Enda Kenny (Mayo, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

It is proposed to take No. a9, Road Transport Bill 2011 - Financial Resolution; No. 9, motion re membership of committee; No. 13, statements on sustainability in the sea fisheries sector; and No. 3, Road Transport Bill 2011 - Order for Second Stage and Second and Subsequent Stages.

It is proposed, notwithstanding anything in Standing Orders, that (1) Nos. a9 and 9 shall be decided without debate; (2) the proceedings on No. 13 shall, if not previously concluded, be brought to a conclusion after 80 minutes and the following arrangements shall apply: (i) the statements shall be made by a Minister or Minister of State and by the main spokespersons for Fianna Fáil, Sinn Féin and the Technical Group, who shall be called upon in that order and who may share their time, and shall not exceed 15 minutes in each case; and (ii) a Minister or Minister of State shall take questions for a period not exceeding 20 minutes; and (3) No. 3 shall be taken today and the following arrangements shall apply in regard to Second and Subsequent Stages: (i) the proceedings on Second Stage shall, if not previously concluded, be brought to a conclusion at 12.30 p.m. tomorrow; and (ii) the proceedings on Committee and Remaining Stages shall commence immediately upon the conclusion of Second Stage and, if not previously concluded, be brought to a conclusion at 1.30 p.m. tomorrow by one question which shall be put from the Chair and which shall, in regard to amendments, include only those set down or accepted by the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport. Private Members' business shall be No. 36, motion re local authority rates (resumed), to conclude at 9 p.m., if not previously concluded.

Seán Barrett (Dún Laoghaire, Ceann Comhairle)
Link to this: Individually | In context

There are three proposals to be put to the House. Is the proposal for dealing with Nos. a9 and 9 without debate agreed to?

Gerry Adams (Louth, Sinn Fein)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Before the Ceann Comhairle puts this to a vote, may I ask him for some advice?

Seán Barrett (Dún Laoghaire, Ceann Comhairle)
Link to this: Individually | In context

What advice?

Gerry Adams (Louth, Sinn Fein)
Link to this: Individually | In context

With regard to the ordering of business, there are reports about propositions being unveiled by the European Commission. There will be a summit on 9 December.

Seán Barrett (Dún Laoghaire, Ceann Comhairle)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Could the Deputy raise that when we have addressed the proposals on the Order of Business?

Gerry Adams (Louth, Sinn Fein)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Yes.

Seán Barrett (Dún Laoghaire, Ceann Comhairle)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Is the first proposal agreed to?

Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context

It is not agreed. The 19th document laid before the Dáil, as referred to in the Order Paper, is entitled "EU/IMF Programme of Financial Support for Ireland - Draft Programme Documents, November 2011". Apparently it has been lodged in the Oireachtas Library. It relates to the draft programme that was circulated to German parliamentarians. I have asked for time to be provided to the House-----

Seán Barrett (Dún Laoghaire, Ceann Comhairle)
Link to this: Individually | In context

We will deal with that issue later. I have already responded to Deputy Adams.

Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context

I oppose the order and, in doing so, am entitled to comment on why.

Seán Barrett (Dún Laoghaire, Ceann Comhairle)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Only in respect of why there is a time limit on this item.

Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context

I oppose that on the basis-----

Seán Barrett (Dún Laoghaire, Ceann Comhairle)
Link to this: Individually | In context

I will allow the Deputy to raise the issue when we deal with the proposal. The Deputy is now opposing a matter that is ordered in regard to an entirely different matter.

Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context

It does not matter.

Seán Barrett (Dún Laoghaire, Ceann Comhairle)
Link to this: Individually | In context

It does.

Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context

I am entitled to oppose the sequencing of the Order of Business in the House.

Seán Barrett (Dún Laoghaire, Ceann Comhairle)
Link to this: Individually | In context

In case the Deputy does not realise it, I must inform him that he is not Ceann Comhairle.

Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context

I know that. I am absolutely well aware I am not Ceann Comhairle.

