Dáil Éireann debate -
Tuesday, 3 Mar 2015

Vol. 870 No. 1

Order of Business

The Taoiseach

It is proposed to take No. 9, Social Welfare (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2015 - Order for Second Stage and Second Stage. It is proposed, notwithstanding anything in Standing Orders, that the Dáil shall sit later than 9 p.m. tonight and adjourn on the adjournment of Private Members' business which shall be No. 73, Family Home Mortgage Settlement Arrangement Bill 2014 – Second Stage, which shall take place at 7.30 p.m. or at the conclusion of the opening speeches on No. 9, whichever is the later, shall adjourn after 90 minutes and shall, if not previously concluded, be brought to a conclusion after 90 minutes on Wednesday, 4 March.

Tomorrow's business after Oral Questions shall be No. 1, Regulation of Lobbying Bill 2014 - amendments from the Seanad, and No. 9, Social Welfare (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2015 - Second Stage (resumed).

An Ceann Comhairle

There is one proposal to put to the House. Is the proposal for the late sitting agreed to? Agreed.

Deputy Micheál Martin

I draw the Taoiseach's attention to comments made by the Minister for Health, Deputy Leo Varadkar, in the Dáil last Wednesday in response to a parliamentary question on Health Service Executive funding for 2015. In the course of his reply, he stated:

We need additional resources for the fair deal scheme, home care packages and home help provision.

As the Minister of State, Deputy Kathleen Lynch, and Mr. Tony O'Brien have outlined, there are three options for achieving these objectives. We could opt to reprioritise spending within the health Vote or we could bring forward a spending plan later in the year. The third option, pretending the problem will somehow go away in the summer, is not really an option. That is a total nonsense and fewer and fewer people believe it. When it comes to a decision on the three options, it is not one I can make on my own; it must be done in conjunction with the Cabinet committee on health and the Economic Management Council. All members of the Cabinet committee and the EMC are fully apprised of the situation and have been since November.

The Minister made these comments last week, despite the fact that he had said last October that he had secured an adequate budget for the health service. I am surprised that he has scurried out of the Chamber just now. In the context of the appalling situation in hospital emergency departments and in regard to the fair deal scheme, home care packages and home help provision, he is now saying, in February, that the budget cannot hold, despite his claim two or three months ago that it could. When can we expect a new spending plan for the health service? In other words, when can we expect a supplementary health budget? Will it be larger than last year's allocation? We need a straight answer to these questions. The Minister stated clearly that he was considering bringing forward a spending plan. We need absolute clarity as to when the Supplementary Estimate will be brought before the House.

The Taoiseach

The budget for every Department has been set and signed off on by the Government. The HSE submitted its service plan which has been accepted by the Government. There are always complications and challenges within the health system. The challenge is to continue to provide the very best level of medical attention for those who need it and manage the system effectively. The Government made an additional allocation of €500 million for the health system to fill a deficit last year, with an extra €150 million or so on top of it. It is not proposed to have a supplementary budget.

The budgetary propositions for 2016 have not yet begun. The Exchequer figures will be out this afternoon and, as the year moves on, we hope the position will improve. The Government will make its decisions on the budget for 2016 in due course.

Deputy Micheál Martin

Does that mean that there will be a reprioritisation of spending?

The Taoiseach

The Minister will continue to keep the Government and the Cabinet sub-committee apprised on a regular basis. These are, obviously, serious matters.

Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh

Ba mhaith liom ceist thábhachtach a ardú leis an Taoiseach. Last week I attended a preplanning consultation meeting on the new children's hospital. I welcome the initiative by the chairman of the children's hospital group board, Ms Eilish Hardiman, to involve stakeholders, local people and elected representatives. However, two pieces of legislation are required which have been in the legislative programme since 2011 and perhaps even before then. They are the national paediatric hospital development board (amendment) Bill and the new children's hospital establishment Bill. Both Bills are tied to the work of the children's hospital group.

In the past I have asked when they are likely to be introduced, as the legislative programme suggests it is not possible to indicate at this stage when publication is expected. The work is going ahead and the development board of the children's hospital group intends to put in a planning application later this year. Would it not be reasonable to expect the national paediatric hospital development board (amendment) Bill to be introduced prior to that planning application being put in place? I understand the second Bill, the new children's hospital establishment Bill, will deal with the functions of the children's hospital both in the near future and when the hospital is completed by 2020, 2030, 2040 or whenever it happens. I hope the sooner the better, but can urgency be attached to these two items of legislation in order that they can be passed to facilitate the development of the hospital?

The Taoiseach

I will not give the Deputy a date for either Bill. The important point in this regard is that a very good board is in place. There is a good process in place and I am glad that Ms Eilish Hardiman is keeping people fully informed of what is going on. The date mentioned is 2019 or 2020, not 2030 or 2040. I hope the planning application can be lodged by the back end of the year and that it will receive proper consideration. I hope it will go through that process, as well as the remainder of the process for seeking tenders and all the rest of it, and that what will be the biggest infrastructural project in the country, to last the children of the island for the next 50 or 60 years, will be able to proceed. As the Deputy is aware, the Government has already left aside substantial moneys for the project.

Deputy James Bannon

There has been a huge increase in the number of drug-driving accidents nationwide. They are not only taking place in towns but have spread into villages and the countryside also. The harm associated with drug misuse and its effects on people' driving are well documented.

An Ceann Comhairle

About what Bill is the Deputy talking?

Deputy James Bannon

When can Members expect the road traffic Bill to address drug-driving and other road traffic matters?

The Taoiseach

The Deputy has raised an important issue. The heads of the Bill were cleared on 10 February and they will now go through the process. It will be later in the year before the Bill is published. It will allow testing by the Garda for drug infringements by drivers who are apprehended or involved in accidents.

