Dáil debates
Wednesday, 21 November 2007
Order of Business
10:30 am
Bertie Ahern (Dublin Central, Fianna Fail)
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It is proposed to take No. 6, motion re proposed approval by Dáil Éireann of the terms of Certain Acts of the 2004 Congress of the Universal Postal Union; No. 7, motion re proposed approval by Dáil Éireann of the terms of the Agreement between the Government of Ireland and the Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region of the People's Republic of China; and No. 7a, motion re young people. 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. 16, motion re national educational psychological service (resumed), which shall be taken for 90 minutes at 7 p.m. or on the conclusion of No. 7a, whichever is the later; Nos. 6 and 7 shall be decided without debate; and the proceedings on No. 7a shall, if not previously concluded, be brought to a conclusion at 7 p.m. and the following arrangements shall apply. The speeches of a Minister or Minister of State and of the main spokespersons for the Fine Gael Party and the Labour Party, who shall be called upon in that order, shall not exceed 15 minutes in each case; the speech of each other member called upon shall not exceed ten minutes in each case; members may share time; and a Minister or Minister of State shall be called upon to make a speech in reply which shall not exceed ten minutes. Private Members' business shall be No. 16, motion re national educational psychological service (resumed), to conclude at 8.30 p.m.
John O'Donoghue (Kerry South, Ceann Comhairle)
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There are three proposals to be put to the House. Is the proposal that the Dáil shall sit later than 8.30 p.m. agreed? Agreed. Is the proposal for dealing with Nos. 6 and 7 agreed? Agreed. Is the proposal for dealing with No. 7a agreed? Agreed.
Enda Kenny (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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The Taoiseach is meeting Professor Keane today, who is welcome to this country from British Columbia. In respect of the Health Information Bill, due in 2008, the comments made by Professor Drumm to the Oireachtas last week were very different to what was contained in an internal memorandum from him to his senior staff concerning the transformation of the health services. Will the Taoiseach raise that matter with Professor Keane?
Bertie Ahern (Dublin Central, Fianna Fail)
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Work has commenced on the drafting of the discussion document in preparation for the regulatory impact analysis and public consultation on the proposals. The legislation is due next year.
Joan Burton (Dublin West, Labour)
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There is no legislation on today's Order Paper. Private hospitals are not regulated under appropriate legislation. Cancer treatment is supplied by a variety of hospitals throughout the country. Does the Government intend to review the legislation in order to extend the remit of regulation of hospitals to include private hospitals in the legislation?
What is the situation regarding the proposed review of local government in the context of local government elections of 2009 and the statements from the Minister indicating the proposed review of local government boundaries could take a long time? The Taoiseach recently commented on this matter in the House. Will he provide a more definitive timetable as to when, in the run-up to the elections, information relating to the local government boundaries will be forthcoming? There are many areas where, as a result of development, towns have grown significantly larger in recent years. These towns have made applications in respect of establishing town councils. Will these applications be considered as part of the Minister's review?
Despite tabling questions to the Tánaiste and Minister for Finance, I cannot obtain information on what proposals for introducing a carbon budget on budget day will mean in practice. We do not know what the budget will contain and the Tánaiste is now stating it will take the form of a carbon report appended to the budget. Will the Taoiseach see to it that Opposition parties receive some information in respect of the proposed contents of the carbon report that will be contained in the budget in two weeks' time?
John O'Donoghue (Kerry South, Ceann Comhairle)
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Is legislation promised in respect of private hospitals or local government reviews?
Bertie Ahern (Dublin Central, Fianna Fail)
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It is not. The question relating to private hospitals is appropriate to the Minister for Health and Children.
The electoral amendment Bill proposes to revise Dáil and European Parliament constituencies. As previously stated, the Minister will bring forward the review relating to local authority areas next year. He stated it would take five months to complete.
John O'Donoghue (Kerry South, Ceann Comhairle)
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The Deputy's question in respect of arrangements relating to the budget are marginally in order.
Bertie Ahern (Dublin Central, Fianna Fail)
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I will bring to the Tánaiste's attention the point made by the Deputy.
Joan Burton (Dublin West, Labour)
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The Minister will not answer questions on the matter.
