Seán Barrett (Dún Laoghaire, Ceann Comhairle)
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Is the proposal for dealing with No. 17b, Environment (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2011, agreed to?

Aengus Ó Snodaigh (Dublin South Central, Sinn Fein)
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It is not agreed. There are a number of proposals being made, several relating to the imposition of a guillotine. Not so many months ago, if those who are now Government Whips had seen proposals for seven guillotines on a single day, they would have been apoplectic. In many cases there is no need for the proposals to guillotine legislation because it will not be opposed and will pass virtually on the nod. The Bills have been exhaustively debated and are not contentious. I am arguing against the imposition of seven guillotines today and ask that even at this late stage, the Chief Whip and Tánaiste consider removing the guillotines. This would allow debate to take place in a proper fashion with every one of the proposals before us, many of which are quite detailed changes in our legislation and require more time for every Deputy to have an opportunity to contribute to the debate.

Joe Higgins (Dublin West, Socialist Party)
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I support those comments.

Eamon Gilmore (Dún Laoghaire, Labour)
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All of these are pieces of reforming legislation and I would expect Members of the House to support them. One of the proposals, for example, deals with amendments from the Seanad to the child care Bill. I recall last week that Deputy Ó Caoláin specifically asked for those amendments to be made, and they were made in the Seanad.

Aengus Ó Snodaigh (Dublin South Central, Sinn Fein)
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We are not opposing the amendments.

Eamon Gilmore (Dún Laoghaire, Labour)
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The House will today agree the amendments made in the Seanad which were proposed by the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs. It would be somewhat strange for the House to want to delay the implementation of those amendments and important child care legislation.

Joe Carey (Clare, Fine Gael)
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Hear, hear.

Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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Hear, hear.

Aengus Ó Snodaigh (Dublin South Central, Sinn Fein)
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The Tánaiste is misrepresenting my comments.

Eamon Gilmore (Dún Laoghaire, Labour)
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No. 17b relates to the Environment (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2011 and the proposal will allow the Minister for Environment, Community and Local Government to introduce amendments to the Bill which will, for example, deal with the long outstanding issue of the name of Dingle and Daingean Uí Chúis. There are also a number of technical amendments relating to the birds directive.

Brian Stanley (Laois-Offaly, Sinn Fein)
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There are other issues too, such as planning matters.

Eamon Gilmore (Dún Laoghaire, Labour)
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The Government has a number of pieces of reforming legislation before the House and there is absolutely no reason this legislation should not be enacted. I see no reason for the Opposition, or parts of it, to want to delay the reforms being dealt with.

Aengus Ó Snodaigh (Dublin South Central, Sinn Fein)
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We are not suggesting a delay. I am dealing with the guillotine.

Eamon Gilmore (Dún Laoghaire, Labour)
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The purpose of the guillotine is to get legislation through.

Timmy Dooley (Clare, Fianna Fail)
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What is the difference between this and when the Tánaiste was in Opposition?

Billy Kelleher (Cork North Central, Fianna Fail)
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What a difference 15 metres make.

Seán Barrett (Dún Laoghaire, Ceann Comhairle)
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Comments should be made through the Chair.

Eamon Gilmore (Dún Laoghaire, Labour)
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There is a difference.

Jerry Buttimer (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
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They are trying to get Micheál out.

Shane McEntee (Meath East, Fine Gael)
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Even one metre makes a difference.

Jerry Buttimer (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
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They will not be back here for a long time so the Deputies should get used to it over there.

Eamon Gilmore (Dún Laoghaire, Labour)
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The difference is that this is good reforming legislation in the public interest.

Jerry Buttimer (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
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They are plotting against Micheál already. The poll numbers are not great.

Seán Barrett (Dún Laoghaire, Ceann Comhairle)
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Deputy Buttimer.

Paul Kehoe (Wexford, Fine Gael)
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The opinion poll was not good reading.

Seán Barrett (Dún Laoghaire, Ceann Comhairle)
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We read the papers. I remind Deputies that while all this is ongoing, it is now 11.05 a.m. and all the business to be dealt with will be held up. I ask Deputies for their co-operation.

Seán Barrett (Dún Laoghaire, Ceann Comhairle)
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Is the proposal for dealing with No. 23, Report and Final Stages of the Environment (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2011, agreed to?

Aengus Ó Snodaigh (Dublin South Central, Sinn Fein)
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It is not agreed.

Seán Barrett (Dún Laoghaire, Ceann Comhairle)
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The Deputy has already made his explanation.

Aengus Ó Snodaigh (Dublin South Central, Sinn Fein)
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It is a pity the Taoiseach did not bother listening to me as he misrepresented what I told him.

