Brian Cowen (Laois-Offaly, Fianna Fail)
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It is proposed to take No. 12, pre-budget statements (resumed); and No. 1, Industrial Development Bill 2008 [Seanad] — Second Stage. Private Members' business shall be No. 49, motion re Oireachtas reform (resumed), to conclude at 8.30 p.m., if not previously concluded.

John O'Donoghue (Kerry South, Ceann Comhairle)
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There are no proposals to put to the House.

Enda Kenny (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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Is it intended to hold a referendum on children's rights, as promised by the Government? The programme for Government 2007-12 includes a number of legislative commitments. What is the status of the programme given that it was predicated on an annual growth in the economy of 4%. Is it to be rewritten?

In respect of the disagreement that has apparently arisen between the Department of Finance and the Department of Education and Science in regard to third level fees, the former seems to view fees as an income stream in budgetary terms——

John O'Donoghue (Kerry South, Ceann Comhairle)
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As he well knows, Deputy Kenny cannot raise the issue of third level fees on the Order of Business.

Enda Kenny (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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My question relates to legislative proposals which will be introduced through the Finance Bill after 7 April.

John O'Donoghue (Kerry South, Ceann Comhairle)
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Questions on the Finance Bill are not in order.

Enda Kenny (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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The Fine Gael spokesman, Deputy Brian Hayes, has introduced a realistic set of proposals for graduate contributions. We will not support the reintroduction of third level fees or loans to students but we will support a graduate contribution.

John O'Donoghue (Kerry South, Ceann Comhairle)
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We cannot discuss this issue on the Order of Business.

Enda Kenny (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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Will the Taoiseach comment on whether the reported disagreement relates to cash flow issues? We do not want the gates to be closed on young people's prospects of proceeding to third level——

John O'Donoghue (Kerry South, Ceann Comhairle)
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There are no circumstances under which we can discuss higher education fees.

Enda Kenny (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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——which is so important in terms of the smart economy to which the Taoiseach has rightly referred on numerous occasions?

John O'Donoghue (Kerry South, Ceann Comhairle)
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This is far too broad a subject to be discussed on the Order of Business.

Enda Kenny (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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The Ceann Comhairle has persisted in interrupting me.

John O'Donoghue (Kerry South, Ceann Comhairle)
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I did so because the Deputy is not in order.

Enda Kenny (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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I asked the Taoiseach about a legislative matter.

John O'Donoghue (Kerry South, Ceann Comhairle)
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Deputy Kenny knows we cannot have a discussion on higher education fees on the Order of Business. It is too large a subject and it is not in order.

Brian Cowen (Laois-Offaly, Fianna Fail)
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Regarding the prospect of a constitutional referendum on children's rights, it has been our long-standing position to see whether a consensus can be arrived at through the deliberations of the Joint Committee on the Constitutional Amendment on Children. I understand discussions are ongoing and that a consensus has not yet emerged. The Minister of State with responsibility for Children, Deputy Barry Andrews, has spoken on this issue.

On the Deputy's second question, the legislative programme is as outlined in the list provided by the Whip at the beginning of every session in an effort to make progress on the issues in question, quite apart from those issues that may arise and which cannot be planned for. In regard to the programme for Government, the priorities that must be decided upon are best gauged from the annual statements Ministers are now providing based on the money that is available. In the current economic crisis, prioritisation is necessary in all aspects.

Eamon Gilmore (Dún Laoghaire, Labour)
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At the Fianna Fáil Ard-Fheis the Taoiseach promised legislation to provide for greater accountability and transparency of funding and the sources of funding by those participating in referendum campaigns in the State. When will that legislation be introduced? Is it intended to have it enacted in advance of any second referendum on the Lisbon treaty?

Are there any plans for the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government to make a statement to the House in connection with the resignation of the chairman of the Dublin Docklands Development Authority?

John O'Donoghue (Kerry South, Ceann Comhairle)
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The Deputy's second question is not in order. The Taoiseach may respond to the first issue raised.

