It is proposed to take Nos. 2, 8, 9 and 10. It is also proposed, notwithstanding anything in Standing Orders, that No. 2 shall be decided without debate; that the following arrangements shall apply in relation to No. 10: (i) the opening statements of a Minister or Minister of State and of the main spokespersons for the Fianna Fáil Party and the Progressive Democrats Party shall not exceed 30 minutes in each case; (ii) the statement of each other Member called upon shall not exceeds 20 minutes; and (iii) a Minister or Minister of State shall be called upon not later than 15 minutes before the debate is due to conclude to make a statement in reply not exceeding 15 minutes. Private Members' Business shall be No. 15 and the proceedings thereon shall be brought to a conclusion at 8.30 p.m.
Order of Business.
Is the proposal that No. 2 shall be decided without debate agreed? Agreed. Are the proposals for dealing with No. 10 agreed? Agreed. Is the proposal in respect of Private Members' Business agreed? Agreed.
On the Order of Business yesterday the Taoiseach seriously misled this House when responding to a question raised by Deputy Harney, the Leader of the Progressive Democrats, in which she stated that the Minister for Justice was working with a blank piece of paper which she inherited from her predecessor, myself, on the Juvenile Justice Bill.
This is not a matter for the Order of Business.
The Taoiseach misled the House.
If Deputies are dissatisfied with replies from Ministers, the Tánaiste or the Taoiseach, there are many ways open to them to deal with the matter.
I am quite happy to deal with the matter.
Now?
Then will the Deputy please resume her seat?
It was not correct to use the metaphor of a blank sheet of paper because obviously considerable work had been done on the subject.
Thank you.
Given that the core issues as to which Department is responsible for children in difficulty had not been dealt with, the Bill could not proceed. Since the previous Taoiseach had said repeatedly that this Bill was at an advanced stage, the incoming Government was surprised to discover that the core issues, without which the Bill could not proceed, had not been settled.
Is the Taoiseach prepared to make a statement on the capture of weapons and ammunition in Balbriggan yesterday?
Is there any other matter that is relevant to the Order of Business?
Yesterday our Party Whip raised the issue of legislation for the next session. The Taoiseach will appreciate that having no idea of proposed legislation creates difficulties for the Opposition. When in Government we always tried to keep the Opposition accurately informed about business for the following session. Last week occupiers liability legislation was debated late at night——
I must dissuade the Deputy from making a speech.
I am trying to get an assessment of what legislation is likely to be dealt with between mid-April and the end of the next session.
I will answer a parliamentary question about this matter this afternoon. I will arrange for the Government Whip to give to the Opposition, on an informal basis, the best possible estimate of the legislation in the order in which it is likely to be taken. However, I will not do what has been requested by the Fianna Fáil Whip and set up a rigid priority list of legislation indicating the order in which Bills will be introduced because, as anybody who has been responsible for the management of parliamentary business will understand, that would be neither prudent nor possible.
This matter should not lead to argument.
We have changed our procedures in that we now have a huge number of committees in the operation of which the Opposition parties are supporting the Government. However, if we have legislation——
This is tending towards argument and debate. I cannot have that.
We have no option, therefore, but to try to find out when each Bill will be introduced.
There are many ways of doing so.
When is it proposed to introduce the higher education grants (amendment) Bill?
That legislation is at an early stage of preparation and likely to be presented in the House in the latter half of this year.
I thank the Taoiseach for clarifying the matter I raised yesterday although I gave him three opportunities to comment on the juvenile justice Bill. The Government has promised to hold referenda on the issues of Cabinet confidentiality — I am not sure what the position is on the question of bail — and voting rights for emigrants. When will we see the legislation to facilitate the holding of these referenda?
Not for some time yet.
Is it proposed to hold a composite referendum on a number of issues when the referendum on divorce is held, I understand, later this year? Is that still the Government's position?
That is a possibility; it is desirable, if possible, to hold a number of referenda on the same day from the point of view of saving time and resources. I am not in a position at this stage to give an answer to the question of whether a number of other issues will be decided with the divorce issue because we have to advance the consideration of the legislation in question to a point where we can make a decision.
When can we expect to see the An Bord Bia (Amendment) Bill?
The legislation was approved by the Cabinet yesterday and I expect it to be introduced soon.
Will the Taoiseach comment on the serious situation in north Dublin today in relation to the dispute at the accident and emergency department in Beaumont Hospital?
That matter does not arise now. The Deputy will find some way of raising it in a proper manner.
I did not get too far.
When can we expect to see the bovine diseases levies (amendment) Bill to meet the implications of the single market?
That Bill is in the course of preparation and I imagine it will be introduced some time this year.
