The Order of Business today shall be as follows: No. 2a, a motion regarding the ministerial rota for parliamentary questions; No. a1, Central Bank and Financial Services Authority of Ireland Bill, 2002 – Second Stage (resumed); and b1, Criminal Justice (Public Order) Bill, 2002 – Order for Second Stage and Second Stage. It is proposed, notwithstanding anything in Standing Orders, that No. 2a shall be decided without debate and that Question Time tomorrow shall be taken at 3.30 p.m. until 4.45 p.m., and in the event of a Private Notice Question being allowed, it shall be taken at 4.15 p.m. and the Order shall not resume thereafter. Private Members' business shall be No. 5, a motion regarding the programme for Government, resumed, to conclude at 8.30 p.m. tonight.
Order of Business.
There are two proposals to put to the House. Is the proposal for dealing with No. 2a, motion re ministerial rota for parliamentary questions, agreed?
I do not agree with this item which brings to mind a travesty in terms of what Government has done in cancelling seven questions that I put down to the Taoiseach about the Seville summit. It remains a fact that the Taoiseach is not accountable to the Dáil on matters that will have a major impact on the country's future. I ask the Ceann Comhairle to ensure that he remains accountable. This item is a mockery of parliamentary activity when the Taoiseach can simply dismiss questions that are put down because he chooses not to be here.
Accepting the very valid objection of my colleague, Deputy Sargent of the Green Party, I wish to relay a further objection. We have a request from the Government for a temporary alteration of the rota for ministerial questions in the House, yet we have an ongoing situation where the party that I represent and have the honour to lead in the House, that of Deputy Sargent, the Greens, and the independent Deputies have not had our position respected by Government in relation to the valid request regarding the rota and recognition of the integrity of our respective representative roles in this Chamber. There has been a significant roll back on an already signalled intent by Government to facilitate the required change of Standing Orders, which is extremely important for the good workings of this House.
The Deputy is moving away from the motion before the House.
I am making it clear to the Government and to the Chief Whip that we simply will not allow the situation—
Deputy, that does not arise at this time. I am putting the question.
The question has been put and we will endeavour to put our case—
The Deputy must resume his seat until the question is put.
—until our position is respected.
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Ahern, Dermot.Ahern, Michael.Ahern, Noel.Andrews, Barry.Ardagh, Seán.Aylward, Liam.Brady, Johnny.Brady, Martin.Brennan, Séamus.Browne, John.Callanan, Joe.Callely, Ivor.Carey, Pat.Carty, John.Cassidy, Donie.Collins, Michael.Cooper-Flynn, Beverley.Coughlan, Mary.Cregan, John.Curran, John.Davern, Noel.de Valera, Síle.Dempsey, Noel.Dempsey, Tony.Dennehy, John.Devins, Jimmy.Ellis, John.Fahey, Frank.Finneran, Michael.Fitzpatrick, Dermot.Fleming, Seán.Gallagher, Pat The Cope.Glennon, Jim.Grealish, Noel.Hanafin, Mary.Harney, Mary.Haughey, Seán.Healy-Rae, Jackie.Hoctor, Máire.Jacob, Joe.Keaveney, Cecilia. |
Kelleher, Billy.Kelly, Peter.Killeen, Tony.Kirk, Seamus.Kitt, Tom.Lenihan, Brian.Lenihan, Conor.McCreevy, Charlie.McDowell, Michael.McEllistrim, Thomas.McGuinness, John.Martin, Micheál.Moloney, John.Moynihan, Donal.Moynihan, Michael.Mulcahy, Michael.Nolan, M. J.Ó Cuív, Éamon.Ó Feargháil, Seán.O'Connor, Charlie.O'Dea, Willie.O'Donnell, Liz.O'Donoghue, John.O'Donovan, Denis.O'Flynn, Noel.O'Keeffe, Batt.O'Keeffe, Ned.O'Malley, Fiona.O'Malley, Tim.Parlon, Tom.Power, Peter.Power, Seán.Roche, Dick.Ryan, Eoin.Sexton, Mae.Smith, Brendan.Smith, Michael.Treacy, Noel.Wallace, Dan.Walsh, Joe.Wilkinson, Ollie.Woods, Michael.Wright, G.V. |
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Boyle, Dan.Broughan, Thomas P.Burton, Joan.Connolly, Paudge.Costello, Joe.Cowley, Jerry.Crowe, Seán.Ferris, Martin.Gregory, Tony.Harkin, Marian.Healy, Seamus.Higgins, Joe.Higgins, Michael D.Howlin, Brendan.Lynch, Kathleen.McGrath, Finian.McHugh, Paddy. |
