Bertie Ahern (Dublin Central, Fianna Fail)
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It is proposed to take No. 23, statements on the European Council in Brussels and No. 4, Finance Bill 2007 — Second Stage, resumed. It is proposed, notwithstanding anything in Standing Orders, that the Dáil shall sit later than 8.30 p.m. and business shall be interrupted on the conclusion of Private Members' business, which shall be No. 71, motion re health service reform, resumed, which shall be taken for 90 minutes at 7 p.m. or on the conclusion of No. 4, whichever is the later; the suspension of the sitting under Standing Order 23(1) shall take place at 1.30 p.m. or on the conclusion of No. 23, whichever is the later, until 2.30 p.m.; the proceedings on No. 23 shall, if not previously concluded, be brought to a conclusion after 80 minutes and the following arrangements shall apply: the statements shall, if not previously concluded, be brought to a conclusion after 60 minutes and shall be confined to the Taoiseach 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, who may share their time, and which shall not exceed 15 minutes in each case; immediately following the statements, a Minister or Minister of State shall take questions for a period not exceeding 20 minutes; the proceedings on resumed Second Stage of No. 4 shall, if not previously concluded, be brought to a conclusion at 7 p.m..

Rory O'Hanlon (Cavan-Monaghan, Ceann Comhairle)
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There are three proposals to be put to the House. Is the proposal for the late sitting and for the suspension of the sitting under Standing Order 23(1) agreed? Agreed. Is the proposal for dealing with No. 23 agreed? Agreed. Is the proposal for dealing with No. 4 agreed?

Joan Burton (Dublin West, Labour)
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I object to the guillotine on Second Stage of the Finance Bill. This must be the shortest ever Second Stage debate on a Finance Bill. The election is coming and obviously the Taoiseach wishes to clear the decks in case he needs to go to the country early. However, the debate on the Finance Bill has been reduced to ridiculous proportions. The Labour Party has been allocated two time slots, one of which is for me.

The Finance Bill contains important measures which need to be debated. These include stamp duty breaks for people who give sites to their children but not for ordinary couples buying a house or indeed for first-time buyers who buy a second-hand house costing more than €317,000. There is no opportunity to debate in any detail the BES and no opportunity to take a close look at the proposals which the Minister for Finance has introduced, despite the promises of the Taoiseach last year for more tax breaks for property development——

Rory O'Hanlon (Cavan-Monaghan, Ceann Comhairle)
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It is not appropriate to debate the matter now. The Deputy will have an opportunity during the debate.

Joan Burton (Dublin West, Labour)
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It is disgraceful. This is the only opportunity I have to raise some of these issues or that my party has to debate them. If the Dáil is not able to debate money Bills——

Rory O'Hanlon (Cavan-Monaghan, Ceann Comhairle)
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The Deputy will have an opportunity during the debate.

Joan Burton (Dublin West, Labour)
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What is the purpose of calling us in if we cannot have a detailed debate on a money Bill? We object strongly to the guillotine.

Trevor Sargent (Dublin North, Green Party)
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I support the Deputy. The Finance Bill provides a fundamental opportunity for Opposition Members to set down the alternatives needed. As we come to an election, it is fair that the Opposition is given the opportunity to articulate alternative views. Listening to the Minister yesterday, it was clear that he still thinks that business as usual is the only option and that we just continue to managerially refine it. That will not work. We need time for a much longer debate. My colleague, Deputy Boyle, and one other speaker are all that the Green Party is permitted and this is unfortunate. The Taoiseach should allow for a longer debate on the Finance Bill as it is a crucial part of Government policy and of our alternative.

Enda Kenny (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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I raised with the Taoiseach the matter of the trafficking of persons. I note that No. 32 is due for publication some time this year. Does the Taoiseach have a more specific date for publication? No. 34, the sale of alcohol Bill, has been promised for a long time and is scheduled to be taken in 2007. Does the Taoiseach know how many heads are ready? Will the legislation be brought before Government reasonably soon?

Bertie Ahern (Dublin Central, Fianna Fail)
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The purpose of the criminal justice (trafficking in persons and sexual offences) Bill, which deals with the issue Deputy Kenny and I discussed, is to give effect to a number of international instruments on trafficking in persons and sexual exploitation of children. The heads of the Bill were approved in the summer of 2006 and I hope the legislation will be available over the next period. I understand drafting is well advanced but it may take another period before it comes before the House.

Enda Kenny (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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What is the position regarding No. 34?

Bertie Ahern (Dublin Central, Fianna Fail)
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The sale of alcohol Bill is due later this year.

Liz McManus (Wicklow, Labour)
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I will pose two questions to the Taoiseach to save time. On the decision by the Medical Council to censure three senior medical consultants, I understand Victim Support, on behalf of the victims of Mr. Neary, was told by the Minister for Health and Children, Deputy Harney, that the Medical Practitioners Bill will be in force before St. Patrick's Day. Will the Taoiseach confirm that will be the case given that the timeframe appears to be very tight?

Rory O'Hanlon (Cavan-Monaghan, Ceann Comhairle)
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To what legislation does the Deputy's question refer?

Liz McManus (Wicklow, Labour)
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It refers to the Medical Practitioners Bill. On the eligibility for health and personal social services Bill, does the Taoiseach accept that the right to have a shower is a personal service to which elderly people and other patients should be entitled when in hospital and that this entitlement is being denied to them in Connolly Hospital in Blanchardstown?

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

Liz McManus (Wicklow, Labour)
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When is it intended to introduce the eligibility for health and personal social services Bill to protect patients, particularly elderly, vulnerable people who cannot avail of the right to have a shower?

Bertie Ahern (Dublin Central, Fianna Fail)
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The Medical Practitioners Bill is before the House. As indicated, the Minister for Health and Children wants the Bill to be passed as soon as possible. The eligibility for health and personal social services Bill, whose purpose is to clarify and update the present provisions relating to eligibility for health and personal services, is listed for this year.

Trevor Sargent (Dublin North, Green Party)
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Yesterday, I promised a friend who was stuck on the M50 that I would raise a question with the Taoiseach today. Although I am not hopeful of a complete or straightforward answer, I will ask it in any case. Given its urgency, will the Dublin transport authority Bill be implemented before the Government goes to the country?

Rory O'Hanlon (Cavan-Monaghan, Ceann Comhairle)
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I call the Taoiseach on promised legislation.

John Gormley (Dublin South East, Green Party)
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Not a chance.

Bertie Ahern (Dublin Central, Fianna Fail)
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In the next few weeks.

Trevor Sargent (Dublin North, Green Party)
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Will it be implemented before the Taoiseach goes to the country?

Bertie Ahern (Dublin Central, Fianna Fail)
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With the Deputy's help.

John Gormley (Dublin South East, Green Party)
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Is that an offer?

Liam Twomey (Wexford, Fine Gael)
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Do not be upsetting the PDs.

Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin (Cavan-Monaghan, Sinn Fein)
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The adoption Bill, providing for the Hague Convention and the adoption authority, is promised for early 2007 or the spring session. Will it make its passage through the House before the dissolution of the Dáil?

Bertie Ahern (Dublin Central, Fianna Fail)
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This session.

Rory O'Hanlon (Cavan-Monaghan, Ceann Comhairle)
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We now move on to No. 23, Statements on the European Council.

Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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Now, a Cheann Comhairle——

Rory O'Hanlon (Cavan-Monaghan, Ceann Comhairle)
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An Order of the House today allows 80 minutes for statements on the European Council, otherwise we will eat into the sos, which in my view is unfair to the staff of this House. I will hear the Members tomorrow.

Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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It is not fair to us.