Dáil debates
Tuesday, 11 October 2005
Order of Business.
4:00 pm
Mary Harney (Dublin Mid West, Progressive Democrats)
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It is proposed to take No. 15, Railway Safety Bill 2001 — Report Stage (resumed) and Final Stage. Private Members' business shall be No. 42, motion re Irish Ferries.
Rory O'Hanlon (Cavan-Monaghan, Ceann Comhairle)
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There are no proposals to put to the House on the Order of Business.
Enda Kenny (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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I know the House will express its sympathy and condolences to the family members of the eight people who died on Irish roads last weekend and the seven who died the weekend before. When will the dedicated Garda traffic corps become a reality, something that has been promised on several occasions?
When is it expected that the broadcasting authority Bill might be produced? Arising therefrom, will it be a feature of Government that Ministers send six-page missiles to members of the RTE authority regarding programmes that they consider offensive to their egos or whatever?
Rory O'Hanlon (Cavan-Monaghan, Ceann Comhairle)
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That does not arise on the Order of Business. One cannot discuss the content of what might be in the legislation.
Enda Kenny (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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In that sense, can the Tánaiste confirm whether the Cabinet agreed that the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform should send his six-page missile to each member of the RTE Authority?
Rory O'Hanlon (Cavan-Monaghan, Ceann Comhairle)
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That does not arise on the Order of Business. I call the Tánaiste on the legislation.
Enda Kenny (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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Is that to be a feature of this Government, which might be suffering from slight paranoia regarding events to come?
Rory O'Hanlon (Cavan-Monaghan, Ceann Comhairle)
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We cannot talk about what might be in the Bill.
Mary Harney (Dublin Mid West, Progressive Democrats)
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I join Deputy Kenny in expressing my sympathy and that of the Government to the families of the young people who were so tragically killed over the weekend. It was an awful tragedy indeed.
The broadcasting authority Bill will arrive in 2006. A traffic corps already exists, and the intention is, as more gardaí emerge from training in Templemore, to increase numbers in it substantially.
Pat Rabbitte (Dublin South West, Labour)
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Like Deputy Kenny and the Tánaiste, I extend the condolences of my party to families involved in the awful tragedy at the weekend.
I am also sure the Tánaiste will join me in commending the outstanding literary achievement of John Banville in winning the Man Booker prize yesterday. It was a splendid achievement by an outstanding writer, and we should acknowledge that.
Is legislation contemplated or does the Tánaiste believe any is necessary or does the Government have any plans to examine allegations regarding lawyers double-charging in the operation of the redress scheme?
Rory O'Hanlon (Cavan-Monaghan, Ceann Comhairle)
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Is legislation promised?
Mary Harney (Dublin Mid West, Progressive Democrats)
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I join Deputy Rabbitte in congratulating John Banville on his fantastic achievement.
I am not aware of the specific complaint and whether legislation is necessary if someone double-charges for the same service, but I can take the matter up with the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform and the Attorney General.
Pat Rabbitte (Dublin South West, Labour)
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The claim is that lawyers operating the redress scheme are charging their clients out of their award despite already receiving moneys from the State.
Rory O'Hanlon (Cavan-Monaghan, Ceann Comhairle)
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We cannot discuss that on the Order of Business.
Trevor Sargent (Dublin North, Green Party)
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The Green Party also congratulates John Banville. However, everything has been overshadowed by the tragedy in Donegal and the road deaths that are a cause of considerable concern to us all. Action is required to prevent more.
I wish to ask about legislation in the following regard. I received a telephone call from a landlord who receives money from social welfare.
Rory O'Hanlon (Cavan-Monaghan, Ceann Comhairle)
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We must stick to the legislation; we cannot have a debate before——
Trevor Sargent (Dublin North, Green Party)
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Regarding promised legislation, rent supplement allowance is being paid into an account, despite the fact that the tenant has left the house which has been sold. The owner continues to receive money in his account from the State and the Department.