Seán Barrett (Dún Laoghaire, Ceann Comhairle)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Therefore, if the Deputy wishes to have Standing Orders amended, I suggest that he get his Whip to bring his proposals to the Committee on Procedure and Privileges to have them debated and brought to the House, at which point we can consider whether they should be changed. In the meantime, I will apply the rules as they are. What the Deputy is attempting to do now is totally out of order.

Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context

I am not attempting to do anything.

Seán Barrett (Dún Laoghaire, Ceann Comhairle)
Link to this: Individually | In context

The Deputy is attempting to raise another matter which Deputy Adams endeavoured to raise. Deputy Adams accepted-----

Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context

I understood Deputy Adams attempted to raise a different matter.

Seán Barrett (Dún Laoghaire, Ceann Comhairle)
Link to this: Individually | In context

He accepted my position, which is that I must put these proposals first, after which I will deal with matters on the Order of Business.

Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context

I oppose the order the Ceann Comhairle is putting to me. My understanding, based on precedent, is that I am entitled to comment on why I oppose the order. As the leader of an Opposition party, I must state-----

Seán Barrett (Dún Laoghaire, Ceann Comhairle)
Link to this: Individually | In context

There are three proposals.

Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context

I asked for section 12 consideration regarding this issue yesterday. It is unprecedented that documentation would go to German parliamentarians before Irish ones. I do not have any problem with the concept once we get the documentation first. I find it extraordinary that we do not even get an opportunity to ask questions about it.

Seán Barrett (Dún Laoghaire, Ceann Comhairle)
Link to this: Individually | In context

The Deputy gets every opportunity.

Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context

We do not.

Seán Barrett (Dún Laoghaire, Ceann Comhairle)
Link to this: Individually | In context

We just completed Leaders' Questions.

Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context

It has been snuffed out.

Seán Barrett (Dún Laoghaire, Ceann Comhairle)
Link to this: Individually | In context

The Deputy had an opportunity to-----

Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context

It has been deliberately suppressed and put down. We just have not got an opportunity. Yesterday, I got nothing from the Taoiseach.

Seán Barrett (Dún Laoghaire, Ceann Comhairle)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Then I suggest that the Deputy change the Standing Orders.

Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context

It is not about changing Standing Orders. I am opposing this order-----

Seán Barrett (Dún Laoghaire, Ceann Comhairle)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Will the Deputy please explain to the House why he is opposing the proposal?

Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context

-----on the grounds that I would prefer to have time for a session of questions and answers, with either the Minister for Finance or the Taoiseach, on the process that led to the documentation going to the German Parliament before it came to the Dáil.

Seán Barrett (Dún Laoghaire, Ceann Comhairle)
Link to this: Individually | In context

That is not what I am putting to the House.

Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context

It is a very reasonable request.

Seán Barrett (Dún Laoghaire, Ceann Comhairle)
Link to this: Individually | In context

It is not a very reasonable request.

Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Deputy Barrett, as Ceann Comhairle, should defend the Members of the House in asking why this happened. That is all I ask.

Seán Barrett (Dún Laoghaire, Ceann Comhairle)
Link to this: Individually | In context

I cannot defend them at this time. Is the proposal for dealing with Nos. a9 and 9 without debate agreed to?

Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context

No.

Seán Barrett (Dún Laoghaire, Ceann Comhairle)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Will the Taoiseach respond, please? Has he nothing to say?

Enda Kenny (Mayo, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Unless Deputy Martin proposes to amend the Order of Business, he is-----

Seán Barrett (Dún Laoghaire, Ceann Comhairle)
Link to this: Individually | In context

He has outlined his reasons for adopting his position.

Seán Barrett (Dún Laoghaire, Ceann Comhairle)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Is the proposal for dealing with No. 13, statements on sustainability in the sea fisheries sector, agreed to? Agreed. Is the proposal for dealing with No. 3, Road Transport Bill 2011 - Order for Second Stage, Second and Subsequent Stages, agreed to? Agreed.

