It is proposed to take statements on the juvenile crime report of the Select Committee on Crime.
Order of Business.
Is that agreed? Agreed.
Having carefully read the Ceann Comhairle's statement yesterday, I am sure I am perfectly in order in raising what I am about to raise on this my first day as Deputy Leader of Fine Gael.
It is not open for discussion now.
Just to pre-empt any comment you might make, a Cheann Comhairle, I am saying that having read your statement very carefully I am sure that what I am about to raise is in order. I would like to ask the Taoiseach if he will make time available during next week's business to have statements on the Government's position on the North in view of the mixed and confused messages coming from both sides of the Government and particularly in view of the fact that a number of Ministers will be travelling internationally during St. Patrick's Day and will be called upon to make clear and unequivocal statements. I ask it also in view of the indignity with which the Taoiseach is vetoing the Tánaiste's speech.
I appreciate the Deputy is coming to us this morning in a new position and I do congratulate her, but that does not give her permission to take licence of this kind.
I am asking about time.
Let me put on the record of the House, for the assistance of Deputy Owen — never mind the papers; the papers write what they want to write — that we have a Programme for Government and our policy is quite clear there, but the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs has already offered to Deputy Bruton a briefing on the whole situation. Now that Deputy Owen has been promoted to the second highest position in Fine Gael I want to compliment her, congratulate her and wish her luck in trying to raise Fine Gael from the depths of the blues in which they find themselves——
You are not too brilliant today yourselves. You had better not splash around to much.
I want to ask the Taoiseach if he could tell the House when the motion in regard to the taxation of disability benefit will be circulated to Deputies. It is scheduled for next Tuesday afternoon and we have not yet had sight of it. I would like to know when we are likely to have a copy of that motion so that we can decide whether or not the Government deserves our support.
Can I take it that this is a document required by the House, Taoiseach?
It will be distributed at the earliest possible moment. I will contact the Deputy later on when I have had an opportunity to speak to the Department of Finance.
I have one further question in relation to the sittings of this House. I understand that it may be proposed that this House will not sit on the week in which St. Patrick's day falls. I want to know if that is the Government's intention and to indicate that that would not be acceptable to this party on this side of the house in view of the business we have to pursue. I would like clarification on that.
This is a matter which, as usual, will be discussed by the Whips.
Is it the Government's intention——
I have given the Deputy some leeway. Deputy Richard Bruton has been seeking to intervene for some time.
In the light of the Government's statement that it intends to look again at legislation after the Kilkenny case, would the Taoiseach take note of the fact that the chairman of the inquiry has stated today that the real problem is the failure by Government to implement the already passed Child Care Act? Could he ask his Ministers to include that as an urgent element in their review of existing legislation affecting this area.
These are regulations.
No. The Taoiseach has promised legislation in one small area, possibly not the most relevant area, if we are to believe the appointed chairperson.
The question raised by Deputy Bruton is a matter for regulations, but he can be assured that all the matters he has referred to will be taken into consideration by the Government.
In regard to the proposed Criminal Justice Bill, will the Taoiseach consider re-examining the mandatory reporting of child sexual abuse cases, given some of the issues that emerged in the recent case and the concerns of professionals about the reporting of child sexual abuse?
That is a matter that might be pursued in another way.
If the rules had permitted, I would probably have asked the Minister for Enterprise and Employment whether he would restore the disgraceful cut in the CEDP for new entrants. Will he consider at least restoring the programme to its former position.
That is a nice way of trying to get around the ruling.
I should like to ask the Taoiseach whether he intends to test the accuracy of today's opinion poll by bringing before the House a motion to hold the two by-elections that are now due and when he intends that the by-elections will be held.
That is not in order.
On promised legislation, No. 11 on the Taoiseach's published list is the Road Traffic Bill, the provisions of which propose to reduce the blood alcohol limit for drink driving offences. In view of the huge increase in deaths arising from motor accidents — during January up to 44 people lost their lives and some of those deaths must be attributed to the consumption of alcohol — will the Taoiseach bring forward that legislation quickly?
The Deputy may be assured that the legislation will be brought forward at the earliest possible date and will certainly be introduced in this session.
Does the Taoiseach intend to convene a meeting of the Committee of Selection to fill the vacancy on the gang of 22 that has just occurred and does he intend to fill the vacancy from the Fianna Fáil Party or the Labour Party?
He is inviting applications.
The Deputy is getting more brilliant by the hour.
And there is more.