Dáil Éireann debate -
Thursday, 18 Oct 2012

Vol. 779 No. 2

Order of Business

Minister for Education and Skills (Deputy Ruairí Quinn)

It is proposed to take No. 1, Health (Pricing and Supply of Medical Goods) Bill 2012 [Seanad] - Second Stage (resumed), and No. 17 - statements on the report of the pyrite panel, to be taken not later than 12.30 p.m. and the order shall not resume thereafter.

It is proposed, notwithstanding anything in Standing Orders, that No. 17 shall be taken on the conclusion of No. 1 or at 12.30 p.m., whichever is the earlier, and the opening 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 and who may share their time, shall not exceed 15 minutes in each case; the statement of each other Member called upon shall not exceed ten minutes and such Members may share their time; and a Minister or Minister of State shall be called upon to make a statement in reply which shall not exceed five minutes, and the order shall not resume thereafter.

An Ceann Comhairle

Is the proposal for dealing with No. 17, statements on the report of the pyrite panel, agreed to? Agreed.

Deputy Timmy Dooley

We read in a newspaper today that an international firm has been hired by the Government to raise the ceiling on bankers' pay. As the Minister will know, bankers' pay was set at approximately €500,000 per annum. When the report is concluded, does the Government intend to bring legislation on this matter to the House?

Deputy Ruairí Quinn

The programme for Government set out that the Government would conduct a fundamental review of remuneration at banks subject to State support. The exact wording of the programme for Government is: "All remuneration schemes at banks subject to state support will undergo a fundamental review to ensure an alignment of interest between banks, their staff and the taxpayer." This is another example of the Government implementing its programme for Government and its commitments.

The Minister for Finance has written to the Opposition spokespeople to inform them of the review, which has been ongoing within the Department. Mercer has now been appointed to bring the review to a conclusion. The review will cover pay levels across all covered banks and at all levels within the banks.

The headline in today's Irish Independent caught everyone's eye but if it had stated that the €500,000 cap on bankers' pay could fall, it would not exactly sell very many newspapers. Let us await the recommendations of the Mercer report.

Deputy Timmy Dooley

Does the Minister think it will fall?

Deputy Mary Lou McDonald

Today, for the second time in a short number of months, we heard reports of a convicted rapist having their custodial sentence suspended and being asked to compensate the victim financially. I do not think I have to say to the Dáil just how worrying that trend is. I think it reflects very many issues within our justice system, not least a deep cultural issue around the Judiciary and the consistent downgrading of sexual crimes-----

An Ceann Comhairle

It is a very important matter but-----

Deputy Mary Lou McDonald

-----against women and children.

An Ceann Comhairle

That is not in order on the Order of Business.

Deputy Mary Lou McDonald

The judicial council Bill is intended to provide effective remedies for complaints about judicial misbehaviour, including lay participation in the investigation of complaints. When will that legislation will come before the House?

The Rape Crisis Centre has called for sentencing guidelines for some time as opposed to mandatory sentencing, as is the case in England. Will they be forthcoming?

Deputy Ruairí Quinn

I share the Deputy's concerns, as, I suspect, do most Members, but both Bills to which she referred will be taken late next year.

Deputy Marcella Corcoran Kennedy

Today is EU Anti-Human Trafficking Day and all right thinking people agree that human trafficking is a gross violation of human rights both in the context of forced labour and forced sexual labour. When will the heads of the criminal law (human trafficking)(amendment) Bill, which will transpose the EU trafficking directive, be approved by the Government?

Deputy Ruairí Quinn

I thank the Deputy for raising this matter, particularly on this day, because it is very appropriate. The heads of the Bill have not yet come to Cabinet and, therefore, on that basis I suggest it will be in the middle of next year at the earliest.

Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh

It is 15 months since the gender recognition advisory group reported and five years since the Lydia Foy case. When will the heads of the gender recognition Bill, which will address this issue, be published to deal with the findings of this group and the courts? The Minister for Social Protection had indicated that the heads of the Bill would be before the relevant committee this autumn and that time is almost up.

Deputy Ruairí Quinn

That is the case. The heads of the Bill are being drafted. I will find out precisely where that process is and communicate with the Deputy. The intention is to have them before the committee before the end of the year.

Deputy Finian McGrath

With regard to the health information Bill, has the Minister information about cuts in services for children and adults with disabilities over the next few weeks? Families are frightened and worried and there have been many public and private meetings of users of disability services throughout the State.

Deputy Ruairí Quinn

It will be taken next year.

Deputy Barry Cowen

Considering the absence of the appointment of a planning regulator in the document produced by the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government earlier this week, despite the recommendation of the Mahon tribunal in this regard, is this an abandoned policy on the part of the Government as distinct from what was proposed in the programme for Government? When we can we expect legislation in this area?

