Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Thursday, 8 Jun 1995

Vol. 454 No. 2

Order of Business.

The Taoiseach

It is proposed to take Nos. 1, 2, 14 and 15.

It is also proposed, notwithstanding anything in Standing Orders, that: (1) No. 1 shall be decided without debate; (2) the amendments from the Seanad to the Occupiers' Liability Bill, 1994 shall be taken together and decided without debate by one question which shall be put from the Chair; and (3) the statements on No. 14, if not previously concluded, shall be brought to a conclusion today at 12 noon and the following arrangements shall apply: (i) the opening statement of the Tánaiste, of the main spokespersons for the Fianna Fáil party and the Progressive Democrats party, and of each other Member called upon, shall not exceed 15 minutes in each case; and (ii) a Minister or Minister of State shall be called upon not less than ten minutes before the statements are due to conclude to make a statement in reply.

Private Members' Business shall be No. 21.

An Ceann Comhairle

Is the proposal that No. 1 be decided without debate satisfactory? Agreed. Is the proposal for dealing with the amendments from the Seanad to the Occupiers' Liability Bill, 1994 satisfactory? Agreed. Are the proposals for dealing with No. 14 satisfactory and agreed? Agreed.

Mr. B. Ahern

Will the Taoiseach give the House a clear indication of when the compellibility of witnesses Bill, which was ready six months ago, will be circulated? In advance of that, will the Taoiseach give an assurance to the House that the Attorney General will appear before the Select Committee on Legislation and Security in the next few weeks?

The Taoiseach

The compellibility Bill is under active consideration by the Cabinet. As the House is well aware, there are many difficult legal and constitutional questions to be considered. We will be in a position to make the Bill available to the House as soon as our decisions have been taken on the issue. In regard to the second part of the Deputy's question, that is a matter for the committee in question.

Mr. B. Ahern

The constitutional issues to which the Taoiseach refers were well thrashed out during 1994, as a number of the members of the Government know. It seems to those of us on this side of the House that the only possible issue that could hold up the legislation is the difference between the Attorney General and the Taoiseach on whether he can appear before the committee.

An Ceann Comhairle

This matter should not give rise to argument now.

Mr. B. Ahern

We have been waiting six months for this Bill.

An Ceann Comhairle

That may be so but there are other ways of progressing these matters.

Miss Harney

When will the Government bring forward the amending legislation to the Sanitary Services Act, 1963 to restrict the powers of local authorities to disconnect people who have not paid service charges?

The Taoiseach

Quite soon.

Miss Harney

Will it be in this session?

The Taoiseach

Yes.

Mr. B. Ahern

I would remind the Taoiseach of what is contained in the programme A Government of Renewal. It states that the Government will ensure that all appointees to high office in the State, including the Attorney General, the Director of Public Prosecutions and the Comptroller and Auditor General——

An Ceann Comhairle

I do not think this is in order now.

Mr. B. Ahern

——shall appear before committees of the House. Will the Taoiseach confirm that he will allow the Attorney General to appear before the Select Committee on Legislation and Security?

An Ceann Comhairle

I am calling Deputy McCreevy.

Mr. D. Ahern

So much for openness.

Mr. McCreevy

Is it the Taoiseach's intention to bring forward some measures in view of the publication of the OECD report which is the first negative comment on the Irish economy for several years?

Mr. R. Burke

All they do is smile.

An Ceann Comhairle

Deputy Quill had been offering.

Mr. Flanagan

If this is putting presure on the Government, we are safe for another while.

Mr. R. Burke

Deputy Flanagan is sufficiently distanced from the Government.

Mr. H. Byrne

Deputy Flanagan has to be next in line.

Miss Quill

Is it the intention of the Government to introduce legislation to regulate Sunday trading and if so, when?

An Ceann Comhairle

That is a good question, Deputy. It should be put down in the ordinary way.

Miss Quill

The Taoiseach was just about to answer, a Cheann Comhairle. You are cramping his style.

An Ceann Comhairle

Not now, Deputy Quill.

Ms O'Donnell

On a similar issue to the one raised by Deputy Bertie Ahern in relation to a package of measures which could be termed Dáil reform — the compellibility Bill and a promised review of the Official Secrets Act — given that measures were passed last week to restrict the privilege of Members, will the Taoiseach give an indication here that he will bring forward measures to deal with offences against Parliament and the broader issue of Ministers misleading the House? It is all to do with Dáil reform which the Taoiseach has indicated he will bring forward in the House.

An Ceann Comhairle

To what specific legislation is the Deputy referring?

Ms O'Donnell

It is in the Programme for Government.

An Ceann Comhairle

The Deputy should pursue that matter in another way.

Mr. R. Burke

Deputy McCreevy's question elicited a smile from the Government but has the Government studied the major significance of the OECD report for the Irish economy? What action will it take on it?

An Ceann Comhairle

That does not arise now.

Mr. R. Burke

It arises very much for the people who are unemployed.

Mr. Gallagher

(Donegal South-West): Sir, I am seeking your guidance——

Mrs. Owen

After Guadeloupe.

Mr. Gallagher

(Donegal South-West): I take my business seriously whether in this or in any other House. May I seek your guidance on how I should raise the proposed closure of 22 ESB offices, three of which are in my county?

An Ceann Comhairle

If the Deputy communicates with my office he will get advice.

Mr. E. O'Keeffe

In view of the serious situation resulting from farm pollution spillage in County Cork, when is it proposed to reintroduce farm pollution grants? Is the Taoiseach aware that many of his farming friends are in grave difficulty because of this serious crisis?

Mrs. O'Rourke

They are not, because they are well off.

Mr. E. O'Keeffe

If the Government ignores this crisis it will become the greatest "polluting Government" this country has ever seen.

Mr. Sheehan

The Deputy did not do too much about it when his party was in power.

Mr. E. O'Keeffe

You failed to build a pier.

An Ceann Comhairle

I am afraid we will have to ignore it now, Deputy.

Mr. E. Ryan

Will the Taoiseach furnish the House with a copy of the report on Government leaks?

Mr. R. Burke

Will it be leaked?

Mr. E. Ryan

If the matter was considered serious enough to have it investigated, surely it is serious enough to be discussed in this House.

Mr. D. Ahern

The Taoiseach is nodding.

The Taoiseach

I will send a personally autographed copy of the report to the Leader of the Opposition.