Dáil debates

Tuesday, 13 June 2006

5:00 pm

Photo of Bertie AhernBertie Ahern (Dublin Central, Fianna Fail)
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It is proposed to take No. 11, motion re referral to select committee of proposed approval by Dáil Éireann of Ireland's contribution to the International Development Association's multilateral debt relief initiative and to the International Development Association's 14th replenishment; No. 20, European Communities (Amendment) Bill 2006 — Order for Report, Report and Final Stages; No. 21, Planning and Development (Strategic Infrastructure) Bill 2006 [Seanad] — Second Stage (resumed); No. 22, Criminal Justice (Mutual Assistance) Bill 2005 [Seanad] — Second Stage (resumed); and No. 2, National Oil Reserves Agency Bill 2006 — Order for Second Stage and Second Stage. It is proposed, notwithstanding anything in Standing Orders, that No. 11 shall be decided without debate. Private Members' Business shall be No. 55, motion re Marty report on extraordinary rendition by the United States.

Photo of Rory O'HanlonRory O'Hanlon (Cavan-Monaghan, Ceann Comhairle)
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Is the proposal for dealing with No. 11 agreed to?

Photo of Caoimhghín Ó CaoláinCaoimhghín Ó Caoláin (Cavan-Monaghan, Sinn Fein)
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It is not agreed. I welcome the decision to give €59 million towards the cost of debt cancellation. However, the requirement to debate it in the House is based on the fact that this sum is to be lumped with the overall figure for overseas development aid, which it clearly is not. It gives a false picture with regard to the Government living up to its commitment to reach the figure of 0.7% of GNP by 2007, which has now been put back to 2010. This is a serious matter because it falsifies the figures.

Photo of Rory O'HanlonRory O'Hanlon (Cavan-Monaghan, Ceann Comhairle)
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We cannot have a debate on the issue.

Photo of Caoimhghín Ó CaoláinCaoimhghín Ó Caoláin (Cavan-Monaghan, Sinn Fein)
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It is endeavouring to mislead not only the public but also the international community about our commitment in this area.

Liz O'Donnell (Dublin South, Progressive Democrats)
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The Deputy is wrong. It is reckonable as ODA.

Photo of Caoimhghín Ó CaoláinCaoimhghín Ó Caoláin (Cavan-Monaghan, Sinn Fein)
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This should not be included in the ODA figure.

Photo of Bertie AhernBertie Ahern (Dublin Central, Fianna Fail)
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It is ODA.

Photo of Caoimhghín Ó CaoláinCaoimhghín Ó Caoláin (Cavan-Monaghan, Sinn Fein)
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What we are seeking is a commitment to pay——

Photo of Rory O'HanlonRory O'Hanlon (Cavan-Monaghan, Ceann Comhairle)
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Is the proposal for dealing with No. 11 agreed to?

Photo of Caoimhghín Ó CaoláinCaoimhghín Ó Caoláin (Cavan-Monaghan, Sinn Fein)
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Surely a Deputy is allowed to make a point.

Photo of Rory O'HanlonRory O'Hanlon (Cavan-Monaghan, Ceann Comhairle)
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We cannot have a debate on the matter now. The question is whether it should be referred to the committee.

Photo of Caoimhghín Ó CaoláinCaoimhghín Ó Caoláin (Cavan-Monaghan, Sinn Fein)
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It should not and I am making the argument why it should not.

Question, "That the proposal for dealing with No. 11 be agreed to," put and declared carried.

Photo of Enda KennyEnda Kenny (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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In the Taoiseach's absence I raised a matter which had been raised by Deputies McGrath and McManus and me in respect of the National Rehabilitation Board and its former employees. It took six years for one person to get their due entitlements through the courts.

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

Photo of Enda KennyEnda Kenny (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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The Tánaiste undertook to revert to me about this matter. Will the Taoiseach follow up the issue and ascertain if the remaining almost 200 employees will receive their entitlements? For his information, this relates to the abolition of the National Rehabilitation Board some years ago and the rights that had accrued to its workers.

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

Photo of Enda KennyEnda Kenny (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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You allowed it three weeks ago, a Cheann Comhairle.

Photo of Rory O'HanlonRory O'Hanlon (Cavan-Monaghan, Ceann Comhairle)
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In a moment of weakness.

Photo of Bernard DurkanBernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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Let there be another quick moment.

Photo of Enda KennyEnda Kenny (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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It was not a moment of weakness on your behalf, a Cheann Comhairle. You have no moments of weakness.

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

Photo of Enda KennyEnda Kenny (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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You are as sharp as a razor all the time. I was in Monaghan last week where I was told as much.

