Brendan Howlin (Wexford, Labour)
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It is proposed to take No.19, statements on releasing the value of State assets to help stimulate economic growth; and No. 19a, statements on Common Agricultural Policy reform proposals. It is proposed, notwithstanding anything in Standing Orders, that the proceedings in relation to No. 19 shall, if not previously concluded, be brought to a conclusion at 1.30 p.m. today and the following arrangements shall apply: the statement of a Minister or Minister or State and of the main spokespersons for Fianna Fáil, Sinn Féin and the Technical Group, who shall be called upon in that order, shall not exceed ten minutes in each case; the statement of each other Member called upon shall not exceed ten minutes in each case; Members may share time; a Minister or Minister of State shall take questions for a period not exceeding 25 minutes; a Minister or Minister of State shall be called upon to make a statement in reply which shall not exceed five minutes. It is proposed that the proceedings in relation to No. 19a shall, if not previously concluded, be brought to a conclusion at 3.42 p.m. today and the following arrangements shall apply: the statement of a Minister or Minister or State and of the main spokespersons for Fianna Fáil, Sinn Féin and the Technical Group, who shall be called upon in that order, shall not exceed ten minutes in each case; the statement of each other Member called upon shall not exceed ten minutes in each case; Members may share time; a Minister or Minister of State shall take questions for a period not exceeding 45 minutes; a Minister or Minister of State shall be called upon to make a statement in reply which shall not exceed five minutes.

Seán Barrett (Dún Laoghaire, Ceann Comhairle)
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There are two proposals to be put to the House. Is the proposal for dealing No. 19, statements on releasing the value of State assets to help stimulate economic growth agreed to? Agreed. Is the proposal for dealing with No. 19a, statements on Common Agricultural Policy reform proposals, agreed to? Agreed.

Éamon Ó Cuív (Galway West, Fianna Fail)
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I raise two items of promised legislation. There are eight sitting weeks to Christmas. Can the Minister tell the House when the water services (amendment) Bill be published? Is it the Government's intention that it will pass through both Houses before Christmas? Second, the Construction Contracts Bill [Seanad] 2010 was passed in the Seanad during the term of the previous Government. I understand the regulatory impact analysis of the Bill has been completed. It is urgent that the Bill be passed as bona fide people are going out of business because they cannot get paid for work they have done. Can the Minister confirm that the Bill, with amendments, will be completed by the Christmas recess?

Brendan Howlin (Wexford, Labour)
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The water services Bill will be introduced in this session. How it progresses is a matter for the Houses, so I cannot say when it will be concluded. It will be done as expeditiously as possible. I am particularly interested in the Construction Contracts Bill. I have asked the Minister of State, Deputy Brian Hayes, to take personal seizure of it, and he has done that. He has had wide consultations on the Bill with, among others, Senator Feargal Quinn who is the original author of the Bill. I understand a revised Bill will be introduced in this session.

Mary Lou McDonald (Dublin Central, Sinn Fein)
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The Legal Services Bill was published yesterday. It is not on the draft schedule for next week. Can the Minister tell the House when it will come before the Dáil? Can he also say something about the relationship between this Bill and judicial appointments? It is depressing to see that the old boys' network is still alive and well, with people with political affiliations being appointed to the Bench.

Brendan Howlin (Wexford, Labour)
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The Legal Services Bill has been published. It is a broad-ranging Bill and will require extensive consultation with all interested parties. It is not scheduled for next week. Members would like an opportunity to read it in detail. It will be scheduled for Second Stage as soon as an appropriate slot is available.

Timmy Dooley (Clare, Fianna Fail)
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And what about transparency and accountability?

Mattie McGrath (Tipperary South, Independent)
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Is there any sign of a Bill to cut out the waste of the Litir um Thoghcháin? The Government will meet the Troika tomorrow. I do not understand how the Troika have not zoned in on issues such as this. It is beyond belief that tens of millions of euro are used on this. Some candidates in the presidential election decided to share the facility.

Seán Barrett (Dún Laoghaire, Ceann Comhairle)
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Cool it down, Deputy.

Mattie McGrath (Tipperary South, Independent)
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I am cooling it. I am trying to ensure that costs are cut down.

It is a huge waste of taxpayers money in view of the current situation in this country.

