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Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Thursday, 3 Jul 2008

Vol. 658 No. 3

Order of Business.

It is proposed to take No. 13, motion on the proposed approval by Dáil Éireann of the Planning and Development (Amendment) Regulations 2008 — back from committee; No. 2, Legal Practitioners (Irish Language) Bill 2007 — amendments from the Seanad; and No. 23, statements on climate change. It is proposed, notwithstanding anything in Standing Orders, that No. 13 shall be decided without debate.

Is the proposal for dealing with No. 13 agreed to?

The Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government explained this week that a problem has arisen in respect of the Attorney General and that the amending regulation is intended to tidy up legal issues. I listened to a discussion of environmental impact studies on "Morning Ireland" and I accept that the intent behind this is to prevent duplication in the planning process. However, I ask the Minister to open regulations such as this to debate because obvious difficulties with this approach were identified this week. As a result of the debate we held on this matter last week, it transpired that planning notices do not have to be published for developments of a significant size because they are exempted. I question the approach being taken by the House on this matter and, particularly in light of the public participation directive and other matters, stress that changes to planning regulations should allow local public inputs into developments that affect communities.

I am aware that briefings were given to Opposition Members prior to the debate and a full and frank discussion was held with the Minister. He offered to remain with the committee for as long as necessary. All the issues have been dealt with and there has been absolute clarity regarding the matters raised here last Thursday. As it was agreed by the committee that it would revert to the House with a recommendation, I do not see the necessity for further discussion on the matter.

Question, "That the proposal for dealing with No. 13 be agreed to", put and declared carried.

I will start with a two mark question for the Tánaiste.

Magnus Magnusson.

Thank you. Does the Tánaiste agree with the statement by the Minister for Finance that the construction industry in this country has come to a shuddering halt?

That question is not on the curriculum.

It is definitely on the agenda.

It is one thing not to get the answer right but there is a problem if the question is wrong.

Give him 100 lines.

Tá an fheadóg séidte ag an réiteoir.

Can I ask under the relevant financial motions whether the Tánaiste agrees with the Minister that the construction industry has come to a shuddering halt? It is a Lisbon type question — "Yes" or "No".

Deputy Kenny knows as well as I that——

Tá a fhios agam go bhfuil an réiteoir ag caint anois.

If we want to have to have Leaders' Question on Thursday mornings, the Chair has no difficulty with that. I would be absolutely delighted but Members would have to change Standing Orders.

We cannot have Leaders' Questions on Thursday mornings because the Taoiseach will not come here.

Deputies

Hear, hear.

It is the only relief Deputy Kenny gets all week.

He refuses to come here. He is afraid to come here.

That is not an issue.

The Ceann Comhairle cannot do anything about that.

It is not an issue for the Chair either. I ask the Deputy to stay in order.

I am left to put questions to his deputy, the Tánaiste. I wanted to ask whether she agreed with the Minister——

That is out of order.

——who is in the unfortunate position of coming in to clean up the mess created by his predecessor, that the construction industry has come to a shuddering halt.

I did not say that.

That is not in order. We have had two days of that.

We will try again. Céard iad na moltaí atá tagtha ón Seanad i leith Bille na nDlí-Chleachtóirí (An Ghaeilge) 2007? Tá sé ar an chlár inniu. Níl a fhios agam céard iad na moltaí atá i gceist. Ní bhfuair mé iad. Níl soiléiriú tugtha dom. Tá an t-Aire Stáit ag caint leis an Tánaiste mar gheall ar na moltaí faoi láthair. Céard iad féin?

I respectfully ask the Tánaiste whether the Government proposes to introduce a series of Supplementary Estimates later this year.

That is not in order.

If so, in the context of a report that the Government intends borrowing three times more than planned——

That is not in order.

——can I have advice from the Tánaiste so we can have clarity? For which Departments will Supplementary Estimates be introduced?

That is not in order.

Will these be subject to scrutiny and will they be referred to committees? The only one we know of for certain is the Department of Social and Family Affairs——

That issue is being debated next week. Deputy Kenny is not in order.

——where there is a huge increase expected and no cutbacks unlike the Departments of the unfortunate Ministers sitting on either side of the Minister for Social and Family Affairs.

Will the Tánaiste clarify the situation in regard to the Supplementary Estimates?

