Bertie Ahern (Dublin Central, Fianna Fail)
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It is proposed to take No. 5, the Employment Permits Bill 2005 — Order for Second Stage and Second Stage; and No. 1, the Parental Leave (Amendment) Bill 2004 — Second Stage. Private Members' business shall be No. 42, motion re Irish Ferries, resumed, to conclude at 8.30 p.m.

Enda Kenny (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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Will the Taoiseach say when we are likely to see a dedicated traffic corps on Irish roads? In the Taoiseach's absence yesterday, the House commiserated with the bereaved families in Donegal following the recent road tragedies.

When does the Taoiseach envisage the Government Chief Whip bringing forward his proposals for Dáil reform? We had some comments on this matter over the summer and there were indications that Deputy Kitt was about to introduce a new regime for more effective Government.

Bertie Ahern (Dublin Central, Fianna Fail)
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Regarding the first question, I do not think legislation is required, but I will check that. With regard to Dáil reform I understand there has been a number of meetings, though I do not know what progress has been made.

Emmet Stagg (Kildare North, Labour)
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None.

Bertie Ahern (Dublin Central, Fianna Fail)
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We are very anxious to have reforms. Unfortunately, the only ones in recent years have been initiatives I have introduced. Nobody else has done anything.

Dan Boyle (Cork South Central, Green Party)
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Initiatives for the Taoiseach himself.

Pat Rabbitte (Dublin South West, Labour)
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Will the Taoiseach comment on recent press reports that the Minister for Finance will not give any money to the Minister for Arts, Sports and Tourism, Deputy O'Donoghue?

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

Pat Rabbitte (Dublin South West, Labour)
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No, but it confirms my high regard for the Minister for Finance.

John O'Donoghue (Kerry South, Fianna Fail)
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My Department is top of the list.

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

Pat Rabbitte (Dublin South West, Labour)
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In light of the Minister of Finance's decision, where stands the campus stadium Ireland Bill? Is it to be brought forward?

Bertie Ahern (Dublin Central, Fianna Fail)
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Will the Deputy support it?

Rory O'Hanlon (Cavan-Monaghan, Ceann Comhairle)
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We cannot debate the legislation before it comes to the House.

Bertie Ahern (Dublin Central, Fianna Fail)
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Regarding the Lansdowne stadium, for which planning permission is not yet received, will Deputy Rabbitte switch his support? He knows I was right all along.

Seán Ryan (Dublin North, Labour)
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Would the Deputy scuttle Telecom?

Trevor Sargent (Dublin North, Green Party)
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We have heard the same reply from the Taoiseach with regard to five pieces of promised legislation, so we will take his assurance with a pinch of salt.

I wish to ask about legislation in the Department of Justice, Equality and Law Reform. On the basis that site clearance has already commenced at Thornton Hall——

Rory O'Hanlon (Cavan-Monaghan, Ceann Comhairle)
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The Deputy may ask only about the legislation.

Trevor Sargent (Dublin North, Green Party)
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A sum of €30 million is a lot of money for a farm worth €6 million. One would expect the prison services Bill to be enacted before the expenditure of such a sum of money would be discussed. Is there any sign of the Bill?

Bertie Ahern (Dublin Central, Fianna Fail)
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Legislation is being prepared but I have no date for it.

Seymour Crawford (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)
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In light of the foot and mouth disease situation in Brazil and the avian flu, when will the animal health Bill come before the House so we can discuss these major issues? Second, since it costs €290 to keep a prisoner for one day in Mountjoy prison, when will the fines Bill come to the House, so that fines can be applied to offenders' wages? Finally, when will the sale of alcohol Bill come before the House?

Bertie Ahern (Dublin Central, Fianna Fail)
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The heads of the animal health Bill have been approved and the Bill has been sent for drafting. The fines Bill is due in the middle of next year. There is no decision yet to bring forward the sale of alcohol Bill.

Michael D Higgins (Galway West, Labour)
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Will the Government make time available to discuss the earthquake in Asia and the international response to it?

Bertie Ahern (Dublin Central, Fianna Fail)
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I agree with that proposal, if we can allocate time.

Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin (Cavan-Monaghan, Sinn Fein)
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The National Economic and Social Forum recently published a landmark report highlighting the inadequate child care infrastructure in this State. When will the Government introduce legislative proposals to give effect to the recommendations in the report, where required?

Bertie Ahern (Dublin Central, Fianna Fail)
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Is the Deputy asking about legislation on child care?

Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin (Cavan-Monaghan, Sinn Fein)
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The NESF report referred to the inadequacies——

Bertie Ahern (Dublin Central, Fianna Fail)
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Legislation is not necessary to secure some improvements.

Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin (Cavan-Monaghan, Sinn Fein)
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Is that with regard to any of the recommendations?

Bertie Ahern (Dublin Central, Fianna Fail)
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It is not necessary for the main recommendations.

Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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In view of rapidly increasing oil prices, would it not be a good idea to introduce the NORA — National Oil Reserves Agency — Bill to discuss the factors that contribute to those prices, other than world fuel prices?

Bertie Ahern (Dublin Central, Fianna Fail)
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The Bill is due to be introduced after Christmas.

Liz McManus (Wicklow, Labour)
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I have received yet more correspondence from a patient stating that the national treatment purchase fund is now full and the patient cannot access treatment, even though they qualify.

Rory O'Hanlon (Cavan-Monaghan, Ceann Comhairle)
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The Deputy should ask a question on legislation.

Liz McManus (Wicklow, Labour)
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Will there be a Supplementary Estimate to deal with the problem, given that the national treatment purchase fund has spent all its money? Will there be a value for money audit to examine where the money has gone?

Bertie Ahern (Dublin Central, Fianna Fail)
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There is no Supplementary Estimate.

John Gormley (Dublin South East, Green Party)
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We were told yesterday by the Tánaiste that the alcohol products Bill will be introduced once the voluntary code had been tried for a period.

Rory O'Hanlon (Cavan-Monaghan, Ceann Comhairle)
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This has already been raised by Deputy Crawford.

John Gormley (Dublin South East, Green Party)
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How long will this voluntary period be? When will the Bill be introduced?

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

John Gormley (Dublin South East, Green Party)
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How long will the voluntary period be?

Rory O'Hanlon (Cavan-Monaghan, Ceann Comhairle)
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That does not arise on the Order of Business. The Deputy should submit a question to the appropriate Minister. There cannot be an omnibus Question Time on the Order of Business.

John Gormley (Dublin South East, Green Party)
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It is a simple question, not an omnibus one.

Rory O'Hanlon (Cavan-Monaghan, Ceann Comhairle)
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Standing Order 26 is specific. A question has already been asked about the alcohol Bill by Deputy Crawford.

John Gormley (Dublin South East, Green Party)
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I have another question. Will there be a debate on the White Paper on the EU constitution?

Bertie Ahern (Dublin Central, Fianna Fail)
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Yes. I hope both Houses will debate it.

Billy Timmins (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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The issue of affordable housing is close to the Taoiseach's heart. I encountered a young couple who bought an affordable house under the mortgage shared option scheme, for €136,000. They are seeking to change their mortgage now but they must pay the local authority €220,000.

Rory O'Hanlon (Cavan-Monaghan, Ceann Comhairle)
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The Chair is reluctant to intervene but the purpose of the Standing Order is for Members to elicit information from the Taoiseach, not to give information.

Billy Timmins (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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It is due to an anomaly in the Housing (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2002. Will the Taoiseach agree to examine that Act with a view to rectifying that anomaly?

Rory O'Hanlon (Cavan-Monaghan, Ceann Comhairle)
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It does not arise on the Order of Business. The Deputy should submit a question to the appropriate Minister.

Jan O'Sullivan (Limerick East, Labour)
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With regard to secondary legislation under the Residential Institutions Redress Act, is it intended to publish a further schedule of institutions in time for the deadline in December? In addition, although it might not be possible to do it under a schedule, will proper information be provided to claimants to clarify that their lawyers are already paid by the State and they should not have to pay them?

Bertie Ahern (Dublin Central, Fianna Fail)
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Legislation is not required to increase the schedule. That can been done a few times.

Brendan Howlin (Wexford, Labour)
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It can be done by statutory instrument.

Jan O'Sullivan (Limerick East, Labour)
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Will there be a further increase before the deadline?

Bertie Ahern (Dublin Central, Fianna Fail)
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I do not know. The fees issue is a separate matter.

Pat Rabbitte (Dublin South West, Labour)
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Will the Government make representations to the Law Society to express a view on that?

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

Bertie Ahern (Dublin Central, Fianna Fail)
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They should not be charging.

Ciarán Cuffe (Dún Laoghaire, Green Party)
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The Progressive Democrats published proposals on child care ten days ago that envisaged deregulating child care facilities that cater for up to five children. Will the Bill providing for the register of persons who are considered unsafe to work with children be published in the near future? Will the Government's partners be included given their disregard for the welfare of children as shown in their recently published proposals?

Bertie Ahern (Dublin Central, Fianna Fail)
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Legislation is being prepared for the register of persons who are considered unsafe to work with children. I do not have a date for the legislation yet because the Department of Education and Science and the Department of Health and Children are discussing the establishment of a pre-employment consultancy service.

Seán Ryan (Dublin North, Labour)
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Given the daily reports of unacceptable conditions in private nursing homes, when will the promised legislation regarding the establishment of an inspectorate be brought before the House?

Bertie Ahern (Dublin Central, Fianna Fail)
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The nursing home Bill will be brought before the House in this session.