It is proposed to take No. 8 — motion concerning the ministerial rota for parliamentary questions and No. 17 — Financial Motions, 1997, by the Minister for Finance (resumed). It is also proposed, notwithstanding anything in Standing Orders, that No. 8 shall be decided without debate and the following arrangements shall apply with regard to the resumed debate on No. 17: the speech of the main spokespersons for the Fianna Fáil Party and the Progressive Democrats and the Minister for Social Welfare, who shall be called upon in that order, shall not exceed 40 minutes in each case. The speech of each other Member called upon shall not exceed 30 minutes in each case and Members may share time.
Order of Business.
There are two matters to put before the House. Is the proposal that No. 8 shall be decided without debate satisfactory and agreed? Agreed. Are the proposals for dealing with No. 17 satisfactory? Agreed.
I understand the Cabinet sub-committee on drugs held its first meeting this week. Arising from that and the ministerial task force, does the Government intend to introduce legislation and other measures on the drugs crisis? Will the Taoiseach indicate if the Government intends to implement some of the recommendations of the task force report with the communities concerned? The Taoiseach will be aware that since the Dáil went into recess this matter has continued unabated. Will any new legislation be given priority in this session?
Three items of legislation which touch on the drugs issue are receiving priority from the Government. The new law on the licensing of dance halls, which would cover discos and other such venues where drugs are being trafficked, will introduce more controls, especially with regard to the sponsoring of what are known as raves.
Legislation regarding offences against the person is also receiving priority. For example, the threatening of people with syringes is to become a much more seriously regarded offence in terms of penalties that would apply. In addition, legislation is being prepared in regard to the ratification of EUROPOL.
The Government will consider any further legislation that is necessary to deal with the drugs problem. Legislation is also being prepared by the Minister for the Environment with regard to estate management and the regulation of housing estates, where individual tenants may bring an area into serious disrepute by drug trafficking activities. More powers are being taken to control such people and, if necessary, to remove them from the area where they cause difficulties for their neighbours.
With regard to the Cabinet sub-committee on drugs, a major emphasis is being put on treatment of those who are already addicted to drugs, providing another way for them to regulate their lives in a more healthy fashion and providing counselling and alternative treatments of various kinds. That is the subject of an announcement which will be made shortly.
I asked the Taoiseach if he would give priority to these measures. What he said is interesting but none of the legislation to which he referred is on the priority lists for this session. Is he interested in giving this legislation priority?
The Bill regarding the operation of estates with undesirable tenants is already published and before the House; it is receiving priority. The other legislation is being drafted with all due speed and I intend to ensure it is passed into law.
The issue of crime and drugs is receiving maximum priority from the Government, but it is important that we draft legislation with sufficient care to ensure that it works. Overnight legislation frequently does not work and is counterproductive.
It has worked very effectively.
The legislation, which was drafted over a period of one month, was effective and worked extremely well in respect of the seizure of assets.
Deputy Harney is next to speak.
I am trying to obtain answers about——
This is not Question Time.
Surely a matter of that type——
I have called Deputy Harney and she will be heard.
When will legislation to provide for a referendum on Cabinet confidentiality be introduced and when will such a referendum be held?
The legislation will be introduced when it is ready.
Is it intended to hold the referendum before Easter?
It is intended to hold the referendum this year.
Given that the Government received the report of the all-party group on international arbitration law, will there be an early translation of that report into law in view of the fact that it has all-party support? The issue is non-contentious and legislation would probably be passed by the House within a matter of hours.
That matter is being examined at present but I cannot provide a timeframe for the introduction of legislation.
Yesterday the Government indicated that it intended to place a motion before the House regarding the Lowry/Dunnes Stores committee. I understand that, for some reason, the motion will be brought forward next week. Has there been any contact between Judge Buchanan and the Government on this issue since he was appointed? Is there any indication regarding the date of issue of his report?
I am not certain that matter is in order at this time.
With regard to the first matter raised by the Deputy, which is the basis on which he is attempting to raise the second matter — I do not believe it is appropriate to do so on the Order of Business — he is aware that there was a meeting of the Whips yesterday to discuss the matter. They agreed — I presume that includes the Deputy — that this matter would be referred to the individual parties for discussion. Therefore, the Deputy knew the answer to that question before he asked it. I am merely repeating what he already knew to be the case.
There is nothing wrong with the rest of the world knowing it.
As far as the other matter is concerned, Mr. Justice Buchanan is independent in the exercise of his functions.
If he is independent, why do Government sources persist in placing stories in the newspapers?