The House will debate that issue next week.

A report in today's The Irish Times states that the Health Service Executive will propose to Government a change in the legislation on health. The Tánaiste will recall that in November 2004, the Minister for Health and Children stated during discussions on the Health Bill that the change being proposed to amalgamate 11 health boards was a once in a generation move that would bring about an efficient, professional best practice health service. As Deputy Reilly and others on this side of the House have pointed out this is not the case.

Is that report, which states there will be a change in the legislation to provide for a return to devolved managers on a regional basis, correct? When are we likely to see this legislation which is not included on the list of proposed legislation for this session?

I draw the Tánaiste's attention to a letter given to me by Deputy Seán Barrett in respect of funding for persons with disabilities.

That is completely out of order.

It is not. I will explain to the Ceann Comhairle the reason it is not out of order.

It is completely out of order.

Deputy Barrett was informed that the Department of Health and Children approved an allocation of €50 million for disability residential, respite and day services for 2008.

That is completely out of order.

Deputy Barrett has also been informed by the HSE that approval has not yet been received for the commencement of these developments.

If Deputies want to change Standing Orders they are quite entitled to do so. I must implement Standing Orders as they stand. Deputy Kenny is not in order.

That matter was sorted yesterday.

This affects not alone Deputy Barrett and his constituents but services throughout the country. I want to know if this €50 million is guaranteed and has been ringfenced for the provision of services for the people whom Deputy Barrett and others have mentioned.

The Deputy is not in order. I call the Tánaiste to respond to the question relating to the legislation on health.

Will the Tánaiste confirm this is the case?

I dtaobh na moltaí ón Seanad ar Bille na nDlí-Chleachtóirí (An Ghaeilge) 2007, níl ach dhá moltaí teicniúla ag éirí as an Acht a bhí againn cheana agus molfaidh an tAire Gnóthaí Pobail, Tuaithe agus Gaeltachta, An Teachta Éamon Ó Cuív, na moltaí sin don Dáil. Athruithe teicniúla atá iontu a cuideoidh go mór le dlíodóirí.

Céard iad féin mar sin?

Ar dtús báire, tá sé i gceist go mbeidh deis ag aon duine a rinne cúrsa céime abhcóide dlí faoi an Acht Lucht Cleachtaithe Dlí (Cáilíocht) 1929 agus nach raibh Alt 3 den Acht sin comhlíonta aige nó aici, an coinníoll sin a chomlíonadh faoin Acht nua.

Táthar ag caint anseo faoi duine ar bith a chríochnaigh a chúrsa oideachais faoi Acht 1929, agus clúdaítear sin san Acht úr. Ní chuireann seo isteach go mór ar éinne. Is é an fáth go bhfuil seo os comhair na Dála ag an mbomaite seo ná chun a bheith cúramach agus ceart.

Ba chóir go mbeadh an t-eolas sin agus an clár oibre tugtha don bhFreasúra roimh teacht os comhair an Tí do na moltaí.

On the health legislation, Deputies will be aware there is no need for further legislation on the basis of proposals received from the HSE.

Is it proposed to change back to devolved regional managers?

On the final issue raised, Deputy Kenny is aware the matter of investment in disabilities was clarified yesterday. That matter has been dealt with.

I call Deputy Gilmore.

On a point of order, the Ceann Comhairle has disallowed a question on how the Government will next week obtain authority for proposed cutbacks of €500 million. My understanding is——

That is not a point of order.

A Deputy

It is a point of order.

The point of order is on what basis is the Ceann Comhairle stating it is not in order to find out the basis of that authority. The Government must produce an order or a Supplementary Estimate——

It is a longstanding precedent of the House that if the Chair disallows questions, they stand disallowed. The Deputy is entitled to come and see me in my office on the matter. I call Deputy Gilmore on the Order of Business.

(Interruptions).

I am just asking——

That is not a point of order.

It is a point of order. We are entitled to know how these cutbacks will be imposed.

That is not a point of order.

Will we have a chance to examine them? The Ceann Comhairle is blocking the opportunity to find out how the business will be done.

I certainly am not. The Deputy well knows there will be a debate on that matter next week.

The point is a debate does not give them authority.

The matter will be debated next week. I call Deputy Gilmore.

I do not understand the Chair's ruling.