Brian Cowen (Laois-Offaly, Fianna Fail)
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As the Deputy said, I made an announcement that it was necessary to make some changes to the law in this area so that there is a level playing field for everybody. The intention is that those changes will be enacted and effective before the next referendum campaign.

Charles Flanagan (Laois-Offaly, Fine Gael)
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Ten months ago, in May 2008, the Dáil completed its deliberations on Second Stage of the Defamation Bill 2006, at which point a resolution was made that it be sent to committee. The Bill has not been seen since and seems to be in some type of limbo. If the Minister cannot inform me today of the intention of the Government in respect of this Bill, will he let me know as soon as possible when it is intended to progress it?

Allied to this legislation was the Privacy Bill 2006 which fell on the dissolution of the last Government and was subsequently re-enacted but has not since progressed. I understand it may be in the Seanad but this is not clear. Is it the intention of the Government to introduce a privacy Bill as promised in the programme for Government? It was certainly the intention of previous Ministers for Justice, Equality and Law Reform that such legislation should be enacted, but nobody has commented on it in recent times. Will the Taoiseach inform the House whether it is Government policy to proceed with it and, if so, when?

Brian Cowen (Laois-Offaly, Fianna Fail)
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I understand the Privacy Bill 2006 is on Second Stage in the Seanad. As the Deputy observed, the Defamation Bill 2006 is awaiting Committee Stage. I will have to check with the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform as to what the intentions are in that regard.

Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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Legislation on estate management companies has been promised for some time and has been referred to by the Taoiseach and Tánaiste in the House. Has agreement been reached on the heads of a Bill? Are the provisions likely to be introduced, as has been indicated to the House, in a single Bill sponsored by one Minister?

Brian Cowen (Laois-Offaly, Fianna Fail)
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The Bill is being drafted and that is the intention. It should be coming in next session.

Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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I am getting worried. This must be the longest drafting in history because we have been promised this Bill for the past couple of years.

John O'Donoghue (Kerry South, Ceann Comhairle)
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No commentaries.

Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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As we speak, severe hardship and anxiety have been perpetrated on unfortunate constituents who do not know what the outcome will be.

John O'Donoghue (Kerry South, Ceann Comhairle)
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I cannot go into that now.

Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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With due respect, I ask the Taoiseach that instead of promising the legislation he should bring it into the House so we can consider it. I have raised the issue of organised crime several times before, as has Deputy Charles Flanagan and other Members of the House. Organised crime in this country has clearly got out of hand. There is a series of proposed legislation on the list, none of which is moving. Nothing is happening. Why can we not bring in one of the Bills? For example, we could have the extradition Bill which would be useful. There is now clear evidence that criminals in this part of the country are supplying——

John O'Donoghue (Kerry South, Ceann Comhairle)
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We cannot have commentaries now.

Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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——arms to execute people in other jurisdictions. There is evidence to that effect.

John O'Donoghue (Kerry South, Ceann Comhairle)
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We cannot go into that now.

Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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We are doing nothing about it. A Cheann Comhairle, it is our duty to raise this issue and the Taoiseach should respond.

John O'Donoghue (Kerry South, Ceann Comhairle)
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The Deputy has raised it and I will ask him to respond. That is it then.

Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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Good. The question is which piece of that proposed legislation he will move as a matter of urgency to combat organised crime.

John O'Donoghue (Kerry South, Ceann Comhairle)
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The Deputy cannot ask a multiple choice question.

Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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Will I read them all out? I do not want to do that.

John O'Donoghue (Kerry South, Ceann Comhairle)
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There is no need.

Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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Good.

John O'Donoghue (Kerry South, Ceann Comhairle)
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No multiple choice questions are allowed on the Order of Business.

