It is proposed to take No. 9a, motion re proposed approval by Dáil Éireann on the proposal for a directive of the European Parliament and of the Council establishing a framework for maritime spatial planning and integrated coastal management; No. 9b, motion re membership of committee; No. 20, Health (Pricing and Supply of Medical Goods) Bill 2012 [Seanad] - Report Stage (resumed); and No. 18, Housing (Amendment) Bill 2013 - Second Stage (resumed). It is proposed, notwithstanding anything in Standing Orders, that Nos. 9a and 9b shall be decided without debate.
Order of Business
There is one proposal to be put to the House. Is the proposal for dealing with Nos. 9a and 9b, without debate, agreed to? Agreed.
The licensing of health care facilities Bill is due to provide for a mandatory system of licensing for public and private healthcare facilities. When can we expect the Bill to be introduced in the House? Obviously, it has implications, particularly in terms of the protection of maternal life Bill.
The Shannon aviation services centre Bill relates to the amalgamation of SFADCO and Shannon Airport under a new company structure. We would like to know when it will be published.
Are you backing it?
I do not have a date for the first Bill Deputy Dooley mentioned. The Shannon aviation services centre Bill to establish a new State-owned commercial entity to merge the Shannon Airport Authority and the restructured Shannon Development will be published this year.
When does the Tánaiste expect Mr. Justice Quirke to report back on the redress scheme for the Magdalen laundries? Can he tell the House if the Government has reached a decision on the institution at Summerhill in Wexford which has been excluded from the scheme, unlike the institution at Stanhope Street? Can he indicate what progress the Government has made on Bethany Home and set out the form of redress it is proposed to afford to its victims?
The figures on emigration have been referred to in the course of this morning's proceedings.
This is not Question Time.
In the last four years, 300,000 people have emigrated. Does the Government have any plans to bring forward a strategy for Irish emigrants and the diaspora now that so many of our young people are forced to live overseas? Perhaps, that is the youth employment initiative to which the Tánaiste alluded earlier.
I do not have a date for Mr. Justice Quirke's report. As I have said to the Deputy previously, the Bethany Home issue is under consideration by the Minister for Justice and Equality, Deputy Alan Shatter, and the Minister of State, Deputy Kathleen Lynch.
I have a strategy to support Irish emigrants abroad. I would be very happy to answer a question in detail on the emigrant support programme if the Deputy were to table it to me in my capacity as Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade.
What about Summerhill?
Summerhill is also under consideration.
When can the House expect the publication of the health information Bill to provide a legislative framework for the better governance of health information and related issues, including data matching, population health resources and identifiers for use in health services?
The health information Bill will be published in early 2014.
The Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht has many reforms in store for the cultural institutions. When will the national cultural institutions (amendment) Bill be forthcoming?
The national cultural institutions (amendment) Bill to give effect to actions arising from the Government's reform programme on certain national cultural institutions will be published next year.
Can the Tánaiste indicate to the House what progress has been made on the pyrite levy Bill? Is it expected that the heads of the Bill will be dealt with by Cabinet at an early date? To what extent is it hoped to deal with the Bill during the current session?
Current bail law was set in the 1960s and there is a general recognition of the need for reform. When is the bail Bill likely to come before the House?
The heads of the pyrite levy Bill were approved by Government on 30 April 2013 and it is expected that the Bill will be published later this year. The draft heads of the bail Bill are at an advanced stage but it is not possible to indicate a date on which it will come before the House.
When will the Taxi Regulation Bill 2012 become law?
I understand the Bill will be in the House next week. It will be in the hands of the House.
When will the much-needed education (admission to school) Bill be published in light of the ongoing problem many parents are experiencing in trying to access places for their children? It is a particular problem in rural areas where small schools have ceased to operate.
A number of people have contacted me about the state of our national monuments and archaeological heritage, in particular people who have come back here for The Gathering. Can the Tánaiste update me as to when a national monuments Bill will come before the House?
The heads of the education (admission to school) Bill are being drafted and it is expected that the Bill will be published later this year. The heads of the monuments Bill have been approved by Government and it is expected in the middle of next year.
On the geothermal energy development Bill, can the Tánaiste ask and assist the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources, Deputy Rabbitte, to appoint a mediator in respect of a situation that has developed in south Tipperary relating to STEP insulation and the homes of vulnerable people?
Have a chat with Deputy Rabbitte after the Order of Business.
They might appoint a mediator to mediate between SEAI and Muintir na Tíre in south Tipperary to keep that organisation afloat.
I do not propose to act as a mediator between Deputy Mattie McGrath and Deputy Rabbitte.
Unlike Deputy Daly, I have good time for the Tánaiste.
I am sure they are well able to deal with each other directly.
It is a serious issue.
I appreciate that, which is why Deputy McGrath should discuss it directly with the Minister and, with all due respect, leave me out of it. The heads of the geothermal energy development Bill have been approved and it is expected that it will be published in the middle of next year.
Does the Tánaiste have any plans to introduce education legislation to resolve the issues of discrimination against children with Down's syndrome and resource teaching hours? If not, can the Minister for Education and Skills deal with these issues as these children need support and resources and to have their rights vindicated?
Deputy McDonald raised this issue already.
I have already answered this question.
There will be no legislation, is that it?
My answer is on the record. The Deputy knows the answer.
When can we expect Committee Stage of the Autism Bill to be scheduled?
My understanding is the arrangements for the debate on Committee Stage must be made by the committee.
I asked the Taoiseach this question yesterday and, seeing as the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform, Deputy Howlin, is in the Chamber, maybe he can throw some light on it. I am not asking where negotiations are on Croke Park II. Has legislation been drawn up to introduce cuts of €300 million on 1 July as was the case with IBRC when it was wound up? There was legislation waiting. How soon does must it be brought into the Dáil if talks do not take place?
The Taoiseach answered this question yesterday. The position is that the chief executive of the Labour Relations Commission has been given additional time to have direct discussions with individual trade unions. He will report to the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform on Monday and the Minister will report to the Cabinet on Tuesday. Then it will be a matter for the Government to decide what is to be done.