Dáil debates
Thursday, 4 March 2010
Order of Business
10:30 am
Noel Dempsey (Meath West, Fianna Fail)
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It is proposed to take No. 24, Criminal Procedure Bill 2009 [Seanad] - Second Stage (resumed); and No. 4, Criminal Justice (Forensic Evidence and DNA Database System) Bill 2010 - Order for Second Stage and Second Stage.
Séamus Kirk (Louth, Ceann Comhairle)
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There are no proposals to be put to the House today.
Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin (Cavan-Monaghan, Sinn Fein)
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On a point of order, I want to establish whether it is the preserve of Government only to determine the arrangements for the ordering of business.
Séamus Kirk (Louth, Ceann Comhairle)
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Yes, under Standing Order 26.
Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin (Cavan-Monaghan, Sinn Fein)
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Is it within the gift of the Opposition even where there are no proposals? I suggest there is a serious-----
Séamus Kirk (Louth, Ceann Comhairle)
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I am not empowered to change it. We have structures to do that.
Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin (Cavan-Monaghan, Sinn Fein)
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I am asking for clarification. Is an Opposition Deputy empowered to put forward a proposal for the inclusion of an item in today's business?
Séamus Kirk (Louth, Ceann Comhairle)
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No. It is a matter for the Government of the day.
Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin (Cavan-Monaghan, Sinn Fein)
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It is an absolutely outrage that we are here this morning-----
Séamus Kirk (Louth, Ceann Comhairle)
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The Deputy has received an answer to his query.
Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin (Cavan-Monaghan, Sinn Fein)
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-----and there is not an accommodation-----
Séamus Kirk (Louth, Ceann Comhairle)
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Deputy Ó Caoláin must resume his seat. I call Deputy Kenny on the Order of Business.
Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin (Cavan-Monaghan, Sinn Fein)
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-----of the most important issue for address at this time and that is the withholding of reports on the care and tragic realities of children in this State over many years.
Enda Kenny (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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My intention was to object to the Order of Business but the Ceann Comhairle has dealt with that matter.
Does the Minister of State with responsibility for children intend to come to the House today to make a statement to the Dáil following the laying before the Houses of the Oireachtas by Deputy Alan Shatter yesterday of a report into an appalling case of neglect by the State? If ever I saw a classic example of why the House is wrong in how it does its business it was yesterday when the HSE was deemed to be the organisation to deal with this matter when it should involve ministerial accountability.
We understand from this morning's news bulletins that 20 reports have been completed on cases similar to the case which Deputy Shatter laid before the Houses of the Oireachtas yesterday. I want to hear from the Minister of State with responsibility for children. When was he informed of these reports? How many does he have in his possession? When does he intend to publish them? This is a classic case of the worst kind of hands-off politics I have ever seen. Everybody in the country has been criticising the Catholic Church for covering up child sexual abuse and rightly so as those matters should be published. What is the difference between that and the HSE and the Minister of State with responsibility for children covering up reports that indicate serious, appalling and fundamental State neglect of children in care? It is a shocking indictment of Ireland in 2010.
I understand that 20 children died while in the care of the State. I want the Minister of State with responsibility for children in the House this evening to answer on this and speak out. This is his duty. If we cannot look after the children of our nation, what business do we have being in here? The Order of Business should be set aside as Deputy Ó Caoláin suggested. This matter goes to the heart of our very being and our very Irishness. The very least the Minister of State with responsibility for children can do is come here and put on the record when he was informed of these 20 reports, how many he has in his possession and when they will be published. When will the House have an opportunity to debate and put in place structures and procedures to prevent this from happening again?
This morning, we heard from child experts that, at present, children are very vulnerable and may experience this tragic precedent. We know it happened and we know it is happening. Let us for God's sake put politics aside and do something about it. Will the Minister of State with responsibility for children come to House so we can hear what he has to say?
Eamon Gilmore (Dún Laoghaire, Labour)
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Time should be provided today for the Minister of State with responsibility for children to come to the House and report to it on this matter. We need to address a number of issues. As Deputy Kenny stated, we have been told that 20 children died while in State care over the past decade and that there are a number of HSE reports relating to those deaths. We should hear a full statement on what reports are outstanding in the HSE and why they have not been published to date. There is a distinction to be drawn between the delays occasioned by the HSE itself and delays in the publication of the report arising as a result of sensitive issues contained in the report which relate to the children and their families. That distinction has to be made. We need to have political accountability on this matter. Time needs to be set aside today for the Minister of State with responsibility for children to make a statement to the House, answer questions and provide the answers Members of this House and the public are seeking as to why those reports have been delayed and what was going on. More important, we need to look not just at what happened in the past but at what is happening currently, to examine the extent to which there might still be children in State care who are at risk and what steps are being taken to address that.
Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin (Cavan-Monaghan, Sinn Fein)
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This is a very serious matter. It is compounded by the fact that we as parliamentarians, representatives of the people, are being denied the full information by the Department of Health and Children. The Minister of State with responsibility for children, Deputy Barry Andrews, is present but the Minister with overall responsibility is not present. We are being denied the full facts and information on a consistent basis when we make inquiries on behalf of our constituents and in the pursuit of best practice in society. It is not only the Department of Health and Children that is responsible, it is the Health Service Executive. Let us make no mistake about it on this issue.
I tabled a parliamentary question on 7 July last year, a full eight months on Monday. The inquiry was straightforward; to ask the Minister for Health and Children the number of reports that have been conducted by either the Health Service Executive or the former health boards during the past 20 years, which have not been published or have only been published in redacted form, the subjects of those reports and if she would make a statement on the matter. I have repeated that request ad nauseam, page after page, and the response I receive repeatedly is that is has proven difficult to obtain all of the information sought. That goes right up to the beginning of this week, a full eight months later, yet a representative of the HSE could go on "Morning Ireland" this morning and advise people that there are at least 20 reports relating to the outrageous treatment of children in the State's care by this State over all of that time.
It is high time that parliamentarians, Members of this House, made it clear that this will not be tolerated into the future. We are being kicked to touch by the Minister for Health and Children. We are being ignored continually by the HSE and critical information that should have been provided to Members of this House is being systematically withheld by the system that has been entrusted to govern the matters concerning-----
Séamus Kirk (Louth, Ceann Comhairle)
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The Deputy cannot initiate a debate on the report today. We are on the Order of Business.
Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin (Cavan-Monaghan, Sinn Fein)
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I will finish my sentence - govern the matters concerning health and children in this State. It is an absolute disgrace. We have every right to expect-----
Séamus Kirk (Louth, Ceann Comhairle)
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We are on the Order of Business. I have allowed considerable latitude on the Order of Business.
Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin (Cavan-Monaghan, Sinn Fein)
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-----that these matters can be properly addressed on the floor of this House today and nothing less will satisfy.
Noel Dempsey (Meath West, Fianna Fail)
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I agree with the leader of Fine Gael that we should put politics aside in this very tragic case. We should not play politics with cases as tragic as this. It is and was a very tragic case. Members have been talking about their right to discuss the matter but there are rights of privacy involved, rights of family members to be consulted, and the right of the mother to be consulted as well before a case as tragic as this is stuck up on websites or publicised in any way. That particular aspect of this case is one that everyone in this House should remember.
I reject totally the accusation made by Members opposite that the Minister is covering anything up. Proper procedures are in place to deal with reports such as this. Consultations were taking place. I understand from the HSE that it did intend to publish that report in the very near future. The Government has no problem in principle discussing this case, or any other case, once proper procedure has been followed and the rights of the individuals concerned are fully vindicated.
I understand from the HSE that there are 20 reports, as indicated by Deputies opposite-----
Alan Shatter (Dublin South, Fine Gael)
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-----into children who died in care.
Noel Dempsey (Meath West, Fianna Fail)
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Ten of the children involved died of natural causes. All 20 reports are nearing publication and it is intended to publish them once people's rights are respected. I ask Members to respect those rights as well.
Pádraic McCormack (Galway West, Fine Gael)
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What is the reason for the delay?
Noel Dempsey (Meath West, Fianna Fail)
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For the record, this tragic case dates back to 2002. The recommendations in that report have been or are being-----
Alan Shatter (Dublin South, Fine Gael)
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"Are being". We heard the HSE this morning. "Are being" could be in the next decade.
Noel Dempsey (Meath West, Fianna Fail)
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-----put in place. Special care orders have been put in place since 2002. The HSE now tries to ensure uniform delivery of services throughout the country, as opposed to what was happening.
Noel Dempsey (Meath West, Fianna Fail)
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This case dates to a period when health boards were in operation. An assistant national director for children and families has been appointed in the HSE. Social workers, who deal largely with those cases, are exempt from the moratorium imposed by the Government on employment in the health service and across the public service generally.
Jan O'Sullivan (Limerick East, Labour)
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There is still a huge shortage of social workers.
Noel Dempsey (Meath West, Fianna Fail)
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In addition, it was agreed that 270 extra social workers could be provided within the health service.
Noel Dempsey (Meath West, Fianna Fail)
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More recently in the budget €15 million was provided for the implementation of the Ryan report. It is not true to say that nothing has changed.
This was a non-statutory inquiry. People co-operated with the inquiry. In general it is easier to get people to co-operate with non-statutory inquiries because they expect their own confidentiality and that of the inquiry to be respected. I hope the actions of the past 24 hours do not change that.
Enda Kenny (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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I will go into a long tirade. This is about accountability. I thank the Minister for his comments. I will not play politics with this issue. What I want, in the interests of the people, is for the Minister for children to inform this House this evening about the 20 reports. I do not want to know the names or the details but I would like to know when the children involved died, when the Minister was informed by the HSE as to the completion of the report, at what stage it is in the procedures that have to be followed before publication can follow. That is in the interests of everyone. It is not dealing with the detail.
The Minister had the report dealt with by Deputy Shatter yesterday for over a year. The HSE had it for a year and a half. Last year 9,000 children in vulnerable situations were not even assessed. The uncle of the young girl who died tragically, who was the subject of the report made public yesterday, called for its publication in January 2009.
"Are being dealt with" could mean five, ten or 15 years. In the interests of the children of the nation whom we are supposed to cherish equally, I want the Minister to come to the House to outline cases Nos. 1 to 20, not the details of the people involved but when the child died, when the Minister was informed by the HSE that the report was completed and at what stage he is in the procedures in each of the cases from Nos. 1 to 20 so that we get at least some fix on putting in place structures and procedures. Child care professionals need to know as well what has happened and what is being done. This is a case of the accountability of the Minister with responsibility for children, not the HSE or anyone else. This is a case of ministerial accountability to the people. This is the people's forum.
I suggest respectfully that the Minister for Transport consult with the Minister of State with responsibility for children in order to allow an hour of the House's time this evening, perhaps from 5 p.m. to 6 p.m., so that the latter can outline cases one to 20, indicate when he was informed of them, how long the report has been in his possession and what stage we are at in the procedure before publication can be achieved.
Eamon Gilmore (Dún Laoghaire, Labour)
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I have no intention of making a political issue out of this; it is far too serious and sensitive for that. The request that Deputies Kenny, Ó Caoláin and I have made is that time be made available in the House for the Minister of State with responsibility for children, Deputy Barry Andrews, to tell us the state of play in regard to this report. As Deputy Kenny said, we need to know when the children died and when the report was commenced. I do not understand why - and there may be a good reason for it - there is a queue of reports about children who died over a ten-year period. Why are those reports not yet complete? If there is a reason for that, I would like to hear what it is. My party would like to be in a position to probe that further.
I would also like to know about any recommendations arising from this. Is it the case that the investigations that were conducted by the Health Service Executive into these deaths have not yet produced recommendations arising from the handling of the cases? If there were recommendations, it is important that we hear what they are, whether they have been implemented and what type of practice now applies. We should remember that, arising of the report of the all-party committee, we are preparing to have a referendum on the rights of children in this country. These are precisely the types of hard cases that will be the subject of debate and discussion during the course of that referendum.
Séamus Kirk (Louth, Ceann Comhairle)
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The Deputy is going into detail that is not appropriate for the Order of Business.
Eamon Gilmore (Dún Laoghaire, Labour)
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Therefore, we must have a reasoned discussion in the House about what happened, get all the information, see what the situation is and take it from there. I appeal to the Government to recognise that it is not a good idea to let today pass without this being discussed in the Chamber, with the Minister of State saying what he has to say and providing us with an explanation and with whatever information he has so that we can see where to go from here.
Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin (Cavan-Monaghan, Sinn Fein)
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This is not an inter-party political issue, but it is a political issue nevertheless because it can only be addressed by the best performance of politics in learning the lessons of the past. It is essential that we know the detail of the particular reports currently unexposed. It is perhaps irrelevant at this point if, for whatever reason, the identities must be withheld. What matters is that we have the facts in regard to the care regime that applied for each of these young people, tragic cases that they all must have been, that lessons are learnt and that from those lessons best practice is implemented.
I go back to the point that it is an outrage that elected Members of this House - I do not refer only to the Opposition benches, because I have heard the same remarks privately expressed by backbenchers of the Government parties - should meet with such great difficulty in trying to ascertain factual information from within Departments, particularly the Department of Health and Children. There can be no better example of that than this case.
Séamus Kirk (Louth, Ceann Comhairle)
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The Deputy is going off on a tangent.
Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin (Cavan-Monaghan, Sinn Fein)
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Why is it that, eight months later, we could not have been advised that in this particular area, there were some 20 reports that were not yet published? That would be part of the information that was clearly sought and up to this point has been withheld but could be so easily shared with everybody today on "Morning Ireland". That points up a major deficiency within the system in terms of accountability by Departments, particularly the Department of Health and Children, and the HSE. I urge action on the part of the Government to make sure we will not see a continuation of this worst practice situation. I join with Deputies Kenny and Gilmore in again requesting the Government to accommodate a proper opportunity to address these very important matters, including the TF case, before close of business today.
Noel Dempsey (Meath West, Fianna Fail)
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I repeat what I said in regard to this particular case. There are specific difficulties and consultations with the family that have to take place. There are two other children involved in this. In these circumstances, their right to privacy must take precedence over anything else.
Alan Shatter (Dublin South, Fine Gael)
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We preserved their right to privacy. The Minister of State referred to the family's name on RTE's "News at One" yesterday and then had the gall to make accusations against me.
Barry Andrews (Dún Laoghaire, Fianna Fail)
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Deputy Shatter named them yesterday himself.
Alan Shatter (Dublin South, Fine Gael)
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At no stage did we mention names.
Séamus Kirk (Louth, Ceann Comhairle)
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The Minister must be allowed to speak without interruption.
Noel Dempsey (Meath West, Fianna Fail)
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I do not want this to degenerate-----
Alan Shatter (Dublin South, Fine Gael)
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The Minister of State stumbled onto the 1 o'clock news having concealed the report for a year.
Barry Andrews (Dún Laoghaire, Fianna Fail)
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Deputy Shatter should be ashamed of himself.
Joan Burton (Dublin West, Labour)
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It was the Minister of State who named the family.
Alan Shatter (Dublin South, Fine Gael)
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The Minister of State had a year to respond but the child's uncle said he never heard a word from him.
Barry Andrews (Dún Laoghaire, Fianna Fail)
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The Deputy should be ashamed of himself.
Séamus Kirk (Louth, Ceann Comhairle)
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Deputies must allow the Minister to continue.
Pádraic McCormack (Galway West, Fine Gael)
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He is being interrupted by the Minister of State.
Alan Shatter (Dublin South, Fine Gael)
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The Minister of State is misusing the family and these children for his own political benefit. He is playing a political game on an issue that is far too serious.
Séamus Kirk (Louth, Ceann Comhairle)
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I have asked Deputy Shatter to allow the Minister to speak.
Alan Shatter (Dublin South, Fine Gael)
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This issue is far too serious for children to spend another day at risk in this country because of the failure of the Government to act.
Pádraic McCormack (Galway West, Fine Gael)
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The Minister was saying nothing.
Noel Dempsey (Meath West, Fianna Fail)
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As I was saying, there are specific issues-----
Alan Shatter (Dublin South, Fine Gael)
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This is the man who wants Dáil reform.
Michael Ring (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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He is there today because the chairman put him in. It is like the team in England just before the goal. The chairman gave him the vote of confidence.
Timmy Dooley (Clare, Fianna Fail)
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Members opposite would know all about that.
Séamus Kirk (Louth, Ceann Comhairle)
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Members must allow the Minister without interruption.
Noel Dempsey (Meath West, Fianna Fail)
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There are specific issues in regard to this case. The request made by Deputies Kenny and Gilmore for a general discussion on the 20 cases that were mentioned this morning is not unreasonable. I am not in a position to say whether the Minister of State with responsibility for children will be able to get that information today.
Alan Shatter (Dublin South, Fine Gael)
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Is the Minister seriously telling us that the Government does not know the details of children who died in care and on whom reports have been completed? Does it not even matter if a child dies in care?
Séamus Kirk (Louth, Ceann Comhairle)
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Deputy Shatter must resume his seat.
Timmy Dooley (Clare, Fianna Fail)
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The only farce is the Deputy.
Alan Shatter (Dublin South, Fine Gael)
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I raised this issue a year and a half ago at which point the Minister of State was looking for information from the HSE.
Séamus Kirk (Louth, Ceann Comhairle)
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If Deputy Shatter does not resume his seat I will have to ask him to leave the House.
Alan Shatter (Dublin South, Fine Gael)
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No other Parliament would tolerate a Minister of State with responsibility for children who does not have information on children who died in care. It is an outrage.
Séamus Kirk (Louth, Ceann Comhairle)
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Deputy Shatter must resume his seat.
Noel Dempsey (Meath West, Fianna Fail)
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Has the Deputy finished using the families concerned? What I am prepared to say is that we can look to see what information we can obtain. If it is possible to provide accurate information, we will try to arrange something for this afternoon. If not, I suggest that the Government provide time on Tuesday for this matter.
Terence Flanagan (Dublin North East, Fine Gael)
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There are 20 files.
Noel Dempsey (Meath West, Fianna Fail)
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That is at the end of the document.
Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin (Cavan-Monaghan, Sinn Fein)
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This is unsatisfactory.
Alan Shatter (Dublin South, Fine Gael)
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The Minister of State should telephone the HSE and find out the information.
Séamus Kirk (Louth, Ceann Comhairle)
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I am calling Deputy Gilmore. We have spent a considerable amount of time on this and the Minister has responded accordingly.