Ciarán Lynch (Cork South Central, Labour)
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My question relates to the Criminal Law (Human Trafficking) Bill. A report in today's Irish Examiner reveals that four women in the Cork area who are the victims of sex trafficking are being kept in hiding and that there may be 200 such women throughout the country who are being detained in a brutal fashion. The Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform appears to view the Criminal Law (Human Trafficking) Bill in an extremely confined way. The legislation does not seem to include any provisions relating to victim or witness protection. In the light of today's newspaper report and the questions continually put to the Minister in respect of this matter, will the Government reconsider the proposed legislation and take on board issues relating to victim protection in order to ensure supports will be put in place to allow victims to come forward and challenge criminality of this nature?
John O'Donoghue (Kerry South, Ceann Comhairle)
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The Deputy is well aware that we cannot discuss the content of the legislation at this time.
Bertie Ahern (Dublin Central, Fianna Fail)
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Committee Stage of the Bill is being taken. The Deputy made some good points but it would be more appropriate if they were raised during the select committee's deliberations on the legislation.
Liz McManus (Wicklow, Labour)
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The Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources collapsed the greener homes grants scheme in September as a result of a budget overrun. He promised at the time that phase 2 would be introduced and that a Supplementary Estimate would be provided. Subsequently, a token Supplementary Estimate was introduced but all this did was to pay the bills run up by Sustainable Energy Ireland. Is it the Government's intention to introduce a Supplementary Estimate, as promised by the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources?
John O'Donoghue (Kerry South, Ceann Comhairle)
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Is a Supplementary Estimate promised in this area?
Bertie Ahern (Dublin Central, Fianna Fail)
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I am subject to correction but I understand the Minister introduced a Supplementary Estimate in September, the purpose of which was to allow him to move funds from one subhead to another. That was all he was obliged to do.
Bertie Ahern (Dublin Central, Fianna Fail)
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That is my understanding of the position.
John O'Donoghue (Kerry South, Ceann Comhairle)
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That is the Taoiseach's understanding.
Liz McManus (Wicklow, Labour)
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Is it the Government's intention to introduce a Supplementary Estimate to provide funding for phase 2 of the scheme?
John O'Donoghue (Kerry South, Ceann Comhairle)
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The difficulty which the Deputy's question is that it is out of order.
Liz McManus (Wicklow, Labour)
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No, it was promised. The question is not out of order.
John O'Donoghue (Kerry South, Ceann Comhairle)
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The Deputy may only ask a question on a Supplementary Estimate if such an Estimate is promised.
Liz McManus (Wicklow, Labour)
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The point I am making is that it was promised on 4 September.
John O'Donoghue (Kerry South, Ceann Comhairle)
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The Taoiseach stated the Supplementary Estimate introduced in September related to some other matter. I cannot determine that matter for the Deputy.
Liz McManus (Wicklow, Labour)
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I have written evidence. This matter was reported in all the newspapers. A commitment was made by the Minister but the Supplementary Estimate has not been forthcoming. I am merely asking whether it will be introduced.
Bertie Ahern (Dublin Central, Fianna Fail)
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My understanding is that the Minister introduced a token Supplementary Estimate in September, the purpose of which was to allow him to move money between subheads. I have no information in respect of any other subhead.
Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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Since databases seem to be topical, will the Taoiseach indicate the current status of the legislation to establish the DNA database? Will it be proceeding as anticipated? When will it be introduced and finally passed into law?
Bertie Ahern (Dublin Central, Fianna Fail)
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To what legislation is the Deputy referring?
Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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The legislation to establish the DNA database.
Tom Kitt (Dublin South, Fianna Fail)
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Does the Deputy know the title of the Bill?
Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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The Taoiseach will find it on the list of proposed legislation.
Mary HanafinJohn O'Donoghue (Kerry South, Ceann Comhairle)
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When Deputy Durkan discovers the title of the Bill, I will come back to him.
Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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I have discovered it already.
