Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Tuesday, 12 Mar 1996

Vol. 462 No. 8

Order of Business.

The Tánaiste

It is proposed to take No. 12 (a) on a supplementary Order Paper — motion re by-election for Donegal North-East; No. 2 — Social Welfare Bill, 1996 — Order for Second Stage and Second Stage. It is also proposed, notwithstanding anything in Standing Orders, that the motion for the by-election for Donegal North-East shall be taken without debate and, in the event of the motion for the by-election for Dublin West being moved, it shall be taken without debate.

Private Members' Business shall be No. 31 — Adoption Bill, 1996 — Second Stage.

An Leas-Cheann Comhairle

Since both motions for the by-elections are similar, there is but one matter to put to the House. Is it agreed to take the motions for each by-election without debate? Agreed.

Mrs. O'Rourke

On pending legislation, may I ask the Tánaiste the legislation being considered with regard to arms decommissioning, bearing in mind there was a heavy emphasis on that subject following yesterday's meeting between David Trimble and the Government?

The Tánaiste

The question of decommissioning and legislation necessary in relation to it was one of the many items discussed at the meeting last night. The Minister for Justice has been asked to examine the legal implications in relation to the decommissioning requirements of the Mitchell report. She will investigate those and report back to Government.

Mrs. O'Rourke

On the same matter, will the Tánaiste agree that seemed to be the only item discussed yesterday? Also, will he enlighten us as to whether the Attorney General was present and discussed with the deputation the terms and form of the legislation?

The Tánaiste

The Deputy will fully understand that the meeting last night was the first between the leadership of the Unionist party and the leaders of the coalition Government. Many of the issues discussed were confidential. It has been made clear that it was a wide-ranging discussion and included in it was the question of preparations for decommissioning. The Attorney General was present as legal adviser to the Government.

Miss Harney

First, on forthcoming legislation and the publication of the Finance Bill, may I ask the Tánaiste for an assurance that there will not be any preferential briefings for any group of persons on payment of £100 to the Labour Party before the publication of that Bill? Second, does the Tánaiste intend to take any disciplinary action against the Minister of State, Deputy Eithne Fitzgerald, for a breach of the Government's ethics legislation which has now come into effect?

An Leas-Cheann Comhairle

That matter does not arise now, Deputy, but there is a question on promised legislation.

The Tánaiste

The Finance Bill will be published shortly in the normal circumstances.

Miss Harney

I asked the Tánaiste for an assurance that particular groups of persons will not be given any preferential briefing about the contents of this Bill before it is published. Will he give me that assurance?

Mr. Howlin

A disgraceful question.

Miss Harney

It is not good enough that the Tánaiste, who preached so often in this House about ethics, should stay silent on this matter.

An Leas-Cheann Comhairle

We cannot debate that matter now, Deputy. The question with regard to promised legislation has been answered.

Miss Harney

I am talking about the forthcoming Finance Bill and I want an assurance from the Tánaiste that no group of individuals, on payment of £100 to the Labour Party, will get any preferential treatment in relation to that Bill. That is a reasonable question.

The Tánaiste

That was never intended and the Deputy knows that.

Mr. Howlin

It is a disgraceful question.

Miss Harney

Ask Deputy Flanagan.

Mr. R. Burke

Arising from last night's meeting, is it intended to prepare legislation so that arrangements can be put in place for a referendum along the lines proposed by John Hume in the House of Commons?

An Leas-Cheann Comhairle

Is this a matter concerning promised legislation?

The Tánaiste

The Deputy is aware that this Government supported John Hume's proposal in relation to a referendum. If the referendum is agreed between the parties in Northern Ireland and the two Governments, legislation will be brought forward.

Mr. R. Burke

Arising from the Tánaiste's reply, has agreement been reached in the discussions that have continued for the past ten days or is it the intention of the Irish Government to propose legislation for a referendum?

An Leas-Cheann Comhairle

We cannot proceed with that matter at this time.

The Tánaiste

My reply to the Deputy is the same. He is fully aware that the process in which we are engaged with the British Government was to continue from 4-13 March. That process will conclude tomorrow. On Thursday I hope to have a meeting with the Secretary of State to review what has happened in the discussions between both Governments and the parties to which we have spoken. Proposals will then be made public.

