Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Tuesday, 28 Nov 1989

Vol. 393 No. 8

Order of Business.

The Taoiseach

It is proposed to take Nos. 3, 4, 5, 8 and 9. It is also proposed that the Dáil shall sit later than 9.00 p.m. today and business shall be interrupted at 10.30 p.m. It is further proposed that Nos. 3, 4 and 5 shall be taken without debate. It is further proposed that the Supplementary Estimate to which No. 5 refers shall be taken at 8.30 p.m. and notwithstanding anything in Standing Orders, the following arrangements shall apply:

1. The speech of the Minister for Finance moving the Supplementary Estimate, and any other Member called on, shall not exceed 15 minutes.

2. The Minister shall be called on to conclude the debate not later than 10.20 p.m. and

3. If a division is challenged, it shall be taken forthwith,

and the order shall not resume. Private Members' Business shall be No. 20.

An Ceann Comhairle

Is the proposal for a late sitting today agreed? Agreed. Is it agreed that Nos. 3, 4 and 5 be taken without debate? Agreed. Are the further proposals for dealing with No. 5 agreed? Agreed.

Mr. Dukes

I should like to raise two matters on the Order of business. The first is to ask the Taoiseach whether the House will have an opportunity to debate the community support framework which was published yesterday and, if so, when?

The Taoiseach

The debate on the Estimates will provide an opportunity for Deputies to debate these matters but, if a further debate is sought by the Opposition, we will consider it.

Mr. Dukes

Since we are only talking about the first publication of the Estimates — not the full Estimates — the debate is not a satisfactory framework within which to discuss this. The second matter I wish to raise is one of procedure in the House. A while ago my colleague, Deputy G. Mitchell, sought to raise on the Adjournment the matter of a fine imposed on Aer Lingus in Florida in relation to certain activities in which it was alleged they had been involved. The matter was disallowed on the grounds of non-competence on the part of the Minister. I am speaking in the parliamentary use of that phrase, Sir, although it applies elsewhere as well. It has since emerged that the Government had been involved in a number of discussions about this matter and that the Minister had also been involved in discussions in relation to this matter. I am given to understand, a Cheann Comhairle, that you have come to the conclusion that the defence of ministerial non-competence was not one appropriate to this case. Will you confirm that and if it means that the Government will be under your particular scrutiny in the future in any further attempt they might make to evade their responsibilities and to avoid answering questions on matters that properly come before the House?

An Ceann Comhairle

I assured Deputy Gay Mitchell, when he raised this matter on Friday last with me, that I would investigate the matter thoroughly. On that very day, last Friday, I arranged for two of my officials to meet Deputy Gay Mitchell — indeed they also met the Fine Gael Whip, Deputy Jim Higgins — to explain the position in detail to them. I have taken further steps in the matter. I have written to the Minister for Tourism and Transport and I do not wish to add anything further at this stage.

Mr. Dukes

I am extremely pleased that your view of the matter and the steps you have taken are on the record of the House. I am glad that my colleague has been vindicated in the concern he expressed about this matter.

Mr. G. Mitchell

Will you communicate to me the outcome of your letter to the Minister?

An Ceann Comhairle

I will.

Mr. J. O'Keeffe

And to RTE?

Mr. J. Bruton

May I raise on the Adjournment the subject matter of Question No. 3 of 25 October?

An Ceann Comhairle

I will communicate with the Deputy.

Mr. Quinn

In respect of the forthcoming EC summit meeting under the French Presidency, will the Taoiseach say if the Government or the Government Whip are in a position to indicate whether the Taoiseach will be making a report to this House before it adjourns for Christmas?

The Taoiseach

Yes, that is the intention.

Mr. Quinn

Arising out of his reply, will the Taoiseach be in a position to arrange with the Whips that the report back from the Council will give him an opportunity to outline the priorities which the Irish Presidency will have for the next six months?

The Taoiseach

That is also my intention.