Gerry Adams (Louth, Sinn Fein)
Link to this: Individually | In context

There is a real problem about the ordering of business here and I am looking for some advice. For example, the summit on 9 December will consider propositions from the European Commission. We should have a discussion before that meeting. I know I can be referred to the Whips and so forth, but I want some handle on this. There is a real issue with German parliamentarians being able to discuss this matter and we have not yet. We made a pre-budget submission that was almost fully costed - there were approximately three items for which the Department of Finance would not give us figures. We sent it to the Minister for Finance and to the Taoiseach. While we could debate this in Private Members' time, it would be far better if the Government allowed us and the other parties time to discuss these matters and we had a different approach to how a budget is put together. We should have prior discussions as opposed to discussions when it is a fait accompli. The Government has such a majority it can just tolerate and then go ahead with what it wants to do.

Seán Barrett (Dún Laoghaire, Ceann Comhairle)
Link to this: Individually | In context

I call Deputy Martin on a similar issue.

Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context

My basic issue on this-----

Seán Barrett (Dún Laoghaire, Ceann Comhairle)
Link to this: Individually | In context

I ask him to deal with this issue. I will call him again.

Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context

As I told the Taoiseach yesterday, the House should have an opportunity to discuss that draft programme of budget details that was sent to the German Parliament. We should have been allowed the opportunity to ask questions on how it got to the German parliamentarians before it was debated properly in this House. The Minister should have explained it to the House and taken questions on that specific item. That should have happened and the Taoiseach should have volunteered it. It has now taken five days to get the documentation placed in the Oireachtas Library. When I requested that yesterday, the Taoiseach said only that he would consider it and did not have the grace to say he would do that which seemed the obvious course of action. I am surprised we have not had the opportunity to have that discussion in the House.

Seán Barrett (Dún Laoghaire, Ceann Comhairle)
Link to this: Individually | In context

I will come back to Deputy Martin. I call Deputy Boyd Barrett on the same subject.

Richard Boyd Barrett (Dún Laoghaire, People Before Profit Alliance)
Link to this: Individually | In context

I also ask that we be given an opportunity to debate the options and issues confronting the people before the budget. The Taoiseach has indicated that he will make a state of the nation address. Perhaps these two items could be put together and an address could be made about how the Taoiseach sees the issues facing the Government before the budget and the questions that will influence how the Government will approach the budget. Opposition parties should have the opportunity to outline their views about options and alternatives facing into the budget. Particularly given the number of kites being flown and the fear and anxiety being caused to ordinary people, it is only fair, reasonable and democratic to have a debate in the Dáil in which people can set out their perspectives on how we can deal with the economic crisis and the severe issues facing the country in advance of the final budget announcements.

Enda Kenny (Mayo, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

As is now normal procedure, we like to have discussions or comments from the Members of the House before European Council meetings and after. That is a change that was introduced since the Government was formed. In this case the budget will be on 6 December and I need to attend an EPP meeting in Marseilles on 7 December before the meeting in Brussels. We will need to make arrangements for the forthcoming Council meeting to be held on 9 December sometime before that. I will see that happens in accordance with the established practice we have.

Deputy Martin asked how the material got to the German parliamentary committee. He will be aware that as part of the troika, the Commission has to get the documentation about the previous quarter in order that it can sign off on it and approve the further moneys for Ireland under the bailout programme. Because the budget is so close, it sought information about the intentions of the Minister for Finance in this regard and that was sent to the Commission in confidence. It has admitted it should not have sent that to the German Parliament's budget committee. That was sent in confidence given the proximity of the budget. It is duty bound to send the other material - the assessment for the preceding quarter - to the German parliamentary committee, because it is now inserted into the German constitution that it must be so informed. However, it was not bound to send the information about the general intentions of the Minister for Finance about our budget, which is our business here. It has admitted its fault in that. So it is not necessary to have an investigation to find out what happened. We now know what happened and the Commission clarified it was wrong. As I have said, the Minister for Finance has protested very strongly about a breach of confidentiality to Commissioner Rehn in that regard. The material was sent in confidence because of the proximity of the budget.

In regard to Deputy Boyd Barrett's comment, he will obviously have plenty of time during the budget discussions. I suggest that he work with his colleagues on the other side of the House. He can use Private Members' time and I will see what other opportunities might be found for having discussions about the general financial situation.

