Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Wednesday, 4 Dec 1996

Vol. 472 No. 4

Order of Business.

The Tánaiste

It is proposed to take No. a1 — Report of the Committee of Selection; No. 8 — Motion to approve the despatch of a contingent of the Permanent Defence Force to Eastern Zaire; No. 9 — Motion to approve the terms of Protocol No. 11 to the Convention for the Protection of Human Rights and Fundamental Freedoms; No. 16 — Universities Bill, 1996 — Second Stage (resumed); No. 17 — Organisation of Working Time Bill, 1996 — Second Stage (resumed); No. 2 — Litter Pollution Bill, 1996 — Order for Second Stage and Second Stage; No. 15b— Statements on Northern Ireland shall be taken following the announcement of matters on the Adjournment under Standing Order 21 and the order shall resume thereafter.

It is also proposed, notwithstanding anything in Standing Orders, that: (1) the sitting shall be suspended today from 12.30 p.m. to 2.30 p.m.; (2) No. a1 shall be decided without debate; (3) the proceedings on No. 8, if not previously concluded, shall be brought to a conclusion at 12.30 p.m. today and the following arrangements shall apply: (i) the opening speech 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 15 minutes in each case; (ii) the speech of each other Member called upon shall not exceed ten minutes in each case; (iii) Members may share time; and (iv) a Minister or Minister of State shall be called upon to make a speech in reply which shall not exceed five minutes. (4) No. 15b shall be confined to the Taoiseach, to the main spokespersons for the Fianna Fáil Party and the Progressive Democrats Party; and shall not exceed ten minutes in each case; (5) The proceedings on No. 9 shall be brought to a conclusion within one hour and the following arrangements shall apply: (i) the speech of a Minister or Minister of State; of the main spokespersons for the Fianna Fáil Party and the Progressive Democrats Party and of each other Member called upon shall not exceed ten minutes in each case; (ii) Members may share time; and (iii) a Minister or Minister of State shall be called upon to make a speech in reply which shall not exceed five minutes; (6) Private Members' Business — Motion No. 18 re Remedial Teachers — shall also be taken tomorrow between 12.00 noon and 1.30 p.m. and the proceedings thereon shall be brought to a conclusion at 1.30 p.m.

An Ceann Comhairle

There are some six matters to put to the House. First, is the proposal for the suspension of today's sitting satisfactory and agreed? Agreed. Is the proposal for dealing with No. a1 satisfactory and agreed? Agreed. Is the proposal for dealing with No. 8 satisfactory and agreed? Agreed. Is the proposal for dealing with No. 15b satisfactory and agreed? Agreed. Is the proposal for dealing with No. 9 satisfactory and agreed? Agreed. Is the proposal to deal with Private Members' Business tomorrow satisfactory and agreed? Agreed.

Mr. B. Ahern

Will the Tánaiste indicate whether the Government has any legislative or other proposals to deal with violence against women? Is he confident the Government has adequate resources and personnel to cope with the necessary research and investigative work on a number of unsolved murders and quite a number of cases of missing persons, suspected to have been murdered? A number of families continuously write to Members on all sides of the House about this matter. Has the Government any proposals to deal with a real crisis involving 15 murders in the past 12 months?

The Tánaiste

I agree that there has been an unprecedented number of tragedies in the last 12 months and that women have been the victims. I assure him that no resources will be spared in their investigation. I am confident the Garda have the resources, in terms of the investigation necessary, and that everything that can be done will be in this matter.

Miss Harney

In regard to the Price Waterhouse report, yesterday I suggested that inspectors should be appointed under the Companies Act. Will the Government give this suggestion serious legal consideration in addition to consideration by Ministers? A cloud of suspicion hangs over everybody as long as the report remains a secret. If the powers under the Companies Act cannot be used there should be a judicial inquiry. The President of the Institute of Taxation said last night it will be years before the Revenue Commissioners can continue——

An Ceann Comhairle

I am sorry to interrupt the Deputy but——

Miss Harney

This point is important as further stories appeared overnight——

An Ceann Comhairle

I must dissuade the Deputy and other Members from the notion that they can rehash yesterday's business.