Mr. Stagg

I wish to raise on the Adjournment the forcible entry by officials of Kildare County Council to a privately occupied house in Dara Court, Celbridge. The house was thoroughly searched by the officials against the wishes of the householder and on the basis of false information——

An Ceann Comhairle

The Deputy need not elaborate now. Is he seeking my permission to raise the matter on the Adjournment?

Mr. Stagg

My last point is to enable you to make a decision on the matter. The officials sought to establish if there was a water supply to the house as the supply had been disconnected by Kildare County Council——

An Ceann Comhairle

I will communicate with the Deputy concerning the matter.

Mr. Barry

I should like to raise on the Adjournment the serious overcrowding in the Cork Regional Technical College where student numbers have increased by over 50 per cent in ten years. A programme for providing increased accommodation was agreed four years ago but only one item was——

An Ceann Comhairle

I will communicate with the Deputy concerning the matter.

Mr. Garland

I should like to try to raise again on the Adjournment the disturbing situation in the Office of Consumer Affairs in that an insufficient number of inspectors are available to inspect potentially dangerous Christmas toys.

An Ceann Comhairle

I will communicate with the Deputy.

Mrs. Fennell

For the third week in succession, I seek to raise on the Adjournment the family mediation scheme with the Minister for Justice.

An Ceann Comhairle

I will be in touch with the Deputy.

Mr. Finnucane

I should like to raise on the Adjournment the urgent necessity for upgrading the N67 route from Limerick to Tarbert from a national secondary route to a national primary route because of the volume of traffic which it carries.

An Ceann Comhairle

I will communicate with the Deputy.

Mr. Creed

For the second week in succession, I seek to raise on the Adjournment the crisis in the farm development service whereby the unions concerned have blacked the processing of the farmyard pollution grants with grave consequences for farmers who have borrowed a substantial amount of money and cannot get payment. This also concerns people with environmental concerns because, in the absence of these works going ahead, the environment will also suffer.

An Ceann Comhairle

I will communicate with the Deputy.

Mr. Durkan

I wish to raise on the Adjournment the present policy of the Housing Finance Agency, the officials of which are assessing deserted wives with an assumed income from estranged husbands in determining their mortgage repayments, thus placing them in a position where they cannot hold on to their houses.

An Ceann Comhairle

I will communicate with the Deputy.

Mr. Ferris

I wish to raise on the Adjournment the continued refusal of the Minister for Education to fund secretarial assistance for St. Anns' School, Tipperary.

An Ceann Comhairle

I will communicate with the Deputy.

Mr. Connaughton

Will the Taoiseach outline to the House now — or very shortly — what is happening in relation to the Goodman processing deal? Nobody seems to know anything about this——

An Ceann Comhairle

The Deputy cannot raise this matter now.

Mr. Connaughton

The Taoiseach should know all about that because he announced it.

An Ceann Comhairle

The matter to which the Deputy refers has been ongoing for a considerable time. The Deputy had — and still has — ample time to put down a question in relation to this matter.

Mr. Connaughton

The Taoiseach should let us know what is going on.

Mr. J. Mitchell

I should like to give the Taoiseach an opportunity to answer that question but I also want to ask another about the Air Pollution Act.

Mr. Connaughton

I note the Taoiseach's silence in relation to the Goodman deal.

Mr. J. Mitchell

The Minister of State at the Department of the Environment recently promised amending legislation in regard to air pollution. In view of the continuing severe smog problem in the city which was witnessed over the weekend, will the Taoiseach indicate when we are likely to have a Bill to amend the Air Pollution Act? Will it be introduced in time for next winter as it is already too late for this one?

An Ceann Comhairle

Is this legislation promised?

Mr. Dukes

Frequently.

The Taoiseach

Not this session.

Mr. J. O'Keeffe

A Cheann Comhairle, may I seek your permission to raise on the Adjournment the failure of the Government to implement the recommendations of the Whitaker report on Penal Reform or even to allow time for a debate in this House thereon?

An Ceann Comhairle

I will communicate with the Deputy.

Mr. Noonan

(Limerick East): When does the Taoiseach envisage introducing legislation to set up the proposed quango for managing the national debt which he announced on Friday?

