Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Tuesday, 17 Jun 2003

Vol. 568 No. 5

Order of Business.

The Taoiseach

The Order of Business today shall be as follows: No. 10, motion re proposed approval by Dáil Éireann to the terms of the Agreement establishing an Association between the European Communities and the Republic of Chile; No. 11, motion re proposed approval by Dáil Éireann of the Risk Equalisation Scheme 2003; No. 18, Garda Síochána (Police Co-operation) Bill 2003 [Seanad] – Order for Report, Report and Final Stages; No. 19, Protection of the Environment Bill 2003 [Seanad] – Second Stage (resumed); and No. 6, Residential Tenancies Bill 2003 – Order for Second Stage and Second Stage.

It is proposed, notwithstanding anything in Standing Orders, that the Dáil shall sit later than 8.30 p.m. tonight and business shall be interrupted not later than 10 p.m.; Nos. 10 and 11 shall be decided without debate; the proceedings on the Report and Final Stages of No. 18 shall, if not previously concluded, be brought to a conclusion at 6.15 p.m. by one question which shall be put from the Chair and which shall, in relation to amendments, include only those set down or accepted by the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform; the proceedings on the resumed Second Stage of No. 19 shall, if not previously concluded, be brought to a conclusion at 7 p.m. Private Members' business shall be No. 34, motion re Public Services.

An Ceann Comhairle

There are four proposals to be put to the House. Is the proposal for the late sitting agreed to? Agreed. Is the proposal for dealing with Nos. 10 and 11 agreed to?

Mr. Kenny

I raised matters similar to this on previous occasions. We are asked here to give approval to two responses from committees. This side of the House has certainly not been informed of the response of the committees. I again suggest that the Whip – unduly attentive to her duties today, I was going to call a quorum – would see to it that, perhaps before we are asked to give approval without debate, we might find out what is the response of the committees in both of these cases, Nos. 10 and 11.

Mr. Stagg

On the same point, if Members of the House were in favour of No. 10 and opposed to No. 11, it would be impossible for them to deal with the issue as it is presented. As it is an unusual form of presentation, I would ask your good office, a Cheann Comhairle, to prevail on the Government to present issues separately so that we can decide them separately.

Mr. Boyle

On similar grounds, my party is unhappy about the business of the House being presented in this way, in that items of differing importance are being put together in single proposals on which we may vote. My party certainly wants the opportunity of examining individually each item and each motion as it comes before the House, and we would ask that the Taoiseach give due consideration to the House to allow motions to be taken in such a way.

Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin

I join with my colleagues in objecting to the format in which these proposals have been lumped together, but I also record my party's opposition to No. 10 and not having a debate on establishing specific links with Chile, where the most recent Amnesty International report highlights the continuation of a harsh prison regime, the ill-treatment of prisoners, the continuing confrontation of indigenous peoples by state forces in land disputes and the ongoing situation regarding former General Pinochet. That we should be aligning ourselves—

An Ceann Comhairle

We cannot debate the contents of what might be said in the debate.

Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin

I am trying to highlight the very reason we should not allow this to go through without debate. The reality is that until such time as Chile or other such countries get a clean bill of health on human rights from Amnesty International and other such bodies, I do not believe—

Mr. McDowell

The Deputy has some neck.

Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin

It is not a laughing matter – whatever the view of the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform, who seems to think everything in here is worth laughing at. It is about the only contribution he makes here occasionally. We should not proceed with this motion and there should be a stop put to it. The only method open to me is to object to No. 10 proceeding as proposed.

The Taoiseach

On the point being made about the layout, the Government Whip informs me that there are ongoing discussions with the clerks of the committees to see if we can get more detailed reports.

Mr. Howlin

Change the Standing Orders.

The Taoiseach

There is a problem. With regard to the layout of these reports, the clerks of the committees will not get involved in the political content of a report.

Mr. Howlin

It is not possible under the Standing Order.

An Ceann Comhairle

Deputy Howlin, allow the Taoiseach finish.

The Taoiseach

The Government Whip informs me that they are endeavouring to work with the clerks of the committees, to see if we can get a procedure which will work. If we can find a way of doing it, I have no objection to it.

