Dáil debates
Thursday, 2 April 2009
Order of Business
10:30 am
Mary Coughlan (Donegal South West, Fianna Fail)
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It is proposed to take No.a7, motion re sittings and business of the Dáil; No. 7, motion re orders of reference of committee; No. 8, motion re proposed approval by Dáil Ãireann of a Council regulation and of a regulation of the European Parliament and of the Council establishing a procedure for the negotiation and conclusion of bilateral agreements between member states and third countries, back from committee; No. 9, motion re proposed approval by Dáil Ãireann of a Council decision concerning the signing of the agreement between the European Union and the Republic of Iceland and the Kingdom of Norway, back from committee; No. 10, motion re proposed approval by Dáil Ãireann of a Council framework decision on the application, between member states of the European Union, of the principle of mutual recognition to decisions on supervision measures as an alternative to provisional detention, back from committee, No. 15, Broadcasting Bill 2008 [Seanad], Order for Report, Report and Final Stages, to adjourn at 1.30 p.m. today, if not previously concluded, No. 3, Health (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2009, Order for Second Stage and Second Stage; No. 1, Harbours (Amendment) Bill 2008 [Seanad], Second Stage. It is proposed, notwithstanding anything in Standing Orders, that Nos. a7, 7, 8, 9 and 10 shall be decided without debate.
Brendan Howlin (Wexford, Labour)
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There is one proposal to put to the House. Is the proposal for dealing with Nos. a7, 7,8, 9, and 10 without debate agreed?
Enda Kenny (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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In respect of a7, I note that 35 minutes are allocated for the debate on the funding of horse and greyhound organisations next Wednesday. With respect, there should be a longer period allocated for that debate. Is it on Wednesday or Thursday?
Enda Kenny (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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I think only 35 minutes have been allocated.
Mary Coughlan (Donegal South West, Fianna Fail)
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I believe the matter is being dealt with in committee today.
Enda Kenny (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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I refer to the debate for next week. Will the Whip agree to us squeezing an hour for that debate?
Pat Carey (Dublin North West, Fianna Fail)
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If the Deputy wishes, but it will eat into the budget debate.
Brendan Howlin (Wexford, Labour)
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Is the proposal to amend the time slot from 35 minutes to 60 minutes agreed? Agreed. Are the proposals to take Nos. a7, 7, 8, 9 and 10 without debate agreed? Agreed. I call Deputy Kenny on the Order of Business.
Enda Kenny (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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Does the Tánaiste have in her possession the Exchequer return figures to be published today and out of courtesy to the House will she announce what they are? Things seem to be deteriorating. The implications of food lines in Dublin speak for itself. Bord na Móna has announced that it is unable to pay the defined benefit pension to their workers, some of whom have spent 40 years in the bogs. Despite the Labour Court recommendation in respect of SR Technics, a number of workers are to be let go tomorrow. Will the Tánaiste extend a courtesy to the House and tell us what the Exchequer return figures are? They will be published later today.
Mary Coughlan (Donegal South West, Fianna Fail)
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As the House is aware, the Exchequer returns will be published this afternoon. They are not yet available and I do not have them in my possession. As indicated by the Taoiseach yesterday afternoon, the decline in the tax receipts evident in January and February of this year has also continued into March. I do not have the figures available and they will not be published until 4 p.m. or 4.30 p.m.
Eamon Gilmore (Dún Laoghaire, Labour)
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I wish to raise two matters. First, members of the Cystic Fibrosis Association of Ireland are protesting outside the House this morning in connection with the failure of the Government to honour a commitment given that a unit would be provided for sufferers of cystic fibrosis at St. Vincent's Hospital. The promise was that the unit would be provided in 2010, but the Government has reneged on that commitment. Does the Government intend to honour the commitment it gave that the unit would be provided by 2010?
Second, the committee which has been dealing with the issue of the protection of children sent a report to the House on 8 September 2008 and recommended that legislation be presented by Government to the House to legislate for the protection of children. The committee recommended specifically that the legislation should be presented in the following parliamentary session, which would have been the session between September and Christmas. The legislation did not and has not yet appeared. When will it be presented to the House?
Mary Coughlan (Donegal South West, Fianna Fail)
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With regard to the cystic fibrosis unit, the Minister for Health and Children, Deputy Harney, indicated that she is looking at innovative ways in which we can ensure the delivery of this valuable project in St. Vincent's. She is working with the relevant authorities to do that .
Jan O'Sullivan (Limerick East, Labour)
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She is trying to get the private sector to pay for it.
Mary Coughlan (Donegal South West, Fianna Fail)
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We are talking about innovative ways through which something that is extremely important can be delivered. I am sure the people outside the House could not care from where it comes, as long as it comes.
