Mary Coughlan (Donegal South West, Fianna Fail)
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It is proposed to take No. 9d, motions re Standing Orders 39, 116 and 117; Nos. 10 - 28, inclusive, motions re proposed approval by Dáil Éireann of taxation agreements - back from committee; No. 29 - motion re proposed approval by Dáil Éireann of the Horse and Greyhound Racing Fund (No. 2) Regulations 2010 - back from committee; No. b5 - Appropriation Bill 2010 - Order for Second Stage and Second and Subsequent Stages; No. 1 - Public Health (Tobacco) (Amendment) Bill 2010 [Seanad] - Second and Subsequent Stages; No. 41 - Student Support Bill 2008 - Order for Report, Report and Final Stages; and No. 41a - statements on the carbon budget.

It is proposed, notwithstanding anything in Standing Orders, that the Dáil shall sit later than 4.45 p.m. today and business shall be interrupted not later than 5.50 p.m; Nos. 9d, Nos.10-28, inclusive, and No. 29 shall be decided without debate and in the case of Nos. 10–28, inclusive, shall be moved together and decided by one question which shall be put from the Chair; No. b5 shall be taken today and the Second and Subsequent Stages shall be decided without debate by one question which shall be put from the Chair and which shall, in relation to amendments, include only those set down or accepted by the Minister for Finance; the Second and Subsequent Stages of No. 1 shall be taken today and the following arrangements shall apply: the proceedings on Second Stage shall, if not previously concluded, be brought to a conclusion at 1.30 p.m., the opening speech of the Minister or Minister of State and of the main spokespersons for Fine Gael, the Labour Party and the Technical Group, who shall be called upon in that order, shall not exceed 15 minutes in each case, the speech of each other Member called upon shall not exceed ten minutes in each case, Members may share time and the Minister or Minister of State shall be called upon to make a speech in reply which shall not exceed ten minutes; the proceedings on Committee and Remaining Stages shall, if not previously concluded, be brought to a conclusion at 2 p.m. today by one question which shall be put from the Chair and which shall, in relation to amendments, include only those set down or accepted by the Minister for Health and Children; the Report and Final Stages of No. 41 shall be taken today and the proceedings thereon shall, if not previously concluded, be brought to a conclusion at 3.30 p.m. by one question which shall be put from the Chair and which shall, in relation to amendments, include only those set down or accepted by the Tánaiste and Minister for Education and Skills; the proceedings on No. 41a shall, if not previously concluded, be brought to a conclusion after 65 minutes and the following arrangements shall apply: the statements shall be confined to a Minister or Minister of State and to the main spokespersons for Fine Gael, the Labour Party and the Technical Group, who shall be called upon in that order, who may share their time and which shall not exceed 15 minutes in each case, and a Minister or Minister of State shall be called upon to make a statement in reply which shall not exceed five minutes; and the Dáil on its rising today shall adjourn until 2.30 p.m. on Wednesday, 12 January, 2011.

Séamus Kirk (Louth, Ceann Comhairle)
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I wish to advise the House about the proposals which will be put in sequence. There are seven proposals to be put to the House today. Is the proposal that the Dáil shall sit later than 4.45 p.m. today agreed? Agreed.

James Reilly (Dublin North, Fine Gael)
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We object to business ending today in the spirit of co-operation with the coalition partner which is keen to get a lot of legislation passed before it goes to the country as it promised in January. The rest of the country will be working next week. We are prepared to do so to help pass legislation and discuss and debate it, and return early in January in order that at the end of January our Green Party colleagues in government will be able to keep their word to the people of this country and have an election in February.

Séamus Kirk (Louth, Ceann Comhairle)
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Deputy, that is the last proposal with which we will be dealing.

James Reilly (Dublin North, Fine Gael)
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Another proposal with which I want to disagree is that dealing with the Appropriation Bill. This is an area which tidies up the budget for the year.

Séamus Kirk (Louth, Ceann Comhairle)
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That will be No. 3.

James Reilly (Dublin North, Fine Gael)
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I will speak now and get it out of the way. The Tánaiste is also the Minister for Education and Skills, yet we are told €300 million remains unspent in her allocation to build schools. People in north Dublin and all around the country have been waiting for new schools. We do not have an opportunity to discuss this matter under the Appropriation Bill which we should be able to do.

Séamus Kirk (Louth, Ceann Comhairle)
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Other times are much more appropriate for those sentiments.

James Reilly (Dublin North, Fine Gael)
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That is just one example of the Appropriation Bill-----

Séamus Kirk (Louth, Ceann Comhairle)
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It is not a matter for the Order of Business.

James Reilly (Dublin North, Fine Gael)
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There is no discussion or debate. I do not want to be at variance with the Ceann Comhairle but he said this matter would be more appropriate for another debate. We are not having a debate on the Appropriation Bill and that is why we are objecting to the proposal.

