Dáil debates

Tuesday, 25 September 2012

5:20 pm

Photo of Micheál MartinMicheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

In order to facilitate the smooth running of the House, I did not wish to object to the Order of Business. However, I would appreciate if the Government would consider including on tomorrow's Order of Business an opportunity for the Minister for Health, Deputy James Reilly, to make a statement to the House about the development of primary care centres and their selection and to answer questions from Members. The timeframe and time limits at priority question time will not permit this because they are clearly too short to allow for any meaningful evaluation of why he made those decisions. I ask the Taoiseach to consider my request with regard to the Order of Business this week.

I have two questions about the programme for Government. On a previous occasion the Taoiseach said it was a political decision so I ask him to clarify whether the ministerial order for the delegation of ministerial powers with regard to primary care has been laid before the House. The Minister of State, Deputy Shortall, said she had been seeking those delegation orders and had not received them. I would appreciate clarification on this matter. I believe it is a Government decision.

Does the Taoiseach intend publishing the Thornhill report on property tax? Members would appreciate publication of that report which has been with the Cabinet since June. Publication would help Members to make an informed contribution to a debate which is raging outside the House but is not receiving any attention within the House.

As every day goes by, the crime situation is becoming more serious. Murders are being committed on an unprecedented scale, with two murders in the space of 24 hours and one man murdered in front of his children. I note there are two Bills in the legislative programme which emanate from the Department of Justice and Equality, the mental capacity Bill and the DNA database Bill. When will the DNA database Bill come before the House? I ask him about the commitment in the programme for Government to deal with crime. At the moment the criminal warlords-----

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