Order of Business

The Taoiseach

It is proposed to take No. 37, Urban Regeneration and Housing Bill 2015 - Report Stage (resumed) and Final Stage; No. 12a, National Minimum Wage (Low Pay Commission) Bill 2015 - instruction to committee; No. 38, National Minimum Wage (Low Pay Commission) Bill 2015 [Seanad] - Order for Report, Report and Final Stages; and No. 1, Statute Law Revision Bill 2015 - amendments from the Seanad. It is proposed, notwithstanding anything in Standing Orders, that the Dáil shall sit later than 9 p.m. tonight and shall adjourn not later than 10 p.m.; and in the event that a division is in progress at the time fixed for taking Private Members' business, which shall be No. 74, Central Bank (Variable Rate Mortgages) Bill 2015 - Second Stage (resumed), Standing Order 121(3) shall not apply and Private Members' business shall, if not previously concluded, be brought to a conclusion after 90 minutes.

Tomorrow's business after Oral Questions shall be No. 1, Statute Law Revision Bill 2015 - amendments from the Seanad; No. 39, Gender Recognition Bill 2014 [Seanad] - Order for Report, Report and Final Stages; No. 40, Houses of the Oireachtas (Appointments to Certain Offices) Bill 2014 - Order for Report, Report and Final Stages; No. 41, Children First Bill 2014 - Order for Report, Report and Final Stages; and No. 42, Children (Amendment) Bill 2015 [Seanad] - Order for Report, Report and Final Stages.

An Ceann Comhairle

There are two proposals to put to the House. Is the proposal for dealing with the late sitting agreed to? Agreed. Is the proposal for dealing with Private Members' business agreed to? Agreed.

Deputy Micheál Martin

In a report circulated to Dublin city councillors last Monday night, it was stated that the council's budget allocation for homeless services will have a projected deficit of some €18.5 million and that the Department of the Environment, Community and Local Government has been notified of the seriousness of the shortfall and its implications for services. In the context of the commitment in the programme for Government to provide for the homeless, we have a situation in which Dublin City Council will have no funding for emergency accommodation in the final months of the year, despite the fact that well over a thousand children are currently in such accommodation. Can the Taoiseach confirm when the necessary intervention will be carried out by the Minister, Deputy Alan Kelly, to address this situation in line with the commitments made both legislatively and in the programme for Government?

In respect of company law, the Minister of State at the Department of Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation, Deputy Gerald Nash, has indicated that legislation may be forthcoming to prevent a recurrence of what happened at Clerys last month. In particular, this legislation would seek to prevent employers who behaved as those in Clerys did from becoming directors of other companies for a specific period. Will the Taoiseach indicate when legislation relating to that issue will be brought before the House in line with comments made by the Minister of State? The Minister of State also indicated that legislation would be forthcoming to ban low-hour and zero-hour contracts, the consequences of which we saw in the Dunnes Stores debacle and the treatment of workers there. Will the Taoiseach likewise indicate when that legislation will be forthcoming?

The Taoiseach

A Cabinet sub-committee meeting on the construction sector and housing will take place next week. I read the report from Dublin City Council and the figure the Deputy mentioned came as a surprise to me. I intend to follow through on the matter. We have had some very detailed discussions on housing, homelessness, social housing and making voids available for families. A package being put together by the Minister, Deputy Alan Kelly, and the Minister of State, Deputy Paudie Coffey, in regard to the private building sector will help to ensure there are sufficient numbers of houses for those who need them. This is a serious issue and I will be glad to give the facts of the situation after I deal with a number of questions at the Cabinet sub-committee meeting. The Deputy will note that we have made €2.2 billion available for the provision of social housing. The Dublin city manager gives regular indications to the Minister of the progress being made on the provision of housing.

I am concerned about that.

In respect of the very good report produced for the Government by the Minister of State, Deputy Nash, arising from the Clerys issue-----

Deputy Micheál Martin

Which report?

The Taoiseach

The Minister of State, Deputy Nash, produced a report arising from the Clerys issue for the Government and it is available on the Department's website. The current law has not yet been tested. Rather than introduce legislation now, it is important that the relevant sections of the law already in place be tested to determine whether they stand up. In response to questions I have-----

Deputy Micheál Martin

It has been tested.

The Taoiseach

-----indicated that it might be appropriate, at the right time, to refer the report and the chronological decisions taken to the oversight committee in respect of company law. The Minister of State, Deputy Nash, is very clear on this and his report is available to read. I will have to advise Deputy Martin in respect of the progress made on legislation on zero-hour contracts.