Eamon Gilmore (Dún Laoghaire, Labour)
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I want to ask the Tánaiste for some information which will determine how the Labour Party will address the seven proposals on which we have to vote. The Government proposes to go into recess today and return on 12 January. On 22 November, the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government, Deputy John Gormley, said his party, "have now reached a point where the Irish people need political certainty to take them beyond the coming two months. So, we believe it is time to fix a date for a general election in the second half of January 2011".

In response to that, the Taoiseach said:

It is my intention at the conclusion of this budgetary process, with the enactment of the necessary legislation in the new year, to then seek a dissolution of Dáil Éireann and to enable the people to determine who should undertake the responsibilities of government in the challenging period ahead.

I want to ask the Tánaiste some questions arising from that. When will the finance Bill be published? What is the Government's intention with regard to its enactment? It would not be unreasonable for a period of approximately two weeks to be taken for the consideration and enactment of the finance Bill. The Tánaiste has said the Dáil will return on 12 January next. If approximately two weeks were taken to deal with the finance Bill, following which the Dáil were dissolved and a date set for a general election-----

Séamus Kirk (Louth, Ceann Comhairle)
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It might be better to make that inquiry when we come back on 12 January 2011.

Eamon Gilmore (Dún Laoghaire, Labour)
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I am nearly finished.

Kathleen Lynch (Cork North Central, Labour)
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The Ceann Comhairle is wishing his life away.

Eamon Gilmore (Dún Laoghaire, Labour)
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I sometimes feel that you are on a timer, a Cheann Comhairle.

Timmy Dooley (Clare, Fianna Fail)
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I sometimes think the Deputy is on a Duracell battery.

Eamon Gilmore (Dún Laoghaire, Labour)
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It seems that regardless of what I say, the Chair interrupts 19 seconds after I started.

Séamus Kirk (Louth, Ceann Comhairle)
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The loquaciousness is the problem.

Eamon Gilmore (Dún Laoghaire, Labour)
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I promise I have almost finished the point I am making.

Seán Power (Kildare South, Fianna Fail)
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There is not much Christmas cheer in the Chamber.

Finian McGrath (Dublin North Central, Independent)
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Perhaps that has something to do with last night's opinion poll.

Eamon Gilmore (Dún Laoghaire, Labour)
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With the exception of the members of the Government, perhaps, everybody agrees that the country needs certainty, stability and the election of a strong and stable Government. It is neither desirable nor in the country's interests for that process to be prolonged. Can the Tánaiste give the House the date for the publication of the finance Bill? How long is it intended to spend considering the finance Bill in the House? What is the date on which it is intended to dissolve the Dáil? The answers to those questions will determine how we respond to the various issues that are before us today.

Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin (Cavan-Monaghan, Sinn Fein)
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On the same issue, there is no point in asking the Tánaiste to-----

Séamus Kirk (Louth, Ceann Comhairle)
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With all the brevity the Deputy can muster.

Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin (Cavan-Monaghan, Sinn Fein)
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I think I got three words out there.

Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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He coughed as well once.

Finian McGrath (Dublin North Central, Independent)
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The Chair should not hassle members of the Technical Group.

Dinny McGinley (Donegal South West, Fine Gael)
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The Deputy is known for his brevity.

Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin (Cavan-Monaghan, Sinn Fein)
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The Sinn Féin Deputies would like clarification on the legislation other than the finance Bill that the Government intends to bring before the House before it finally pulls the plug and goes to the park. Deputy Gilmore referred to last month's announcement by the leader of the Green Party, the Minister, Deputy John Gormley, that his party intended to leave government to facilitate a general election in the latter half of January.

Pádraic McCormack (Galway West, Fine Gael)
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They have gone back on that now.

Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin (Cavan-Monaghan, Sinn Fein)
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It was revealed this morning that more than 50% of the appointments to State boards that have been made since last month's announcement were made by the Minister, Deputy Gormley. It is indicative of the closing days of an unravelling coalition.

Pádraic McCormack (Galway West, Fine Gael)
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We are green with envy.

Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin (Cavan-Monaghan, Sinn Fein)
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Is any legislation under consideration to address unacceptable practices and corruption in high office? According to this morning's The Irish Times, there are 300 appointments to be made in the coming months.

Seán Barrett (Dún Laoghaire, Fine Gael)
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They must not have time to do anything else.

Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin (Cavan-Monaghan, Sinn Fein)
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It is quite incredible.

Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
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It is some record of standards.

Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin (Cavan-Monaghan, Sinn Fein)
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It fuels the uncertainty that is clearly in evidence across Irish society. We are asking for certainty across the board. The Tánaiste's answers will determine how we will respond to the Order Paper proposals.

Mary Coughlan (Donegal South West, Fianna Fail)
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I am not in a position to say when the finance Bill will be published. It is being worked on by the Minister and the officials in the Department. It will be brought before the Cabinet and published thereafter. I appreciate that all Members of the House would like to know what the date for the general election will be. Perhaps the people are not as enthusiastic about it.