McManus, Liz.Morgan, Arthur.Moynihan-Cronin, Breeda.Ó Caoláin, Caoimhghín.Ó Snodaigh, Aengus.O'Shea, Brian.O'Sullivan, Jan.Pattison, Seamus.Penrose, Willie.Rabbitte, Pat.Ryan, Eamon.Ryan, Seán.Sargent, Trevor.Sherlock, Joe.Shortall, Róisín.Stagg, Emmet.Upton, Mary.Wall, Jack. |
Is the proposal for dealing with Question Time tomorrow agreed to?
In the circumstances I agree, but I wish to make it clear that we object to the concept of ordering business for Thursday on a Wednesday. This should not be taken as a precedent and should be used only in special circumstances.
The proposal is agreed to. We move on to leaders' questions.
Has the Tánaiste read today the story of a rip-off of Irish consumers in relation to prices? A survey has shown that a basket of basic products in St. Tropez would be 23% cheaper than in Ireland. This covers basic items such as water, meat, cheese and the pint of plain. Does the Tánaiste believe there is a rip-off occurring in relation to margins in the retail trade? Does she also believe, along with IBEC and the Central Bank, that we should be expressing alarm about the way prices here are rising so much faster than in other European countries? Would she also agree that out of control Government finances are fuelling this problem?
Has anybody drawn the Tánaiste's attention to the statement by a Mr. Brian Geoghegan, IBEC's director of consumer and economic affairs, that he was worried about public finances, that the Government had no room to manoeuvre and that inflation was at a critical stage?
Deputy Howlin is placing me in a difficult position here. In relation to the query raised by Deputy Bruton and Deputy Howlin, I have heard of the comparative analysis done between a shopping basket in St. Tropez and Blackrock in Dublin. It does concern me, not just what emerged today but also the upward trend in inflation. Recently the Government commissioned a survey from Forfás, which will come to Cabinet shortly, on the increasing prices that are evident across the economy. There are a number of factors involved. In the first instance, indirect taxes are higher here on some products which would account for the difference. Another is insufficient competition, particularly in services. The most recent Competition Bill passed by the last Dáil will greatly enhance the powers of the Competition Authority to enforce competition and prevent collusion.
We need to develop a stronger consumer culture and equip consumers with more information. We need to do a host of things. Deregulation, which is often strongly resisted in Ireland by various vested interests, plays an important part in enhancing competition, reducing prices and improving the quality of services. I hope we will have the support of the Opposition when we seek to introduce whatever measures are required. However, all these things cannot be done by Government action alone. As consumers, we have to be more vigilant and use our collective purchasing power more wisely. Some of the inflation in recent months is caused by increases in prescription costs, doctors' fees and so forth. There are many examples of the cost of professional services having increased way beyond what anybody could expect. Hopefully, the study of professional fees by the Competition Authority will play an important part in bringing about a change in the culture that exists.
Why did the Minister not advert to the main issue identified by Mr. Geoghegan, that Government finances being out of control is one of the central elements fuelling our high rates of inflation? Last year saw the price of groceries rise by 14%, a rise unparalleled anywhere in Europe. The Minister says she envisages competition measures to deal with this problem in the grocery trade. Will she indicate what she has in mind? Does she propose to amend the groceries order or any of the restrictions the Government has imposed in relation to the trade? Some of her party colleagues have indicated that the party has intentions in this area but I gather that the Minister has taken a different view.