Deputy Gerry Adams

Tá dhá cheist agam, ceann amháin faoi the International Protection Bill agus an McMahon report agus ceann eile faoi the Civil Debt (Procedures) Bill. The Dáil voted on Second Stage of the Civil Debt (Procedures) Bill yesterday. The Irish League of Credit Unions produced a depressing report on back-to-school costs for parents. It provides a great level of detail, such as the fact that 80% of parents see these costs as a significant financial burden. Many parents admit that costs will have a negative impact on their ability to pay household bills and that they are likely to get into debt, and many also indicated that they might even go to moneylenders. Such parents are likely to find themselves the target of attachment orders arising from the Civil Debt (Procedures) Bill. Can the Taoiseach confirm that Report Stage of the Bill will come before the Dáil next week? Does the Government intend to guillotine Report Stage and rush the Bill through? If it has its way, will it be completed before the summer recess? If that is the case, it will penalise the most vulnerable families and children once again.

I refer to the international protection Bill and the McMahon working group report. Some aspects of the report are welcome, but overall it is a very disappointing response to a humanitarian issue for the people affected. The direct provision system has been widely condemned. We warned at the time that the terms of reference decided on by the Government for the working group were too limited. The report confirms this and falls short of the fundamental and radical reform of the refugee and subsidiary protection application process that is needed. Last month the Taoiseach told me that he would facilitate a debate on this report. Can he tell us when that will take place and whether it will be held before the Dáil rises for the summer?

The Taoiseach

Committee Stage of the Civil Debt (Procedures) Bill will be taken on Friday, and it is to be hoped that Report and Final Stages will be taken next week. It is designed to help people, arising from work done by the Law Reform Commission. I heard the comments about the difficulties faced by some parents regarding back-to-school costs for children. I also listened carefully to the Minister for Education and Skills, who outlined the work being done on book rental schemes and the opportunity to have more affordable facilities for children.

The McMahon report, which was presented to the Minister some time ago, involved six months' work on the part of Mr. Justice McMahon. It is the first comprehensive examination in 15 years of Ireland's protection system and contains 173 recommendations for the Government on improvements to the scheme. The most important issue is having a single process for the analysis of the applications to ensure it is as effective and efficient as possible.

The international protection Bill is at the pre-legislative scrutiny stage and members of the committee will make their views known on the report and how the system might be improved this week. The Bill will not be finalised before the summer recess, but it is important that, arising from the pre-legislative scrutiny stage, the Minister for Justice and Equality hears the views of Members on the recommendations in and their observations on the McMahon report. I would like to think this is an issue that will become more important in the years ahead, and we need to make provision to deal with it in a speedy and efficient manner, as well as from a humanitarian and compassionate point of view.

Deputy Thomas P. Broughan

Is it intended to have a Supplementary Estimate for health over the next week or so, or will we have to wait for the Minister for Finance to bring in a formal budget? The Minister, Deputy Varadkar, speculated in his usual way, as if he were the health correspondent for RTE or The Irish Times or a hurler on the ditch, rather than the Minister with day-to-day responsibility for health. Will we get the extra €1 billion needed? There is concern in the north of Dublin about young adults with intellectual disabilities who finish secondary school and find there are no places for them. Agencies such as St. Michael's House and Gheel Autism Service have no resources. Will the Minister, Deputy Varadkar, be given the money to which he referred immediately? Places are needed in the next couple of weeks.

The Taoiseach

The Ceann Comhairle has advised the Deputy in respect of the second issue he raised, and he should take it in the generous spirit intended. No Supplementary Estimates will be considered until the very end of the year.

Deputy James Bannon

Significant progress has been made by the Government in merging bodies and abolishing quangos since it came into office, but it does not get a great deal of publicity. We have created considerable savings for the taxpaying general public. When can we expect the Tailte Éireann Bill to merge the Property Registration Authority, the Valuation Office and Ordnance Survey Ireland into one body? He might consider a midlands location as the new headquarters for such a body.

The Taoiseach

We launched the midlands programme for action last week. I am sure Deputy Bannon can feed his request into that. The report is based on the strengths and weaknesses involved. The Bill will not come before the House until the second half of the year.

Deputy Tony McLoughlin

In keeping with the overall reform agenda of the Government, when can we expect the much-anticipated judicial appointments Bill, which aims to reform and update the current system of appointing judges in this country, to come before the House for debate?