Alan Shatter (Dublin South, Fine Gael)
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As the Taoiseach does not appear to be aware of the contents of his legislative programme, perhaps I might be of assistance. Deputy Durkan is referring to the Criminal Justice (Forensic Sampling and Evidence) Bill which, from what I recall, has been promised for some six and a half years. Allegedly, this is one of the items of legislation that was to be published before Christmas.
Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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Perhaps the Taoiseach will indicate if that is the correct Bill.
Bertie Ahern (Dublin Central, Fianna Fail)
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The heads of the Criminal Justice (Forensic Sampling and Evidence) Bill which will provide for the establishment of a DNA database have been approved and it is due this session.
Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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The Taoiseach did not believe me in respect of the legislation.
Bertie Ahern (Dublin Central, Fianna Fail)
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I was merely seeking its title.
Fergus O'Dowd (Louth, Fine Gael)
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According to briefing documents, the Dublin transport authority Bill was finalised in April. Why has it not come before the House, particularly in view of increasing problems, including congestion, delays, bus strikes and God knows what else, with traffic in Dublin city? When will the Bill which has been ready for some months be introduced?
Bertie Ahern (Dublin Central, Fianna Fail)
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It is due this session.
Billy Timmins (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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The Taoiseach will be aware that the negotiating deadline relating to Kosovo will expire on 10 December. What is the Government's position on that matter? What will be the implications, if any, for KFOR if an internal declaration of independence is made?
John O'Donoghue (Kerry South, Ceann Comhairle)
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We cannot deal with that matter now.
John O'Donoghue (Kerry South, Ceann Comhairle)
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All Deputies want to raise important matters. If I allowed them to do so, we would be here all day.
Billy Timmins (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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If an internal declaration of independence is made, will the presence of KFOR in Kosovo be legitimate?
John O'Donoghue (Kerry South, Ceann Comhairle)
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The Deputy is wandering. We cannot deal with the matter at this stage.
Seán Sherlock (Cork East, Labour)
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In the light of the publication yesterday of the European Commission's proposals on CAP reform and of the health check and given that this is a legislative proposal to which the Government will be a party and which will have serious permutations for Ireland and bring about significant changes with regard to how the farming community and the rural economy develop, will the Government make time available to debate the matter in the House? Although no specific legislative proposal is due to come before the House, will the Government, in view of the serious nature and importance of the issue, make arrangements for such a debate?
John O'Donoghue (Kerry South, Ceann Comhairle)
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I presume that is a matter for the Whips.
Bertie Ahern (Dublin Central, Fianna Fail)
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Yes, or it could be debated by the Joint Committee on Agriculture, Fisheries and Food.
Seán Sherlock (Cork East, Labour)
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I accept the Taoiseach's point. The matter will obviously be discussed by the joint committee. However, in view of its serious nature, it is worthy of a debate in the House.
John O'Donoghue (Kerry South, Ceann Comhairle)
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In all probability, that is the case. However, it is not in order to debate the matter now.
Tommy Broughan (Dublin North East, Labour)
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Is it still the intention to introduce the public transport regulation Bill or will the matters relating to it be dealt with under the Dublin transport authority Bill?
My second point relates to a large public——
John O'Donoghue (Kerry South, Ceann Comhairle)
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The Deputy is well aware that we cannot discuss the content of legislation.
Tommy Broughan (Dublin North East, Labour)
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The matter to which I am about to refer involves European and Irish legislation. As the Taoiseach is aware, an EU directive designed to protect temporary and agency workers was introduced in 2002. The number of such workers has increased by some 500% in recent years. Since 2002, the Government, with those of two other EU member states, has stalled this directive. Given the suffering and bad pay and conditions agency and temporary workers must endure and in the light of the totally disgraceful way they are often treated by many employers, will the Government be supporting, at the European Commission on 5 December, moves to bring forward legislation in respect of these workers? In view of the fact that temporary and agency workers are often treated with callous disregard, will the Government introduce domestic legislation to protect them? People are sacked at a moment's notice. I expected the Taoiseach to have an interest in this area but he has done nothing about it in 11 years.
John O'Donoghue (Kerry South, Ceann Comhairle)
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The Taoiseach on promised material.
Bertie Ahern (Dublin Central, Fianna Fail)
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The public transport regulation Bill is due next year.