Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Wednesday, 7 Dec 2005

Vol. 611 No. 5

Order of Business.

The Taoiseach

The Order of Business is No. 22a— Budget Statement and the financial motions by the Minister for Finance 2005, to be taken on the conclusion of questions to members of the Government.

It is proposed, notwithstanding anything in Standing Orders, that: (1) the Dáil shall sit later than 8.30 p.m and the motion for the General Financial Resolution shall be moved not later than 12 midnight whereupon business shall then be interrupted and the Dáil shall adjourn forthwith; (2) following the Budget Statement of the Minister for Finance, the following arrangements shall apply in regard to the proceedings on No. 22a: (i) the statements of the main spokespersons for the Fine Gael Party and the Labour Party shall not exceed 75 minutes in each case; the statements of the main spokespersons for the Green Party, Sinn Féin and the Independent Members of the Technical Group shall not exceed 25 minutes in each case; and the statements shall be confined to the main spokespersons in each case; following the statements the sitting shall be suspended for 30 minutes; and all divisions demanded on No. 22a shall be taken manually. Private Members’ business shall be No. 33, Good Samaritan Bill 2005 — Second Stage (resumed) to be taken at 12 noon and to conclude after 90 minutes, if not previously concluded.

An Ceann Comhairle

There are three proposals to put to the House. Is the proposal for the late sitting agreed to? Agreed. Is the proposal for dealing with No. 22a agreed to?

Mr. Boyle

I am concerned about the time being given to the opening contributions for the Minister of Finance, which is indeterminate, and the balancing statements of subsequent speakers. The Budget Statement took 45 minutes in each of the past three years. Live television coverage on RTE of this set piece occasion in the life of the House, which gives Opposition Members one of the few opportunities they have to articulate an alternative view to the Government, concludes at 6.30 p.m. Members of the Technical Group who do not have access to party political broadcasts and whose party conferences are not covered by the State broadcasters think this is a cynical gesture. The time available is being reduced accordingly.

An Ceann Comhairle

Perhaps I will ask the Taoiseach to again read out the arrangements.

Mr. Boyle

The Taoiseach stated 75 minutes for each of the speakers

An Ceann Comhairle

There is no sos at 6.30 p.m.

Mr. Boyle

No, but the television coverage of the budget debate concludes at 6.30 p.m. This is the sole opportunity for many of us to articulate an alternative vision to the Government.

Mr. C. Lenihan

Surely, the Deputy's contribution is not driven by television coverage. The substance of what one says is important in Parliament.

Mr. Sargent

The Minister of State knows a little about the media.

Mr. Boyle

The Minister of State should make a contribution after 6 p.m. in the House and examine the media coverage of it.

An Ceann Comhairle

That is a matter between the Deputy and the broadcasting authority.

Mr. Boyle

It is also about the workings of the House on the basis——

An Ceann Comhairle

It is not. It is important that this House does its business in the way it feels it should. The House cannot be influenced by what arrangements the broadcasting authority makes.

Mr. Boyle

I am trying to articulate that the House has taken this business in a different way in previous years and we have managed to get through it quite efficiently.

Mr. C. Lenihan

Television appearances are more important that policies for the Deputy's party.

Mr. Boyle

If the speaking slots are taken as proposed, the spokespersons will conclude at 8.45 p.m. and a 30 minutes sos will follow. Past experience in the Twenty-Ninth Dáil has been——

An Ceann Comhairle

The Deputy has made his point.

Mr. C. Lenihan

This is vanity.

Mr. Stagg

I will try to be helpful. Our party spokesperson is prepared to use only 45 minutes if that is generally agreed. I understand from the Government Whip's office that the Minister for Finance requires 75 minutes to deliver his statement. Similar time must be offered to the other spokespersons as a result. A total of 45 minutes will be sufficient for my party spokesperson if others are agreeable.

An Ceann Comhairle

I will put the proposal to the House and it is a matter for the parties if they want to make arrangements in regard to the allocation of time. Is that acceptable to the Taoiseach?

The Taoiseach

That is acceptable.

Mr. Howlin

The order is flexible.

Mr. Kenny

I do not know that Deputy Bruton wishes to speak for 75 minutes.

The Taoiseach

The Minister for Finance thought he should inform the Opposition his statement will be longer than last year's and it will take 75 minutes.

Mr. Kenny

He has more to give out.

Mr. N. Dempsey

It takes longer to deliver good news.

Mr. Rabbitte

The Minister must allow time for applause.

An Ceann Comhairle

Is the proposal for dealing with No. 22a agreed to?

Deputies

No.

Question, "That the proposal for dealing with No. 22a be agreed to” put and declared carried.

An Ceann Comhairle

Is the proposal for dealing with divisions demanded on No. 22a agreed? Agreed.

Mr. Kenny

When are we likely to see the University College Galway (amendment) Bill? It is No. 6 on the list. Will it be introduced before the recess or before the return of the Dáil on 25 January 2006? Are we likely to see an amendment to the ministerial appointments Bill later?

The Taoiseach

The terms "this session" is always used but this session runs to the start of the next session in January and, therefore, it will be published this session.

Mr. Rabbitte

Does the Taoiseach intend to let the issue relating to the Minister of State, Deputy Callely, drag on all day?

An Ceann Comhairle

That does not arise on the Order of Business. That has been the subject of two Leaders' Questions.

Mr. Rabbitte

Will time be made available for the Minister of State to make a statement to the House?

An Ceann Comhairle

It is a matter for the Minister of State to make a submission to the office of the Ceann Comhairle. That is the way it has always been done.

Mr. Rabbitte

Has such a submission been made?

