There is a difficulty with recruitment of staff for the agency and staff have left under the recent retirement scheme. Research, advice and education are the primary functions of Teagasc-----

An Ceann Comhairle

Where is this leading, Deputy Kirk?

Deputy Seamus Kirk

-----and there is a recruitment embargo. Does the Government intend to look at-----

An Ceann Comhairle

To what legislation is the Deputy referring?

The Tánaiste

There is no legislation.

Deputy Joe Higgins

I ask about three Bills in the areas of health and medical legislation - the health and social care professionals (amendment) Bill, the HSE governance Bill and the Bill to amend the Medical Practitioners Act 2007. Which of these Bills will deal with the fact that the care of the elderly should not be regarded as a source of profit and speculative investment by business interests? Is this not the real issue raised by the incident involving the Minister for Health, Deputy Reilly, rather than squabbles between business people in Stubbs Gazette?

An Ceann Comhairle

We will not deal with this matter on the Order of Business, Deputy.

Deputy Joe Higgins

The issue is that our elderly should not be the subject of profiteering.

Deputy Alan Shatter

The Deputy does not like profit. Apparently every business should operate on the basis of a loss.

An Ceann Comhairle

Thank you. I call the Tánaiste.

The Tánaiste

The Bill to amend the Medical Practitioners Act 2007 will be published in late 2012. The HSE governance Bill, now known as the health (amendment) Bill will be published this session. The health and social care professionals (amendment) Bill will be published this session.

Deputy Joe Higgins

I did not have the privilege of hearing what the Minister, Deputy Shatter, said.

An Ceann Comhairle

No, you will not hear it either. I call Deputy Kitt.

Deputy Alan Shatter

I said Deputy Higgins does not seem to like profit. That is what destroyed the Soviet Union.

(Interruptions).

Deputy Alan Shatter

Bring back Stalin.

An Ceann Comhairle

I ask the Minister to desist; I have called Deputy Kitt.

Deputy Michael P. Kitt

On the question of the merger or the abolition of State agencies and legislation on the appointment of managers to oversee more than one local authority, I refer to the local government (miscellaneous provisions) Bill.

The Tánaiste

The Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government is considering the re-organisation and reform of local government and he will be bringing proposals to Government in the near future.

Deputy Regina Doherty

When will the new valuations Bill come to the House? Will it be cognisant of sporting organisations such as the GAA and rugby clubs who have small loss-making commercial aspects to their sporting activities? Will the Bill take into consideration those loss-making parts of their services?

An Ceann Comhairle

We cannot deal with the contents of Bills; we can only ask when Bills will be published.

The Tánaiste

The valuations Bill is due to be considered by the Government in the next couple of weeks.

An Ceann Comhairle

That completes the Order of Business.

Deputy Bernard J. Durkan

Excuse me, you missed me. I am very disappointed.

A Deputy: You cannot miss him, Ceann Comhairle.

An Ceann Comhairle

It is the practice that Members indicate when they wish to speak.

Deputy Bernard J. Durkan

I did.

An Ceann Comhairle

I did not see the Deputy and I deliberately looked because I was surprised that I had not heard from him.

Deputy Bernard J. Durkan

I can see you.

An Ceann Comhairle

I know.

Deputy Bernard J. Durkan

On promised legislation I refer to two important pieces of legislation. When will the regulation of lobbying Bill be introduced or if the heads of this Bill have been discussed in view of the level of concern about lobbyists over the past number of years? I ask that it might be introduced at the earliest opportunity. The national vetting bureau Bill is very important promised legislation. When will it come before the House? It should be introduced at the earliest opportunity.

The Tánaiste

It is expected that the heads of the registration of the lobbyists Bill will be brought before the Government towards the end of the summer. The vetting Bill is expected to be before the Government in the next couple of weeks.