Bertie Ahern (Dublin Central, Fianna Fail)
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It is proposed to take No. 7a, Passports Bill 2007 – financial resolution, and No. a11, Budget Statement and financial motions by the Minister for Finance for 2007, which shall be taken on the conclusion of questions to members of the Government.

It is proposed, notwithstanding anything in Standing Orders, that the Dáil shall sit later than 8.30 p.m. and the motion for the general financial resolution shall be moved not later than 12 midnight whereupon business shall then be interrupted and the Dáil shall adjourn forthwith; No. 7a shall be decided without debate; following the Budget Statement of the Minister for Finance the following arrangements shall apply in respect of the proceedings on No. a11: the statements of the main spokespersons for the Fine Gael Party, the Labour Party and Sinn Féin shall not exceed 45 minutes; following the statements, the sitting shall be suspended for 30 minutes; and all divisions demanded on No. a11 shall be taken manually. Private Members' business shall be No. 19, motion re competitiveness of the Irish economy, resumed, to be taken at 12 noon and to conclude after 90 minutes, if not previously concluded.

John O'Donoghue (Kerry South, Ceann Comhairle)
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There are four proposals to put to the House. Is the proposal for the late sitting agreed? Agreed. Is the proposal for dealing with No. 7a, Passports Bill, financial resolution, without debate agreed? Agreed. Is the proposal for dealing with No. a11, Budget Statement and financial motions by the Minister for Finance, agreed? Agreed. Is the proposal for dealing with divisions demanded on No. a11 agreed? Agreed.

I remind Members of the order of the House by which we must take Private Members' Business at 12 noon.

Enda Kenny (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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I will abide by the ruling of the Ceann Comhairle. The purpose of the Fisheries (Consolidation) Bill, No. 32, is to consolidate 17 items of legislation into one statute. Yesterday there was a discussion on inland fisheries and regional fishery boards, on which this Bill has a bearing. Publication is expected in mid-2008. Does the Taoiseach have a more precise time?

The Petroleum Exploration and Extraction (Safety) Bill, No. 33, is a matter of considerable importance in view of energy security and reserves. When will the heads of the Bill be approved and the Bill published?

Bertie Ahern (Dublin Central, Fianna Fail)
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The purpose of the Fisheries (Consolidation) Bill is to consolidate and update 17 items of existing inland fisheries legislation, which is cumbersome, to say the least. It will bring these together in a single statute and will provide for the establishment of a new national fisheries authority. An independent review of inland fisheries is being carried out by an interdepartmental committee, chaired by the Department of Finance. I do not believe the work is finished but the intention was to conclude that work, get agreement on the national fisheries authority and deal with the legislation in mid-year. It will probably be later rather than earlier in 2008.

The Petroleum Exploration and Extraction (Safety) Bill will implement a key finding of the safety studies carried out on the Corrib onshore pipeline. The legislation is due next year.

Eamon Gilmore (Dún Laoghaire, Labour)
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The Taoiseach indicated he would agree to a debate in the House on the MacEntee report on the Dublin and Monaghan bombings. When will that take place?

In reply to a question I posed earlier, the Taoiseach referred to the Fines Bill. What is the current position vis-À-vis that legislation? Will the Taoiseach also indicate when the promised domestic partnership Bill is due to be published?

Bertie Ahern (Dublin Central, Fianna Fail)
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The Fines Bill is before the House and is awaiting Order for Second Stage. I am not sure when the Second Stage will be taken.

We agreed to a debate on the MacEntee report. I tried to see if the debate could be scheduled before Christmas, particularly because Deputy Ó Caoláin raised the same issue with me last week. However, it appears that we may not be able to facilitate Deputies in this regard. If not, I have asked the Government Chief Whip to ensure that it will be taken in either the first or second week of the new session.

Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin (Cavan-Monaghan, Sinn Fein)
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Against the backdrop of the disgraceful action on the part of the management of Argos in flying in scab labour from England to cover its chain of stores in this country, when will the employment law compliance Bill be introduced? The purpose of this legislation is to establish a new statutory national employment rights authority and it was to be published during this session.

Bertie Ahern (Dublin Central, Fianna Fail)
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The Bill is listed for priority drafting. The Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment informed me yesterday that it should be published this session.

James Reilly (Dublin North, Fine Gael)
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In the context of the legislation that is pending in respect of the Health Information and Quality Authority, HIQA, I asked the Taoiseach about the Dr. Ann O'Doherty report yesterday and I did not receive a reply. He gave an unqualified and unequivocal assurance to the House that the report would be published before the end of November. We are midway through the first week in December and we need to know when the report will become available.

In light of the position relating to locums and the recent disasters that have occurred, what has happened to the Lynott report, which was originally commissioned by the now Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment, Deputy Martin? Will HIQA be in a position to regulate the employment of locums and protect patients from doctors who are not properly expert in the areas in which they are working?