An Ceann Comhairle

I put the question—

Mr. Durkan

On a point of order before you put the question.

An Ceann Comhairle

—na Teachtaí atá ar thaobh na tarisceana abairidís "Tá"—

Mr. Durkan

On a point of order, a Cheann Comhairle—

An Ceann Comhairle

—na Teachtaí atá ina coinne abairidís "Níl",

Mr. Durkan

—before you put the question.

An Ceann Comhairle

Silim go bhfuil an céist rite. Vótáil?

Mr. Rabbitte

Are you calling the vote, a Cheann Comhairle?

An Cheann Comhairle

No.

Question, "That the proposal for dealing with Nos. 10 and 11 be agreed to", put and declared carried.

Mr. Durkan

On a point of order, a Cheann Comhairle—

An Ceann Comhairle

Sorry, I was trying to cut off Deputy Durkan.

Mr. Durkan

May I raise a point of order, a Cheann Comhairle, this question of a message coming back from a committee—

An Ceann Comhairle

We have already dealt with the question, Deputy and it was agreed.

Mr. Durkan

We have not dealt with it.

Mr. Stagg

It is not, we have not resolved it.

Mr. Durkan

You may have resolved it, a Cheann Comhairle, but we have not resolved it.

An Ceann Comhairle

We cannot resolve it at this stage—

Mr. Durkan

When will we get the resolution.

An Ceann Comhairle

—on the Order of Business.

Mr. Durkan

There is no other time to do it.

An Ceann Comhairle

On proposal No. 3, is the proposal for dealing with No. 18, Report and Final Stages of the Garda Síochána (Police Co-operation) Bill 2003, agreed to?

Mr. Kenny

I do not wish to object to this, but will the Taoiseach say, if this Bill will require secondary legislation in terms of remuneration and facilities for members of the Garda who might wish to join the PSNI? If so, when are we likely to see such legislation? Will that requirement hold up the practicalities of members of the Garda joining the PSNI if they so wish?

Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin

I object to the guillotine being applied to this Bill. Report and Final Stages should be left open to allow full debate and discussion on the amendments that have been tabled. The guillotine is being applied at 6.15 p.m. by the conclusion of the Order of Business and it is very difficult to see that there will even be a full hour in which to address the business outstanding. I object on those grounds and on the grounds that I believe this legislation is premature.

The Taoiseach

A time of 45 minutes is provided to discuss three amendments. It has already been discussed at length. In reply to Deputy Kenny, it requires secondary legislation. The representative group will need to have discussions and the Bill will be drafted as soon as those discussions are completed.

Question put: "That the proposal for dealing with item 18 be agreed to."

Tá

Ahern, Bertie.Ahern, Noel.Andrews, Barry.Ardagh, Seán.Aylward, Liam.Blaney, Niall.Brady, Johnny.Brady, Martin.Browne, John.Callanan, Joe.Callely, Ivor.Carey, Pat.Carty, John.Collins, Michael.Coughlan, Mary.Cowen, Brian.Cregan, John.Curran, John.Davern, Noel.de Valera, Síle.Dennehy, John.Ellis, John.Fahey, Frank.Finneran, Michael.Fitzpatrick, Dermot.Fleming, Seán.Gallagher, Pat The Cope.Glennon, Jim.Hanafin, Mary.Harney, Mary.Haughey, Seán.Healy-Rae, Jackie.Hoctor, Máire.Jacob, Joe.Keaveney, Cecilia.Kelleher, Billy.

Kelly, Peter.Killeen, Tony.Kirk, Seamus.Lenihan, Brian.McCreevy, Charlie.McDaid, James.McDowell, Michael.McEllistrim, Thomas.McGuinness, John.Moloney, John.Moynihan, Donal.Moynihan, Michael.Mulcahy, Michael.Nolan, M. J.Ó Cuív, Éamon.Ó Fearghaíl, Seán.O'Connor, Charlie.O'Dea, Willie.O'Donnell, Liz.O'Donoghue, John.O'Donovan, Denis.O'Keeffe, Batt.O'Keeffe, Ned.O'Malley, Fiona.Parlon, Tom.Power, Peter.Power, Seán.Roche, Dick.Ryan, Eoin.Sexton, Mae.Smith, Brendan.Smith, Michael.Treacy, Noel.Wilkinson, Ollie.Woods, Michael.Wright, G. V.