The Taoiseach

It was listed for this session, but it will not be dealt with until the next session.

Deputy Peter Fitzpatrick

A statutory body is to be established to provide acute paediatric services in Dublin at the new children's hospital. It will take over those services currently provided by Our Lady's Hospital in Crumlin, Temple Street and Tallaght Hospital. When can we expect the publication of the new children's hospital establishment Bill?

The Taoiseach

I do not have a date for the publication of the Bill, but I can advise the Deputy of the progress being made towards its realisation.

Deputy Robert Troy

The children's rights referendum was passed in November 2012. As a consequence of literature published by the Government, there was a Supreme Court challenge which delayed the implementation of the referendum. Almost three years on, will the Taoiseach give a commitment to the House that the necessary adoption legislation promised as a consequence of the referendum to give children in long-term foster care a second chance at life will be prioritised and brought forward very shortly?

I refer to the new building regulations published by the Department of the Environment, Community and Local Government last year, which have resulted in a significant increase in construction costs for building houses. As a result, the Government-----

An Ceann Comhairle

Sorry Deputy, we cannot get into that.

Deputy Robert Troy

-----has confirmed it will introduce new building regulations. Will the Taoiseach indicate to the House when those new building regulations will be brought forward?

Deputy Barry Cowen

To rectify your mistakes.

The Taoiseach

The drafters are working on quite a number of amendments in respect of the adoption Bill and I expect to see it in the second half of the year.

Deputy Barry Cowen

Before the election.

The Taoiseach

The Minister of State with responsibility for housing and the Minister with responsibility for the environment have already indicated the work they have done in respect of a package of measures to deal with the building sector. I expect it should be finalised very shortly. They have made comments directly in respect of the increased charges because of the detail of building regulations that apply, particularly in provincial areas because of the individual houses involved. I expect the Minister and Minister of State will come forward with it very soon.

Deputy Robert Troy

Will it be before the summer recess?

The Taoiseach

I do not know but I will advise Deputy Troy on it.

Deputy Barry Cowen

Get it out before the election.

Deputy Peter Mathews

The existential crisis in Europe for 28 member nations is becoming increasingly intense and acute and the Taoiseach and the Minister for Finance are there. Last Sunday's result from the Greek referendum showed-----

An Ceann Comhairle

Sorry, where are we going, Deputy? On promised legislation, thank you.

Deputy Peter Mathews

We may have legislation rushed through in the next week.

An Ceann Comhairle

No, this is the Order of Business. I have told you about 20 times. We cannot have a debate about what happens in Greece on the Order of Business. Ask a question-----

Deputy Peter Mathews

It is not about what happens in Greece. I have said-----

An Ceann Comhairle

That is not in order.

Deputy Peter Mathews

This is unbelievable. It is affecting-----

An Ceann Comhairle

It is not unbelievable.

Deputy Peter Mathews

-----28 member nations, of which we are one.

An Ceann Comhairle

Yes and that is grand, but this is the Order of Business.

Deputy Peter Mathews

The Taoiseach may be getting on a plane next weekend to deal with the existential survival of the European project.

An Ceann Comhairle

Yes.

Deputy Peter Mathews

And you want to shut me up.

An Ceann Comhairle

On the Order of Business, yes.

Deputy Paul Kehoe

Deputy Mathews was over there last week.

Deputy Peter Mathews

The Order of Business will include what may happen next-----

An Ceann Comhairle

No, just read Standing Orders.

Deputy Peter Mathews

Is this place really out of touch with what is going on?

An Ceann Comhairle

Thanks very much. If you are not going to listen to me I will call Deputy Lawlor.

Deputy Paul Kehoe

Deputy Mathews was over there last week.

Deputy Peter Mathews

When is the debate going to be?

An Ceann Comhairle

Which debate?

Deputy Peter Mathews

On Greece.

Deputy Micheál Martin

That is fair enough.

An Ceann Comhairle

Is there a debate due on Greece?

Deputy Peter Mathews

There should be.

Deputy Mattie McGrath

Why not?

Deputy Peter Mathews

On the future of Europe.

An Ceann Comhairle

If the Deputy resumes his seat I will ask the Taoiseach to reply.

Deputy Micheál Martin

Normally there is a debate before a summit.

Deputy Peter Mathews

This is unbelievable.

An Ceann Comhairle

Will you resume your seat, please? Taoiseach, is there a debate?

The Taoiseach

No, there is no debate.