Brendan Howlin (Wexford, Labour)
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They are.

Seán Barrett (Dún Laoghaire, Fine Gael)
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They cannot wait.

Mary Coughlan (Donegal South West, Fianna Fail)
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Having said that, it is a matter for the Taoiseach.

Paul Kehoe (Wexford, Fine Gael)
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The Tánaiste has learnt nothing from the by-election in Donegal.

Mary Coughlan (Donegal South West, Fianna Fail)
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When the Taoiseach has made his decision, he will let us all know.

Billy Kelleher (Cork North Central, Fianna Fail)
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The Labour Party is hoping we will hurry up because it is going down as well.

Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin (Cavan-Monaghan, Sinn Fein)
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I have a question, a Cheann Comhairle.

Séamus Kirk (Louth, Ceann Comhairle)
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The Deputy cannot come in a second time.

Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin (Cavan-Monaghan, Sinn Fein)
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The Tánaiste did not reply.

Michael Ring (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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The Government should give the country the greatest Christmas present and new year present by walking out of the Dáil and going to the country. We are sick of them.

Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin (Cavan-Monaghan, Sinn Fein)
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What other legislation-----

Michael Ring (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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They have the people of this country terrorised. They need to get out and go home.

Michael Ahern (Cork East, Fianna Fail)
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Calm down, Michael.

Michael Ring (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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Get out.

Séamus Kirk (Louth, Ceann Comhairle)
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This is what happens.

Michael Ring (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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Get out and go home.

Séamus Kirk (Louth, Ceann Comhairle)
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Is the proposal that the Dáil should sit later than 4.45 p.m. agreed? Agreed. Is the proposal for dealing with No. 9d, Nos. 10 to 28, inclusive, and No. 29 agreed to?

Mary Upton (Dublin South Central, Labour)
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It is not agreed. The proposal under No. 29 to allocate approximately €26 million to the Horse and Greyhound Racing Fund from the general Exchequer is totally unacceptable in the current climate. At a time when we are taking money from carers and cutting the minimum wage, it is not acceptable to provide so much money to the horse and greyhound industry. I accept that the industry is important and provides jobs that are needed. There was an opportunity for the Government to capture tax from online betting.

Bobby Aylward (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fianna Fail)
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Some 27,500 jobs are at stake.

Joan Burton (Dublin West, Labour)
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Deputy Upton is trying to get more money for the State.

Mary Upton (Dublin South Central, Labour)
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I am making the point that no effort is being made to capture tax that can be captured. That is the basis of my opposition to this measure.

Mary Coughlan (Donegal South West, Fianna Fail)
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Legislation on this issue is being prepared.

Andrew Doyle (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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On the same issue-----

Séamus Kirk (Louth, Ceann Comhairle)
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Very briefly.

Andrew Doyle (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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When this matter was considered by the Joint Committee on Agriculture, Fisheries and Food yesterday, the Minister made the case that €57.3 million, €26 million of it from the Exchequer, is needed. We were in the very same position last year. The reality is that a similar amount in excise duty was taken from the betting industry in 2000. It has since decreased to €31 million. It is going in reverse, instead of forward.

Emmet Stagg (Kildare North, Labour)
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That is right.

Andrew Doyle (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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We have an opportunity to acquire plenty of money to fund this industry by imposing a minimal rate. We believe the matter should be debated in the House.

Seán Barrett (Dún Laoghaire, Fine Gael)
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Hear, hear.

Andrew Doyle (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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This time next year, we should not be in the same position of asking the public Exchequer to pony up, if Members will pardon the pun.

Timmy Dooley (Clare, Fianna Fail)
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Fine Gael is permanently-----

Séamus Kirk (Louth, Ceann Comhairle)
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Deputy Doyle should conclude.

Andrew Doyle (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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Absolutely. On that basis, we want a debate on this issue.

Mary Coughlan (Donegal South West, Fianna Fail)
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I am aware that this matter was discussed by the joint committee. It is important to point out that 27,500 people in this country rely on this industry and the ancillary sectors.

John Cregan (Limerick West, Fianna Fail)
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Hear, hear.

Bobby Aylward (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fianna Fail)
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Hear, hear.

Andrew Doyle (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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Nobody is arguing with that. Hold on a second now.

Emmet Stagg (Kildare North, Labour)
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That is not the issue. Why does the Government not fund it properly?

John Cregan (Limerick West, Fianna Fail)
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Let her speak.

Mary Coughlan (Donegal South West, Fianna Fail)
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The Minister agrees with the view of Opposition Members that we need to provide legislation.

Mary Upton (Dublin South Central, Labour)
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We need an online betting tax.

Emmet Stagg (Kildare North, Labour)
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We would have an extra €30 million in the kitty.

Mary Coughlan (Donegal South West, Fianna Fail)
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The Minister is of the view that legislation has to be introduced. It was mentioned in the Budget Statement.