Eamon Gilmore (Dún Laoghaire, Labour)
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The offer of having this dealt with on Tuesday is not satisfactory. I accept entirely that there may well be matters in these reports of a sensitive and private nature and which cannot be discussed in public. However, in this instance, as I understand it, it was the Minister of State, Deputy Barry Andrews, who identified the family publicly, not anybody on the Opposition benches. I do not accept that it is not possible for the Minister of State to assemble the basic information that the House requires on this. Deputy Kenny and I have asked some basic questions, including when the children died - that is straightforward - what stage are the respective reports at, why in respect of children who died a number of years ago have the reports not been completed, when they will be completed and how they will be handled. We have also asked whether recommendations were contained in the reports and, if so, whether they have been put into the system.
What type of recommendations have been made and are some still outstanding? I do not accept that the Minister of State is not in a position to get such information from the HSE. If he is not in a position to so, the relationship between the Minister of State with responsibility for children and the HSE is extraordinary, as is the handling of the situation. This matter must be dealt with. As today is Thursday, there will be an entire weekend of public commentary, etc., on this issue. It is not in anyone's interest, including that of the Minister of State, to leave this matter without being dealt with and not addressed between now and next Tuesday.
Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin (Cavan-Monaghan, Sinn Fein)
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I believe the proposition from the Minister to defer addressing all the pressing matters that have been raised here this morning until next Tuesday constitutes a disservice to a process that should commence today. I acknowledge this is a process and Members do not expect immediate and full disclosure of all the facts pertaining to all these cases and reports. However, this process of address must commence without delay and it is within the Minister's gift and the Department's responsibility to come before the House today and to commence this process. Lessons must be learned and to allow the situation to drift over the course of the weekend and into next week's business is absolutely irresponsible.
It is well within the compass of the Department and the Minister of State with responsibility for children to appear before the House and the Opposition parties today to discuss the salient matters. Such a debate must focus on the care regimes that were in place and the lessons that must be learnt, which presumably must be incorporated in the recommendations and conclusions of such reports. Moreover, to set about implementing those recommendations, firm commitments should be made to this House and through this House to the people of this State. That is Members' duty and responsibility and I join with the earlier calls to insist again that this process should commence today.
Enda Kenny (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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I will be helpful to the Ceann Comhairle. This is quite incredible. Were the Minister of State to return to his office to contact that HSE official to request copies of the 20 aforementioned reports to be on his desk within an hour, it would be perfectly in order for him to have a synopsis of each case, without giving away sensitive details, outlining the date the child died-----
Barry Andrews (Dún Laoghaire, Fianna Fail)
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This did not concern Deputy Shatter yesterday.
Joan Burton (Dublin West, Labour)
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The Minister of State named her.
Enda Kenny (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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The Minister of State himself named the child on radio yesterday. Deputy Shatter did not mention the child or give any indication about that child and it is wrong of the Minister of State to suggest that.
Barry Andrews (Dún Laoghaire, Fianna Fail)
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He released sensitive details. Moreover, he issued the name in the details of a parliamentary question he tabled.
Enda Kenny (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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My point is that if the Minister of State has an interest in this matter, he should return to his office, contact the HSE official and ask for the aforementioned 20 reports to be delivered to his office as Minister within an hour. It would be perfectly in order for him to be able to provide a synopsis, without giving away sensitive or family details. He could designate them as cases Nos. 1 to 20 and could return to the House this evening at 5 p.m. to outline this for Members, the professionals involved and for the people. It would be possible for the Minister of State to state what point has been reached in respect of the procedures that must be followed each of those 20 cases and what point has been reached regarding the publication of each report. This information is necessary and the Minister of State, who has ministerial responsibility for it, should now be accountable for his responsibility.
Séamus Kirk (Louth, Ceann Comhairle)
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The Minister, to respond.
Noel Dempsey (Meath West, Fianna Fail)
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If Members opposite were listening, I stated that if full information can be obtained and provided to the House, it will be provided this evening. I am sure Members do not want incomplete information.
Noel Dempsey (Meath West, Fianna Fail)
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If it is possible to do so, it will be done this evening.
Charles Flanagan (Laois-Offaly, Fine Gael)
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The Department has had them for years.
Séamus Kirk (Louth, Ceann Comhairle)
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We have had a considerable ventilation of this issue. Is there anything else on the Order of Business?
Enda Kenny (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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At what time will this commence this evening? The Order of Business must be changed.
Séamus Kirk (Louth, Ceann Comhairle)
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While it will be a matter for the Whips, the Minister has indicated it will take place after Question Time.
Olivia Mitchell (Dublin South, Fine Gael)
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This will be discussed on a Thursday night.
Enda Kenny (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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Consequently, the full information, which Members seek, is contained in the reports. Will this be done at 5 p.m. or at 4.45 p.m.?
Séamus Kirk (Louth, Ceann Comhairle)
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Making such arrangements on the hoof within the Chamber is rather unsatisfactory. Surely the Whips can meet and discuss this.
Enda Kenny (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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As the Ceann Comhairle is aware, many arrangements are made on the hoof, both inside and outside this Chamber.
Denis Naughten (Roscommon-South Leitrim, Fine Gael)
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Including mortgaging this country to the banks.
Enda Kenny (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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The House's business today is due to finish at 4.45 p.m. Will there be an hour-long discussion thereafter? Can the Whip make a suggestion?
Noel Coonan (Tipperary North, Fine Gael)
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All the hooves will have gone.
Séamus Kirk (Louth, Ceann Comhairle)
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It has been suggested that this should take place after Question Time.
Enda Kenny (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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After Question Time for one hour.
Enda Kenny (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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May I ask another question on the Order of Business?
Enda Kenny (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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Given that the Minister for Transport is present, I am concerned about Deputy Ciarán Cuffe, who also is present and who has a different view on the Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government from the incumbent. I was going to ask the Minister for Transport, who was one of the central figures involved in the negotiations between the Fianna Fáil Party and the Green Party, whether he knows anything about this Lanigan clause in the negotiations.
Séamus Kirk (Louth, Ceann Comhairle)
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Does this pertain to promised business? The Deputy should not be too facetious as he has been given a lot of latitude this morning. We must move on.
Enda Kenny (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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Was the good Minister from County Meath called aside and told in sotto voce by Johnny G. that, in fact, another deal is going on at the same time, whereby Deputy Cuffe will be made Minister for the Environment in two and a half years' time?