Seán Barrett (Dún Laoghaire, Ceann Comhairle)
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The Deputy should put down a parliamentary question on the matter. Is legislation promised?

John Browne (Wexford, Fianna Fail)
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It applied in the last general election.

Mattie McGrath (Tipperary South, Independent)
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While I agreed with it, I did not use it. I am probably one of the only candidates that will not use it.

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

Mattie McGrath (Tipperary South, Independent)
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It is an enormous cost.

Paul Kehoe (Wexford, Fine Gael)
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The Deputy's party used it.

Mattie McGrath (Tipperary South, Independent)
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I am not a member of any party. The Deputy is wrong again.

Seán Barrett (Dún Laoghaire, Ceann Comhairle)
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Deputy McGrath is out of order.

Paul Kehoe (Wexford, Fine Gael)
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The only difference between the Deputy and Fianna Fáil is a piece of carpet.

Mattie McGrath (Tipperary South, Independent)
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The Whip will have to correct the record a few more times; he is wrong. I want to ask the Minister-----

Seán Barrett (Dún Laoghaire, Ceann Comhairle)
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The Deputy cannot ask anything of the Minister. He should put down a parliamentary question on the matter.

Mattie McGrath (Tipperary South, Independent)
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Is any genuine effort being made to save money?

Seán Barrett (Dún Laoghaire, Ceann Comhairle)
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The Deputy should put down a parliamentary question and he will get an answer.

Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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I have repeatedly asked during the past four or five years about the position of the bail (amendment) Bill. The previous Government, now residing on the opposite side of the House, continually promised its introduction was imminent.

John Browne (Wexford, Fianna Fail)
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Fine Gael is in government now.

Éamon Ó Cuív (Galway West, Fianna Fail)
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How many questions has Deputy Durkan down today?

Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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In view of the number of repeat offences highlighted during the past number of months-----

Dara Calleary (Mayo, Fianna Fail)
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Ask a question.

Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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-----would it be possible to bring that Bill before the House as a matter of urgency to address the issues that are obvious?

Brendan Howlin (Wexford, Labour)
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I regret that Bill is only at draft heads stage. The Minister for Justice and Equality is under extraordinary legislative pressure, including in respect of the bail (amendment) Bill, which is currently being worked on. Deputy Durkan can make direct contact with the Minister for Justice and Equality to advance that case.

Timmy Dooley (Clare, Fianna Fail)
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Is there in train any legislation to bring greater transparency to the judicial appointments process?

Brendan Howlin (Wexford, Labour)
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There is legislation in being to have absolute transparency. It was introduced the last time the Labour Party and Fine Gael were in Government.

Mattie McGrath (Tipperary South, Independent)
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One for Fine Gael and one for the Labour Party.

Billy Kelleher (Cork North Central, Fianna Fail)
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The Government does not adhere to it very well.

Mattie McGrath (Tipperary South, Independent)
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One each.

Brendan Howlin (Wexford, Labour)
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The Court Officers Act provides that appointments for judicial officer must be recommended by the Judicial Appointments Advisory Board, which comprises some of the most eminent people in this country, including the Chief Justice, the President of the High Court and others. They make recommendations for appointment.

Éamon Ó Cuív (Galway West, Fianna Fail)
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They do not.

Brendan Howlin (Wexford, Labour)
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The people appointed to judicial office are of the highest probity and have served the country well.

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

Timmy Dooley (Clare, Fianna Fail)
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Their probity or integrity was not questioned.

Billy Kelleher (Cork North Central, Fianna Fail)
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I remind the Minister of Mr. Harry Whelehan.

Timmy Dooley (Clare, Fianna Fail)
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I asked about the transparency of the process.

Billy Kelleher (Cork North Central, Fianna Fail)
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Was Mr. Whelehan's integrity questioned?

Seán Barrett (Dún Laoghaire, Ceann Comhairle)
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We are not talking about transparency. We are talking about promised legislation. I call Deputy Healy-Rae.

Michael Healy-Rae (Kerry South, Independent)
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Is legislation proposed in regard to the Government's engagement with the IPU in regard to a highly significant financial inclusion strategy? The IPU has called for post offices to be allowed offer current accounts to existing and future customers at a time when the banking system is in crisis and a major overhaul is under way.