Alan Shatter (Dublin South, Fine Gael)
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He is the Tánaiste. The Taoiseach is not here.

Aengus Ó Snodaigh (Dublin South Central, Sinn Fein)
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I apologise, it is the Tánaiste.

Alan Shatter (Dublin South, Fine Gael)
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The Deputy can telephone the Taoiseach.

Aengus Ó Snodaigh (Dublin South Central, Sinn Fein)
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If the Deputy wishes it, I can do it. The Tánaiste definitely did not listen and misrepresented exactly what I stated. I indicated that most of the legislation was not contentious and would probably go through on the nod because there is agreement across the board on it. I ask that the guillotines be lifted. We have shown in recent months that when guillotines were imposed, they were not required. Where legislation is welcome and not controversial, we have accepted the reasoning-----

Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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The Opposition was not there.

Aengus Ó Snodaigh (Dublin South Central, Sinn Fein)
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-----behind quick passage. We have agreed with Ministers in putting legislation on the agenda today to facilitate debate. All I ask is that the guillotines be lifted as the legislation will be passed in the timeframe outlined by the Government. There should be ample opportunity to debate the different amendments to these pieces of legislation, which are far-reaching in some cases. We do not want it said, in a number of months, that proper scrutiny was not given to the issue and legislation could be struck down by the Supreme Court.

Finian McGrath (Dublin North Central, Independent)
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We will bring them in next week.

Seán Barrett (Dún Laoghaire, Ceann Comhairle)
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I presume the Tánaiste's explanation will be the same as the last time.

Eamon Gilmore (Dún Laoghaire, Labour)
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There are a number of pieces of legislation and, in fairness, Deputy Ó Snodaigh is correct in that these Bills are not being opposed, as I understand it. The times we have set down to conclude the debate on each of the pieces of legislation is to provide a form of discipline for the House to ensure we get through all of them.

Seán Barrett (Dún Laoghaire, Ceann Comhairle)
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Is the proposal for dealing with No. a1, Child Care (Amendment) Bill 2009, amendments from the Seanad, agreed to? Agreed. Is the proposal for dealing with No. 24, Central Bank and Credit Institutions (Regulations) (No. 2) Bill 2011, Second Stage (Resumed), agreed to? Agreed. Is the proposal for dealing with 29a, Criminal Justice (Community Service) (Amendment) (No. 2) Bill 2011, Order for Report, Report and Final Stages, agreed to? Agreed. Is the proposal that the Dáil on its rising today shall adjourn until 2.30 p.m. on Wednesday, 14 September 2011, agreed to?

Mary Lou McDonald (Dublin Central, Sinn Fein)
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It is not agreed.

Derek Keating (Dublin Mid West, Fine Gael)
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We will see real hypocrisy now.

Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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Deputy Ó Cuív can start his presidential campaign now.

Éamon Ó Cuív (Galway West, Fianna Fail)
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It has been customary at this time of year-----

Paul Kehoe (Wexford, Fine Gael)
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Will the Deputy tell us we should have finished for the summer three weeks ago?

Éamon Ó Cuív (Galway West, Fianna Fail)
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-----for Opposition parties to oppose the motion on the adjournment of the Dáil for the summer and try to add to the myth that politicians are on holiday when the Dáil is not sitting in plenary session. I am not going to add to this fable today.

Michael Kitt (Galway East, Fianna Fail)
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Hear, hear.

Éamon Ó Cuív (Galway West, Fianna Fail)
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I know that other than during a short break, when politicians are-----

Seán Crowe (Dublin South West, Sinn Fein)
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On the beach.

Éamon Ó Cuív (Galway West, Fianna Fail)
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-----in recess, we fulfil many of the other functions of our office. That can involve doing research, working in our constituencies or reading important documents that inform the work we have to do. I recognise that those in government will use the break to do much of the work that needs to be done in their Departments. I am sure they will take this opportunity to do work that will be of great importance to the country in the autumn.

Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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That is very presidential.

Éamon Ó Cuív (Galway West, Fianna Fail)
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It is fair to record that many politicians work between 80 and 100 hours a week. The work we do in this House is a small part of the overall work we do.

Michael Kitt (Galway East, Fianna Fail)
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Hear, hear.

Éamon Ó Cuív (Galway West, Fianna Fail)
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We all have many roles to fulfil in our constituencies and as public representatives.

John Browne (Wexford, Fianna Fail)
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Good man, Éamon.