Níl

Allen, Bernard.Boyle, Dan.Broughan, Thomas P.Bruton, John.Burton, Joan.Connaughton, Paul.Connolly, Paudge.Coveney, Simon.Crawford, Seymour.Cuffe, Ciarán.Deasy, John.Deenihan, Jimmy.Durkan, Bernard J.

Ferris, Martin.Gilmore, Eamon.Gormley, John.Hayes, Tom.Higgins, Joe.Higgins, Michael D.Howlin, Brendan.Kehoe, Paul.Kenny, Enda.Lynch, Kathleen.McCormack, Padraic.McGrath, Finian. McManus, Liz.

Níl–continued

Mitchell, Olivia.Morgan, Arthur.Moynihan-Cronin, Breeda.Murphy, Gerard.Naughten, Denis.Neville, Dan.Ó Caoláin, Caoimhghín.Ó Snodaigh, Aengus.O'Dowd, Fergus.O'Keeffe, Jim.O'Shea, Brian.O'Sullivan, Jan.

Penrose, Willie.Quinn, Ruairi.Rabbitte, Pat.Ring, Michael.Ryan, Eamon.Ryan, Seán.Sargent, Trevor.Sherlock, Joe.Shortall, Róisín.Stagg, Emmet.Stanton, David.Upton, Mary.

Tellers: Tá, Deputies Hanafin and Kelleher; Níl, Deputies Stagg and Ó Snodaigh.

Question declared carried.

An Ceann Comhairle

Is the proposal for dealing with No. 19, the conclusion of Second Stage of the Protection of the Environment Bill 2003, agreed to?

Mr. Sargent

It is opposed.

Mr. Kenny

I object to the proposal to take No. 19 in this way. Last Friday, the Government committed a cardinal error of mismanagement of the workings of this House.

Mr. Cregan

Where was Deputy Kenny?

Mr. Kenny

It failed to produce a quorum of 20 Members—

Mr. Callely

That is where the Deputy is wrong.

Mr. Cregan

The Taoiseach was here.

Mr. Kenny

—when a quorum was legitimately called for.

(Interruptions).

Mr. Cowen

Where was the Deputy?

Mr. Kenny

The Minister, Deputy Cowen, knows that such a thing would never have happened in his day.

Mr. Naughten

Little Bo Peep lost her Deputies.

An Ceann Comhairle

I ask Deputy Kenny to come to the point of his contribution.

Mr. Kenny

I object to the guillotine being put on this Bill. I am not sure if it represents some pique on the part of the Government. At least 11 speakers on this side of the House wish to speak on this Bill.

Mr. Kelleher

The Deputy is wasting time.

(Interruptions).

Mr. Kenny

I will go further, a Cheann Comhairle—

Mr. M. Smith

Where was Deputy Kenny?

An Ceann Comhairle

Allow Deputy Kenny to continue, please, without interruption.

Mr. B. Smith

His speech has been provided for him.

(Interruptions).

Mr. McCormack

It was a bad day.

Mr. Kenny

The Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government has arranged briefing sessions tomorrow for Deputies Allen and Gilmore on the Residential Tenancies Bill, which is expected to be taken this evening.

An Ceann Comhairle

Sorry, Deputy, we are dealing with the Protection of the Environment Bill 2003.

Mr. Kenny

I am outlining the reasons I am objecting to the taking of No. 19 in this way. I ask the Government Chief Whip to extend the time for discussion of this Bill. It should be allowed to run into tomorrow as at least 11 Members on this side of the House wish to speak on it. We lost a great deal of time last week when the Government committed its cardinal error of mismanagement.

Mr. Callely

Will Deputy Kenny be here?

Mr. Durkan

It is the Government's job to maintain the House.

Mr. Kenny

I object to it being taken in this way.

An Ceann Comhairle

You have made your point, Deputy.

Mr. J. O'Keeffe

Off with their heads, Mary.

