Dáil debates

Tuesday, 15 February 2005

4:00 pm

Photo of Bertie AhernBertie Ahern (Dublin Central, Fianna Fail)
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It is proposed to take No. 11, motion re proposed approval by Dáil Éireann of the Finance Act 2004 (Section 91) (Deferred Surrender to Central Fund) Order 2005; No. 11a, motion re by-elections for Kildare North on the Supplementary Order Paper; No. 4, Criminal Justice Bill 2004 — Order for Second Stage and Second Stage. It is proposed, notwithstanding anything in Standing Orders, that No. 11 shall be decided without debate, the proceedings on No. 11a shall, if not previously concluded, be brought to a conclusion after 40 minutes and the following arrangements shall apply: the speeches shall be confined to the Minister for Finance and the main spokespersons for the Fine Gael Party, the Labour Party and the Technical Group who shall be called upon in that order. Speeches shall not exceed ten minutes in each case and Members may share time. In the event of the motion for the by-election for Meath being moved, the proceedings thereon shall, if not previously concluded, be brought to a conclusion after 40 minutes and the following arrangements shall apply: the speeches shall be confined to the main spokespersons for the Fine Gael Party, the Labour Party and the Technical Group and the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources, who shall be called upon in that order and who shall not exceed ten minutes in each case. Members may share time. Private Members' business shall be No. 44, motion re waiver scheme for domestic refuse charges.

Photo of Rory O'HanlonRory O'Hanlon (Cavan-Monaghan, Ceann Comhairle)
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Is the proposal for dealing with No. 11, motion re proposed approval by Dáil Éireann of the Finance Act 2004 (Section 91) (Deferred Surrender to Central Fund) Order 2005, to be taken without debate, agreed? Agreed. Is the proposal for dealing with No. 11a, motion re by-election for Kildare North agreed? Agreed. Is the proposal for dealing with No. 12, motion re by-election for Meath agreed? Agreed.

Photo of Johnny BradyJohnny Brady (Meath, Fianna Fail)
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We are waiting for them.

Photo of Tom HayesTom Hayes (Tipperary South, Fine Gael)
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That is not what I heard.

Photo of Johnny BradyJohnny Brady (Meath, Fianna Fail)
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We are ready.

Photo of Paul Connaughton  SnrPaul Connaughton Snr (Galway East, Fine Gael)
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Deputy Brady will be all right.

(Interruptions).

Photo of Rory O'HanlonRory O'Hanlon (Cavan-Monaghan, Ceann Comhairle)
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On the Order of Business, I call Deputy Kenny. Deputy Kenny should be allowed to speak without interruption.

Photo of Enda KennyEnda Kenny (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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I have two questions for the Taoiseach. Newspaper reports indicate that the visit of the President to the North of Ireland is in doubt. Has that matter come before the Cabinet for the normal approval that is given for presidential visits?

Photo of Rory O'HanlonRory O'Hanlon (Cavan-Monaghan, Ceann Comhairle)
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Questions on Northern Ireland came up in the House this afternoon. The matter does not arise on the Order of Business.

Photo of Enda KennyEnda Kenny (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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She was due to visit there on 24 February. Has the Cabinet given consent to that?

Photo of Rory O'HanlonRory O'Hanlon (Cavan-Monaghan, Ceann Comhairle)
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What is the Deputy's second question?

Photo of Enda KennyEnda Kenny (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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Last week in the Dáil the Fine Gael deputy health spokesman, Deputy Neville, raised a number of important issues which he has continued to raise for some time regarding mental health. In response to a question, the Minister of State at the Department of Health and Children, Deputy Tim O'Malley, said that Deputy Neville spoke about stigma——

Photo of Rory O'HanlonRory O'Hanlon (Cavan-Monaghan, Ceann Comhairle)
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Deputy Kenny should ask a question appropriate to the Order of Business. He had an opportunity to raise the matter on Leaders' Questions. He may submit a question to the line Minister.

Photo of Enda KennyEnda Kenny (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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I know the Ceann Comhairle is not shielding the Minister of State, but he said that Deputy Neville's constant raising of the mental health services was——

Photo of Rory O'HanlonRory O'Hanlon (Cavan-Monaghan, Ceann Comhairle)
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The Chair is shielding nobody. The Chair is trying to get the Deputy, like everyone else, to stay within the Standing Order.

Photo of Enda KennyEnda Kenny (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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——"becoming a bit tiresome" to many organisations.

Photo of Rory O'HanlonRory O'Hanlon (Cavan-Monaghan, Ceann Comhairle)
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That does not arise on the Order of Business.

Photo of Enda KennyEnda Kenny (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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Does the Taoiseach share that view or would he like to comment on it?

Photo of Rory O'HanlonRory O'Hanlon (Cavan-Monaghan, Ceann Comhairle)
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That does not arise. Neither question arises on the Order of Business. I call Deputy Rabbitte.

Photo of Enda KennyEnda Kenny (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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A Cheann Comhairle, a Minister of State——

Photo of Rory O'HanlonRory O'Hanlon (Cavan-Monaghan, Ceann Comhairle)
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The Deputy should submit the question in an orderly manner under the Standing Orders of this House.

Photo of Enda KennyEnda Kenny (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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——said that a Deputy raising matters relevant to mental health was becoming a bit tiresome to many organisations.

