Bertie Ahern (Dublin Central, Fianna Fail)
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It is proposed to take No. 5, motion re referral to joint committee of proposed approval by Dáil Éireann for a Council decision concerning co-operation between asset recovery offices of the member states; No. 6, motion re proposed approval by Dáil Éireann of the Fisheries (Miscellaneous Commercial Licences) (Alteration of Duties) Order 2007 (back from committee); No. 6a, motion re Zimbabwe, which appears on a supplementary Order Paper; No. 7, motion re proposed approval by Dáil Éireann of the Regional Fisheries Boards (Postponement of Elections) Order 2007 (back from committee). It is proposed, notwithstanding anything in Standing Orders, that the Dáil shall sit later than 8.30 p.m. tonight and business shall be interrupted on the adjournment of Private Members' Business, which shall be No. 19, motion re. competitiveness of the Irish economy and shall be taken for 90 minutes at 7 p.m., or on the conclusion of No. 7, whichever is the later, and shall also take place tomorrow at 12 noon and the proceedings thereon shall, if not previously concluded, be brought to a conclusion after 90 minutes on that day. Nos. 5 and 6 shall be decided without debate. The proceedings on No. 6a shall, if not previously concluded, be brought to a conclusion at 6.10 p.m. tonight 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 five 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 five minutes. The proceedings on No. 7 shall, if not previously concluded, be brought to a conclusion after 50 minutes tonight and the following arrangements shall apply: the speeches shall be confined to a Minister or Minister of State and to the main spokespersons for the Fine Gael Party and the Labour Party, who shall be called upon in that order and who may share their time, and shall not exceed 15 minutes in each case; and a Minister or Minister of State shall be called upon to make a speech in reply which shall not exceed five minutes.

John O'Donoghue (Kerry South, Ceann Comhairle)
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There are four proposals to be put to the Dáil. Is the proposal that the Dáil should sit later than 8.30 p.m. agreed? Agreed. Is the proposal for dealing with Nos. 5 and 6 without debate agreed? Agreed. Is the proposal for dealing with No. 6a agreed? Agreed. Is the proposal for dealing with No. 7 agreed? Agreed.

Enda Kenny (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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Given that tomorrow's budget will be different in its presentation, which is welcome, are arrangements in place for Members who wish to use laptops in the Chamber to correlate information? I am unsure whether that has been approved in respect of the Committee on Procedure and Privileges. Irrespective of the content, which will be of the utmost importance to people, tomorrow's budget cannot be compared to any previous one because of the style and format of its presentation.

A number of weeks ago, unanimous all-party agreement was reached on a motion proposed by Deputy Ring on the undocumented Irish in the United States. Today I received a letter from the Minister for Foreign Affairs which stated the matter is a top priority for the Government. This Parliament agreed that we should pursue a bilateral arrangement with the US but the Minister's letter makes no reference to that other than to indicate the issue is a priority and that he spoke with US Congressmen and Senators. In the context of the current visit to the US by Dr. Paisley and Mr. McGuinness, has any direct contact been made with the US Government or its ambassador with a view to building on our all-party agreement to pursue a bilateral arrangement? This is the month to pursue such an arrangement because, as the Taoiseach will be aware, the approach of Christmas and the end of the year means the issue becomes personal and sensitive to a great number of these people. The House has given its verdict on the motion and I ask whether the Government has taken any action to build on that platform.

John O'Donoghue (Kerry South, Ceann Comhairle)
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Strictly speaking, the matter is not in order but the Taoiseach may reply if he wishes.

Enda Kenny (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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It pertains to a bilateral agreement.

Bertie Ahern (Dublin Central, Fianna Fail)
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The Minister for Foreign Affairs is acutely aware of this issue and has been very active in dealing with it for a number of years. The issue of immigration is extraordinarily fraught in the current campaign and we have to keep in touch with our various contacts on all sides to progress a bilateral arrangement in any way we can. There are a lot of difficulties around this and the most efficient way to proceed is to go as quietly as we possibly can. It concerns many other countries and complications and we are trying to pursue it but it is very difficult. I have spoken with US Senators and Congressmen in the recent past and it is going to be difficult to progress it in the context of the election. It is not an area in which common agreement exists and the extensive efforts which they have made on two rounds of it have not brought success, so we will just have to take our time in dealing with it. The Minister is doing that.

Eamon Gilmore (Dún Laoghaire, Labour)
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Last Thursday, in the Taoiseach's absence, I raised the nursing homes Bill with the Tánaiste. I understood from his reply that the Bill would be published this Thursday and would be first taken in the Seanad and then completed in the Dáil prior to Christmas. I made it clear to the Tánaiste that the arrangement would not be acceptable to the Labour Party because complex and sensitive issues are at stake which require time and attention. I understand a statement was made today to the effect that the Bill will not now be published this week and, by implication, a longer period of time will be allowed for its consideration. Can the Taoiseach indicate the arrangements for the publication and taking of the nursing homes Bill and can he give an assurance it will not be rushed through the House before Christmas?