I am sure the Taoiseach will agree that the disposal of waste presents a major problem. Will he indicate when the Bill dealing with it will be published?
That Bill is at an advanced stage of preparation and I expect it to be introduced either next month or the following month.
In view of the number of serious incidents in the Dublin area, when is it proposed to introduce the control of horses Bill?
That matter has been raised in the House many times recently.
That legislation is at a comparatively early stage of preparation, at this stage I could not give an estimate of when it is likely to be introduced but I will communicate further with the Deputy.
When will the Taoiseach be in a position to introduce the greyhound industry (amendment) Bill in view of the Tánaiste's interest in the greyhound industry?
Let us not personalise the matter.
Interest in that industry is widespread on the Government benches. That Bill is at an early stage of preparation and I expect it to be introduced early next year.
When can we expect to see the cultural institutions Bill?
Autumn 1995.
To inject some energy into the Government parties when does the Taoiseach intend to introduce the energy (miscellaneous provisions) Bill given that only three Bills have been introduced to date by the Government?
The Deputy needs an injection of energy himself.
June 1995.
When is it proposed to introduce the national parks and heritage areas Bill?
I understand that legislation on that subject is not promised in the Government's programme.
It has been promised.
It is on the list.
It is No. 6.
The Taoiseach should check with the programme manager.
Let us have some order now. The matter can be clarified in many other ways.
Does the Taoiseach know whether it has been promised?
He does not know where he is.
That legislation is being prepared by the Minister for Arts, Culture and the Gaeltacht——
It is on the list.
——and will be available late this year.
He found it.
When will the wildlife (amendment) Bill be circulated?
Autumn 1995.
Will the Taoiseach outline the timescale for the publication of the education Bill?
As I have already told the Deputy several times, late 1995.
When will the fundraising for charitable and other purposes Bill be published?
I will have to look into that matter.
I am proceeding quickly to the business of the House proper.
This legislation has been promised.
The Deputy is becoming an object of charity.
I will be waiting a long time for £1 from the Taoiseach.
The legislation is at an early stage of preparation. I do not expect it to be introduced this year but in the first half of next year.
Who is next?
This is a order.
When does the Government propose to introduce the legislation dealing with the National Education and Training Certification Board?
That legislation was approved by the Cabinet yesterday and I expect it to be introduced soon.
I am proceeding quickly——
Deputy E. Ryan rose.
Order, please—
On promised legislation——
——I will not allow an inordinate amount of time to be devoted to this matter. The business of the House proper must proceed. I will hear the Deputies who have risen in their places.
A Cheann Comhairle——
The Deputy should not dare to interrupt me while I am on my feet.
The Taoiseach will not give us the information: we are entitled to ask questions.
It is evident that this is becoming a farce.
On a point of order, do Deputies not have the right to ask questions on the Order of Business as to the progress of legislation since we cannot get the Taoiseach to prioritise legislation?
I have never seen that done in this unprecedented manner in my long experience.
We are entitled to information on promised legislation. On the voluntary health insurance amendment Bill, which will contain amendments following the introduction of the Health Insurance Act, 1994, when will it be published? It is promised legislation.
Next year.
When does the Taoiseach intend to introduce the school attendance amendment Bill?
That Bill is at an early stage of preparation.
Will the Taoiseach tell us if the Government is still at sea with the harbours Bill?
The same as the road traffic Bill.
That legislation is at an advanced stage of preparation. I expect it will be introduced this year.
May I ask the Taoiseach when it is intended to introduce the university governing bodies Bill to update the governing bodies legislation?
Let us bring this matter to finality.
It is promised legislation. We have few rights in this House.
We can continue with this for as long as the Deputies opposite wish.
We are entitled to know what is going on.
To answer Deputy Kitt, the Bill in question is at an early stage of preparation. I expect it will be introduced early next year.
On a point of order, the Government published a list of legislation which it hoped it would deal with in the course of its term of office.
That is not a point of order.
We did that deliberately——
Order, please. I am calling Deputy Moffatt.
In view of the lack of industrial development in Mayo, may I ask the Taoiseach when the industrial development Bill will be brought before the House?
May 1995.
May I ask the Taoiseach when the trademarks Bill will be executed?
The trademarks Bill is at an advanced stage of preparation. I believe it will be introduced either this month or next.
When will the electoral Bill and the road traffic amendment Bill be introduced? Has any work been done on the Seanad emigrant representation Bill? I note what the Taoiseach said on the constitutional issue.
That question has been asked already.
No, a question was asked on the amendment to the constitution Bill.
The position in regard to the road traffic Bill is that it was approved by the Cabinet yesterday.
