Dáil debates
Tuesday, 19 May 2009
Order of Business
12:00 pm
Brian Cowen (Laois-Offaly, Fianna Fail)
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It is proposed to take Health Insurance (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2008 - Order for Second Stage and Second Stage. It is proposed, notwithstanding anything in Standing Orders, that Private Members' business shall be No. 35, Central Bank and Financial Services Authority of Ireland (Protection of Debtors) Bill 2009 - Second Stage, and the proceedings on the Second Stage thereon shall, if not previously concluded, be brought to a conclusion at 8.30 p.m. on Wednesday, 20 May, 2009.
John O'Donoghue (Kerry South, Ceann Comhairle)
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There is one proposal to be put to the House today. Is the proposal for dealing with Private Members' business agreed? Agreed.
Enda Kenny (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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The first paragraph of the programme for Government for 2007 to 2012 says it will be delivered on time and on budget. In view of comments made at the weekend and the continued absence from the House of Green Party Ministers and Deputies, I ask the Taoiseach to clarify what is going on. Is it the intention of the Government to review this programme or rewrite it? There seems to be some confusion out there as to what is going on.
Joan Burton (Dublin West, Labour)
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The first green shoots have arrived.
Brian Cowen (Laois-Offaly, Fianna Fail)
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The programme for Government is implemented on the basis of availability of resources, as is every programme for Government. I outlined to the House last March, when I was asked about the programme for Government, that it was necessary for us to set priorities based on the fact there were new economic circumstances. It is timely, in the midway term of a Government, to do a review of the programme and that is what we intend to do.
Eamon Gilmore (Dún Laoghaire, Labour)
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When is it intended to publish the revised programme for Government? It is an essential document for the House to know what it is the Government has agreed to do. Clearly, the existing programme for Government is a dead letter and it is very difficult to raise issues or questions on a programme for Government that no longer applies. Can the Taoiseach give some indication to the House as to when there will be a new revised programme for Government before us?
I note it is intended the House not sit during the week of the elections and that is the normal practice. However, what surprises me is that on the calendar which has been circulated it would appear it is the Government's intention that the House will rise for the summer on 2 July. That would be a week earlier than the very early rising of the House-----
John O'Donoghue (Kerry South, Ceann Comhairle)
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That is not one of the arrangements on the Order of Business today.
John O'Donoghue (Kerry South, Ceann Comhairle)
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The Deputy can bring it up later on.
Eamon Gilmore (Dún Laoghaire, Labour)
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I am asking the Taoiseach if that is the Government's intention, because the calendar that has been circulated to us has 2 July on it. Is it the Government's intention the House will rise as early as 2 July this year? That is quite astonishing, given all that we have to do.
Brian Cowen (Laois-Offaly, Fianna Fail)
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I am informed by the Chief Whip that no decision has been taken on the date for the Dáil summer recess. We came back a week earlier at Easter than was originally intended. I made that proposal, which was accepted by the House.
On the programme for Government, the Deputy can take it that the programme for Government will continue to inform the work of Government. He will be notified in due course if and when we review it, whenever that happens, and what emerges from it.
Emmet Stagg (Kildare North, Labour)
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Only "if" there is a review?
Ruairi Quinn (Dublin South East, Labour)
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On promised legislation, arising from comments made earlier, is the Taoiseach in a position to tell the House that it is the intention of the Government to have all Stages of the NAMA legislation enacted in both Houses before the summer recess, whenever that is? That is my first question.
Second, can I take it that the Government will bring forward the necessary referendum legislation to provide for a second referendum on the Lisbon treaty before the House rises, whenever we rise, in this session?
Third, in view of the fact that the Taoiseach's colleague, the Tánaiste, is present beside him, can we have an undertaking that all of the necessary domestic labour relations legislation, that arose out of the concerns that were expressed and which were instrumental and influential in terms of the defeat of the first referendum on the Lisbon treaty, will have been dealt with and enacted before the House rises, whenever that happens, in July?
I refer to three pieces of legislation, namely, the Bill to provide for NAMA, the referendum legislation and the domestic labour relations legislation. Will they be dealt with between now and the middle of July?
Brian Cowen (Laois-Offaly, Fianna Fail)
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I have indicated when we hope the heads of the NAMA Bill will be brought to Government for consideration. It then depends on the detailed advices of the Attorney General thereafter. We will proceed with the Bill as quickly as is possible. It is a complex and important piece of legislation that has to be got right. As I outlined in Leaders' Questions, and as the Minister for Finance has outlined, we are making practical arrangements in the interim for work to proceed in the National Asset Management Agency, NAMA. I assure the Deputy that we will proceed with the practical arrangements and the legislation as quickly as possible, consistent with the Attorney General's advice and the final decisions-----
Ruairi Quinn (Dublin South East, Labour)
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Is it the Taoiseach's intention to have the Bill enacted before the House rises for the summer?
