Dáil debates
Wednesday, 31 October 2007
Order of Business
5:00 pm
Bertie Ahern (Dublin Central, Fianna Fail)
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It is proposed to take No. 6, motion re Statement of Estimates for the Houses of the Oireachtas Commission; No. 7, motion re orders of reference of committee; No. 8, motion re appointment of members to committee; No. a1, Markets in Financial Instruments and Miscellaneous Provisions Bill 2007 — Amendments from the Seanad; No. 9, motion re leave to introduce Supplementary Estimate [Vote 41] and, subject to the agreement of No. 9, the Supplementary Estimate [Vote 41]; No. 13, Criminal Law (Human Trafficking) Bill 2007 — Second Stage (resumed); No. 13a, statements on road safety, to be taken on the adjournment of Private Members' business.
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 No. 13a; Nos. 6, 7 and 8 shall be decided without debate; No. 9 shall be decided without debate and any division demanded thereon shall be taken forthwith, and subject to the agreement of No. 9, the Supplementary Estimate [Vote 41] shall be moved and the proceedings thereon shall, if not previously concluded, be brought to a conclusion at 7 p.m., any division demanded thereon shall be taken forthwith and the following arrangements shall apply: the speeches shall, if not previously concluded, be brought to a conclusion at 6.45 p.m.; the speech of a Minister or Minister of State and the main spokespersons for the Fine Gael Party and the Labour Party who shall be called upon in that order shall not exceed ten minutes in each case; the speech of each other Member called upon shall not exceed five minutes in each case; Members may share time; immediately following the speeches, a Minister or Minister of State shall take questions for a period not exceeding 15 minutes; Private Members' business which shall be No. 24, motion re Civil Unions Bill 2006, shall be taken for 90 minutes at 7 p.m. or on the conclusion of No. 9a, whichever is the later, and shall also take place tomorrow immediately after the Order of Business and be brought to a conclusion after 90 minutes on that day; the proceedings on No. 13a shall, if not previously concluded, be brought to a conclusion after 65 minutes and the following arrangements shall apply: the statements shall be confined to a Minister or Minister of State and the main spokespersons for the Fine Gael Party, the Labour Party and Sinn Féin who shall be called upon in that order, may share time and not exceed 15 minutes in each case; a Minister or Minister of State shall be called upon to make a statement in reply which shall not exceed five minutes.
John O'Donoghue (Kerry South, Ceann Comhairle)
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Is the proposal that the Dáil sit later than 8.30 p.m. agreed to? Agreed. Is the proposal for dealing with Nos. 6, 7 and 8, motions re statement of Estimates for the Houses of the Oireachtas Commission, orders of reference of committee and appointment of members to committee, without debate agreed to?
Enda Kenny (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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No. 7 is a motion re orders of reference of committee. It concerns an expansion of the number of members of the Select Committee on Agriculture, Fisheries and Food. No. 8 deals with the appointment of two extra members to the committee. This could have been avoided if we had had clarity from the Government Chief Whip. Last week we expanded the membership of two or three committees and today are expanding the membership of the Select Committee on Agriculture, Fisheries and Food from 13 to 15. Because I respect the fact that any party in the Dáil is entitled to be represented, my party facilitated the appointment of Sinn Féin Members to three committees, although not, admittedly, to the ones they wanted to be appointed to. Now the Government wishes to expand the membership of the Select Committee on Agriculture, Fisheries and Food to accommodate Deputy Martin Ferris, to which I do not object. However, it would have made things clearer if the Government Whip had said at the beginning that there would be 15 members, rather than 11 or 13, on certain committees in order to accommodate the appointment of every Deputy in the House to a committee.
John O'Donoghue (Kerry South, Ceann Comhairle)
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Is the proposal agreed to? Agreed. Is the proposal for dealing with No. 9, motion re Supplementary Estimate, without debate agreed to? Agreed. Is the proposal for dealing with Private Members' business agreed to? Agreed. Is the proposal for dealing with No. 13a, statements on road safety, agreed to? Agreed.