On a lighter note, perhaps the Minister should introduce the director of IBEC to the joys of St. Tropez and its cheap prices, which she used to enjoy in the past.
Charlie will not like that.
That is a good suggestion but I am trying to figure out who should pay for it. We must have an open mind about what measures need to be taken. I have said on a number of occasions that the groceries order is not written in stone. We must take whatever measures are necessary to keep prices down and increase competition. I hope I will have the support of every Member of the House if we find it necessary to introduce measures to enhance competition. However, as of now we have made no decisions; we have an open mind. We will await the report from Forfás after which the Government will make whatever decisions should be made in the interests of the economy and consumers.
I am interested in the Deputy's comments about Government spending. Although the global figures are criticised by Fine Gael, day after day and particularly during the last election campaign that party was calling for more spending in all areas and Government intervention to compensate various groups of citizens. Their position is a little contradictory. The Government is conscious of the changed economic environment. Clearly we cannot have spending increases like those in the last couple of years but it is not a question of cutbacks but of slowing down the growth in public spending.
Is the Tánaiste aware that the country's largest anti-drugs organisation is to march to Government Buildings later today? Its members say there must be a refocus on the country's anti-drugs strategy. The Dublin Citywide Crisis Campaign has accused the Government of cutting back on the resources necessary to tackle the drugs problem and of not honouring the national drugs strategy in terms of resources and supports. What will the Tánaiste tell this organisation? Will she meet with it?
The new Minister of State, Deputy Noel Ahern, has been given responsibility for the drugs issue. I wish him well in that job. Will there be a co-ordinated team dealing with community development and an anti-drugs strategy? What will be the role of the Minister, Deputy Ó Cuív, who is responsible for local development? I take this opportunity to congratulate the outgoing Minister of State, Deputy Eoin Ryan, who did an excellent job in this area.
Did the Minister make a specific commitment that all drugs projects would be ring fenced? It has been reported that she made a personal commitment in this regard during the general election campaign and that this is not now being honoured. The drugs strategy report clearly indicated that this area had to be ring fenced. That commitment should be honoured. Perhaps she will explain the exact status of the promise she made.
Yes, I did make that commitment and it stands. All mainline projects involving the drugs task forces will be and are ring fenced. That is a fact. In relation to community employment generally, when we had high levels of unemployment there was one community employment place for every three long-term unemployed. Now there is one community employment place for 0.7 long-term unemployed people. That puts it in perspective. We have improved the situation threefold and substantially increased the number of people in training by between 14,000 and 16,000 per year. The focus of the Government has been to equip citizens with skills to enable them to access jobs in the economy.
I am conscious that many services are being provided through community employment. That is the reason we are mainstreaming those services. I intend to have discussions with my colleague Minister, Deputy Ó Cuív, who has responsibility for community affairs, and the Minister of State, Deputy Noel Ahern, about the drug task force areas, where we worked extremely well with the previous Minister, to ensure that all mainline projects are ring fenced.
I am no wiser in relation to the specific responsibilities the Minister of State, Deputy Ahern, will have. Will the Minister, Deputy Ó Cuív, look after urban areas of development? Is he responsible for the RAPID programme, for example, and will that not be in the remit of the Minister of State, Deputy Ahern? In relation to the community employment schemes, I am seeking a specific commitment that all schemes supporting disadvantaged areas in general and drugs projects in particular will not be adversely affected by the reduction in the ceiling of CE places to 25,000 positions, which is 3,000 lower than the guaranteed floor under the last partnership programme.
The Deputy has that commitment. There cannot be a drugs officer for every community employment scheme but any drugs related workers approved through the drugs task force initiative are ring fenced.
Is that for the future?
Yes. I cannot give guarantees about forever but the answer is yes as of now.
That concludes leaders' questions. We now move to questions on the Order of Business.