Deputy Peter Mathews

All of the parliaments will rise in a couple of weeks' time and Europe may be out of control with nobody at the tiller.

An Ceann Comhairle

Please resume your seat and I will ask the Taoiseach to reply to your question.

The Taoiseach

There is no debate committed to here-----

Deputy Mattie McGrath

Why not?

The Taoiseach

-----but the Government is very much aware of what is happening. Following the many eurozone group meetings of Ministers for Finance in the past fortnight, last evening's meeting did bring clarity to a number of issues-----

An Ceann Comhairle

That is fine, but are we having a debate?

The Taoiseach

There is no debate promised, but I hope that by the weekend the matter spoken about by Deputy Mathews can be dealt with.

Deputy Micheál Martin

Should we not have one?

Deputy Mattie McGrath

Surely to God we should have a debate.

Deputy Peter Mathews

Will the Taoiseach put it on the agenda, please?

Deputy Micheál Martin

Deputy Mathews has a point.

Deputy Peter Mathews

We will rise on the 16th.

An Ceann Comhairle

I think you have made your point.

Deputy Peter Mathews

That is in eight days. Please put on a debate.

Deputy Anthony Lawlor

When is the Horse Racing Ireland (amendment) Bill expected to come before the Dáil? It has been promised for before the summer. The Construction Contracts Act was enacted in 2013 but much of the legislation has not yet been brought forward by the relevant Minister. When can we expect it? It was brought in so all the cowboys in the Fianna Fáil tent in Galway could not get after the small subcontractors. Can we have clarity on this?

The Taoiseach

We expect the Horse Racing Ireland (amendment) Bill to be published next week. The Construction Contracts Act was enacted in 2013. There may need to be a review of some sections as to its effectiveness and how it is being implemented.

Deputy Micheál Martin

It passed the Deputy by.

Deputy Mary Lou McDonald

When the Taoiseach was asked earlier about the €18.5 million shortfall for Dublin City Council homeless services he sidestepped the question and offered no clarity. Perhaps he will take a second opportunity to do so. When will the Minister, Deputy Kelly, make clear these moneys will be provided to Dublin City Council? I am aware the Lord Mayor of the city, Críona Ní Dhálaigh, has written to the Minister seeking a meeting with him. When will he do her the courtesy of responding? More to the point, does the Taoiseach propose to live up to the rhetoric-----

An Ceann Comhairle

Sorry Deputy, you cannot raise that on the Order of Business.

Deputy Mary Lou McDonald

-----and dewy-eyed emotion he demonstrated following the death of Jonathan Corrie when he was out on the streets of Dublin and met some of the rough sleepers in the city? The homelessness issue is now at crisis level-----

Deputy Thomas P. Broughan

Hear, hear.

Deputy Mary Lou McDonald

-----and well the Taoiseach knows it, and an €18.5 million shortfall-----

An Ceann Comhairle

Sorry Deputy, please. That has been dealt with already.

Deputy Mary Lou McDonald

-----for Dublin City Council is not acceptable. I tried to have this matter raised as a Topical Issue two days in a row but the Ceann Comhairle knocked me back.

An Ceann Comhairle

Excuse me, I have not knocked you back.

Deputy Mary Lou McDonald

It is a critical issue for this city.

An Ceann Comhairle

Many other Deputies have also applied. There were 34 today.

Deputy Mary Lou McDonald

I know, including-----

An Ceann Comhairle

So please, I will consider it.

Deputy Mary Lou McDonald

-----rather opaque issues. Will the Taoiseach respond please?

An Ceann Comhairle

I do not know what he is responding to as he has already dealt with the issue.

The Taoiseach

I will respond. I have already said I need to see the basis for the figure of €18.5 million. We had some very detailed straight discussions about this at Cabinet sub-committee meetings with people from Dublin City Council and the various agencies. The Minister, Deputy Kelly, made unprecedented moves to deal with the homelessness issue.

Deputy Micheál Martin

The Taoiseach is having a lot of meetings and discussions.

The Taoiseach

As a consequence of some success there others began to travel to Dublin from different locations.

Deputy Mary Lou McDonald

Are you serious?

Deputy Micheál Martin

He is unfortunately. That is the crisis.

Deputy Mary Lou McDonald

Is the Taoiseach actually that out of touch with the crisis in this city?

An Ceann Comhairle

I think the Taoiseach has dealt with that.

The Taoiseach

No less a person than the previous Lord Mayor of Dublin, with whom I walked many of the streets-----

Deputy Micheál Martin

Please, Taoiseach, stop.