Brian Cowen (Laois-Offaly, Fianna Fail)
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The criminal justice amendment Bill will be introduced later this year. The heads of the extradition Bill have been agreed and it has gone for drafting. In the interest of being able to get detailed and accurate information, I can simply continue to refer to the time schedules every morning I get up here to speak. A parliamentary question and interaction with the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform on these matters would be a far better use of the procedures we have.

Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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We do not always get correct replies.

Charles Flanagan (Laois-Offaly, Fine Gael)
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It is the same answer. The Minister for Finance did not reply to Deputy Kenny.

Brian Cowen (Laois-Offaly, Fianna Fail)
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The House needs to reflect on whether the same questions are being asked every morning.

Billy Timmins (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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The Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform is never around.

Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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We depend on the Taoiseach to give the right answer.

Seymour Crawford (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)
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I know that Deputy Mattie McGrath yesterday raised the issue of the abuse of alcohol. In that light, when will the sale of alcohol Bill be brought into the House? We have been promised considerable support regarding consumers and competition. That particularly affects those of us in the Border area. When will the consumer and competition Bill be introduced in order that we can discuss the issue in the House? Finally and by no means least, Pathways rehabilitation centre in the Cavan hospital complex has been closed down.

John O'Donoghue (Kerry South, Ceann Comhairle)
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We are beginning to stray.

Seymour Crawford (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)
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No. When will the eligibility for health and personal social services Bill be introduced so that people will know their entitlements?

Brian Cowen (Laois-Offaly, Fianna Fail)
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The first Bill should be available in the middle of this year. No date has yet been fixed for the other two Bills.

Joe Costello (Dublin Central, Labour)
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I again ask if the Taoiseach has any information on the regulation of management companies Bill.

Brian Cowen (Laois-Offaly, Fianna Fail)
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As I told Deputy Durkan, it will be in the next session.

John O'Donoghue (Kerry South, Ceann Comhairle)
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I call Deputy Reilly.

Joe Costello (Dublin Central, Labour)
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I thought Deputy Durkan was asking about estate management.

Brian Cowen (Laois-Offaly, Fianna Fail)
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What was the Deputy asking about?

Joe Costello (Dublin Central, Labour)
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Estate management is different from the regulation of management of management companies.

Brian Cowen (Laois-Offaly, Fianna Fail)
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Is it the property services Bill?

Joe Costello (Dublin Central, Labour)
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We are not sure.

Brian Cowen (Laois-Offaly, Fianna Fail)
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There is a multi-units development Bill and a property services Bill.

Joe Costello (Dublin Central, Labour)
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Will that cover the issues?

John O'Donoghue (Kerry South, Ceann Comhairle)
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We cannot go into the content.

Kathleen Lynch (Cork North Central, Labour)
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We do not know, a Cheann Comhairle.

Joe Costello (Dublin Central, Labour)
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When are we likely to get the——

Brian Cowen (Laois-Offaly, Fianna Fail)
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Next session, as I was saying to Deputy Durkan.

John O'Donoghue (Kerry South, Ceann Comhairle)
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If he does not know it is difficult for me to know. This is the problem we have.

Joe Costello (Dublin Central, Labour)
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Estate management is different from the regulation of management companies.

Brian Cowen (Laois-Offaly, Fianna Fail)
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He was talking about the multi-unit development Bill.

Joe Costello (Dublin Central, Labour)
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They are different Bills. I am asking about the regulation of management companies. When will we get the Bill?

Brian Cowen (Laois-Offaly, Fianna Fail)
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There is no such Bill as the regulation management companies Bill. There is no Bill with that name.

Joe Costello (Dublin Central, Labour)
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There may not be any such Bill, but when will we get legislation to regulate management companies.

Brian Cowen (Laois-Offaly, Fianna Fail)
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Next session.

Joe Costello (Dublin Central, Labour)
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I thank the Taoiseach.

John O'Donoghue (Kerry South, Ceann Comhairle)
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There we go.

