Dáil Éireann debate -
Thursday, 15 May 2014

Vol. 841 No. 3

Order of Business

The Tánaiste

It is proposed to take No. a20, statements on the Guerin report; and No. 4, Housing (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2014 - Second Stage (resumed).

It is proposed, notwithstanding anything in Standing Orders, that the proceedings in respect of No. a20 shall, if not previously concluded, adjourn after the opening speeches and the following arrangements shall apply: the opening speech of the Minister for Justice and Equality 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, the speech of each other Member called upon shall not exceed 15 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 speech in reply which shall not exceed 15 minutes; and the Dáil on its rising today shall adjourn until 2 p.m. on Tuesday, 27 May 2014.

An Ceann Comhairle

There are two proposals to be put to the House. Is the proposal for dealing with a20 agreed to? Agreed. Is the proposal that the Dáil on its rising today shall adjourn until 2 p.m. on Tuesday, 27 May 2014 agreed to?

Deputy Mary Lou McDonald

It is not agreed.

Deputy Billy Kelleher

Is the purpose of this adjournment to allow for the Tánaiste and the Government to canvass the people or is it for the purpose of enabling the Tánaiste to canvass his backbenchers? What is the actual purpose of the adjournment?

An Ceann Comhairle

We do not debate the issue but the Deputy can vote against it if he so wishes.

Deputy Billy Kelleher

Were the Tánaiste to clarify what exactly it is for, Fianna Fáil might be able to assist it.

An Ceann Comhairle

I cannot allow debate on the issue. It is a straightforward question.

Deputy Eamonn Maloney

The Deputy was right the first time.

Deputy Billy Kelleher

Is its purpose to allow the Tánaiste to canvass the backbenchers?

An Ceann Comhairle

The Deputy may vote against it. I will call a vote, if necessary.

A Deputy

Deputy Kelleher had better wake up.

Deputy Mary Lou McDonald

Today, there will be statements in respect of the Guerin report. This is a welcome but limited opportunity and in recent weeks, Members have spoken-----

An Ceann Comhairle

Sorry, we are dealing with the adjournment.

Deputy Mary Lou McDonald

-----about how there is a crisis in respect of public confidence in the administration of justice and in An Garda Síochána. Consequently, it is not acceptable that the House would not sit next week. Members have important and urgent matters to which they must attend. While there are elections, for instance, as the Tánaiste has been so fond of harking up the road in recent times, in the North-----

Deputy Derek Nolan

The Deputy always uses that.

An Ceann Comhairle

Please.

Deputy Mary Lou McDonald

-----the Assembly will sit next week, although elections also are being held in the North. Consequently, Sinn Féin objects to this proposal.

The Tánaiste

First, it has been the normal practice that in the week of an election or a referendum, the Dáil does not sit. This is to enable all Members of the House to participate in the election. As Members are aware, after Easter the Dáil returned one week earlier than was originally scheduled. The number of days on which the Dáil sits has increased. The Dáil is scheduled to sit up to the middle of July and I think 16 July is the date that was pencilled in on the document that was circulated. However, if Members find there is unfinished business at that stage, consideration can be given to perhaps extending the sitting of the Dáil up to the end of July or indeed into August, if necessary.

Question, "That the proposal that the Dáil on its rising today shall adjourn until 2 p.m. on Tuesday, 27 May 2014, be agreed to", put and declared carried.

Deputy Billy Kelleher

The programme for Government contains a commitment to invest in the supply of more and better care for older people in the community and states that residential settings would be a priority for the Government. There also is a commitment that additional funding would be provided each year for the care of older people, as well as for more home care packages or home helps. In addition, a review of the fair deal scheme is under way at present. Consequently, on Members' return, would it be possible to have a full debate on the issue of care, home care packages, care for the elderly, home help hours and all that flows therefrom with regard to funding for older people to live independently at home? I also seek such a debate in the context of the fair deal scheme review.

The Tánaiste

The Whips can consider the proposal and decide if that is possible.

Deputy Billy Kelleher

I thank the Tánaiste.

Deputy Mary Lou McDonald

On the Tánaiste's response earlier in respect of medical cards, he was as robotic, unconvincing and detached as was the Minister for Health last night.

An Ceann Comhairle

Sorry, that is not on the Order of Business.

Deputy Mary Lou McDonald

The Government should restore medical cards-----

An Ceann Comhairle

Deputy, would you please adhere to the rules?

