Before I call for approval of the Order of Business, I want to inform the House of emergency legislation from the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Rural Development coming before the House tomorrow at 2 p.m. The Bill, entitled the Diseases of Animals (Amendment) Bill, 2001, provides for the amendment of the Diseases of Animals Act, 1966. Key elements in the Bill include the provision of powers to authorised officers and the creation of new powers to regulate dealers. Penalties are also increased substantially in the Bill. The issue of illegal tampering with, switching or removing of ear tags will also be addressed. I will put this before the House on the Order of Business tomorrow morning.
The list was circulated last week but this emergency legislation has been agreed by Government this morning and it will be initiated in the Seanad tomorrow. It will be taken in the Dáil on Thursday. The Seanad will sit late – possibly into the early hours of Friday morning – to approve an early signature motion.
The Order of Business is No. 1, motion re referral to the Joint Committee on Finance and the Public Service of the Freedom of Information Act, 1997 (Prescribed Bodies) Regulations, 2001, to be taken without debate; and No. 2, statements on the Inspector of Mental Hospitals Report, 1999, the contributions of spokespersons not to exceed 30 minutes and those of all other Senators not to exceed 20 minutes.
I gave my word last week to Senator Norris regarding a proposal which he put before me. With his approval and that of the House, I propose to take this late on Thursday evening.