Enda Kenny (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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Nuair a bhí mé ag caint leis an Teachta Ring, d'iarr sé orm ceist a chur ar an dTaoiseach maidir le cathain an mbeidh an tuarascáil maidir le stádas na nGaeltachtaí foilsithe ag an Rialtas. Tá mé taréis an cheist seo a chur ar an dTaoiseach deich n-uaire le bliain go leith anuas, ach níl aon freagra le fáil. Chuala mé ráfla go bhfuil an tuarascáil le foilsiú anocht ag an Aire Gnóthaí Pobail, Tuaithe agus Gaeltachta. Ba cheart go mbeadh an tuarascáil foilsithe istigh sa Dáil agus ba chóir go mbeadh díospóireacht againn anseo.
Will the Government consider at Whips' meetings the possibility of arranging a discussion on the report produced by Dr. Coulter on family courts and the recommendations for improvements contained therein?
On the matter of illegal Irish immigrants in the United States, I understand Senator Schumer in New York is willing to support a Bill instituting a bilateral arrangement between Ireland and the United States but cannot do so without the imprimatur of Senator Kennedy whom I understand has been waiting for a call from the Taoiseach for some weeks. Would the Taoiseach be so kind as to call him to indicate the interest of the Government in pursuing a bilateral arrangement with the United States to regularise the position of illegal Irish immigrants? I understand that as of today, the Senator has been waiting for a call from the Taoiseach for quite some time. Perhaps the Minister for Foreign Affairs did not fully acquaint the Taoiseach with the situation.
John O'Donoghue (Kerry South, Ceann Comhairle)
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None of these items is in order on the Order of Business.
John O'Donoghue (Kerry South, Ceann Comhairle)
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They are not in order. That is the problem.
Enda Kenny (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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Under what Standing Order is the report——
John O'Donoghue (Kerry South, Ceann Comhairle)
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Standing Orders are very clear. I observed last week what the position was.
Enda Kenny (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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Under what Standing Order is the report on the status of the Gaeltachtaí not in order?
John O'Donoghue (Kerry South, Ceann Comhairle)
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It is not business listed on the Order Paper; it is not business which has been promised. It does not relate to the making of secondary legislation——
John O'Donoghue (Kerry South, Ceann Comhairle)
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It is not related to arrangements for sittings or when Bills or other documents listed on the Order Paper needed in the House will be circulated.
Enda Kenny (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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It has been promised on a dozen occasions.
John O'Donoghue (Kerry South, Ceann Comhairle)
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Strictly speaking, it is not in order on the Order of Business. The Deputy understands this, being a Deputy of long standing.
Enda Kenny (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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Absolutely. I am the longest serving Deputy, as I remind the Ceann Comhairle on occasion.
John O'Donoghue (Kerry South, Ceann Comhairle)
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The Deputy is entitled to do so but he is not entitled to be out of order.
Enda Kenny (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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The Minister for Foreign Affairs who is absent has said repeatedly that the Government is in a very strong position to deal with the issue of the illegal immigrant population in the United States. I am just making the point that there is a Senator in New York who is willing to support a Bill but needs the imprimatur of Senator Kennedy who obviously has been waiting for a call from the Taoiseach.
John O'Donoghue (Kerry South, Ceann Comhairle)
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There are other ways to raise that matter.
Enda Kenny (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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I am just making a comment. As for my point about Dr. Coulter's report on the family law courts, all I asked was that the Whips discuss the matter at one of their meetings with a view to having a discussion in the House. Can the Ceann Comhairle explain why that is not in order?
John O'Donoghue (Kerry South, Ceann Comhairle)
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That is a matter for the Whips. It is not a matter for the Order of Business. That is clear.
Enda Kenny (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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It is my responsibility, Sir, to raise this matter. It is of national importance. All I am saying is that the Government Whip might discuss this with the other Whips with a view to having a discussion here——
John O'Donoghue (Kerry South, Ceann Comhairle)
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The Taoiseach will accept that.
Enda Kenny (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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But the Ceann Comhairle would not let him answer it.
Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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The Taoiseach wants to answer.
John O'Donoghue (Kerry South, Ceann Comhairle)
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The reason is because it is not in order under the Order of Business.
Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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The Taoiseach wants to answer.
John O'Donoghue (Kerry South, Ceann Comhairle)
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It is not in order on the Order of Business. Deputy Kenny, I am not here to frame the Standing Orders.
John O'Donoghue (Kerry South, Ceann Comhairle)
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I am here to implement them, as I have told you on numerous occasions.
Enda Kenny (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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I am here, Sir, to raise issues that are of importance. This is the House of accountability and I would like you to facilitate me within the rules, and these are the rules.
Dan NevilleJohn O'Donoghue (Kerry South, Ceann Comhairle)
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I have always done so within the rules.