Jan O'Sullivan (Limerick East, Labour)
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The Government should keep its promises.
Mary Coughlan (Donegal South West, Fianna Fail)
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It is the clear intention of the Minister and Government to follow through on it. On the second issue, was the Deputy asking about the child care Bill? That is due this session.
Eamon Gilmore (Dún Laoghaire, Labour)
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I was talking about the legislation for the protection of children.
Mary Coughlan (Donegal South West, Fianna Fail)
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As the Deputy knows, an extension was given to the committee to examine the matter further. We are not in a position to indicate when that legislation will be forthcoming. Did the Deputy want to know about the child care Bill or the referendum on children?
Eamon Gilmore (Dún Laoghaire, Labour)
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I want to know when we can expect the legislation that is to take place instead of the referendum, as recommended by the committee.
Brendan Howlin (Wexford, Labour)
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It is the issue of the dissemination of soft information.
Mary Coughlan (Donegal South West, Fianna Fail)
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That has not been decided.
Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin (Cavan-Monaghan, Sinn Fein)
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I listened to the Tánaiste's response to Deputy Gilmore on the issue of the Government's current position regarding the cystic fibrosis unit promised for St. Vincent's Hospital. In the course of the Order of Business yesterday, the Taoiseach responded to my colleague Deputy Ferris by stating: "We will see what we can do." Will the Tánaiste elaborate on what is being considered? When will we have clarity as to the Government's intention regarding this most important facility for people with cystic fibrosis? Given the extent of the concern, will the Tánaiste advise the House as to what exactly the Taoiseach referred?
Yesterday, the Minister for Health and Children announced the establishment of yet another expert group on the allocation of resources for the health services. She also published terms of reference for this so-called expert group which are totally inadequateââ
Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin (Cavan-Monaghan, Sinn Fein)
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It is. I am coming to that. The key point is that the terms of reference do not require the expert group to address one of the most fundamental and significant failings within the health services, namely, the continuation of the two-tier system of health care delivery. Will the terms of reference be brought before the Houses of the Oireachtas? Does the Government intend to have the terms of reference of this expert group debated in the Chamber? The Minister has indicated that this expert group is not to report until April 2010. Will that be used as a further excuse for the delay of many years in bringing forward the eligibility for health and personal social services Bill. That Bill has been long delayed. Is this just another excuse to leave it until beyond April 2010?
Mary Coughlan (Donegal South West, Fianna Fail)
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I will reiterate what has been said about the cystic fibrosis facility. We are examining ways in which this will be delivered. There is no proposal to discuss the terms of reference for the expert group in the House. The Minister announced that the matter will be examined under the chairmanship of CaitrÃona Ruane. It is extremely important that the work is ongoing. I beg the House's pardon, I meant Francis Ruane. Northern Ireland is in my head.
Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin (Cavan-Monaghan, Sinn Fein)
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CaitrÃona Ruane might do a very good job.
Mary Coughlan (Donegal South West, Fianna Fail)
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Perhaps it was looking at the Deputy that caused me to name her.
Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin (Cavan-Monaghan, Sinn Fein)
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She is also from Mayo.
Mary Coughlan (Donegal South West, Fianna Fail)
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It is not easy. It is an international thing.
Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin (Cavan-Monaghan, Sinn Fein)
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No, it is not. It is a Northern Ireland thing.
Mary Coughlan (Donegal South West, Fianna Fail)
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The terms of reference have been agreed by the Minister and Government and the group is proceeding. I am sure that when the group makes its recommendations in 2010, there will be ample time to discuss the outcome.
Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin (Cavan-Monaghan, Sinn Fein)
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What about the eligibility for personal and social services Bill?
Mary Coughlan (Donegal South West, Fianna Fail)
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There is no date for that.
Seymour Crawford (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)
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In light of the grave difficulties in the agricultural area, where 50% of REPS farmers have still not been paid ââ
Brendan Howlin (Wexford, Labour)
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Has the Deputy something relevant to the Order of Business to raise?
Seymour Crawford (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)
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This is very relevant. Dairy and beef farmers are losing significantly. When will we have a full debate on agriculture in the House or can the Tánaiste organise that?
I reluctantly welcome the comments of my colleague, Deputy Breen, on Ennis hospital, because they prove Ennis hospital is in the same situation as Monaghan hospital and they have been misinformed onââ
Brendan Howlin (Wexford, Labour)
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This is not in order on the Order of Business. The Deputy should raise the issue in an Adjournment debate.
Seymour Crawford (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)
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We have raised this matter on the Adjournment, but we are sick, sore and tiredââ
Brendan Howlin (Wexford, Labour)
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The problem is the Deputy cannot raise the issue on the Order of Business. Is a debate on agriculture promised?