Seán Barrett (Dún Laoghaire, Ceann Comhairle)
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Hold on, Deputy.

Michael Healy-Rae (Kerry South, Independent)
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We want to protect our post offices.

Seán Barrett (Dún Laoghaire, Ceann Comhairle)
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The Deputy could seek a debate on the matter during Private Members' time.

Michael Healy-Rae (Kerry South, Independent)
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I would be grateful if the Minister could respond to my question.

Seán Barrett (Dún Laoghaire, Ceann Comhairle)
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We cannot debate the issue now.

Michael Healy-Rae (Kerry South, Independent)
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Will the Minister make a statement on the matter?

Seán Barrett (Dún Laoghaire, Ceann Comhairle)
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No, he cannot make a statement on the Order of Business.

Michael Healy-Rae (Kerry South, Independent)
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Is any legislation promised?

Brendan Howlin (Wexford, Labour)
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No.

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

Richard Boyd Barrett (Dún Laoghaire, People Before Profit Alliance)
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In light of the fact that county councillors in Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council made a decision earlier this week to opt for the most expensive option for new iPhones-----

Seán Barrett (Dún Laoghaire, Ceann Comhairle)
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We are not talking about iPhones. We are talking about promised legislation.

Richard Boyd Barrett (Dún Laoghaire, People Before Profit Alliance)
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-----when a cost neutral option was proposed to them-----

Paul Kehoe (Wexford, Fine Gael)
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We are not allowed to use them here.

Seán Barrett (Dún Laoghaire, Ceann Comhairle)
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Sorry, Deputy this is not-----

Richard Boyd Barrett (Dún Laoghaire, People Before Profit Alliance)
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Will a matter like that be dealt with in the fiscal responsibility Bill?

Seán Barrett (Dún Laoghaire, Ceann Comhairle)
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Please, Deputy do not take make fools of us. We are dealing with promised legislation. I ask the Deputy to resume his seat.

Richard Boyd Barrett (Dún Laoghaire, People Before Profit Alliance)
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This comes under the fiscal responsibility Bill.

Seán Barrett (Dún Laoghaire, Ceann Comhairle)
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The Deputy cannot talk about iPhones on the Order of Business.

Brendan Howlin (Wexford, Labour)
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The Bill does not deal with iPhones.

Richard Boyd Barrett (Dún Laoghaire, People Before Profit Alliance)
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It does not deal with excessive expenditure by local authorities?

Brendan Howlin (Wexford, Labour)
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That is a matter for the Comptroller and Auditor General.

Richard Boyd Barrett (Dún Laoghaire, People Before Profit Alliance)
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Fine Gael and Labour councillors decided they want to spend more money-----

Seán Barrett (Dún Laoghaire, Ceann Comhairle)
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I ask the Deputy to resume his seat. I call Deputy Dowds.

Emmet Stagg (Kildare North, Labour)
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What about the €43,000 tax free for the Deputy?

Richard Boyd Barrett (Dún Laoghaire, People Before Profit Alliance)
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I do not get €43,000.

Richard Boyd Barrett (Dún Laoghaire, People Before Profit Alliance)
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Deputy Stagg is wrong.

Seán Barrett (Dún Laoghaire, Ceann Comhairle)
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Deputy Boyd Barrett please resume your seat. I call Deputy Dowds.

Richard Boyd Barrett (Dún Laoghaire, People Before Profit Alliance)
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Deputy Stagg should check his facts.

Emmet Stagg (Kildare North, Labour)
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The Deputy should give it to Deputy Catherine Murphy.

Robert Dowds (Dublin Mid West, Labour)
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In light of the difficult anti-social situations in some housing estates, I appeal to the Government to prioritise the noise Bill.

Dara Calleary (Mayo, Fianna Fail)
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We need it in here.

Robert Dowds (Dublin Mid West, Labour)
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Some people are living in really difficult situations.

Timmy Dooley (Clare, Fianna Fail)
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Deputy Bannon is not here so it is not so bad.

Seán Barrett (Dún Laoghaire, Ceann Comhairle)
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Will it apply to this House, Minister?

Brendan Howlin (Wexford, Labour)
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This matter was raised yesterday and was taken note of. If that is the view of most Deputies, I will ensure it is brought to the attention of the appropriate Minister.

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