Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Thursday, 12 Dec 1996

Vol. 472 No. 8

Order of Business.

The Taoiseach

It is proposed to take the report from the Select Committee on Enterprise and Economic Strategy on the Irish Takeover Panel Bill, 1996; No. 4a, the report of the Select Committee on Social Affairs on Supplementary Estimates for Public Services [1996]; No. 13b, motion re. Leave to Introduce Supplementary Estimate [Vote 35]; No. 13, Estimate for Public Services [Votes 42 and 43 only]; No. 14, motion approving the terms of the Convention for the Protection of the Architectural Heritage of Europe; No. 7, National Cultural Institutions Bill, 1996 [Seanad] Second Stage; and No. 20, statements on "Shaping our Future: A Strategy for Enterprise in Ireland in the 21st Century" (resumed).

It is also proposed, notwithstanding anything in Standing Orders, that No. 13b shall be decided without debate and any division demanded thereon shall be taken forthwith; No. 13 [Votes 42 and 43 only] shall be moved together and shall be decided without debate by one question; and any division demanded thereon shall be taken forthwith; the proceedings on No. 14 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 and 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 either 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.

The proceedings on the Second Stage of No. 7, if not previously concluded, shall be brought to a conclusion at 2.15 p.m. today; and No. 20, if not previously concluded, shall be brought to a conclusion at 4.45 p.m. today; and the Dáil, on its rising today, shall adjourn until 12 noon on Tuesday, 17 December 1996.

An Ceann Comhairle

There are six matters to put before the House. Is the proposal that No. 13b be decided without debate satisfactory and agreed? Agreed. Is the proposal for dealing with No. 13 agreed? Agreed. Is the proposal for dealing with No. 14 satisfactory and agreed? Agreed. Is the proposal for dealing with No. 7 agreed? Agreed. Is the proposal for dealing with No. 20 satisfactory and agreed? Agreed. Is the proposal for the Adjournment of the House to 12 noon on Tuesday next satisfactory and agreed? Agreed.

Mr. B. Ahern

I take this opportunity to wish the Taoiseach, the Tánaiste and the Minister for Finance well at the European Council at the weekend. There have been difficulties with other countries but in fairness our Ministers have worked hard at the Irish Presidency and everybody would feel proud of the commitment they have put in. In particular I wish the Taoiseach well during the European Council and I look forward to debating the issues next week. I hope those who attempt to disrupt European Councils do not get their way and that the Taoiseach will have a successful conclusion.

An issue we discussed when talking about priorities for the Presidency was child pornography on the Internet. A suggestion I made at that time, which I think found favour with the Taoiseach, was that we should set up a working group to deal with the censorship laws generally rather than try to deal with one particular issue. Has any progress been made on that matter?

The Taoiseach

I thank the Deputy for his exceptionally kind remarks which I appreciate at a personal level and I am sure that it true of all my colleagues. The Deputy did suggest the setting up of a working group and that is being acted upon. I cannot tell him the exact position, without notice, but significant progress has been made. I will communicate in writing with the Deputy within the next 48 hours to let him know where it stands. In regard to the general question of the use of the Internet for criminal purposes, I expect to be able to agree, when I go to Washington on Monday for the summit with President Clinton, on joint European United States action on that whole area of crime through the Internet or what is now generally known as cyber crime. This will include child pornography and related offences as well as other forms of crime using the most modern electronic techniques.

Mr. B. Ahern

I suggest to the Minister for Finance that, in regard to the duty free clause relating to 1999, he should slip in at the end of the conclusions of the European Council a provision that the year be changed to 2010.

Miss Harney

I join the leader of Fianna Fáil in wishing the Government, particularly the Taoiseach, the Tánaiste and the Minister for Finance, well this weekend. I have been very critical of the Government in regard to domestic matters, but it has performed exceptionally well in presiding over the affairs of Europe during the past six months. Although we are a very small country, we can be rightly proud that the Government and the public service has done the job efficiently and well — I am aware of that from speaking to diplomats in recent months. The country has performed exceptionally well and we can all be proud of that.

The Taoiseach

I appreciate Deputy Harney's comments. I hope the compliments are deserved and, if so, it shows that a small country can conduct a Presidency well. Frequently it is easier for a small country holding the Presidency to get bigger countries to agree to matters which they might not be willing to agree in the Presidency of a big country.