Enda Kenny (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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Perhaps it was Deputy Gogarty, who is not present. I do not know.
Séamus Kirk (Louth, Ceann Comhairle)
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The Deputy is anticipating the debate on the motion. Can we move on?
Enda Kenny (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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This is in the national interest.
Enda Kenny (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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It pertains to the Cabinet and is about jobs for the boys and girls.
Enda Kenny (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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I seek a straight answer from the Minister, Deputy Dempsey.
Séamus Kirk (Louth, Ceann Comhairle)
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Deputy Kenny, please. I call Deputy Gilmore.
Enda Kenny (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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Was the Minister informed about this secret Lanigan clause in respect of the Green Party element of the programme for Government?
Séamus Kirk (Louth, Ceann Comhairle)
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Deputy Kenny will be able to raise this point when the motion comes before the House.
Paul KehoeAlan Shatter (Dublin South, Fine Gael)
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Members need to know the reason the Minister, Deputy Eamon Ryan, has a rotation exemption.
Michael Ring (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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Did the Minister not tell the Green Party that these jobs were like FÁS jobs, with one week on and one week off?
Séamus Kirk (Louth, Ceann Comhairle)
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Members are interrupting Deputy Gilmore now. Deputy Ring, please.
Michael Ring (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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Did the Green Party think that being in government was like being in FÁS, with one week on and one week off, or two and a half years on and two and a half years off?
Séamus Kirk (Louth, Ceann Comhairle)
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Deputy Gilmore is in possession. Deputy Ring, please.
Michael Ring (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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Government is not a FÁS scheme even if the Green Party thinks so.
Johnny Brady (Meath West, Fianna Fail)
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The Deputy should not talk too soon.
Séamus Kirk (Louth, Ceann Comhairle)
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Members, please. I call Deputy Gilmore.
Charles Flanagan (Laois-Offaly, Fine Gael)
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Riverdance Government.
Dermot Ahern (Louth, Fianna Fail)
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The Deputy is rotating to the Labour Party.
Eamon Gilmore (Dún Laoghaire, Labour)
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I wish to raise a couple of issues with the Minister for Transport.
Johnny Brady (Meath West, Fianna Fail)
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It is good to have somebody serious.
Joan Burton (Dublin West, Labour)
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The Deputy should not be making overtures.
Alan Shatter (Dublin South, Fine Gael)
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Has Deputy Brady yet voted in this House along the lines of what he says outside?
Eamon Gilmore (Dún Laoghaire, Labour)
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I can always rely on Deputy Brady to back me against the Minister for Transport and I thank him. Constituency is everything.
Yesterday, I raised the serious dispute that had arisen at Green Isle Foods, Naas, and I was glad to learn that a resolution of the dispute has been arrived at this morning. I wish to pay tribute to the efforts of two Members of this House who worked very hard to mediate in that dispute, namely, my colleague, Deputy Jack Wall, and Deputy Bernard Durkan.
Eamon Gilmore (Dún Laoghaire, Labour)
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The House should express thanks to them. It was a highly sensitive situation and they worked very hard over a period to bring it to a resolution and I am glad this has happened.
What arrangements will be made regarding a debate in the House on the national pensions framework and the issues arising therefrom?
As for the composition of the Government, this is now getting to the point of ridicule. It is bad enough to have a bad and incompetent Government but the Government is subject to so much ridicule that it not even able to fill the vacant places. It is a bit like having a team on the pitch when a man must go off but-----
Eamon Gilmore (Dún Laoghaire, Labour)
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-----the manager is unable to make up his mind as to who to put on as substitute.
Seán Power (Kildare South, Fianna Fail)
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It is a bit like New Agenda.
Michael Ring (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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They should put on super sub Brady.
Eamon Gilmore (Dún Laoghaire, Labour)
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While we are on the subject of the Minister - for the time being - for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government-----
Eamon Gilmore (Dún Laoghaire, Labour)
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-----this week he replied to a parliamentary question in which he told Members that the Government had established a task force to wind up the electronic voting episode.
Séamus Kirk (Louth, Ceann Comhairle)
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Deputy, we are turning the Order of Business into a farce.
Eamon Gilmore (Dún Laoghaire, Labour)
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I wish to raise two matters. First, when will this task force report?
Eamon Gilmore (Dún Laoghaire, Labour)
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Second, it always has troubled me that the Minister, Deputy Martin Cullen, took all the blame for electronic voting as the Minister for Transport, who is taking the Order of Business, was the man who thought up the idea.
Olivia Mitchell (Dublin South, Fine Gael)
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He bought the machines.
Eamon Gilmore (Dún Laoghaire, Labour)
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Will he now take up the opportunity to take full credit and responsibility for the electronic voting episode-----
Séamus Kirk (Louth, Ceann Comhairle)
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Deputy, this is a matter for another occasion.
Eamon Gilmore (Dún Laoghaire, Labour)
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-----and let poor Minister Cullen off the hook at last?
Séamus Kirk (Louth, Ceann Comhairle)
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Question Time is a suggestion. I call Deputy Ó Caoláin.
Eamon Gilmore (Dún Laoghaire, Labour)
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I have not received a reply to my question.
Joan Burton (Dublin West, Labour)
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The Ceann Comhairle should allow the Minister to answer.
Séamus Kirk (Louth, Ceann Comhairle)
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Yes, the Minister to reply regarding the pensions issue.
Noel Dempsey (Meath West, Fianna Fail)
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The national pension framework will be before the committee in the post-Easter period and can be discussed thereafter.
Eamon Gilmore (Dún Laoghaire, Labour)
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What of the task force? Is the Minister on it?
Noel Dempsey (Meath West, Fianna Fail)
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No legislation is required.
Emmet Stagg (Kildare North, Labour)
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Leaving the poor old Minister, Deputy Cullen, on the hoof.
Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin (Cavan-Monaghan, Sinn Fein)
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It is not often the opportunity is available to us, but I congratulate the Minister, Deputy Dempsey, on the finalisation of the details with his Northern counterpart, Conor Murphy, MP, MLA, of the single regime of fines and penalty points, as announced yesterday. This is another outworking of cross-Border co-operation. Is the Minister in a position to advise the House on whether legislation will be required to give effect to the measures announced yesterday and will he briefly indicate the full extent of its envisaged application?
