Vol. 617 No. 6
It is proposed to take No. 11a, motion re ministerial rota for parliamentary questions; No. 15, Registration of Deeds and Title Bill 2004 [Seanad] — Order for Report, Report and Final Stages; and No. 1, Energy (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2006 — Order for Second Stage and Second Stage.
It is proposed, notwithstanding anything in Standing Orders, that No. 11a shall be decided without debate and the Dáil on its rising today shall adjourn until 2.30 p.m. on Tuesday, 25 April 2006.
On a point of order, the Ceann Comhairle made no decision on the Standing Order 31 requests. The one with regard to avian flu is a serious issue and should be addressed.
I made a decision and I read it out. That is not a point of order.
There are two proposals to put to the House. Is the proposal for dealing with No. 11a without debate, motion re ministerial rota for parliamentary questions, agreed? Agreed. Is the proposal that the Dáil on its rising today shall adjourn until 2.30 p.m. on Tuesday, 25 April 2006 agreed?
It is not agreed.
On a point of order, is the Government going to close the Dáil again for another two weeks? It is like a Government in exile. If it wants to go into exile, let it leave the country. It could not be closing the Dáil again for another two weeks.
I ask the Deputy to show respect for the Chair and to Deputy Sargent who has been called. I ask the Deputy to resume his seat.
I ask the Government to show respect for the people of this country and the Dáil. How could it be closing the Dáil again for two more weeks?
If the Deputy does not want to resume his seat, he will have an earlier recess than anybody else.
Where will they put me? I will not be put out at all because the Dáil will not be open.
The Deputy will be put out.
The Government and the Fianna Fáil backbenchers are all in on it. Let us go to the country and let the people decide.
I ask the Deputy to resume his seat.
It is a disgrace that they are closing the Dáil again.
It is strange that the only Easter rising mentioned by the Government is the Easter rising to run rather than face the music in the Dáil. The Government needs to be reminded that the Dáil should sit for much longer than it does. A term of 92 days a year is not a proper parliamentary term in European terms. With the Taoiseach in Armagh today talking to the British Prime Minister, it is fitting that if we are to have proper implementation of strand 3, whatever about strands 2 and 1, we should have the same sitting arrangements as Westminster.
I seek to amend the proposal so that we return on Wednesday, 19 April 2006 at 2.30 p.m. That would give us an extra week's sitting. The Dáil should not take 16 days' recess when we face the numerous issues raised by Deputies under Standing Order 31. The issues raised should indicate to the Ceann Comhairle the inappropriateness of this break. I ask the Government to recognise that we must be in the House to articulate fully the views of the public. The Government cannot be left to operate without the public accountability the Dáil would ensure. On that basis, I ask the Ceann Comhairle to allow an amendment to the effect that we come back a week earlier to get on with the business we are elected to carry out in the House.
On a point of order——
There is no provision for Independent Deputies to speak on this.
We have this type of charade at every recess. It is designed for little more than public consumption. If we were genuine about this, we would examine it in a committee.
Is Deputy Sargent pressing the amendment?
Yes.
In respect of the A list of Bills to be published before the beginning of the next parliamentary session, only six of the 17 Bills have been published. Will the Tánaiste indicate when the remainder will be published before the Dáil resumes in two weeks' time? What is the position of the two pharmacy Bills?
Does the Tánaiste agree with the comments made by the Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism this morning that it does not matter one iota what a Minister says in the Dáil? He claimed he would seek advice from the EU on amendments to broadcasting legislation arising from his non-listing of the Ryder Cup as an event of national sporting importance.
Does the Tánaiste agree with the statement by the Minister of State at the Department of Finance, Deputy Parlon, that it is impossible——
Sorry Deputy but we cannot have a general omnibus question time.
——to meet the deadline for decentralisation?
It does not arise on the Order of Business. I call the Tánaiste.
Does she share the view of the former Minister for Finance who said that if the programme was not delivered, it would be an electoral catastrophe for the Government?
Parlon delivers. Did he not deliver?
The commitment is to publish the Bills in the A list before the start of the next session. The defamation Bill, for example, will be discussed at the Government meeting next week. Several of these will be published between now and the next session.
I will be bringing the heads of the pharmacy Bills to the Government in May. It is hoped we will have the legislation later this year. I am hoping to have it before the summer session. If not, it will be in the autumn session.
I understand the Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism has taken the Dalton report on alleged drug abuse in the greyhound industry. Will he lay it in the Library for Members to read over the recess?
On the failure to put the coverage of the Ryder Cup on free-to-air, Members will recall the Taoiseach's tour of television studios during Christmas. He even appeared on Setanta Sports in a golf jersey and told us he was trying to organise free-to-air for the Ryder Cup. He claimed from the Irish point of view we have to get and maximise the audience. Is he still working on it? Will there be any breakthrough between now and the tournament?
Will he tee off?
