In the last few days the Taoiseach said Sinn Féin and the IRA are two sides of the one coin and the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform said Gerry Adams is a liar in so far as his remarks about membership of the IRA are concerned.
Order of Business (Resumed).
Deputy, do you have a question appropriate to the Order of Business?
This is appropriate. In view of recent happenings and the fact that the IRA now appears to sanction some movements and not others——
I have asked the Deputy not to——
——can we have a debate on this next week? Every party in the House will be involved in the local and European elections over the next 14 weeks.
The Deputy has made his point.
I would like to think all parties will fight those elections on a level playing field.
At least Deputy Kenny has clarified his interest in these matters——
Deputy Ó Caoláin, allow Deputy Kenny to speak without interruption.
Deputy Ó Caoláin should cease fire.
I note the spurious fundraising activities of some members of Sinn Féin.
We cannot anticipate a debate or what might be said in a debate.
The Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform has said publicly that organised crime is funding Sinn Féin in part.
Those are outrageous slurs. They are absolutely outrageous and unfounded.
Voters will have to make a decision very soon. The Government should have a political discussion on this matter in the House.
Deputy Kenny, you have made your point. I will allow the question, whether a debate will be allowed or not.
It is time to cut out the nonsense and have an open debate in the House next week.
The Deputy cannot anticipate the debate and make a statement at this stage.
The position of Deputy Kenny——
Deputy Kenny, the use of the word "lie" was inappropriate.
The word "lie" was used by the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform.
I do not mind. The word "lie" is inappropriate in the House.
I know the Chair does not mind. I am repeating the phrase used by the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform. He said Gerry Adams was telling lies about his membership of the IRA.
I ask the Deputy——
That is outrageous. It is an absolute disgrace.
I cannot withdraw a remark made by the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform.
The use of the word "lie" in the House is not appropriate at any time.
He is repeating the words of the Minister.
In all my time here I have never used the word "lie" in any remark. I am repeating a phrase used by the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform.
The Chair has ruled many times that the use of the word "lie" in the House is inappropriate.
As is the normal practice here, discussions take place between the Whips every week on how business can be ordered. We have no objection to a debate of this kind if time permits.
The Minister for Defence is on a roll this morning. I thank him for last Thursday morning, when he told me the heads of the Garda Síochána Bill would be coming before Cabinet soon. It was published on Monday, which is the kind of response we need in the House.
Rapid response unit.
Absolutely. The Taoiseach could take a lead from the Minister.
I refer to a different Bill today. The Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform told the One in Four group on 13 February that the investigation into alleged sex abuse in the Dublin diocese cannot proceed because a Bill has not been introduced and that it could be enacted if only the Opposition would co-operate. The Minister announced the Bill on 3 December 2002 and published it on 1 July 2003 but it has not come to the House. My impression is that the Minister has more clout with the media than the Cabinet. It is his task to get a slot in the House. The Bill is urgent. Will the Minister for Defence tell us when Second Stage of the Bill will be taken?
To what Bill is the Deputy referring?
It is the Commissions of Investigation Bill 2003. It is not true that the Opposition is obstructing it. Speaking for my party, we are anxious to facilitate its enactment at the earliest possible time.
I have no more up-to-date information other than that outlined by the Deputy. I will check on the matter today and reply to the Deputy in the afternoon.
Fianna Fáil has always prided itself on having its finger on the pulse and knowing what ordinary people are feeling and thinking. With that in mind, the Minister must know that ordinary people are very concerned about the introduction of electronic voting. Will the Minister delay the introduction of electronic voting and this legislation?
The Deputy should submit a question to the Minister for the Environment Heritage and Local Government.
If he will not delay it, what is the timetable——
That question has been answered on two occasions this week.
Do we have a precise timetable?
I am calling Deputy Durkan.
The Minister wants to answer.
They say sometimes that those who foresee calamities suffer them twice over. We vote with an electronic system here and Fine Gael says it is as simple as one, two, three. We will bring in the legislation as quickly as we can. I do not want to put a time limit on this but it will be out of the way in a few weeks.
Speaking of calamities——
Does the Minister foresee calamities?
Deputy Gormley, allow Deputy Durkan to speak without interruption.