Séamus Kirk (Louth, Ceann Comhairle)
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This matter might require a parliamentary question. Is any legislation necessary?
Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin (Cavan-Monaghan, Sinn Fein)
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It is in the ambit of possible legislation.
Noel Dempsey (Meath West, Fianna Fail)
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No legislation is necessary. The measures will be worked out through a memorandum of understanding.
Denis Naughten (Roscommon-South Leitrim, Fine Gael)
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Regarding promised legislation, the staff of Postbank in Athlone are in limbo as regards whether they will be retained within One Direct, Postbank or An Post.
Séamus Kirk (Louth, Ceann Comhairle)
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Are we discussing promised legislation?
Denis Naughten (Roscommon-South Leitrim, Fine Gael)
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This is causing the staff significant confusion and concern. Will the Minister use this opportunity to clarify the situation? When will the House see the Central Bank (consolidation) Bill?
Noel Dempsey (Meath West, Fianna Fail)
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The Bill will be published later this year.
Denis Naughten (Roscommon-South Leitrim, Fine Gael)
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Can we have some clarity regarding the staff?
Róisín Shortall (Dublin North West, Labour)
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The national pensions framework will be before the Committee on Social and Family Affairs in the coming weeks. Will the Minister give a commitment to allow the use of Government time for a full debate in the House, given the implications of the framework?
Noel Dempsey (Meath West, Fianna Fail)
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There would be no problem with that. It is an important policy statement that will require much debate.
Pat Breen (Clare, Fine Gael)
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Will the Government initiate talks with unions to discuss the work to rule, which is having an adverse effect on the general public? The work to rule is to be extended to local authorities next Monday, which will have a further impact on public representatives, particularly at local government level. It is already having a considerable impact on us.
Séamus Kirk (Louth, Ceann Comhairle)
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Is the Deputy asking a question?
Pat Breen (Clare, Fine Gael)
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I am raising this matter in the context of the local government services (corporate bodies) (amendment) Bill. Perhaps the Minister would be kind enough to give me some answers. Is there to be no reply?
Noel Dempsey (Meath West, Fianna Fail)
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It will be in the middle of this year.
Seán Sherlock (Cork East, Labour)
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At yesterday's meeting of the agriculture committee, a motion was put before it concerning the Lost at Sea scheme and a decision was taken on the Ombudsman's report. The Labour Party has circulated a motion for the House to seek that the Joint Committee on Agriculture, Fisheries and Food would discuss this matter. The House has the power to refer it to the committee in a bid to seek that a report be sent back to the House by a set date.
I am asking that the Ombudsman be afforded an opportunity to present her findings on the Lost at Sea scheme. She has not been afforded such an opportunity to date. Yesterday's vote by the committee denied her that opportunity, but we are seeking to table the matter before the wider House so as that the Oireachtas allows her an opportunity. It is vital-----
Séamus Kirk (Louth, Ceann Comhairle)
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I have no control over the decision making of the committee.
Seán Sherlock (Cork East, Labour)
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The motion will be tabled before the House. The issue is whether the House will take cognisance of the fact that the recommendations in the Ombudsman's report have been rejected. This is a serious matter. If the House decides that it will reject a report placed before it, then-----
Séamus Kirk (Louth, Ceann Comhairle)
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We know, but the Labour Party has the option of Private Members' time.
Seán Sherlock (Cork East, Labour)
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It is a serious matter. I am asking whether it could be taken-----
Séamus Kirk (Louth, Ceann Comhairle)
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No. We have no control over the decision making of the committees.
Séamus Kirk (Louth, Ceann Comhairle)
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No. The Labour Party has the option of Private Members' time.
Seán Sherlock (Cork East, Labour)
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It is an important matter and I am asking that it be taken during Government time.
Séamus Kirk (Louth, Ceann Comhairle)
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Private Members' time is the best option.
Emmet Stagg (Kildare North, Labour)
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On a point of order, it is not true to state that we cannot interfere with the committees. Of course we can, as they are creatures of this House. The House can send matters to the committee for discussion at any time and give it a date by which it must report to us. We do so regularly.
Tom Sheahan (Kerry South, Fine Gael)
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On the same issue, I must agree with Deputy Sherlock. The matter should be tabled before the House. The Ombudsman should be afforded the opportunity because-----
Séamus Kirk (Louth, Ceann Comhairle)
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There is an option of using Private Members' time to table it before the House.
Tom Sheahan (Kerry South, Fine Gael)
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The Ombudsman is trying for all her worth. Last week at the University of Limerick, she made a public statement criticising the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food and the Minister of the day.
Séamus Kirk (Louth, Ceann Comhairle)
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We discussed this matter last week or the week before. We cannot have a rehash of it.
Tom Sheahan (Kerry South, Fine Gael)
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The Government is muzzling and showing utter contempt for the Office of the Ombudsman.
Séamus Kirk (Louth, Ceann Comhairle)
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I must ask the Deputy to resume his seat.
Róisín Shortall (Dublin North West, Labour)
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On the same issue-----
Tom Sheahan (Kerry South, Fine Gael)
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The Ombudsman wants to make statements, but she is not being afforded the opportunity.
Róisín Shortall (Dublin North West, Labour)
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This is a serious matter. A report of a constitutional officer of the State made serious recommendations and expressed serious concerns. It is unacceptable that Government members of the agriculture committee voted to silence her. This is essentially what was done.
Róisín Shortall (Dublin North West, Labour)
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This is not a matter for Private Members' business.
Séamus Kirk (Louth, Ceann Comhairle)
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The House has committee structures to consider all of these matters.
Róisín Shortall (Dublin North West, Labour)
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This is a matter of concern to the House.
Séamus Kirk (Louth, Ceann Comhairle)
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There were statements on the issue in the House and, apparently, the committee considered it yesterday. Rehearsing it on the Order of Business is not appropriate.
Róisín Shortall (Dublin North West, Labour)
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The committee considered it and decided to block any debate. It is a serious matter of concern to both sides of the House. We would be remiss in our responsibilities if we did not pursue it any further.
Séamus Kirk (Louth, Ceann Comhairle)
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There were statements on the matter in the House and the committee considered it yesterday. If the Labour Party wishes to pursue it in the House, there is the option of Private Members' time.