The Taoiseach

I have to assure the Deputy that there is no intention whatsoever to introduce a quango. We have decided——

Mr. Noonan

(Limerick East): Will legislation be introduced?

The Taoiseach

——to introduce legislation to set up a very necessary adjunct to the Department of Finance, to set up an office to manage the national debt.

Mr. Dukes

A quango, a tango or——

The Taoiseach

That is in line with Government policy generally, of setting up offices within Departments to cater for areas of special importance within the ambit of that Department.

Mr. Noonan

(Limerick East): When may we expect the relevant legislation?

The Taoiseach

Shortly.

Mr. Noonan

(Limerick East): Before Christmas? Could the Taoiseach be slightly more forthcoming?

The Taoiseach

Not necessarily. The Deputy will appreciate that Christmas is approaching very rapidly.

Mr. Barry

The Taoiseach was very serious about it on Friday.

The Taoiseach

Does Deputy Barry not think that Deputy Noonan is capable of conducting this matter himself?

Mr. Barry

He is well capable.

The Taoiseach

The Deputy should be quiet——

An Ceann Comhairle

This should not lead to argument. Deputy Deenihan is offering.

Mr. Deenihan

With regard to promised legislation, will the Taoiseach say when the Government intend introducing legislation governing authorised and unauthorised entry on land for various purposes, including sporting activities such as shooting and fishing, in view of the grave concern——

An Ceann Comhairle

Is this legislation promised?

Mr. Deenihan

——among the farming community?

An Ceann Comhairle

I am sorry, Deputy Deenihan, I am not aware that this legislation has been promised. The Deputy might put down a question.

Mr. Deenihan

It was promised to the Irish Farmers Association some months ago in the Farmers Journal.

An Ceann Comhairle

Will Deputy Deenihan please desist.

Mr. Quinn

May I raise on the Adjournment, with your permission, Sir, the delays occasioned in the offices of An Bord Pleanála, the cost of which to the construction industry is in the region of £150 million and the failure of the Minister for the Environment and the Government to make the necessary staff available for the processing of the appropriate applications.

An Ceann Comhairle

I will communicate with the Deputy.

Miss Flaherty

I should like to seek your permission, Sir, to raise on the Adjournment the conditions in which many elderly people are living, as evidenced in a recent Threshold report and the failure of the Department of the Environment to ensure adequate policing of private tenancies.

An Ceann Comhairly

I will communicate with the Deputy.

Mr. G. Mitchell

May I seek your permission, Sir, to raise on the Adjournment the continued attacks on Dublin Bus workers, travellers and tourists which resulted in the bus service in Dublin being discontinued at 10.30 p.m. on two evenings recently?

An Ceann Comhairle

I will communicate with the Deputy.

Mr. McCartan

With your permission, Sir, I wish to raise on the Adjournment the inadequate policing of the Dublin north-east constituency.

An Ceann Comhairle

I will be in touch with the Deputy concerning that matter.

Dr. Lee

With your permission, a Cheann Comhairle, I wish to raise on the Adjournment the fact that the railway bridge at Seville Place has not been repaired over the last four months leading to massive traffic congestion on the north side of the city.

An Ceann Comhairle

I will communicate with Deputy Lee in regard to that matter.

Mrs. Barnes

Has the Taoiseach set a date for the meeting of the re-established Joint Committee on Women's Rights?

The Taoiseach

That matter will be brought before the House tomorrow.

Mr. Andrews

With your permission, a Cheann Comhairle, may I raise on the Adjournment a question relating to my constituency, which is an application for a DIY business in Foxrock, at the junction of Willow Grove, Mart Lane and the cabinteely by-pass. It is an outrage that this application was made in the first place. I want to protest in the very strongest possible terms on behalf of the community there and to raise the matter on the Adjournment.

An Ceann Comhairle

I will communicate with the Deputy in relation to that matter.

Mr. Stagg

On the Order of Business, may I ask the Taoiseach whether he will be making a statement to the House on the collapse of the Goodman Government sweetheart?

An Ceann Comhairle

Please, Deputy Stagg, that is not in order now. I am calling item No. 3.