Enda Kenny (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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It is proposed to take No. 5, Competition (Amendment) Bill 2011 - Second Stage (resumed), and No. 11, Energy (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2011 - Second Stage (resumed). Private Members' business shall be No. 30, motion re promissory notes (resumed), to conclude at 9 p.m. if not previously concluded.

Seán Barrett (Dún Laoghaire, Ceann Comhairle)
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There are no proposals to put to the House.

Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
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With regard to the Debt Settlement and Mortgage Resolution Office Bill, we know the seriousness and profundity of mortgage arrears. The Taoiseach stated he would welcome proposals from this side of the House. Deputy Michael McGrath's Bill is now with the Select Committee on Justice, Defence and Equality. Does the Government intend to support the progression of that Bill rapidly through the Oireachtas and support its provisions in a genuine spirit of bipartisanship in regard to the very serious issue facing many mortgage holders across the country?

Enda Kenny (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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Some of the issues raised in Deputy McGrath's Bill are valid. What I want to do is have as comprehensive a response as possible to what is a very uncertain and pressurised time for those caught in the trap referred to. As I stated yesterday, I must consider the personal insolvency Bill and whether mortgages should be encompassed thereby, the conclusion or decisions to be made arising from the Keane report, and the proposals that have been taken into account by the personnel appointed by the Minister for Finance. While Deputy Michael McGrath made a genuine effort and some of his proposals are worthy, I need as comprehensive a response as possible from the Government.

Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin (Cavan-Monaghan, Sinn Fein)
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Will there be a legislative response, in addition to a political one, to the Priory Hall scandal? Will legislation be brought forward by the Government to provide for real building control, proper monitoring and inspection? I noted that the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government indicated a robust system of controls exists-----

Seán Barrett (Dún Laoghaire, Ceann Comhairle)
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Is this on promised legislation?

Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin (Cavan-Monaghan, Sinn Fein)
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-----but that is clearly not the case. What we need is a robust system of controls with inspection and monitoring.

My last point-----

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

Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin (Cavan-Monaghan, Sinn Fein)
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I hope it is about promised legislation because this area is quite clearly crying out for it. What we are looking at is virtual self-regulation. The Priory Hall case is probably but one example of a problem that needs-----

Seán Barrett (Dún Laoghaire, Ceann Comhairle)
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The Deputy should table a parliamentary question on this.

Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin (Cavan-Monaghan, Sinn Fein)
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-----to be addressed. Will the Taoiseach respond? Will he indicate that the Government intends to do so? What is happening currently is not enough.

Last, will the Taoiseach please ask the Minister-----

Seán Barrett (Dún Laoghaire, Ceann Comhairle)
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This is not an extension of Leaders' Questions; it is the Order of Business.

Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin (Cavan-Monaghan, Sinn Fein)
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I accept that.

Seán Barrett (Dún Laoghaire, Ceann Comhairle)
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I must, therefore, pull the Deputy up. I want to know whether there is promised legislation in this area.

Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin (Cavan-Monaghan, Sinn Fein)
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Will the Taoiseach ask the Minister to intervene where Dublin City Council is likely to appeal the decision of the High Court in respect of the latter's decision to instruct the council-----

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

Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin (Cavan-Monaghan, Sinn Fein)
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-----to provide accommodation to all the evacuees, without exception?

Seán Barrett (Dún Laoghaire, Ceann Comhairle)
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I would appreciate the Deputy's co-operation and I ask him to resume his seat. Is there promised legislation in this area?

Enda Kenny (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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Bearing in mind the existing legislation, the building control legislation, what is needed here is an analysis of the quality of the standards and regulation that apply. Light regulation has not worked.

I understand NAMA has made a provision for some temporary accommodation for those families who have been displaced because of the complete shambles the builder in question put in place. The Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government is concerned about this and is available to talk to Dublin City Council if it so wishes. What is needed here is an analysis of the quality, standards and regulations already contained the building control legislation to deal with cases like this.

Joe Higgins (Dublin West, Socialist Party)
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Will the Taoiseach vary the business of the House this morning to allow a motion to be put before the Dáil calling on the Israeli authorities to immediately release 14 of our citizens-----

Seán Barrett (Dún Laoghaire, Ceann Comhairle)
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That is not a matter on the Order of Business.

Joe Higgins (Dublin West, Socialist Party)
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-----who were kidnapped by the Israelis in international waters bringing aid to the imprisoned people of Gaza?

Seán Barrett (Dún Laoghaire, Ceann Comhairle)
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That is not a matter on the Order of Business.

Joe Higgins (Dublin West, Socialist Party)
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The embassy staff are doing their best but where is the political outrage from the Irish Government-----

Seán Barrett (Dún Laoghaire, Ceann Comhairle)
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The Deputy is out of order. This is not on the Order of Business.

Joe Higgins (Dublin West, Socialist Party)
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-----about this highly illegal act of kidnapping citizens while embarked on a peaceful mission?

A Deputy:

They are coming home today.

Joe Higgins (Dublin West, Socialist Party)
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Will the Taoiseach vary the business of the House now?