If there is a calamity will the Minister resign?
Deputy Durkan has been called.
Speaking of calamities and on the same subject, would it be a calamity if the Minister ran out of money?
Some people did not do so well with the paper trail.
The Minister should allow Deputy Durkan speak without interruption.
Is there a provision in the Estimates on the Order Paper to facilitate all the necessary expenditure in case Ministers run out of money promoting the electronic voting system which is costing the country so much? Will there be enough money?
That is not in order. I call Deputy Costello.
This question is in order.
That would be a first.
I am glad the Deputy recognises that his question was not in order.
On promised legislation, will the fisheries amendment Bill come before the House before, during or after the move of the Department of Communications, Marine and Natural Resources to Cavan?
Let us see.
There are not too many herrings in Cavan.
It will not be published in time for the mayfly but a little afterwards.
Given the commitment made by the Taoiseach in a circular on the eve of the general election in 2002 that the Dublin Institute of Technology would be transferred to Grangegorman, will the Minister inform the House when that legislation, namely, the Grangegorman development agency Bill, will be before us? It was promised more than 12 months ago and is promised again in this session. This session is coming close to an end. Is there any sign of the legislation?
That is an opportune question since it is intended to proceed with that Bill this session.
When?
In regard to No. 74 on the legislative list, the diplomatic relations and immunities legislation, what right has the Taoiseach to demand that the people should not protest at his disgraceful decision to invite President Bush here, given the latter's criminal invasion of Iraq?
That does not arise. I call Deputy Gay Mitchell.
I refer to No. 74 regarding diplomatic immunity. Should somebody responsible for the military invasion of another country——
The Minister for Defence to respond on No. 74 of the legislative programme.
It is not possible to indicate at this stage.
It is with some reluctance that I raise in the House again the need to bring forward the health Bill. It has been confirmed that 25% of deaths in our maternity hospitals in Dublin are of non-nationals. This is becoming something of a scandal because the births have nothing to do with the health needs of those coming here. It is all to do with passports. It is an issue.
We cannot discuss on the Order of Business what might be appropriate on the Second Stage of the Bill.
I want the Bill to come before us. I want the matter raised because it has become a public scandal.
The Minister wishes to answer the Deputy's question about when the legislation will come before the House.
It will be published this year.
The only promised legislation in the agriculture area is the veterinary medicines Bill and the land Bill. Does the Minister intend to introduce legislation to ensure the banning of puppy farms?
No legislation is promised in that area.
I wish to ask about legislation promised by the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government. The legislative schedule lists a building societies Bill which is to be published this session. The Taoiseach told the Fianna Fáil Ard-Fheis that a national infrastructure Bill was urgently needed to fast-track infrastructural projects. The Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government informed us there would have to be legislation arising from the Kelly judgment, presumably in advance of the European election. He also informed us legislation would be necessary to build the M50 at Carrrickmines and that it was urgent. Now he has promised to introduce legislation for electronic voting in the European election. To which of these Bills is the Minister giving priority?
That is a good question.
That question was answered already this week.
I am sure Deputy Gilmore knows it is possible to do a number of things simultaneously——
Before and after the Hanly report.
——and I hope that will continue. The building societies Bill will be taken this session and it is hoped that the national infrastructure Bill will be brought before the Government in the next number of weeks.
Will the Bill be published before the election?
The legislation in regard to Carrickmines is imminent and all this work is proceeding. It is a busy Department, as the Deputy knows.
Which Bill will be published first?
We will have more detailed information on that matter next week.
Why does the Minister for Defence not ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government since he is sitting beside him?
I suspect it will be the electoral Bill.
We are trying to get them all out.
Perhaps the Minister is having difficulty chewing gum.
No. That is one bad habit I do not have.
When does the Minster expect to see the maritime safety Bill in the House and is it possible to introduce it before there are further efforts to close the Dublin marine emergency co-ordination centre? As the Minister responsible for the Naval Service, has the Minister for Defence been consulted by the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources about the closure of the centre, given that the Irish Sea is such a busy one?
The first question is in order. The Deputy should submit the other question to the Minister in his capacity as Minister for Defence.
The maritime safety Bill will be taken this session.