Richard Boyd Barrett (Dún Laoghaire, People Before Profit Alliance)
Link to this: Individually | In context

What about the state of the nation address?

Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context

There is nothing in the troika deal that states the Government has to give anything to anybody.

Seán Barrett (Dún Laoghaire, Ceann Comhairle)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Because of the vote there are just over two minutes left.

Michael Healy-Rae (Kerry South, Independent)
Link to this: Individually | In context

I wish to raise two issues. The Government recently announced it wanted to introduce a registration fee for septic tanks. Are there proposals to legislate for this problem?

Tom Hayes (Tipperary South, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Senator Tom Sheahan told everybody about it at a meeting in County Kerry the other night.

Seán Barrett (Dún Laoghaire, Ceann Comhairle)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Will Deputy Healy Rae cut out the preliminaries and ask a question?

Michael Healy-Rae (Kerry South, Independent)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Does the Government have proposals to provide grant aid to help the people concerned to carry out these remedial works-----

Seán Barrett (Dún Laoghaire, Ceann Comhairle)
Link to this: Individually | In context

The Deputy informed me he had two questions relating to promised legislation. He should stick to them.

Michael Healy-Rae (Kerry South, Independent)
Link to this: Individually | In context

I appreciate the move made by the Government yesterday in announcing an inquiry into the recent activities in RTE.

Seán Barrett (Dún Laoghaire, Ceann Comhairle)
Link to this: Individually | In context

The Deputy is abusing what he said.

Michael Healy-Rae (Kerry South, Independent)
Link to this: Individually | In context

No, the question is on legislation.

Seán Barrett (Dún Laoghaire, Ceann Comhairle)
Link to this: Individually | In context

The Deputy is abusing a privilege I have given to him. He should ask about promised legislation.

Michael Healy-Rae (Kerry South, Independent)
Link to this: Individually | In context

That is what I am asking about.

Seán Barrett (Dún Laoghaire, Ceann Comhairle)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Will the Deputy get to the question? There is only one minute left for other Deputies.

Michael Healy-Rae (Kerry South, Independent)
Link to this: Individually | In context

I would if the Ceann Comhairle let me. If it is true that Fr. Reynolds offered to undergo a paternity test before RTE aired the "Prime Time Investigates" programme and RTE ignored this and recklessly carried on to air the programme, thus exposing licence payers, does the Government propose to bring forward legislation to ensure this type of action will never happen again and licence payers will not be exposed to massive payouts? Have there been payouts such as this in the past? What were the costs involved?

Seán Barrett (Dún Laoghaire, Ceann Comhairle)
Link to this: Individually | In context

I ask the Deputy to, please, resume his seat, or he will not be called again. That is a total abuse.

Michael Healy-Rae (Kerry South, Independent)
Link to this: Individually | In context

I am asking about legislation.

Seán Barrett (Dún Laoghaire, Ceann Comhairle)
Link to this: Individually | In context

The Deputy asked for time to raise matters related to promised legislation.

Enda Kenny (Mayo, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

The Water Services Bill 2011 which is before the Seanad will deal with the first matter raised by the Deputy. Every Senator and Deputy will have an opportunity to comment on it.

Éamon Ó Cuív (Galway West, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context

They are not getting that opportunity in the Seanad.

Enda Kenny (Mayo, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

On the second matter, the Government has instructed the Broadcasting Authority of Ireland to conduct an inquiry because of the grievous drop in standards.

Éamon Ó Cuív (Galway West, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context

I ask the Taoiseach to correct what he said-----

Seán Barrett (Dún Laoghaire, Ceann Comhairle)
Link to this: Individually | In context

The Deputy is out of order.

Éamon Ó Cuív (Galway West, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Not all Senators are getting an opportunity to contribute to the debate on the Bill because it has been guillotined.

Enda Kenny (Mayo, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

There were no Opposition speakers.

Brendan Smith (Cavan-Monaghan, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context

That is not correct.

Paul Kehoe (Wexford, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

There were no Opposition Senators in the Chamber.

Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context

The Government Chief Whip should stop the jackboot stuff.