Dáil Éireann debate -
Thursday, 12 Jun 2014

Vol. 843 No. 6

Order of Business

The Tánaiste

It is proposed to take No. 10, motion re proposed approval by Dáil Éireann of the ratification by Ireland of the internal agreement concerning the 11th European Development Fund - back from committee; No. 23, Protected Disclosures Bill 2013 [Seanad] - Report Stage (resumed) and Final Stage; No. 6, Radiological Protection (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2014 - Order for Second Stage and Second Stage; and No. 1a - Johnstown Castle Agricultural College (Amendment) Bill 2014 [Seanad] - Second and Subsequent Stages.

It is proposed, notwithstanding anything in Standing Orders, that the Dáil shall sit later than 5.30 p.m. and adjourn at the conclusion of Topical Issues which shall be taken at the conclusion of No. 1a; No. 10 shall be decided without debate; Second and Subsequent Stages of No. 1a shall be taken at 3 p.m. and the following arrangements shall apply: the proceedings on Second Stage shall, if not previously concluded, be brought to a conclusion after one hour and 45 minutes; the opening speeches of a Minister or a Minister of State and the main spokespersons for Fianna Fáil, Sinn Féin and the Technical Group who shall be called upon in that order shall not exceed 15 minutes in each case and such Members may share time, the speech of each other Member called upon shall not exceed ten minutes in each case and such Members may share time, a Minister or a Minister of State shall be called upon to make a speech in reply which shall not exceed five minutes; and the proceedings on Committee and Remaining Stages shall, if not previously concluded, be brought to a conclusion after 30 minutes by one question which shall be put from the Chair and which shall, in relation to amendments, include only those set down or accepted by the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine.

An Ceann Comhairle

There are three proposals to be put to the House. Is the proposal for dealing with the late sitting agreed to? Agreed. Is the proposal for dealing with No. 10, motion re proposed approval by Dáil Éireann of the ratification by Ireland of the internal agreement concerning the 11th European Development Fund, agreed to? Agreed. Is the proposal for dealing with No. 1a, Johnstown Castle Agricultural College (Amendment) Bill 2014 [Seanad] - Second and Subsequent Stages, agreed to? Agreed.

Deputy Billy Kelleher

The recently published HIQA report on the accident and emergency unit at University Hospital Limerick and other governance issues at the hospital was alarming and damning. I was alarmed when I raised the issue in the Dáil on Tuesday and the Minister for Health informed me that he was an integral part of the Government and would resolve the matter. There are major problems with the governance structures of the HSE owing to the fact that it is going through a transition-----

An Ceann Comhairle

We cannot have a debate on the HSE.

Deputy Billy Kelleher

It is a leaderless transition.

Deputy Ruairí Quinn

Who set up the HSE?

Deputy Timmy Dooley

Who abolished it?

Deputy Billy Kelleher

We are not talking about that; we are talking about the fact that it is being abolished.

Deputy Timmy Dooley

It is.

An Ceann Comhairle

Excuse me; we are talking about promised legislation.

Deputy Billy Kelleher

In the summer legislative programme there is a Bill entitled, Health Reform Bill, to put in place new structures for a health service as set out in the document, Future Care.

Deputy Ruairí Quinn

We are repairing the damage caused by the Deputy's party.

Deputy Bernard J. Durkan

It is called denial.

Deputy Billy Kelleher

HIQA's report states there is no proper governance by the Department of Health which is the responsibility of the Minister, Deputy James Reilly-----

An Ceann Comhairle

The Deputy did not hear me. We are talking promised legislation; we are not debating the Bill. When is the Bill due to be published? Let us not get excited about its content.

Deputy Billy Kelleher

It relates to the difficulties that arose in the context of the western group and the resignation of-----

An Ceann Comhairle

I understand the concerns.

Deputy Billy Kelleher

All of these issues stem from a lack of leadership.

An Ceann Comhairle

Not on the Order of Business.

The Tánaiste

The Health Reform Bill will be taken this session.

Deputy Mary Lou McDonald

Will time be set aside for the Minister for Health, Deputy James Reilly, to make a statement to the Dáil on the resignation last night of the chairman of the West and North-West Hospitals Group, Mr. Noel Daly, and the serious conflict of interest arising from the Minister's original appointment of Mr. Daly as chairman of the group?

In respect of the commission of investigation established to examine mother and baby homes and other institutions, I understand the interdepartmental group will report on 30 June. Will its report be published? In what format will it be published and will the Tánaiste confirm the date for publication and the laying of the terms of reference for the commission of investigation? Most importantly, will he confirm the timetable and the format of the consultation between the Government and Opposition parties and between the Government and survivors and campaign groups on the terms of reference, the scope of the investigation, the composition of the commission and other pertinent details?

The Tánaiste

On the resignation of Mr. Daly, that issue can be pursued in the House in certain ways and it is a matter for the Deputy to decide if she wants to avail of them.

