Order of Business

The Taoiseach

It is proposed to take No. 3, Competition and Consumer Protection Bill 2014 - Second Stage (resumed); and No. 20, statements on the White Paper on Universal Health Insurance. It is proposed, notwithstanding anything in Standing Orders, that the following arrangements shall apply in relation to No. 20: the statements of the 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 30 minutes in each case and such Members may share their time, and the statements of each other Member called shall not exceed 30 minutes in each case 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 ten minutes. Private Members' business shall be No. 142, motion re the ambulance service (resumed), to conclude at 9 p.m. tonight if not previously concluded.

Tomorrow's business after Oral Questions shall be No. 3, Competition and Consumer Protection Bill 2014 - Second Stage (resumed); and No. 20, statements on the White Paper on Universal Health Insurance (resumed).

An Ceann Comhairle

There is one proposal to be put to the House. Is the proposal for dealing with No. 20, statements on the White Paper on Universal Health Insurance, agreed?

Deputy Micheál Martin

It is not agreed. I want to oppose the Order of Business.

An Ceann Comhairle

Certainly.

Deputy Micheál Martin

I am opposing it in light of what has transpired in the last 24 hours. The contents of an important memo have essentially been circulated to the media in precise detail. I note that the figure of €537 million used by the Taoiseach is the exact figure cited in this morning's Irish Independent. Given that we are going into a week's recess tomorrow, I suggest that the Government should make time available today for a discussion on the contents of the memo in question. There is no doubt that its contents have been deliberately circulated to the media in precise detail. I know that Labour Party sources are on RTE right now describing the proposal with regard to the level of water charges as "half-baked".

An Ceann Comhairle

We cannot have a long discussion on this.

Deputy Micheál Martin

We raised this in the Dáil yesterday. We have been raising it in the Dáil since last February.

An Ceann Comhairle

The Deputy should speak to the Order of Business proposal.

Deputy Micheál Martin

We have spoken time and time again about the importance of clarity and transparency and the need for a debate on these issues. All along the way, the Taoiseach said that things would become clearer in a couple of weeks' time. He used the word "shortly" yesterday. He told us nothing about what was to take place at the Cabinet table this morning. He did not mention what the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government had in the locker and intended to reveal. I ask the Government to provide time for a debate today. If it is not prepared to publish the memo that has essentially been circulated, at least we should be furnished with a copy of it. Everybody in the media world seems to have a copy of it. If the Dáil is to have any relevance to topical issues that are of huge concern to the public, the Taoiseach should facilitate a genuine debate and provide for the circulation to the Members of this House, who are meant to represent the people, of the material that has been made available to the media.

Deputy Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin

I am less concerned with what others may have to say on this. I am anxious to know when the Government will circulate the full information. Will it facilitate statements on the issue of water charges in this House before the recess? Can that be accommodated tomorrow? Will the Taoiseach give a commitment to that effect?

An Ceann Comhairle

The Deputy should confine his remarks to the Order of Business proposal.

Deputy Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin

If not, will he give a commitment to provide for such a debate at the earliest opportunity when the Dáil resumes following the Easter recess? There should be no further delay in relation to this matter being addressed in this House.

The Taoiseach

The Government will be quite happy to facilitate a debate when it has made its final decision on all of these matters.

I will be happy at that stage to point out the differences between the Government's approach, which brings about an average metered charge, on the basis of figures supplied by the CSO and so on, of €240 per annum, as against Fianna Fáil's position that it will be €400 and that the charge should be introduced without any reference to fairness, equity or affordability.

An Ceann Comhairle

Is the proposal agreed to?

Deputy Micheál Martin

The programme for Government contains a commitment to legislate on the issue of Cabinet confidentiality. Will the Taoiseach indicate when that legislation will be brought forward? Given the selective and random manner in which the Government decides that it wants to breach Cabinet confidentiality, in its efforts to manage and control news and engage in spin, will the Taoiseach indicate whether he is proposing a more liberal regime in this regard? This is a very relevant question in view of all the memos that are being circulated at random by Ministers.

The programme for Government gives an undertaking that during this Government's term, GP training places will be increased, GPs will be encouraged to defer retirement, doctors will be recruited from abroad and the number of practice nurses will be increased. Does the Taoiseach accept that the opposite is happening, with young GPs emigrating in alarming numbers, incomes dropping dramatically and GP morale at an all-time low? The legislation the Government promised in the programme for Government to deal with all aspects of primary care provision has not yet been delivered and many promises have been broken in this regard. When can we expect the universal primary care Bill and when will we see additional GPs, as promised in the programme for Government? Can we take it that the commitment to provide free GP care for those with long-term illnesses will not be met? Is there any prospect of discretionary medical cards being restored to the most ill and most vulnerable, including children with multiple disabilities, when the proposals for free GP care for children aged under six are introduced?

The Taoiseach

I am not proposing a more liberal regime in respect of Cabinet confidentiality.

Deputy Willie O'Dea

You are certainly practising it.

The Taoiseach

I expect every member of the Cabinet to live up to his or her constitutional responsibilities in so far as confidentiality is concerned, and I am satisfied they all do so.