Rory O'Hanlon (Cavan-Monaghan, Ceann Comhairle)
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On the legislation, I call the Tánaiste.
Trevor Sargent (Dublin North, Green Party)
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When will the Social Welfare Bill be introduced, and will it address what seems like another departmental error that will be blamed on a computer?
Mary Harney (Dublin Mid West, Progressive Democrats)
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It will be introduced this session.
Paul Connaughton Snr (Galway East, Fine Gael)
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Will the Cabinet discuss the health risk to Irish consumers from the foot and mouth disease outbreak in Brazil this week? The Tánaiste will be aware that a significant quantity of meat is imported into this country each year.
Rory O'Hanlon (Cavan-Monaghan, Ceann Comhairle)
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Has the Deputy a question on legislation?
Paul Connaughton Snr (Galway East, Fine Gael)
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This is a serious and urgent matter.
Rory O'Hanlon (Cavan-Monaghan, Ceann Comhairle)
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If the matter is serious and urgent, there are ways of raising it in the House.
Paul Connaughton Snr (Galway East, Fine Gael)
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I see that the Minister is laughing again. I assume he will tell the House that it is insignificant and that we should forget about it. He has a most unusual sense of humour. Perhaps the Tánaiste might indicate how seriously the Government takes this problem.
Rory O'Hanlon (Cavan-Monaghan, Ceann Comhairle)
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I suggest that the Member submit a question to the appropriate Minister. I call Deputy Quinn.
Paul Connaughton Snr (Galway East, Fine Gael)
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They have no answer to it.
Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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A quick snigger is all we get.
Rory O'Hanlon (Cavan-Monaghan, Ceann Comhairle)
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That was not in order, Deputy Connaughton.
Ruairi Quinn (Dublin South East, Labour)
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The Tánaiste may recall that I asked her last week whether the Cabinet had agreed the text of the building control Bill. I put the same question to her today. Does she have any indication when she is likely to see it?
Mary Harney (Dublin Mid West, Progressive Democrats)
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The answer remains the same.
Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin (Cavan-Monaghan, Sinn Fein)
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Legislation has been promised to address the charges that were imposed on residents in long-term institutions. I understand that there will be a repayment scheme for charges for publicly funded residential long-stay care Bill. When will that be published, given that those who were overcharged must await the passage of that legislation and many are suffering hardship as a result?
Mary Harney (Dublin Mid West, Progressive Democrats)
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We are working hard on that legislation, which is a priority. Money will be provided in the Estimates to be published next month to make the payments next year. We hope to publish it later this year.
Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin (Cavan-Monaghan, Sinn Fein)
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They will start then.
Mary Harney (Dublin Mid West, Progressive Democrats)
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They have already processed 15,000 applications.
Denis Naughten (Longford-Roscommon, Fine Gael)
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As Deputy Connaughton said, there has been an outbreak of foot and mouth disease in Brazil.
Rory O'Hanlon (Cavan-Monaghan, Ceann Comhairle)
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Does the Deputy have a question appropriate to the Order of Business?
Denis Naughten (Longford-Roscommon, Fine Gael)
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Yes. A significant problem in that regard is the re-labelling of products from third countries. I understand that the Tánaiste is sponsoring legislation on behalf of the Minister for Agriculture and Food to introduce clear and transparent labelling on food used in the catering trade. Under what legislation will that come? When will it be introduced? Will the Tánaiste ensure that this abuse is addressed as soon as possible?
Mary Harney (Dublin Mid West, Progressive Democrats)
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I am doing that on behalf of the Minister for Agriculture and Food and it is expected to be brought before the Government before Christmas.
Denis Naughten (Longford-Roscommon, Fine Gael)
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What legislation is it?
Mary Harney (Dublin Mid West, Progressive Democrats)
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I believe it will be introduced under the medicines board legislation.