Enda Kenny (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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Can I have a response from the Taoiseach as Gaeilge then?
John O'Donoghue (Kerry South, Ceann Comhairle)
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I call Deputy Gilmore. We will not have a discussion about it now.
Enda Kenny (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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Can I have a response from the Taoiseach as Gaeilge to my question?
John O'Donoghue (Kerry South, Ceann Comhairle)
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I call Deputy Gilmore.
Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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The Taoiseach should be allowed to answer.
Eamon Gilmore (Dún Laoghaire, Labour)
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There is just one issue I want to raise. Among the documents laid before the Dáil today is the report to the Minister for Transport on the circumstances surrounding the Aer Lingus decision on the Shannon-Heathrow link. Does the Taoiseach intend to provide time to have that report discussed in the House?
Bertie Ahern (Dublin Central, Fianna Fail)
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If the Whips want to discuss it, I do not mind.
Brendan Howlin (Wexford, Labour)
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The Government has tabled an amendment to a motion on today's Order Paper reiterating a promise that it made earlier to legislate for civil partnerships at the earliest possible date so as to establish a supportive legal framework for same-sex couples in committed relationships. When will that legislation be published?
Bertie Ahern (Dublin Central, Fianna Fail)
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The heads of the Bill are in preparation. It will take several months. The equivalent Bill in the UK — the legal systems are not that——
Brendan Howlin (Wexford, Labour)
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The equivalent Bills in five other jurisdictions contained seven sections.
Brendan Howlin (Wexford, Labour)
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The UK Bill contained many addenda.
Bertie Ahern (Dublin Central, Fianna Fail)
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The Bill contains 280 sections and 40 Schedules. The trouble is that the legal systems are quite alike and that is the difficulty in case law, but it is being examined. We hope to have the heads of the Bill but it will take a number of months. There are quite a number of complexities. It has got priority in the Department but it will take a number of months.
Tom Kitt
Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin (Cavan-Monaghan, Sinn Fein)
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On promised legislation, I received a response last week from the Minister for Health and Children, Deputy Harney, confirming that many dentists have withdrawn from the dental treatment service scheme leaving thousands of medical card holders without the essential treatment to which they are entitled. The Minister cites the legal issues that have arisen under the Competition Act 2002 which is the same Act that is underlying the difficulties with the pharmacy sector. As the Minister indicates that her officials were working with the Attorney General on the issue, can the Taoiseach advise if amending legislation on the Competition Act 2002 will address both of these issues, that is, the issue of dentist provision and the issue with the pharmacy sector, and if the Government is looking at any other legislation that can address these serious difficulties that are already impinging on the lives and health of ordinary citizens?
Bertie Ahern (Dublin Central, Fianna Fail)
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It is a debate we had here a few weeks ago about the Competition Act 2002, but that section implements Article 81 of the Treaty of Rome and, therefore, it is not just Irish legislation. This is European legislation enacted into the Competition Act 2002 and there is no proposal to amend that.
Seymour Crawford (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)
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In light of all the problems regarding the difficulties of the elderly with subvention, when will the nursing home subvention scheme Bill come before this House? We were promised that the scheme would be in place for 1 January.
I understand the Minister for Transport, Deputy Dempsey, is coming to Monaghan on Monday next to open the bypass, unless he changes his mind.
Noel Dempsey (Meath West, Fianna Fail)
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Why would I change my mind?
Seymour Crawford (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)
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He will be welcome.
Seymour Crawford (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)
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There is a road beside that bypass which needs to be upgraded to a national secondary road. When will the Local Government (Amendment) Bill come before the House? It specifically deals with that sort of issue.
John O'Donoghue (Kerry South, Ceann Comhairle)
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We are being sidetracked.
Bertie Ahern (Dublin Central, Fianna Fail)
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The Nursing Home Support Scheme Bill will be ready in approximately four weeks. It will be published this session. The other Bill will be published this session too.
Seymour Crawford (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)
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Will it be dealt with?
Bertie Ahern (Dublin Central, Fianna Fail)
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Hopefully, yes. It should be ready in four weeks. It will be November.
Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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In the Taoiseach's absence on Thursday last I raised with the Tánaiste the present whereabouts of the postal miscellaneous provisions Bill, which was promised last year and then was "unpromised". The Taoiseach famously stated that it fell off the wagon. We inquired of the Tánaiste as to the present whereabouts of the wagon and where the Bill was because at the same time that this was falling off the wagon, post offices were being closed all over the country indiscriminately with serious consequences for the entire postal network.