Mary Coughlan (Donegal South West, Fianna Fail)
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No, but I am sure it could be arranged with the Whips.
Seymour Crawford (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)
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What I want is honest, straightforward information on health. A health information Bill has been promised, but every time we ask about it, we are told it will be in the future. We want honest information now.
Mary Coughlan (Donegal South West, Fianna Fail)
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The matter of a debate on agriculture could be discussed by the Whips. The health information Bill will be later this year.
Emmet Stagg (Kildare North, Labour)
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I seek the Chair's assistance. It is a fundamental right of Members to ask questions of Ministers and to get whatever information the Minister has on the issue. It is a mainstay of democracy that we have that right in this House. I asked the Minister for Transport, Deputy Noel Dempsey, a parliamentary question, Question No. 13421/09, on 31 March. The Minister chose to ignore the question I asked and responded with a whole lot of waffle.
Brendan Howlin (Wexford, Labour)
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Unfortunately, the Chair has no control over answers given to Deputies.
Emmet Stagg (Kildare North, Labour)
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This is a fundamental matter. Recently, the Ceann Comhairle wrote to Ministers, arising particularly from the attitude of the Minister for Transport, Deputy Noel Dempsey, to the House, asking them to answer the questions they are asked. The Minister for Transport, in his usual arrogant and contemptuous manner, has again ignored both the Ceann Comhairle and the rules of democracy.
Noel Dempsey (Meath West, Fianna Fail)
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Does the Deputy want me to explain the answer?
Emmet Stagg (Kildare North, Labour)
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The Minister did not give me the answer. He is an arrogant man. He ignored my question completely.
Brendan Howlin (Wexford, Labour)
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The Deputy obviously feels strongly about this matter, but we must find another way of dealing with it. I call Deputy Brian Hayes.
Brian Hayes (Dublin South West, Fine Gael)
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There is an expectation today that the ECB will cut its interest rate, which will be good news for many people on variable rate mortgages. However, those on fixed rate mortgages are now being charged between â¬5,000 and â¬7,000 to switch to a variable rate mortgage. Given the Tánaiste's responsibility to the House for consumer affairs and the recent recapitalisation of the new pillars of society, namely, the banks, will she use her good offices to ensure that people will not be screwed, as they currently are, for attempting to reduce their monthly mortgage repayments?
Brendan Howlin (Wexford, Labour)
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The Deputy knows full well he will have to find another way to pursue this important issue. The Deputy should ask his question on legislation or seek to change the rules pertaining to the Order of Business.
Brian Hayes (Dublin South West, Fine Gael)
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In the context of what will happen today, will the Tánaiste state when the consumer and competition Bill is likely to be before the House? Will she assure us that the recapitalised, bailed-out, nationalised banksââ
Brendan Howlin (Wexford, Labour)
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The Deputy is not allowed to make speeches on the Order of Business.
Brian Hayes (Dublin South West, Fine Gael)
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ââwill give some comfort to people who want to switch from a fixed rate mortgage to a variable rate mortgage?
Brendan Howlin (Wexford, Labour)
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There are appropriate ways of dealing with such matters. The Tánaiste on the consumer and competition Bill.
Mary Coughlan (Donegal South West, Fianna Fail)
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The position on the consumer and competition Bill is that my Department intends to amalgamate the National Consumer Agency and the Competition Authority and also reform and amend the Competition Act. The Deputy's point has nothing to do with this but I do not disagree that it is very important. In all our consultation with the banks, and with reference to all our portfolios, these issues have been mentioned on an ongoing basis.
Brian Hayes (Dublin South West, Fine Gael)
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"Mentioned" is great news.
Pádraic McCormack (Galway West, Fine Gael)
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Did the Tánaiste want to getââ
Liz McManus (Wicklow, Labour)
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Today some carers are coming to make their case on the circumstances in which they find themselves. These are the people who look after the elderly, the sick and children.
Brendan Howlin (Wexford, Labour)
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The Deputy should ask an appropriate question.
Liz McManus (Wicklow, Labour)
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They feel they are under attack and are very concerned that the forthcoming budget may undermine their position further. Will the Tánaiste ensure that the status of carers is recognised in law? The health (miscellaneous provisions) (no. 2) Bill should acknowledge in law the valuable health care and social care that carers provide to those who need it, such that their interests will be protected into the future.
Mary Coughlan (Donegal South West, Fianna Fail)
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That subject is not part of the health (miscellaneous provisions) no. 2 Bill. That Bill will be introduced later this year.