Mr. Rabbitte

Nothing highlights the farcical nature of the Friday sittings better than what transpired last Friday, when even the Chief Whip was absent. She returned to the House like a school teacher who has found that her charges have gone home.

An Ceann Comhairle

I ask the Deputy to speak on the matter before the House, the Protection of the Environment Bill 2003.

Mr. Treacy

Where was Deputy Rabbitte?

Mr. Rabbitte

I was here.

Mr. Callely

The Deputy was not here.

Mr. Rabbitte

Yes, I was here.

An Ceann Comhairle

I ask the Deputy to confine his remarks to the Bill before the House.

(Interruptions).

Mr. Rabbitte

Can I tell the Minister of State—

Mr. Kelleher

The Deputy was outside looking in.

Mr. Roche

Deputy Rabbitte should face the Chair.

(Interruptions).

Mr. Rabbitte

Can I inform the Minister of State, Deputy Callely, that not only was I here, but I have not enjoyed with such mirth such a shambles in all my time in this House?

Mr. Treacy

That is what the Deputy loves.

Mr. Rabbitte

The Government, which is responsible for maintaining a quorum in the House, could not do so.

Mr. Callely

That is not true.

Mr. Gilmore

It is true.

Mr. Rabbitte

The serious points—

An Ceann Comhairle

We are discussing the conclusion of the Protection of the Environment Bill 2003.

Mr. Rabbitte

The serious points that arise as a result of the events of last Friday include the necessity of the Government raising the guillotine that is proposed on this item as a number of speakers wish to contribute. There is no point in proceeding with Friday sittings if we are not permitted to have an Order of Business—

Mr. Quinn

Hear, hear.

Mr. Rabbitte

—a Question Time—

Mr. Howlin

And a vote.

Mr. McCormack

And a vote.

Mr. Rabbitte

—the right to division and the right to ask questions.

Mr. O'Donoghue

And the right to remain silent.

Mr. Rabbitte

If such rights are not provided, the only purpose of—

An Ceann Comhairle

That does not arise at this stage, Deputy.

Mr. Rabbitte

—Friday sittings is for guys to wander in—

An Ceann Comhairle

Sorry, Deputy, we are not discussing Friday sittings at this stage.

Mr. Rabbitte

—to clock up their lines for Vincent Browne's tally at the end of the year. That is no way for this House to sit. This is a very important Bill.

Mr. Callely

What game was the Opposition playing?

Mr. Rabbitte

The Government is solely responsible for the collapse of the House in a shambles last Friday.

An Ceann Comhairle

The Deputy is being repetitive now.

Dr. Woods

Deputy Rabbitte withdrew from the Chamber.

Mr. Rabbitte

As Deputy Kenny pointed out, the briefing on the Residential Tenancies Bill will take place after it concludes tonight. That is the order of legislative processing that is followed under the new Government Whip and for which the Government is responsible.

An Ceann Comhairle

You have made your point, Deputy.

Mr. Rabbitte

It highlights the farce of Friday sittings.

Mr. J. O'Keeffe

It highlights the farce of the Government.

Mr. Rabbitte

On Fridays there are no votes, no Order of Business, no divisions—

Mr. Callely

No Labour Party.

Mr. S. Ryan

No backbenchers.

Mr. Rabbitte

—no Adjournment debate and no Question Time.

An Ceann Comhairle

Sorry, Deputy, you have made your point.

(Interruptions).

Mr. Rabbitte

Now there is no Fianna Fáil—

Mr. B. Lenihan

No second divisions.

Mr. Rabbitte

—and no Government Deputies.

An Ceann Comhairle

Sorry, Deputy, you have made your point.

Mr. J. O'Keeffe

If the Government cannot maintain the House, it might as well fold up its tent and fade away.

Mr. M. Smith

No more playing games.

Mr. Crawford

They were not even in the bar.

Mr. Rabbitte

There is no point in persisting in—

An Ceann Comhairle

The Deputy is allowed to make a brief comment but he is being repetitive.

Mr. Rabbitte

—ordering the business of the House in such a ridiculous fashion.