I wish to raise three matters. I am sure the Tánaiste will join with me in welcoming the rescue of Ingrid Betancourt——

Deputies

Hear, hear.

——who suffered a terrible ordeal over six years at the hands of FARC, a gang of narco-terrorists with an apparent interest in eco-tourism.

I understand the Government is to table a motion in respect of next week's debate on the economy. When will that motion be issued to the Opposition and will it set out in detail the measures the Government intends to take arising from yesterday's Exchequer figures?

I am surprised at the Tánaiste's response to Deputy Kenny in respect of the report in today's The Irish Times that it is intended the HSE will devolve into a regional arrangement. This is a complete reversal of the Government’s strategy in relation to the organisation——

The Deputy must ask about legislation.

This is about legislation.

Legislation is required.

The Tánaiste said there is no legislation promised.

It requires legislation.

We have a set of circumstances——

I will ask the Tánaiste, who has already stated there is no legislation promised, to respond on the matter again.

The HSE is responsible for every single euro of income tax collected in this country.

We cannot debate that matter now.

That is what we are talking about. That is the size of the HSE budget. A newspaper article in today's The Irish Times states the HSE is to be regionalised.

I will ask the Tánaiste to clarify the matter again.

RTE is confused about this. It thinks this is a bad idea on a bad day and that the Government has left it to Deputy Charlie O'Connor to explain it.

We cannot debate the scheduling of RTE programmes in this House.

Deputy O'Connor did very well and he even mentioned Tallaght.

There has been no ministerial announcement about this.

We have no Minister.

I will ask the Tánaiste to respond on the matter again and we must then move on. Is legislation on health promised and what is the position in respect of the debate next week?

We all echo and share Deputy Gilmore's sentiments in regard to the rescue of Ingrid Betancourt. I am delighted she and many others have been freed from incarceration.

The House will debate the issue of the economy for nine and a half hours next week. Following agreement by Cabinet next Tuesday of the motion, it will be made available to everyone in the House.

Will there be a vote of confidence in the Government?

On the HSE, Deputy Gilmore, as leader of the Labour Party, will be aware this is what was sought in his party's document. I do not understand his concern in this regard.

It is something the Government did not want.

The Tánaiste is wrong. The local tsar is not local.

I am advised by the Department of Health and Children there is no necessity for new legislation. This matter is being dealt with by the HSE which will discuss it with the unions. At the end of the day, it is right and proper to move ahead with proposals which ensure the consumer is best served and supported.

What about patients?

I call Deputy Burton.

Am I correct that the motion on the economy will not be available until after the Cabinet meeting on Tuesday?

What is the status of the HSE announcement? Is this Government policy or an internal HSE idea? If it is Government policy, why has no ministerial statement issued in this regard?

This is a pretty significant announcement. The Government rushed through legislation to centralise operations in the HSE.

Deputy Gilmore there are other ways of finding out the position in that regard. The standard procedure is to table a parliamentary question on the issue.

We are now to return to regional structures and there has been no ministerial announcement in this regard. What is the status of this announcement? Is this a Government plan to regionalise the HSE?

Is legislation promised in this area?

There is no legislation promised. This is a reorganisation——

(Interruptions).

——of the management lines within the HSE. It is an internal issue that was——

Deputy Charlie O'Connor is reorganising it. Well done Charlie.

It cannot be done without legislation.

I am sorry, Deputy Gilmore, there is no legislation. I cannot go any further with this.

It cannot stand up.

I do not understand it.

The accountability structure cannot be changed without legislation.

A Deputy

Deputy O'Connor should tell us what is happening.

Charlie for President.

I do not understand it, a Cheann Comhairle. If legislation was required to go from a regional structure to a centralised structure then it must be required to go back again.

The Tánaiste has answered.

I wish to ask the Tánaiste about the debate next week. The Dáil voted moneys under specific headings for certain Departments, but from the announcement by the Minister for Finance yesterday it would appear there are to be changes in expenditure for a number of Departments.

There will be a debate on this next week.

The question is——

What is the question?

Will the Government come forward with the changes in the spending proposals and specify where they vary from what was proposed in the Estimates?

It has already been stated by the Tánaiste that the motion is to be introduced next week. We cannot go into it.

Estimates were voted. We know from what the Minister said yesterday that there is a proposal to spend up to €500 million of additional moneys on social welfare.