Denis Naughten (Roscommon-South Leitrim, Fine Gael)
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On promised legislation, in light of the fact that an employer in County Roscommon who has been supplying local authorities with safety equipment for many years has now received information from Cork County Councilââ
Brendan Howlin (Wexford, Labour)
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Is this relevant to the Order of Business?
Denis Naughten (Roscommon-South Leitrim, Fine Gael)
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It is very relevant to the Order of Business. Unless the employer has a turnover of â¬1 million, he cannot now tender for a contract he has held for many years. This issue is arising right across the country. Small businesses that have been providingââ
Brendan Howlin (Wexford, Labour)
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Is there legislation promised in this area?
Denis Naughten (Roscommon-South Leitrim, Fine Gael)
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There is legislation, namely, the local government Bill. Many small businesses around the country have been supplying local authorities for many years without any problem whatsoever. The additional conditions pertaining to turnover are now being imposed on them and will actually put them out of business.
Brendan Howlin (Wexford, Labour)
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When will the local government Bill come before the House?
Denis Naughten (Roscommon-South Leitrim, Fine Gael)
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In light of the fact that we should be trying to support small businessesââ
Brendan Howlin (Wexford, Labour)
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I am anxious to make progress. The Tánaiste on the local government Bill.
Mary Coughlan (Donegal South West, Fianna Fail)
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The Bill will be introduced later this year.
Denis Naughten (Roscommon-South Leitrim, Fine Gael)
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I ask the Tánaiste to review the matter and ensure it is addressed.
Mary Coughlan (Donegal South West, Fianna Fail)
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It is a question of public procurement.
Terence Flanagan (Dublin North East, Fine Gael)
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I have two questions for the Tánaiste. The multi-unit developments Bill is long overdue and has often been talked about in this House. It is to regulate property management companies, particularly the rogue management companies and agents operating in the market, so many of whom, unfortunately, are in my constituency. When will this Bill be before the House?
In light of the collapse in the property market, can the Tánaiste compel insurance companies to reduce their premiums, mainly because the value of housesââ
Brendan Howlin (Wexford, Labour)
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That is not in order on the Order of Business.
Terence Flanagan (Dublin North East, Fine Gael)
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ââand the cost of building houses has fallen, by up to 50% in some cases? This is another consumer issue similar to that concerning fixed rate mortgages.
Brendan Howlin (Wexford, Labour)
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That would make a good parliamentary question.
Mary Coughlan (Donegal South West, Fianna Fail)
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The multi-unit developments legislation will be published next session.
Terence Flanagan (Dublin North East, Fine Gael)
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What about the insurance companies?
Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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I remind the Tánaiste once again of the ongoing spiralling of crime levels and the urgent necessity to introduce emergency legislation to take organised criminal gangs off the streets once and for all. I will not put on the record the list of promised legislation in this area but I ask the Tánaiste to take this point on board as a matter of urgency.
Has the electricity (transfer of transmission assets) Bill, which is to provide for the transfer of ownership of the electricity transmission systems assets from the ESB to EirGrid, been discussed by the Cabinet?
Brendan Howlin (Wexford, Labour)
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What is the position on the Bill?
Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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Have the heads been approved or agreed? At what stage is the Bill?
Mary Coughlan (Donegal South West, Fianna Fail)
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That will be introduced later on this year.
Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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My last question is also on promised legislation. I am sure that, as a scientist, the Leas-Cheann Comhairle will be interested to know that Albert Einstein is alleged to have carried out an experiment that resulted in the disappearance of a battleship.
Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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This is a valid one.
Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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Could it have been possible that the Green Party members were carrying out one of those experiments in the privacy of their own homes? They appear to have been vaporised and to have disappeared completely from vision, and they only come into the House occasionally. Alternatively, perhaps they are snuggled in the bosom of Fianna Fáil and have been strangled in the process.
Kathleen Lynch (Cork North Central, Labour)
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They are actually here; they are just in camouflage.
Tom Sheahan (Kerry South, Fine Gael)
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There is so much legislation that I do not know where this matter actually fits. The local government Bill is a case in point. My point primarily concerns the budget next week and the information directed towards local authorities, whereby there will be no acting up and a total ban on recruitment. We have no chief fire officer in Kerry.
Brendan Howlin (Wexford, Labour)
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I am afraid that is totally out of order on the Order of Business.
Tom Sheahan (Kerry South, Fine Gael)
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We have 13 blue flag beaches but, without further recruitment, we will not be able to have lifeguards.
Noel Dempsey (Meath West, Fianna Fail)
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If the Deputy's proposals are implemented, there will be even fewer.
Brendan Howlin (Wexford, Labour)
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As the Deputy knows, this is well outside the scope of the Order of Business.