Mr. Sargent

The fact that the Government wishes to guillotine a Bill that is so embarrassing for it, following its failure to achieve a quorum on Friday, is a remarkable demonstration of its arrogance.

Mr. Cregan

The Deputy knows all about arrogance.

An Ceann Comhairle

Deputy Sargent, without interruption.

Mr. Sargent

If it has any sense, it will allow the discussion of the Protection of the Environment Bill to continue after Private Members' time tonight. Apart from the fact that it is a disgrace to see Deputies voting to remove their democratic power and that of their local authority colleagues, the Bill—

An Ceann Comhairle

We cannot discuss the content of the Bill

Mr. Sargent

—is an affront to those dealing with this country's huge environmental problems and challenges. The Bill is clearly an introduction of genetic modification, but I will not discuss it at this point. Does the Government, particularly the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government, realise that if the Department is briefing just Fine Gael and Labour, it is only doing half its job? It should recognise that there are other parties in this House that would also appreciate a briefing. I hope that can be resolved. It is hardly too much trouble for a Government that does not like to take too much trouble about anything.

Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin

A Cheann Comhairle—

Mr. N. O'Keeffe

A Cheann Comhairle—

An Ceann Comhairle

Deputy Ó Caoláin has been called, allow him to proceed.

Mr. N. O'Keeffe

Chevron paid 10 cent a share.

(Interruptions).

An Ceann Comhairle

Allow Deputy Ó Caoláin to proceed without interruption.

Mr. S. Ryan

The Minister for social advice to Fianna Fáil.

A Deputy

Let us hear Deputy O'Keeffe.

Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin

God only knows what he is saying – and I am not just referring to that contribution. Only one of my colleagues had the opportunity to participate in the Bill before us. We are anxious to ensure that everyone who wishes to contribute is facilitated. One of my colleagues was waiting to make his contribution on Friday evening when the quorum was called and he was denied the opportunity to do so. Due to some sharp practice, once again, the Government side is very eager to take the opening slot here this evening when so little time is available, although nobody showed up to take the time at the conclusion of the debate on Friday. We are now being denied a second time.

Mr. Cowen

—a third time.

Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin

This is simply not acceptable. The Taoiseach should respond to the collective appeal of the Opposition and allow for additional time. All of the exchange and bluster earlier aside, the reality is that this is an important Bill on which Members wish to contribute and it is within the Taoiseach's gift to facilitate that need. I appeal to him to allow for an extension of time in order that we can participate. I also appeal—

An Ceann Comhairle

The Deputy has made his point.

Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin

—to the Taoiseach to revisit the position in regard to Friday sittings in order that we do not have a repeat of the situation I described last week—

An Ceann Comhairle

That does not arise at this point, Deputy.

Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin

—when we might as well have been speaking at Speakers' Corner in Hyde Park—

An Ceann Comhairle

The Deputy has made his point.

Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin

—as being here last Friday.

An Ceann Comhairle

The Deputy has made his point. I call the Taoiseach.

The Taoiseach

When we conclude the Protection of the Environment Bill this evening we will already have spent eight hours discussing it. I do not want to say any more about that. It can be dealt with further on Committee Stage. On Friday sittings, for as long as I have been here – and I was elected 26 years ago today, like a few other people—

(Interruptions).

Mr. Kenny

Congratulations.

Mr. Stagg

Some of them were not clapping.

An Ceann Comhairle

Allow the Taoiseach to continue without interruption, please.

Mr. M. Higgins

Send in the inspectors.

Mr. Howlin

The white vans in the RDS.

Mr. Stagg

The backbenchers.

Mr. J. O'Keeffe

Well done, Taoiseach. I am in the same position.

An Ceann Comhairle

Please allow the Taoiseach to continue.

The Taoiseach

For as long as I have been here, Friday sittings have operated at the end of the session and Question Time has never been part thereof. There is no necessity for it. We are trying to provide more parliamentary time. I am asked every day during lengthy Orders of Business to provide more time for Bills and to have special debates on legislation. Not alone is the House now sitting until 10 p.m. and 11 p.m. on Tuesday and Wednesday nights, having late Thursday nights—

Mr. Ring

If we sat on the days we should be sitting, we would not have to do so.

