Enda Kenny (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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It is proposed to take No. 24a, motion re Standing Orders 38, 39 and 124; No. 24b, motion re membership of committees; No. 1, Local Government Reform Bill 2013 - amendments from the Seanad; and No. 6, ESB (Electronic Communications Networks) Bill 2013 - Order for Second Stage and Second Stage.

It is proposed, notwithstanding anything in Standing Orders, that Nos. 24a and 24b shall be decided without debate; that Private Members’ business shall be No. 47, Charities (Amendment) Bill 2014 – Second Stage (resumed), to conclude at 9 p.m., if not previously concluded; and that tomorrow's business after Oral Questions shall be ESB (Electronic Communications Networks) Bill 2013 - Second Stage (resumed).

Seán Barrett (Dún Laoghaire, Ceann Comhairle)
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There is one proposal to be put to the House. Is the proposal for dealing with Nos. 24a and 24b agreed to?

Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
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No, it is not agreed. Fianna Fáil is opposing No. 24a in the first instance which relates to changes to Standing Orders, the first of which deals with priority and ordinary oral questions from spokespersons which I believe presents difficulties for Independent Members and the Technical Group, in particular. Second, I refer to the proposal regarding identical or substantially similar Bills which provides that Private Members will be prevented from initiating Bills that are identical or substantially similar to Bills already published or which have reached the Ceann Comhairle's office first. In particular, I am opposing the proposed change concerning Bills that are substantially similar, whereby Membes will be prevented from initiating legislation. Members' experience has been that in successive Standing Orders the outcome in practice has been the concentration of even more power in the Government's hands. I refer to the dictating of what happens in Parliament, again strengthening the Government's hand and its capacity to dictate what happens in Parliament and, in essence, to suppress proper power of initiative and debate in Parliament. That is my genuine view. I remind the Taoiseach that it was only before Christmas when the entire Opposition was obliged to walk out because of the suppression of the debate on Irish Water within four hours.

Paul Kehoe (Wexford, Fine Gael)
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It was a rush for the turkey.

Barry Cowen (Laois-Offaly, Fianna Fail)
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See where that has got us.

Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
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Opposition Members were absolutely correct and justified in so doing.

Seán Barrett (Dún Laoghaire, Ceann Comhairle)
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That is a separate issue.

Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
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The Taoiseach is not listening to the Opposition. There is no sincerity in terms of Dáil reform or any commitment to it.

Ray Butler (Meath West, Fine Gael)
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St. Michael.

Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
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This is just another ruse by the Government to do the same and, consequently, Fianna Fáil is opposing it.

Paul Kehoe (Wexford, Fine Gael)
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Even the Deputy's own backbenchers are laughing behind his back at that one.

Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
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On No. 24b, I seek further clarification. I believe the Technical Group wishes to replace Deputy Mattie McGrath with Deputy Clare Daly. As a basic principle, since this Dáil was established-----

Jerry Buttimer (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
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Why is the Deputy leaving the health committee?

Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
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May I comment without interruption?

Seán Barrett (Dún Laoghaire, Ceann Comhairle)
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Please do.

Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
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Since the general election, a basic principle I have adopted in this Dáil is that we must change the way in which we do politics and that political parties-----

Ray Butler (Meath West, Fine Gael)
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Sincerity at its best.

Seán Barrett (Dún Laoghaire, Ceann Comhairle)
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Please, Deputies.

Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
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Political parties should not believe they possess or own Parliament.

Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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One could not have that.

Seán Barrett (Dún Laoghaire, Ceann Comhairle)
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Deputy Micheál Martin is entitled to make a short contribution. Other Deputies should, please, stay quiet.

Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
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They are great enthusiasts for parliamentary debate. The basic principle is that political parties should not think Parliament is their possession and that they can control anything that happens. To date, we have had such an experience, where Deputies have been removed from committees because they voted against the Government's line. This has happened to Deputies Peter Mathews and Lucinda Creighton and many others who were taken off and forced off. Sinn Féin did this with Deputy Peadar Tóibín.

Patrick O'Donovan (Limerick, Fine Gael)
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Fianna Fáil members also did it.

Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
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Before the last general election we all stated we would change. However, there is absolutely no evidence on the Government side that Members are committed to that change and on that basis, I oppose the proposal.

Gerry Adams (Louth, Sinn Fein)
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Sinn Féin does not oppose No. 24b, but it has a real problem with the proposal regarding the basic right of each Teachta Dála to bring forward a Private Members' Bill.

That is for Government as well as Opposition Deputies. The Government should not in any way seek to obstruct or prevent that.

Enda Kenny (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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Deputy Martin is becoming more and more like Tadhg an dá thaobh.

Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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Hear, hear.

Enda Kenny (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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He is a history scholar but he seems to have forgotten his own recent history.

Dara Calleary (Mayo, Fianna Fail)
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The Taoiseach has forgotten a lot himself.

Enda Kenny (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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He accuses us of not listening, or changing stance on everything. Am I right in understanding that his representative was at the meeting of the Committee on Procedure and Privileges on Wednesday, 18 December 2013-----

Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
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He was, yes.

Enda Kenny (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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-----and agreed with this fully and supported it? Am I right in that?

Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
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He did not agree to it.

Enda Kenny (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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Deputy Martin should speak to Deputy Ó Fearghaíl before he makes such a statement.

Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
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Maybe the Taoiseach should have talked to the Minister, Deputy Hogan, about Irish Water.

Barry Cowen (Laois-Offaly, Fianna Fail)
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Maybe the Taoiseach should talk to the rest of the Cabinet.

Enda Kenny (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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The CPP was very strongly supportive of this.

Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
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I spoke to the Chief Whip. We discussed it and my party opposed it.

Seán Barrett (Dún Laoghaire, Ceann Comhairle)
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Deputy Martin has had his say.

Enda Kenny (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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Regarding priority in ordinary questions, the proposed change applies where the spokesperson is availing of the privilege of tabling five ordinary oral questions. That spokesperson will have to be the sponsor of at least one of the priority questions on the same day.

Emmet Stagg (Kildare North, Labour)
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Proper order.

Enda Kenny (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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That was agreed by Deputy Martin's party at the CPP. He does not accept that because it is recent history, but it is a fact.

Barry Cowen (Laois-Offaly, Fianna Fail)
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The Taoiseach should go to the other issues he raised.

Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
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We voted "Níl".

Enda Kenny (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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The second issue is regarding identical or substantially similar Bills.

Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
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We do not agree with that.

Enda Kenny (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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Deputy Penrose introduced a Bill which was copied identically by a Deputy up in the back.

Robert Troy (Longford-Westmeath, Fianna Fail)
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Would the Government implement the Bill? Never mind worrying about someone copying it.

Enda Kenny (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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We cannot have that. If a Bill is brought to the notice of the Ceann Comhairle's office and is then copied-----

Barry Cowen (Laois-Offaly, Fianna Fail)
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If the Government had dealt with the Bill nobody would be copying anybody else.

Enda Kenny (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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I know Deputy Martin agrees with this but others do not. They object to it. This was agreed by the CPP and we are putting it through.

Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
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The Taoiseach controls everything that goes on in here.

Enda Kenny (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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On Deputy Adams's comment on committees, the Government has to introduce the changes here.

Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
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The Bill was never enacted, committed or commenced.

Barry Cowen (Laois-Offaly, Fianna Fail)
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It was to do with wind turbines.

Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
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That is the very reason we oppose it. Every Government Deputy will produce a Bill and leave it there resting and doing nothing while nobody else can produce a similar Bill. That is the point.

Enda Kenny (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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The Deputy will not listen. He never listens.

Seán Barrett (Dún Laoghaire, Ceann Comhairle)
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Would Deputy Martin please respect the Chair?

Enda Kenny (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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He is the one who says nobody else listens.

Finian McGrath (Dublin North Central, Independent)
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It was six months in the hat.

Seán Barrett (Dún Laoghaire, Ceann Comhairle)
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We have had a long debate on this issue. The question must be put.

Enda Kenny (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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Deputy Martin opposed Friday sittings for the purpose of bringing in Private Members' Bills. The communication received here is from the Technical Group and it says: "Further to our conversation please find herein the changes to committee memberships that the technical group would like to make."

Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
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Who signed that?

Enda Kenny (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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It continues: "Health and children, Mattie McGrath to be replaced by Clare Daly; sub-committee on child and youth affairs, Mattie McGrath to be replaced by Clare Daly also; transport and communications and associated select committees, Mattie McGrath to be replaced by Mick Wallace." That is the communication the Government must present here. Deputies Martin and Adams are opposing that. The Technical Group is entitled to make the internal changes it wants.

Jerry Buttimer (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
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Has Deputy Mattie McGrath rejoined Fianna Fáil?

Stephen Donnelly (Wicklow, Independent)
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On a point of order-----

Seán Barrett (Dún Laoghaire, Ceann Comhairle)
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I am now putting the question. Deputy Donnelly must resume his seat.

Stephen Donnelly (Wicklow, Independent)
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No, I will not. I am asking for a ruling on a point of order.

Seán Barrett (Dún Laoghaire, Ceann Comhairle)
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Will you stay quiet, please?

Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
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The Deputy is trying to raise a point of order.

Seán Barrett (Dún Laoghaire, Ceann Comhairle)
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What point of order? He knows only leaders of parties only can make a short intervention and both of them have done so. What is his point of order?

Stephen Donnelly (Wicklow, Independent)
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I seek a ruling from the Ceann Comhairle.

Seán Barrett (Dún Laoghaire, Ceann Comhairle)
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On what?

Stephen Donnelly (Wicklow, Independent)
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In the context of proposed changes to Standing Orders, I ask for clarification that nobody from the Technical Group and no non-aligned Deputy is allowed to comment on the proposal before the House. Can the Ceann Comhairle confirm whether that is the case?

Seán Barrett (Dún Laoghaire, Ceann Comhairle)
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Where a proposal is put on the Order of Business only party leaders are entitled to comment on whether they agree or disagree. That is the Standing Order. Matters related to the running of the business of the Parliament and Standing Orders are a matter for the CPP, where everybody is represented.

Patrick Nulty (Dublin West, Independent)
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They are not all represented.

Stephen Donnelly (Wicklow, Independent)
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It is not right that we cannot even comment.

Seán Barrett (Dún Laoghaire, Ceann Comhairle)
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That matter has been discussed and agreed, and I am now putting it to the House. Deputies Martin and Adams have made their points and they are in disagreement with what the Government is saying, so I am now putting the question.

Seán Barrett (Dún Laoghaire, Ceann Comhairle)
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As Members can see from the clocks, we have six minutes and 48 seconds left on the Order of Business.

Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
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Yesterday, when speaking about the health service, the Taoiseach said that, overall, the service provided had not diminished in its impact or effect and that while costs had been extracted from the delivery of health services, there had been no diminution in their quality. He said this on the very day the Irish Emergency Medicine Trainees Association sent a letter to HIQA stating current conditions in emergency departments were unequivocally dangerous for patients and staff, that mortality would rise and that we would see poorer patient outcomes as a result of the cuts in emergency medicine alone.

We also know what Tony O'Brien, the director of the HSE, stated about the 2014 service plan - that it would not be possible to meet fully the growing demands being placed on the health service. We are only nine days into the health service plan for 2014 and dire warnings are already emerging from a range of sectors in the health service. With regard to promised legislation, when will the Health Service Executive (Financial Matters) Bill come before the House? Is there any prospect whatsoever of a change of stance from the Government in terms of its endless attack on front-line health services?

Enda Kenny (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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The Bill has already been published and is waiting to come into the system here.

Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
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When?

Enda Kenny (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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It has already been published.

Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
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When will it come in?

Enda Kenny (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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They are not very happy with a lot of stuff going on in here. We cannot do everything together and we must have a structure to fit Bills into the system so they can be debated. The Whip will arrange it. We will have a full debate in the House next week on the Health Service Executive plan, as I committed to in the House. Everybody will have their say on it and any other issues they wish to raise.