Seán Ryan (Dublin North, Labour)
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I would like to raise two issues on the Order of Business. When will the Water Services Bill 2003 come before the relevant committee? Why was I denied the opportunity by means of an Adjournment debate to raise the proposed regional treatment plant at Portrane?
Rory O'Hanlon (Cavan-Monaghan, Ceann Comhairle)
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Both matters are out of order at this stage. The first question is a matter for the committee concerned, and the second——
Seán Ryan (Dublin North, Labour)
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The Ceann Comhairle's office and the Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government have tried to deny me the opportunity of raising this issue in the House.
Rory O'Hanlon (Cavan-Monaghan, Ceann Comhairle)
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The Deputy is welcome to come to my office to discuss the matter any time. I call Deputy Gormley.
Seán Ryan (Dublin North, Labour)
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My constituents are entitled to have the issue raised in the House and the Ceann Comhairle and the Department cannot deny them that.
Rory O'Hanlon (Cavan-Monaghan, Ceann Comhairle)
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I ask Deputy Seán Ryan to resume his seat.
Seán Ryan (Dublin North, Labour)
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No, it is an important issue.
Rory O'Hanlon (Cavan-Monaghan, Ceann Comhairle)
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Yes, and it should be raised in a proper way allowed for by Standing Orders.
Seán Ryan (Dublin North, Labour)
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I asked for this to be raised on the Adjournment when the Ceann Comhairle was away last week and was deprived of the opportunity.
Rory O'Hanlon (Cavan-Monaghan, Ceann Comhairle)
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The Chair will be glad to discuss the matter with the Deputy if he wishes to come to his office. I have called Deputy Gormley.
Seán Ryan (Dublin North, Labour)
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The Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government did not want to discuss it.
Rory O'Hanlon (Cavan-Monaghan, Ceann Comhairle)
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The Deputy is out of order. I have called Deputy Gormley.
Seán Ryan (Dublin North, Labour)
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Will the Ceann Comhairle review this matter?
Rory O'Hanlon (Cavan-Monaghan, Ceann Comhairle)
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The Chair will make no commitments when the Deputy is being totally disorderly.
Seán Ryan (Dublin North, Labour)
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This issue will be raised at a later date.
5:00 pm
John Gormley (Dublin South East, Green Party)
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Two years ago, the then Minister for Transport, Deputy Brennan, promised to introduce legislation in regard to random breath testing. Why has this promise been broken? The spurious reason of legal obstacles has been given. Is it not the case that this Government has sold out to the alcohol industry? That is the bottom line.
Mary Harney (Dublin Mid West, Progressive Democrats)
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The Minister for Transport informs me there are complex reasons for the difficulties in this matter.
John Gormley (Dublin South East, Green Party)
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Why should the issue be so complicated? People are dying in traffic accidents as a consequence of motorists' alcohol consumption.
Rory O'Hanlon (Cavan-Monaghan, Ceann Comhairle)
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Deputy Gormley should put down a question to the appropriate Minister.
John Gormley (Dublin South East, Green Party)
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Why can these legal difficulties not be resolved?
Martin Cullen (Waterford, Fianna Fail)
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There are constitutional issues to consider.
John Gormley (Dublin South East, Green Party)
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What are these constitutional issues?
Rory O'Hanlon (Cavan-Monaghan, Ceann Comhairle)
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Deputy Allen has been called.
Martin Cullen (Waterford, Fianna Fail)
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Deputy Gormley will cry about civil liberties if changes are made in this regard.
Rory O'Hanlon (Cavan-Monaghan, Ceann Comhairle)
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I ask the Minister for Transport to be silent and allow Deputy Allen to speak.
John Gormley (Dublin South East, Green Party)
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What are these constitutional difficulties?
Rory O'Hanlon (Cavan-Monaghan, Ceann Comhairle)
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I ask Deputy Gormley to resume his seat.