Deputy Pat Rabbitte

Is the Taoiseach prepared to give consideration to allocating responsibility for the national drugs strategy to a designated appropriate existing Minister of State?

The Taoiseach

Yes, I will. Deputy Pat Rabbitte mentioned this important point to me previously and I will give consideration to it.

Deputy Micheál Martin

The Taoiseach should have done it in the past four years.

Deputy Paul Kehoe

There are a lot of things the Deputy should have done in the past four years-----

Deputy Micheál Martin

It was neglect.

Deputy Paul Kehoe

-----and in the past 15 years.

Deputy Micheál Martin

It is a little late now.

Deputy Paul Kehoe

The Deputy should publish some new policies.

Deputy Seán Ó Fearghaíl

In the light of the Children and Family Relationships Bill that is wending its way through the Houses, will priority be given to the family court Bill which will be an important aspect of the changed environment Members hope to create? Second, I refer to the proposed Red Cross (amendment) Bill. The print media have been reporting on governance issues of late within the Red Cross. What is the status of the Bill and when might Members expect to see it published?

The Taoiseach

The Red Cross Bill is expected to be published later this year.

I had the Minister write to Deputy Robert Troy on 3 March about the family court legislation. The position is that the programme for Government contains a commitment to establish a dedicated family court to improve levels of judicial expertise and training in family law matters and to streamline family law proceedings. The Department of Justice and Equality is finalising proposals for future legislation based on submissions received on the family court and consultations are ongoing with interested parties. The Minister intends to bring forward proposals to establish it as soon as they are finalised. The Bill will then be subject to pre-legislative scrutiny by the Oireachtas committee. While I cannot give the Deputy a date, it is moving through based on the submissions received. I can also provide the Deputy with a copy of the letter sent to Deputy Robert Troy.

Deputy Mattie McGrath

In respect of the Environment (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2014, will the Minister-----

An Ceann Comhairle

That Bill has gone through, has it not?

Deputy Mattie McGrath

No, it has not. It is on the Order Paper.

I was wondering about the enthusiasm and energy shown by the reforming Minister, Deputy Brendan Howlin, at the weekend regarding the decision to abolish town councils. He has decided that it was the wrong decision, while the former Minister, Mr. Hogan, is just settling in in Brussels. Will he use the Bill as a vehicle to reopen the town councils-----

An Ceann Comhairle

The Deputy had better talk to the Minister himself about that matter.

The Taoiseach

No.

Deputy Mattie McGrath

-----to bring back democracy to the people? In another short item-----

An Ceann Comhairle

Is there promised legislation?

Deputy Mattie McGrath

Tá cúpla focal gearr eile uaim, más é do thoil é.

The Taoiseach

The answer to the Deputy's question is "No".

Deputy Micheál Martin

That was a sharp answer to the Minister, Deputy Brendan Howlin.

Deputy Mattie McGrath

Níor chuala mé an freagra.

The Taoiseach

No.

Deputy Mattie McGrath

In the light of-----

An Ceann Comhairle

What was the Deputy's second item?

Deputy Micheál Martin

A monosyllabic retort.

Deputy Mattie McGrath

I hope the Taoiseach will be more positive next week when he sends abroad the flight of the earls. I wish the Minister of State, Deputy Tom Hayes, well in Australia.

Deputy Micheál Martin

When will he start out?

Deputy Bernard J. Durkan

Would Deputy Mattie McGrath like to go?

Deputy Mattie McGrath

I hope they will have a positive message when they go and that it will not be all "No," that there will be a "Tá" also. I assure the Minister of State that I will look after County Tipperary for him while he is down under in Australia.

An Ceann Comhairle

That is grand. It is reassuring for the Minister of State to know.

Deputy Micheál Martin

Would the Taoiseach not be more sensitive to the Minister, Deputy Brendan Howlin?

The Taoiseach

Deputy Brendan Howlin is a very good Minister, but I am not going to use the legislation for anything the Deputy has proposed.

Deputy Mattie McGrath

What legislation will the Minister use? He is a senior man and one of the famous four.

Deputy Bernard J. Durkan

Two issues that have dominated Irish society for the past ten years or so because of their effects or lack thereof are building and banking. The building control Bill has been promised to place Construction Industry Register Ireland, CIRI, on a statutory footing and thereby provide in law for the registration of builders, contractors and specialist subcontractors. When is it expected that the Bill will be brought before the House? Has it been discussed by the Cabinet or have the heads been approved?

On the Central Bank consolidation Bill which has also been promised, this would be a fitting time to introduce the legislation because of the discussion and debate taking place. My good colleague, Deputy Peter Mathews, will no doubt have an input into that legislation when it is brought before the House. Is its passage imminent?

The Taoiseach

No, it is not.

Deputy Mattie McGrath

It is all "No" today.

The Taoiseach

One never knows - Deputy Peter Mathews might write it for us.

Deputy Peter Mathews

For a fee.

Deputy Micheál Martin

That took the wind out of Deputy Bernard J. Durkan's sails.

The Taoiseach

The building control Bill is expected to be published later this year.

Deputy Mattie McGrath

How much later?

Deputy Bernard J. Durkan

Sorry about that, Deputy Mathews-----

An Ceann Comhairle

Please, Deputy.

Deputy Peter Fitzpatrick

When can Members expect publication of the proposed health (transport support) Bill, the purpose of which is to make individual payments to people with severe disabilities who cannot access public transport as a contribution towards their transport costs?

The Taoiseach

That Bill is due for publication this year. Work has been under way on it for quite some time.