I wish to raise two issues. Over the last number of months much damage to public property has taken place in County Wicklow due to illegal encampments. The Housing (Miscellaneous Provisions) (No. 2) Act was passed by the Houses to deal with this issue but there appears to be much confusion between the Department of the Environment and Local Government and the Department of Justice, Equality and Law Reform with regard to its implementation. Currently, the Garda and the local authority have no powers under the legislation. Perhaps the Tánaiste would explain the situation.
The Dáil will only sit for a few days between now and the end of the summer. The Tánaiste prides herself on having come from a small farm in the west. Will she permit time for statements on the possible negative impact on the agriculture and food industry of the long range weather forecast?
The first question is in order but the second question is out of order.
I am not aware of any Minister who has responsibility for the weather.
It has been raining since the Government took office.
It is early days yet.
It has responsibility for the farmers.
Yes, Deputy Crawford. That is why they voted in such strong numbers for the Government parties. They know this is a good Government.
We will see if it is good for the farmers.
There will be none left by the time it is finished.
I would prefer if the Tánaiste dealt with the question that is appropriate to the Order of Business.
After the passing of the Bill there had to be consultations, but the Government yesterday approved the enactment of those provisions.
When will it come into force?
I think very quickly, almost immediately.
On Question Time yesterday the Tánaiste made two remarks in respect of the Ansbacher inquiry which were untrue, and I am sure it was inadvertent. I asked her to correct the record when she said "Nobody called for either of these inquiries in the House or elsewhere" and that "It was done the day after the McCracken report."
It is not appropriate without notice to raise this issue at this time.
I think, Ceann Comhairle, that if you were to permit the Tánaiste, she would agree that in fact—
I rule that it is not appropriate to raise this at this point in time.
This is an important matter—
I am sure it is an important matter. Every matter raised in this House is important, but there are procedures, Deputy Rabbitte, for raising such matters—
Deputy Rabbitte, you are out of order. I ask you to resume your seat. Is there a point of order?
You might explain to the House and to Deputy Rabbitte how this matter would be put in order.
That cannot be done here this morning.
Why not?
If you wish to call to my office I would be glad to discuss it with you.
Given the imminent publication of a referendum Bill to allow for the holding of a second referendum on the Treaty of Nice, I ask the Tánaiste if it is the intention of the Government to supply to this House the text of the declaration that has been shown to the leader of the largest Opposition party in this House but to no other Member, and which has been shown to the Head of Government of every other EU state. This House is owed the respect of having an opportunity to see such a declaration, and not allowing the Taoiseach to turn to this House by waving a piece of paper and claiming peace in our time when we have not had the opportunity of discussing what the contents of such a statement would be.
You will have to find another way of raising this matter.
Could I ask the Tánaiste in relation to—
On a point of order, it is promised legislation that is being asked about, and it is in order.
The Deputy did not ask about the legislation itself.
In the context of the timing of the publication of the legislation, it is appropriate to get a reply.
When will the legislation be published Tánaiste?
The legislation will be published next week.
Is that all the Tánaiste has to say?
When we will see the national transformation fund Bill which her party had included in the programme for Government? Will the Tánaiste also indicate whether funds such as reserves in the Central Bank, which this year were used to prop up a fiscal deficit, will in future go to this transformation fund and will not be available for papering over cracks in Government finances in the future?
Yes, there is a commitment to set up a national transformation fund so that we can raise additional money for much needed infrastructure. The Government will have to make decisions in relation to those matters, but I am sure the Deputy would agree that if funds are superfluous in one area and could be more effectively used in other areas, then we should look at those possibilities.
Ba mhaith liom ceist a chur faoi Bhille na Teanga, a bhí geallta ag an Rialtas deireannach. Dúradh i rith an olltoghcháin go mbeadh an Bille seo os comhair na Dála gan mhoill. Cad é stádas an Bhille seo agus cén Aire a bheidh ag déileáil leis an mBille?
The Bill will be introduced, with the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs, Éamon Ó Cuív, having responsibility for it.