Bernard Allen (Cork North Central, Fine Gael)
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I have yet to receive the information sought in a parliamentary question, for answer on the first day of this session, which was submitted on 29 August.
Rory O'Hanlon (Cavan-Monaghan, Ceann Comhairle)
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This does not arise on the Order of Business.
Bernard Allen (Cork North Central, Fine Gael)
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Last week I was told it was a matter for the Adjournment.
Brendan Howlin (Wexford, Labour)
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I wish to make a point of order.
Bernard Allen (Cork North Central, Fine Gael)
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I submitted it for the Adjournment debate but was refused. How can I get this information from the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform?
Rory O'Hanlon (Cavan-Monaghan, Ceann Comhairle)
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Deputy Howlin wishes to make a point of order.
Brendan Howlin (Wexford, Labour)
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It is linked to Deputy Allen's question. I wrote to the Ceann Comhairle last week——
Rory O'Hanlon (Cavan-Monaghan, Ceann Comhairle)
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That is not a point of order.
Brendan Howlin (Wexford, Labour)
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I ask the Ceann Comhairle to listen to the point so he may guide me in dealing with this matter. In regard to the transfer of a question on insurance that I tabled——
Rory O'Hanlon (Cavan-Monaghan, Ceann Comhairle)
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This does not arise on the floor of the House.
Rory O'Hanlon (Cavan-Monaghan, Ceann Comhairle)
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As I suggested to Deputy Seán Ryan, the Chair will be delighted to discuss any problems Members may have.
Brendan Howlin (Wexford, Labour)
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I wrote to the Ceann Comhairle a week ago but have had no reply. I tabled an oral question——
Rory O'Hanlon (Cavan-Monaghan, Ceann Comhairle)
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This will not be discussed on the floor of the House.
Rory O'Hanlon (Cavan-Monaghan, Ceann Comhairle)
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No. The matter raised by the Deputy is not a point of order.
Brendan Howlin (Wexford, Labour)
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The Ceann Comhairle has not heard the point of order.
Rory O'Hanlon (Cavan-Monaghan, Ceann Comhairle)
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It is not a point of order. The Chair has ruled on the matter and Deputy Boyle has been called.
Brendan Howlin (Wexford, Labour)
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I tabled a question to the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment which was transferred to the Department of Transport.
Rory O'Hanlon (Cavan-Monaghan, Ceann Comhairle)
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If the Deputy has a problem in regard to this question, the Chair will follow it up and communicate with him on the issue.
Brendan Howlin (Wexford, Labour)
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The Department of Transport told me today it has no responsibility for the matter.
Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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There is no responsibility for anything.
Rory O'Hanlon (Cavan-Monaghan, Ceann Comhairle)
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Deputy Boyle has been called.
Brendan Howlin (Wexford, Labour)
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I want to know from the Ceann Comhairle——
Rory O'Hanlon (Cavan-Monaghan, Ceann Comhairle)
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We will not have this type of disorder on the floor of the House when Deputies raise issues they are not entitled to raise on the Order of Business.
Brendan Howlin (Wexford, Labour)
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There is no point tabling questions if the Government refuses to be accountable to the House.
Rory O'Hanlon (Cavan-Monaghan, Ceann Comhairle)
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The Deputy is being totally disorderly.
Brendan Howlin (Wexford, Labour)
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I am not. The Ceann Comhairle has a responsibility in this matter.
Rory O'Hanlon (Cavan-Monaghan, Ceann Comhairle)
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The Deputy is being disorderly. The Chair has ruled on the matter.
Brendan Howlin (Wexford, Labour)
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Will the Ceann Comhairle respond to my question?
Rory O'Hanlon (Cavan-Monaghan, Ceann Comhairle)
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The Chair has already answered.
Brendan Howlin (Wexford, Labour)
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Will the Ceann Comhairle respond to my letter? Then there will be only one course of action for the House to take.