An Ceann Comhairle

Deputy Ring, allow the Taoiseach to continue.

The Taoiseach

—and we are now sitting on Fridays.

(Interruptions).

An Ceann Comhairle

Allow the Taoiseach to continue without interruption.

Mr. Hayes

These county council meetings.

Mr. Ring

They have done their work in the county council. They will not harass us.

An Ceann Comhairle

Allow the Taoiseach to continue Deputy Ring.

Mr. Ring

I am telling the truth, a Cheann Comhairle. If we had sat on the days we should have, we would not have this problem.

An Ceann Comhairle

The Deputy will have to find some other platform to publicise that. Allow the Taoiseach to continue.

The Taoiseach

I was asked to ensure the Residential Tenancies Bill would be introduced. Deputy Gilmore has asked me about it, in an orderly way, every day for weeks on end to deal with the legislation. We brought it forward as we wanted to get on with it.

I understand that the Opposition has agreed to the briefing tomorrow. They were offered times and agreed to tomorrow, so they can hardly stand up today to criticise us as they wanted the briefing tomorrow.

I was here on Friday evening.

Mr. Stagg

What went wrong?

Mr. Ring

The Taoiseach did not come here by choice.

An Ceann Comhairle

Please allow the Taoiseach to continue.

The Taoiseach

It is the oldest trick in the book. Three or four speakers were here and they had nothing to say so they decided to try to get a story.

(Interruptions).Question put: "That the proposal for dealing with No. 19 be agreed to."

Tá

Ahern, Bertie.Ahern, Michael.Ahern, Noel.Andrews, Barry.Ardagh, Seán.Aylward, Liam.Blaney, Niall.Brady, Johnny.

Brady, Martin.Browne, John.Callanan, Joe.Callely, Ivor.Carey, Pat.Carty, John.Collins, Michael. Coughlan, Mary.

Tá– continued

Cowen, Brian.Cregan, John.Curran, John.Davern, Noel.de Valera, Síle.Dennehy, John.Ellis, John.Fahey, Frank.Finneran, Michael.Fitzpatrick, Dermot.Fleming, Seán.Gallagher, Pat The Cope.Glennon, Jim.Hanafin, Mary.Harney, Mary.Haughey, Seán.Hoctor, Máire.Jacob, Joe.Keaveney, Cecilia.Kelleher, Billy.Kelly, Peter.Killeen, Tony.Kirk, Seamus.Lenihan, Brian.McCreevy, Charlie.McDaid, James.McDowell, Michael.McEllistrim, Thomas.

McGuinness, John.Moloney, John.Moynihan, Donal.Moynihan, Michael.Mulcahy, Michael.Nolan, M.J.Ó Cuív, Éamon.Ó Fearghaíl, Seán.O'Connor, Charlie.O'Dea, Willie.O'Donnell, Liz.O'Donoghue, John.O'Donovan, Denis.O'Keeffe, Batt.O'Keeffe, Ned.O'Malley, Fiona.Parlon, Tom.Power, Peter.Power, Seán.Roche, Dick.Ryan, Eoin.Sexton, Mae.Smith, Brendan.Smith, Michael.Treacy, Noel.Wilkinson, Ollie.Woods, Michael.

Níl

Allen, Bernard.Boyle, Dan.Breen, Pat.Broughan, Thomas P.Bruton, John.Bruton, Richard.Burton, Joan.Connaughton, Paul.Crawford, Seymour.Cuffe, Ciarán.Deasy, John.Deenihan, Jimmy.Durkan, Bernard J.Ferris, Martin.Gilmore, Eamon.Gormley, John.Hayes, Tom.Higgins, Joe.Higgins, Michael D.Howlin, Brendan.Kehoe, Paul.Kenny, Enda.Lynch, Kathleen.McCormack, Padraic.McGinley, Dinny.McGrath, Finian.McManus, Liz.