Tom Sheahan (Kerry South, Fine Gael)
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What are we to do without 13 blue flag beaches? There are no lifeguards and no chief fire officer in County Kerry.
Joe Carey (Clare, Fine Gael)
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What legislation gives the Government the authority to close 24-hour accident and emergency services at Ennis General Hospital?
Brendan Howlin (Wexford, Labour)
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That is not an appropriate question on the Order of Business.
Joe Carey (Clare, Fine Gael)
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Will the Tánaiste intervene to prevent the implementation of this dangerous proposal on Monday?
Brendan Howlin (Wexford, Labour)
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That is appropriate for an Adjournment debate but it is inappropriate on the Order of Business.
Joe Carey (Clare, Fine Gael)
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I am seeking an answer from the Tánaiste.
Tommy Broughan (Dublin North East, Labour)
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I want to raise a point of order and a matter relevant to the Order of Business. I could not be present yesterday during Leaders' Questions but I note from the blacks that the Minister for Transport referred the Labour Party transport spokesperson, namely, me, as telling lies. I was repeating information given to me by his own agencies and by the Minister of Stateââ
Tommy Broughan (Dublin North East, Labour)
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I would like that comment withdrawn or I will have to make some unparliamentary comments myself.
Paul Kehoe (Wexford, Fine Gael)
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The Minister will have to withdraw the word "lies".
Brendan Howlin (Wexford, Labour)
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I do not know what the Deputy is referring to.
Tommy Broughan (Dublin North East, Labour)
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It is on the record in black and white.
Noel Dempsey (Meath West, Fianna Fail)
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The Deputy said Mr. Barry O'Leary of the IDA told him that.
Brendan Howlin (Wexford, Labour)
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It would not be appropriate for the Minister to have this discussion now.
Tommy Broughan (Dublin North East, Labour)
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I ask the Minister to withdraw his remark.
Emmet Stagg (Kildare North, Labour)
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The Minister should withdraw it.
Tommy Broughan (Dublin North East, Labour)
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That was the information I got.
Tommy Broughan (Dublin North East, Labour)
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The Minister should withdraw his remark.
Brendan Howlin (Wexford, Labour)
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I understand the Ceann Comhairle dealt with this matter yesterday.
Emmet Stagg (Kildare North, Labour)
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He only dealt with half of it because he did not dealââ
Tommy Broughan (Dublin North East, Labour)
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He did not deal with it.
Brendan Howlin (Wexford, Labour)
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It is certainly not open to me to review yesterday's business.
Emmet Stagg (Kildare North, Labour)
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I am not asking the Leas-Cheann Comhairle to do that.
Brendan Howlin (Wexford, Labour)
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I understand the matter was dealt with yesterday.
Tommy Broughan (Dublin North East, Labour)
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It is not dealt with and I want it dealt with. I repeated information given to me by the Minister's agencies to the effect that his Department knew of the closure of SR Technics in November. The Minister of State, Deputy Noel Ahern, told me he knewââ
Brendan Howlin (Wexford, Labour)
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We cannot reopen the debate now.
Tommy Broughan (Dublin North East, Labour)
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The Minister of State told me.
Brendan Howlin (Wexford, Labour)
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Please, Deputy. If the Deputy feels strongly about it, the appropriate approach would be for him to table a motion in that regard.
Emmet Stagg (Kildare North, Labour)
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The appropriate thing would be for the Minister to withdraw his remark.
Brendan Howlin (Wexford, Labour)
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I am afraid yesterday's business is closed.
Noel Dempsey (Meath West, Fianna Fail)
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Deputy Broughan said the IDA told him but the IDA did not tell him.
Tommy Broughan (Dublin North East, Labour)
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It told me. The IDA stated it knew the day before.
Brendan Howlin (Wexford, Labour)
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I would appreciate if the Minister should assist the Chair. It would be helpful.
11:00 am
Mary Coughlan (Donegal South West, Fianna Fail)
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I will assist the Chair. When SR Technics lost its contract the relevant Ministers, my predecessor, the Minister for Transport and the Taoiseach were involved with the unions and SRT to facilitate the smaller contracts which were carried out. All of us in this House knew that arising from the loss of the large base maintenance contract that SRT would face huge difficulties. My agencies had been working with SRT and continue to do so. During the intervening period, arising from all of our concerns about the long-term viability of SRT after it lost the contract, my agencies worked with management. I met it on three occasions. The IDA was working with it until last Christmas to facilitate it in the reorientation of its business plan. This work arose on the basis of our concerns about the full-time viability of the company. I know Deputy Broughan is aware of this because the unions were a part of process.
