Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Thursday, 29 Apr 1993

Vol. 429 No. 8

Order of Business.

The Taoiseach

It is proposed to take Nos. 1, 4, 8, 9 and 10. It is also proposed, notwithstanding anything in Standing Orders, that: 1. No. 1 shall be decided without debate; 2. the debate on No. 4 shall not exceed 1½ hours and the following arrangements shall apply; (i) the speech of the Minister and of the main spokespersons for the Fine Gael Party, the Progressive Democrat Party and the Technical Group shall not exceed 20 minutes in each case; (ii) the speech of any other Member called on shall not exceed ten minutes in each case; and (iii) the Minister or Minister of State shall be called on to reply not less than ten minutes before the debate is due to conclude; 3. the proceedings on the Second Stage of No. 8 if not previously concluded, shall be brought to a conclusion not later than 4.45 p.m.; 4. in each case of the resumed debate on No. 10, the speech of each Member called on shall not exceed 20 minutes; 5. the Dáil shall sit tomorrow at 10.30 a.m. and adjourn not later than 4 p.m.; 6. statements shall be made tomorrow on the Green 2000 Report and the following arrangements shall apply: (i) the statement of each Member called on shall not exceed 20 minutes; and (ii) the Minister or Minister of State shall be called upon not later than 3.40 p.m. to make a statement in reply not exceeding 20 minutes.

Is it the proposal that No. 1 be decided without debate agreed? Agreed.

An Ceann Comhairle

Is the proposal that No. 1 be decided without debate agreed? Agreed.

Is the proposal for dealing with the Second Stage of No. 8 agreed? Agreed.

Is the proposal for dealing with the resumed budget debate, No. 10 agreed? Agreed.

Is the proposal for tomorrow's sitting agreed? Agreed.

Is the proposal for dealing with statements tomorrow agreed? Agreed.

Mr. J. Bruton

I am sure the Taoiseach will be as concerned as other Members at the reports in the media about kickbacks and commission undisclosed in business, and the rekindling of concern about ethics in business. Will the Taoiseach agree that we should show an example by putting our own house in order? In that context when will the Ethics in Public Office Bill, which we were told was the first item on the Government's legislative agenda, be introduced? Is there division between the Government parties on the contents of this Bill?

An Ceann Comhairle

Is legislation promised in this area?

The Taoiseach

Of course, we are as concerned as Deputy Bruton and everybody else. The Bill is at an advanced stage of preparation. There is no division in the parties in Government but we all detected some very clear divisions in some of the parties opposite in relation to this.

Mr. J. Bruton

I do not wish to press the Taoiseach too hard this morning——

(Interruptions.)

Mr. J. Bruton

Will he give an indication when this Bill will be introduced in view of all the trumpeting around the time of the formation of this Government about its being No. 1 on the Government priority list?

An Ceann Comhairle

This is not Question Time. A relevant question on proposed legislation should be sufficient.

Mr. J. Bruton

When?

The Taoiseach

To allay any fears that Deputy Bruton may have, I would remind him that this Government is in for the long haul, for a four and a half year term, and this Bill, with the rest of our programme, will be implemented.

Mrs. Owen

You do not know.

(Interruptions.)

Mr. O'Malley

Will the Taoiseach give me an assurance that the Government fully supports Mr. Sutherland in the possible appointment to the position mentioned now, which will be of enormous benefit to this country?

An Ceann Comhairle

I fail to relate this to the Order of Business.

Mr. O'Malley

Is that correct?

(Interruptions.)

An Ceann Comhairle

I find it extremely difficult to relate this to the Order of Business. Deputy Proinsias De Rossa.

The Taoiseach

I fully support it, do not worry.

Mr. O'Malley

I am glad to hear that.

(Interruptions.)

Proinsias De Rossa

Because of the current malaise in the building societies here and the fact that it is virtually impossible to have a question answered in this House on the matter — questions from both Deputies Gilmore and Rabbitte have been refused on the basis that the Minister does not have responsibility in the matter — will the Minister make a statement and give this House an opportunity to debate the issue as a matter of urgency?

An Ceann Comhairle

It is difficult to deal with questions of that kind. Is the Deputy experiencing difficulty in having questions answered?

Proinsias De Rossa

Yes. I am having difficulty in having them accepted.

An Ceann Comhairle

My office will look into that matter.

Mr. J. Bruton

Is the Taoiseach aware that the Government has specifically promised legislation in regard to financial intermediaries which would cover the payment of commission by an insurance company to the director of a building society on a secret basis? May I ask for a specific commitment, in view of the concern which many mortgage holders have that they are paying over the odds because of this sort of commission, as to when the legislation to regulate this will be introduced? If this item is low on the Government's priority list they should revise their order of priorities so as to bring this higher up.

The Taoiseach

Work is continuing on the Bill mentioned by Deputy Bruton in relation to the control of intermediaries. The Minister for Finance will examine aspects of it to see what action he can take in relation to the problem raised.

Mr. J. Bruton

That is good.

Mr. J. O'Keeffe

May I ask the Taoiseach when the long promised legislation to plug the three year old loopholes in our extradition laws will be introduced or has the traditional Fianna Fáil ambivalence on the issue again reasserted itself, thus causing a further hold up?

The Taoiseach

I have already indicated to the House that there will be no further hold ups and that this legislation will be brought before the House in this session.

Mr. Cullen

May I ask the Taoiseach when the legislation to introduce the recommendations of the Culliton report will be introduced in this House and if he has been able to resolve the serious squabbling among his Ministers? Is he satisfied that he can sufficiently massage their egos to have these recommendations properly implemented and that they will not be carried out by PR through the media?

An Ceann Comhairle

Please, Deputy Cullen, the Chair is on his feet. The Deputy will resume his seat. The matter to which the Deputy refers has been raised very often in this House and answered in recent days.

Mr. Cullen

May I ask when specifically that legislation will be introduced?

Mr. Noonan

(Limerick East): I was about to ask the Taoiseach — you will probably rule me out of order in view of what you said to Deputy Cullen— whether the promised legislation on the Culliton report will deal with cost cutting in the commercial State organisations or will it be done by way of Government directive?

The Taoiseach

Legislation in regard to the Culliton recommendations will be brought before the House in this session. I would also say to other Deputies on the Opposition benches who have concerns in this regard that we do not have any ego problems in this Government. The decisions in relation to Culliton will be announced in a matter of days.

Mr. Cox

I am sure the reference was to all the personalities and not all the egos in the Government. In view of the concerns expressed by a number of Deputies with regard to questions dealing with building societies, I wish to inquire when I may have permission to move Item No. 3 on the Order Paper in respect of a Private Members' Bill in that regard.

An Ceann Comhairle

If the Deputy wishes to move it now he is quite in order.