It is proposed to take items Nos. 13 and 14. Private Members' Business shall be item No. 36, motion No. 48.
Order of Business.
Can the Taoiseach say when the Government propose to publish the White Paper on Marriage Breakdown promised for the end of last year in view of media reports that it may not be published until the end of the current year?
I am sure the Deputy does not believe everything he reads in newspapers. I have already said the White Paper is being considered by the Minister for Justice who will complete his consideration as soon as possible and have the paper published at the earliest possible opportunity.
When?
The earliest opportunity.
Is the Taoiseach in a position to announce a date for the publication of the Green Paper on Education?
My best judgment would be that it will be another few weeks at least since the Minister and Government have not yet completed their consideration of the paper.
Bearing in mind that prosecutions may well arise from the Greencore report, would the Taoiseach consider having a debate in the House regarding the public policy issues arising therefrom? Would he say whether he is willing to allow such a debate in this House?
I do not think that is a matter that arises on the Order of Business.
Would the Taoiseach confirm that the White Paper on the Government response to the Maastricht Treaty will be published before Friday next?
No, not before Friday.
On Friday?
Not on Friday either.
Arising from the Greencore report published today and various other consequences of the Comptroller and Auditor General operating under the provisions of legislation passed in 1866, can the Taoiseach inform the House whether there has been a decision taken on a publication date of the relevant legislation updating the powers of the Comptroller and Auditor General which was promised in this session?
I expect the text will be brought before Government before the end of this month.
Would the Taoiseach please explain the section of the Programme for Government review, which we were told represented legislation promised in this House dealing with law reform where it was said that the Government would publish and process as speedily as possible legislation in the following areas during the session that ended December last? Is the Taoiseach aware that there are 16 Bills awaited in this area, 12 of which have not yet been published? Will he comment on whether this document has any further validity in regard to these proposals?
Deputy McCartan, that legislation has not been promised in this House.
You would want to check, a Leas-Cheann Comhairle.
The Taoiseach has promised an entire document.
On a point of order, Sir——
If the Taoiseach has promised specific legislation on these matters then he may give a reply.
In relation to the various Bills raised by Deputy McCartan, it is true he has received information on some. We will certainly relay information on the other aspects he raised here today in due course.
Lest the point be lost, I should point out that the Programme for Government specifically undertook that those 16 Bills would be published before the end of the session that ended December last. That is the issue about which I am concerned; whether this document has any further relevance with regard to legislative reform in the justice sphere.
There are 16 Bills in course of preparation in the area to which Deputy McCartan referred. We will continue to work towards their introduction.
Is the Taoiseach aware that in the Programme for Government it was indicated that a decision would be taken before last Christmas on the issue of voting rights for emigrants? Can he say whether the Government intend taking a decision on this matter before next Christmas?
The Government will consider that matter in due course.
May I inquire of the Taoiseach the current status of two Bills, long promised, often requested in this House. I refer to the Housing Bill whose provisions will provide the legal structures of the social housing programme published 12 months ago and the sub-county tier provisions promised, that is the requisite legislation to put local authorities, at sub-county level, in place. Will the Taoiseach say when these Bills will be published and when, in his view, their provisions will be enacted?
The Housing Bill is before Government. We expect to conclude our deliberations thereon next week. The Bill in relation to——
Sub-county tiers at local authority level in Dublin.
I do not expect we will be in a position to introduce that Bill this year.
Is the Taoiseach now saying for the first time in the House there will not be elections to urban and borough sub-county level this year?
Yes, that is the position.
(Interruptions.)
What did the Programme for Government say about local government reform?
Is that the Taoiseach's personal opinion or——
That was a temporary little document.
In view of the fact that approximately 40,000 flock owners must claim headage payments before Friday next; because of the confusion, suspicion and fear created in farmers' minds would the Taoiseach indicate precisely what is the Government position on this, or will he get the Ministers for Finance and Agriculture and Food to clarify the position immediately?
Deputy Harte, that matter was clarified here in the course of an Adjournment debate on two successive occasions.
Excuse me, a Leas-Cheann Comhairle, it was not clarified.
It does not arise on the Order of Business.
It may not but it is very important.
Excuse me, Deputy Harte, it does not arise on the Order of Business.
Confusing statements are being made and farmers are totally unclear about the matter.
Deputy Harte, you know the Order of Business is not the appropriate time for the elucidation of any confusion of that kind.
May I appeal to the Taoiseach to clarify this position immediately.
The Taoiseach would be unwise to attempt to clarify it.
With regard to promised legislation, I asked the Taoiseach last week what were the Government intentions with regard to the Family Planning Bill when he suggested, jocosely, that I should not pay regard to what is printed in the media. I found myself wondering whether I could believe my ears this morning when I heard the Minister for Health advocate a complete change of the existing legislation before us. Will the Taoiseach say whether the Government have considered this new idea of the Minister for Health and indicate when the House is likely to hear about it?
Deputy Ferris, "Morning Ireland" cannot become "Afternoon Dáil".
Or, indeed, "Kenny Live".
What about the "morning after" pill?
In view of the Taoiseach's well-known concern about the subject matter of item No. 5 on today's Order Paper, and indeed your own interest in the subject, Sir, will the Taoiseach say when it is proposed to take that item?
It is unusual to hear Deputy Bruton plead my interest. However, I welcome it.
The legislation will be taken in the Seanad in the first instance.
Can I take it that the legislation will cover mobile telephone tapping?
(Interruptions.)
A Deputy
Supported by a Hiace van.
I congratulate Deputy Reynolds on being elected Taoiseach; Head of the Government is an important position under Article 28 of the Constitution. Since under Article 28.4.1 of the Constitution, a Taoiseach shall be responsible to Dáil Éireann, will the Taoiseach say whether he was accurately reported in the Dublin Tribune on 27 February last with regard to the overflying of Shannon, and if he was, was he speaking in a personal capacity or in his capacity as Taoiseach? What is the precedent for such personal statements? Was the Taoiseach in breach of Article 28 of the Constitution?
Deputy Enright.
(Interruptions.)
I gave the Deputy an opportunity to prove he was out of order. He is out of order.
A Leas-Cheann Comhairle——
He was out of order in Mount Street on the night in question.
Deputy Enright, if you persist you will be out of the House.
I am putting it to the Taoiseach that he was out of order and in breach of the Constitution. That should be borne in mind.
Deputy Enright——
I am bringing it to the attention of the House.
I am bringing that ruling to Deputy Enright's attention, and that is more important.
Would that be constitutional?
Now that we are here on live at four, given that the Taoiseach told us two weeks ago that the Government would inform the local authorities of the road grants, when will that actually happen?
And how much?
They will get them as soon as possible.
What money will be given to local authorities?
Deputy Farrelly, níl sé sin in órdú.