We cannot go into that now. I am moving along.

Where is that money going to come from?

We cannot have a debate on that now.

Will the Government raid the social insurance fund?

That is out of order.

Will we get information next week about the proposed changes in spending? I have other issues to ask about as well.

I told Deputy Burton yesterday that I did not want to ask her to leave the House, but she is coming very close to it. It is not my fault.

A Deputy

Sorry, wait outside.

Voting Estimates of how money is spent is fundamental to the power of the Dáil. Are we going to get details of the changes?

I must ask Deputy Burton to resume her seat. This is the second day I have had to ask her to do this. The Deputy is completely out of order.

Will the Social Housing (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill come before the House before the Dáil goes into recess next week? The Minister, Deputy Gormley, met with residents in Cork last week——

This is all very interesting, but we must talk about the legislation.

——and stated that mechanisms allowing them to purchase their homes under the tenant purchase scheme would be put in place, but there is no legislation.

Anecdotes are not allowed on the Order of Business.

The legislation will be made available in July.

I want to correct the record because the Tánaiste has totally misled the House about the Labour Party policy on health. What we want to do is to put——

We cannot discuss Labour Party policy on health this morning.

We want to put decision making back at the level of the patient.

The Deputy knows that as well as I do.

It is clear that what is proposed is another layer of management.

Deputy O'Sullivan should ask a question on the Order of Business.

The Labour Party wants health to be privatised.

Will the Minister for Health and Children come to the House and explain what is being proposed?

That is not in order.

This is decision making by stealth, by an organisation that is not elected by the people.

We cannot go into that now. It is completely out of order.

Can we have a statement from the Minister for Health and Children? If we are going to reverse what she referred to in 2004 as a great new dawn——

The Deputy has made her point, and she should not be making it at all because it is completely out of order.

The Minister for Health and Children should come in here and tell us what is happening in the health services.

Deputy Ring is next. He will probably be in order. I hope so.

It is Government by stealth and Government by leaking. It is a total abdication of responsibility with regard to the health service.

Two weeks ago I asked about the charities Bill and the Minister told me it would be introduced this session. In fact, I was told we would have it in two weeks. Is the charities Bill coming before the Dáil next week?

This morning I saw a beautiful photograph of the Tánaiste in an article about innovation in Ireland. The same publication contains a beautiful photograph of Deputy Devins. Another contains a photograph of a new Minister of State, Deputy Curran. There are cutbacks in the HSE, in subvention, and in home help, but this is the nonsense the Government is sending out every morning.

Deputies

Hear, hear.

The Deputy started well.

The Government should cut out the waste and put money into the service, and get rid of that old nonsense.

Deputy Ring——

(Interruptions).

The Minister has not brought in or published a bit of legislation in two years. It is no wonder the country is in the state it is in. We should get rid of the whole lot of them.

Incidentally, irrespective of how attractive the photographs are, Deputy Ring is not allowed to display them in the House.

Keep them under cover.

I thought I was being nice about the photographs.

We hoped to have the charities Bill in the House but unfortunately, due to time restraints, we have not been in a position to introduce it. As the Deputy knows full well, if he wants a photograph of me I will send one over to him.

I hope it will not be as costly as this one.

With regard to the nursing home Bill, will the Tánaiste communicate with the authorities to find out when exactly this matter will be dealt with? I received an official response following representations on behalf of an individual with regard to long-term care, and I was told to tell the person to wait in a public hospital for a publicly funded bed in a private nursing home.

On the legislation. Deputy Barrett is a long-standing Deputy and he knows his other comment is out of order.

We are talking about waste. We are asking someone to wait in a public hospital for a publicly funded bed.

The Tánaiste on the legislation.

I ask the Ceann Comhairle to give me a chance here. In one paragraph I was asked to give consideration to lobbying our Government for a more equitable way of funding our older persons.

The Deputy will have to find another way of raising the issue.

What is going on? I have the letter.

As has been indicated every week in this House, it will be July before the legislation is available.

We are talking about staying in a public hospital in a publicly funded bed.

In view of the imminent standing down of the head of the HSE and his replacement by Deputy Charlie O'Connor, as announced this morning——

That is not in order.

There is legislation promised. It will deal with that as well. The Ceann Comhairle will be glad to know the legislation is promised. I would like to know whether we will have this legislation before Christmas, because we are obviously not going to have it now.