Unfortunately, at the beginning of this year the company in Zurich decided that it would not continue with SRT and, as we all know, it decided to close the company. However, it is important to state that the IDA, Enterprise Ireland and the team put together under my agencies are working continuously with a number of people who have a keen interest in taking on this company and those discussions are ongoing.
Brendan Howlin (Wexford, Labour)
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I appreciate the Tánaiste's intervention but it is not appropriate to have a debate on the Order of Business.
Mary Coughlan (Donegal South West, Fianna Fail)
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Therefore, it is important to state thatââ
Pádraic McCormack (Galway West, Fine Gael)
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Where does the lie come in?
Mary Coughlan (Donegal South West, Fianna Fail)
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ââit is very difficult because too many people think they have the full information when I stated the facts of the situation.
Tommy Broughan (Dublin North East, Labour)
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I wish to ask the Tánaisteââ
Brendan Howlin (Wexford, Labour)
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We cannot have a debate on this.
Tommy Broughan (Dublin North East, Labour)
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In mid-November last, Dublin Airport Authority began discussions with SR Technics on the return of the hangars. This meant that SR Technics was leaving Ireland. Anybody would have known that. A child would have known it.
Noel Ahern (Dublin North West, Fianna Fail)
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What is the point of arguing about it now?
Tommy Broughan (Dublin North East, Labour)
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That is what I said. That was three months ago. I want the Minister to withdrawââ
Brendan Howlin (Wexford, Labour)
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The Deputy knows there are transport questions today.
Tommy Broughan (Dublin North East, Labour)
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I ask the Minister to withdraw his remarkââ
Brendan Howlin (Wexford, Labour)
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I ask Deputy Broughan to resume his seat.
Tommy Broughan (Dublin North East, Labour)
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No, I would like the Minister to withdraw remarkââ
Noel Dempsey (Meath West, Fianna Fail)
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I will speak to Deputy Broughan at question time.
Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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The Minister wants to withdraw it.
Brendan Howlin (Wexford, Labour)
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I ask Deputy Broughan to resume his seat.
Damien English (Meath West, Fine Gael)
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Withdraw the word "lie".
Brendan Howlin (Wexford, Labour)
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I ask Deputy Broughan to resume his seat and allow the Chair to speak. Th Deputy knows there are transport questions today and this matter is the subject of Priority Question No. 1. We cannot debate it now. It is a most serious issue that merits a structured debate which will be provided in Question Time and I ask the Deputy to allow this.
Brendan Howlin (Wexford, Labour)
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We opened the possibility of an explanation on the Order of Business which was technically not in order.
Tommy Broughan (Dublin North East, Labour)
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On a point of order either we use parliamentary language here or we do not. Yesterday, the Minister used unparliamentary language and I ask him to withdraw it.
Brendan Howlin (Wexford, Labour)
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I understand that the matter was dealt with by the Ceann Comhairle.
Tommy Broughan (Dublin North East, Labour)
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Let me say then that on this matter I regard the Minister as a barefaced liar.
Brendan Howlin (Wexford, Labour)
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I am afraid Deputy Broughan is not allowed say that.
Emmet Stagg (Kildare North, Labour)
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The Minister said it about Deputy Broughan.
Brendan Howlin (Wexford, Labour)
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Let me be clear that I am required to implement the rules of the House. I cannot look back to aââ
Emmet Stagg (Kildare North, Labour)
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The Minister said it three times this morning.
Noel Dempsey (Meath West, Fianna Fail)
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Deputy Stagg should take his tablets.
Brendan Howlin (Wexford, Labour)
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Can we bring order back into Parliament?
Pádraic McCormack (Galway West, Fine Gael)
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The Minister could do it in a second if he wanted to.
Brendan Howlin (Wexford, Labour)
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This is an important debate on a critical issue. I ask Deputy Broughan, who I know to be very orderly, to withdraw his last remark and I hope these matters can be fully ironed out in transport questions later today.
Paul Kehoe (Wexford, Fine Gael)
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The Minister should withdraw his remark also.
Tommy Broughan (Dublin North East, Labour)
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I would like the Minister to withdraw his remark also.
Brendan Howlin (Wexford, Labour)
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Will Deputy Broughan withdraw his remark?
Tommy Broughan (Dublin North East, Labour)
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In deference to the Leas-Cheann Comhairle, for whom I have great respect, I will.
Brendan Howlin (Wexford, Labour)
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I thank Deputy Broughan and I greatly appreciate it.
Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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The Minister should also withdraw his remark.
Emmet Stagg (Kildare North, Labour)
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On a point of order, the Leas-Cheann Comhairle should ask the Minister to withdraw the accusation that Deputy Broughan is a liar. He made it three times this morning.