Emmet Stagg (Kildare North, Labour)
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We have told the Government how to find the money.

John Cregan (Limerick West, Fianna Fail)
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Let her speak.

Mary Coughlan (Donegal South West, Fianna Fail)
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That legislation will be brought forward in the new year.

Séamus Kirk (Louth, Ceann Comhairle)
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Is the proposal for dealing with No. 9d, Nos. 10 to 28, inclusive, and No. 29 agreed to? Agreed. Is the proposal for dealing with No. b5 agreed to?

James Reilly (Dublin North, Fine Gael)
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It is not agreed. I have outlined why we are opposed to this proposal. We are not getting any chance to debate it. This country needs a great deal of money to run its services. I mentioned earlier that money provided for schools, to give just one instance, has not been spent. It is not right that the parliament of a country that is in such dire financial straits should rush through legislation of this nature without debating it. Deputies should have a chance to inspect where money has been spent and make comments on it.

Seán Barrett (Dún Laoghaire, Fine Gael)
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Hear, hear.

James Reilly (Dublin North, Fine Gael)
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If we do not examine what we did in 2010, and if we do not have an opportunity to debate and understand it, how in the name of God can we plan for 2011 in any real sense? This is why the country is in the state it is in.

Joan Burton (Dublin West, Labour)
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In light of this country's very bad financial crisis, it is foolish of the Government to deny the Dáil an opportunity to debate what has happened with the people's money during the year. We should discuss what has been spent and what remains unspent. In the latter case, given that we badly need to stimulate job creation-----

John Cregan (Limerick West, Fianna Fail)
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The Deputy's colleague just spoke against an industry that provides 27,500 jobs.

Joan Burton (Dublin West, Labour)
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Leaving money-----

John Cregan (Limerick West, Fianna Fail)
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There are 27,500 jobs in the game against the Deputy.

Joan Burton (Dublin West, Labour)
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Exactly, and twice that number of jobs could have been created if the people on your side had put a proper funding scheme in place.

Séamus Kirk (Louth, Ceann Comhairle)
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Engage with the Chair rather than across the floor, please.

Joan Burton (Dublin West, Labour)
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If the people on the Deputy's side had put in a proper funding scheme, we could have even more jobs in that industry. Do not worry, when there is a change of Government we will look after that. Just watch.

Joan Burton (Dublin West, Labour)
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Some of those guys have been letting the hare sit for far too long over there now, so let them not lecture us.

Dermot Ahern (Louth, Fianna Fail)
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She has obviously been reading this morning's Phoenix.

Séamus Kirk (Louth, Ceann Comhairle)
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Let us continue on the Appropriation Bill.

Joan Burton (Dublin West, Labour)
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Does the Tánaiste believe, in terms of the sacrifices people are making, that it is good enough of Dáil Éireann not to debate or comment on what has happened to the money taxpayers and citizens have contributed to run the country? This is a fundamental question about democracy. We object to this Government railroading the Appropriation Bill through in this format. It is just not good democracy.

Seán Barrett (Dún Laoghaire, Fine Gael)
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On a point of order, a Cheann Comhairle, when was democracy abolished here?

Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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That is why we are as we are.

Séamus Kirk (Louth, Ceann Comhairle)
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I call Deputy Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin.

Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin (Cavan-Monaghan, Sinn Fein)
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In recent years this Bill has gone through without debate, but my understanding is that years before, the Appropriation Bill was the basis for debate in the House and for more serious consideration. Somehow along the way Governments since 1997 have allowed the situation to develop whereby there is no debate.

We have objected to this on several occasions, but these are very different times. It should be debated in any event, but in straitened times such as these there is a responsibility on this Chamber to address what is involved here, to look at what is being set aside in the different Departments, what is not being employed and used and what is proposed to be put back into the Central Fund. This is something on which we should have the opportunity to express an opinion and we should try to influence the decisions of Government and the various Departments. I commend the earlier practice of this House in addressing Appropriation Bills and I hope the Government accepts that proposal.

Mary Coughlan (Donegal South West, Fianna Fail)
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I am pressing the proposal.

Séamus Kirk (Louth, Ceann Comhairle)
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Is the proposal for dealing with No. 1, Second and Subsequent Stages of the Public Health (Tobacco) (Amendment) Bill 2010 [Seanad] agreed to? Agreed.

Is the proposal for dealing with No. 41, Order for Report, Report and Final Stages of the Student Support Bill 2008 agreed to? Agreed.

Is the proposal for dealing with No. 41a, statements on the carbon budget agreed to? Agreed.

Is the proposal that the Dáil on its rising today shall adjourn until 2.30 p.m. on Wednesday, 12 January 2011 agreed to?

James Reilly (Dublin North, Fine Gael)
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It is not agreed.

Séamus Kirk (Louth, Ceann Comhairle)
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I call Deputy Reilly on a brief observation.