Éamon Ó Cuív (Galway West, Fianna Fail)
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It is fair to point out that many politicians on both sides of the House have specific briefs that require a considerable amount of work and research. Politics can demand dedication from people other than politicians - it is also required from the family members of Deputies, for example. Politicians are often away from home for days or weeks on end. I accept that the hours are long for Dublin Deputies, but it is fair to recognise that when the House is sitting, rural Deputies are away from home for the best part of the week.

Colm Keaveney (Galway East, Labour)
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Hear, hear.

Éamon Ó Cuív (Galway West, Fianna Fail)
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The recess presents an opportunity to work from home, but that does not mean one is not working. I emphasise that regardless of their policies or allegiances, most politicians work very hard and believe in what they are doing.

Seán Barrett (Dún Laoghaire, Ceann Comhairle)
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Thank you, Deputy.

Timmy Dooley (Clare, Fianna Fail)
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The Ceann Comhairle is included in that.

Niall Collins (Limerick, Fianna Fail)
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He is above all that now.

Éamon Ó Cuív (Galway West, Fianna Fail)
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I am about to conclude.

Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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The Deputy is making a very presidential speech.

Seán Barrett (Dún Laoghaire, Ceann Comhairle)
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I have given the Deputy some latitude, but I have to say the normal practice-----

Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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He is looking for the nomination.

Seán Barrett (Dún Laoghaire, Ceann Comhairle)
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-----is for contributions to be made only by Deputies who disagree with the proposal before the House.

Timmy Dooley (Clare, Fianna Fail)
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I am sure Deputy Ó Cuív will include you, a Cheann Comhairle.

Niall Collins (Limerick, Fianna Fail)
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He will give the Ceann Comhairle a mention at the end.

Seán Barrett (Dún Laoghaire, Ceann Comhairle)
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I appreciate what Deputy Ó Cuív is saying, but I have given him sufficient time to say it.

Éamon Ó Cuív (Galway West, Fianna Fail)
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Fianna Fáil has not prolonged the Order of Business this morning.

Seán Barrett (Dún Laoghaire, Ceann Comhairle)
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I appreciate that.

Éamon Ó Cuív (Galway West, Fianna Fail)
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We have seen many changes in this Dáil. Deputies on this side of the House will continue to work as a robust Opposition.

Michael Creed (Cork North West, Fine Gael)
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Robotic.

Éamon Ó Cuív (Galway West, Fianna Fail)
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However, I would like to make one request. In view of the major importance of the summit taking place today, the House should reconvene next week.

Finian McGrath (Dublin North Central, Independent)
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Hear, hear.

Éamon Ó Cuív (Galway West, Fianna Fail)
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The Taoiseach should report to the House on the summit and give us a chance to debate its outcome. Between now and the recall of the Dáil, those of us on this side of the House will continue to work and prepare to come back here as a vigilant and active Opposition. Despite our depleted numbers, we will hold the Government to account.

Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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Thank you.

Éamon Ó Cuív (Galway West, Fianna Fail)
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Democracy requires no less.

Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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That is reassuring.

Éamon Ó Cuív (Galway West, Fianna Fail)
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Ba mhaith liom chuile rath a ghuí ar gach éinne i gcaitheamh an tsamhraidh. Tá sé tábhachtach go dtógfadh gach Teachta briseadh mar go dteastaíonn sé. Tá súil agam go ngéillfidh an Tánaiste don iarratas atá déanta agam go dtiocfaimid ar ais ar chúis faoi leith atá thar a bheith tábhachtach don tír.

Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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A Uachtarán-----

Éamon Ó Cuív (Galway West, Fianna Fail)
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Ba cheart dúinn toradh an mórchruinniú atá ar bun sa Bhruiséil a phlé.

Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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The Deputy is a real patriot.

Mary Lou McDonald (Dublin Central, Sinn Fein)
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That sounded more like an Ard-Fheis speech than a presidential speech.

Timmy Dooley (Clare, Fianna Fail)
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Has the Deputy been to one of our Ard-Fheiseanna?

Mary Lou McDonald (Dublin Central, Sinn Fein)
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As we pack up our buckets and spades and head off-----

Colm Keaveney (Galway East, Labour)
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The Deputy should speak for herself.

Mary Lou McDonald (Dublin Central, Sinn Fein)
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-----for a well earned break-----

Seán Barrett (Dún Laoghaire, Ceann Comhairle)
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I assure the Deputy that I gave up using buckets and spades a long time ago.

Mary Lou McDonald (Dublin Central, Sinn Fein)
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-----it is useful to record that while politicians may work hard-----

Niall Collins (Limerick, Fianna Fail)
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More like buckets and hand grenades.