James Reilly (Dublin North, Fine Gael)
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Two weeks ago I asked the Taoiseach whether in the upcoming finance Bill he would consider reducing the VAT from 21.5% to the lower rate on cervical cancer vaccines.

John O'Donoghue (Kerry South, Ceann Comhairle)
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It was not allowed two weeks ago either.

James Reilly (Dublin North, Fine Gael)
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I am sure the Taoiseach would like to reassure people that there is some help for children and the parents of children who want to get them vaccinated against cervical cancer.

John O'Donoghue (Kerry South, Ceann Comhairle)
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The Deputy knows the rules.

James Reilly (Dublin North, Fine Gael)
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The education patronage Bill does not mention Educate Together and only the VECs are mentioned regarding their ability to become patrons.

John O'Donoghue (Kerry South, Ceann Comhairle)
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That would be a good point to make on the Second Stage.

Jan O'Sullivan (Limerick East, Labour)
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In accordance with an EU directive, we are supposed to regulate and control so-called "party drugs" which are available in so-called "head shops" around the country without any control and with very dubious side effects. This was to have been done by the end of March. I have raised the matter a few times on the Order of Business. At one stage I was told it would be addressed. I do not know whether primary or secondary legislation is required. Does the Taoiseach have any information as to when it is intended to control such drugs?

John O'Donoghue (Kerry South, Ceann Comhairle)
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Is anything promised regarding that matter?

Brian Cowen (Laois-Offaly, Fianna Fail)
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Some measure will be brought to Government next week.

David Stanton (Cork East, Fine Gael)
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As the Taoiseach also seems to be getting frustrated with the procedures here, perhaps he will at some stage encourage and support Dáil reform. However, we will move on from that. When will the Health (Miscellaneous Provisions) No. 1 Bill be published? What is happening with the local government Bill to give effect to the €200 charge on non-principal private residences? Will it be published shortly or will it be subsumed into the budget? People are concerned about the road traffic and transport Bill to amend the blood alcohol content level.

Brian Cowen (Laois-Offaly, Fianna Fail)
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The road traffic and transport parts have been split. I understand the road traffic aspect of it will come forward this session. The first——

David Stanton (Cork East, Fine Gael)
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What about the rest of them?

Brian Cowen (Laois-Offaly, Fianna Fail)
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I am coming to them. I am moving along. The first Bill was published on 19 March. The Deputy should check his cubbyhole. We cannot give a date for the second one at the moment.

Tommy Broughan (Dublin North East, Labour)
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As the Taoiseach probably knows, the Oireachtas Joint Committee on Transport has meet many of the stakeholders in Dublin Airport to discuss the SR Technics issue. One of the issues that has emerged is that the Minister for Transport, who is beside the Taoiseach, and his Department seemed to know of the closure of SR Technics early last November.

John O'Donoghue (Kerry South, Ceann Comhairle)
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The Deputy raised this matter on the Adjournment.

Tommy Broughan (Dublin North East, Labour)
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Did the Minister, Deputy Dempsey, inform the Taoiseach and the Cabinet. Will the Taoiseach now ask him to make a statement to the House? We had five months——

John O'Donoghue (Kerry South, Ceann Comhairle)
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I cannot allow that.

Tommy Broughan (Dublin North East, Labour)
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——either to get ready for a succession industry or to try to prevent the closure.

John O'Donoghue (Kerry South, Ceann Comhairle)
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The Deputy can find another way to raise that matter.

Tommy Broughan (Dublin North East, Labour)
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We have not heard from the Minister who is sitting beside the Taoiseach.

John O'Donoghue (Kerry South, Ceann Comhairle)
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We cannot go into that now.

Tommy Broughan (Dublin North East, Labour)
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Would he make a statement to the House? Somebody did not do his job, not for the first time.

John O'Donoghue (Kerry South, Ceann Comhairle)
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If every Deputy came in with matters of concern like that, we would unfortunately spend the entire day discussing each Deputy's complaint. I cannot do that. I am now moving to pre-budget statements.