Emmet Stagg (Kildare North, Labour)
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Whether the Leas-Cheann Comhairle heard it or not he said it three times. The rest of us are not deaf. I am fairly deaf and I heard it.
Brendan Howlin (Wexford, Labour)
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Well I did not hear him say it. I ask the Minister whether any such statement was made.
Pádraic McCormack (Galway West, Fine Gael)
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Is the Minister withdrawing it?
Brendan Howlin (Wexford, Labour)
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The Minister said he made no such statement so therefore no such statement was made.
Emmet Stagg (Kildare North, Labour)
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I am tempted to say that he is a liar.
Pádraic McCormack (Galway West, Fine Gael)
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He is very innocent.
Olwyn Enright (Laois-Offaly, Fine Gael)
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For how long has the Government been aware of the pension deficit at Bord na Mona? How many other semi-State companies are in the same position? What discussions has the Government had with Bord na Móna on the issue? What is the view of the Tánaiste and the Government on the proposed compromise of paying 37% of the accrued benefit to pensioners in Bord na Móna instead of their full entitlements? I ask this in the context of the industrial relations (amendment) Bill.
Brendan Howlin (Wexford, Labour)
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I am glad the Deputy anchored it to something that might be in order.
Olwyn Enright (Laois-Offaly, Fine Gael)
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In light of the fact that in today's newspapers we see pictures of 700 people queuing for food parcels in Dublin yesterday and that approximately 450 per day turn up for food at the Capuchin friary what can we expect from the now promised social welfare Bill in two weeks?
Brendan Howlin (Wexford, Labour)
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The Deputy cannot ask about the contents of a Bill.
Mary Coughlan (Donegal South West, Fianna Fail)
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The industrial relations (amendment) Bill has nothing to do with pension funds.
Olwyn Enright (Laois-Offaly, Fine Gael)
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I was hoping the Tánaiste might answer the question. Many people are very concerned.
Mary Coughlan (Donegal South West, Fianna Fail)
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It is hoped the Bill will be in the next session. There is no proposal for another social welfare Bill.
Olwyn Enright (Laois-Offaly, Fine Gael)
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There is a proposal for another social welfare Bill.
Mary Coughlan (Donegal South West, Fianna Fail)
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Deputy Enright must know more than the rest of us.
Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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That would not be hard.
Olwyn Enright (Laois-Offaly, Fine Gael)
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The Tánaiste should ask the gentleman sitting behind her because it is listed for 22 and 23 April.
Brendan Howlin (Wexford, Labour)
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Is a second social welfare Bill promised?
Mary Coughlan (Donegal South West, Fianna Fail)
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It is not promised as of yet. What will happen is that arising from the budget there will be a determination.
Brian Hayes (Dublin South West, Fine Gael)
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The Tánaiste is putting her colleague in a big hole.
Ulick Burke (Galway East, Fine Gael)
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With regard to the embargo on recruitment, will the Tánaiste consider a derogation for FÃS trainers who provide very valuable and important workââ
Ulick Burke (Galway East, Fine Gael)
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ââin their role with the many people becoming redundant.
Brendan Howlin (Wexford, Labour)
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As the Deputy knows that is not an appropriate question.
Ulick Burke (Galway East, Fine Gael)
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It arises with regard to item 52.
Ulick Burke (Galway East, Fine Gael)
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It is important that those becoming redundant and unemployed are allowed where possible to upskill and because of the embargo on recruitment to the public service they are not. I call for a derogation to allow trainers to be recruited for unemployed people.
Brendan Howlin (Wexford, Labour)
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Is there any debate, legislation or secondary legislation promised in this regard?
Mary Coughlan (Donegal South West, Fianna Fail)
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Not that I am aware.
Ruairi Quinn (Dublin South East, Labour)
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I am not sure whether my question has been answered by the Tánaiste as it refers to Deputy Enright's second question. Did the Tánaiste state that the next session will see the consolidated industrial relations legislation being introduced to the House?
Mary Coughlan (Donegal South West, Fianna Fail)
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Yes. We hoped to have it introduced in this session but we were unable to schedule it.
Pádraic McCormack (Galway West, Fine Gael)
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Will there be a next session?
Ruairi Quinn (Dublin South East, Labour)
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This is the consolidation of existing industrial relations legislation.
Mary Coughlan (Donegal South West, Fianna Fail)
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No, as the Deputy knows there are a number of pieces of industrial relations legislation, including the compliance Bill, the issue of agencies and an EU directive which has not been finalised and on which we are still in discussions. The consolidation legislation will probably be introduced later. There are two agency Bills which we are anxious to get through.