The Taoiseach

-----pointed this out to me on many occasions-----

Deputy Mary Lou McDonald

Walking the streets in the rain, well that did not amount to much.

An Ceann Comhairle

Sorry, Taoiseach, we cannot continue this discussion on the Order of Business.

Deputy Mary Lou McDonald

You cut the budget by €18.5 million.

Deputy Micheál Martin

It is all bluster.

The Taoiseach

I am not talking about Butch Moore if you want to get smart about it. I need to know the basis for the figure-----

Deputy Micheál Martin

It came out on Monday night. What have you been doing since then?

Deputy Barry Cowen

It needed Cabinet approval.

The Taoiseach

This is not Deputy Martin's question; it is Deputy McDonald's question.

Deputy Micheál Martin

I asked it earlier.

An Ceann Comhairle

It is not in order on the Order of Business. The Taoiseach has not heard me. We have dealt with this issue.

Deputy Barry Cowen

The Taoiseach is elaborating on the non-answer.

Deputy Pádraig Mac Lochlainn

The Civil Debt (Procedures) Bill is being forced upon the Select Oireachtas Committee on Justice, Equality and Defence this Friday. It is highly unusual that we must sit on a Friday to enforce the Government's will because it will obviously bring it forward for Report Stage next week. I want to bring a number of justice Bills to the Taoiseach's attention and I want an answer as to when they will be brought before the House. I think his behaviour is shameful. The Bills are the Criminal Justice (Spent Convictions) Bill, the Garda Síochána (policing authority and miscellaneous provisions) Bill to set up a new Garda authority, the Criminal Justice (Mutual Assistance) (Amendment) Bill 2014, the Assisted Decision-Making (Capacity) Bill, the Criminal Law (Sexual Offences) Bill, the international protection Bill, the mediation Bill, the judicial council Bill and the Legal Services Regulation Bill. None of these Bills has come through the Houses. Hundreds of thousands of people are waiting on these Bills, but the Civil Debt (Procedures) Bill is being brought through before the summer recess to enforce Irish Water's authority. When will all these Bills, some of which we have been waiting for for years to come through the Houses, finally get dealt with? The Taoiseach's behaviour is outrageous.

The Taoiseach

Sometimes when members of Deputy Mac Lochlainn's party sit here for five hours and delay time it is not in keeping with good conduct either. Some of the Bills mentioned have been through the Seanad, some are awaiting Committee Stage in the Dáil and some are not published. If the Deputy please gives me the list he read out I will respond to him in detail.

Deputy Marcella Corcoran Kennedy

When will the Aarhus convention Bill be published, in light of the amount of planned renewable energy projects throughout the country? Many communities are most anxious that the Bill be published so they may have a meaningful input into the planning decision that will affect them.

The Taoiseach

I do not have information about the publication of a Bill in this regard, but I will advise Deputy Corcoran Kennedy of the position.

Deputy Joan Collins

I will give the Taoiseach a third opportunity to answer on the housing issue in Dublin City Council.

An Ceann Comhairle

No, this is promised legislation.

Deputy Joan Collins

It is about Government policy-----

An Ceann Comhairle

No, it is not Government policy-----

Deputy Joan Collins

-----after the Jonathan Corrie situation.

An Ceann Comhairle

-----on the Order of Business. That is the problem.

Deputy Joan Collins

Dublin City Council turned around 230 voids with the money it got from the Government. It turned around another 200 without money from the Government and it still has 230 to turnaround.

An Ceann Comhairle

Thank you Deputy, I think the point has been made.

Deputy Joan Collins

The money is not coming through and there needs to be a debate in the Chamber on it. If the Taoiseach is going to the sub-committee will he ask the Minister to come to the House to explain to us what the situation is?

An Ceann Comhairle

I think the point has been made already.

Deputy Joan Collins

I do not think so.

An Ceann Comhairle

It has.

Deputy Joan Collins

Where is the opportunity to come back in here and report to us? We will be closing the Dáil in ten days.

An Ceann Comhairle

A request for a debate has already been made by Deputy McDonald.

Deputy Mattie McGrath

Will the Taoiseach ask the Minister, Deputy Bruton, or the agencies to get involved with C&C Group and Bulmers in Clonmel? Strike notice has been issued by Unite for this day week. It is very serious. We lost grants during the week.

An Ceann Comhairle

I know that.

Deputy Mattie McGrath

The Ceann Comhairle gave us a Topical Issue debate yesterday.