I am not familiar with the Dalton report and was not aware the Minister had received it. I assume he will bring it to the Government. It is normal practice for a report of that kind to be published unless there are some legal reasons why it cannot.
The Ryder Cup will not be free-to-air due to several reasons, including advice from the Attorney General and contractual arrangements entered into when the Ryder Cup agreed to come to Ireland.
The Government caved in. The law allows it but it caved in. I will have to walk over to Straffan and watch it there.
There is no point in blaming the Attorney General.
It is all just showmanship and clowning.
Whatever about the euphemism of the Easter Rising meaning a long Dáil holiday and considering the Government will be giving a military show of strength over the Easter, where is the promised legislation on the exports of arms? Will the control of exports Bill take into account the Forfás recommendations from September 2003 recognising that Irish export licensing does not control the exports or brokering of arms and security equipment?
Deputy, we cannot discuss the legislation on the Order of Business.
Given a recent Amnesty International briefing to Members, is there any hope of the legislation to cover the export and brokerage of arms?
I cannot say when we will have that legislation and I am not familiar with what the detail of it will be.
In light of the outbreak of H5N1 avian flu in Scotland yesterday, will the Tánaiste clarify the enactment of section 54 of the Health Act 1947 which was amended by the Irish Medicines Board (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill? It will allow for the labelling of the country of origin of all foods used in the catering trade. The Bill was passed by the House but has not yet been enacted. I asked the Taoiseach last week on the matter and he informed me he would get back to me. With yesterday's news, it is of critical importance to the food industry that clear and concise food labelling is introduced so consumers know they are buying Irish products and not imported products.
The Deputy acknowledged the Bill was passed. It is a matter of drafting regulations to implement those particular provisions which is happening as a matter of urgency.
The Tánaiste said she was not familiar with the Dalton report. However, since last year she has been sitting on a report on neurosurgery. For some inexplicable reason, it has not been published. Will the Tánaiste ensure the publication of the report which has major implications for many seriously ill people?
All reports of that kind are published as a matter of routine after they have been considered by the Cabinet. We need to increase the number of consultant posts in neurology as there are only some 60 existing posts. It is important to have a new contract of employment with hospital consultants so we can have them on appropriate terms.
When will the Tánaiste publish the report?
I will publish the report, along with several others, after Easter.
The Minister for Agriculture and Food promised the few farmers left in the country that they would receive their single payment grant by the end of January. This has not yet happened. Communications with the Department on the payments are hard to establish. What can be done to ensure these payments are made before Easter?
I suggest the Deputy submits a parliamentary question on the matter.
Considering a decision will be made today on the location for the new world class paediatric hospital, will she share the decision with the Dáil?
That does not arise on the Order of Business.
It is only the Dáil.
The point is the Dáil is rising for two weeks.
I appreciate that but there are other ways in which the Deputy can raise the matter.
There are no other ways.
This is the national Parliament.
It does not arise on the Order of Business.
It will appear in the media in some format, so it would be better if the House——
It does not arise now.
That is what this House of Parliament is for.
We cannot discuss it at this stage because Deputies on both sides of the House are anxious to raise matters on the Order of Business.
Perhaps the Tánaiste would like to reply.
If I allow an omnibus Question Time we would be here until 5.30 p.m. I call Deputy Cowley.
May I ask a question on legislation?
On legislation, yes.
Is there any requirement for legislation on the project once the decision is made?
Is legislation promised?
Yes, I think there may well be a need for legislation if we are going to establish a State hospital for paediatrics. While the report is due out today, I have not yet received it.
I have already raised the issue of equality legislation at the Joint Committee on Health and Children as well as under Standing Order 31. There is a need for such legislation for the 250 women who are going to die before BreastCheck is rolled out in 2009.
That does not arise on the Order of Business.
That is what is going to happen.
It is an abuse of the Order of Business.
My point is related to legislation. Everything stops when we go into recess.
The Deputy should allow his colleague, Deputy Catherine Murphy, to contribute or else we will have to move on to the next business.
Those women are definitely going to die so I am asking the Tánaiste to answer that point now. She did not answer it at the Joint Committee on Health and Children.
I ask Deputy Cowley to allow Deputy Catherine Murphy to contribute.
I wish to ask about a promised debate on the Transport 21 initiative. The debate commenced but was then adjourned. Is it intended to resume that debate? Will the Dublin Bus network review be debated at the same time?
I also wish to ask the Tánaiste about the contractual obligation she mentioned regarding the Ryder Cup.
It does not arise on the Order of Business. The matter has already been raised.
Will that have an impact on the EU's designation of other events, such as soccer internationals, which involve contractual obligations as well?
The Ceann Comhairle has been very helpful in the past so he might be able to help me now. ESB meters are no longer read on a bi-monthly basis and this has resulted in some meters not being read for up to 14 months or two years.
What legislation is the Deputy asking about?
I am coming to that.
ESB legislation.
The ESB has billed a number of households showing arrears of up to €1,000.