Mrs. O'Rourke

Item No. 31 on the Order Paper is the Adoption Bill, 1996, which will be introduced tonight by Deputy Woods. Will the Government agree to make time available for a longer and wider debate on this issue in view of the many recent revelations on the care of young children in institutions and adoptions, the source of much bewilderment throughout the country? A debate in which the matter would be dealt with sensitively and suitably would be timely.

The Tánaiste

I agree that this is a very important matter on which there is a need for full discussion and debate. We will have six hours to discuss the Fianna Fáil Bill. I understand the matter will also be raised on the Adjournment this evening. The Whips can assess how much time is necessary for a debate in the House.

Mrs. O'Rourke

Does the Tánaiste agree that there is a need for a legislative or regulatory framework under which all these matters which are highly sensitive and on which there is a need for a balanced judgment and debate can be addressed?

An Leas-Cheann Comhairle

We should not debate this matter now.

Mr. Cullen

Is it the case that neither the Tánaiste nor the Taoiseach intends to impose any sanction on the Minister of State, Deputy Eithne Fitzgerald, under the Ethics in Public Office Act?

An Leas-Cheann Comhairle

That matter does not arise now. I wish to facilitate the many Deputies offering, but they must be relevant.

Mr. O'Donoghue

On promised legislation, has the Tánaiste yet had an opportunity to approve or disapprove of the proposals of the Minister for Justice to change the bail laws?

An Leas-Cheann Comhairle

Has legislation been promised?

Mrs. O'Rourke

Sort of.

Mr. O'Donoghue

This legislation was promised by the Minister for Justice. I thought there would have been enough cohesion in the Government for the Tánaiste to be able to answer the question.

The Tánaiste

As soon as the proposals being prepared by the Minister for Justice are completed, they will be brought before the Government. I am sure there will be no difficulty in reaching early agreement to bring them before the House.

Mr. Lawlor

Will the Tánaiste use his good offices with the Minister for the Environment to give effect to the 1993 Local Government (Dublin) Act? There are thousands of disenfranchised Dublin Corporation tenants awaiting its implementation.

The Tánaiste

I will convey the Deputy's concern to my colleague, the Minister for the Environment.

Mr. Lawlor

I thank the Tánaiste, but will he give it effect?

Mr. O'Dea

When can we expect to see legislation to implement some of the recommendations in the Kelly Fitzgerald report? In the interests of openness, transparency and all the rest of it, will the Government publish the report?

Mr. Dempsey

Will they read it?

The Tánaiste

I understand the Minister for Health will deal with this matter at Question Time tomorrow. The Government will consider the recommendations which have just been published.

Mr. O'Dea

Will the report be published?

Dr. Woods

When is it intended to publish the control of horses Bill in view of the——

Mr. J. Walsh

The poor performance of Danoli.

Mr. Durkan

Wait until Cheltenham is over.

Mr. Rabbitte

When Charlie McCreevy comes back.

Mr. Quinn

What about the control of punters?

Dr. Woods

I am not referring to Cheltenham, but to the danger to children, particularly in housing estates in Dublin and elsewhere. This legislation is urgent.

The Tánaiste

The legislation is urgent. There are serious problems in many urban areas. I am assured that my dearest colleague, the Minister of State at the Department of Agriculture, Food and Forestry, Deputy Deenihan, is dealing with the matter. I have total confidence that he will bring it before the House at the earliest opportunity.

Mr. R. Burke

We hope to see it this year.

Mr. O'Donoghue

He is better known as Leader II.

Mr. D. Ahern

He was also shafted.

Dr. Woods

That answer is not good enough. The Taoiseach gave us a better one, he said the legislation would be brought before the House before Easter.

The Tánaiste

I am reliably informed that it will be within a matter of weeks.

Mr. Power

I realise that some Government backbenchers found the going very tough in recent weeks, but I congratulate Deputy Eric Byrne on his move. Last week I tabled a question to the Minister for Defence asking the number serving in each barracks throughout the country and the answer I received was that for security reasons it was not the practice to disclose details of the strength of Permanent Defence Force personnel stationed at any particular location. There is no one who enjoys a joke more than I do, but that answer was an insult to a Member. I would like the matter rectified.

An Leas-Cheann Comhairle

The Deputy should raise that matter at another time.

Mr. Haughey

On 4 May last year the Minister for Enterprise and Employment informed me that the report of the enterprise development task force on Aer Lingus and its effect on the economy of surrounding districts would be published quickly. I may have been misled in that this important report has still not been published. Will any legislation be brought before the House?

The Tánaiste

I do not have the detail in front of me, but I shall refer back to the Deputy.