John O'Donoghue (Kerry South, Ceann Comhairle)
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What is the legislation?
Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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The Taoiseach might indicate whether it is intended to reintroduce that on the wagon again and pull the wagon out of the ditch as well. While we are on the subject, No. 11 on today's Order Paper refers to the approval by Dáil Éireann of "the terms of Certain Acts of the 2004 Congress of the Universal Postal Union, signed at Bucharest on 5th October, 2004 copies of which were laid before the Dáil on 31 July 2007". Would it have been on the same wagon? If it takes that long to get to its destination, I am afraid there are serious problems ahead of us. What are the present intentions on the postal services Bill?
John O'Donoghue (Kerry South, Ceann Comhairle)
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We cannot discuss wagons, as I told Deputy Durkan before, on the Order of Business.
Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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When all the potholes are filled in Kerry South, wagons will be able to flow freely over them.
P J Sheehan (Cork South West, Fine Gael)
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The wagons are no longer in existence.
Leo Varadkar (Dublin West, Fine Gael)
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I refer to the programme for Government commitment to reduce PRSI from 4% to 2% and I note, in particular, the recent ESRI study showing that the PRSI fund will go into deficit within six years. Can the Taoiseach inform us when he intends to introduce legislation to give effect to this commitment, if he still intends to bankrupt and raid the Social Insurance Fund in the way he has proposed, and if this legislation will be part of the Finance Bill or if other legislation will be introduced to enable this commitment?
John O'Donoghue (Kerry South, Ceann Comhairle)
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Is legislation promised in that area?
Bertie Ahern (Dublin Central, Fianna Fail)
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There is a Social Welfare Bill every year, usually after the budget.
Michael D'Arcy (Wexford, Fine Gael)
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I ask the Taoiseach about drinking water regulations. When penalties were introduced under section 21 and 22 of up to €500,000 for farmers and for local authorities, how come the same penalties were not introduced for businesses? It has been widely reported that some businesses can be prosecuted only under summary conviction in the District Court with a maximum fine of €3,000. There is an incredible inequity evident between different sectors of society.
John O'Donoghue (Kerry South, Ceann Comhairle)
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What is the legislation? We must move along.
Michael D'Arcy (Wexford, Fine Gael)
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The drinking water regulations, sections 21 and 22 of which introduce a fine of €500,000 for farmers and local authorities and only €3,000 for businesses.
Bertie Ahern (Dublin Central, Fianna Fail)
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It is a matter for a question to the Minister.
John O'Donoghue (Kerry South, Ceann Comhairle)
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I am afraid so.
Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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There is a need for amending legislation.
Joe McHugh (Donegal North East, Fine Gael)
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On promised legislation, No. 84, there are major concerns about the viability and the future of Malin Head coast guard station and concerns need to be raised at this stage because there is talk it will be closed.
John O'Donoghue (Kerry South, Ceann Comhairle)
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There is no legislation, is there?
Joe McHugh (Donegal North East, Fine Gael)
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To be specific, I raised it because it has to do with the Safety Convention Bill. Just today, there were two successful rescue missions, 230 miles and 60 miles off the west coast. A Naval Service ship was 230 miles off the west coast.
John O'Donoghue (Kerry South, Ceann Comhairle)
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On the legislation——
Joe McHugh (Donegal North East, Fine Gael)
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The other was a four-crew boat 60 miles off Achill Island.
John O'Donoghue (Kerry South, Ceann Comhairle)
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Deputy McHugh is not in order.
Joe McHugh (Donegal North East, Fine Gael)
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This was all co-ordinated through Malin Head.
John O'Donoghue (Kerry South, Ceann Comhairle)
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On the Safety Convention Bill I call the Taoiseach.
Joe McHugh (Donegal North East, Fine Gael)
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The worry among staff is what commitment the Government has to Malin Head.
John O'Donoghue (Kerry South, Ceann Comhairle)
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The Taoiseach has answered Deputy McHugh. I call Deputy Ring.
Joe McHugh (Donegal North East, Fine Gael)
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Can I ask the Taoiseach, under promised legislation, what is the commitment, and this Government's stance, on the future viability of Malin Head coast guard station?
P J Sheehan (Cork South West, Fine Gael)
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And Valentia in the Ceann Comhairle's constituency.