Regarding GP training places, young GPs emigrating, difficulties being encountered by the medical profession and so on, these are all part of the discussions that are taking place between the Minister of State at the Department of Health, Deputy Alex White, and representatives of general practitioners in regard to the introduction of universal health insurance. I will have to get back to the Deputy on the exact position regarding the universal primary care Bill.

Deputy Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin

The Children First Bill 2014 was finally published on Monday. The guidelines were published as long ago as 1999 and it has taken until now for the legislation to present. It was the 2009 Ryan report which recommended the thrust of the proposals we now have. Considerable concern has been expressed by front-line providers in regard to the needs and care of children in so far as enforceability is concerned. When will the Children First Bill 2014 be brought before the House and is there a specific timeframe for its enactment?

The proposal for a health (general practitioner) medical service Bill to provide for a free GP service to children aged under six is one we supported on the basis that it would be rolled out universally within a very short timeframe. The concerns of GPs in regard to this legislation represent a considerable crisis. Members of all parties in the House attended an engagement with more than 400 GPs last Wednesday in Dublin to discuss the issue. Taking on board their concerns and the absence of negotiation with the IMO and other GP representative bodies, when will that Bill present before the House?

The Taoiseach

I am aware of the Deputy's interest in these matters. The situation in so far as negotiating rights are concerned is the subject of a court case to be determined and, as such, I cannot comment on it. The Minister of State, Deputy Alex White, is meeting and consulting with general practitioners throughout the country on the issue. The health (general practitioner medical service) Bill was approved at Cabinet this morning for publication, and the Minister will move on it now.

We have been waiting for the Children First Bill for more than 20 years. As the Deputy pointed out, the relevant report was published back in 1999. The Bill will be brought before the House just after Easter.

Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh

Tá ceisteanna agam faoi dhá phíosa reachtaíochta. Baineann an chéad cheist leis an leasú ar Acht na dTeangacha Oifigiúla atá le teacht. Cén uair a bhfoilseofar an Bille go hoifigiúil? Tá cúpla dréacht neamhoifigiúil feicthe agam go dtí seo.

There is a crisis in terms of the availability of housing in Dublin, particularly for those in receipt of rent supplement. In April 2012, the Government promised that a housing (miscellaneous provisions) Bill would be published shortly, before subsequently telling us it would be the end of 2012. We are still awaiting it. In the meantime, there is an absolute crisis in the provision of social housing in this city and elsewhere.

The Taoiseach

Maidir le hAcht na dTeangacha Oifigiúla, cuireadh na cinn don Bhille nua os comhair an Rialtais trí seachtaine ó shin agus foilseofar an Bille an seisiún seo.

Maidir leis an mBille eile, the housing (miscellaneous provisions) Bill is due to be debated in the House in May.

Deputy Bernard J. Durkan

In view of the strong representations coming from all involved, would it be possible to bring the promised national paediatric hospital development board (amendment) Bill before the House earlier than anticipated? Will the Taoiseach indicate whether the heads of that Bill have been approved?

I am moved by the concerns expressed by the Leader of the Opposition wherein he expects to be able to have only half a power shower once every six months and to have to make tea without water, as well as a range of other restrictions.

An Ceann Comhairle

Will the Deputy ask a question on legislation?

Deputy Bernard J. Durkan

The environmental liability Bill, No. 49 on the list, will deal with all of this. Will the Taoiseach undertake to bring that Bill forward as quickly as possible to ensure no ill effects are suffered in any quarter, particularly in the area represented by the Leader of the Opposition?

The Taoiseach

I do not have a date for the second Bill to which the Deputy referred.

The heads of the national paediatric hospital development board (amendment) Bill have not yet been cleared by Government. A great deal of work is ongoing in that regard and I will ask the Minister for Health, Deputy James Reilly, to update Deputy Durkan on the current position.

Deputy James Bannon

The Government has undertaken to initiate a reform programme or agenda in respect of the National Library of Ireland, the National Museum of Ireland and the National Archives of Ireland. When can we expect the two national cultural institutions Bills that are outstanding to be published?

The Taoiseach

The heads of both Bills have been cleared by Government. The Bills are due for publication later this year, probably after the summer recess.

Deputy Thomas P. Broughan

Some weeks ago, an undemocratic and farcical decision was taken by a group of Fingal councillors, a number of whom will either not stand again or will be defeated in the forthcoming elections, in regard to the Dublin mayoralty. The overwhelming majority of the 127 Dublin councillors, from the Ceann Comhairle's area in Dún Laoghaire, from south Dublin, Dublin city and Fingal, voted that people at least be allowed to make a decision on whether or not Dublin should, in common with all other great cities, have a directly elected mayor.