An Ceann Comhairle

I am unaware of one. It does not arise on the Order of Business.

Mr. Rabbitte

It is unwise to let the matter drag on all day.

An Ceann Comhairle

The Deputy had an opportunity to raise the issue on Leaders' Questions, which he did.

Mr. Sargent

I am interested in getting an answer to that question but I wish to ask about a matter on the Order of Business as well. Perhaps the Taoiseach will indicate whether a statement from the Minister of State is envisaged today.

There is no indication as to the date of publication of the third level student support Bill yet the Teachers' Union of Ireland has told us the McIver report is not being funded and we have the lowest level of on-campus student accommodation in Europe. When will that legislation be published?

The Taoiseach

It will be published next year.

Mr. Kehoe

Many charities fund raise at this time of the year, yet we are still waiting for the Charities regulation Bill. Will the Taoiseach assure me it will be put on the priority list for next year? It has been raised in the House on a number of occasions this year and it is important the legislation is brought before the House as soon as possible.

An Ceann Comhairle

It was raised yesterday.

The Taoiseach

The Bill is a priority. As I said yesterday, it is a large Bill going back over very old regulations, Acts and practices. It will be ready next year.

Mr. Costello

Last week I asked the Taoiseach if he had any idea when the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform would produce his raft of amendments to his great crime-busting legislation, the Criminal Justice Bill, which has been around for two years. Perhaps he has found out when we will get the amendments and when we can proceed with the Bill.

Since the Minister has stated his hands are tied in regard to the CIA flights landing at Shannon Airport——

An Ceann Comhairle

Does the Deputy have a question on legislation?

Mr. Costello

Given the number of amendments the Minister proposes to make to the Bill, will he add an amendment to enable him to search aircraft——

An Ceann Comhairle

Is legislation promised?

The Taoiseach

No. The other amendments are being prepared.

Mr. Costello

Amnesty International and other organisations have said there is a prima facie case to be answered.

An Ceann Comhairle

That does not arise on the Order of Business. I suggest the Deputy submit a question to the appropriate Minister.

Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin

In previous responses in respect of the Health (Nursing Homes) (Amendment) Bill and the Hepatitis C and HIV Compensation Tribunal (Amendment) Bill, the Taoiseach indicated they would be ready before Christmas. With one week remaining in which to take these very important Bills under the aegis of the Department of Health and Children, will the Taoiseach indicate if we will have sight of them in the coming week at the latest?

The Taoiseach

As I said, this session runs to the start of the next one and both Bills will be published this session.

Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin

That is not what the Taoiseach said previously.

Mr. Crawford

In light of the number of serious car accidents and deaths, when will the sale of alcohol Bill be brought before the House so we can discuss this issue? Given the extraordinary decision of the jury at the inquest into the death of the late Frances Sheridan, when will the coroners Bill be introduced so we can discuss how juries are set up and how this situation——

An Ceann Comhairle

Is legislation promised?

The Taoiseach

The heads of the sale of alcohol Bill have been approved, the Bill is being drafted and it is hoped to have it by the middle of next year. The coroners Bill will be ready next year.

Ms McManus

We were promised the regional fora to replace health boards' accountability in the health service would be in place by now.

An Ceann Comhairle

That is a matter for the Minister——

Ms McManus

It involves secondary legislation. When will these health fora be up and running?

An Ceann Comhairle

Is legislation promised?

The Taoiseach

As the Deputy said, I think it involves secondary legislation but I will have to check.

Ms McManus

Secondary legislation has been promised for quite some time. Frankly, it seems the Government has no interest in providing any accountability in the health service.

An Ceann Comhairle

Under Standing Order 26, a question on the making of secondary legislation need not be answered on the day it is asked.

Mr. Howlin

The Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment announced the abolition of the groceries order with some fanfare. The Taoiseach informed the House it would require an amendment to the Competition Act. When will the amendment be introduced in the House? Will it go further than the abolition of the groceries order?

The Taoiseach

With the co-operation of the Opposition, the Government would like to get that Bill through the House next week if possible.

Mr. Howlin

Most of the spokespeople will be at the World Trade Organisation talks next week.

The Taoiseach

I suppose we cannot get it through next week. We could initiate it in the Seanad. The Bill is ready to proceed.

Mr. Durkan

I understand Ministers and some backbenchers have received the 'flu jab. Will the Taoiseach apply another jab to the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources with a view to reminding him of the need to bring forward the postal (miscellaneous services) Bill in order to have a discussion on that important issue——

Mr. N. Dempsey

It was taken off the agenda six months ago.

Mr. Durkan

——and of the need to introduce the equally important broadcasting authority Bill to enable members of the Government have unimpeded access to the airwaves?

The Taoiseach

No legislation is promised in respect of the first issue. The second Bill will be brought forward next year.

Mr. M. Higgins

At what stage is the national monuments consolidation legislation? Have the heads of the Bill been agreed and when will it be introduced? Have consultations with the Attorney General's office been concluded?

The Taoiseach

The revisions and the new round of consultations required in light of the reorganisation and enactment of the national monuments (amendment) Bill and the reorganisation of heritage responsibilities is under way. The heads of the Bill were approved some time ago but we are awaiting finalisation of these consultations. It is listed for next year.

Mr. Howlin

When will the competition Bill be published if it is to be debated next week?

The Taoiseach

I have pressed the Minister because it has been raised by Deputy Rabbitte. I understood the only issue was whether to print the Bill in yellow or green. The Minister is anxious to get it through both Houses. If it is not possible to introduce it in the Dáil, he could do so in the Seanad.

Mr. Howlin

The Minister might circulate a white copy of the Bill to us until he decides where to introduce it.