It is proposed to take No. 19, statements on releasing the value of State assets to help stimulate economic growth; and No. 19a, statements on Common Agricultural Policy reform proposals. It is proposed, notwithstanding anything in Standing Orders, that the proceedings in relation to No. 19 shall, if not previously concluded, be brought to a conclusion at 1.30 p.m. today and the following arrangements shall apply: the statement of a Minister or Minister of State and of the main spokespersons for Fianna Fáil, Sinn Féin and the Technical Group, who shall be called upon in that order, shall not exceed ten minutes in each case, the statement of each other Member called upon shall not exceed ten minutes in each case, Members may share time, a Minister or Minister of State shall take questions for a period not exceeding 25 minutes and a Minister or Minister of State shall be called upon to make a statement in reply which shall not exceed five minutes. It is proposed that the proceedings in relation to No. 19a shall, if not previously concluded, be brought to a conclusion at 3.42 p.m. today and the following arrangements shall apply: the statement of a Minister or Minister or State and of the main spokespersons for Fianna Fáil, Sinn Féin and the Technical Group, who shall be called upon in that order, shall not exceed ten minutes in each case, the statement of each other Member called upon shall not exceed ten minutes in each case, Members may share time, a Minister or Minister of State shall take questions for a period not exceeding 45 minutes and a Minister or Minister of State shall be called upon to make a statement in reply which shall not exceed five minutes.
Order of Business
There are two proposals to be put to the House. Is the proposal for dealing with No. 19, statements on releasing the value of State assets to help stimulate economic growth agreed to? Agreed. Is the proposal for dealing with No. 19a, statements on Common Agricultural Policy reform proposals, agreed to? Agreed.
I raise two items of promised legislation. There are eight sitting weeks to Christmas. Can the Minister tell the House when the water services (amendment) Bill be published? Is it the Government's intention that it will pass through both Houses before Christmas? Second, the Construction Contracts Bill [Seanad] 2010 was passed in the Seanad during the term of the previous Government. I understand the regulatory impact analysis of the Bill has been completed. It is urgent that the Bill be passed as bona fide people are going out of business because they cannot get paid for work they have done. Can the Minister confirm that the Bill, with amendments, will be completed by the Christmas recess?
The water services Bill will be introduced in this session. How it progresses is a matter for the Houses, so I cannot say when it will be concluded. It will be done as expeditiously as possible. I am particularly interested in the Construction Contracts Bill. I have asked the Minister of State, Deputy Brian Hayes, to take personal seizure of it, and he has done that. He has had wide consultations on the Bill with, among others, Senator Feargal Quinn who is the original author of the Bill. I understand a revised Bill will be introduced in this session.
The Legal Services Bill was published yesterday. It is not on the draft schedule for next week. Can the Minister tell the House when it will come before the Dáil? Can he also say something about the relationship between this Bill and judicial appointments? It is depressing to see that the old boys' network is still alive and well, with people with political affiliations being appointed to the Bench.
The Legal Services Bill has been published. It is a broad-ranging Bill and will require extensive consultation with all interested parties. It is not scheduled for next week. Members would like an opportunity to read it in detail. It will be scheduled for Second Stage as soon as an appropriate slot is available.
And what about transparency and accountability?
Is there any sign of a Bill to cut out the waste of the Litir um Thoghcháin? The Government will meet the troika tomorrow. I do not understand how the troika have not zoned in on issues such as this. It is beyond belief that tens of millions of euro are used on this. Some candidates in the presidential election decided to share the facility.
Cool it down, Deputy.
I am cooling it. I am trying to ensure that costs are cut down.
It is a huge waste of taxpayers money in view of the current situation in this country.
The Deputy should put down a parliamentary question on the matter. Is legislation promised?
It applied in the last general election.
While I agreed with it, I did not use it. I am probably one of the only candidates that will not use it.
I call Deputy Durkan.
It is an enormous cost.
The Deputy's party used it.
I am not a member of any party. The Deputy is wrong again.