Ruairi Quinn (Dublin South East, Labour)
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With regard to this legislation, may I draw the Tánaiste's attentionââ
Ruairi Quinn (Dublin South East, Labour)
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If the House wants to see the Lisbon treaty passed in the autumn it will not be passed unless the Government has its work done on this legislation.
Ruairi Quinn (Dublin South East, Labour)
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The fault will fall on the Tánaiste and her colleagues.
Mary Coughlan (Donegal South West, Fianna Fail)
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That is why I am anxious to get it done.
Noel Coonan (Tipperary North, Fine Gael)
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Will the Tánaiste ensure that Government policy on the closure of the accident and emergency department in Nenagh Hospital, as annunciated by the Minister of State, Deputy Maire Hoctor, be implemented?
Brendan Howlin (Wexford, Labour)
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Is legislation promised in this regard?
Noel Coonan (Tipperary North, Fine Gael)
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It is with regard to the reconfiguration of health services. The Minister of State, Deputy Hoctor, announced the closure would not take place until all services were put in place.
Brendan Howlin (Wexford, Labour)
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Deputy Coonan knows full well that this is not in order on the Order of Business.
Noel Coonan (Tipperary North, Fine Gael)
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This is misleading the House. Is it any wonder that the Minister's super-junior colleague, Deputy Lowry, asked to have Ministers of State abolished seeing that Deputy Hoctor gave wrong information.
Brendan Howlin (Wexford, Labour)
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I ask Deputy Coonan to give way to Deputy Kathleen Lynch.
Noel Coonan (Tipperary North, Fine Gael)
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Will the Tánaiste confirm that this is Government policy?
Brendan Howlin (Wexford, Labour)
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I am afraid it is not appropriate for the Tánaiste to respond to that question on the Order of Business.
Noel Coonan (Tipperary North, Fine Gael)
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Why not? It is on Government policy.
Brendan Howlin (Wexford, Labour)
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There is no legislation promised.
Noel Coonan (Tipperary North, Fine Gael)
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The House is being misled by a Minister of State who stated that all services would be put in place before closure. Will the Tánaiste confirm that this is Government policy?
Brendan Howlin (Wexford, Labour)
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Deputy Coonan got a good run and he knows he is out of order.
Kathleen Lynch (Cork North Central, Labour)
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Can I ask about promised legislation? It has come to my attention that a new social welfare Bill will be introduced a week after we return from the Easter break.
Brendan Howlin (Wexford, Labour)
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We have already had that question. The Tánaiste said that there is no promised social welfare Bill. The Tánaiste can clarify this and I will call the Deputy again.
Mary Coughlan (Donegal South West, Fianna Fail)
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Everybody wants to pre-empt the budget. There is no proposal to introduce a social welfare Bill. Howeverââ
Mary Coughlan (Donegal South West, Fianna Fail)
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ââif in the event of a social welfare Bill having to be introduced, provisions have been made for a debate within the prerequisite time.
Emmet Stagg (Kildare North, Labour)
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On a point of order, the Tánaiste might be inadvertently misleading the House. The Whips arranged the time for a social welfare Bill at their meeting last night. It is not in anticipation of anything, but in the knowledge that social welfare rates will be cut.
Brendan Howlin (Wexford, Labour)
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The Tánaiste is anxious, as any member of the Government would be, not to pre-empt a decision of the House regarding the budget.
Kathleen Lynch (Cork North Central, Labour)
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It is peculiar in that the length of time set aside for this social welfare Bill seems extraordinarily long. It indicates that there will be a heated and long debate, so I assume it will be about cuts in social welfare.
Brendan Howlin (Wexford, Labour)
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I do not think that prophecy is part of the Tánaiste's requirement.
Kathleen Lynch (Cork North Central, Labour)
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A full week has been allowed. Surely if it was good news, it would be given to us all together.
Mary Coughlan (Donegal South West, Fianna Fail)
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In normal circumstances, a social welfare Bill follows the budget.
Emmet Stagg (Kildare North, Labour)
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Do not tell us these are normal circumstances.
Mary Coughlan (Donegal South West, Fianna Fail)
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We are not in normal circumstances, so in the assumption that there may be a social welfare Bill, the Whips have facilitated a debate. There has been no final decision by the Government as to whether or not a social welfare Bill will be necessary.
Frank Feighan (Roscommon-South Leitrim, Fine Gael)
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Is there any legislation being brought before the House to deal with the Government's restructuring of the banks? It is clear that the banks are using every legal angle possible to stop the Government from bringing in extra regulation.
Mary Coughlan (Donegal South West, Fianna Fail)
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Legislation will be brought forward on the regulation of banks and the Central Bank.