It is proposed to take Items 2 and 1. It is also proposed, notwithstanding anything in Standing Orders, that the following arrangements shall apply in relation to Item 2: (1) the opening speech by 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. (2) The speech of each other Member called shall not exceed 20 minutes in each case. (3) Members may share time. (4) A Minister or Minister of State shall be called upon to make a speech in reply, not exceeding 15 minutes.
Order of Business.
That is the only matter for approval before the House. Are the proposals for dealing with Item 2 satisfactory and agreed? Agreed.
Does the Government intend to bring forward the necessary legislation to arrest the epidemic of drug related crime? This morning's Garda Síochána report confirms what all Members are already aware of, that there is a drug crisis in every town and village. The bigger the location the worse the problem is. What legislative proposals does the The Taoiseach plan to bring forward in this session to deal with the matter?
Deputy Ahern has received a copy of the Government's legislative programme so he already knows the answer to the question he asked. The Criminal Justice (Drug Trafficking) Bill is part of the Government's legislative programme and it is expected that it will be published this session.
As the Taoiseach knows, he rarely sticks with that document. He only covered about 10 per cent of the legislative programme in the last session so I had to ask the question. Will the Taoiseach support the recent call by this party for a national drugs forum to bring together various groups who have a positive input to make, such as the churches, educationalists and the Garda Síochána, to try to deal with the drugs problem? The Taoiseach must admit that the drugs problem is getting out of control all over the country.
The Deputy knows that we cannot enter into debate on that subject just now. There are many ways open to Members for dealing with the matter.
There is a crisis at the moment.
That is all the more reason it should be dealt with in a proper fashion.
The House will be aware that the drugs problem is a very serious one affecting many families, one does not know where it will strike next. It is a problem with two dimensions. There is the supply dimension on which, obviously, our criminal justice authorities must act forcefully. I have been seeking closer co-operation on EU policies to restrict supply. The other side of the problem is that of demand, where individual decisions are made by young people, on their own responsibility, to use drugs. These decisions are fundamentally mistaken on their part, and everything must be done to deal with that issue.
Heroin addiction is particularly marked in parts of Dublin where there is a problem of social deprivation and social exclusion. Measures must be taken in the area of community development to improve life in those areas and to improve tenants' control to prevent drug pushers from entering such areas. This is a comprehensive programme requiring multi-disciplinary and multi-departmental action across the board. This Government is giving a very high priority to it. We have already had a special meeting with all the relevant authorities on the subject and we will continue to deal with this matter.
This is a social issue for which every individual has a responsibility. It is not a problem that can be projected on any external authority. Every individual has a responsibility to dissuade the creation of a drugs culture in our society and in Europe generally. It is an issue on which we intend to give political leadership. We hope that we will be supported by every individual and every community in the battle against drugs.
When?
We are continuing to do this now. We are already doing so.
The Taoiseach is not making progress.
What about education? Nothing is happening in the schools.
The Deputy should read his brief.
Fianna Fáil is jumping on the bandwagon.
That is the problem with a convert.
(Interruptions.)
I call Deputy Harney.
When the Minister for Finance took the Order of Business here two weeks ago he said the Government was examining legislation on child sexual abuse. Does the Government intend to publish legislation in relation to the mandatory reporting of child sex abuse cases?
My understanding is that existing legislation is adequate to deal with the matter. As the Deputy knows, legislation on court procedures in this area was introduced and passed into law. If there are any identifiable lacunae in the legislation, they will be filled. However, as of now there is no specific promise in this area to which I can refer in answer to the Deputy's question. I assure the House that if any problem is identified in the area of child sexual abuse which requires legislative action, that action will be taken as a matter of priority. My understanding is that there is a need for enforcement and information rather than for new legislation.
The Kilkenny incest report recommended that there should be mandatory reporting for certain designated professionals, which is not included in legislation. As new cases are now coming to light this week, I ask the Taoiseach if the Government will give serious consideration to the introduction of some form of mandatory reporting for certain designated professionals.