Mary Lou McDonald (Dublin Central, Sinn Fein)
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-----many outside these walls work much harder. It is only fitting to record the fact that hundreds of thousands of low-paid workers will have a very fretful summer on foot of a High Court decision and the failure of the Government to introduce emergency legislation. We do not accept that the House should be adjourned, given that the Taoiseach is today attending an EU summit of immense importance to the State.

Paudie Coffey (Waterford, Fine Gael)
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He will do a good job.

Mary Lou McDonald (Dublin Central, Sinn Fein)
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Many promises have been made by the Government in the course of this Dáil session. It promised to resolve the issue of the interest rate and deal with senior bondholders. We have heard a great deal of rhetoric but seen very little action.

Paudie Coffey (Waterford, Fine Gael)
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Deputy Kenny is the hardest working Taoiseach we have ever seen.

Mary Lou McDonald (Dublin Central, Sinn Fein)
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Reports in the media today suggest something may be brewing in the discussions between France and Germany. It would be unacceptable if the Taoiseach were to fail to present himself before the House to give us a full account of the summit and reassure Deputies and the people as a whole - the taxpayers and citizens of the State - that he has finally taken a stand, done the right thing and represented the interests of citizens fully and fairly.

Shane McEntee (Meath East, Fine Gael)
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He will do so.

Mary Lou McDonald (Dublin Central, Sinn Fein)
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Rather than adjourning for the summer, the House should reconvene next week to hear a full and frank report from the Taoiseach.

Joe Higgins (Dublin West, Socialist Party)
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In the past the proposal to adjourn the Dáil for the summer was often routinely opposed-----

Paudie Coffey (Waterford, Fine Gael)
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The bandwagon is rolling on.

Joe Higgins (Dublin West, Socialist Party)
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-----with a level of cynicism and grandstanding that only the Labour Party and Fine Gael could muster.

Niall Collins (Limerick, Fianna Fail)
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The Deputy can beat that level.

Joe Higgins (Dublin West, Socialist Party)
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On this occasion there is-----

Paul Kehoe (Wexford, Fine Gael)
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The Deputy has asked me on numerous occasions when the House will be adjourning for the summer.

Seán Barrett (Dún Laoghaire, Ceann Comhairle)
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Sorry, hold on a second.

Paul Kehoe (Wexford, Fine Gael)
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He has asked me enough times anyway.

Seán Barrett (Dún Laoghaire, Ceann Comhairle)
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I ask the Minister of State not to interrupt.

Paul Kehoe (Wexford, Fine Gael)
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He asked me many times if we would be sitting for another week.

Niall Collins (Limerick, Fianna Fail)
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We heard the Minister of State the first time. He only needed to say it once.

Alan Shatter (Dublin South, Fine Gael)
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Deputy Higgins's holidays are booked. He will be in trouble if we sit longer.

Seán Barrett (Dún Laoghaire, Ceann Comhairle)
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I ask the Tánaiste to ensure his colleagues remain quiet.

Alan Shatter (Dublin South, Fine Gael)
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The sandy beaches of Cuba are waiting for Deputy Higgins.

Seán Barrett (Dún Laoghaire, Ceann Comhairle)
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Deputy Higgins should be allowed to make his contribution.

Joe Higgins (Dublin West, Socialist Party)
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The Government Whip should be giving his back benchers good example.

Paudie Coffey (Waterford, Fine Gael)
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The Deputy should not be talking out of both sides of his mouth.

Joe Higgins (Dublin West, Socialist Party)
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The serious point is that more time is needed on this occasion. I do not deny that many Members are tired and exhausted.

Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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The Deputy should speak for himself.

Joe Higgins (Dublin West, Socialist Party)
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If one wants proof of this, one can look at the faces of the people from the media present. They cannot wait to get out of here.

Anthony Lawlor (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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The Deputy is blaming them again.

Joe Higgins (Dublin West, Socialist Party)
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The same can be said of some Members. It has been a difficult year. However, more time is needed for three strong reasons. First, the EU summit will probably decide to continue the policy of the leaders of the European establishment, which is to continue to force working-class people in this country and elsewhere in Europe to salvage a rotten financial system. The Taoiseach should report back to us and give us an opportunity to discuss the outcome of the summit. Second, approximately 250,000 low-paid workers, among the most vulnerable workers in our society, have been left without the protection of the joint labour committees and the employment regulation order system which the bosses had struck down in the Supreme Court. This is the busiest and most pressurised time of the year in the hotel and restaurant sectors and other areas. Tens of thousands in these sectors are open to pressure and exploitation. It is shameful for the national Parliament to adjourn for the summer without giving these workers the protections they need. Third, an opinion poll published this morning suggests 55% of the people are dissatisfied with the Government. Significantly, a majority of Labour Party supporters are dissatisfied.

