Dáil debates
Wednesday, 4 October 2006
Order of Business
10:30 am
Bertie Ahern (Dublin Central, Fianna Fail)
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It is proposed to take No. a1, Road Traffic and Transport Bill 2006 [Seanad] — Second and Remaining Stages; No. 17, Patents (Amendment) Bill 1999 — Order for Report, Report and Final Stages; No. 2, Civil Law (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2006 — Second Stage, resumed; and No. 3, Electoral (Amendment) Bill 2006 — Order for Second Stage and Second Stage. It is proposed, notwithstanding anything in Standing Orders, that the Second and Remaining Stages of No. a1 shall be taken today and the following arrangements shall apply: the proceedings on the Second Stage shall, if not previously concluded, be brought to a conclusion after 65 minutes; the speeches shall be confined to a Minister or Minister of State and to the main spokespersons for the Fine Gael Party, the Labour Party and the Technical Group, who shall be called upon in that order and who may share their time, which shall not exceed 15 minutes in each case; a Minister or Minister of State shall be called upon to make a speech in reply which shall not exceed 5 minutes; and the proceedings on the Committee and Remaining Stages shall, if not previously concluded, be brought to a conclusion after 30 minutes by one question which shall be put from the Chair and which shall, in relation to amendments, include only those set down or accepted by the Minister for Transport. Private Members' Business shall be No. 52, motion re: report of the Comptroller and Auditor General for 2005, resumed, to conclude at 8.30 p.m.
Rory O'Hanlon (Cavan-Monaghan, Ceann Comhairle)
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There is one proposal to put to the House. Is the proposal for dealing with No. a1, conclusion of Second and Remaining Stages of the Road Traffic and Transport Bill 2006 [Seanad], agreed? Agreed.
Richard Bruton (Dublin North Central, Fine Gael)
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In 2002, the programme for government outlined the seven Bills to be implemented in the area of justice legislation reform, of which six have not been implemented. These include matters like the proceeds of corruption Bill, extending the powers of the DPP to permit appealing lenient sentences handed down by the District Court, the single crimes Bill and dealing with fines. In the case of many Bills, the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform cannot even indicate a possible date of publication. What has happened to the priority set out in the programme for government in 2002 that such matters have not even bestirred themselves as we approach the end of this Dáil?
Bertie Ahern (Dublin Central, Fianna Fail)
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I normally answer questions on the Order of Business on the area of justice, as we are trying to complete Bills. We have introduced an enormous amount of legislation. The legal costs Bill and the property services regulatory authority Bill are due. There are the immigration and residence Bill and the judicial council Bill. In this session, we will have the enforcement of fines Bill. There is an enormous amount of justice legislation before the House.
There is also a huge list of legislation in the justice area in various stages of preparation, which needs to take its course. The criminal justice (confiscation orders) Bill, criminal justice (DNA database) Bill and the criminal justice (provisions) Bill are all coming——
Richard Bruton (Dublin North Central, Fine Gael)
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It brings into question the programme for government if it is a programme for five years and none of these matters is completed.
Bertie Ahern (Dublin Central, Fianna Fail)
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In every session we passed many Bills in the justice area. All the Bills I mentioned are coming through the system in the coming months.
Pat Rabbitte (Dublin South West, Labour)
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Where stands the Privacy Bill now? I recently read that the matter had been postponed until 2007. Is this true and, if so, will the Government proceed to introduce and enact the Defamation Bill in any case?
Bertie Ahern (Dublin Central, Fianna Fail)
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The Bill is ordered for Second Stage in the Seanad.
Pat Rabbitte (Dublin South West, Labour)
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What Bill is in the Seanad?
Pat Rabbitte (Dublin South West, Labour)
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Will it come to this House?
Bertie Ahern (Dublin Central, Fianna Fail)
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It must go through the Seanad first.
Pat Rabbitte (Dublin South West, Labour)
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I understand that. The Tánaiste is quoted in one of the newspapers as saying that he did not think it was possible to enact that Bill until 2007. Is that purely a question of parliamentary timetabling here or are there issues given rise to by recent events relating to the Privacy Bill and the wisdom of proceeding with the one in the Seanad?
Bertie Ahern (Dublin Central, Fianna Fail)
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Both the Defamation Bill and the Privacy Bill are ordered for discussion in the Seanad. They are unlikely to reach this House before Christmas. However, both Bills are before the Seanad now.
Trevor Sargent (Dublin North, Green Party)
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There have been numerous false starts and announcements about the citizens information Bill. My latest information was that it would be published this Friday, 6 October. Can the Taoiseach confirm this and is there any significance that it ties in with Ivy Day? While I know it is due this session, I wonder if we can expect publication on 6 October.