Bertie Ahern (Dublin Central, Fianna Fail)
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We have taken note of what Deputy Gilmore and others said last week, when I was asked a number of questions on the matter in the House and by organisations outside the House which were supportive of the Bill but wanted certain amendments to be considered. I can confirm that we discussed the matter and the Bill will not be published for a while. We will not attempt to bring it through the House before Christmas and we will try to deal with it after reflecting on the considerations put forward by Members, including Deputy Gilmore and others. The only downside, which was quickly pointed out to me over the weekend by some of the organisations concerned, is those who were looking forward to receiving the benefit from 1 January will not now receive it. I am afraid, however, I can do nothing about that.

Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin (Cavan-Monaghan, Sinn Fein)
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The child care Bill remains on the list of promised legislation. Is there any prospect that the Taoiseach would consider expanding the focus of that Bill, given the continued concerns felt throughout the country about the proposed community child care subvention scheme? Is he aware that Dublin City Council last night unanimously passed a motion calling for the suspension of the introduction of that scheme, for the continuation of the EOCP support for community child care provision and for a full consultative process to be initiated with providers, parents and interested parties in regard to the construction of such a scheme? In line with that unanimous decision, which also included the Taoiseach's colleagues elected councillors in this city, will he consider this clear request, that is echoed throughout the country, to examine this legislation with a view to determining whether it can be expanded to address these issues of concern? Will he make an intervention with the Minister to have his proposed scheme suspended and expanded in line with the needs of communities and individual parents?

John O'Donoghue (Kerry South, Ceann Comhairle)
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The contents of the legislation cannot be debated now.

Bertie Ahern (Dublin Central, Fianna Fail)
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The heads of the child care Bill have just been completed and the legislation is due next year.

Alan Shatter (Dublin South, Fine Gael)
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A number of the statutory instruments being laid before the House on today's Order of Business were made under the Civil Registration Act 2004. That particularly good Act was passed three years and ten months ago. Does the Taoiseach intend providing time to discuss any of these statutory instruments?

In the context of the legislation, is he aware that, despite the announcement on the website of the Department of Health and Children that since the beginning of November people can celebrate civil ceremonies of marriage in venues other than civil registry offices, the HSE is refusing to authorise any venue other than a registry office for marriages in Dublin, Kildare and Wicklow and does not intend to inspect any other venues until next July at the earliest? It appears the HSE, after three years and ten months, is incapable of fulfilling its own statutory function under this legislation. Will the Taoiseach do something about this? The Health Service Executive is effectively sabotaging the wishes of the House and undermining the launch the Minister engaged in to celebrate the fact that marriages can now be performed in less soulless places than civil registry offices. At the behest of the HSE, the entire population of counties Dublin, Kildare and Wicklow will not be allowed to avail of this option until next July at the earliest and, possibly, a good deal later.

Bertie Ahern (Dublin Central, Fianna Fail)
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I will bring the matter to the attention of the Minister.

James Reilly (Dublin North, Fine Gael)
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Under the proposed health amendment Bill, will the current HIQA report on Cork University Hospital, which will, I hope, be published on 18 December, be discussed in the House before Christmas? Will the Taoiseach inform the House of the reason the House has not yet had access to the Dr. Ann O'Doherty report despite unqualified assurances? When will we have sight of said report? Will the planned legislation on HIQA, the health amendment Bill, ensure the organisation's reports or inquiries into the health service are not bogged down by legal wrangling or attempts at sanitisation? Will he also indicate when another HIQA report on the Galway hospital will be available?

Jan O'Sullivan (Limerick East, Labour)
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I fully support Deputy Reilly's call for a debate. A protest was held outside the House today. Given that it is clear that women no longer trust the diagnostic services for breast cancer, it is vital that this issue is debated in the House before Christmas, which leaves only two weeks. The Taoiseach must give an assurance today that following publication of the HIQA and Dr. Ann O'Doherty reports or any other reports that may be published before Christmas, the House will have time to debate their findings to ensure we rebuild trust in the health service, particularly breast diagnostic services. The resources available for rolling out the cancer strategy in the near future must also be debated.

Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin (Cavan-Monaghan, Sinn Fein)
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I support my colleagues' proposals.

John O'Donoghue (Kerry South, Ceann Comhairle)
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The timing of debates is a matter for the Whips.

Bertie Ahern (Dublin Central, Fianna Fail)
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The health amendment Bill is listed for 2008. If the reports are produced before Christmas, the Whips can consider the issue of time.

Joan Burton (Dublin West, Labour)
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With regard to the budget tomorrow, will the Estimates be produced as a separate volume or included in the budget? Will they be the subject of a specific explanatory statement by the Minister for Finance? At what point will they be released to the media? The Opposition will be placed in a difficult position in that we may have virtually no details of the Estimates. In what format will they published? It was custom and practice, given their nature, to give the Opposition two hours advance notice of the Estimates. Even with the pre-budget outlook, this practice continued. What will be the position tomorrow? As is customary, Deputies will receive the text of the Budget Statement when the Minister stands up to speak. What arrangement, if any, is in place for the Estimates?