Finian McGrath (Dublin North Central, Independent)
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Ouch.

Joe Higgins (Dublin West, Socialist Party)
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Is it any wonder, considering that we have had four months of putting the burden of salvaging the European financial system on the backs of ordinary working people?

Brendan Griffin (Kerry South, Fine Gael)
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What level of support did the Socialist Party receive in the poll?

Finian McGrath (Dublin North Central, Independent)
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It is on a figure of 17% in Dublin.

Joe Higgins (Dublin West, Socialist Party)
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We need more time to deal with these issues.

Finian McGrath (Dublin North Central, Independent)
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That is the latest figure.

Colm Keaveney (Galway East, Labour)
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How did the Finian Party get on? Finian Fáil.

Seán Barrett (Dún Laoghaire, Ceann Comhairle)
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I call Deputy Boyd Barrett.

Anthony Lawlor (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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We have heard from the Technical Group.

Richard Boyd Barrett (Dún Laoghaire, People Before Profit Alliance)
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Everybody deserves a break. Whatever differences I have with the Members on the other side of the House, I recognise it has been a fairly intense few months in here and all of us have a difficult situation to deal with. I do not doubt that Members have been working hard in their own way by their own lights in order to attempt to deal with the situation.

Also, it is important to dispel the myth that politicians will all be swanning off for the next six or eight weeks on holidays. They deserve a break and no doubt will take one, but many of them will be working for most of that time, either in their constituencies or on the issues that affect the country.

That being said, however, there is a strong and legitimate case for keeping the Dáil convened for a few more days. First, the issue of the European summit is a serious matter. While there are some positive noises about what may happen there in terms of trying to deal with the debt crisis, there have been similar sounds before previous summits which turned out to be quite other than what people hoped and the contagion spread. People are anxious and deserve to hear a full report and to have this House interrogate fully the outcome of that summit.

In particular, one element of the Taoiseach's speech yesterday in terms of what might come out of that summit alarmed me greatly and if any such arrangement is put in place, it is certainly something that we need to discuss. It is that if there was any talk of lengthening the maturities on loans and lowering interest rates, it may include a collateral arrangement where appropriate.

Seán Barrett (Dún Laoghaire, Ceann Comhairle)
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We do not discuss the full issues.

Richard Boyd Barrett (Dún Laoghaire, People Before Profit Alliance)
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I just want to make a point. That is a very serious question. That means assets of the State would be used as collateral against changes in interest rates. That is a serious business and we need to know if that is the case.

Anthony Lawlor (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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Deputy Boyd Barrett is not correct.

Richard Boyd Barrett (Dún Laoghaire, People Before Profit Alliance)
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Another reason is the issue of the JLCs and the uncertainty that faces those low-paid workers.

Another reason is the Dáil owes it to a vulnerable section of society to clarify whether it will have the educational supports it needs come September. Heading into the summer, parents of children with special needs who have been refused applications for special needs assistants need to know whether they will have them in the autumn. There are 400 or so held over, but it is uncertain for many parents whether they will have them. The Dáil has an obligation to the parents of the most vulnerable children in this country to clarify that situation before the summer break.

Lastly, I have asked since the publication of the McCarthy report for some discussion in this House about what State assets may be on the chopping block for sale in order to pay off the bankers and bondholders and I have been referred constantly to the Chief Whip. We have asked the Chief Whip in meeting after meeting to have this discussion and the Government consistently refuses to discuss the question of billions of euro in State assets that may be up for sale. We should not adjourn the Dáil until that matter is discussed and clarified and the public gets a chance to know what may be up for sale to pay off bondholders.

Eamon Gilmore (Dún Laoghaire, Labour)
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We should acknowledge that the House, since the general election, has sat for 38% longer than was previously the case. The recess that is being proposed for this summer is the shortest that I certainly can recall, and I am in the House 22 years. The date originally proposed by the previous Government for the adjournment of the Dáil for the summer was 7 July and the date for resumption was 29 September. What we are talking about is a much shorter recess.

A number of Members have referred to the important meeting taking place today in Brussels of the Heads of State and Government. It is an important meeting that has been convened by President Van Rompuy. First, the fact that the meeting is taking place represents a significant achievement for this country and for the Government. For some time we have been seeking to have the debate about the debt crisis moved from being dealt with on a country-by-country basis to being dealt with on a European-wide basis, seeking a European solution to a European problem. The fact that we are at a point today where there is a summit meeting taking place which is addressing a European solution to that crisis represents a very significant achievement for the country, for the Government and for the diplomatic work that we have been doing over the course of the past four months or more in that area.