Brian Cowen (Laois-Offaly, Fianna Fail)
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I cannot indicate at this point, as the heads of the Bill will be only available in June. We will proceed as quickly as possible with it subject to the Attorney General's advices. I hope to have the Bill published before we rise.
Brian Cowen (Laois-Offaly, Fianna Fail)
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I am giving the Deputy an answer to his question.
Ruairi Quinn (Dublin South East, Labour)
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I know, I am just concerned.
Brian Cowen (Laois-Offaly, Fianna Fail)
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The concern must be on the basis that, as Dr. Somers said, it is got right, and that we bring forward legislation that will withstand robust scrutiny and that the process is in play. I have indicated what stage it is at currently and I will continue to keep the Deputy apprised of the issue.
On the referendum on the Lisbon treaty, I stated previously in the House that this is a matter we hope to bring to the House before the summer recess.
The industrial relations legislation is being progressed by the Tánaiste. I am sure she has indicated what is the latest state of play in that regard. In the context of social partnership I am hopeful that we can continue to be able to work together to advance those issues also.
Martin Ferris (Kerry North, Sinn Fein)
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Is the Taoiseach aware that a number of raids were carried out last week in the west Cork area, in Baltimore, Union Hall and Castletownbere?
John O'Donoghue (Kerry South, Ceann Comhairle)
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We cannot discuss raids in west Cork last weekend.
Martin Ferris (Kerry North, Sinn Fein)
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Members of the armed special branch were involved in raiding houses belonging to fishermen.
John O'Donoghue (Kerry South, Ceann Comhairle)
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I cannot allow that question. Deputy Ferris must ask a question that is in order.
Martin Ferris (Kerry North, Sinn Fein)
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Just one second, a Cheann Comhairle, you are from a coastal and fishing community-----
Martin Ferris (Kerry North, Sinn Fein)
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-----and you know exactly what I am talking about.
Martin Ferris (Kerry North, Sinn Fein)
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And so does the Tánaiste. In one instance-----
John O'Donoghue (Kerry South, Ceann Comhairle)
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It is not a question appropriate to the Order of Business.
Martin Ferris (Kerry North, Sinn Fein)
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-----a woman who was on her way to work was telephoned by the Garda and told to return immediately or they would break in the door.
John O'Donoghue (Kerry South, Ceann Comhairle)
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That question is more appropriate to Question Time.
Martin Ferris (Kerry North, Sinn Fein)
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In another instance a 60 year old woman was alone in a house that was raided by members of the Sea-Fisheries Protection Authority, SFPA, and the Garda.
John O'Donoghue (Kerry South, Ceann Comhairle)
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That is not a question for the Order of Business.
Martin Ferris (Kerry North, Sinn Fein)
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That disgraceful behaviour is ongoing-----
John O'Donoghue (Kerry South, Ceann Comhairle)
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As Deputy Ferris well knows, he can table a question on the matter or raise it on the Adjournment and it will be given every consideration.
Martin Ferris (Kerry North, Sinn Fein)
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-----and raids are continuing.
John O'Donoghue (Kerry South, Ceann Comhairle)
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Deputy Ferris has been told that already.
Martin Ferris (Kerry North, Sinn Fein)
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Decent, honest people are being criminalised by the authority, which is operated by the State.
John O'Donoghue (Kerry South, Ceann Comhairle)
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If the Deputy wishes to table a question or raise the matter on the Adjournment he is welcome to do so. In the meantime I call Deputy Reilly.
Martin Ferris (Kerry North, Sinn Fein)
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No other industry is criminalised in the same manner as the fishing industry.
John O'Donoghue (Kerry South, Ceann Comhairle)
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Deputy Ferris should please not proceed any further.
Martin Ferris (Kerry North, Sinn Fein)
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What is happening is totally and absolutely wrong.
John O'Donoghue (Kerry South, Ceann Comhairle)
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You will have to resume your seat.
Martin Ferris (Kerry North, Sinn Fein)
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It is wrong and the Ceann Comhairle should know what I am talking about as he comes from Caherciveen.
John O'Donoghue (Kerry South, Ceann Comhairle)
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You will have to resume your seat.
Martin Ferris (Kerry North, Sinn Fein)
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The Ceann Comhairle knows exactly what I am talking about. The fishermen of Caherciveen, Dingle and elsewhere are being-----
John O'Donoghue (Kerry South, Ceann Comhairle)
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You will have to resume your seat. I must ask you to resume your seat.