Róisín Shortall (Dublin North West, Labour)
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That is completely inadequate. It is not a matter of the committee deciding anything. That its Government members decided to shut down this debate is unacceptable. We have a right to debate this issue, as serious concerns have been raised by the Ombudsman. We want a proper debate. It is in the gift of the Minister to agree-----
Séamus Kirk (Louth, Ceann Comhairle)
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It is within the Deputy's power to raise it during Private Members' time on Tuesday and Wednesday.
Róisín Shortall (Dublin North West, Labour)
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-----to refer the report to the committee. Why is the Government so afraid of a debate on the Ombudsman's report?
Michael Creed (Cork North West, Fine Gael)
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The Minister is offering.
Séamus Kirk (Louth, Ceann Comhairle)
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We have spent much time on this issue and we must move on.
Róisín Shortall (Dublin North West, Labour)
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We are asking that the report be referred to the committee.
Séamus Kirk (Louth, Ceann Comhairle)
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I ask the Deputy to resume her seat.
Róisín Shortall (Dublin North West, Labour)
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Allow the Minister to respond.
Seán Sherlock (Cork East, Labour)
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On the same issue, what goes to the heart of this matter, which is apolitical-----
Noel Dempsey (Meath West, Fianna Fail)
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To be helpful, the Government gave-----
Seán Sherlock (Cork East, Labour)
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The fact remains that, if any citizen of the State makes a complaint, he or she will have no confidence that the complaint will be heard-----
Séamus Kirk (Louth, Ceann Comhairle)
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The Minister is replying.
Seán Sherlock (Cork East, Labour)
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-----if the report is rejected.
Noel Dempsey (Meath West, Fianna Fail)
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The Government gave time to this matter in the Dáil and the Seanad and we will not provide further time. If this is such an important issue for the Opposition, it knows what it can do, that is, put it down for Private Members' business.
Michael Creed (Cork North West, Fine Gael)
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Circling the wagons and protecting Deputy Fahey.
Róisín Shortall (Dublin North West, Labour)
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Why is the Government afraid to listen to the Ombudsman?
Róisín Shortall (Dublin North West, Labour)
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It is outrageous that she is being silenced like this.
Mary Hanafin (Dún Laoghaire, Fianna Fail)
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We have discussed this already.
Séamus Kirk (Louth, Ceann Comhairle)
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Will Deputy Shortall resume her seat? We are moving on. We are on the Order of Business.
Róisín Shortall (Dublin North West, Labour)
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It is outrageous that the Government is trying to silence the Ombudsman.
Séamus Kirk (Louth, Ceann Comhairle)
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If the Deputy does not resume her seat, I will suspend the sitting.
Tom Sheahan (Kerry South, Fine Gael)
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The Government is treating the Office of the Ombudsman with contempt.
Michael Creed (Cork North West, Fine Gael)
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Circling the wagons.
James Reilly (Dublin North, Fine Gael)
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With one day to go, there is no prospect for the 300 jobs on offer at Dublin Airport. Given the mismanagement of the issue and the opportunities that the Minister for Transport and the Tánaiste overlooked through inaction or other excuses, the people of Dublin North and beyond will not forget. Given that the globalisation fund is also withdrawing support, how will these highly skilled workers maintain their skill sets? Will the Tánaiste make some provision for additional resources so as that workers can be retrained or allowed to retain their skill sets in order to maintain their certifications?
Séamus Kirk (Louth, Ceann Comhairle)
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This matter is not appropriate to the Order of Business. There are other ways in which it can be raised.
James Reilly (Dublin North, Fine Gael)
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I am alluding to the qualifications (education and training) Bill. There is not much point in having a Bill if there is no funding to go with it and to help people to retain skills they have evolved over 30 years.
Noel Dempsey (Meath West, Fianna Fail)
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That Bill will be published later this year.
Fergus O'Dowd (Louth, Fine Gael)
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Will the Minister for Transport publish the report, which his Department has, on wrongdoing in the Foynes Harbour Authority in relation to the sale of land and the hire of a boat? If he will not publish that report, will he publish the internal report on the same matter by officials of his Department?
The Road Traffic Bill 2009 is before the House. Will the Minister reverse his decision to refuse funding to the National Roads Authority for the provision of rest areas on motorways, which are essential for safety and have the full support of the Road Safety Authority and other safety organisations?
Séamus Kirk (Louth, Ceann Comhairle)
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No legislation is promised on this matter.
Brendan Howlin (Wexford, Labour)
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Has the Government considered the all-party report on the constitutional amendment on children? Is there a timeframe with regard to it, has legislation been decided upon and when will we see that legislation?
Noel Dempsey (Meath West, Fianna Fail)
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The report has not been fully considered by the Government. The matter will be discussed in the House next week and that debate will be also taken into account.
Michael D Higgins (Galway West, Labour)
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I raise three matters relating to promised legislation. First, when will the mental health Bill be published. It was originally suggested that the disposal of property might fund significant changes in mental health services. It would be proper to have the mental health Bill before us before any irrevocable decisions are taken.
Second, the biological weapons Bill, if it were passed, would enable us to sign the UN convention. The Bill seems to be very similar to the Cluster Munitions Bill so there is no reason for delay.
Third, there seems to be considerable confusion about the Údarás na Gaeltachta Bill. The Taoiseach and the Tánaiste have answered queries on the matter. The Tánaiste suggested that the Údarás na Gaeltachta Bill, which remains on the Government legislative programme, will not now proceeded. She says reachtaíocht úr, fresh legislation, will replace it. Cén stadas atá ag reachtaíocht i leith Údarás na Gaeltachta, is é sin Bille um Údarás na Gaeltachta (Leasú)? Tá amhras ar a lán daoine go mbeidh an t-údarás ag cailliúint a lán fheimhmeanna agus gurb é an toradh a bheidh air sin ná go mbeidh na gaeltachtaí uilig thíos leis.
Noel Dempsey (Meath West, Fianna Fail)
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We expect the heads of the mental health Bill this year. The Minister of State with responsibility for mental health made announcements about funding for that area earlier this week. The heads of the biological weapons Bill have been cleared and we expect it to be taken during the course of this year. There is no final date for the Údarás na Gaeltachta Bill. It is dependent on the draft strategy, which is before the Joint Committee on Arts, Sports, Tourism, Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs. When consultations are completed we will be in a better position to give a timeframe.