John O'Donoghue (Kerry South, Ceann Comhairle)
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I call Deputy Ring on the Order of Business.
P J Sheehan (Cork South West, Fine Gael)
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Can I ask about Valentia in the Ceann Comhairle's constituency where there are 16 salaries? It is a disgrace.
Michael Ring (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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I would like the Taoiseach to give us a one-minute answer to a simple question. Will he make time available to discuss the problem of Irish illegal emigrants and will he and the Minister for Foreign Affairs get involved in the matter? It is a sensitive time in the bilateral agreement between Ireland and America. I urge the Taoiseach to respond not on my behalf but on behalf of the thousands of illegal Irish people who are caught in the trap.
Michael Ring (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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I would like the Taoiseach to respond.
Brian Hayes (Dublin South West, Fine Gael)
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In February 2007 the Minister for Education and Science gave a commitment to bring forward a new model of primary school patronage. She stated this would be introduced following consultation between all the education partners. Will the Taoiseach inform the House whether it is the intention of the Government to bring forward legislation on the conclusion of those discussions, given that this is a major new departure?
In addition, will he confirm what I understand to be the case, that there are no secret deals between the Government and any of the major faiths in terms of the outcome of the talks before the Government has had a chance to see the legislation? Will legislation be debated on the floor of the House if a new model of patronage is to be introduced?
John O'Donoghue (Kerry South, Ceann Comhairle)
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Is legislation promised in this area?
Bertie Ahern (Dublin Central, Fianna Fail)
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No legislation is listed.
Tom Sheahan (Kerry South, Fine Gael)
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I plead with the Ceann Comhairle to allow discussion of the topic raised by Deputy McHugh because——
John O'Donoghue (Kerry South, Ceann Comhairle)
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The Deputy is out of order.
Tom Sheahan (Kerry South, Fine Gael)
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——I doubt if the Ceann Comhairle wants to see Valentia Island coast guard close.
John O'Donoghue (Kerry South, Ceann Comhairle)
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Much as I would like to do so, I cannot allow the matter to be debated. We must move on to the next question.
Tom Sheahan (Kerry South, Fine Gael)
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We do not want to see the Valentia Island coast guard close and put in jeopardy the jobs of the people working there.
John O'Donoghue (Kerry South, Ceann Comhairle)
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Deputy Broughan is next. No legislation is promised.
Tom Sheahan (Kerry South, Fine Gael)
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Regarding Valentia, we cannot——
Noel Dempsey (Meath West, Fianna Fail)
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It will not be closed. The Deputy can rest assured of that.
John O'Donoghue (Kerry South, Ceann Comhairle)
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There are other ways of raising this matter. I call Deputy Broughan.
Tom Sheahan (Kerry South, Fine Gael)
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I plead with you, a Cheann Comhairle——
John O'Donoghue (Kerry South, Ceann Comhairle)
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Deputy Sheahan will have to stay within Standing Orders.
Tommy Broughan (Dublin North East, Labour)
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I have a brief question for the Taoiseach and another one for you, a Cheann Comhairle. The Taoiseach is probably aware that No. 3 on the list of non-statutory documents laid before the Dáil, guidelines on the governance of integrated local development companies and urban based partnerships, produced by the Department of Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs, will mean Members of this House or the Seanad will no longer be able to hold directorships of partnership companies. This has been decided by the Minister, Deputy Ó Cuív. Will it be possible for a full discussion of the matter to take place in the House, given that a number of Members have played a strong role in local development around the country?
My second question is for you, a Cheann Comhairle. You ruled out a significant number of questions today on the spurious ground that they were not germane to the Minister for Transport. When you took over the Chair, a Cheann Comhairle, you said you were interested in reforming this House and that you would not kick questions over to quangos or various bodies outside the House but that you would hold Ministers responsible.
Tommy Broughan (Dublin North East, Labour)
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Have you changed your views? One of the questions I asked of the Minister for Transport today was asked of the British Secretary of State for Transport, Ruth Kelly, in regard to her territory and she answered it. This Minister did not answer it but he used you as a shield to protect him by kicking it off to some unelected quango.
Noel Dempsey (Meath West, Fianna Fail)
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Deputy Broughan should know how to ask questions.
