Bertie Ahern (Dublin Central, Fianna Fail)
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It is proposed to take No. 15, Sea Pollution (Hazardous Substances) (Compensation) Bill 2000 — Order for Report and Report and Final Stages; No. 4, Electoral (Amendment) Bill 2005 — Order for Second Stage and Second Stage; and No. 16, Commission to Enquire into Child Abuse (Amendment) Bill 2005 — Second Stage (resumed). Private Members' business shall be No. 41, motion re class sizes (resumed) to conclude at 8.30 p.m.

Enda Kenny (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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Regarding the McEntee inquiry into the Dublin and Monaghan bombings announced by the Department of Justice, Equality and Law Reform, will the Opposition parties be consulted about the inquiry's terms of reference?

It is obvious that all parties in the House recognise the seriousness of the anti-social behaviour issue. Regarding the Children Act 2001, when is it proposed to introduce statutory instruments for section 1(11) and 1(12) dealing with parental supervision, sections 115 to 132, inclusive, dealing with community sanctions and sections 137 to 139, inclusive, dealing with other aspects of community orders? The Taoiseach is aware that there are 53 uncommenced sections in the Children Act, which should be implemented and prioritised by him.

Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin (Cavan-Monaghan, Sinn Fein)
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I wish to return to the issue of the McEntee inquiry. Given that Justice for the Forgotten has expressed its dissatisfaction with the inquiry's terms of reference — the form of investigation that is to be undertaken into the missing Garda files relevant to the Dublin and Monaghan bombings — will the Taoiseach revisit the terms of reference? Is there a facilitation for amended terms of reference to come before the House so that Members could have the opportunity to affect the final terms of reference?

Joe Costello (Dublin Central, Labour)
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Justice for the Forgotten has already publicly indicated that it will not participate in the new commission of investigation. This would be particularly regrettable because Justice for the Forgotten has contributed so much to all the hearings into the bombings. In this context, legal representation has already been afforded to Justice for the Forgotten relatives and survivors. Could we extend this where it impinges on that group's area of involvement to ensure the first commission of inquiry under the new legislation is not short-lived or ineffective?

Bertie Ahern (Dublin Central, Fianna Fail)
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I will request the information on the various sections of the Children Act about which Deputy Kenny asked and forward it to him.

On the commission of investigation, my officials have discussed the issue with Justice for the Forgotten. The group would prefer broader terms of reference but we have taken as terms of reference what happened in the Oireachtas committee and the issues that had been identified there. People can make submissions to Mr. Patrick McEntee SC. We are trying to address the issues that have been raised but not to open an extensive investigation of the past 30 years that will continue forever. We have been through this process and we must narrow the areas being dealt with.

I was glad to provide a significant amount of legal and financial resources to Justice for the Forgotten but this has been a costly exercise. With the commission of investigation we hope to have a quick examination, and to get the benefit of this type of report on tight terms of reference, as other countries seem to do. This is why it must be narrowed down but people can make their views known to Mr. McEntee. We have covered all of the points that came from the debate in this House and in the Oireachtas committee and all those issues we felt must be dealt with.

Pat Rabbitte (Dublin South West, Labour)
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I raise the issue of the Work Permits Bill. Would the Government be prepared to facilitate an employment regulation order in respect of people in domestic service? This is an especially acute area of exploitation of non-national workers and others. An employment regulation order is the most appropriate way to address the issue, as trade union organisation in domestic service is not really feasible.

Bertie Ahern (Dublin Central, Fianna Fail)
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The Bill will be published in this session and I thank Deputy Rabbitte for raising the issue.

Trevor Sargent (Dublin North, Green Party)
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On promised legislation, yesterday the Garda Síochána and others highlighted the risks to pedestrians on our streets. This arises in the context on ongoing accidents. For example, a young lady in Balbriggan had her legs crushed yesterday.

Rory O'Hanlon (Cavan-Monaghan, Ceann Comhairle)
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Does the Deputy have a question on legislation?

