It is proposed to take No. 8 and statements on the report of the sub-committee of the Select Committee on Legislation and Security. It is also proposed, notwithstanding anything in Standing Orders, that: 1. The statements on the report of the sub-committee of the Select Committee on Legislation and Security shall be brought to a conclusion at 7 p.m. and the following arrangements shall apply: (i) the opening statement of the chairperson of the sub-committee of the Select Committee on Legislation and Security and of the main spokespersons for the Government, the Fianna Fáil Party and the Progressive Democrats Party, who shall be called upon in that order, shall not exceed 20 minutes in each case; (ii) the statement of each other Member called upon shall not exceed 15 minutes; and (iii) the chairperson of the sub-committee shall be called upon not later than 6.50 p.m. to make a statement in reply not exceeding ten minutes; 2. the Dáil, on its rising on Thursday, 6 April 1995, shall adjourn until Tuesday, 25 April 1995. Private Members' Business shall be No. 19.
Order of Business.
Are the proposals for taking statements agreed to? Agreed. Is the date for the adjournment of the Dáil agreed? Agreed.
The Finance Bill is usually published when the Dáil is in session. Will the Taoiseach give an assurance to the Opposition that the usual practice of briefing Opposition spokespersons and making copies of the Bill available will be followed, even though the House will be in recess?
This is almost in order, a Leas-Cheann Comhairle, and the Taoiseach might be helpful and reply to the question.
As regards those who suffered as a result of flooding and have received forms and been told of the various procedures to follow, will the Taoiseach consider providing them professional assistance directly or through some agency such as the Red Cross, quite a number of whom contacted my colleagues? The questions are quite difficult and the procedures complicated. Rather than getting into a political wrangle about the matter it would be helpful if professional people could assist the flood victims in submitting applications.
I have no reason to believe that previous practice will not be followed. I did not have an opportunity to discuss the question with the Minister for Finance as I did not have notice of the request. I have no doubt but that it would be his wish to facilitate the Opposition in every way with regard to the legislation which was approved by the Government today and which will be published shortly.
As regards the latter matter, it does not come within the purview of the Order of Business. However, I have taken note of what the Deputy said and will endeavour to examine it carefully and sympathetically.
Will the Taoiseach let me know?
I will.
Is publication of the juvenile justice Bill imminent?
No, it is not.
Why did the Government leak its details?
The Bill is at an early stage of preparation. It was promised about six years ago. On assuming office the Government was quite surprised to discover that so little work had been done on the Bill. It is among the priorities of the Minister for Justice and she is dealing with it as quickly as she can. She is working on a blank paper inherited from her predecessor.
When the Taoiseach was abroad last week specific details of this legislation were leaked and discussed on many radio and television programmes. Is the Minister for Justice starting from the beginning and have any details of the Bill been agreed by the Government? Are the details published last week correct? Has the Government agreed the heads of the Bill?
The Government has not agreed the Heads of the Bill. As I said, the Bill is at an early stage of preparation.
When the Taoiseach was away last week and the Tánaiste was substituting for him, I asked about giving us an idea of the order of priority in which the 49 Bills which have been published will be placed. The Tánaiste, very helpfully, nodded his head in agreement. Could we have that list in advance of the Dáil rising on 6 April?
The Deputy asked that question when I was here. I clearly indicated that the Government does not intend to publish anything other than a list of legislation it is intended to introduce. It will not place the legislation in any order as it would not be meaningful, useful or necessarily adhered to precisely. We will give the House a clear indication of the Bills we intend to introduce.
Can I take it that I misinterpreted the Tánaiste's nod?
That has happened a few times before.
A nod is as good as a wink.
Will the Taoiseach ask the Minister for Arts, Culture and the Gaeltacht to arrange a briefing for Opposition spokespersons arising from the cultural Ministers' meeting in Luxembourg yesterday?
We cannot deal with that matter now.
In view of the inordinate delays already experienced by Deputies, will the Taoiseach indicate when we will receive copies of the report dealing with the Lansdowne Road riot and the O'Donnell report on the co-ordination of drug enforcement agencies?
Today.
They are in the pigeon holes.
Has the White Paper on Education been circulated to members of the Cabinet? Out of courtesy to the House, does the Taoiseach agree that copies of the White Paper should be given to the Opposition spokespersons on education, if not all Members, in advance of its presentation to the media?
With respect to the House——
The Minister has very little respect for the House.
Is it Government policy to ignore a committee's report on juvenile crime and juvenile justice which was painstakingly compiled over nine months?
The Deputy cannot raise that matter now.
This Government has set up more committees than any other Government. This makes a nonsense of committee work.
That matter is not relevant.
When will the proposed Bill on domestic violence make its long and eagerly awaited appearance?
That legislation is at a reasonably advanced stage of preparation and I expect it will be available in this session.
When is it proposed to take the Foyle Fisheries Commission Bill?
In the autumn of 1995.
Does the Taoiseach agree with the Minister for Social Welfare that the general level of social welfare increases in the budget was grossly inadequate and derisory. Has he any plans to rectify it?
The Deputy can raise that on another occasion. It is not relevant now.
The Bill is before the House.
When is it proposed to publish the expert report on hepatitis C?
It is not promised legislation but a report.
It is not up to the Chair to decide what is promised legislation.
When is it proposed to amend the sanitary services legislation in order to allow local authorities to prosecute those who fail to pay water charges? We heard mention at the Democratic Left conference last Sunday that it was causing a problem for the Government.
Within three months.
A Deputy
They will not have to pay any longer.
What happens in the meantime?
When will the Minister for Enterprise and Employment publish the report on the Irish Independent's stake in the Irish Press which he has received?
How will the Government's decision to place an embargo on community employment affect the promised legislation for the long-term unemployed in the various areas of skilled training?
It is not sufficient for the Deputy to mention the word "legislation" thereby making every conceivable question in order.
The Taoiseach is hedging.
Legislation is not promised.
That is the problem. The Government is not presenting any legislation.
What about all the promises on skilled training about which Fine Gael when in Opposition was shouting?
What does Democratic Left think of the embargo?
We will put the Deputy on a FÁS course yet.
Will the Taoiseach indicate whether the Government will introduce a Supplementary Estimate for the Department of Agriculture, Food and Forestry to deal with the problems experienced by people applying for grants under the various farm grant schemes, especially building schemes who have been told they may have to wait 12 months for approval?
The Deputy will have to table a question on the matter or pursue another parliamentary procedure in that regard.
In view of the fact that the Finance Bill is due to come before the House after the Easter recess, will provision be made at that time for a Supplementary Estimate?
The Deputy can raise the matter then.
Will the Taoiseach indicate when a special area amenity order for north Bull Island in Dublin will be brought before the Dáil for discussion?
Is that promised, Taoiseach?
That order was signed last week and will be processed in the usual way.
Will the Taoiseach indicate if the paucity of legislation being published by the Government is due to dissensions in the Government?
That is a very good question.
The expression of concern on the Deputy's face would definitely earn him a place in the Abbey School of Acting.
What about the Taoiseach's laugh?
I assure the Deputy there is no dissension in the Government much as I am sure he is disappointed to hear that.