When?
It is in the Seanad at the moment.
There is no danger of it happening so.
I thought the Deputy would have more respect for the Seanad than that.
Does the Tánaiste accept that one of the main reasons why we appear to be short of revenue to fund public services is her policy over the last five years of tax cuts for the well off—
That does not arise on the Order of Business.
—and would she accept that cutting public expenditure is an easy option—
This is not appropriate to the Order of Business.
One of the last vestiges of British landlordism, known as ground rents, continue to be a source of legal robbery of ordinary householders to the enrichment of the successors in title of those who robbed our lands in previous epochs. The Government dodged this issue throughout the five years of the last Administration. Will legislation be brought forward to abolish ground rents, as promised, and when it will happen?
Is legislation promised, Tánaiste?
The Government is only in office two weeks so it is very early to deal with every issue—
I say to Deputy Higgins that I know the current Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform has strong views in relation to this matter, which I am sure, subject to legal constraints, he will pursue.
On a point of clarification, and I am quite in order now Ceann Comhairle, I assure you, I am gratified to hear that the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform has very strong views on this particular issue – some of his other views I would be terrified of – but unfortunately, when the bill for hundreds of euros arrives to hard-pressed householders and legal threats are made, the strong views of the Minister will not count—
You were wrong, Deputy Higgins, when you said you would be in order on your question. What is the timing of legislation, Tánaiste?
I am not giving any commitment to legislation. If it is legally possible I am quite certain the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform will pursue the matter because I know he has an interest in this area, which perhaps the Deputy should discuss with him.
On the Postal (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill, 2001, currently being restored to the House, is it intended to introduce any changes which might eliminate the problem of political advertising through the postal service at election time, which caused serious offence to many people who happened not to be of the same political persuasion as the party advertising through the postal service?
The idea of restricting advertising in a democracy such as Ireland is not one I think I could support. On reflection, the Deputy might conclude it is not a good idea. I am sure it is equally open to the Fine Gael Party to talk to An Post or whoever.
The national anthem will be on the envelopes next.
On the Order of Business yesterday the leader of the Labour Party raised a matter of some urgency with the Taoiseach in relation to the protection of tenants in the private rented sector due to a lacuna in the law. The Taoiseach promised to examine if a legislative mechanism could be brought forward before the Dáil goes into recess next week because people may face eviction during the course of the summer. Has there has been any progress on that promise?
The Taoiseach did give that commitment. I am not able to report any progress but I know it is a matter he is pursuing. I think Minister of State, Noel Ahern, has responsibility in this area and will be looking at the issue.
It is not only the farmers who are on their knees. Landladies and the hoteliers are looking out at their vacancy signs waving in the gales because tourism is also on the floor. The tourism industry has not recovered from the decimation that the current Minister for Finance left behind in Bord Fáilte in terms of tourism development. When will the Government introduce the promised legislation in its programme for Government for a national tourism development authority?
The heads of the Bill have been approved by the Government, so it will be introduced as soon as possible.
In light of recent serious assaults outside nightclubs, will the Tánaiste say when a Bill to regulate bouncers and others involved in the private security services sector will be brought forward? Such a Bill has been promised for a considerable period and the fact that it is needed will be highlighted if further serious assaults take place over the summer months.
Although the legislation to which the Deputy refers has been promised, I am not in a position to tell him when it will be brought to the House. I will pursue the matter on his behalf.
It is a restored Bill.
I will make an inquiry on behalf of the Deputy.
I want to know when the Bill will be taken.
I presume it will be brought forward in the autumn.
Following the serious decline in farm incomes, the collapse of the dairy sector and other problems associated with the recent poor weather, can the Tánaiste tell the House when the land commission Bill will be brought before it? Many Deputies wish to discuss high interest rates and other problems currently encountered in the farming sector.
I do not think the Bill relates to the weather and the price of milk.
Deputies should be given the opportunity to speak about such matters.
I understand it is intended to proceed with the Bill in the autumn.