Trevor Sargent (Dublin North, Green Party)
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The legislation relates to the Minister for Transport. Does the Minister intend not to wait for European initiatives regarding the retrofitting of trucks and large vehicles with mirrors to improve safety? Given the urgency of the matter, can we soon proceed to put these measures into effect rather than waiting for the number of casualties to escalate?

Bertie Ahern (Dublin Central, Fianna Fail)
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I will ask the Minister for Transport to note the Deputy's comments.

Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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The postal provisions Bill seems to have disappeared from the radar, a common occurrence on that side of the House. Is it intended to bring that Bill back into the House in the near future, or at least before the next general election? Similarly, is it intended to introduce the Broadcasting (Amendment) Bill that I asked about last week? I still cannot comprehend the answer I received then. In the present climate, it would be beneficial to know whether this Bill will be brought before the House before the next general election.

Bertie Ahern (Dublin Central, Fianna Fail)
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The Broadcasting (Amendment) Bill is being prepared but it will probably be next year before it is before the House. The Postal (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill was taken off the list and I am unsure of its current status. I will request information about it.

Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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The Bill has gone off the radar.

Tommy Broughan (Dublin North East, Labour)
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The chief whip almost had me in tears on the radio yesterday afternoon on the issue of developers building 20 or 30 storey buildings.

Rory O'Hanlon (Cavan-Monaghan, Ceann Comhairle)
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Does the Deputy have a question on legislation?

Tommy Broughan (Dublin North East, Labour)
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My question is on legislation.

Rory O'Hanlon (Cavan-Monaghan, Ceann Comhairle)
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Which legislation?

Tommy Broughan (Dublin North East, Labour)
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It is infrastructural legislation for the south west and north side of this city. I asked the Taoiseach previously whether he is prepared to introduce such legislation to give Ministers like the Minister of State, Deputy Kitt an input——

Rory O'Hanlon (Cavan-Monaghan, Ceann Comhairle)
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There is no legislation on this.

Tommy Broughan (Dublin North East, Labour)
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A strategic infrastructure Bill.

Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin (Cavan-Monaghan, Sinn Fein)
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The Taoiseach stated yesterday that we could have had a debate on the minimum wage. When does he intend to schedule this? The Taoiseach indicated that he had no problem with having such a debate. He thought I had it all wrong and had no difficulty facing me on the issue. I would like to take the Taoiseach up on his offer to have a debate on the minimum wage and the fact that, from this Sunday——

Rory O'Hanlon (Cavan-Monaghan, Ceann Comhairle)
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We are not having a debate on this matter at present.

Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin (Cavan-Monaghan, Sinn Fein)
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——37,000 workers will be back in the tax net. I want an answer to my question. Will the Taoiseach schedule the debate and will he allow an opportunity to address the issues?

Rory O'Hanlon (Cavan-Monaghan, Ceann Comhairle)
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We cannot discuss what might be in the debate or we would be here all day.

Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin (Cavan-Monaghan, Sinn Fein)
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We must know what the debate will be about. The debate should also address the issue of immigrants——

Rory O'Hanlon (Cavan-Monaghan, Ceann Comhairle)
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I ask the Deputy to stop. If the debate happens now, there will be no need for the Taoiseach to answer the question.

Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin (Cavan-Monaghan, Sinn Fein)
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Will the Taoiseach confirm when he intends to schedule the debate?

Bertie Ahern (Dublin Central, Fianna Fail)
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Deputy Ó Caoláin has been beaten by Deputy Joe Higgins in this round.

Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin (Cavan-Monaghan, Sinn Fein)
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Will the Taoiseach give a date? He can throw one out off the top of his head without a script.

Rory O'Hanlon (Cavan-Monaghan, Ceann Comhairle)
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Is the debate promised?

Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin (Cavan-Monaghan, Sinn Fein)
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I read the transcript and the Taoiseach promised a debate.

Bertie Ahern (Dublin Central, Fianna Fail)
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The Deputy wants to come in to say how excellent the minimum wage is in Ireland, but as soon as I corrected him on that he moved to the tax issue.

Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin (Cavan-Monaghan, Sinn Fein)
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I would welcome the opportunity. What does the Deputy propose to do about the 37,000 workers?

Rory O'Hanlon (Cavan-Monaghan, Ceann Comhairle)
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Allow Deputy Allen to speak. I have called Deputy Allen.

Bernard Allen (Cork North Central, Fine Gael)
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Will the Taoiseach use the Air Navigation and Transport (International Conventions) Bill to clarify the confusion about who pays for what concerning the building of terminals?

Rory O'Hanlon (Cavan-Monaghan, Ceann Comhairle)
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We cannot discuss what might be contained in the Bill.

Bernard Allen (Cork North Central, Fine Gael)
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Will the Taoiseach clarify the situation and when will we have the Bill?

Bertie Ahern (Dublin Central, Fianna Fail)
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We will have it this year.

Joan Burton (Dublin West, Labour)
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On the Electoral (Amendment) Bill 2005, when discussing the Estimates in the Committee on Finance and the Public Service, the Minister of State announced last week that there would be a census on 26 April. Can the Taoiseach clarify whether the census will report within three months, as was suggested by the Minister of State in the committee last week?

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

Joan Burton (Dublin West, Labour)
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Why are we going through this Bill if the Government has commissioned another census?

Rory O'Hanlon (Cavan-Monaghan, Ceann Comhairle)
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When will the Bill come before the House?

Joan Burton (Dublin West, Labour)
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Will there be a need for another Bill?

Bertie Ahern (Dublin Central, Fianna Fail)
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There will be a need three or four years after the next census because that is how long it takes to go through.

Joan Burton (Dublin West, Labour)
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That is not what the Minister of State said in the committee.

Rory O'Hanlon (Cavan-Monaghan, Ceann Comhairle)
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The Deputy should submit a parliamentary question about the census to the appropriate line Minister.

Denis Naughten (Longford-Roscommon, Fine Gael)
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As Deputy Sargent said, the Government and the Garda launched a campaign on pedestrian deaths yesterday. In the context of that and in the context of secondary legislation, I am sure the Taoiseach accepts as unsatisfactory the increasing of speed limits outside schools on national primary roads——

Rory O'Hanlon (Cavan-Monaghan, Ceann Comhairle)
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The question must be on legislation.

Denis Naughten (Longford-Roscommon, Fine Gael)
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——and built-up areas, which is increasing potential fatalities. In light of that will we see secondary legislation regarding the Road Traffic Act 2004, which provided for the implementation of guidelines to reduce speed limits outside schools?

Rory O'Hanlon (Cavan-Monaghan, Ceann Comhairle)
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This is secondary legislation.

Denis Naughten (Longford-Roscommon, Fine Gael)
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When will the Government get its act together?

Bertie Ahern (Dublin Central, Fianna Fail)
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The guidelines have been issued to local authorities and it is for them to act on these issues.

Denis Naughten (Longford-Roscommon, Fine Gael)
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This must have happened in the past few days.

Bertie Ahern (Dublin Central, Fianna Fail)
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In the past week.

Eamon Ryan (Dublin South, Green Party)
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Given that the Minister for Transport seems to be of the view that we should have an overall national transport regulator, which legislation would introduce such a regulator? Would it be the transport reform Bill, for which we do not have an expected date? On what date will the relevant legislation be introduced?

Bertie Ahern (Dublin Central, Fianna Fail)
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I do not have a date for the legislation.

Eamon Ryan (Dublin South, Green Party)
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Do we know if this is the correct legislation that will deal with this matter?

Bertie Ahern (Dublin Central, Fianna Fail)
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It will be included in a Bill. As I understood it, the Minister was talking about better regulation and not about a particular proposal.

Eamon Ryan (Dublin South, Green Party)
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So we will not have a regulator.

Martin Cullen (Waterford, Fianna Fail)
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I did not say that either.