Bertie Ahern (Dublin Central, Fianna Fail)
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The Tánaiste and Minister for Finance has not made me aware of any changes to the practice of providing the documents in place in previous years.

Róisín Shortall (Dublin North West, Labour)
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While I welcome the Taoiseach's comments in respect of the nursing home legislation, I seek clarification regarding the arrangements the Government is making for consultation with the various groups representing older people. Will the Taoiseach guarantee that the consultation will take place prior to the legislation being finalised and published?

Bertie Ahern (Dublin Central, Fianna Fail)
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As I understand it, that is the intention.

Shane McEntee (Meath East, Fine Gael)
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Has the Government made a decision to revoke hunting licences? If so, is it required to lodge these revocations with the Oireachtas Library?

John O'Donoghue (Kerry South, Ceann Comhairle)
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The Deputy will have to table a question on the issue.

Shane McEntee (Meath East, Fine Gael)
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This has been on the table for six weeks and the Green Party remains unable to make a decision. Thousands of jobs, particularly in the racing industry, are at risk, yet the Government has been unable to make up its mind. As the Minister is absent, I ask the Taoiseach to tell the people of County Meath and north County Dublin whether they will be able to engage in sporting activities.

John O'Donoghue (Kerry South, Ceann Comhairle)
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The Deputy will have to table a question.

Shane McEntee (Meath East, Fine Gael)
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This issue has been dragging on for six weeks. Some 1,400 people attended a meeting in Navan last week. We cannot get an answer on whether the licences will be revoked or whether young people in counties Meath and Dublin can engage in sport. We do not know if jobs will be lost.

John O'Donoghue (Kerry South, Ceann Comhairle)
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I understand the Deputy's concern.

Shane McEntee (Meath East, Fine Gael)
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The horse industry is being placed at risk.

John O'Donoghue (Kerry South, Ceann Comhairle)
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The issue is a non-runner.

Shane McEntee (Meath East, Fine Gael)
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If the Green Party cannot make a decision, I ask the Taoiseach to do so.

John O'Donoghue (Kerry South, Ceann Comhairle)
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The Deputy is out of order. We will have a free-for-all if he continues. I call Deputy Charles Flanagan and will move on to the business of the day if he does not move.

Charles Flanagan (Laois-Offaly, Fine Gael)
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I do not have the floor. The Ceann Comhairle is placing me in an invidious position.

Shane McEntee (Meath East, Fine Gael)
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The jobs of top jockeys are being put at risk. I ask the Taoiseach to respond.

John O'Donoghue (Kerry South, Ceann Comhairle)
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The Taoiseach cannot reply to the Deputy's questions.

Shane McEntee (Meath East, Fine Gael)
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I will ask him again.

John O'Donoghue (Kerry South, Ceann Comhairle)
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The Deputy may not ask a question about the issue.

Michael Creed (Cork North West, Fine Gael)
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Fianna Fáil is anti-hunting.

Shane McEntee (Meath East, Fine Gael)
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Will hunting licences be revoked?

John O'Donoghue (Kerry South, Ceann Comhairle)
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The question is not in order. Deputy Charles Flanagan has the notice of the Chair.

Shane McEntee (Meath East, Fine Gael)
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The Taoiseach is as cowardly as the Minister, Deputy Gormley.

Charles Flanagan (Laois-Offaly, Fine Gael)
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Having regard to the fact that there are little more than two weeks left in this term before the Christmas recess and given that this session will go down in the history books for its paucity of legislation, on promised legislation and in terms of the important issue of care of the elderly and asset protection of older people, when can we expect the legislation providing for the appointment of a public guardian and the reform of the Office of the Wards of Court?

Bertie Ahern (Dublin Central, Fianna Fail)
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What legislation is the Deputy referring to?

Charles Flanagan (Laois-Offaly, Fine Gael)
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Legislation has been promised on numerous occasions to reform the Office of the Wards of Court and introduce a public guardian.

Bertie Ahern (Dublin Central, Fianna Fail)
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I will check the matter for the Deputy as I do not have the legislation listed.

Ruairi Quinn (Dublin South East, Labour)
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The House will rise for the welcome Christmas recess in less than three weeks. The student support Bill is not listed for this week. Does the information available to the Taoiseach indicate whether the Bill will be published in the remaining weeks of the session?

Bertie Ahern (Dublin Central, Fianna Fail)
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The Bill is listed for this session but that can roll into January. I do not have a date.

Ruairi Quinn (Dublin South East, Labour)
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Everybody in the House knows it is listed for this session because that has been the case since the session started. Does the Taoiseach have any additional information? Does he know if the Bill has been cleared or printed or is with the Parliamentary Counsel or whether we will have to wait until February next year?

Brian Hayes (Dublin South West, Fine Gael)
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On a previous reply to a question by Deputy Quinn, the Taoiseach informed the House the Bill had gone through Cabinet. Will he agree to publish the heads of the Bill?

Bertie Ahern (Dublin Central, Fianna Fail)
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That is a matter for the Minister. I understand the latest information is that the Bill will be taken in January.