Seán Barrett (Dún Laoghaire, Ceann Comhairle)
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This is not a matter for the Order of Business. The business for today has been agreed. This is not in order. I call Deputy Michael McGrath.

Joe Higgins (Dublin West, Socialist Party)
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A Cheann Comhairle-----

Richard Boyd Barrett (Dún Laoghaire, People Before Profit Alliance)
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A Cheann Comhairle, I had my hand up.

Seán Barrett (Dún Laoghaire, Ceann Comhairle)
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No. Settle down.

Pádraig Mac Lochlainn (Donegal North East, Sinn Fein)
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Can we have a simple statement in reply?

Richard Boyd Barrett (Dún Laoghaire, People Before Profit Alliance)
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A Cheann Comhairle-----

Seán Barrett (Dún Laoghaire, Ceann Comhairle)
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Will the Deputy resume his seat? I have ruled on the matter. It is not in order on the Order of Business. If the Deputy wants to put a request in another way, we will consider it.

Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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He should submit a matter for the Topical Issue Debate.

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

Joe Higgins (Dublin West, Socialist Party)
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It is in the hands of the Taoiseach to vary the business of the House, as the Ceann Comhairle well knows. Where is the Labour Party-----

A Deputy:

They are coming home today.

Richard Boyd Barrett (Dún Laoghaire, People Before Profit Alliance)
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Are they coming home today? Does the Deputy know that?

Emmet Stagg (Kildare North, Labour)
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They are. You have nothing to complain about. Maybe they will stay at home for a short while.

Seán Barrett (Dún Laoghaire, Ceann Comhairle)
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Deputy Boyd Barrett, there are 166 Deputies and you are one of them. Resume your seat.

Michael McGrath (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
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I cannot be heard. There is no point in my speaking as I will not be heard.

Seán Barrett (Dún Laoghaire, Ceann Comhairle)
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Deputy Mac Lochlainn, you will be taking a walk if you do not obey the orders of the House.

Pádraig Mac Lochlainn (Donegal North East, Sinn Fein)
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A Cheann Comhairle, on a point of order-----

Seán Barrett (Dún Laoghaire, Ceann Comhairle)
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There is no point of order. I call Deputy McGrath.

Pádraig Mac Lochlainn (Donegal North East, Sinn Fein)
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The Whip of the Labour Party has made a statement-----

Seán Barrett (Dún Laoghaire, Ceann Comhairle)
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Excuse me, Deputy, you should address the Chair in a proper fashion. You should not shout and roar when another Deputy has been called. Please stay quiet. Deputy McGrath to proceed.

Pádraig Mac Lochlainn (Donegal North East, Sinn Fein)
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I will quote Deputy Stagg on that statement.

Michael McGrath (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
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When this House debated the Keane report some weeks ago, we were informed at the end of that debate that the Government's implementation plan for measures following on from that report and other decisions would be announced and set out for the Dáil, but that has not happened yet. Has the Government made any decision on the recommendations of the Keane report and when will we see legislation on this? The Taoiseach's comments yesterday and today imply he will await the personal insolvency Bill from the Government. There are more immediate actions that can be taken. Have any decisions been taken and, if so, when will they be made available to the House?

Enda Kenny (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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I am acutely aware of the difficulty that this causes. The Government appointed a group to take other proposals in respect of mortgages and the distress this is causing for people. Those hearings have been taking place.

Michael McGrath (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
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What group is this?

Enda Kenny (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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We have to make a decision in respect of the personal insolvency Bill which is quite a complex one and that is a fundamental part of the entire mortgage issue.

Michael McGrath (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
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Is this another group that is separate from the Keane group?

Enda Kenny (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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The heads of that Bill will be decided upon as quickly as we can do so. From the evidence available, there are 50,000 or 60,000 cases in difficulty with mortgages. We cannot overturn the situation just like that. It takes some time to get it right. The Government is correct in its view that what we should do is to take all the evidence we can into consideration and then make a comprehensive set of decisions, and fundamental to that will be the legislation. We will keep the Deputy informed on it.

Michael McGrath (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
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That is not due to be published until next year.

Enda Kenny (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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I am acutely conscious of the difficulty this is causing for people. We also had interest rate reductions in recent days as well. It is the case that it will be brought back to the House but the Government has to make a decision on a range of issues and we would like to have those before us before we do that.

Michael McGrath (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
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So there is another round of consultations.

Seán Barrett (Dún Laoghaire, Ceann Comhairle)
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I call Deputy Boyd Barrett on a matter under promised legislation.

Richard Boyd Barrett (Dún Laoghaire, People Before Profit Alliance)
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The Taoiseach has the right to vary the Order of Business in the Dáil. I appeal to him to re-order today's business-----

Seán Barrett (Dún Laoghaire, Ceann Comhairle)
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The Deputy is out of order. Has he a matter to raise under promised legislation? We have dealt with that issue and I have told the Deputy the position.

Richard Boyd Barrett (Dún Laoghaire, People Before Profit Alliance)
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-----to allow for a debate about 14 Irish citizens-----

Seán Barrett (Dún Laoghaire, Ceann Comhairle)
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Deputy, will you please resume your seat?

