Yesterday, I asked the Taoiseach if the Housing (Private Rented Sector) Bill would be published in the lifetime of this Government. The Taoiseach muttered something into his chest in reply and I could not hear it. Will the Bill be published in the lifetime of this Government?
Order of Business (Resumed).
The Housing (Private Rented Sector) Bill to give effect to the report of the commission on the private sector will be circulated next year.
That was not my question. This Government will thankfully expire in the middle of next year. Will the Bill be published in the lifetime of this Government?
The Taoiseach has
answered the question. I call Deputy Noonan.
The Taoiseach said yesterday that there was consultation with the Whips about sitting on Mondays and Fridays to introduce certain measures to comply with our international obligations in respect of the fight against terrorism. Will the Taoiseach please list the ten measures he referred to in this context?
Following it being raised here last week I asked the Minister to draw up a memorandum for the Whips meeting tonight and the full range of those measures will be discussed at that meeting. Some of the Bills will be available shortly and others will be available throughout the session.
Can the Taoiseach outline them?
I do not have the list.
Why are they not on the Government's legislative programme?
Order now, please.
Some of them are. As I said in reply to Deputy Michael D. Higgins last week, at the justice and home affairs meeting on 24 or 25 September last there was an agreement that all of the outstanding United Nations declarations that had not been signed by member states should be brought forward and that by 7 December as many of those as possible should be enacted. There was also a list of legislation which has been discussed in one form or another arising out of the Tampere meeting in 1999 that should be brought forward urgently. With regard to the UN resolutions, there are about seven or eight items which I mentioned here last Thursday and then there is the legislative measures arising out of Tampere. Following a request from Deputy Michael D. Higgins that they be put on the schedule they will be discussed at the Whips meeting tonight.
The Taoiseach is aware that the resolution at the United Nations which requires international co-operation in the fight against terrorism obliges Governments to report within 90 days on what measures they are taking. Is it the intention of the Government that the ten measures in question would be enacted in the next 90 days?
If that is possible. It may not be possible to draft some of the legislation, but some Bills regarding co-operation on international measures will have to be dealt with as a matter of urgency. The Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform has set up a new section in his Department to try to deal with these matters on an urgent basis.
It is the neglect of the Government over the past four years that put us in this position.
We cannot debate the matter now.
Some of the issues go back to 1970 so it is the neglect of the House over the past 30 years. Having said that, they were all brought forward into proposals at Tampere two years ago and some of the resolutions were only brought forward to the meeting of the 24th and put forward by the Commission on 24-25 September. There are issues that we have to deal with and I think the Whips will look at them tonight and see how best we can tackle this as it puts us under enormous pressure. Some of the Bills will be drafted quickly while others will take some time, but we have to make an effort to deal with these issues as quickly as we possibly can.
Adults who have been adopted in Ireland have been awaiting the Adoption Contact Register Bill for some time now. It is on the B list so the heads have been agreed but the timing on the list is for 2002. Will the Taoiseach tell when that Bill will be published?
The heads of the Bill were approved in May and the Bill is currently being drafted. I do not see it being ready in this session.
Will the Taoiseach urge the Minister for Health and Children to intervene in regard to a work to rule—
This is not relevant to the Order of Business. The Deputy has other ways of raising the matter.
(Interruptions.)
It is not in accordance with Standing Orders to raise it now. The Deputy should resume his seat. He has many other ways of raising the matter. I call Deputy Brendan Howlin.
Can the Taoiseach clarify if the immigration carriers liability Bill will be produced this session? Will separate legislation or an Order of the House be required for this or is it the vehicle that the bi-lateral agreement with the Government of Switzerland is to be incorporated in?
It would be better to table a question for the second matter as I think it requires separate legislation. The immigration carriers liability Bill will be available this session.
Mr. Coveney:
In light of the number of lives lost at sea last year, primarily of fishermen, will the Taoiseach indicate when the coastguard Bill to develop marine emergency capabilities will be introduced?
The heads of the Bill are being prepared in the Department but are not yet ready so it will be next year.
In November the next round of the world trade negotiation talks commence. Will the Taoiseach ensure that there will be time available in the House to discuss the Government's position prior to the departure of the delegation?
I do not have any problem with that and will ask the Whips to arrange it.
I will ask the Taoiseach a question that is very close to his heart. Where stands the "bowl" at the moment?
That is not relevant to the Order of Business. The Deputy can pursue the matter by way of parliamentary question.
This relates to legislation.
To what legislation does it refer?
I am asking about the Campus Ireland legislation which the Government is judiciously spinning and leaking to make sure that by the time the report is published they will have given the impression that this "bowl" will be a good thing.
We will not debate the matter now; please refer to the legislation only.
Where stands this legislation and can we withdraw it from the agenda please, because both the Taoiseach and I know that it will not go ahead.
As soon as possible. I understand the Deputy is privately in favour of it.
(Interruptions.)
Order, please. I call Deputy Creed to ask a question relevant to the Order of Business.
Is the Taoiseach in a position to offer reassurance to parents and particularly to pupils around the country who are facing the closure of schools at the end of this month, in view of the fact that the Minister for Education and Science had no contingency plans to offer yesterday?
The Deputy can raise that matter in other ways. It is not relevant to proposed legislation. I call Deputy Michael Finucane.
Shall I wait for the adjournment?
(Interruptions.)
Order, please.
I refer to the disappearing coastline that is vanishing into the sea. Will the Taoiseach indicate what priority the coastal management Bill has with the Government? Is the Taoiseach aware that in the year 1999-2000 the sums allocated were not even spent on coastal zone management around the country?
The aim is to establish the new legal framework for the management of the coastal zone and to replace the Foreshore Acts where there has been an enormous increase in resources in that area. The heads of the Bill are expected around Christmas and I hope the Bill can be taken shortly after that.
The Minister for Education and Science failed to provide in the previous Education Act—
This should be a question, please, and not a statement.
—for the needs of children
with a disability. I note that the current Minister has indicated that he intends to try to make good this defect by bringing forward new legislation. I would be grateful if the Taoiseach would indicate if we will have this legislation in the House before Christmas?
The heads are being prepared as a matter of urgency by the Minister and they will be cleared as soon as possible. The Bill will have to be drafted after that.
In view of the acute concern expressed, particularly in the United States, about the possibility of biological warfare following the number of cases—
The question must be on proposed legislation.
—will the Taoiseach tell the House who in the Government has responsibility for this matter and to whom should questions be directed, particularly in relation to the provision of vaccine?
Is there legislation in this area?
A statement was made on that issue last week to which I would refer the Deputy. Questions should be directed to the Department of Defence.
That concludes the Order of Business.