Bertie Ahern (Dublin Central, Fianna Fail)
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It is proposed to take No. 10, motion re ministerial rota for parliamentary questions; No. 11, motion re referral to joint committee of proposed approval by Dáil Éireann of the draft Companies (Auditing and Accounting) Act 2003 (Prescribed Accountancy Bodies) Regulations 2006; No. 14, Registration of Deeds and Title Bill 2004 [Seanad] — Second Stage (resumed); and No. 15, Competition (Amendment) Bill 2005 [Seanad] — Second Stage (resumed).

It is proposed, notwithstanding anything in Standing Orders, that Nos. 10 and 11 shall be decided without debate. Private Members' business shall be No. 43, motion re nursing homes inspections.

Rory O'Hanlon (Cavan-Monaghan, Ceann Comhairle)
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Is the proposal for dealing with Nos. 10 and 11 without debate agreed? Agreed.

Enda Kenny (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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When will the safety review with which the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources must deal in the context of the gas field be published? The Minister has had the review for some time. When will the Martin report on indiscipline in schools, which the Minister received several months ago, be published? We have been promised legislation on nursing homes on numerous occasions. When will it be published?

Tá a fhios ag an Taoiseach go bhfuil Bille ag teacht isteach Déardaoin a bhaineann le hOllscoil na hÉireann, Gaillimh. An bhfuil an Taoiseach sásta go pearsanta leis an leasú atá os comhair an Rialtais go mbeidh an Ghaeilge lárnach i ngach plean a leagfaidh an ollscoil amach?

Has the Government made a decision on the free-to-air presentation of the Ryder Cup later this year?

Bertie Ahern (Dublin Central, Fianna Fail)
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I understand the safety report on the Corrib gas field will be issued some time in the next month. I do not know the position regarding the Martin report on indiscipline but I will ask the Minister to communicate with the Deputy on the matter. To the best of my knowledge, the position regarding the Ollscoil na hÉireann, Gaillimh Bill is satisfactory. I am not aware of any difficulties or problems with the legislation which will be taken on Second Stage on Thursday. I am told the legislation on nursing homes is extremely complex because it goes back over many old Acts and areas. However, it is still hoped to have it before the House during this session, probably in March. It is hoped to have the legislation passed and the payments processed this summer. On the Ryder Cup, the Minister informs me that the consultation process has just been completed so it will take some time.

Pat Rabbitte (Dublin South West, Labour)
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The mention of the Ollscoil na Gaillimhe Bill reminds me that, according to the newspapers, more punches were thrown at the Fianna Fáil selection convention there than at that fixed fight in the stadium.

Bertie Ahern (Dublin Central, Fianna Fail)
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A passionate party.

Pat Rabbitte (Dublin South West, Labour)
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Will the Government bring forward an electoral register Bill in this term?

Bertie Ahern (Dublin Central, Fianna Fail)
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The electoral amendment Bill to allow prisoners to vote——

Pat Rabbitte (Dublin South West, Labour)
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No, the electoral register Bill — the prisoners do not worry me.

Deputies:

Would that be prisoners who are inside or outside?

Bertie Ahern (Dublin Central, Fianna Fail)
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While I share the Deputy's concern it will not be introduced in this session.

Pat Rabbitte (Dublin South West, Labour)
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Is the Government promising legislation to correct what has been written about and what is believed in this House to be a grossly inadequate maintenance of the electoral register?

Bertie Ahern (Dublin Central, Fianna Fail)
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The Minister is undertaking a full examination of it and how best to proceed. While there has been consultation with a number of the large local authorities, he has not yet brought forward a set of proposals on how to deal with it. There is a problem. I accept that the register is unsatisfactory.

Trevor Sargent (Dublin North, Green Party)
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I am reminded to ask the Taoiseach about the medical practitioners Bill given the current focus on the incidence of cystic fibrosis in Ireland, the highest per head in the world, with a life expectancy of 35 years compared to 45 north of the Border.

