Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin
Ceist:180 Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment her legislative priorities for 2003 and for the remainder of the 29th Dáil. [6320/03]
Written Answers - Legislative Programme.
I have a substantial programme of legislation reflecting the broad spectrum of my departmental responsibilities which I propose to progress over the coming months and for the remainder of the 29th Dáil, with the continuing co-operation of the Houses and the Office of the Parliamentary Counsel to the Government.
The following published Bills are currently at various stages before the Houses: Whistleblowers Protection Bill 1999; Patents (Amendment) Bill 1999; Industrial Development (Science Foundation Ireland) Bill 2002 [Seanad] and Companies (Auditing and Accounting Bill) 2003 [Seanad].
I also wish to progress a number of Bills not yet before the Houses for which the Government has approved draft general schemes as follows: Employment Permits Bill; Protection of Employees (Fixed Term Contracts) Bill; Industrial and Provident Societies (Amendment) Bill; Safety, Health and Welfare at Work Bill; Redundancy (Amendment) Bill.
As approved by Government, the general scheme of a Bill to consolidate company law Acts and regulations and implement the recommendations in the first report of the Company Law Review Group is currently being drafted.
In light of the negotiations on the new social partnership agreement, Sustaining Progress, I am also considering the need for legislation to further amend the Industrial Relations (Amendment) Act 2001 to take account of new procedures agreed with the social partners in this area. In the context of the insurance reform programme, I am also developing proposals to establish the Personal Injuries Assessment Board on a statutory basis. I will also be progressing a programme of secondary legislation, including the transposition of EU directives, over the coming months.