John O'Donoghue (Kerry South, Ceann Comhairle)
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I can inform Deputy Broughan that I have had meetings with the Whips in order to facilitate a change whereby I hope it might be possible for questions such as those to which the Deputy referred to be answered. However, in the final analysis that is a matter for a reform of Standing Orders and, in some cases, statute law. I indicated to the Whips that I would facilitate making change if that were possible. That remains the position. I also told the Whips I would send them a positional paper to facilitate them in that respect.
However, I remind Deputy Broughan that at no point did I say I would not throw out the questions or anything to that effect. I could not possibly have said that. All I said at all times was that I would try to facilitate those questions being answered and I have sought to do precisely that.
Tommy Broughan (Dublin North East, Labour)
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The Minister for Health and Children answers nothing.
Mary Harney (Dublin Mid West, Progressive Democrats)
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I answer 500 questions a week.
James Bannon (Longford-Westmeath, Fine Gael)
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In light of the fact that we have the worst public transport system in Europe, when can we expect the Bill to regulate the provision of public transport? Will a number of projects that were left out of Transport 21 which were promised in the recent general election be included in the new Bill?
John O'Donoghue (Kerry South, Ceann Comhairle)
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The Taoiseach cannot answer that. The Bill is on the list of promised legislation.
John O'Donoghue (Kerry South, Ceann Comhairle)
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The content of the legislation is not a matter for the Order of Business. What is the legislation?
James Bannon (Longford-Westmeath, Fine Gael)
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When will the Bill regulating the provision of public transport be published?
Fergus O'Dowd (Louth, Fine Gael)
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Regarding questions being disallowed, on two occasions I asked the Taoiseach's Department whether his media unit contacted the Department of Transport in regard to the stories about Shannon Airport and Aer Lingus. That question was refused twice by the Taoiseach's office. When I rang the office I got no reply. I tabled the question again only to find it was reworded by his Department into a strange question that now inquires of the Minister for Transport, Deputy Dempsey, whether he knew about it. I am asking the Taoiseach whether he knew about it. Will the Taoiseach answer properly the written questions he was asked in the Dáil?
Paul Kehoe (Wexford, Fine Gael)
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His civil servant did not tell him.
Fergus O'Dowd (Louth, Fine Gael)
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That is a very serious issue.
John O'Donoghue (Kerry South, Ceann Comhairle)
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I point out to Deputy O'Dowd that the Chair has absolutely no function in the transfer of questions. That is entirely a matter between members of the Government.
Fergus O'Dowd (Louth, Fine Gael)
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On a point of order, the question is properly tabled to the Taoiseach. The media unit is in his Department and is paid for by the taxpayer. The Taoiseach has refused to answer the question, not once but twice. Not alone that, he reworded the question and kicked it off to the Minister for Transport, Deputy Dempsey. That is not acceptable. I have been in contact with the Taoiseach's office and I accept the goodwill of that office and the questions office also. Will the Taoiseach assure me this matter will be investigated by his good self immediately so as to provide a proper response to the question in the Dáil where he has to be accountable?
John O'Donoghue (Kerry South, Ceann Comhairle)
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I must move on. Does Deputy O'Dowd have a question on legislation?
Fergus O'Dowd (Louth, Fine Gael)
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Regarding correcting the record of the House, I presume the Taoiseach spoke inadvertently when he stated the Garda would not enforce the legislation on provisional licence holders. More than 4,000 persons were prosecuted in the courts. The Minister for Transport, Deputy Dempsey——
John O'Donoghue (Kerry South, Ceann Comhairle)
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That has nothing to do with the Order of Business. To what legislation does the Deputy refer?
John O'Donoghue (Kerry South, Ceann Comhairle)
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That is not a point of order, and Deputy O'Dowd well knows it. I must move on with the business of the House. That is not in order.
Fergus O'Dowd (Louth, Fine Gael)
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How do I get the record corrected?
John O'Donoghue (Kerry South, Ceann Comhairle)
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The Deputy can contact my office in regard to the matter.
Fergus O'Dowd (Louth, Fine Gael)
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The third point I wish to raise relates to the last page of today's Order Paper. A report to the Minister for Transport on the circumstances surrounding the Aer Lingus decision has been laid before the House. As a point of principle I urge that no longer should a Secretary General of a Department be asked to inquire into himself or herself. Is it not time for the Taoiseach to have an independent inquiry into this affair? This whitewash is not acceptable——
John O'Donoghue (Kerry South, Ceann Comhairle)
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That is not a matter for the Order of Business.