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

Trevor Sargent (Dublin North, Green Party)
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It is important that we address the Bill. Given that this Bill was promised for 2004, again for 2005 and now for 2006, will that sliding scale continue or is there any certainty about the publication of the Bill to give us the opportunity to debate this and other major issues? The second promised Bill relates to the urgent matter of our European neighbours' attitude to bird flu, where they are searching people coming into airports and ports for food. The animal health Bill would suggest a level of urgency about this matter, but there is no publication date for that Bill. Will the Taoiseach indicate whether there has been a change in that matter given that talk of this Bill predates the outbreak of bird flu?

Bertie Ahern (Dublin Central, Fianna Fail)
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The animal health Bill is to consolidate and update the diseases of animals legislation. The heads of the Bill have been approved for some time. I do not have a date, but I will raise it again with the Minister and try to bring it forward. On the medical practitioners Bill, the heads have been approved and the Bill is due late this year.

Trevor Sargent (Dublin North, Green Party)
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Or next year.

Denis Naughten (Longford-Roscommon, Fine Gael)
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May I ask the Taoiseach about the nitrates action plan, SI 78 of 2005? Will the Taoiseach suspend its implementation until guidelines on its enforcement are issued to farmers on its enforcement at midnight tonight? Where does the Minister for Agriculture and Food stand on this issue? She seems to be silent on the issue.

Jim O'Keeffe (Cork South West, Fine Gael)
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Into hiding.

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

Denis Naughten (Longford-Roscommon, Fine Gael)
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Will we get some answers from her on what she is doing about it?

Jim O'Keeffe (Cork South West, Fine Gael)
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She has gone on the run.

Deputies:

It is an environment issue.

Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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That is a cop-out.

Bertie Ahern (Dublin Central, Fianna Fail)
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The Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government, Deputy Roche, has made the position clear and there is no further change from that.

Ruairi Quinn (Dublin South East, Labour)
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No. 9 on the list of Bills that has been published is the Building Control Bill. When it is likely to be taken?

Bertie Ahern (Dublin Central, Fianna Fail)
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It is before the House so it is for the Whips to arrange for it to be taken.

Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin (Cavan-Monaghan, Sinn Fein)
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Relative to the earlier question put to the Taoiseach, is the Government, in the absence of consultation and impact assessment, prepared even at this late hour to consider any measure to alleviate the feared impact of the implementation of the nitrates regulations as of midnight tonight?

Rory O'Hanlon (Cavan-Monaghan, Ceann Comhairle)
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That does not arise. The Deputy should submit a question to the Minister.

Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin (Cavan-Monaghan, Sinn Fein)
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Will the Taoiseach answer the question? On No. 69 on the list of promised legislation, publication of the legal costs Bill is expected in 2007. Given the exorbitant rate of legal fees charged by senior barristers, in particular, which is a significant drain on the individual citizen and on the State, will the Government expedite this Bill to regulate costs?

Bertie Ahern (Dublin Central, Fianna Fail)
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The implementation group has been established to advise on the administrative structures and to provide regulation and assessment of legal costs. It will be next year before legislation is before the House.

Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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When the Taoiseach was in the Punjab carrying those garlands of sweet smelling flowers, did he spare a thought for the legislation required back home, particularly in the area of energy, given the recent development in India and the energy requirements there. The energy (miscellaneous provisions) Bill and the national oil reserves agency, NORA, Bill are two pressing Bills that have been on the cards for the past couple of years and have moved slowly in no particular direction. I am sure the Taoiseach was inspired during his visit to India on the need to bring those Bills before the House as early as possible. I would like to know when the Bills will be published.

Bertie Ahern (Dublin Central, Fianna Fail)
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I was not inspired because India decided to go nuclear.

Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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That is promising.

Bertie Ahern (Dublin Central, Fianna Fail)
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Would the Deputy be in favour of that?

Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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What did they say about that in the Punjab, or did the Taoiseach visit the Punjab?

Jim O'Keeffe (Cork South West, Fine Gael)
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Try the Galway Races.

Bertie Ahern (Dublin Central, Fianna Fail)
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Both Bills are due to be taken in this session.

