It is proposed to take No. 6, ESB (Electronic Communications Networks) Bill 2013 - Second Stage (resumed); and No. 2, Oireachtas (Ministerial and Parliamentary Offices) (Amendment) Bill 2013 [Seanad] - Second Stage. Tomorrow's fortnightly Friday business shall be No. 48, Censorship of Publications Board Repeal Bill 2013 - Second Stage; and No. 14, report on addressing the growth of social media and tackling cyberbullying.
Order of Business
There are no proposals to be put to the House.
In view of the fact that year on year we have increased numbers of patients on trolleys - there was an increase of 2% from 2012 to 2013 - and we also have a crisis facing general practitioners throughout the country, when will the general practitioners medical services Bill be brought before the House? We are now finding out that the under-fives scheme will be a voluntary and opt-in one. This will put huge pressure on general practitioners and will lead to longer waiting lists in St. Vincent's University Hospital and accident and emergency units. When will the Bill come through and why is the GP scheme for the under-fives now to be on a voluntary basis?
The general practitioner medical services Bill to provide GP services for persons aged five and under will be introduced in this session. It is a priority and the Bill will be brought forward quickly.
The Irish Penal Reform Trust released a report recently on conditions in Cork Prison. I am aware that the Government is to address the issue of Cork Prison and that contracts for a new prison or to refurbish Cork Prison have been signed. The trust's report highlights the fact that 58% of committals were for non-payment of fines. Recently we saw the inappropriate jailing of Margaretta D'Arcy and heard that Limerick Prison did not have the medical facilities to cope with her imprisonment.
That is a separate issue.
I hope the Tánaiste will call for her release. One of the issues that has arisen concerns a Bill that has been included in the legislative programme since Fine Gael and the Labour Party came to government, namely, the inspection of places of detention Bill. This Bill will give legislative effect to international conventions, put the Council of Europe inspection regime on a statutory footing and address a number of issues relating to prison visiting committees. Will the legislation be accelerated in order that conditions in our gaols can be raised to an appropriate standard for those who are interned and incarcerated?
The Government is proceeding with a new prison in Cork, something which is long overdue. I cannot indicate a date for publication of the inspection of places of detention Bill at this stage, but the Minister for Justice and Equality is working on the Bill. I know the Deputy has come to accept that the courts system and the administration of justice are separate from the political system.
A few days ago my colleague, Deputy Butler, mentioned the urgent need to introduce the Bill dealing with the sale of loan books to unregulated institutions. I raise the issue now in a different context. Given the emphasis being placed by some lending institutions-----
Will the Deputy let us into the secret of what legislation he is talking about?
I am talking about the same legislation but in a different context. Given the emphasis being placed by some lending agencies on extracting a response from borrowers that they may not be able to give and the lack of regard for their particular circumstances, will the Government consider introducing the legislation as a matter of urgency?
The promised date for the introduction of the legislation does not adequately address the emerging situation because what some lending agencies call a solution means people being evicted from their home. It is urgently required that we introduce the legislation now.
The sale of loan books to unregulated third parties Bill, to cater for the sale of loan books by regulated financial institutions to unregulated financial institutions, is expected to be published next year.
Yesterday the EU Commission launched new energy guidelines which are non-binding targets. In light of these new revised targets will the Government commit to reviewing its plans for industrial wind farms in the midlands and the erection of industrial pylons across the countryside?
I do not believe this is legislation, is it?
It is in light of the EirGrid Bill, the change to Standing Orders made yesterday to ensure legislation cannot be copied and Deputy Penrose's legislation on wind turbines. Will the Government commit to holding a debate in the House? I have asked the Taoiseach on a number of occasions and, in fairness to him, he has always conceded he is willing to give Government time to the issue. When will we have the debate in light of these new guidelines from the EU? Will the Government put in place a national energy strategy for the country?
With regard to the children first legislation, on assuming office in March 2011 the Minister, Deputy Fitzgerald, stated it was her top priority. Almost three full years later we still await publication of the children first legislation. As a result of it not being published children remain in vulnerable situations.
I remind Deputies we have only 20 minutes for the Order of Business today and many Deputies wish to speak.
We will run out of speakers by the look of it.
No, we have plenty of speakers I can tell Deputy Kelleher.
With regard to the publication yesterday by the European Commission on the targets for 2030 to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and on renewable and alternative energy, I expect it is an issue which will be discussed at some length by the relevant Oireachtas committee. Whether we should have a discussion in the House can be pursued at the Whips' meeting. Significant progress has been made on drafting the Children First Bill and it is expected to be published this session.
The Minister, Deputy Varadkar, recently stated legislation is required to use as evidence in court records of motorway speed checks using number recognition. Will the Tánaiste outline whether this has been considered? What legislation is required and under what Act?
The Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport is dealing with a number of pieces of legislation, including a number of road traffic Bills. I am not sure which legislation will be relevant to the particular subject, but I am sure the Deputy can pursue it directly with the Minister. There is a road traffic Bill to provide for further measures in respect of road safety and a road traffic (No. 3) Bill to provide for North-South mutual recognition of penalty points and other amendments to road traffic legislation. There is also the Road Traffic (No. 2) Bill on Second Stage in the Seanad. I ask Deputy Ellis to pursue the matter with the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport because I am not sure which Bill addresses the issue he has raised.
An investigation was promised on the advice family planning clinics were giving to pregnant mothers but this was downgraded to a report. Does the Tánaiste know-----
What legislation is that?