Bertie Ahern (Dublin Central, Fianna Fail)
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The purpose of the Bill is to change the name of the statutory body from Comhairle to the citizens information board. I understand the legislation is almost ready and is due in the House this session.
Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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What is the position regarding the minerals development Bill, which was to keep legislation in line with the proposal of delivering better government? Yesterday, Deputy Stagg asked about the broadcasting Bill, the heads of which have been approved and a discussion document has been published. Is the deadline for submissions now extended beyond the projected deadline on the document itself, which was 4 October? From what I heard yesterday, it seems to have been extended to Christmas. If so, what was the reason for extending the deadline for submissions?
Bertie Ahern (Dublin Central, Fianna Fail)
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The Government approved the heads of the minerals development Bill at the end of June. The legislation has now gone for formal drafting and the Bill is due next year. Regarding the broadcasting Bill, from what the Minister told me yesterday when Deputy Stagg raised the issue, I understand it has gone for e-consultation. He said the closing date was the beginning of December.
Liz McManus (Wicklow, Labour)
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In 2003, we passed the Public Health (Tobacco) Act. The provision regarding the sale of cigarettes in packs of ten was not implemented on Monday. Surely the Taoiseach will accept it is inexcusable to have legislation passed by the House and secondary legislation compiled, but when it comes to the very simple measures to protect public health, they simply do not happen because of pressure from tobacco companies. Who is in charge?
Rory O'Hanlon (Cavan-Monaghan, Ceann Comhairle)
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The Deputy has made her point.
Liz McManus (Wicklow, Labour)
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Is public policy determined by the Government or by cigarette companies that want to make profits?
Bertie Ahern (Dublin Central, Fianna Fail)
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The Public Health (Tobacco) Act was enacted some time ago. There is no other legislation.
Liz McManus (Wicklow, Labour)
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That is exactly my point. The Act included a measure to prevent the sale of cigarettes in packs of ten. That provision was due to come into force on Monday. It is to protect young people. However, the Government has not done it and has buckled to the power of cigarette companies——
Rory O'Hanlon (Cavan-Monaghan, Ceann Comhairle)
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Secondary legislation——
Liz McManus (Wicklow, Labour)
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——to determine Government policy on public health.
Bertie Ahern (Dublin Central, Fianna Fail)
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The Deputy will need to table a question to the Minister. The legislation is passed.
Rory O'Hanlon (Cavan-Monaghan, Ceann Comhairle)
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Secondary legislation may be deferred to another day.
Bertie Ahern (Dublin Central, Fianna Fail)
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I assure the Deputy the Government is not buckling to the cigarette industry.
Rory O'Hanlon (Cavan-Monaghan, Ceann Comhairle)
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The Deputy should put the question directly to the Minister.
Liz McManus (Wicklow, Labour)
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The date was set to introduce a measure that we agreed in the House and the Government backed down.
Bertie Ahern (Dublin Central, Fianna Fail)
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If a question is put to the Minister, the Minister will answer.
Martin Cullen (Waterford, Fianna Fail)
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Out in the rain with an umbrella.
Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin (Cavan-Monaghan, Sinn Fein)
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With regard to promised legislation from the Department of Health and Children, two Bills have been on the legislative programme for some time. The adoption — Hague Convention, Adoption Authority — Bill was repeatedly promised over a series of legislative programmes. In the summer programme, it was expected in late 2006 but now it is due in early 2007. The same applies to the Voluntary Health Insurance Board corporate status Bill, which was expected in late 2006 but is now signalled for early 2007. A pattern arises in respect of both Bills and my question, apart from verifying the Taoiseach's opinion on the current status of their publication date, is whether either Bill will be presented before the general election?
Bertie Ahern (Dublin Central, Fianna Fail)
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The heads of the Voluntary Health Insurance Board corporate status Bill have been approved for a considerable period of time. The Bill went for drafting and it is due in the spring session.
Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin (Cavan-Monaghan, Sinn Fein)
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That is not what it says. The Taoiseach says——
Rory O'Hanlon (Cavan-Monaghan, Ceann Comhairle)
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Allow the Taoiseach to answer.
Bertie Ahern (Dublin Central, Fianna Fail)
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It is due in early 2007. The heads of the Adoption — Hague Convention — Bill have also been approved for a considerable period and it is hoped that Bill will be before the House early next year.