Mitchell, Olivia.Morgan, Arthur.Moynihan-Cronin, Breeda.Murphy, Gerard.Naughten, Denis.Neville, Dan.Ó Caoláin, Caoimhghín.Ó Snodaigh, Aengus.O'Dowd, Fergus.O'Keeffe, Jim.O'Shea, Brian.O'Sullivan, Jan.Penrose, Willie.Quinn, Ruairi.Rabbitte, Pat.Ring, Michael.Ryan, Eamon.Ryan, Seán.Sargent, Trevor.Sherlock, Joe.Shortall, Róisín.Stagg, Emmet.Stanton, David.Timmins, Billy.Upton, Mary.Wall, Jack.

Tellers: Tá, Deputies Hanafin and Kelleher; Níl, Deputies Durkan and Stagg.

Question declared carried.

Mr. Kenny

The Taoiseach will be aware that, in the House of Commons, it is an unwritten rule that major announcements of national importance are made in the House. In relation to the health services reports which, I understand, are due to be published tomorrow, namely the Brennan and Prospectus reports, what arrangements are being made by Government to inform the House, Members and the public as to what decisions, if any, the Government has taken in regard to these reports? Will an announcement be made to the House tomorrow, in advance of any public relations exercise which might take place later in the day?

Ms McManus

Will the Taoiseach clarify the position of the Government on promises made in this House that there would be a debate following publication of these reports? It is now clear the Government intends to hold back one report, obviously a very contentious report, on the future of hospitals. Why is the Taoiseach withholding this report? Will it be published before the end of this session, having regard to the fact that we were promised a debate on the three reports, not two?

The Taoiseach

In reply to Deputy McManus's question, it is the Government's desire to be in a position to issue all three reports together. One report is not ready for publication, but we hope it will be ready very soon and the Government will then issue its conclusions. The third report is not ready for publication.

Ms McManus

Of course it is ready.

The Taoiseach

It is not ready. Matters have to be finalised within the Department on the report and by the people who design reports. Two of the reports will be put out tomorrow and the third report will be issued as soon as possible. On a number of occasions since Christmas, I was asked that, after the reports are issued, the House should be given some time to reflect on them and we should have a debate. That is precisely what we are doing by putting out the reports tomorrow. It is a matter for people to read and examine the reports, which contain an enormous amount of material. We will then have a debate next week, as I was asked several times to do.

Mr. Sargent

The Government needs to take into account that the animal health Bill is becoming more urgent, given that Johnes' disease, a degenerative disease, is showing up more frequently in cattle—

An Ceann Comhairle

It is not necessary for the Deputy to go into detail.

Mr. Sargent

It is important that we recognise the urgency of bringing forward the Bill.

The Taoiseach

It will be introduced early next year.

Mr. McGinley

I expect the Taoiseach is aware of the narrowly averted disaster off Tory Island last Friday afternoon, when the "Cabin Fever" went down in a matter of minutes and disintegrated into matchwood. It is a miracle that no lives were lost.

An Ceann Comhairle

Has the Deputy a question on legislation?

Mr. McGinley

Yes, I have a very pertinent question on legislation to overhaul commercial ship registration law – it is No. 45 on the Taoiseach's list. When will the mercantile marine (amendment) Bill 2003 come before the House?

The Taoiseach

In relation to the mercantile marine (amendment) Bill, a draft memorandum for Government is in preparation, the heads of the Bill are expected this summer and the Bill will then be drafted.

Mr. Howlin

I wish to ask about two Bills as we approach the last few weeks of this Dáil session. In terms of Government priorities, when is it intended to have the Companies (Auditing and Accounting) Bill 2003 enacted? There is an indication that the regulatory commission will be in place in the autumn. Will that Bill come to the House before the recess? On the Protection of Employees (Fixed-Term Work) Bill, is it intended that will be enacted before the summer recess?

The Taoiseach

The Companies (Auditing and Accounting) Bill was published on 14 February. I understand it is currently before the House on Second Stage but I am not sure if it will be taken before the recess – it depends on the time available between now and the end of the session. The Protection of Employees (Fixed-Term Work) Bill has also been published and is on the Order Paper. I understand that Bill will be taken.

Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin

Last night, the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform introduced 32 pages of amendments which he proposes to have taken on Committee Stage of the Immigration Bill 2002. The content of these amendments goes far beyond the legislation which has been before the House on Second Stage. This is a second example—

An Ceann Comhairle

Has the Deputy a question?

Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin

As in the case of the European Convention on Human Rights Bill last week, in recognition of the fact that these amendments go far beyond the Bill already discussed, will the Taoiseach insist that those 32 pages of amendments, only two of which address the substantive issue before the House—

An Ceann Comhairle

What is the Deputy's question?

Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin

Will the Taoiseach instruct the Minister to present separate legislation on the many areas of infringement and extension of what I regard as draconian powers currently exercised?

The Taoiseach

All of the matters concerned are urgent issues requiring attention and the Government wishes to deal with them as soon as possible. Accordingly, we must proceed with the Bill and amendments.

Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin

The Taoiseach had a different approach—

An Ceann Comhairle

I suggest the Deputy submits a question on the matter. We cannot have a debate on it now. I call Deputy Allen.

Mr. Allen

In the course of the debate on the Local Government Bill 2003 – the Bill banning the dual mandate – the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government promised regulations defining the links between Oireachtas Members and local authorities. When will those regulations be laid before the Houses of the Oireachtas?

The Taoiseach

I will raise that matter with the Minister and ask him to inform the Deputy.

Ms Lynch

When will the Government bring forward the Bill to register people who are considered unfit to work with children, so that it can be taken as quickly as possible? Sporting organisations are finding it extraordinarily difficult to comply with legislation which does not yet exist.

The Taoiseach

There is legislation promised to give effect to the recommendations of the joint working group. It arises in the context of the North-South Ministerial Council. There is a delay in its preparation. I cannot give a date as to when it will be ready at this stage as that is tied in with other issues.

Mr. Gormley

The Taoiseach spoke earlier about the importance of the new European constitution. Will the Government make time available for a debate on the floor of the House on the new constitution before the Thessaloniki meeting as this matter is important?

An Ceann Comhairle

That is a matter for the Whips.

The Taoiseach

Such a debate cannot take place before the Thessaloniki meeting as there would not be sufficient time, but we could have a debate on the issue before any Intergovernmental Conference. We could try to make time available for such a debate.

Mr. Naughten

When will the taxi regulator Bill be published, given that the matter is due to be debated in the House on Thursday? When will the Civil Registration Bill will be published?

The Taoiseach

The taxi regulator Bill is to be published today. The other Bill will be published this session.

Aengus Ó Snodaigh

With regard to legislation that is before the justice committee, the Minister seems to want to table many amendments to it and to add to the file—

An Ceann Comhairle

Complaints were made that sufficient time has not been made available to debate Bills later this evening. If we spend the afternoon on the Order of Business, there will not be time for any Member to speak.

Aengus Ó Snodaigh

The Private Security Services Bill 2001 was specifically referred to the justice committee on 13 December. When is Committee Stage of that Bill likely to be completed?

The Taoiseach

That point is a matter for the committee, although hopefully it will be completed as soon as possible. We were asked for a long time to produce that Bill. We produced it and it would be good if the committee could deal with it.

Mr. Durkan

The crimes Bill, which was promised in the programme for Government, seems to have receded into the background. I would like to know about its current status. The building control Bill is another Bill that might also exercise our minds.

The Taoiseach

The crimes Bill is being worked on and it is hoped that it will be ready next year. The other Bill will be ready later this year.

Mr. Broughan

While there is only a short period remaining before the end of the session, in view of the fact that many community organisations and bodies across the north side are losing job initiative workers every day of the week and the jobs initiative programme—

An Ceann Comhairle

Has the Deputy a question on legislation?

Mr. Broughan

I note the Tánaiste is also present. The jobs initiative programme seems to have been wound down with disastrous effects on our communities. Will the Taoiseach organise a debate on this matter?

Mr. Eamon Ryan

Will the Taoiseach confirm whether the greater Dublin planning and transport authority Bill is on or off the legislative programme? What is the nature of the review that has been carried out on that legislation? Given the widespread public concern about planning corruption in recent years and the housing crisis, when does the Taoiseach expect legislation in this area will come before the House?

The Taoiseach

The Minister is ready to give a detailed reply to this matter, if a question is tabled to him.