Martin Ferris (Kerry North, Sinn Fein)
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-----are being put to the pin of their collar to make a living.
John O'Donoghue (Kerry South, Ceann Comhairle)
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You will have to resume your seat, Deputy Ferris. Please resume your seat.
Martin Ferris (Kerry North, Sinn Fein)
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That will continue to be the case while they are being attacked by members of the Garda in their own homes.
John O'Donoghue (Kerry South, Ceann Comhairle)
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You will have to resume your seat, Deputy Ferris, because I must move on. Deputy Reilly is next. You will have to resume your seat. I must ask you to resume your seat. Deputy Ferris, resume your seat. I call Deputy Reilly. Deputy Reilly.
Martin Ferris (Kerry North, Sinn Fein)
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I want the Minister to explain to the House immediately why that was allowed to happen-----
John O'Donoghue (Kerry South, Ceann Comhairle)
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You will have to table an Adjournment matter or ask a question in regard to it.
Martin Ferris (Kerry North, Sinn Fein)
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-----at a time when the country is awash with drugs and people continue to bring in drugs-----
John O'Donoghue (Kerry South, Ceann Comhairle)
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I will have to ask you to resume your seat. Deputy Ferris, resume your seat. You will have to resume your seat, Deputy Ferris. The Deputy must resume his seat when the Chair is on its feet.
Martin Ferris (Kerry North, Sinn Fein)
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-----without any fisheries officers doing anything to protect our citizens.
John O'Donoghue (Kerry South, Ceann Comhairle)
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You must resume your seat. You have to resume your seat, Deputy Ferris. You must resume your seat.
Martin Ferris (Kerry North, Sinn Fein)
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I will not be silenced in this House.
John O'Donoghue (Kerry South, Ceann Comhairle)
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All right. Then, unfortunately, Deputy Ferris, I will have to ask you to leave the House unless you resume your seat.
Martin Ferris (Kerry North, Sinn Fein)
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I will stand by the people of west Cork and south Kerry who are being criminalised by the SFPA-----
John O'Donoghue (Kerry South, Ceann Comhairle)
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Deputy Ferris, you must, unfortunately, leave the House. The Deputy must leave the House.
Martin Ferris (Kerry North, Sinn Fein)
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-----that was set up by this House.
John O'Donoghue (Kerry South, Ceann Comhairle)
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The Deputy must now leave the House. You must leave the House. That is it. You must leave the House.
Martin Ferris (Kerry North, Sinn Fein)
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Are we going to repeal that legislation?
John O'Donoghue (Kerry South, Ceann Comhairle)
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Deputy Ferris must now leave the House.
Martin Ferris (Kerry North, Sinn Fein)
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The SFPA is destroying the livelihoods of decent and honest people.
John O'Donoghue (Kerry South, Ceann Comhairle)
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The Deputy must now leave the House. He is totally out of order.
Martin Ferris (Kerry North, Sinn Fein)
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I want answers here today.
John O'Donoghue (Kerry South, Ceann Comhairle)
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The Deputy must leave the House.
Martin Ferris (Kerry North, Sinn Fein)
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I want answers about why those raids took place last week.
John O'Donoghue (Kerry South, Ceann Comhairle)
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The Deputy must leave the House.
Martin Ferris (Kerry North, Sinn Fein)
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Why were armed gardaí involved in the raids?
John O'Donoghue (Kerry South, Ceann Comhairle)
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The Deputy must leave the House. He is totally out of order.
Martin Ferris (Kerry North, Sinn Fein)
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Why was that allowed and who was responsible?
John O'Donoghue (Kerry South, Ceann Comhairle)
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If the Deputy does not-----
Martin Ferris (Kerry North, Sinn Fein)
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I tabled questions in the House last week about the SFPA and I have still not received a reply.
John O'Donoghue (Kerry South, Ceann Comhairle)
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If the Deputy does not leave the House I will have to name him.
Martin Ferris (Kerry North, Sinn Fein)
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I was in Mizen in west Cork where the Minister, Deputy Ó Cuív, visited, and the people there-----
John O'Donoghue (Kerry South, Ceann Comhairle)
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If Deputy Ferris does not leave the House I will have to name him.
John O'Donoghue (Kerry South, Ceann Comhairle)
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I will have to name Deputy Ferris if he does not leave the House.
Dermot AhernJohn O'Donoghue (Kerry South, Ceann Comhairle)
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All right. It is unfortunate but if that is what he wants that is what must be done.
Martin Ferris (Kerry North, Sinn Fein)
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I want answers for my constituents, and the Ceann Comhairle's constituents.