What legislation?

This is a serious matter and it does require legislation. It entails our coming into the House and changing the current legislation. The two party leaders who spoke previously are correct. Can the Tánaiste indicate when the health and personal social services Bill will be brought into the House so that Members other than Deputy O'Connor can have some say in the issue?

That legislation will be available next year.

So Deputy O'Connor will have to unscramble things.

He is the shadow Minister.

In these straitened times, does the Ceann Comhairle not think it would be a good idea for somebody to bring in the financial services regulation Bill? It would be an appropriate time to introduce it.

We do not have a date for that Bill.

The Deputy cannot monopolise the Order of Business.

This is my last point and relates to the issue of photographs and so on. Given the marked reluctance of the Green Party Ministers to appear in the House on the Order of Business, I wonder whether they are being forced out, advised to stay out or threatened. In that context——

The Deputy must ask about legislation.

There is legislation promised in this area. It is the protection of persons from enforced disappearance Bill.

We should put Deputy Harney in there too.

In view of the current emergency I ask the Tánaiste to introduce this legislation to the House as a matter of extreme urgency.

A writ of habeas corpus.

I suppose it is too much to ask of the Tánaiste.

I cannot indicate on what date that legislation will be available to the House.

It might be a good idea, though.

When can we expect the publication of the animal health and welfare Bill? Will it contain provisions to save the national herd——

We cannot go into what it will contain.

——from the plans of the Minister, Deputy Gormley, to cut it?

That legislation is out for public consultation.

Is it the intention of the Government to ratify the United Nations Convention on the Protection of the Rights of All Migrant Workers and Members of Their Families? The other matter I wish to mention is one about which I have asked two parliamentary questions. Is it the Government's intention to legislate in the area of collective bargaining, given that the 1948 ILO convention establishes that right? The reply to one of my parliamentary questions was that it was a matter for social partnership, but in the other reply it was stated that the Government had in fact ratified the convention in 1955. Does the Government propose to clarify the issue of collective bargaining in terms of the ILO conventions of 1948 by way of legislation? The first question was related to the United Nations International Convention on the Protection of All Migrant Workers and Members of their Families. The Tánaiste's predecessors suggested the Government did not intend to recognise it, yet it is the only way to establish a basis that would assure all workers in the State equality and protection of their rights.

I will have to communicate with the Deputy on the issue of migrant workers as I do not wish to mislead him. The issue of collective bargaining is being discussed by the social partners.

I take it the ILO convention is not being implemented.

We must await the outcome of discussions with the social partners before a final decision is made on a number of pertinent issues. I do not wish to pre-empt the outcome.

Speaking of Green Party Ministers, a newspaper report today suggests the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government, Deputy Gormley, may wish to shift the incinerator from his own constituency to Rathcoole in the constituency I share with his colleague, Deputy Gogarty, and the Minister of State at the Department of Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs, Deputy Curran. This application got in under the Planning and Development (Strategic Infrastructure) Act which was opposed by the Labour Party. The Act is surely in breach of the public participation directive which has been promised but which has not yet been transposed.

We must discuss promised legislation.

It is important that people have a genuine say in issues such as this. These matters should not be at the whim of a Minister.

I am not aware that legislation is promised but I will communicate with the Deputy if there is to be transposition.

I have a number of points to raise on legislation. When will we see the Health Information Bill? Yesterday we were promised a health study of Cork Harbour. It would be useful if the Health Information Bill was published in order that it could be discussed with the study. Given the pollution in Cork Harbour from the Irish Steel plant, it is important to bring forward the Foreshore (Amendment) Bill in order that the issue can be discussed in the context of the Bill.

I understand the environmental liability directive has not yet been signed or brought forward by the Government and that it will probably take legislation in the House to do so. There are proceedings against the State in this regard. The 1998 Aarhus Convention provides information on these issues. Therefore, when will the matter be addressed? The Minister yesterday promised reports on research at Haulbowline but we have not seen them. Will the Tánaiste please remind him to forward them to us?

Are there plans to change the position of the CEO of the HSE as Accounting Officer?

The Health Information Bill will come before the House next year. I indicated last week that no date had been finalised for the Foreshore (Amendment) Bill. I will have to revert to the Deputy on the other issues, directives and conventions because I do not have the full information.