The Tánaiste

May I reply to the Deputy? This is an extremely important matter and a pall of suspicion hangs over everyone. Headlines in this morning's newspapers state that £5 million was paid to politicians of almost all parties. I have not seen the report and have not spoken to anyone who has seen it. We are looking at a number of possibilities, particularly the application of section 8 of the Companies Act, 1990. I am not sure this is the correct remedy but we will get legal advice on it this morning. There are other possibilities ranging from a public inquiry to investigation of the matter by a Dáil committee. It is important that the details in the report relevant to the public interest are made available as quickly as possible.

Mrs. O'Rourke

The entire report should be published.

The Tánaiste

There may be aspects of the report which are personal and private to the company and which should not be in the public domain. What is important is that the aspects of the report which are of legitimate public interest are published. One possibility is that the leaders of the parties would write to the company asking it to make those aspects of the report available so that they can be discussed in the House and the cloud hanging over politicians can be cleared once and for all.

Mr. B. Ahern

There may be a simpler way of dealing with the issue. Will the Government consider asking the Dunne family to co-operate voluntarily? It seems from what members of the family have said they are prepared to do this and if they do so we will not have to write to anybody.

The Tánaiste

If all parties agree, we can communicate with the family in whichever form is considered the most suitable.

Mr. Sargent

Fuair mé litir ar maidin uaitsa, a Cheann Comhairle, maidir le ceisteanna a chur mise faoi bhráid An Taoiseach in which you state that my questions have been disallowed. Will the questions which have been disallowed be taken up by the Taoiseach during the statements on Northern Ireland later today and, if so, have they been communicated to him? How can you justify disallowing my questions if 30 minutes only are allocated for statements and I am unlikely to have an opportunity to contribute?

An Ceann Comhairle

The questions have been disallowed under the normal procedure governing such matters. I cannot say if the Taoiseach is aware of the content of the questions.

Mr. Sargent

Did you pass them to him?

An Ceann Comhairle

I will investigate the matter.

Mr. M. Kitt

In regard to the INTO survey which states there are 47 substandard schools, can the Tánaiste say how many of these schools will be included in the building programme for 1997?

An Ceann Comhairle

That is clearly a question which should be tabled in the ordinary way.

Mr. M. Kitt

Yesterday you allowed a question on the Estimates which I understand have been completed. Two of these substandard schools are in my parish and I would like to know——

An Ceann Comhairle

I am anxious to assist the Deputy——

Mr. M. Kitt

The Minister for Education referred to 17 schools but there are 47 substandard schools.

An Ceann Comhairle

The Deputy has made his point and he should desist.

Mr. M. Kitt

I want to know the position in regard to two of the schools——

An Ceann Comhairle

The Deputy will desist or leave the House. This is quite disorderly, and the Deputy knows it.

Mr. Davern

Two weeks ago the Taoiseach said the indexation of fines Bill would be published shortly. However, in the meantime petitions are not being heard and people are being arrested for the non-payment of fines which are under petition. Only this morning I heard about a woman who has been arrested for the non-payment of a television licence fine. Will the Tánaiste have the matter examined to see if a decision can be made on these fines?

The Tánaiste

The legislation is at an early stage of preparation but in view of its seriousness I will have the matter examined and will communicate with the Deputy.

Mr. O'Dea

Last week the Tánaiste confirmed the Government was examining the possibility of producing legislation which would allow journalists to protect their sources. Which Department would be responsible for producing the legislation? Has the examination which was ongoing for two years been concluded and when can we expect the legislation?

The Tánaiste

I understand the Department of Justice is the most likely Department to handle the legislation.

Mr. O'Dea

The most likely Department?

Mr. D. Ahern

The Sunday Independent will find out which Department is responsible.

(Interruptions.)

Mr. B. Ahern

In light of yesterday's decision by the Special Criminal Court not to make an order following the non-appearance of a man who was remanded by a bench which included Mr. Justice Lynch, will the Tánaiste agree there is an urgent need to examine the matter? Does he agree the events in this case should be examined by a Dáil committee?

The Tánaiste

I am not familiar with the details of the case but I will communicate with the Deputy.

Mr. B. Ahern

It is an urgent matter.

The Tánaiste

I said I would communicate with the Deputy.

Mr. B. Ahern

I accept that, but we have been stating for weeks that such a case was likely to arise. The only way it can be dealt with properly is by a Dáil committee.