Second, I am sure everybody in the House will wish the Taoiseach well in the discussions taking place in Brussels today-----

Deputies:

Hear, hear.

Eamon Gilmore (Dún Laoghaire, Labour)
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-----and express the hope that there will be a positive outcome for Ireland from that meeting. I certainly hope that there will be such a positive outcome and if there is, I hope it will be welcomed, not only by those of us who are on the Government side of the House but right across the House. Much work has gone in over a long period of time to reach the point where today, hopefully, this country will get a positive outcome from the meeting that is taking place in Brussels.

I am proposing that the House itself, in terms of its formal plenary session, will adjourn today and reconvene on 14 September. However, it is appropriate that the outcome of the summit meeting today is considered by the parliamentary system. I understand it is proposed that there will be a meeting of the Joint Committee on Finance, Public Expenditure and Reform on Tuesday at 4 o'clock to discuss the outcome of the summit. As the House will be aware, every Member of the House is entitled to attend meetings of committees. If it is the case that the number of Members interested in attending that committee is more than what would be accommodated in the committee room, we can have that meeting of the committee here in the Chamber so that any Member of the House who wants to discuss the outcome of today's summit, from which, hopefully, there will be satisfactory conclusions, can do so here in the House. We can use the Chamber for the meeting of that committee and Members can be here in the Chamber at 4 o'clock on Tuesday next.

Deputies:

Hear, hear.

Eamon Gilmore (Dún Laoghaire, Labour)
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Finally, on the issue of workers and the outcome of the High Court decision on the JLCs, as we stated here on a number of occasions the Government is preparing legislation to deal with that issue and we hope to have that legislation before the House early in the new session.

Seán Barrett (Dún Laoghaire, Ceann Comhairle)
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Are there any other matters on the Order of Business?

Pearse Doherty (Donegal South West, Sinn Fein)
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On a point of order, will the Tánaiste clarify that the Taoiseach will be here on Tuesday to answer questions and to brief Members?

Seán Barrett (Dún Laoghaire, Ceann Comhairle)
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That is not a point of order.

Pearse Doherty (Donegal South West, Sinn Fein)
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It is the protocol of the House to have the Taoiseach brief Members on European summits. Last December, the Tánaiste demanded that such an approach be taken.

Seán Barrett (Dún Laoghaire, Ceann Comhairle)
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That is not a point of order Deputy. Resume your seat.

Pearse Doherty (Donegal South West, Sinn Fein)
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On a point of clarification, will the Taoiseach be before the House on Tuesday?

Seán Barrett (Dún Laoghaire, Ceann Comhairle)
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Please resume your seat.

Pearse Doherty (Donegal South West, Sinn Fein)
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Will the Tánaiste answer the question?

Eamon Gilmore (Dún Laoghaire, Labour)
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Deputy Doherty just voted against the recommendation that I made.

Pearse Doherty (Donegal South West, Sinn Fein)
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Will the Taoiseach be here to take questions on one of the most important European summits to take place?

Paul Kehoe (Wexford, Fine Gael)
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Deputy Doherty voted against it.

Pearse Doherty (Donegal South West, Sinn Fein)
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Will the Taoiseach present himself before the House?

Seán Barrett (Dún Laoghaire, Ceann Comhairle)
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Deputy Doherty, resume your seat.

Pearse Doherty (Donegal South West, Sinn Fein)
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Why is the Taoiseach refusing to come before the finance committee?

Seán Barrett (Dún Laoghaire, Ceann Comhairle)
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Deputy Doherty, did you hear me?

Pearse Doherty (Donegal South West, Sinn Fein)
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He has been requested by the members of the finance committee to come before it.

Seán Barrett (Dún Laoghaire, Ceann Comhairle)
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Deputy Doherty, resume your seat.

Pearse Doherty (Donegal South West, Sinn Fein)
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He is refusing to come before the finance committee. The Taoiseach is refusing come before the finance committee.

Seán Barrett (Dún Laoghaire, Ceann Comhairle)
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I am moving on to the Revised Estimates for Public Services.

Pearse Doherty (Donegal South West, Sinn Fein)
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The Tánaiste will not clarify whether he will be here next Tuesday.

Seán Barrett (Dún Laoghaire, Ceann Comhairle)
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I am not putting up with this.

Paul Kehoe (Wexford, Fine Gael)
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Deputy Doherty is grandstanding.

Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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It is grandstanding for sure.

Pearse Doherty (Donegal South West, Sinn Fein)
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He is refusing to come before the finance committee.

Paul Kehoe (Wexford, Fine Gael)
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This is just grandstanding.