Deputy McGrath is out of order.
The only difference between the Deputy and Fianna Fáil is a piece of carpet.
The Whip will have to correct the record a few more times; he is wrong. I want to ask the Minister——
The Deputy cannot ask anything of the Minister. He should put down a parliamentary question on the matter.
Is any genuine effort being made to save money?
The Deputy should put down a parliamentary question and he will get an answer.
I have repeatedly asked during the past four or five years about the position of the bail (amendment) Bill. The previous Government, now residing on the opposite side of the House, continually promised its introduction was imminent.
Fine Gael is in government now.
How many questions has Deputy Durkan down today?
In view of the number of repeat offences highlighted during the past number of months——
Ask a question.
——would it be possible to bring that Bill before the House as a matter of urgency to address the issues that are obvious?
I regret that Bill is only at draft heads stage. The Minister for Justice and Equality is under extraordinary legislative pressure, including in respect of the bail (amendment) Bill, which is currently being worked on. Deputy Durkan can make direct contact with the Minister for Justice and Equality to advance that case.
Is there in train any legislation to bring greater transparency to the judicial appointments process?
There is legislation in being to have absolute transparency. It was introduced the last time the Labour Party and Fine Gael were in Government.
One for Fine Gael and one for the Labour Party.
The Government does not adhere to it very well.
One each.
The Court Officers Act provides that appointments for judicial officer must be recommended by the Judicial Appointments Advisory Board, which comprises some of the most eminent people in this country, including the Chief Justice, the President of the High Court and others. They make recommendations for appointment.
They do not.
The people appointed to judicial office are of the highest probity and have served the country well.
Hear, hear.
Their probity or integrity was not questioned.
I remind the Minister of Mr. Harry Whelehan.
I asked about the transparency of the process.
Was Mr. Whelehan's integrity questioned?
We are not talking about transparency. We are talking about promised legislation. I call Deputy Healy-Rae.
Is legislation proposed in regard to the Government's engagement with the IPU in regard to a highly significant financial inclusion strategy? The IPU has called for post offices to be allowed offer current accounts to existing and future customers at a time when the banking system is in crisis and a major overhaul is under way.
Hold on, Deputy.
We want to protect our post offices.
The Deputy could seek a debate on the matter during Private Members' time.
I would be grateful if the Minister could respond to my question.
We cannot debate the issue now.
Will the Minister make a statement on the matter?
No, he cannot make a statement on the Order of Business.
Is any legislation promised?
I call Deputy Boyd Barrett.
In light of the fact that county councillors in Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council made a decision earlier this week to opt for the most expensive option for new iPhones——
We are not talking about iPhones. We are talking about promised legislation.
——when a cost neutral option was proposed to them——
We are not allowed to use them here.
Sorry, Deputy this is not——
Will a matter like that be dealt with in the fiscal responsibility Bill?
Please, Deputy do not take make fools of us. We are dealing with promised legislation. I ask the Deputy to resume his seat.
This comes under the fiscal responsibility Bill.
The Deputy cannot talk about iPhones on the Order of Business.
The Bill does not deal with iPhones.
It does not deal with excessive expenditure by local authorities?
That is a matter for the Comptroller and Auditor General.
Fine Gael and Labour councillors decided they want to spend more money——
I ask the Deputy to resume his seat. I call Deputy Dowds.
What about the €43,000 tax free for the Deputy?
I do not get €43,000.
Deputy Stagg is wrong.
Deputy Boyd Barrett please resume your seat. I call Deputy Dowds.
Deputy Stagg should check his facts.
The Deputy should give it to Deputy Catherine Murphy.
In light of the difficult anti-social situations in some housing estates, I appeal to the Government to prioritise the noise Bill.
We need it in here.
Some people are living in really difficult situations.
Deputy Bannon is not here so it is not so bad.
Will it apply to this House, Minister?
This matter was raised yesterday and was taken note of. If that is the view of most Deputies, I will ensure it is brought to the attention of the appropriate Minister.
Hear, hear.