The Ceann Comhairle knows I always obey his rulings.

I do not know that.

I am interested in the basis for the Ceann Comhairle's ruling today that it is not in order to ask questions about matters of legitimate public interest concerning Supplementary Estimates for Departments. The nation is consumed by the mismanagement of this Fianna Fáil-led Government which must now find €500 million through savings, adjustments, cutbacks or whatever one wishes to call them. It is a matter of legitimate political interest to inquire as to which Departments will have to produce Supplementary Estimates. I am interested in the basis of the Ceann Comhairle's ruling that it is not in order to ask a question about this. To which Standing Order does he refer?

The one in question is Standing Order 26(3) which is quite specific. It states a question may be raised on promised business. This applies equally to the introduction of a Supplementary Estimate and the seeking of a debate. In other words, it must be promised. The same applies to secondary legislation.

That is a sure thing.

If the item is not promised, it is not in accordance with Standing Orders.

But it is promised.

This is not my decision, but that of the Members of the House.

I beg to differ with the honourable Member from south Kerry who now sits in a high position. The precedent during the years in the House has been that if legislation or business is promised, either inside or outside the House, it is a legitimate matter for questioning here.

I recently heard the Minister for Social and Family Affairs on "News at One" tell the nation that there would be no cutbacks in her Department and that the pinch would be felt by other Departments. I have heard promises of €500 million of cutbacks, savings, adjustments or whatever one may wish to call them from the Minister for Finance who says he is in the unfortunate position of being in that Department.

I did not say that.

This is a matter of business promised inside and outside the House and I beg to differ with the Ceann Comhairle's interpretation of Standing Order 26(3). We have been told that the Government must make €500 million of savings and cutbacks, which means Department after Department will have to take out the cleaver and decide on the areas for the chop and where Supplementary Estimates will have to be introduced.

Hear, hear. We need to know about this.

Pure speculation.

I want to know what scrutiny and committees the Supplementary Estimates will face. This is legitimate business that was promised outside the House and referred to inside it. I beg to differ with the Ceann Comhairle.

I do not wish to argue with the Deputy because we can discuss the matter later if he wishes but promised business must be specific, not a generalisation, for example, on the state of the economy. If we allowed general business to be discussed, we would have no parameters to guide us. I must obey Standing Order 26(3).

I again respectfully differ with the Ceann Comhairle as this matter is specific and refers to €500 million of savings.

There will be a debate on the issue next week. If Members wish to change Standing Orders, they are entitled to do so.

This comes down to the fact that people who must fork out €1,000 for home heating oil and so on or must seek home help hours will face the frontline cuts.

We must move on. We cannot debate the matter now.

The Government will hide all this behind the reorganisation of the HSE.

Who will organise all this? The Government needs the authority of the House to do it.

The Minister for Health and Children referred to an operational move. There will be €500 million of cutbacks and I want the Tánaiste to respond. This is specific promised business that was referred to in the House.

The Deputy knows well that the issue will be debated next week. Are Supplementary Estimates promised?

For clarity, I will point out that the process is as follows. The Government will make its decisions on Tuesday. There will be a debate on all these issues in the House on Wednesday and Thursday for nine and a half hours. There are no proposals to introduce Supplementary Estimates to the House.

Following the Tánaiste's clarification, may I ask her whether there is any truth in the references to the Government's need for €500 million of savings to be made?

That matter did not arise from Government sources. It is prudent and proper for the Cabinet to make its decisions on Tuesday. It will be fully informed of the decisions that must be made by the Minister for Finance and the outcome will be discussed in the House.

Do we live in the real world?

The matter of €500 million was raised by the man sitting next to the Tánaiste, the Minister for Finance.

Deputy Kenny is out of order. I do not want to take the unprecedented step of asking the Leader of the Opposition to leave the House but if I must, I will.

I am here to defend the rights of the people and will do so.

There will be a debate on the issue next week. The Tánaiste has clarified the position and I have clarified the rules but the Deputy will not accept this.

The Tánaiste has not clarified the position. I seek a final clarification from her. Did I hear of and read yesterday a statement from the Department of Finance? Did the Minister for Finance tell us on television that there was a €1.5 billion deficit in Government income at this point in the year? Did I hear that this would require adjustments, savings, cutbacks or whatever one may wish to call them? Will these cutbacks be due to the extent of the deficit? Will the Government deal with the deficit through adjustments, cutbacks and Supplementary Estimates?