Gerry Adams (Louth, Sinn Fein)
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Tá dhá cheist agam faoi reachtaíocht atá fógraithe, the sale of alcohol Bill and the health reform Bill. Yesterday the Taoiseach may have noted reports that there has been a considerable increase in the number of deaths involving cocktails of anti-anxiety drugs and alcohol. The figures from the health research board's national drug-related deaths index are for 2011. The index gives us the latest data on the nature and extent of premature death due to problem drug and alcohol use in Ireland. When can we expect the publication of the sale of alcohol Bill?

With regard to the health reform Bill, yesterday I raised with the Taoiseach the unacceptably high number of patients on hospital trolleys and particularly the alleged failure of some hospital management teams to fully implement the HIQA Tallaght recommendations. When will the health reform Bill be introduced? Will the Taoiseach assure patients and those who care for them that its provisions will address the unacceptable systemic challenges?

Enda Kenny (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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The reform of health Bill is this session. The sale of alcohol Bill is the responsibility of the Minister for Justice and Equality, Deputy Shatter, and there is a great deal of work to be done on it. The public end of the Bill is being worked upon by the Minister of State at the Department of Health, Deputy White. We have had discussions on it and it is coming to a conclusion. There are many complications and technicalities. I agree with the Deputy about the situation on the streets, where unfortunately and tragically it seems that a mixture of alcohol and substance abuse leads to the most horrendous situations. This is a matter of concern to everybody in terms of public behaviour and access to substances and alcohol where it applies to excess. The Minister, Deputy Shatter, is dealing with the sale aspects and the Minister of State, Deputy White, is dealing with the public area. It will be the first time a Bill of this nature is published.

Gerry Adams (Louth, Sinn Fein)
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Is there an indicative timeframe?

Enda Kenny (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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I do not have a date for the Deputy but I will advise him on the state of completion of the discussions by the Minister of State, Deputy White.

Seán Barrett (Dún Laoghaire, Ceann Comhairle)
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We have only one minute and 45 seconds left so I must disappoint a few people, who can wait until tomorrow.

Heather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)
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What plans are in place to publish the EirGrid Bill to establish EirGrid in primary legislation? Would it be a good idea to publish it now given the current public concern regarding pylons and upgrading the grid?

Enda Kenny (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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The EirGrid Bill is not due to be published until next year, but this does not mean that issues of concern to many people will not be the subject of some serious discussion and analysis.

Robert Troy (Longford-Westmeath, Fianna Fail)
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Will it be Fine Gael's way or the Labour Party's way?

Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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Or Deputy Troy's way.

Paul Kehoe (Wexford, Fine Gael)
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Donie's way.

Denis Naughten (Roscommon-South Leitrim, Independent)
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The Building Control (Amendment) Regulations 2014, SI No. 9 of 2014, are on the Order Paper today. Can this be referred to the joint Oireachtas Committee on the Environment, Culture and the Gaeltacht? Issues have been raised by self-builders and issues have also been raised with regard to the retrofitting of septic tanks.

Enda Kenny (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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I will look at it for the Deputy.

Enda Kenny (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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It is listed for this session.

Barry Cowen (Laois-Offaly, Fianna Fail)
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Does the Taoiseach have any knowledge of whether the Whip converses with the Chairmen of committees? Today an issue regarding Poolbeg is to be discussed at a committee meeting while at the same time we are expected to deal with local government legislation in the House.

Enda Kenny (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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The Chairmen of the respective committees have authority to put forward their own business schedule. Everybody is aware of the programme arising from each Whips' meeting so it is a case of management. We have a short enough time in the week to get all of these things in line. It is not the first time this has happened. Chairmen should be cognisant of the outcome of Whips' meetings, which are the conclusion of discussions between the Whips of the parties.

Barry Cowen (Laois-Offaly, Fianna Fail)
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Will the Taoiseach put in place a procedure?

Seán Barrett (Dún Laoghaire, Ceann Comhairle)
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I am afraid the time has expired.

Tommy Broughan (Dublin North East, Labour)
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The Ceann Comhairle could use his discretion.

Seán Barrett (Dún Laoghaire, Ceann Comhairle)
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Other Deputies must wait until tomorrow.

Enda Kenny (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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The Government Whip meets committee Chairmen to discuss these issues.

Seán Barrett (Dún Laoghaire, Ceann Comhairle)
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We are over time and I must deal with the order of the day.