The medical practitioners (amendment) (No. 2) Bill. Does the Tánaiste know when the investigation or report will be published? Has it got lost? This was last November.
The Minister for Education and Skills is present. I wish to raise the issue regarding apprentices trying to upskill themselves and serve their time. They are being charged a fee for FÁS modules or colleges.
Is there a Bill on this?
It is under the employment permits Bill. They are being charged between €700 and €1,500 in these hard-pressed times. They are trying to do the best for themselves by upskilling. They have companies to employ them but they are being charged a fee for the modules in college on top of everything else.
I do not have a date for the medical practitioners (amendment) (No. 2) Bill. The other issue raised by Deputy McGrath should probably be raised by way of a parliamentary question to the Minister for Health. With regard to apprenticeships, the Minister for Education and Skills published a review of the apprenticeship system and I am sure he would welcome any observation Deputy Mattie McGrath has on it.
With regard to the local property tax legislation and the Water Services (No. 2) Bill, the Tánaiste was quick to ensure he would get as much money as he could from people, but for the fifth time since Christmas the great town of Killorglin has no water today.
That is why it is so important to get Irish Water up and running.
The Tánaiste might state it is not of much interest to him but it is very important for the people of Killorglin.
It is a very important issue for the people of Killorglin, but the Deputy cannot raise it on the Order of Business.
I want to highlight what is happening in our country.
Thank you Deputy, I think you have made your point.
People are being charged for a service they do not have.
That is why we are establishing Irish Water.
It makes the case for the establishment of Irish Water. People who have been on Kerry County Council for a very long period of time have questions to answer as to why the people of Killorglin do not have water and why the system does not operate.
Hear, hear.
Cá bhfuil an t-uisce? Tá an t-uisce faoi thalamh.
I call Deputy Bannon.
I ask for silence please.
Silence please for Deputy Bannon.
Who was the contractor that laid the pipes?
Who got the contract to lay the pipes? Were the pipes burst?
Go back to Michael Fingleton.
Say that outside the House, Mattie.
Go back to Michael Fingleton.
We have only eight minutes left and the Deputies have had their say.
Let Deputy Kehoe repeat what he said outside the House.
He should repeat what he said outside the House. He passes insulting remarks all the time.
It is water under the bridge.
I call Deputy Bannon.
Not Deputy Bannon, the Whip.
Good transport links are key to our economic development. There is an urgent need to improve the safety, quality and reliability of our roads throughout the midlands. There is a bottleneck-----
I agree with the Deputy but what legislation will solve it? That is what I would like to know.
The section of motorway between Mullingar and Rooskey was never completed-----
Hold on.
I wish to ask the Tánaiste-----
Put down a parliamentary question about it.
I have.
The Deputy is not going to do it on the Order of Business because he will not get an answer.
Deputy Bannon should ask at a parliamentary party meeting. The Minister is in Fine Gael.
It is on the clár. When will the road transport Bill come before the House? It is an important Bill to upgrade our infrastructure.
Thank you Deputy. There are other Deputies.
This is Fine Gael's fourth year in government. I am just trying to be helpful.
Fianna Fáil was there for 15 years and did sweet damn all.
Hear, hear.
That is true.
We put in the M4.
Deputy Bannon is right because there are serious questions to be asked of Fianna Fáil as to why the road was not done when there was plenty of money in the country during the boom years-----
When Donie was Leader of the Seanad.
-----but do not worry we will get there.
They were too busy selling Aer Lingus.
The Government parties boycotted the opening of the M4 when it was completed. The Labour Party chairman was not allowed to open it.
With regard to the road transport Bill, responses have been received from the consultation process with the stakeholders and they are being examined. The Bill is expected to be published next year.
I wish to ask about legislation on education. I am sure the Tánaiste will join me in welcoming the considerable advances made in educational reform and provision in recent years, including the recent purchase of the site for a new school in Ashbourne. I wish to ask about the forthcoming education (admission to school) Bill. When can we expect to see it in the House?
The draft heads of the education (admission to school) Bill were approved by the Government on 23 July and forwarded to the Joint Oireachtas Committee on Education and Social Protection for consideration. The Bill is expected to be published this session.
On environmental matters, has the Government made a submission to the EU Solidarity Fund or to any other EU disaster funds that may be available to address the devastation to our coastline and the billions of euro worth of damage to infrastructure and private properties along the coast? When does the Tánaiste expect the remedial work to begin to build up our defences?
That should be the subject of a parliamentary question. It is an important issue but we had a debate on it.
This is a most urgent matter. What is the status of the application to the EU?
That is a separate issue which is not relevant to the Order of Business. It is an important issue but it has been dealt with.
Has an application been made to the EU?
The Deputy should table a parliamentary question.
No, this is too important. I cannot go back to my constituents-----
The Deputy should table a parliamentary question and then he can go back to his constituents. He cannot raise this on the Order of Business.
How long has the Government had the value for money report on small schools? When it will be laid before the House? Will a debate be provided for when it is?
I will check with the Minister for Education and Skills about where that report is and I will ask him to reply to the Deputy.
The Government will close a few more schools.
Deputy Troy is a right jack-in-the-box today.
The criminal law (sexual offences) Bill will implement recommendations in the joint Oireachtas committee second interim report on the constitutional amendment on children and will further protect vulnerable persons against sexual exploitation and abuse. When can we expect its publication?
Late this year.