Michael D Higgins (Galway West, Labour)
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In answer to a Dáil question of 22 November the House was informed that the Government has no plans to and would not sign the 1990 United Nations International Convention on the Rights of Migrant Workers and Members of their Families. On 25 January I was informed that signing and ratifying the convention was under review. Does the Government propose to sign and ratify the convention? On today's Order Paper, pages 73 and 75, two agreements are listed, one as No. 1 in the statutory section and the second as No. 1 in the non-statutory section. If both agreements are administrative and legal, as was suggested to me some weeks ago, why is the first one in the statutory category, which seems to suggest there was a legal requirement to publish it and bring it before the House? One agreement is from 2003 and the other is from 2004.

Bertie Ahern (Dublin Central, Fianna Fail)
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The first issue is a matter for the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment, Deputy Martin, and I will bring it to his attention. On the second issue, I do not know why they are on separate schedules, but I promised last week we would put both before the House. I will ask for an explanation and will forward it to the Deputy.

Kathleen Lynch (Cork North Central, Labour)
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When is it proposed to introduce legislation to establish an inspectorate for nursing homes?

Bertie Ahern (Dublin Central, Fianna Fail)
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Legislation governing an inspectorate for nursing homes already exists. There is no amendment to that legislation.

Kathleen Lynch (Cork North Central, Labour)
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When is it hoped it will be enacted?

Bertie Ahern (Dublin Central, Fianna Fail)
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Subject to checking, the legislation is in place.

Tommy Broughan (Dublin North East, Labour)
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On two Bills that were on the clár before Christmas, the electricity Bill and the natural gas Bill, is it intended to proceed with those? Is it intended that Bill will be the vehicle to turn the ESB into a plc?

Bertie Ahern (Dublin Central, Fianna Fail)
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I think that legislation is not enacted, but I will check with my colleagues. It may be part of the health Bill and if that is the case, then it is due this year.

Work is continuing on an electricity Bill, but I do not have a date for it. I do not see the Bill being prepared this year.

Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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Never ever.

John Gormley (Dublin South East, Green Party)
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Given that alcohol related problems are costing the country €2.65 billion per annum, when will the sale of alcohol Bill and the alcohol products Bill be brought before the Houses?

Bertie Ahern (Dublin Central, Fianna Fail)
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Voluntary agreements have been reached with the alcohol and advertising industries on alcohol products and the control of advertising, sponsorship and marketing. The Department wishes to hold off on the introduction of this legislation pending the outcome of these voluntary agreements.

John Gormley (Dublin South East, Green Party)
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That is terrible given the extent of the problems we have experienced. What about the sale of alcohol Bill?

Bertie Ahern (Dublin Central, Fianna Fail)
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That legislation will be introduced in the middle of this year.

Eamon Gilmore (Dún Laoghaire, Labour)
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The Labour Party is anxious that the Planning and Development Bill 2005 be enacted as soon as possible to provide some relief to the tens of thousands of people who are living in unfinished housing estates and being fleeced by management companies. However, the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government is blocking the Bill on Committee Stage. Last week the Taoiseach offered to intercede on my behalf with the Minister. Has he spoken to the Minister yet and does he have any news for me?

Bertie Ahern (Dublin Central, Fianna Fail)
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I raised it with the Minister and I asked him if he would give a line that I could pass on to the Deputy on what he purports to do with the Bill. He is thinking about that.

Eamon Gilmore (Dún Laoghaire, Labour)
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Is there any chance that he might have it by tomorrow?

Bertie Ahern (Dublin Central, Fianna Fail)
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I do not think so. He is in Brussels, but I will get the information for the Deputy.

Joe Costello (Dublin Central, Labour)
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Has the Taoiseach taken any steps to ensure the children's hospital in Temple Street will be retained in his constituency? Does the Minister for Health and Children require new legislation to abolish either of the two hospitals that are in existence?

Bertie Ahern (Dublin Central, Fianna Fail)
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The McKinsey report is due in the next few days. The board of the HSE is due to discuss it as soon as it is published.

Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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Will it be like the Hanly report?