Deputy Mary Lou McDonald

-----to sick children with disabilities, for instance, and there should be no quibble on that issue.

An Ceann Comhairle

No.

Deputy Mary Lou McDonald

I wish to ask the Tánaiste a question regarding the Cooke report. I raised this issue with his colleague, Deputy Quinn, last week, who informed me that delivery of this report was, to use his word, "imminent". I subsequently asked the Taoiseach, whose diary the Tánaiste does not follow and with whom the Tánaiste's communication seems to be sketchy at best, and he could not confirm one way or the other when this report might be delivered. He certainly did not give the impression it was imminent. Perhaps, on this third attempt, the Tánaiste might be able to provide some information in this regard. When does the Tánaiste expect it to be delivered to the Government? Does the Tánaiste have any idea or does he care?

The Tánaiste

I expect the report to be delivered shortly.

Deputy Mary Lou McDonald

Shortly or imminent.

Deputy Thomas P. Broughan

On the children (amendment) Bill, earlier in the week Deputies Seán Kenny, Ellis and I raised the imminent possible closure of the Jigsaw child care centre in Darndale, the biggest crèche in the country, which provides-----

An Ceann Comhairle

Sorry, not on the-----

Deputy Thomas P. Broughan

-----a massive bulwark to the encouragement of children from the north Coolock area to stay in school, get through second level and so on.

An Ceann Comhairle

Sorry Deputy, I allowed a Topical Issue debate on this.

Deputy Thomas P. Broughan

I simply wish to ask-----

An Ceann Comhairle

Please. It is not within the rules.

Deputy Thomas P. Broughan

This morning, parents remain concerned. They have not yet-----

An Ceann Comhairle

There was a Topical Issue debate on this.

Deputy Thomas P. Broughan

-----heard from the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs, Deputy Charles Flanagan, who was forthright in his response.

They have not heard from him yet and they are very anxious that another few weeks will pass and the centre is €200,000 in debt-----

An Ceann Comhairle

The Deputy cannot deal with that on the Order of Business. He will have to find some other way of raising the matter. I ask the Deputy to please co-operate with the Chair. I allowed a Topical Issue debate on it and it is out of order on the Order of Business. Please do not challenge me on this issue. I have to be fair to everybody and if I allowed this for the Deputy, I would have to allow it for everybody else

Deputy Thomas P. Broughan

We are here to discuss the nation's business and this is an important territory of Dublin Bay North-----

An Ceann Comhairle

No, we are not here to discuss issues. I am sorry, Deputy, but I ask you to resume your seat because the Tánaiste will not be allowed to answer it as I will not allow it.

Deputy Thomas P. Broughan

I asked the Tánaiste to ask the new Minister. I asked about the children (amendment) Bill.

An Ceann Comhairle

That is in order.

Deputy Thomas P. Broughan

I ask the Tánaiste to take on board my comments

An Ceann Comhairle

I remind the Tánaiste that a Topical Issue was taken this week on that issue.

Deputy Thomas P. Broughan

We have not heard from the new Minister, Deputy Charlie Flanagan.

The Tánaiste

The children (amendment) Bill is due this session.

Deputy Ray Butler

When is publication expected of the international recovery of child support (Hague Convention) Bill, to implement the Hague Convention on international recovery for child and other forms of family maintenance? When is publication expected of the trust Bill, to reform and consolidate the law relating to trustees, to deal better with and protect trust assets?

The Tánaiste

I do not have a publication date for the international children Bill nor a publication date for the trust Bill.

Deputy Bernard J. Durkan

What are the intentions for the national paediatric hospital development board (amendment) Bill? To what extent has it been discussed or progressed in recent times and when might it be expected that it will be brought before the House?

The Tánaiste

There is as yet no date for the publication of that Bill but work is proceeding on the plans for the building of the national children's hospital.

Deputy Michael P. Kitt

I wish to ask about the need for investment in electricity and energy supplies and to deal with breakdown in supplies of electricity. A geothermal Bill is promised. There is concern that direct debits are required for payment of electricity bills.

An Ceann Comhairle

That is a separate issue.

Deputy Michael P. Kitt

It would be preferable if people could revert to paying through the credit union or the post office.

An Ceann Comhairle

That can be arranged by way of a parliamentary question.

The Tánaiste

The geothermal energy development Bill has 151 heads. It is expected early next year.