Eamon Ryan (Dublin South, Green Party)
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What is the Minister saying?

Rory O'Hanlon (Cavan-Monaghan, Ceann Comhairle)
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I call Deputy Kehoe. We are not having a debate on this matter now. I suggest Deputy Eamon Ryan submits a parliamentary question to the Minister for Transport to have the matter dealt with in the appropriate way.

Paul Kehoe (Wexford, Fine Gael)
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Given the ever increasing pressure on nurses in accident and emergency departments throughout the country, when does the Taoiseach expect the nurses Bill will be published?

Bertie Ahern (Dublin Central, Fianna Fail)
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I do not have a date for it.

Paul Kehoe (Wexford, Fine Gael)
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The Taoiseach is neglecting our nurses.

Pat Rabbitte (Dublin South West, Labour)
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Will the Government introduce legislation on Aer Lingus given the Tánaiste's diplomatic absence from yesterday's Cabinet meeting to provide time to come up with some cobbled solution to the mess at Dublin Airport?

Bertie Ahern (Dublin Central, Fianna Fail)
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There is no Bill on Aer Lingus at present.

Denis Naughten (Longford-Roscommon, Fine Gael)
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Legislation is promised.

Bertie Ahern (Dublin Central, Fianna Fail)
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It is not listed on the schedule.

Paudge Connolly (Cavan-Monaghan, Independent)
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I wish to raise two issues. Given that operations had to be cancelled at Monaghan General Hospital this morning due to bed shortages, when will the Taoiseach open the much needed ten extra beds, as promised?

Rory O'Hanlon (Cavan-Monaghan, Ceann Comhairle)
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The Deputy should submit a parliamentary question to the Minister for Health and Children.

Paudge Connolly (Cavan-Monaghan, Independent)
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I wish to raise a second issue.

Rory O'Hanlon (Cavan-Monaghan, Ceann Comhairle)
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I will hear the second issue after I hear Deputy Hayes.

Tom Hayes (Tipperary South, Fine Gael)
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Does the Taoiseach intend to introduce legislation on the dormant accounts fund? The reason I ask is that many centres throughout the country are in financial difficulties and find it difficult to apply for funding under the current legislation. Will the Taoiseach clarify the situation?

Bertie Ahern (Dublin Central, Fianna Fail)
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The Bill has been published and is with the select committee.

Rory O'Hanlon (Cavan-Monaghan, Ceann Comhairle)
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Deputy Connolly said he had an issue appropriate to the Order of Business.

Paudge Connolly (Cavan-Monaghan, Independent)
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It relates to the renaming of the treatment room in Monaghan General Hospital as an accident and emergency unit.

Rory O'Hanlon (Cavan-Monaghan, Ceann Comhairle)
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I call Deputy Boyle.

Paudge Connolly (Cavan-Monaghan, Independent)
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It is effectively providing accident and emergency services.

Rory O'Hanlon (Cavan-Monaghan, Ceann Comhairle)
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The Deputy is out of order. I call Deputy Boyle.

Pat Rabbitte (Dublin South West, Labour)
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The Micheál Martin treatment room.

Dan Boyle (Cork South Central, Green Party)
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Will the Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government bring a Supplementary Estimate before the House given yesterday's European Court of Justice decision?

Rory O'Hanlon (Cavan-Monaghan, Ceann Comhairle)
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To what legislation does that refer?

Dan Boyle (Cork South Central, Green Party)
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Will the Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government bring a Supplementary Estimate before the House? Will another Supplementary Estimate be brought before the House by the same Department or by the Department of Arts, Sport and Tourism if additional State money is required by Cork which has been designated European City of Culture if private sector funding is not forthcoming?

Bertie Ahern (Dublin Central, Fianna Fail)
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The Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government is looking in detail at yesterday's judgment. No Supplementary Estimate is proposed at this stage. On the second question, the Government has already given large sums of money to Cork, the European City of Culture. The Minister engaged with the committee last year and continues to do so this year.