Michael D Higgins (Galway West, Labour)
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In the consultation process an údarás na Gaeilge Bill is being considered. I have been taking part in the consultations myself. What is listed in the legislative programme is a Bille um Údarás na Gaeltachta (Leasú). People are asking if it is the Government's intention to have an údarás na Gaeilge chomh maith le hÚdarás na Gaeltachta. Has the Údarás na Gaeltachta Bill been withdrawn from the Government's legislative programme? I do not wish to misconstrue anything said by the Tánaiste or the Taoiseach but I understood the Tánaiste to say, explicitly, that the Údarás na Gaeltachta Bill was gone and that there was now to be reachtaíocht úr.
This is important for the existing functions of Údarás na Gaeltacht with regard to employment, services, cultural activities and so forth. Clarification would be useful.
Noel Dempsey (Meath West, Fianna Fail)
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I will get clarification for Deputy Higgins. It is my understanding that the Údarás na Gaeltachta Bill must be considered in the context of the ongoing discussion of the 20 year strategy. Some measures in the Bill must be considered in the context of that strategy. That is why decisions are not finalised with regard to it. I will clarify the matter for the Deputy.
David Stanton (Cork East, Fine Gael)
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The Minister for Transport has a personal interest in motion No. 80 on the Order Paper of Tuesday, 23 February, which deals with Dáil reform. Three of the Ministers present today are members of the Government's Dáil reform committee, which met last May. Will the Government give time to discuss this motion, which proposes that a supplementary question be allowed on the Adjournment Debate? Will the Government make progress on Dáil reform? The Joint Committee on the Constitution will meet next week but nothing has come from Government, despite the Chief Whip's best efforts. This has become a national joke. What is the Government's position on Dáil reform and on this motion?
Noel Dempsey (Meath West, Fianna Fail)
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I am not sure this refers to promised legislation. However, I am very much in favour of Dáil reform and was active in this area when I was Chief Whip, as were my colleagues to my left at various times. I am not in favour of piecemeal reform. I would prefer to put a full package before the House.
Róisín Shortall (Dublin North West, Labour)
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We have been hearing this for 15 years.
David Stanton (Cork East, Fine Gael)
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When will that package be forthcoming?
Noel Dempsey (Meath West, Fianna Fail)
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I know, from my time as a Whip, that it is not a good idea for governments to decide to reform the Dáil because they would not get co-operation from the Opposition. It takes two to tango.
Róisín Shortall (Dublin North West, Labour)
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The Government has unilaterally decided not to reform the Dáil.
David Stanton (Cork East, Fine Gael)
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We have tangoed but we have no dancing partner. The Government is not on the dance floor. Will the Government join the Opposition in a debate on this matter? We might then make some progress.
Eamon Gilmore (Dún Laoghaire, Labour)
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I refer to the Minister's reply to the issue raised by Deputy Sherlock, which is the Government's handling of the lost at sea report.
Séamus Kirk (Louth, Ceann Comhairle)
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That matter can be raised in Private Members' Time
Eamon Gilmore (Dún Laoghaire, Labour)
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The Ombudsman sent a report to the Oireachtas and we have a role with regard to the Ombudsman's reports.
Michael D Higgins (Galway West, Labour)
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The report was placed before the Oireachtas.
Eamon Gilmore (Dún Laoghaire, Labour)
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The Ombudsman said she made a recommendation which was rejected by a Department. This is highly unusual. It happened on only one previous occasion, when the issue was resolved by an Oireachtas committee. We ask that the same procedure apply and that the matter be dealt with by the Joint Committee on Agriculture, Fisheries and Food. For some reason, the Government does not want that to be done.
The Minister for Transport suggested that the Opposition move the motion in Private Members' Time. If we do that the issue, inevitably, will be politicised and that is not in anyone's interest. I ask the Minister to reconsider my request. A motion in the name of Deputy Seán Sherlock proposes that the matter be referred to the Joint Committee on Agriculture, Fisheries and Food. I ask the Government to reconsider its position on this motion. I will raise this matter again next week. If the Government does not accede to our request the issue will become a partisan one.
Séamus Kirk (Louth, Ceann Comhairle)
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A reply was given to this question earlier. We may park it for the moment.
Enda Kenny (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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The Minister said clearly on behalf of the Government that we would not have time here. Does he object to the committee dealing with it?
Séamus Kirk (Louth, Ceann Comhairle)
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The committee orders its own business.
Enda Kenny (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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Does the Minister object to that?
Noel Dempsey (Meath West, Fianna Fail)
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The committee orders its business and not the Government.
Enda Kenny (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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The Minister is speaking on behalf of the Government. Does he have any objection if the committee decides to deal with this matter in committee?
Séamus Kirk (Louth, Ceann Comhairle)
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It is a matter for the committee to decide.
Enda Kenny (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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I would like a "Yes" or "No" answer.
Enda Kenny (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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Does the Minister have any objection to the committee dealing with it?
Noel Dempsey (Meath West, Fianna Fail)
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Is Deputy Kenny finished?
Noel Dempsey (Meath West, Fianna Fail)
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Then he should sit down.
Enda Kenny (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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I will. The Minister should answer the question.
Séamus Kirk (Louth, Ceann Comhairle)
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The committee can debate the matter itself. I call Deputy Kathleen Lynch.
Enda Kenny (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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The Minister said categorically that the Government would not provide time here. Does he object-----
Séamus Kirk (Louth, Ceann Comhairle)
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Deputy Kenny has the option of Private Members' time.
Enda Kenny (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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That is a farce and the Ceann Comhairle knows it. All I want to know from the Minister is whether he would object if the committee decides to deal with this.
Noel Dempsey (Meath West, Fianna Fail)
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It is not for the Government to make any decisions in regard to committees or to make its views known about that kind of thing.
Enda Kenny (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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The Minister cannot answer "Yes" or "No". That is where the cover up is.
Kathleen Lynch (Cork North Central, Labour)
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In view of the number of special needs assistant being let go, when we will see the reintroduction of the Education for Persons with Special Educational Needs Act, which deals with education for children with special needs? It was suspended two budgets ago and as a result-----
Kathleen Lynch (Cork North Central, Labour)
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Is the Government promising to reintroduce that legislation?
Séamus Kirk (Louth, Ceann Comhairle)
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Is the Deputy inquiring about promised legislation? Is legislation promised?