In view of what happened in Fingal and in light of the fact that many people believe that the legislation brought forward by the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government, Deputy Hogan, was deliberately designed to end in failure, will the Taoiseach give all Dubs a chance to make a decision as to whether they want a directly-elected mayor? In a few days' time, people all over the city, from the Ceann Comhairle's constituency to my own, will be supporting the great Dublin football team in the national league final. There is a need for a democratic decision in respect of this matter. We should have a directly-elected mayor with strong powers and considerable autonomy because that is how it works in most great capital cities. Will the Taoiseach give the Dubs a chance to vote on having a directly-elected mayor by introducing new legislation the week after next?

The Taoiseach

The Dubs were certainly in devastating form during the second half of last Sunday's game. Councillors in Fingal were democratically elected to represent the people who live there. Proceeding with the proposition that was put forward in respect of a directly-elected mayor was contingent on all the councils supporting it.

Deputy Thomas P. Broughan

We are talking here about a tiny minority. There was only one blue shirt involved.

The Taoiseach

Fingal County Council is a democratically elected authority and those who were elected as members of it represent all of the people. The members of the council made a democratic decision.

Deputy Thomas P. Broughan

They did not make such a decision.

Deputy Bernard J. Durkan

Sorry about that, Deputy Broughan.

Deputy Thomas P. Broughan

What happened was ridiculous.

Deputy Peter Fitzpatrick

When will the Bill amending the Health Act 2007, the purpose of which will be to extend HIQA's remit to include functions with regard to medical ionising radiation protection and the setting and monitoring of standards for private or independent health care providers, be published?

The Taoiseach

The heads of that Bill have not yet been presented to Cabinet. However, they are expected to be forthcoming later this year.

Deputy Dessie Ellis

This Easter weekend a Garda operation aimed at detecting traffic violations will be carried out countrywide. The number of gardaí on traffic duty has been reduced from 1,200 to 800. Last year and to date this year the number of deaths on our roads has increased and speeding has been identified as one of the main reasons for this. Will the Taoiseach indicate when the road traffic Bill will be introduced and whether the reduction in the number of gardaí on traffic duty could have had an impact in the context of the number of deaths on our roads?

The Taoiseach

That Bill is due next year.

Deputy Joe Higgins

Is the Taoiseach at all embarrassed with regard to the suggested average water charge of €240 that is going to be imposed on people?

An Ceann Comhairle

We do not deal with embarrassment on the Order of Business.

Deputy Joe Higgins

The Labour Party promised to save Fine Gael €238, an almost identical amount-----

Deputy Bernard J. Durkan

It was €400.

An Ceann Comhairle

The Deputy knows as well as I that he is out of order.

Deputy Joe Higgins

-----in its infamous Tesco advertisements during the most recent general election campaign.

An Ceann Comhairle

To what legislation is the Deputy referring?

Deputy Joe Higgins

I wish to refer to the debate which the Taoiseach promised this morning. As he quaintly - some would say crudely - stated during the election campaign, "Paddy likes to know what the story is". However, he is keeping ordinary people in the dark.

An Ceann Comhairle

We have dealt with that issue.

Deputy Joe Higgins

I want the Taoiseach to be very precise in terms of indicating when the Government proposes to return to the Dáil with details relating to the charging regime that will apply in the context of this new bondholder water tax. If we do not receive the relevant information prior to the Easter recess, will it be made available in the first week following the recess? Will ordinary people have full knowledge of what will be involved prior to their voting in the European and local elections.

The Taoiseach

Yes, they will have full knowledge.

Deputy Joe Higgins

On what date will matters be made clear?

The Taoiseach

I am not going to provide a precise date but the people will have full knowledge.

Deputy Noel Grealish

At a joint policing committee meeting on Monday last, the Garda outlined that there has been a 20% increase in crime levels in rural areas of Galway. Some ten Garda stations have been closed and 27 Garda vehicles have been taken out of commission in the areas to which I refer.

An Ceann Comhairle

The Deputy might be better served by tabling a Topical Issue on the matter.

Deputy Noel Grealish

In the context of the criminal justice (miscellaneous provisions) Bill, will the Taoiseach give a commitment to the effect that he will consider this issue and see to it that additional vehicles are provided to the Galway division of An Garda Síochána.

An Ceann Comhairle

When is the Bill due?

The Taoiseach

I am not in a position to indicate when it will be introduced but the statistics for crime show a drop across all categories throughout most areas of provincial Ireland.

Deputy Noel Grealish

There has been a 20% increase in Galway.

The Taoiseach

I do not have the figures for Galway to hand.

An Ceann Comhairle

Perhaps the Deputy might table a parliamentary question on the matter.

Deputy Noel Grealish

Some 27 Garda cars have been taken out of commission in the area.

The Taoiseach

In the neighbouring country, there was a drop of 6% in the crime rate despite the fact that ten stations were closed. We will examine the matter for the Deputy.

Deputy Noel Grealish

I thank the Taoiseach.

Deputy Brian Walsh

In the context of the proposed maritime area and foreshore (amendment) Bill, a review of the licensing of seaweed harvesting is currently under way. This a very contentious issue, particularly in coastal areas. When is progress expected to be made in the context of the proposed Bill?

Dáil Éireann debate - Wednesday, 16 Apr 2014

Dáil Éireann debate -
Wednesday, 16 Apr 2014