James Reilly (Dublin North, Fine Gael)
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It will be a brief observation. The Green Party is keen to ensure particular legislation is dealt with before it leaves Government. The party has stated its clear intention to call an election in late January, in respect of which we on this side of the House wish to facilitate it. I believe the country needs a new Government and the sooner this happens, the sooner this country can start the recovery process.

A Deputy:

Hear, hear.

Timmy Dooley (Clare, Fianna Fail)
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God help us.

Shane McEntee (Meath East, Fine Gael)
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We have plenty of patients.

James Reilly (Dublin North, Fine Gael)
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We recently learned of bonuses to be paid to bankers and of cuts to carers' allowances. The sooner the better this Government, which has lost its moral compass, leaves this House and goes to the country and allows the people to elect a new Government with a mandate to represent them here and in Europe.

James Reilly (Dublin North, Fine Gael)
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Everyone in the country who is fortunate to have a job will be working next week. I see no reason this House cannot continue its work next week and resume early in the new year.

Eamon Gilmore (Dún Laoghaire, Labour)
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In normal circumstances, the proposal before the House would be acceptable. However, there are a number of reasons it is not acceptable. We are not in normal circumstances. The Taoiseach is attending the EU summit this weekend. It is normal when there is a summit that the Taoiseach comes back and reports to the House and we have a debate on what has happened. I believe at a minimum there should be an opportunity for that next week. It is important that it should happen because the matters under consideration at the summit include the economic situation and the financial crisis in Europe, the risks to the euro and a proposal which is being introduced by the Council President for an amendment to the Lisbon treaty. It is not acceptable that we have to wait until mid-January before the House can consider the outcome of this important European Council meeting. The House should return next week at least for a day to hear and consider the Taoiseach's report from the summit.

I asked the Tánaiste earlier for clarity about the Government's intentions with regard to the publication of, and the debate on, the finance Bill and the dissolution of the Dáil. We had a clear statement in November from the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government where he said that "...we have now reached a point where the Irish people need political certainty to take them beyond the coming months. So, we believe it is time to fix a date for a general election in the second half of January 2011". I agree with that and it would not be unreasonable that we come back on 12 January; that the finance Bill is published in advance of our return; that we take two weeks to debate and deal with it; and, in line with the commitment the Minister gave to the Irish people, that the Dáil is dissolved by the end of January and we have the general election to provide political certainty for the time ahead.

If we come back here on 12 January and we are not in a position to know that we have two weeks to deal with the finance Bill and that the Dáil will be dissolved at the end of January, this party intends to put the issue to the test in the House as to how much longer this Government intends to drag out the holding of a general election, which the people of the country are seeking and which the country needs.

Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin (Cavan-Monaghan, Sinn Fein)
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I do not believe for a moment it is beyond the gift of the Government parties to introduce the finance Bill with immediate effect. They can respond as they please in terms of moving legislation forward to suit the moment and their own interest and that process should commence immediately. The citizenry should not have the agony that has been visited on them prolonged. The stress and strain is clearly in evidence between the Government parties and their misery should not be prolonged longer than is necessary. Everything should be brought forward in order that we can bring the 30th Dáil to the earliest conclusion possible. Accordingly, we should get on with that process in the coming week to give some measure of hope to the people this Christmas.

Mary Coughlan (Donegal South West, Fianna Fail)
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The previous proposal was that the House would return on 19 January 2011. It was decided the House would resume on 12 January, which is much earlier than in previous years. We have had a considerable number of sittings and a considerable number of Bills have been introduced and dealt with by the House.

Ruairi Quinn (Dublin South East, Labour)
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Our duty is to hold the Government to account.

Mary Coughlan (Donegal South West, Fianna Fail)
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I appreciate once again that the leader of the Labour Party is anxious to know when he will be Taoiseach.

Emmet Stagg (Kildare North, Labour)
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The Tánaiste will to have wait a lot longer.

Billy Kelleher (Cork North Central, Fianna Fail)
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The Labour Party is going down in the polls as well.

Mary Coughlan (Donegal South West, Fianna Fail)
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However, he will have to wait until the Taoiseach decides when the dissolution of the Dáil will take place. There might be other syngergies to be addressed in the meantime to decide who will be standing in his place.

It would be erroneous for people to think that any Member of this House will not be working next week. Every Member has always performed his or her duties and has always worked up to the last minute. Equally, the Government will be at work next week.

Séamus Kirk (Louth, Ceann Comhairle)
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Now that the House has decided it will adjourn today for Christmas, I take this opportunity to wish all the Members of the House, their families and the staff of the Houses of the Oireachtas a happy and peaceful Christmas. I also wish all the Members a successful and probably eventful 2011.