John O'Donoghue (Kerry South, Ceann Comhairle)
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It is not really in order to discuss reports on the Order of Business. However, if the Taoiseach has some information in respect of them, perhaps he might like to supply it.

Bertie Ahern (Dublin Central, Fianna Fail)
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The only question the Deputy asked that was in order related to the HIQA Bill. A further amendment has been drafted in respect of that legislation, which is due to be published next year.

James Reilly (Dublin North, Fine Gael)
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So the Taoiseach has no reply in respect of the O'Doherty report.

John O'Donoghue (Kerry South, Ceann Comhairle)
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It is not in order to discuss reports.

Seán Barrett (Dún Laoghaire, Fine Gael)
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In the context of today's Order Paper, I wish to inquire about a number of documents laid before the Dáil. I refer, in particular, to Nos. 12 to 16, inclusive. Nos. 15 and 16 relate to proposed regulations from Europe on conditions for access to the network for cross-border exchanges in electricity and to natural gas transmission networks. These are important issues as far as an island nation is concerned. What arrangements are in place within the Taoiseach's office to refer these important proposals to committees, particularly the Joint Committee on Climate Change and Energy Security, which I have the pleasure of chairing? These proposals are being laid before the House and people are not aware of them. We must have an input in respect of them. I ask the Taoiseach to put in place automatic mechanisms under which proposals of this nature would be immediately referred to the committees, which could then report back to the House in respect of them. That is why committees were established. I do not want these proposals to proceed without the Parliament having a say in respect of them.

Bertie Ahern (Dublin Central, Fianna Fail)
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I will bring Deputy Barrett's comments to the attention of the relevant Minister.

Joe McHugh (Donegal North East, Fine Gael)
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Will the Taoiseach intervene in respect of the salmon hardship scheme in the context of the legislation relating to the allocation of funds to drift net fishermen? Not one fisherman on Lough Foyle has been paid by the Loughs Agency. There is a stumbling block at EU Commission level in this regard. Will the Taoiseach speak to the relevant Minister in respect of the men who bought into the scheme in good faith and who will, it appears, not be paid until the new year.

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.

Joanna Tuffy (Dublin Mid West, Labour)
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Does the family law Bill on the list of Government legislation deal with guardianship rights for unmarried fathers? At present, these individuals are dependent on the goodwill of the mothers of their children or the courts in respect of their guardianship rights. In Scotland, England and Wales, guardianship rights are bestowed upon fathers whose names are listed on birth certificates.

In an article that appeared in yesterday's Irish Examiner, the Minister of State at the Department of Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs, Deputy Pat Carey, referred to the relationship between alcohol sales and the drugs problem. In that context, will the sale of alcohol Bill be given priority in the new year?

Bertie Ahern (Dublin Central, Fianna Fail)
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The purpose of the family law Bill is to make provision for pension adjustment in the context of separation agreements and certain other reforms in family law. The draft heads are in preparation and the legislation is listed to be published next year.

The heads of the alcohol products (control of advertising, sponsorship, marketing practices/sales promotions) Bill have been approved. The Minister received a first report from the monitoring group established to oversee adherence to the voluntary code, which he and his Department are currently considering. The decision on whether legislation should be activated has not yet been made.

Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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In view of recent concerns expressed by a number of Government backbenchers, is it intended to introduce reforming legislation to construct an anguish room in the vicinity of the Houses of the Oireachtas? Such a room might provide Government backbenchers who are struggling with their consciences with a quiet place in which to rest. They would, therefore, be in a position to struggle in silence and not discommode the remainder of the community.

Tom Kitt (Dublin South, Fianna Fail)
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The Deputy could be chairman of the group.

Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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If a special room were provided, Deputies Ned O'Keeffe and O'Flynn could rest in peace and quiet.

Charles Flanagan (Laois-Offaly, Fine Gael)
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No. 8 on the list of documents laid before the Dáil on today's Order Paper relates to an agreement on illicit traffic by sea. This agreement implements Article 17 of the United Nations Convention against Illicit Traffic in Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances, which was agreed at Strasbourg on 31 January 1995. Where has the agreement been, particularly in light of the fact that it came about 13 years ago? Why is it only now being laid before the Dáil?

Deputies:

It has been in a drawer somewhere.

Charles Flanagan (Laois-Offaly, Fine Gael)
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Will the Taoiseach indicate why this process is being activated almost 13 years after the agreement was reached?

Bertie Ahern (Dublin Central, Fianna Fail)
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I am sure the relevant Minister would love to provide a detailed answer in that regard.

Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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If it took 13 years for the document to appear on the Order Paper, we may be waiting some time for the Minister's reply.