Pearse Doherty (Donegal South West, Sinn Fein)
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Can the Tánaiste confirm if the Taoiseach is refusing to come before the finance committee to brief Members on one of the most important European summits on the week we will inject €19 billion of taxpayers' money into the banks?

Seán Barrett (Dún Laoghaire, Ceann Comhairle)
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Deputy Doherty, you will be taking an early bath if you do not resume you seat. Resume you seat. You are totally out of order and I do not think it is funny.

Pearse Doherty (Donegal South West, Sinn Fein)
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The Taoiseach is out of order and in breach of protocol for not coming into the House.

Seán Barrett (Dún Laoghaire, Ceann Comhairle)
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Will you learn to have manners, stick to Standing Orders and respect the Chair, please?

Joe Higgins (Dublin West, Socialist Party)
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On the matter of arrangements for the sittings the Tánaiste gave us the impression and explained that the finance committee would be a substitute for the Dáil. It was taken in good faith and we assumed this meant the Taoiseach would be here. Otherwise, what is the point of it?

Seán Barrett (Dún Laoghaire, Ceann Comhairle)
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Will you resume your seat, please? Thank you very much. Is there something you wish to raise on the Order of Business?

Joe Higgins (Dublin West, Socialist Party)
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It is on the Order of Business. I seek a response from the Tánaiste.

Seán Barrett (Dún Laoghaire, Ceann Comhairle)
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We are discussing promised legislation.

Mary Lou McDonald (Dublin Central, Sinn Fein)
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Yesterday, the Taoiseach and the House set out in the clearest and most strenuous language that the abuse and sheltering of abusers which has come to light in respect of the Roman Catholic Church will not be tolerated and that any undue interference by the Vatican would not only be viewed negatively, but would have negative consequences for the relationship between this State and that one. I acknowledge fully the sincerity of Ministers Shatter and Fitzgerald in respect of the State's obligation to protect fully our children. We demand of the church or any other private institution that they respect the laws of the land. We have to be very sure that the laws of the land are robust and are implemented. In that respect, when we come back in the autumn, I ask that the child welfare and protection agency Bill, the children first Bill and the national vetting bureau Bill have realistic timetables, and that, having castigated the church, we do not have a situation in which the State fails our children.

Eamon Gilmore (Dún Laoghaire, Labour)
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As far as this Government is concerned, the State will not fail our children. The Government has responded very quickly to the Cloyne report and its implications. The Minister for Children and Youth Affairs and the Minster for Justice and Equality have set out the legislative measures the Government will take, and they will be progressed. The Taoiseach yesterday set out very clearly the Government's reaction to the interventions by the Vatican. As the Deputy is aware, I have sought a formal response in respect of that from the Vatican.

With regard to the legislation, the children first Bill is being worked on as a priority and we expect the heads of that Bill will be before the Government shortly.

Éamon Ó Cuív (Galway West, Fianna Fail)
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Three referenda are promised. My understanding was that they would be run with the presidential election. The time is getting very short. What plans are there to have the consultation process set up by the commission and to have these referenda, allowing that we are not coming back until 14 September? Will the Tánaiste clarify whether these referenda will go ahead on 21 October, the date which I understand is proposed for the presidential election?

Eamon Gilmore (Dún Laoghaire, Labour)
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The Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government has not yet set a date for the presidential election. It is intended that the three referenda will be held on the same date as the presidential election and this will mean that the legislative provisions for those referenda will be before the House when we come back. The Taoiseach has given an undertaking to party leaders that when texts are settled, there will be consultation after that.

Éamon Ó Cuív (Galway West, Fianna Fail)
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It is a very tight timeframe.

Eamon Gilmore (Dún Laoghaire, Labour)
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It is.

Éamon Ó Cuív (Galway West, Fianna Fail)
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The Tánaiste said there is no official date but we are all aware that a date was mentioned at a certain party convention. If it is a later date, so be it, but there is a finite date by which the presidential election must be held because the seven years will be up.

Is it possible to get a detailed timetable of what is proposed in terms of the date for the legislation, getting it through both Houses, how much debate we will have and the details of the setting up of the commission?

Damien English (Meath West, Fine Gael)
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Does Deputy Ó Cuív want to plan his campaign?

Éamon Ó Cuív (Galway West, Fianna Fail)
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All of this takes time. Given what the Tánaiste has said, it would appear that from the time the Dáil recommences the Government has exactly one month and seven days, which is a very short timeframe to get legislation through both Houses, deal with basic issues and satisfy all the constitutional requirements for having a referendum.

Eamon Gilmore (Dún Laoghaire, Labour)
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When we are in a position to do so, we can communicate a timetable to the Opposition parties. Again, it is for the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government to set the date and that date has not yet been set.

