Today's Order of Business is items 1 and 2. We will take Second Stage only of item 1 to conclude not later than 1 o'clock, with Senator Henry to be called not later than 12.45 p.m. There will be a sos from 1 p.m. to 2 p.m. Item 2, which will commence at 2 p.m., is to conclude today with no fixed time for its conclusion.
Order of Business.
I welcome the arrangements for items 1 and 2.
I seek clarification on the issue of funding — EU funding and Irish-American funding — for the Border regions, which has been raised on this side of the House on several occasions. Does the Leader intend giving Government time to debate that issue because my party has two motions on the Order Paper at present and must decide whether to deal with the matter in Private Members' Time? We hope the Leader would give more time to the issue as many of the Leader's colleagues, along with numerous Senators on this side of the House, wish to speak on this issue at present. It has become an important issue and we feel it should be addressed. If it is not dealt with in Government time, we will address it in Private Members' Time in a couple of weeks?
First, I welcome yesterday's High Court decision to dismiss the challenge to the outcome of the divorce referendum. Will the Leader urge the Minister for Equality and Law Reform, Deputy Taylor, to introduce legislation as swiftly as possible and assure him of the support of the Progressive Democrats in doing so?
As I was unsuccessful in having my matter taken on the Adjournment, will the Leader ask the Minister for Health to establish a child abuse register as a matter of urgency as it was recommended by the report on the Kilkenny incest case, which is almost three years old? The urgency for such a register was highlighted last week by the horrific case involving a man sentenced to 12 years imprisonment for abusing his five month old child. This was the second incident involving the man so it is a matter of the greatest urgency in order to protect further children from this kind of abuse.
I was taken by surprise at the shortness of the Order of Business.
We can make it longer.
That is leadership.
Senator Wright raised the question of the funding in the Border regions and asked me to make Government time available. Clearly, I will not make Government time available for item 16, motion 24, which, as the Senator well knows, is a motion condemning the Government. I do not think it is my job to make time available for that sort of motion, but if a different wording could be found where the issue could be discussed through statements, I would be happy to make time available. We can discuss that afterwards. If the Senator wishes to go ahead with his condemnatory motion, time will not be made available and he can use his party's Private Members' Time.
I note Senator Honan's comments on yesterday's High Court decision on divorce. While there is still the question of an appeal, I know the Minister has the legislation at an advanced stage of preparation. Certainly, it is his intention to bring the legislation before both Houses at the earliest possible moment.
On the question of the child abuse register, I will pass on Senator Honan's observations to the Minister. That legislation is also at a fairly advanced stage and should be published within the next couple of weeks.
The Dáil has passed all Stages of both the VHI Bill and the Dumping at Sea Bill so I expect we will take those two Bills in the next couple of weeks. I was asked yesterday about statements on broadcasting and I am confident that they will take place before the end of this month.
Order of Business agreed to.