Mary Coughlan (Donegal South West, Fianna Fail)
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A Cheann Comhairle, on behalf of the Government I thank you and your staff for your work during the year. I also wish well the staff of the Houses, who are not often appreciated. When we finish in this Chamber they continue working to complete what takes place in the House. I wish all Members of the House a happy Christmas. There has been a considerable and long period of discussion since we returned after the summer recess and each Member of the House deserves to be afforded the opportunity to have some time off with their families. Ba mhaith liom ar son an Rialtais Nollaig shona agus bliain úr faoi mhaise a thabhairt do gach duine anseo.

James Reilly (Dublin North, Fine Gael)
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I join the Tánaiste in her comments to you, a Cheann Comhairle. I thank the ushers, the staff in the restaurant and staff throughout Leinster House. I also thank those who have retired this year, especially the head usher, Mr. Shay Byrne. I thank members of the media and wish them a happy Christmas and all the political staff, particularly the Fine Gael Party staff. I thank and wish all our Deputies a happy Christmas and, as the Ceann Comhairle put it, an eventful new year. I also wish you, a Cheann Comhairle, a happy Christmas.

Special mention should be made of public sector workers who will be working hard in trying circumstances over the Christmas to keep us safe and well and to keep our services running. I wish them well. I should also mention all the families who are finding this time of the year so difficult, particularly financially, and those who have lost loved ones. I wish all our citizens a happy Christmas and a bright new year, with the new hope a new year and a new Government can bring. We all look forward to a brighter future for our people.

Eamon Gilmore (Dún Laoghaire, Labour)
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I join the Tánaiste and the deputy leader of Fine Gael in wishing you, a Cheann Comhairle, and all the Members of the Houses a happy Christmas and new year. I include in that wish the staff of the Houses at every level who work so diligently and helpfully with the Members, the political staff of all the political parties and of the Members who work with us, the media who cover the proceedings of the House and everybody who frequents the Houses. I agree with Deputy Reilly that at this time of the year our public services are repeatedly called upon. Consider the people who are out in the middle of the night gritting the roads, people repairing power lines and the people who keep this country going. Many of them will be working in the public services throughout the Christmas period to ensure everybody can enjoy it. It is appropriate that we remember the work they are doing.

I wish the country a fresh start in the new year and I hope the Government will accommodate that by facilitating an election as early as possible. In saying it will have an election in the new year I hope the Government means the new year according to our calendar and that it will not revert to the Chinese calendar-----

Ciarán Cuffe (Dún Laoghaire, Green Party)
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The Russian calendar.

Eamon Gilmore (Dún Laoghaire, Labour)
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-----and hold it at a later stage. I wish everybody the best for the season.

Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin (Cavan-Monaghan, Sinn Fein)
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I extend Christmas greetings to you, a Cheann Comhairle, the Members of the Dáil and Seanad and their families, the Clerk of the Dáil, the staff, the ushers and to all who help to make this institution function each day. I also extend season's greetings to the political correspondents who attend and report on the proceedings here each day. I join my colleagues in wishing everyone a happy Christmas because it is deserved by everybody. I am conscious that, regrettably, not everyone is likely to have a happy Christmas so we are mindful of those at the coal face and their important work helping those most in need and facing difficulties at this time. I am also conscious that many young people will not be here for Christmas with their families, perhaps for the first time, as a result of having to emigrate over the past 12 months. Those who will not be able to return include the undocumented Irish in the United States and those in other parts of the world who cannot afford to travel home to be with their families.

I join the two Opposition Members in hoping that 2011 will see a new start politically for this Chamber. A new beginning will, please God, offer new hope and opportunity for our people, which they are desperately in need of at this time.

Ciarán Cuffe (Dún Laoghaire, Green Party)
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On behalf of the Green Party I wish all Members and staff the best for the holiday season. There have been moments during this year when, for many of us, our health and sanity have been compromised, indeed threatened, by the occupational challenges in the Oireachtas. However, the holiday season is a time to try to rediscover the work, life and family balance that is often so lacking in the lives of those who are Members of the Oireachtas. On behalf of the Green Party, I would like to reach out to all those who work in the environs of Leinster House, as well as to Irish people at home and abroad, and wish them a restful and relaxing holiday period. I hope they have the time to savour that with their families and communities.

Kathleen Lynch (Cork North Central, Labour)
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It is just over a month since the Irish Human Rights Commission reported on the Magdalene laundries issue, and its findings were significant. Does the Tánaiste have any plans to put in place an investigation or to respond in any way to the Irish Human Rights Commission's report on the Magdalene laundries? We are talking about a small community here-----

Séamus Kirk (Louth, Ceann Comhairle)
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This might be more appropriate to the line Minister.

Kathleen Lynch (Cork North Central, Labour)
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I am quite in order. This is a small, ageing community and we are unlikely to see it occur in our lifetime. They are desperately waiting to see if the Government will react and apologise for the great wrong that was done to them.

Joe Costello (Dublin Central, Labour)
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The last time this was raised in the Dáil, the Taoiseach stated that the matters raised by the Irish Human Rights Commission were being referred to the Attorney General for his opinion on the redress scheme and so on. Has there been a determination by the Attorney General?