Richard Boyd Barrett (Dún Laoghaire, People Before Profit Alliance)
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-----who have been illegally kidnapped, shackled and denied their legal rights-----

Seán Barrett (Dún Laoghaire, Ceann Comhairle)
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Deputy, will you resume your seat?

Richard Boyd Barrett (Dún Laoghaire, People Before Profit Alliance)
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-----while trying to bring aid to the people of Gaza. The Irish Government, the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade in particular, have said nothing about our citizens being humiliated and abused.

Seán Barrett (Dún Laoghaire, Ceann Comhairle)
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Deputy, resume your seat or else you will leave the House. I call Deputy Nulty.

Richard Boyd Barrett (Dún Laoghaire, People Before Profit Alliance)
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I appeal to the Taoiseach to allow a discussion on this issue.

Pádraig Mac Lochlainn (Donegal North East, Sinn Fein)
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Has the Taoiseach nothing to say on this issue?

Joe Higgins (Dublin West, Socialist Party)
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Why is the Taoiseach not-----

Seán Barrett (Dún Laoghaire, Ceann Comhairle)
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Will the Deputies please show respect?

Pádraig Mac Lochlainn (Donegal North East, Sinn Fein)
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Deputy Emmet Stagg, the Whip of the Labour Party, is speaking for the Taoiseach. He reckons they are being released today. Will the Taoiseach confirm that?

Seán Barrett (Dún Laoghaire, Ceann Comhairle)
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Deputy Mac Lochlainn, will you please show respect for a new Deputy?

Pádraig Mac Lochlainn (Donegal North East, Sinn Fein)
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Deputy Stagg is representing the Taoiseach.

Seán Barrett (Dún Laoghaire, Ceann Comhairle)
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I have called Deputy Nulty.

Pádraig Mac Lochlainn (Donegal North East, Sinn Fein)
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Deputy Emmet Stagg said that they are being released today. Will the Taoiseach confirm that?

Seán Barrett (Dún Laoghaire, Ceann Comhairle)
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Deputy Mac Lochlainn will take a walk if he is not careful. Deputy Nulty to proceed without interruption.

Seán Barrett (Dún Laoghaire, Ceann Comhairle)
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Will the Deputy please show respect to a new Deputy? Deputy Nulty is very welcome.

Patrick Nulty (Dublin West, Labour)
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I thank the Ceann Comhairle. Under promised legislation, will the Taoiseach indicate when we can expect to see the industrial relations (amendment) Bill before the House? This is vital legislation to give protection to workers on low pay and which must contain assurances that their pay will be secured, which is key to economic growth. Also, when can we expect to see the landlord and tenant (business leases review) Bill to address the issue of upward-only rent reviews, which is also crucial to keeping business afloat and our workers in employment?

Enda Kenny (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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I welcome Deputy Nulty. I can confirm that a great deal of work has been done on the industrial relations (amendment) Bill and the landlords and tenants (business leases review) Bill and they are both expected to be published in this session.

Seán Barrett (Dún Laoghaire, Ceann Comhairle)
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That completes the Order of Business for today.

Joe Higgins (Dublin West, Socialist Party)
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A Cheann Comhairle, may I raise a point of order?

Seán Barrett (Dún Laoghaire, Ceann Comhairle)
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The Order of Business is complete. We will now move on to the Competition (Amendment) Bill 2011.

Joe Higgins (Dublin West, Socialist Party)
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On a point of order, a Cheann Comhairle-----

Seán Barrett (Dún Laoghaire, Ceann Comhairle)
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What is your point of order?

Joe Higgins (Dublin West, Socialist Party)
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With respect, the Taoiseach is in charge of the business of the Dáil and he can vary that business to take a motion-----

Seán Barrett (Dún Laoghaire, Ceann Comhairle)
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He has made his decision.

Joe Higgins (Dublin West, Socialist Party)
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The Ceann Comhairle did not even ask him to respond to our requests.

Seán Barrett (Dún Laoghaire, Ceann Comhairle)
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There was no motion to put to the House. The Taoiseach ordered legislation that has already been discussed and therefore there is no motion to put to the House. The Deputy is out of order and I ask him to resume his seat.

Joe Higgins (Dublin West, Socialist Party)
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Yes, but we asked him to vary the business to allow a motion proposing the release of 14 of our citizens to be entertained immediately here. The Ceann Comhairle did not ask him to respond to that.

Seán Barrett (Dún Laoghaire, Ceann Comhairle)
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Will the Deputy please resume his seat? There are other ways of raising these issues-----

Joe Higgins (Dublin West, Socialist Party)
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Would the Taoiseach like to reply?

Seán Barrett (Dún Laoghaire, Ceann Comhairle)
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-----including parliamentary questions and so on. There are many ways the Deputy can be in order.

Richard Boyd Barrett (Dún Laoghaire, People Before Profit Alliance)
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We have been humiliated by the troika and now humiliated by Israel. It is a disgrace, Taoiseach.