A discussion paper on that matter is being prepared. If, having listened to all the relevant professional advice, we are of the view that this would be a necessary and useful contribution to the fight against child sexual abuse, the Government would be willing to make the changes necessary in legislation. However, we should not legislate in an area of such seriousness without careful thought and preparation to ensure that the legislation introduced achieves the purpose for which it is designed.
The discussion document is two years old. The Taoiseach is sitting on it.
As the Minister for Social Welfare has announced the securing of local authority funding, when will the relevant legislation be introduced? Will it be introduced in 1995 since £140 million has already been paid out?
I understand that legislation will be introduced before the end of the year.
I ask the Taoiseach about the timescale for the health boards Bill. He was a little off the mark last week when I asked him that question. Perhaps he could also clarify the timescale for the introduction of the drug trafficking Bill.
The health Bill to set out the roles, responsibility and accountability of health boards and their chief executives will be introduced before the end of this year. Legislation to amend the Health Act, 1970, to implement the decision as regards the reorganisation of health board services, including replacement of the Eastern Health Board by a new authority, will be introduced before March 1996.
In view of the proposed legislation on the promotion of the Irish horse industry, will the Taoiseach ask the Minister for Defence, Deputy Barrett, why he is withdrawing the Army's team from proposed events in Toronto, Washington and New York in view of the promotion of Irish half bred horses in these countries.
That is a good question which should be tabled in the ordinary way.
I agree with you, a Cheann Comhairle, but it is happening next week, so I need to ask it this week.
Will the governance of universities Bill be published and brought before the House before or after Christmas?
I expect the legislation in question will be available in April at the latest.
I compliment the Fianna Fáil Party on the interest it has taken in the drugs issue this morning. I ask it to use its influence in local areas, where it is not being used at present, to support the location of drugs clinics. There is a gap between the oratory here and the practical lack of support from Fianna Fáil for the location of drugs clinic in the western suburbs of Dublin.
That is not true.
That is appalling.
I am sure Deputies on both sides of the House know that the Chair has been on his feet for some time. I do not know how business can be conducted in this House without having respect for the Chair.
The Taoiseach has taken his briefings this morning from the Minister of State at the Department of Justice, Deputy Currie, who is having difficulties in the Blanchardstown area. Perhaps he will talk to his brother about some difficulties in Dublin North Central which must be dealt with.
We do not organise riots outside Leinster House.
If these interruptions continue, I will move on to the business of the House. This is intolerable behaviour.
In the last session the Taoiseach stated that he would bring forward legislation in the autumn to deal with this issue. However, only three justice Bills are listed, including the Refugee Bill, 1995, and the Courts and Court Officers Bill, 1994. There is only one Bill on the drugs issue. Is that the only legislation arising from the crime and justice section of A Government of Renewal? The Taoiseach outlined in great detail the action plan for the community drugs teams and many other issues. However, few have been dealt with. I agree with the new initiatives on counselling, medical treatment, rehabilitation, sport, etc., but few have been introduced. The Taoiseach said that we need community groups and bodies to work together. I have been saying that for years. If the Taoiseach does not propose to introduce legislation, perhaps he would agree to the proposal from this side of the House to set up a national drugs forum immediately.
The criminal justice (drug trafficking) Bill, which will increase the periods of detention in respect of drugs offences and strengthen the powers of the Garda Síochána considerably, will be introduced before Christmas. The Leader of Fianna Fáil seems to be unaware of the fact that there is a large legislative programme in the Department of Justice. This relates to legislation which will be introduced before Christmas. I have four pages of legislation which is in the pipeline in the Department of Justice and which relates to crime and punishment in general. That will be introduced in the normal way.
There is nothing about drugs.