An Ceann Comhairle

Yes.

Deputy Mattie McGrath

We need action because very important jobs-----

An Ceann Comhairle

Not on the Order of Business.

Deputy Mattie McGrath

I am asking under the industrial relations (amendment) (No. 2) Bill.

An Ceann Comhairle

When will we have the industrial relations (amendment) (No. 2) Bill?

Deputy Mattie McGrath

I am asking for the machinery of the State to get involved.

The Taoiseach

The Industrial Relations (Amendment) Bill is in the Seanad.

Deputy Mattie McGrath

I have two items. The other is a very serious matter in Tipperary as two young men lost their lives four years ago.

An Ceann Comhairle

No, hold on a minute.

Deputy Mattie McGrath

Will the Taoiseach ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport-----

An Ceann Comhairle

I call Deputy Ellis.

Deputy Mattie McGrath

It is under the maritime (international conventions and safety) Bill.

An Ceann Comhairle

What does that have to do with somebody in Clonmel?

Deputy Mattie McGrath

It is a maritime issue. These men lost their lives off Helvick Head.

An Ceann Comhairle

The Deputy is abusing the privilege I am giving him.

Deputy Mattie McGrath

No. The Minister will not meet these people.

An Ceann Comhairle

Resume your seat.

Deputy Mattie McGrath

I am not abusing privilege. I am asking about legislation.

An Ceann Comhairle

There is no need for a preamble.

The Taoiseach

Deputy Mattie McGrath is raising an important point as two people lost their lives but I am not sure what relevance the maritime issue has to Tipperary.

An Ceann Comhairle

Neither am I.

Deputy Mattie McGrath

There was no proper investigation by the Marine Institute. The Minister will not meet these people.

Deputy Dessie Ellis

The Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government, Deputy Alan Kelly, has repeatedly said he will introduce urgent legislation to bring about rent certainty. When will that happen? Will it come under the auspices of the Residential Tenancies Act 2004? It is a really urgent issue.

The Taoiseach

That is a part of the package of measures that the Minister has referred to and which I expect he will produce shortly.

Deputy Dessie Ellis

Is there a date?

Deputy Ray Butler

When is publication expected of the domestic violence Bill that will bring about a consolidated version of the Domestic Violence Act 1996, including additional provisions to protect victims of domestic violence? When is publication expected of the trust Bill, which will reform and consolidate the law relating to trustees so as to deal better with and protect trust assets?

The Taoiseach

There is no date for the publication of the trust Bill. I can confirm that the heads of the domestic violence Bill are at an advanced stage in the Department of Justice and Equality. I will advise Deputy Butler of the progress being made there.

Deputy Brendan Griffin

The first recommendation of the Commission for the Economic Development of Rural Areas, CEDRA, report relates to the development of a rural economic development policy statement. Will the Government bring that forward?

The Taoiseach

The Minister of State, Deputy Ann Phelan, is dealing with that issue. A range of issues is relevant and the CEDRA report feeds into the regional development plans. The plan for the south west, if it has not been launched, will be launched very shortly. There is an opportunity for Ministers and others to work together in the interests of provincial and rural Ireland.

Deputy Barry Cowen

Should we expect a supplementary budget from the Government, and particularly the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government, Deputy Kelly, having committed €18.5 million to Dublin City Council for the provision of homeless services?

The Taoiseach

I do not expect any consideration will be given to supplementary budgets until very late in the year. There will be no consideration of anything like that in the immediate future.

Deputy Mattie McGrath

Will the Government still be here?

Deputy Micheál Martin

It was all bluster so.

Deputy Bernard J. Durkan

The mediation Bill has been promised for a considerable time. What is its current progress and when is it likely to come before the House? Have the heads been cleared? The environmental liability Bill is equally important. Is its appearance imminent or have the heads been cleared?

The Taoiseach

The heads of the second Bill were cleared a number of years ago but there is no date for its publication. The heads of the mediation Bill were cleared and it is due for publication in the next session.

Deputy Michelle Mulherin

When will we see publication of an updated gambling control Bill to address issues relating to the outdated gambling legislation? This is now affecting legitimate traders, as the Acts do not really cater for online gambling or the modern way gambling has developed. The Ceann Comhairle has given much latitude on the homelessness issue and indicated that it does not arise on the Order of Business but perhaps we could benefit from a debate about how Dublin City Council finds itself with a shortfall.

Dáil Éireann díospóireacht - Wednesday, 8 Jul 2015

Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Wednesday, 8 Jul 2015