Timmy Dooley (Clare, Fianna Fail)
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I seek the assistance of the Ceann Comhairle in clarifying the situation next week in regard to a report from the European meeting today. The Tánaiste has been helpful in indicating that the finance committee-----

Seán Barrett (Dún Laoghaire, Ceann Comhairle)
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I will ask the Tánaiste to repeat what he said earlier.

Timmy Dooley (Clare, Fianna Fail)
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As a member of the finance committee, I would like to know the procedures, whether the committee is due to sit and whether the Minister for Finance or the Taoiseach will come before the committee to address the matter.

Seán Barrett (Dún Laoghaire, Ceann Comhairle)
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This is not a place to discuss committee business. However, to be helpful, the Tánaiste might clarify what he has already said.

Eamon Gilmore (Dún Laoghaire, Labour)
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The information I have been given is that the finance committee will convene next Tuesday at 4 p.m. and that it will consider the outcome of the summit today. First, we do not yet have an outcome. As other Members have said, some summit meetings can be entirely predictable and the issues concern the conclusions that are reached, their form or whether further work must be done later. We cannot predict the outcome of that meeting other than to say we very much hope there will be a positive outcome from that summit meeting today. That has been the way in which the Government has prepared for it.

This is really a matter for the committee. I do not know who the committee has invited and that is a matter for it. Obviously, the Government will decide who will make a presentation to the committee, and that will to some extent depend on the outcome of the summit.

Brendan Ryan (Dublin North, Labour)
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Is the proposed review of the impact and possible re-balancing of the universal social charge under way as yet? What will be the terms of reference of that review? Who is best placed to assess the impacts of those charges and, therefore, best placed to carry out the review? When will the review be complete? It is important-----

Seán Barrett (Dún Laoghaire, Ceann Comhairle)
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We are dealing with promised legislation.

Brendan Ryan (Dublin North, Labour)
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It is important, given the possibility of other charges such as property charges, that the impact is integrated into any discussion on those charges.

Seán Barrett (Dún Laoghaire, Ceann Comhairle)
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Is there legislation in this area?

Eamon Gilmore (Dún Laoghaire, Labour)
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The review of the universal social charge will be considered as part of the preparations for the budget.

Seán Barrett (Dún Laoghaire, Ceann Comhairle)
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I call Deputy Higgins. Is the Deputy all right?

Joe Higgins (Dublin West, Socialist Party)
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I was going to suggest the arrangement for a full report back from the EU leaders summit next week would necessitate the Taoiseach being present. I was a member of the finance committee and Deputy Boyd Barrett and I are going to request the Chairman to request that the Taoiseach be in attendance.

Seán Barrett (Dún Laoghaire, Ceann Comhairle)
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That is fine. You can do what you like.

Richard Boyd Barrett (Dún Laoghaire, People Before Profit Alliance)
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The Chairman told us yesterday he was going to be there.

Joe Higgins (Dublin West, Socialist Party)
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We cannot have a real report back unless the Taoiseach is there because he will be the man who has been at the summit.

Seán Barrett (Dún Laoghaire, Ceann Comhairle)
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We have dealt with that issue. I call Deputy Crowe.

Seán Crowe (Dublin South West, Sinn Fein)
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In view of the summer weather we are having-----

Seán Barrett (Dún Laoghaire, Ceann Comhairle)
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You must be living in a different country than I am.

Seán Crowe (Dublin South West, Sinn Fein)
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Is legislation needed regarding the establishment of an early flood warning system?

Seán Barrett (Dún Laoghaire, Ceann Comhairle)
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I suggest you had better talk to the man above.

Seán Crowe (Dublin South West, Sinn Fein)
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There is a serious aspect. Is legislation needed to establish the early flood warning system body? There was a previous Fine Gael Private Members' motion in the House on the issue. This body is supposedly being established.

Eamon Gilmore (Dún Laoghaire, Labour)
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I do not believe legislation is promised in this regard and I am not sure legislation is necessary. The issue of early flood warnings can be pursued with the Minister responsible for the Office of Public Works.

Willie O'Dea (Limerick City, Fianna Fail)
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I understood the Tánaiste to say he expects the legislation on the JLCs to be prepared in time for the return of the Dáil. Do I take it that this legislation will be debated here in September?

Eamon Gilmore (Dún Laoghaire, Labour)
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What I said is that the Government is treating the preparation of that legislation as a matter of priority. As Deputy O'Dea is aware, it is quite complex, particularly given the nature of the judgment given by the courts. It is a priority for the Minister and we hope to have that legislation early in the new session.