Dan Boyle (Cork South Central, Green Party)
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Last week on the Order of Business I asked the Taoiseach about secondary legislation in regard to the ability of fee simples to be purchased to acquire State property at reduced prices. There were two attempts at emergency legislation in this regard in the last session. The Taoiseach undertook to return with information as to whether the Government plans either secondary legislation or further emergency legislation to ensure this loophole is closed. However, I have received no further information.
Mary Harney (Dublin Mid West, Progressive Democrats)
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I must return to the Deputy on this as I am not familiar with the matter.
Dan Boyle (Cork South Central, Green Party)
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That is the answer I got last week.
Mary Harney (Dublin Mid West, Progressive Democrats)
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The information the Deputy seeks will be conveyed to him as soon as possible.
John Gormley (Dublin South East, Green Party)
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This is ridiculous. There is no accountability, only arrogance.
Brendan Howlin (Wexford, Labour)
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The Government knows it will get away with such behaviour.
Liz McManus (Wicklow, Labour)
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In the greater Dublin area we are lucky to have excellent staff to provide emergency services. However, there is a structural problem with regard to the emergency services which puts patients at risk.
Rory O'Hanlon (Cavan-Monaghan, Ceann Comhairle)
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Does the Deputy have a question on legislation?
Liz McManus (Wicklow, Labour)
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Yes. I hope the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children will take the opportunity to deal with this serious issue. The Health Bill 2004 provides for the establishment of the health information and quality authority. Must we await the enactment of this Bill before the structural problems in the ambulance service in the greater Dublin region are resolved?
Mary Harney (Dublin Mid West, Progressive Democrats)
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The two are not related. That legislation will be enacted next year.
Joe Higgins (Dublin West, Socialist Party)
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Today's OECD report recommends we should all work until the age of 85 or more. This would make the Ceann Comhairle into a Methuselah by the time he were to leave. Is this a plot by the Progressive Democrats to eliminate the need for nursing homes?
Rory O'Hanlon (Cavan-Monaghan, Ceann Comhairle)
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That is not relevant to the Order of Business.
Joe Higgins (Dublin West, Socialist Party)
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We will all be tottering onto construction sites at the age of 85 rather than looking forward to retirement.
Joe Higgins (Dublin West, Socialist Party)
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Does the Tánaiste plan to further change the legislation on pensions to a more negative extent than she did last year in this regard?
Mary Harney (Dublin Mid West, Progressive Democrats)
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I am struggling to live, never mind work, until I am 85 years of age. We will all do well to live to the age of 85. I assure the Deputy that the Progressive Democrats Party has no influence whatsoever over the OECD. No legislation is planned in this area.
Joan Burton (Dublin West, Labour)
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There is a €63 million swimming pool in my constituency which faces a fragile and uncertain future. The Government has promised the Abbotstown sports campus development authority Bill for several years. The Taoiseach promised me two weeks ago that it was ready. However, it is now the second week of October and we have still not seen it. Moreover, we are told the Minister for Finance is busy pulling the plug on the entire project. Will the Tánaiste tell us what is happening?
Mary Harney (Dublin Mid West, Progressive Democrats)
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That Bill will be published during this session.
Michael D Higgins (Galway West, Labour)
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On the occasion of its 25th anniversary Údarás na Gaeltachta stated it would welcome the conferral of additional powers. Will the Údarás na Gaeltachta Bill be brought before the House in this session or this year?
Mary Harney (Dublin Mid West, Progressive Democrats)
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That legislation will be brought forward next year.
Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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When will the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources, Deputy Noel Dempsey, push through legislation to control Internet spam and, in particular, to increase the penalties for spam perpetrators? Is it possible that such legislation could be rushed through as a matter of urgency? I see concern written all over the faces of those Members on the Government Front Bench. I refer to No. 36 on the Order Paper.
Mary Harney (Dublin Mid West, Progressive Democrats)
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That legislation will be brought forward next year.
Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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It will be another information technology project for the Government.