The Deputy should say to what legislation he is referring. Otherwise we will move on.
My question relates to legislation and the Ceann Comhairle is involved in this.
The Deputy should appreciate that Members complained earlier this morning that there is not enough time to discuss matters appropriate to this House.
I know but the Ceann Comhairle should wait until I finish the sentence. I want to give the Tánaiste an opportunity to reply. Bills are now being charged showing arrears——
That does not arise on the Order of Business. I call Deputy Crawford.
——which show the recent price of electricity taking in the increases that have occurred over recent years. Arising from the Energy (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill, which, contrary to what the Ceann Comhairle told me——
The Deputy will have an opportunity later today to discuss that legislation, assuming we reach it.
No. The Ceann Comhairle told me in a reply that this was a matter for the regulator but it is not because the legislation has not been passed.
The Energy (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2006 is being discussed later today.
It is a matter for the Tánaiste to answer.
The Deputy should allow the Tánaiste to answer the question on the Energy (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill.
The Energy (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill will be before the House today so perhaps the Deputy could make a contribution then.
What about the Tánaiste's contribution now? The Bill has not been passed yet. What about the consumers?
I asked the Tánaiste about the Transport 21 debate.
That debate will be resumed.
It is a matter for the House when the debate resumes. It is not really a matter for the Order of Business.
That ruling is wrong.
As the House has agreed to close for two weeks, can I have an assurance from the Tánaiste that the nitrates directive will not be rushed through by the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government against the interests of ordinary farmers and the environment?
That does not arise on the Order of Business.
This is a very important issue. When can we have a debate on agriculture concerning the nitrates issue in particular?
Has it been promised?
It will be the end of many farmers if the matter is not dealt with properly.
Perhaps that matter could be discussed by the Whips.
In the 2001 health strategy the Government promised 3,000 additional acute beds. Some 350 acute beds have been delivered to date. Professor Drumm is on the radio at every opportunity saying that we do not need any more beds. Who decides Government policy? What is Government policy?
That does not arise on the Order of Business.
What are the implications for Professor Drumm if he disagrees with the Government? Those questions have not been answered by the Tánaiste on any occasion.
That does not arise on the Order of Business. I call Deputy Rabbitte.
I think they should be answered.
Patients are looking for beds.
The Tánaiste should answer the question about who determines policy.
Deputy Durkan should allow Deputy Rabbitte to speak without interruption.
With respect to the answer the Tánaiste has given to Deputy Costello, is she saying that on receipt of the report on the National Children's Hospital, it will be simultaneously put into the public domain?
On the questions posed by Deputy Costello and Deputy Rabbitte, does the Tánaiste expect that the task force will adhere to the criteria set out in the McKinsey recommendations for the selection of this hospital?
That does not arise on the Order of Business.
It does. Will the task force adhere to the recommendations and criteria set out in the McKinsey report?
If the Deputy is referring to its co-location with an adult hospital, that is what the task force members were asked to do. They were given terms of reference. I know they have met frequently over recent weeks to finalise the report. I am not certain I will get the report today. I do not know when I am going to get it. It was due today or tomorrow but I do not know if that will happen. The procedure will be that the Government will presumably make a decision. The report will be published in full, there is no doubt about that.
When?
As quickly as possible. I hope it will be in the next few weeks. We are doing this very quickly, as the Deputy knows.
Everything is quick.
In light of the betrayal of Aer Lingus workers by the Minister for Transport, will there be a debate in the House on the privatisation of the airline?
That is a matter for the Whips. Is a debate promised?
Will there be a debate on the privatisation of Aer Lingus?
It is a matter for the Whips to arrange the debate. The Deputy will appreciate that if the Chair were to allow everybody to ask whether there will be a debate on issues, every Member on both sides of the House would ask every morning about some issue he or she would like to see debated.
I appreciate that.
It is a matter for the Whips. I call Deputy Joe Higgins.
I appreciate what the Ceann Comhairle is saying but the workers do not know about their pensions rights. These matters should be clarified in the House by the Minister.
There are other ways of raising that matter in the House.
Is it correct that there will be such a debate?
Yes, there will be.
I am delighted that there will be a debate.
I wonder if ex-Taoisigh can avail of the money advice and budgeting service concerning the organisation of personal finances——
That does not arise on the Order of Business.
——considering the utter bewilderment of the former Taoiseach, Mr. Albert Reynolds, about whether he had a few €100,000 invested in property.
I ask the Deputy to resume his seat. I call Deputy Hayes.
The nation is wondering. What hope do poor people have if the MABS cannot look after their investments?
That matter does not arise on the Order of Business.
Is any legislation planned specifically to address the drugs problem that is rife, not alone in Dublin but throughout the country? The Government should declare war on drugs. It is a major issue and I have seen it in my constituency this week.
Is such legislation promised?
A drug offenders Bill is promised but I do not have the information on when it will be available.