The drugs problem is not simply one of supply, but also of demand and treatment. Everyone has a social responsibility as regards the problems of demand and treatment. In particular, Opposition and Government parties must support the Eastern Health Board in the location of clinics in suburban areas. It is important to do that and I do not believe that anyone can project that responsibility on to someone else's shoulders. We all have a responsibility to ensure that clinics are available in the areas where people have access to them so that they can be treated in time in the community before their problems become insuperable.
The Taoiseach should look to some of his Deputies.
(Limerick East): There is nothing like an Árd-Fheis.
We hold ours on a Saturday.
A rest day.
The Deputy's party cancelled its Árd-Fheis.
I shall have to deal with Deputies if they intervene in this unruly fashion.
The Deputies opposite needed to do more thinking.
(Interruptions.)
I must dissuade Members from the notion that they may debate drug trafficking now.
(Limerick East): The Deputy's party should hold and Árd Fheis three times a year.
I am glad the Minister met the people dealing with the drugs problem in the inner city the other day and listened to them.
Deputies opposite are becoming very active now that it is approaching an Árd-Fheis.
We have been told that the Government is working on a defamation Bill. As the Order Paper indicates that the defamation Bill is ordered to be read a Second Time on 22 November 1995, will the Taoiseach indicate if the Government's defamation Bill will be circulated before that date?
As the Deputy is no doubt aware, this is legislation not promoted by his party but by the party sitting close by him, the Progressive Democrats.
They are sitting very close to him.
I notice there is a convenient gap between them.
There is no gap between the parties opposite, they are glued together.
This matter is currently being discussed by the Government and the Chief Whip of the Progressive Democrats Party. If Deputy Woods has any difficulties he can address them to the Chief Whip of the Progressive Democrats Party who no doubt will convey the Deputy's concerns to that party.
The Taoiseach and the Minister for Equality and Law Reform gave commitments to the House. I particularly refer to the commitment given to the House by the Minister for Equality and Law Reform. I would be obliged if the Taoiseach would address that matter.
As this is a Progressive Democrats Bill I would like to put on the record that we have been asked to withdraw it, but we will not be doing so.
On promised legislation, will the Taoiseach indicate when the proposed Bill on the reform of the greyhound industry will be introduced in view of the number of dead rabbits Ministers have been pulling out of the hat recently?
We will be putting a muzzle on the Deputy shortly.
I believe there is a wolf loose in County Fermanagh and I suggest that the Deputy go in pursuit of that animal.
When will the promised legislation be introduced?
(Interruptions.)
I am aware of the Deputy's interest in this and it is one that he, like myself, has acquired from his family. I am glad to be able to tell him that we believe this important legislation will be submitted early next year. It is designed to restructure the industry generally.
We will have to pickle the rabbits.
The rabbits are well stuffed.
The Minister has been stuffed.
The Deputies opposite already have a stuffed rabbit in the form of the Minister.
The stuffing is coming out of the Deputy in various places.
Has the Government resolved its problems with the Department of Justice regarding the freedom of information Bill and when is it expected to be introduced? Will the Taoiseach ensure that it extends to Dáil Question Time because what we are getting here as information could only be described as an abuse of language.
There were matters related to information the Deputy's party did not have the courage to deal with that were dealt with by this Government.
Like what?
Abortion information was something the Deputy's party ran away from even though it was a constitutional obligation placed on it in Government. His party was afraid to deal with it but this Government did so.
Tell us more.
The Government fulfilled the requirements of the Constitution where Fianna Fáil was afraid to do it.
It had no option.
The Deputy's party was afraid to deal with it because of its backbenchers.
The legislation was already drafted.
That is an unfair attack on Minister Howlin.
He was prevented by the Deputy's party from dealing with that matter.
That is a lie.
The Taoiseach is good at the jumps.
Regarding the information the Deputy requires in regard to——
The Taoiseach has forgotten it already — freedom of information legislation.
That will be presented to Government very shortly.
What about the trip to Australia?
We expect the legislation upon which entirely justifiable research has been conducted will be presented to Government shortly by the Tánaiste.