With regard to the commission of investigation, the work of the interdepartmental group will be concluded by 30 June. With regard to the establishment of the commission and its terms of reference, it is our intention to do it in a collaborative way with the Opposition parties which will be consulted.

Deputy Mary Lou McDonald

Will the Government publish the interdepartmental group's report?

The Tánaiste

We have to get it first. Our practice has been to publish reports, but I cannot anticipate before it is available what will be in the report. We are anxious to have the commission established as quickly as possible.

Deputy Joe Carey

Can I receive an update on the publication of the Criminal Justice (Legal Aid) Bill, No. 54 on the list, and the Bail Bill, No. 108?

The Tánaiste

The Criminal Justice (Legal Aid) Bill will be published early next year. I do not yet have a date of publication for the Bail Bill.

Deputy Mattie McGrath

In view of the pivotal role grandparents play in society, particularly for families in distress, where is the rights of grandparents Bill?

The Tánaiste

I do not know if a Bill on the rights of grandparents was promised, but the Civil Registration (Amendment) Bill may address some of the issues involved. It will be taken this session.

Deputy Dessie Ellis

When it is planned to amend the Electricity Regulation Act 1999 to help to facilitate the creation of an all-island gas market? The Bill is entitled the Common Arrangements for Gas Bill. Do we know when it will be published?

The Tánaiste

The Common Arrangements for Gas Bill will be published next year.

Deputy Brian Walsh

Will the Tánaiste provide an update on the Maritime Area and Foreshore (Amendment) Bill? Will he confirm that it will contain provisions to deal with the contentious issue of seaweed harvesting?

The Tánaiste

It was intended to publish the Maritime Area and Foreshore (Amendment) Bill, but its drafting will take place after the Housing (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill, which is before the House.

Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett

Will it be taken this session?

The Tánaiste

The hope is to take it this session, but we are in the hands of the House as to when the Housing (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill will be completed.

Deputy Bernard J. Durkan

What is the current position of the Criminal Justice (Cybercrime) Bill to comply with the Council of Europe's decision on cyber crime? What is the position on the promised mediation Bill? To what extent have discussions progressed at the Cabinet and when is the Bill likely to be brought before the House? When can we expect it to be signed into law?

The Tánaiste

The mediation Bill is due next year. I do not have a date of publication for the Criminal Justice (Cybercrime) Bill, but I discussed it yesterday with the President of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe and we will try to bring it forward as quickly as possible.

Deputy John O'Mahony

The Broadcasting (Amendment) Bill will provide for the change from a television licence to a broadcasting charge and will have implications for funding of broadcasting. As so much change takes place in the area, it is an important Bill. I thought it was due to be published before the summer, but it seems to have slipped down the ladder.

I also wish to inquire about the gambling control Bill. There is significant concern in regard to the control of online gambling. Will the Tánaiste provide an update on these two Bills?

The Tánaiste

I understand the broadcasting (amendment) Bill will be introduced late this year and the gambling control Bill early next year.

Deputy Ray Butler

When is publication of the Bill on the sale of loan books to unregulated third parties, which will introduce legislation to cater for the sale of loan books by regulated financial institutions to unregulated financial institutions, expected? Another issue that has arisen recently is that of payday loans. This is a huge problem here and in Britain. Is regulation expected on this issue?

The Tánaiste

The sale of loan books to unregulated third parties Bill is expected next year.

Deputy Charlie McConalogue

Yesterday, the Minister for Education and Skills published a performance review of the third level sector by the HEA. He also has had in his possession for some time now a report from the HEA on the future of third level funding. He announced yesterday that he is establishing a review group to look at third level funding, but will he publish the report he has from the HEA on funding models for third level education? Why has he not published it so far?

The Tánaiste

There may be some misunderstanding on this. As I understand it, the Minister does not have a report of the kind described on third level funding. However, he intends to establish a group to look at third level funding, and that was the announcement he made yesterday.

Deputy Robert Troy

Earlier this week we discussed the devastating consequences of how society viewed certain families and people, such as single mothers. Today, we have many different family configurations. In that context, what is the position on the children and family relationships Bill? The heads of the Bill were published earlier this year, but the Bill now seems to be stalled. When will we see full implementation of this legislation?

I understand the Minister for Education and Skills has had a report on the future of small schools in his possession for more than 12 months. When will that report on the future, viability and sustainability of small schools be published? Will the Oireachtas get an opportunity to discuss the findings of that report?

The Tánaiste

In regard to the Child and Family Agency Bill, the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs is anxious to progress that Bill and is currently in discussions on it.

Deputy Robert Troy

The Bill I referred to is a justice Bill.

The Tánaiste

I apologise. I thought the Deputy was referring to the Child and Family Agency. I understand it is intended to deal with the children and family relationships Bill this session. In regard to the value for money report on small schools, the Minister is considering the report.