It is proposed to take No. 5, the Employment Permits Bill 2005 — Order for Second Stage and Second Stage; and No. 1, the Parental Leave (Amendment) Bill 2004 — Second Stage. Private Members' business shall be No. 42, motion re Irish Ferries, resumed, to conclude at 8.30 p.m.
Order of Business.
Will the Taoiseach say when we are likely to see a dedicated traffic corps on Irish roads? In the Taoiseach's absence yesterday, the House commiserated with the bereaved families in Donegal following the recent road tragedies.
When does the Taoiseach envisage the Government Chief Whip bringing forward his proposals for Dáil reform? We had some comments on this matter over the summer and there were indications that Deputy Kitt was about to introduce a new regime for more effective Government.
Regarding the first question, I do not think legislation is required, but I will check that. With regard to Dáil reform I understand there has been a number of meetings, though I do not know what progress has been made.
None.
We are very anxious to have reforms. Unfortunately, the only ones in recent years have been initiatives I have introduced. Nobody else has done anything.
Initiatives for the Taoiseach himself.
Will the Taoiseach comment on recent press reports that the Minister for Finance will not give any money to the Minister for Arts, Sports and Tourism, Deputy O'Donoghue?
That does not arise on the Order of Business.
No, but it confirms my high regard for the Minister for Finance.
My Department is top of the list.
Has the Deputy a question appropriate to the Order of Business?
In light of the Minister of Finance's decision, where stands the campus stadium Ireland Bill? Is it to be brought forward?
Will the Deputy support it?
We cannot debate the legislation before it comes to the House.
Regarding the Lansdowne stadium, for which planning permission is not yet received, will Deputy Rabbitte switch his support? He knows I was right all along.
Would the Deputy scuttle Telecom?
We have heard the same reply from the Taoiseach with regard to five pieces of promised legislation, so we will take his assurance with a pinch of salt.
I wish to ask about legislation in the Department of Justice, Equality and Law Reform. On the basis that site clearance has already commenced at Thornton Hall——
The Deputy may ask only about the legislation.
A sum of €30 million is a lot of money for a farm worth €6 million. One would expect the prison services Bill to be enacted before the expenditure of such a sum of money would be discussed. Is there any sign of the Bill?
Legislation is being prepared but I have no date for it.
In light of the foot and mouth disease situation in Brazil and the avian flu, when will the animal health Bill come before the House so we can discuss these major issues? Second, since it costs €290 to keep a prisoner for one day in Mountjoy prison, when will the fines Bill come to the House, so that fines can be applied to offenders' wages? Finally, when will the sale of alcohol Bill come before the House?
The heads of the animal health Bill have been approved and the Bill has been sent for drafting. The fines Bill is due in the middle of next year. There is no decision yet to bring forward the sale of alcohol Bill.
Will the Government make time available to discuss the earthquake in Asia and the international response to it?
I agree with that proposal, if we can allocate time.
The National Economic and Social Forum recently published a landmark report highlighting the inadequate child care infrastructure in this State. When will the Government introduce legislative proposals to give effect to the recommendations in the report, where required?
Is the Deputy asking about legislation on child care?
The NESF report referred to the inadequacies——
Legislation is not necessary to secure some improvements.
Is that with regard to any of the recommendations?
It is not necessary for the main recommendations.
In view of rapidly increasing oil prices, would it not be a good idea to introduce the NORA — National Oil Reserves Agency — Bill to discuss the factors that contribute to those prices, other than world fuel prices?
The Bill is due to be introduced after Christmas.
I have received yet more correspondence from a patient stating that the national treatment purchase fund is now full and the patient cannot access treatment, even though they qualify.
The Deputy should ask a question on legislation.
Will there be a Supplementary Estimate to deal with the problem, given that the national treatment purchase fund has spent all its money? Will there be a value for money audit to examine where the money has gone?
There is no Supplementary Estimate.
We were told yesterday by the Tánaiste that the alcohol products Bill will be introduced once the voluntary code had been tried for a period.
This has already been raised by Deputy Crawford.
How long will this voluntary period be? When will the Bill be introduced?
The Deputy should submit a question to the appropriate Minister.
How long will the voluntary period be?
That does not arise on the Order of Business. The Deputy should submit a question to the appropriate Minister. There cannot be an omnibus Question Time on the Order of Business.
It is a simple question, not an omnibus one.
Standing Order 26 is specific. A question has already been asked about the alcohol Bill by Deputy Crawford.
I have another question. Will there be a debate on the White Paper on the EU constitution?
Yes. I hope both Houses will debate it.
The issue of affordable housing is close to the Taoiseach's heart. I encountered a young couple who bought an affordable house under the mortgage shared option scheme, for €136,000. They are seeking to change their mortgage now but they must pay the local authority €220,000.
The Chair is reluctant to intervene but the purpose of the Standing Order is for Members to elicit information from the Taoiseach, not to give information.
It is due to an anomaly in the Housing (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2002. Will the Taoiseach agree to examine that Act with a view to rectifying that anomaly?
It does not arise on the Order of Business. The Deputy should submit a question to the appropriate Minister.
With regard to secondary legislation under the Residential Institutions Redress Act, is it intended to publish a further schedule of institutions in time for the deadline in December? In addition, although it might not be possible to do it under a schedule, will proper information be provided to claimants to clarify that their lawyers are already paid by the State and they should not have to pay them?
Legislation is not required to increase the schedule. That can been done a few times.
It can be done by statutory instrument.
Will there be a further increase before the deadline?
I do not know. The fees issue is a separate matter.
Will the Government make representations to the Law Society to express a view on that?
That does not arise on the Order of Business.
They should not be charging.
The Progressive Democrats published proposals on child care ten days ago that envisaged deregulating child care facilities that cater for up to five children. Will the Bill providing for the register of persons who are considered unsafe to work with children be published in the near future? Will the Government's partners be included given their disregard for the welfare of children as shown in their recently published proposals?
Legislation is being prepared for the register of persons who are considered unsafe to work with children. I do not have a date for the legislation yet because the Department of Education and Science and the Department of Health and Children are discussing the establishment of a pre-employment consultancy service.
Given the daily reports of unacceptable conditions in private nursing homes, when will the promised legislation regarding the establishment of an inspectorate be brought before the House?
The nursing home Bill will be brought before the House in this session.