Séamus Kirk (Louth, Ceann Comhairle)
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You are looking for detail on the Order of Business. That is not appropriate.

Joe Costello (Dublin Central, Labour)
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There is a parallel issue in respect of Bethany Home and I am not sure whether that has been done.

The female genital mutilation Bill was promised before the end of this year, but it does not appear there will be enough time to take it. Will it be published?

Mary Coughlan (Donegal South West, Fianna Fail)
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Yes. The Minister for Health and Children intends to publish it during the session. I am not aware of the Attorney General's views on the other issue, but we will get an update for the Deputies.

James Reilly (Dublin North, Fine Gael)
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I would like to raise an issue that was before the House in respect of public appointments to State boards. We read in the newspapers today that 291 appointments are due to be made to State boards before the end of February. Some 93 are to be made by the Minister for Health and Children, 33 by the Minister for Enterprise Trade and Innovation, and 31 by the Tánaiste.

Séamus Kirk (Louth, Ceann Comhairle)
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Another time might be much more appropriate for this inquiry.

James Reilly (Dublin North, Fine Gael)
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Some 35 appointments have been made since the Green Party announcement on 22 November that it was leaving the Government and 20 of these have been made by that party, which is over 60%. Is this the Green Party's idea of a job strategy?

Deputy Varadkar put forward a Bill in the past which was not accepted by this House but which I believe should come before the House again. I wonder where it is on the Order Paper. The Deputy has a Private Members' motion down for the first week back in January. The solution is that all appointments should be advertised, all appointments should be screened by the relevant Oireachtas committee as set out in our "New Politics" document by Deputy Hogan, and all appointments should be made on the basis of merit and ability. They should not be made on the basis of what the previous Taoiseach said, which was that he did not appoint them because they gave him money, but because they were his friends. This is an outrageous way to run a country and is part of the reason we are in the mess we find ourselves.

Séamus Kirk (Louth, Ceann Comhairle)
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This is the last Order of Business for 2010. Brevity would be very helpful.

James Reilly (Dublin North, Fine Gael)
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We are passing legislation on climate change and other issues, yet there is an indemnity Bill in the hands of the Government, which I put forward and which was agreed by the Minister for Health and Children, that would protect patients against rogue doctors who would practice in this country without insurance. It is a simple Bill. It confers protection on patients. There are only a few doctors involved, as the vast majority of doctors in this country are insured. This is for the rogues, because one doctor can do a lot of damage.

Mary Coughlan (Donegal South West, Fianna Fail)
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There is promised legislation, but no date.

Leo Varadkar (Dublin West, Fine Gael)
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I would like to reiterate what Deputy Reilly said. There is a motion on the Order Paper which I published last week and which deals with the issue of public appointments. There are more than 400 to be made before the Government ends its term in February, including some very important positions on State companies like the ESB, Bord Gáis and Coillte, and very powerful positions like An Bord Pleanála and ComReg.

The Green Party seems to have put great store by certain legislation. It wants to get the corporate donations Bill through-----

Séamus Kirk (Louth, Ceann Comhairle)
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There is no business promised in this area.

Leo Varadkar (Dublin West, Fine Gael)
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It also wants to get the noise Bill through, but there seems to be no plan to get through legislation on public appointments. It is the plan of the Green Party and Fianna Fáil to stuff as many State boards as possible with their supporters before they leave office.

Séamus Kirk (Louth, Ceann Comhairle)
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We have no promised business on this.

Leo Varadkar (Dublin West, Fine Gael)
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I ask the Tánaiste to advise me-----

Mary Coughlan (Donegal South West, Fianna Fail)
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It is Private Members' business and is, therefore, a matter for the Deputy himself.

Leo Varadkar (Dublin West, Fine Gael)
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-----if we can take that motion first thing in the new year. Will Government time be allowed for it? Government time is being allowed for all sorts of absurd legislation to keep the Green Party happy. Will the Government make some time for some real reform so that it can say it achieved something before it leaves office?

Séamus Kirk (Louth, Ceann Comhairle)
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That is Private Members' time.

Jan O'Sullivan (Limerick East, Labour)
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I am sure the Tánaiste is aware of a judgment in the European Court of Human Rights which decided that a woman who had cancer had her rights violated because the Government has not implemented the decision of the people in a constitutional referendum on the right to life of a woman and, when her life is in danger, the right to an abortion. The court's ruling is binding. The Government has not had much time to consider the judgment but will it be making a statement when it has done so? When will that happen?

Mary Coughlan (Donegal South West, Fianna Fail)
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That judgment was given at 10 a.m. The Minister for Health and Children will examine the judgment carefully and she will consider any legal implications arising from it.

Brendan Howlin (Wexford, Labour)
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I understand that a Bill has been agreed by Cabinet in respect of a constitutional referendum on the rights of the child. When will the referendum Bill to enable the people to enshrine the rights of the child in the Constitution be published? Is it envisaged that it will be taken before the end of this Dáil? Will it be possible to hold the children's referendum on the day of the next general election?