David Stanton (Cork East, Fine Gael)
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With regard to yesterday's decision in the European Court of Justice on the Bernadette Cadman case concerning equal pay for women and length of service, I understand the Government has requested that, in the event of the court ruling in favour of Ms Cadman, the legal impact of the judgment should be delayed until a specified date in the future to prevent a flood of claims. I also understand it is now part of Irish law. What is the possible impact of this judgment on the legislative programme? Will it have an impact on legislation that is in the pipeline and is it now the law of the land?
Bertie Ahern (Dublin Central, Fianna Fail)
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The decision was made only yesterday on the case of Ms Cadman versus the UK Health and Safety Executive. The ruling will, of course, be examined in detail by the Department of Justice, Equality and Law Reform. The initial information available to me is that the judgment clarifies but does not change the law as it has been understood to date. We have to examine it very carefully because equality legislation is an important issue.
Eamon Gilmore (Dún Laoghaire, Labour)
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The preliminary census figures, which were published during the summer, indicate that the ratio of population to Dáil constituencies is out of line with the limits set down in the Constitution and, therefore, the present constituency arrangements are vulnerable to legal challenge. Two weeks ago, the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government stated publicly that the Government had decided against introducing legislation to revise the constituencies on the basis of advice received by the Minister from the Attorney General. I had intended to ask the Minister if he would publish the advice he received but the Ceann Comhairle has ruled my question out of order on the grounds that the Minister has no official responsibility to Dáil Éireann for advice which is sought or received from the Attorney General. I ask the Taoiseach whether the Government will publish the advice.
Rory O'Hanlon (Cavan-Monaghan, Ceann Comhairle)
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That is not appropriate to the Order of Business.
Eamon Gilmore (Dún Laoghaire, Labour)
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The Ceann Comhairle has ruled out of order a parliamentary question on the matter so this is the only opportunity——
Rory O'Hanlon (Cavan-Monaghan, Ceann Comhairle)
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It would be wrong of the Ceann Comhairle to rule a parliamentary question out of order and then allow a question on the floor of the House.
Eamon Gilmore (Dún Laoghaire, Labour)
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This is a serious matter.
Rory O'Hanlon (Cavan-Monaghan, Ceann Comhairle)
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Deputy Bruton says the Chair must be consistent.
Richard Bruton (Dublin North Central, Fine Gael)
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That would be a big step forward.
Eamon Gilmore (Dún Laoghaire, Labour)
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Indeed, but the Chair must also protect the rights of Members.
Rory O'Hanlon (Cavan-Monaghan, Ceann Comhairle)
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Is legislation promised?
Eamon Gilmore (Dún Laoghaire, Labour)
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If my question is ruled out of order, the Ceann Comhairle will have to allow me to put it to the Taoiseach on the Order of Business.
Rory O'Hanlon (Cavan-Monaghan, Ceann Comhairle)
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I call Deputy Healy.
Bertie Ahern (Dublin Central, Fianna Fail)
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The answer is that no legislation is promised and the Minister has given the Government's view on it.
Eamon Gilmore (Dún Laoghaire, Labour)
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Why will the Government not publish the advice of the Attorney General?
Rory O'Hanlon (Cavan-Monaghan, Ceann Comhairle)
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That does not arise on the Order of Business.
Séamus Healy (Tipperary South, Independent)
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In view of the fact that instructions from the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government will wrongly delete thousands of voters from the register of electors, will the Taoiseach ensure the matter is addressed in the Electoral (Amendment) Bill 2006?
Rory O'Hanlon (Cavan-Monaghan, Ceann Comhairle)
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We cannot discuss on the Order of Business legislation that is before the House.
Séamus Healy (Tipperary South, Independent)
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The Taoiseach might like to answer the question.
Rory O'Hanlon (Cavan-Monaghan, Ceann Comhairle)
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Even if the Taoiseach would like to answer the question, he would be out of order to do so.
Olivia Mitchell (Dublin South, Fine Gael)
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The Public Transport Regulation Bill has been on the legislative programme under one guise or other for the past seven or eight years. Will it ever be brought before the House?
Bertie Ahern (Dublin Central, Fianna Fail)
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It is listed for next year.
Olivia Mitchell (Dublin South, Fine Gael)
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In that case, never.
Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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It will never happen.
Emmet Stagg (Kildare North, Labour)
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On a number of previous occasions, I raised the matter of providing RTE television signals to the Irish in Britain. The Government agreed to do that but when it examined the matter, it discovered that the legislation establishing RTE was inadequate in respect of ordering RTE to provide the service. RTE could offer a service if it had the will but was not obliged to do so by legislation. I asked that a short Bill be introduced to change the legislation and my request was facilitated through a section which was added to the Broadcasting Bill. On several occasions over the past year, I asked when that Bill would be taken and was advised that it would be published this year. However, I note it is not possible to indicate at this stage when the legislation might be published. I am aware of the problems encountered by the Chief Whip with regard to Ministers seeking time for legislation but that means the Bill does not have a snowball's chance in hell of coming before the Dáil in advance of the next general election. I ask the Taoiseach to consider the matter with a view to determining whether a short Bill could address it.