Photo of Rory O'HanlonRory O'Hanlon (Cavan-Monaghan, Ceann Comhairle)
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As a party leader, Deputy Kenny has a better opportunity than most to obey the Standing Orders. I call Deputy Rabbitte.

Photo of Enda KennyEnda Kenny (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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If you think, a Cheann Comhairle, that matter is not important, you better listen to the voices of people outside.

Photo of Rory O'HanlonRory O'Hanlon (Cavan-Monaghan, Ceann Comhairle)
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Please, Deputy Kenny.

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

Photo of Pat RabbittePat Rabbitte (Dublin South West, Labour)
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Has the Progressive Democrats Party withdrawn its objections to the Campus Stadium Ireland Bill and when will it be before the House?

Photo of Bertie AhernBertie Ahern (Dublin Central, Fianna Fail)
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It is due this session.

Photo of Trevor SargentTrevor Sargent (Dublin North, Green Party)
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Many people would be interested in the Charities Bill finally seeing the light of day after many years. I will not talk about the Minister, Deputy Cullen, again, but fundraising needs to be put in proper order.

Photo of Rory O'HanlonRory O'Hanlon (Cavan-Monaghan, Ceann Comhairle)
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Does the Deputy have a question appropriate to the Order of Business?

Photo of Trevor SargentTrevor Sargent (Dublin North, Green Party)
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The Charities Bill has been on the list for years and it still has not seen the light of day.

Photo of Rory O'HanlonRory O'Hanlon (Cavan-Monaghan, Ceann Comhairle)
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I call Deputy Ó Caoláin.

Photo of Trevor SargentTrevor Sargent (Dublin North, Green Party)
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We do not have a date. I am asking on the Order of Business if a date can be given.

Photo of Jim O'KeeffeJim O'Keeffe (Cork South West, Fine Gael)
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Every year.

Photo of Rory O'HanlonRory O'Hanlon (Cavan-Monaghan, Ceann Comhairle)
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The Deputy should confine himself to what is on the Order of Business.

Photo of Trevor SargentTrevor Sargent (Dublin North, Green Party)
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That is.

Photo of Bertie AhernBertie Ahern (Dublin Central, Fianna Fail)
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Work is proceeding as speedily as possible. The Bill is being given priority within the Department.

Photo of Trevor SargentTrevor Sargent (Dublin North, Green Party)
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For years.

Photo of Caoimhghín Ó CaoláinCaoimhghín Ó Caoláin (Cavan-Monaghan, Sinn Fein)
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Will the Taoiseach clarify the position regarding immigration legislation? He will note that it has been reported in recent days that legislation will be introduced to bring in a green card system for immigrant workers. Last week in this House in response to questioning from me the Taoiseach said work permits would move from employers to workers.

Photo of Rory O'HanlonRory O'Hanlon (Cavan-Monaghan, Ceann Comhairle)
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Is legislation promised?

Photo of Caoimhghín Ó CaoláinCaoimhghín Ó Caoláin (Cavan-Monaghan, Sinn Fein)
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Will two separate legislative items be required or will comprehensive legislation be introduced incorporating access to work permits by employees rather than employers, as the Taoiseach has promised?

Photo of Rory O'HanlonRory O'Hanlon (Cavan-Monaghan, Ceann Comhairle)
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Is legislation promised?

Photo of Bertie AhernBertie Ahern (Dublin Central, Fianna Fail)
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The work permits legislation is separate legislation which is due before the House this session. The immigration and residence Bill is being prepared and I hope it will be available later this year. A discussion document is being prepared at the moment which will allow for public consultation on the issue.

Photo of Caoimhghín Ó CaoláinCaoimhghín Ó Caoláin (Cavan-Monaghan, Sinn Fein)
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When does the Taoiseach expect the first one to be before the House?

Photo of Bertie AhernBertie Ahern (Dublin Central, Fianna Fail)
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This session.

Photo of Eamon GilmoreEamon Gilmore (Dún Laoghaire, Labour)
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I have asked the Taoiseach for a number of months about the possibility of a debate in the House concerning the report of the All-Party Oireachtas Committee on the Constitution regarding the cost of building land. When I asked him about this before Christmas he said he was waiting for the NESC report on housing. The NESC reported before Christmas. Is the Taoiseach now in a position to indicate when the House might at last debate the related issues of housing and the cost of building land?

Photo of Bertie AhernBertie Ahern (Dublin Central, Fianna Fail)
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I will ask the Whips to look at that. We have received the three reports on which we were waiting. I will ask the Whips if we can have the debate this session.

Photo of Eamon GilmoreEamon Gilmore (Dún Laoghaire, Labour)
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I thank the Taoiseach for making representation to the Government Whip on my behalf.

Photo of Noel DempseyNoel Dempsey (Meath, Fianna Fail)
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A first success.

Photo of Jack WallJack Wall (Kildare South, Labour)
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There is great disappointment and concern among the more than 1,000 families who are affected by the closure of Carlow sugar factory. Will the Taoiseach and the Minister for Agriculture and Food intercede with Greencore to postpone the closure of the factory for another year to allow everyone time to come to grips with the problems which will arise as a result?

Photo of Rory O'HanlonRory O'Hanlon (Cavan-Monaghan, Ceann Comhairle)
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That does not arise on the Order of Business.