A Deputy
The Government had a busy day yesterday.
I expect it will be introduced very soon. On the electoral Bill, I hope to see that legislation introduced this year.
On promised legislation, when will this inefficient, cumbersome and ineffective Government——
Please desist, Deputy.
——introduce the legislation on credit unions as the Minister involved has not appeared this week?
I am calling Deputy Tom Kitt.
It is promised legislation.
I asked a question on promised legislation. When will the legislation on credit unions be introduced?
Before the summer recess.
May I ask the Taoiseach when the amendment to the Local Government Sanitary Services Act will be introduced?
We answered that question yesterday.
As I said yesterday, within three months.
I am delighted that nothing has changed since yesterday.
When will the Social Welfare (No. 2) Bill be introduced?
That Bill was approved very recently by the Cabinet. It will be introduced later this year.
Given that the committee chaired by Deputy Dan Wallace has now reported, when does the Government intend to introduce the Houses of the Oireachtas privilege and compellability Bill which is long promised?
That legislation is at an advanced stage of preparation and is a high priority.
I am calling Deputy Leonard. Shall we go the full round?
Yes, if the Taoiseach is prepared to answer.
They were each given a number of questions coming in this morning.
It has taken Deputy Owen 15 minutes to catch up. The country is secure.
May I ask the Taoiseach when the domestic violence Bill will come before the House?
Before the summer recess.
May I ask the Taoiseach when the powers of attorney Bill might see the light of day?
I expect that legislation will be introduced—
There is no rush.
Was it cleared at yesterday's Cabinet meeting?
There is no rush. The legislation will be introduced during 1995.
When will the investment intermediaries Bill come before the House?
There is a huge constituency push for that one.
A Deputy
That is what they are all taking about in Monaghan.
I know Deputy O'Hanlon's interest in this matter is considerable but my best estimate is June 1995.
The Taoiseach should not be so facetious.
I hope Deputy O'Hanlon will ask me about this matter again next week and every other week.
When is it proposed to bring the equal status Bill before the House?
That legislation will be introduced during the latter part of this year or early next year.
(Wexford): On promised legislation, may I ask the Taoiseach when the merchant shipping Bill will come before the House?
Either this month or next month.
I do not have the luxury this morning of calling on Deputies twice.
Ba mhaith liom a fhiafraí den Taoiseach cén uair atá i gceist an Bille Coireanna Caimiléireachta a fhoilsiú agus a thabhairt os comhair an Tí.
I am unable to answer that question without making further inquiries.
May I ask the Taoiseach when the fisheries amendment Bill will come before the House?
That legislation will not be ready until later this year. We are at the heads stage.
In order to be helpful to the Government and to ensure that the Dáil has some immediate business to deal with, will the Taoiseach confirm when the Finance Bill will come before the House?
It will be published on 12 April.
Are the Fianna Fáil Deputies taking a list of all these answers?
They are on the record.
It must be very embarrassing for Deputy Barrett.
A Deputy
There will be a great deal happening in the autumn.
I wish to inform the Taoiseach about a very serious matter concerning promised legislation.
The location of the golf links.
I am aware that my constituency colleague, the Taoiseach, will be interested to hear this question.
What is the Deputy's handicap?
This is quite a preamble.
I wish to inform the Taoiseach that there is great unrest and confusion within the health boards, particularly within the Eastern Health Board, which should be clarified without further delay. Will the Taoiseach agree that the organisational structures of health boards Bill should be published——
Will the Deputy please allow the Ceann Comhairle to proceed to other business?
I do not usually ask questions——
Deputy Hilliard, I afforded you every opportunity of asking a pertinent question and you have made quite a rambling speech.
I am asking the Taoiseach when this Bill will be published.
At long last.
Next year.
May I ask a supplementary question?
Proceedings are getting out of order. This is unprecedented.
We have never been more orderly.
It is very effective opposition.
It is ineffective government.
Will the Taoiseach tell the House whether we will see the Transfer of Sentenced Persons Bill immediately after the Easter recess?
Yes.
When will the Employment Equality Bill, which has been promised repeatedly in the House, be introduced?
That legislation will not be ready until later this year.
When will the carriage of dangerous goods Bill be introduced?
I am looking forward to Deputy Killeen's contribution on that Bill when it comes before the House. The Bill, designed to give effect to the international agreement on this matter and the 1989 EC directive concerning the carriage of dangerous goods by road, is at an advanced stage of preparation and I hope it will be introduced either before the summer recess or very early in the next session.
By way of explanation on what was done this morning—
We need no explanations now.
We do not need an explanation.
I am trying to get information on legislation.