That is not the issue. The issue is whether Supplementary Estimates have been promised. Have Supplementary Estimates been promised?

No Supplementary Estimates have been promised.

That is the end of it.

On a point of order, how can there be a €500 million cut in spending without Supplementary Estimates?

It is 11.10 a.m. and there is a debate on the issue next week.

Supplementary Estimates will be necessary to seek authority.

I must implement Standing Orders.

I wish to speak briefly on the same point. The Dáil votes very specific amounts of money for Estimates. Can Ministers arbitrarily move money provided in the Estimates to other Departments or between headings in their own Departments?

These issues will be covered in the debate next week.

What power does the Dáil have regarding Estimates?

It has already been explained. I call Deputy Varadkar. I ask him to be in order, if he can at all.

I assure you I will be in order, a Cheann Comhairle.

The Deputy will be the first person to be in order so far today, other than Deputy Michael D. Higgins.

The Tánaiste is aware that concerns about financial mismanagement and irregularities at FÁS were discussed at yesterday's meeting of the Joint Committee on Enterprise, Trade and Employment. I would like to ask two questions on foot of that meeting. Given that this information was made available by means of an anonymous letter——

We cannot discuss anonymous letters on the Order of Business.

Will the Tánaiste advise the House on whether legislation will be introduced to protect whistleblowers?

Is legislation promised in this area?

She previously told the House that the Garda investigation into the matter related to a sole contractor. The director general of FÁS told the joint committee that the investigation related to a number of contractors and may have implications for members of staff of FÁS.

I call the Tánaiste, on the legislation only.

Will time be made available to allow the Tánaiste to come to the House to correct her statement?

There are no proposals to introduce legislation in this area. There are no proposals for a debate on the matter.

Will the Tánaiste set out the position on metro north in the context of the proposed public transport regulation Bill?

We do not need legislation for it.

Will the metro north project proceed on time, as planned and on budget?

We cannot go into that matter.

Will it be re-prioritised?

In other words, will there be cutbacks?

That is for next week.

We do not need legislation for it.

The Minister has clearly——

I call Deputy Broughan.

Can I have an answer to my question?

It is out of order.

It is off the rails.

I must move on. It is completely out of order.

The Deputy should be fair about it.

I am entitled to ask——

I have explained that the Deputy is entitled to ask about promised legislation.

What are the plans for metro north?

The Deputy should submit a parliamentary question.

Will it be delivered on time?

Did the Deputy not get the answer to the question asked yesterday?

When I asked the Minister, I was told it would not be.

There are other ways to raise the matter.

The Taoiseach says it will be.

The Deputy can raise it on the Adjournment or by means of a parliamentary question.

On a point of order——

I will send yesterday's answer to the Deputy.

I promise the Deputy that we will try to assist him if he raises the matter in the proper manner.

It has gone off the rails.

Officials from the Department of Transport announced at yesterday's meeting of the Joint Committee on Transport that the Malin Head Coast Guard station, or the Valentia Island station, was to be closed.

The Deputy knows very well we cannot go into that matter now.

Will legislation be required to facilitate the closure of the Malin Head station in County Donegal?

Is legislation promised?

I asked the Tánaiste last week whether a financial statement would be made in respect of the fisheries and haulage sectors. Will a package for fisheries be announced next week or the following week?

That is completely out of order.

President Sarkozy has announced a €300 million package for the French fisheries sector.

I ask the Tánaiste to answer the question about legislation.

Will the Minister for Transport make any concessions to help hauliers?

There is no chance of that question being answered.

I am concerned about the haulage industry.

No legislation is promised or necessary in any of these areas.

It was announced this morning that the European Court of Justice had ruled against Ireland in a case involving the manner in which environmental impact assessments were undertaken. The community of Derrybrien, near Loughrea in County Galway, brought the case at EU level. I suggest this judgment means that the Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government will have to introduce legislation, as a matter of urgency, to regularise the manner in which environmental impact assessments are made. How quickly can such legislation be drawn up by the Department?

As the House is aware, the judgment in question was announced this morning. Officials will examine it. I will advise the Minister of the Deputy's interest.

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