Photo of Pat RabbittePat Rabbitte (Dublin South West, Labour)
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There is an amendment to the Dáil schedule for Thursday, owing to the House rising because of the death of the former Taoiseach. One of the items listed for Thursday is the Defence (Amendment) Bill 2006, which relates to whether the Defence Acts allow the Defence Forces to take part in missions not established by UN resolution. The Bill has not yet been published, although it was intended to deal with it on Thursday. This side of the House has repeatedly asked for time to discuss this matter. The Labour Party made the argument to the Minister, Deputy O'Dea, over a prolonged period——

Photo of Rory O'HanlonRory O'Hanlon (Cavan-Monaghan, Ceann Comhairle)
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We cannot have a debate on the issue. Does the Deputy have a question appropriate to today's Order of Business?

Photo of Pat RabbittePat Rabbitte (Dublin South West, Labour)
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——and by letter, that this amendment to the Defence Acts would be necessary. He maintained it would not. As recently as today in the newspapers he claimed it was not necessary, yet this legislation was scheduled for Thursday. We were expected to respond to it but it has not yet been published.

Photo of John GormleyJohn Gormley (Dublin South East, Green Party)
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A Cheann Comhairle, on the same matter——

Photo of Rory O'HanlonRory O'Hanlon (Cavan-Monaghan, Ceann Comhairle)
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There is nothing else to raise.

Photo of Pat RabbittePat Rabbitte (Dublin South West, Labour)
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When will the Bill be published?

Photo of Bertie AhernBertie Ahern (Dublin Central, Fianna Fail)
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I will communicate with the Minister. Is it the Deputy's point that he wants the Bill published quickly in order that it can be dealt with next week?

Photo of Pat RabbittePat Rabbitte (Dublin South West, Labour)
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Yes.

Photo of Billy TimminsBilly Timmins (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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It is on the schedule for Thursday.

Photo of Bertie AhernBertie Ahern (Dublin Central, Fianna Fail)
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It will not be taken on Thursday.

Photo of Pat RabbittePat Rabbitte (Dublin South West, Labour)
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If it were not for other events, it would have been taken on Thursday.

Photo of John GormleyJohn Gormley (Dublin South East, Green Party)
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On a point of order, all the Deputies want is a copy of the legislation.

Photo of Rory O'HanlonRory O'Hanlon (Cavan-Monaghan, Ceann Comhairle)
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That is not a point of order. The Taoiseach will respond to Deputy Rabbitte.

Photo of John GormleyJohn Gormley (Dublin South East, Green Party)
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The Taoiseach should ensure we receive a copy of the legislation as a matter of urgency.

Photo of Bertie AhernBertie Ahern (Dublin Central, Fianna Fail)
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I will discuss it with the Minister. I am not sure that it will be taken on Thursday but I will ask that it be circulated quickly.

Photo of Joe CostelloJoe Costello (Dublin Central, Labour)
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On that point, it is listed for Committee Stage next week but it has not yet been published.

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

Photo of Joe CostelloJoe Costello (Dublin Central, Labour)
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It is promised legislation.

Photo of Rory O'HanlonRory O'Hanlon (Cavan-Monaghan, Ceann Comhairle)
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The Taoiseach has answered the only question that arises on today's Order of Business.

Photo of Joe CostelloJoe Costello (Dublin Central, Labour)
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It is promised legislation. It still has not been published but Committee Stage is scheduled for next week.

Photo of Rory O'HanlonRory O'Hanlon (Cavan-Monaghan, Ceann Comhairle)
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We cannot debate it now.

Photo of Caoimhghín Ó CaoláinCaoimhghín Ó Caoláin (Cavan-Monaghan, Sinn Fein)
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The Ombudsman (Amendment) Bill was scheduled to be published in the middle of this year but is now scheduled to be published later. When is it intended to publish it? Will the Taoiseach give an assurance that it will be dealt with in the current session?

Photo of Bertie AhernBertie Ahern (Dublin Central, Fianna Fail)
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The heads of the Bill have been approved and the Bill is due to be published later this year. It will not be during this session.

Photo of Seymour CrawfordSeymour Crawford (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)
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What is the situation with regard to health? We have been summoned by the Health Service Executive——

Photo of Rory O'HanlonRory O'Hanlon (Cavan-Monaghan, Ceann Comhairle)
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I am sorry but that matter does not arise on the Order of Business. We must move to the next business.

Photo of Seymour CrawfordSeymour Crawford (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)
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——to attend a meeting tomorrow. Is the Minister in charge or not?

Photo of Rory O'HanlonRory O'Hanlon (Cavan-Monaghan, Ceann Comhairle)
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I will call the Deputy first tomorrow.

James Breen (Clare, Independent)
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A Cheann Comhairle, I raised my hand to ask a question on the Order of Business.

Photo of Rory O'HanlonRory O'Hanlon (Cavan-Monaghan, Ceann Comhairle)
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That is correct. Many other Deputies did so too but as it is now almost 5.40 p.m., we must move on. The Deputy will be called first tomorrow after the leaders.