Bertie Ahern (Dublin Central, Fianna Fail)
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I will raise the matter with the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources because the e-consultation process has commenced in respect of the entire Broadcasting Bill and that process appears to have been extended.
John Gormley (Dublin South East, Green Party)
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The Taoiseach told us this morning that the Government had not buckled in the face of pressure from the tobacco industry. However, is it not fair to say that it has kowtowed to the alcohol industry by removing the alcohol products Bill from the legislative programme?
Rory O'Hanlon (Cavan-Monaghan, Ceann Comhairle)
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The Taoiseach on the alcohol products Bill.
John Gormley (Dublin South East, Green Party)
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Will the Taoiseach tell the House when the trial period will end for the co-operative deal made with the alcohol industry and when the legislation will be introduced?
Bertie Ahern (Dublin Central, Fianna Fail)
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Voluntary agreements have been reached with the alcohol and advertising industries and, therefore, the Department of Health and Children wishes to postpone the introduction of the legislation pending the outcome of these agreements.
Bertie Ahern (Dublin Central, Fianna Fail)
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I am not sure how long.
12:00 pm
Jan O'Sullivan (Limerick East, Labour)
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The Student Support Bill, which is listed for this session, appears to have been watered down from its original intention to address the unfairness of the assessment system for PAYE families. Will no provision be now made in that respect and will the Bill therefore solely pertain to allowing VECs to become awarding bodies? Will the Bill address the issue of fairness of assessment for PAYE families?
Bertie Ahern (Dublin Central, Fianna Fail)
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The legislation will be taken this session and the matter can be debated at that stage.
Paul Kehoe (Wexford, Fine Gael)
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I seek direction from the Ceann Comhairle. On 16 July, I put down a question to the Minister for Finance with regard to property owned by the OPW. To date, I have not received a reply, although I have been in ongoing contact with the Department on the matter.
Rory O'Hanlon (Cavan-Monaghan, Ceann Comhairle)
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That does not arise on the Order of Business.
Paul Kehoe (Wexford, Fine Gael)
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What options are available to me?
Rory O'Hanlon (Cavan-Monaghan, Ceann Comhairle)
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The Deputy has many ways of raising issues in the House, such as through parliamentary questions to the Minister and on the adjournment.
Paul Kehoe (Wexford, Fine Gael)
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I am merely seeking direction.
Rory O'Hanlon (Cavan-Monaghan, Ceann Comhairle)
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The Chair does not give direction on the floor of the House on such matters.
Tommy Broughan (Dublin North East, Labour)
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With regard to the Energy (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2006, which is on Report Stage, a tranche of amendments, practically amounting to a new section, was brought forward yesterday and many more are promised. In view of the current energy situation, will the Minister consider introducing a comprehensive new Bill?
With regard to the mayhem that took place in various parts of the country over the summer, for which the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform is 100% responsible——
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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——will the Taoiseach provide some time in this session——
Rory O'Hanlon (Cavan-Monaghan, Ceann Comhairle)
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Is time promised?
Tommy Broughan (Dublin North East, Labour)
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I did not ask my question.
Rory O'Hanlon (Cavan-Monaghan, Ceann Comhairle)
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The Deputy can only ask a question on the Order of Business.
Tommy Broughan (Dublin North East, Labour)
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I want to ask about the RAPID programme. In my constituency, which the Taoiseach knows well——
Rory O'Hanlon (Cavan-Monaghan, Ceann Comhairle)
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The Deputy should submit a question to the Minister.
Tommy Broughan (Dublin North East, Labour)
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There are 27 objectives but we are only working on five and the Government has nearly finished its term.
Rory O'Hanlon (Cavan-Monaghan, Ceann Comhairle)
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I call Deputy Cowley.
Jerry Cowley (Mayo, Independent)
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The Taoiseach spoke earlier about justice legislation. It troubles me that while hundreds of gardaí are deemed necessary to suppress the peaceful protest in north Mayo——
Rory O'Hanlon (Cavan-Monaghan, Ceann Comhairle)
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We will move to the next business, the Road Traffic and Transport Bill.
Jerry Cowley (Mayo, Independent)
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——only five extra gardaí have been deployed to Moyross after the tragic events there.