An Ceann Comhairle

Is legislation promised?

Deputy Ruairí Quinn

The recommendations will be implemented. I will get back to the Deputy and confirm this but my understanding is the Minister is looking at whether to vest that recommendation within An Bord Pleanála or another statutory officeholder or agency.

An Ceann Comhairle

It sounds like a parliamentary question.

Deputy Ruairí Quinn

A parliamentary question would elicit more information.

Deputy Niall Collins

It was announced some time ago that the Government had taken a decision in principle to hold a referendum to establish family law courts. What is the timeline on that and the associated legislation?

Deputy Ruairí Quinn

I am not sure if it was announced but it might have been announced on the Deputy's side by somebody who thought Fianna Fáil was still in government.

An Ceann Comhairle

There is no promised legislation.

Deputy Pádraig Mac Lochlainn

When will the Criminal Justice (Spent Convictions) Bill 2012 be brought before the House again?

My colleague, Deputy McDonald, referred to sentencing guidelines. Will the Government bring that Bill forward in the legislative schedule?

Deputy Ruairí Quinn

The first Bill to which he referred is on Committee Stage in the Seanad and will come back to the House in due course. I will bring to the attention of the Minister for Justice and Equality the points raised by both the Deputy and Deputy McDonald.

Deputy Michael Healy-Rae

There have been many high profile disputes with workers and difficulties in workplace relations. Will the Minister clarify the position regarding the workplace relations Bill?

Deputy Ruairí Quinn

I share the Deputy's concern about this matter, as do many other Members. Work is ongoing on that important legislation and it will be ready early next year.

Deputy Mattie McGrath

I will do my best to mention legislation.

An Ceann Comhairle

Thank God. A conversion.

Deputy Mattie McGrath

I am glad the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine is present. Under the climate Bill, in view of the terrible summer we had and the huge rainfall over the past number of days, I refer to the extension given to farmers to spread slurry. It should not be calendar related; it should be related to the climate.

An Ceann Comhairle

I suggest that should be tabled as a topical issue.

Deputy Mattie McGrath

Could the Minister extend the scheme further because no work could be done as a result of the weather over the past number of days.

An Ceann Comhairle

We are all disappointed now. We thought at long last we had converted the Deputy.

Deputy Mattie McGrath

It is in the climate Bill.

An Ceann Comhairle

What has the spreading of slurry got to with the climate Bill?

Deputy Mattie McGrath

If the climate is not right, one cannot spread the slurry.

Deputy Timmy Dooley

The Deputy should not be looking for a climate Bill; he should be looking for a roof to be put over Ireland.

An Ceann Comhairle

When is the climate Bill due?

Deputy Mattie McGrath

This is a serious issue for farmers.

An Ceann Comhairle

The Deputy can table a parliamentary question or a topical issue but it is not relevant to the Order of Business.

Deputy Mattie McGrath

I am asking about the climate Bill. I cannot get a topical issue accepted; the Ceann Comhairle keeps refusing them.

An Ceann Comhairle

The Deputy gets his fair share.

Deputy Mattie McGrath

Two in two years.

Deputy Billy Kelleher

He will get fewer now.

Deputy Niall Collins

It will be zero over the next two years.

Deputy Paul Kehoe

The Deputy's former party introduced topical issues when in government.

An Ceann Comhairle

I call the Minister on the climate Bill.

Deputy Ruairí Quinn

I would not for one moment suggest that I have more expertise about problems relating to slurry than Deputy McGrath.

Deputy Timmy Dooley

There is a fair bit of it around Sandymount as well.

Deputy Mattie McGrath

Farmers cannot spread it.

Deputy Ruairí Quinn

I am aware of the difficulties farmers are experiencing in this regard because of the weather and the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine has informed me that there has been an extension of two weeks and there will be a further extension-----

An Ceann Comhairle

Hold on; the Minister is getting into bad habits. When will the climate Bill be introduced?

Deputy Ruairí Quinn

Next year.

Deputy Simon Coveney

We are talking to the Department of the Environment, Community and Local Government at the moment. There has been no decision on another extension yet.

Deputy Robert Troy

The Minister will be aware that his colleague, Senator Kelly, brought forward legislation in the Seanad to deal with the wind farm issue. Does the Government have plans to introduce that legislation in the House, especially in light of the numerous applications pending to erect wind farms in the midlands? Does the Government have a policy in this regard?

An Ceann Comhairle

Is there promised legislation?

Deputy Ruairí Quinn

No.

An Ceann Comhairle

Whatever about policy, I understand there is no promised legislation. Perhaps the Deputy will table a parliamentary question to see if there is any possibility of changing minds.