In light of a statement made yesterday—
Order of Business (Resumed).
(Interruptions.)
There is a tremendous outbreak of "electionitis" all over the country. There is great concern too in evidence here in this House.
The Deputy could tell us something about the private policing activity in Kerry.
Deputies should not worry, we will fill these benches in our own time.
In light of yesterday's statement by the Minister for Public Enterprise—
It is estimated that the Deputy knows more about policing in Kerry than the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform.
Order, please.
I thank the Ceann Comhairle for his assistance. It is very difficult to be heard.
In light of yesterday's statement by the Minister for Public Enterprise, Deputy O'Rourke, that the banks should contribute to the local post office network—
Stop robbing them.
—to provide enhanced services, can the Taoiseach—
(Interruptions.)
I am glad the circle has been completed and you are all in the one barrow because I have no doubt that is where you all belong.
The Deputy should proceed with his question.
Can the Taoiseach—
The Deputy's concern about post offices is touching.
—or the Minister on his behalf tell us if the Government will publish legislation to require the banks to do this? The Minister indicated yesterday that she would wish the banks to do so. That is not enough. On a further matter, will legislation be introduced to protect employees of the State whose cheques are issued in the name of the Paymaster General?
The Deputy should table a parliamentary question on the second matter he raised.
Sinn Féin has a particular interest in banking.
I am asking a question on legislation. Will legislation be introduced to address this disgraceful action on behalf of the Bank of Ireland – yet another example of the banks acting in a most arrogant and exploitative manner.
There is no specific legislation on that, but there is a postal (miscellaneous provisions) Bill, the text of which is expected to be ready in mid-2001.
(Interruptions.)
I wish to inquire about reports of infertility and miscarriages caused to pregnant women from taking drugs. Will the Minister make provision for statements on that matter in the House so that it can be considered by Members?
That would be a matter for the Whips. A matter is not appropriate to the Order of Business unless it is on the Order Paper.
I ask that provision be made for statements—
That would be a matter for the Whips. The Deputy should consult his Whip.
Could the Health (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill be brought to Report Stage so that I may have an opportunity to raise this matter?
Report Stage will be taken as soon as possible.
(Dublin West): It is clear from what the Minister for Education and Science said that the Government will not lift a finger to compel the banks to do otherwise.
That is a comment. Has the Deputy got a question on promised legislation?
(Dublin West): There is legislation promised on this. The Minister has not been frank about that. That is the point I am trying to make. The Government is not prepared to force the banks to cash the cheques of ordinary working people, just as it allowed them to close branches around rural Ireland—
The Deputy must ask a question, as we are on the Order of Business.
(Dublin West): The Government could bring forward the financial services and Central Bank Bill dealing with the financial services sector and make the banks act as servants to the community rather than bend the knee to them as it constantly does.
We cannot make proposals about what should be in legislation at this stage.
Work is in progress on the financial services (miscellaneous provisions) Bill. The heads of the Bill are expected to be ready in mid-2001.
Mr. Hayes
In another place yesterday, the Attorney General was allowed to speak out and when he did, he was worth listening to. He asked the Government to bring forward legislation immediately to regulate giving money to charitable bodies. Given the Attorney General's comments yesterday and the promise given by the Minister for hardship last September when he promised to introduce legislation on this area, when will the fundraising for charitable and other purposes Bill be introduced?
That Bill is currently being considered by the Attorney General.
Mr. Hayes
The Minister did not know about that – that is a first.
The heads of the Bill are expected to be ready mid-2001.
I call Deputy Broughan.
On a point of order, could it be that the Attorney General has a split personality and he feels—
That is not a point of order.
—he has to communicate with himself in public to take action?
The Deputy should resume his seat. I have given the floor to Deputy Broughan.
Was it the Attorney General's Fianna Fáil self calling on his PD past that was in action?
I wish to raise an issue which the Minister, like me, would be aware gives rise to concern in the constituency he and I share. The Minister and his colleagues voted down the Labour Party anti-joyriding Bill this time last year and given the recent events on the north side and west side of the city, will the Government reconsider that decision and introduce similar legislation? Given the manpower resources many people have asked the Minister and myself to provide over the past six to nine months to combat this plague, will the Minister take a leading role by doing something about this problem, given that the constituency we share is badly affected by it?
As the Deputy is aware, a large body of legislation can be used in these circumstances. The strength of the force and the resources available have not ever been higher—
Not in Dublin.
—but, as the Deputy will appreciate, the matter of the distribution—
They are on the Border.
There is the problem of foot and mouth disease at present, but the matter of the distribution of the personnel is a statutory matter for the Garda Commissioner.
What about the Labour Party Bill? Has the Government any legislative proposals on this?
We provide the resources, but the distribution of personnel is a matter for the Garda Commissioner.
On promised legislation, when will the Court and Court Officers Bill be introduced given that the Attorney General seems to be conferring on himself the power to be statutorily consulted on the appointment of judges?
That is a comment.
There seems to be a conflict of interest, as he is leader of the Bar and solicitors can be appointed High Court judges under this provision. When will the legislation be introduced, as we need to discuss the role of this Attorney General?
The Court and Court Officers Bill was published on 3 April and will be brought forward as soon as possible.