Mary Coughlan (Donegal South West, Fianna Fail)
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The deliberations are not completed on this matter, so I am not in a position to say if a referendum will take place by the time of the election.

Seán Power (Kildare South, Fianna Fail)
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I would like to be associated with the good wishes to colleagues and staff in the House for a happy and peaceful Christmas. In football terms, there is always great pride taken by the team that occupies the top spot in the premiership at Christmas. In political terms and following the recent opinion polls, that is a position being occupied by the Fine Gael Party, so I would like to congratulate them on that, and to acknowledge the role played by the invisible man and the comeback kid.

Dinny McGinley (Donegal South West, Fine Gael)
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While we all wish the people a happy Christmas, is the Tánaiste aware of the widespread anxiety of many in the northern half of the country and in her constituency about the impending snowstorm? Most local authorities, including Donegal County Council, have exhausted their supply of salt. Would the Tánaiste contact the NRA and implore it not to-----

Séamus Kirk (Louth, Ceann Comhairle)
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Deputy, you are long-time Member of this House and you know that kind of question is not appropriate to the Order of Business.

Dinny McGinley (Donegal South West, Fine Gael)
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-----have the county closed down over the Christmas period. It is not promised legislation, but promised salt that I am looking for. Perhaps the Tánaiste could use her good offices to contact the NRA and to make sure that our county is not closed down for the next few days.

Mary Coughlan (Donegal South West, Fianna Fail)
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Clearly, I do not want that to happen in County Donegal. There is a meeting of the local authority taking place at the moment to see what strategy can be introduced to ensure that the issues arising from the weather will be addressed. I will certainly use my offices to contact the NRA on the matter.

Dinny McGinley (Donegal South West, Fine Gael)
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Go raibh maith agat.

Eamon Gilmore (Dún Laoghaire, Labour)
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I was surprised that Deputy Seán Power did not continue the sporting analogy because it is customary, for teams that are in the relegation zone at Christmas, that the board expresses its full confidence in the manager.

Seán Power (Kildare South, Fianna Fail)
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I will do that in my own way.

Eamon Gilmore (Dún Laoghaire, Labour)
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So I gather. I referred earlier to the desirability that we should meet next week to hear the Taoiseach's report from the EU summit. The Dáil is not sitting next week so we will not have the opportunity to do that in the House. When he returns from the summit next week, will the Taoiseach circulate the statement he would normally make in the House so we would at least be in a position to make public comment on the outcome of the summit and the Taoiseach's assessment of it? It is not desirable that there would be no opportunity to comment on what the Taoiseach has to say about the summit until the middle of January. Given the House is not sitting, I ask that at least the Taoiseach's statement would be circulated.

Mary Coughlan (Donegal South West, Fianna Fail)
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We will be in a position to facilitate a response to the summit on 12 January. On the other issue, I would have to discuss it with the Taoiseach and revert to the Deputy.

Mary Upton (Dublin South Central, Labour)
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I wish to raise two issues. When can we expect the Property Services (Regulation) Bill back in the House? The second issue relates to the health repayment scheme. Despite a claim having been submitted, accepted and declared in order in 2007, the person involved is still awaiting payment. In October of this year she was told she would be paid before Christmas.

Séamus Kirk (Louth, Ceann Comhairle)
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Deputy-----

Mary Upton (Dublin South Central, Labour)
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Sorry, a Cheann Comhairle. I have no other way of raising this. I have made all the telephone calls and written all the letters. This woman will be going to the moneylenders because the money has not been paid to her before Christmas, as promised.

Séamus Kirk (Louth, Ceann Comhairle)
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Will the Deputy raise the issue with the line Minister?

Mary Coughlan (Donegal South West, Fianna Fail)
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The first Bill referred to is awaiting Committee Stage but I am not in a position to say when it will be called. I am not aware of any developments on the repayments legislation but I can revert to the Deputy on that.

Séamus Kirk (Louth, Ceann Comhairle)
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We will move on to the next business.

Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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Has the Ceann Comhairle missed me? One of us must be slipping up.

Séamus Kirk (Louth, Ceann Comhairle)
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I could not forget such a very meek Member of the House.

Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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In that context, it would be appropriate for me to wish the Ceann Comhairle a very happy Christmas. If I was precocious during the course of the year, it was not my intention. I hope the Ceann Comhairle does not have any nightmares over Christmas about the various contretemps we had during the course of the year.

On more serious business, have arrangements been made to introduce the international agreements Bill to amend the Bretton Woods agreement? It is very important, relevant and fundamental to the issues in regard to borrowing that now affect us. The key acronym in the Bill is NAB - new agreements to borrow.

Mary Coughlan (Donegal South West, Fianna Fail)
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It is the intention to introduce it next year.