Enda Kenny (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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It is proposed to take No. 14, Protection of Employees (Temporary Agency Work) Bill 2011 - Order for Report, Report and Final Stages, to adjourn at 5.30 p.m., if not previously concluded; and No. 5, Motor Vehicle (Duties and Licences) Bill 2012 - Order for Second Stage and Second Stage. Private Members' business shall be No. 40, motion re health services (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 forthcoming legislation and to put the record straight, there was no mention of €2 billion or €5 billion for the sale of State assets in the original memorandum of understanding agreed with the troika. That was something the Government decided to include in line with Fine Gael's policy, in particular, and it is wrong to continue to mislead people about this fact. The Minister for Finance is on record articulating on a number of occasions in the House how the sale of State assets in terms of what is being proposed and revealed was introduced into the Government's memorandum of understanding with the troika. Perhaps that is being done to appease Labour Party backbenchers and that is why Labour Party Ministers are deliberately misleading about this.

Seán Barrett (Dún Laoghaire, Ceann Comhairle)
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Will the Deputy get on with it please?

Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
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When will the Government bring forward legislation to facilitate the sale of Coillte assets, the energy division of Bord Gais and minority stakes in the ESB and Aer Lingus? Will the Taoiseach outline a timeline for the introduction of legislation that the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform promised outside the House this morning?

Joe Higgins (Dublin West, Socialist Party)
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On the same issue, legislation will obviously take time but, because of the critical importance of this issue, will the Taoiseach provide time either today or tomorrow at the latest for a debate on the proposals made by the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform this morning? Has he any concept of the depth of treachery to sell billions of euro worth of State assets to pay the bad gambling debts-----

Seán Barrett (Dún Laoghaire, Ceann Comhairle)
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We are not having a discussion on this.

Barry Cowen (Laois-Offaly, Fianna Fail)
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Last June, the Taoiseach promised a debate on the McCarthy report, which dealt specifically with the proposals on the sale of State assets.

Seán Barrett (Dún Laoghaire, Ceann Comhairle)
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We cannot have a debate now.

Barry Cowen (Laois-Offaly, Fianna Fail)
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Will he show the same appreciation to the rest of us regarding this proposal and take cognisance of what Members want regarding a discussion after the horse has bolted?

Patrick O'Donovan (Limerick, Fine Gael)
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The Deputy would know a lot about that.

Seán Barrett (Dún Laoghaire, Ceann Comhairle)
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I call Deputy Adams on the same issue.

Gerry Adams (Louth, Sinn Fein)
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I have another issue but I will come back to that in a moment with the Ceann Comhairle's permission.

Seán Barrett (Dún Laoghaire, Ceann Comhairle)
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Please stick to a question that is in order on the Order of Business.

Gerry Adams (Louth, Sinn Fein)
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There is the issue of these announcements being made outside the Dáil but will the Taoiseach ensure time is set aside for a debate on the Government's proposals?

Enda Kenny (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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I have no problem with having a debate on the Government's proposals but it is important that Members understand the process in train.

Timmy Dooley (Clare, Fianna Fail)
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The parallel process of announcements outside the House while we try and discuss the legislation here.

Seán Barrett (Dún Laoghaire, Ceann Comhairle)
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Would the Deputy mind allowing the Taoiseach to answer his party leader's question?

Enda Kenny (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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The Government made a decision yesterday and that has been communicated today both in here and outside by the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform.

Mattie McGrath (Tipperary South, Independent)
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Not in here.

Michael McGrath (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
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Well done to the Labour Party.

Timmy Dooley (Clare, Fianna Fail)
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I do not see the details.

Enda Kenny (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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The process that will be followed is that in respect, for instance, of the energy market, the intention clearly is to bring about a competitive impact on that market. The Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources will present a list of recommendations to the Government by the end of March both in respect of the disposal of Bord Gais Energy and some elements of the power generation capacity within the ESB. The valuations on those will be carried out by NewERA and the Government will make its decision following the presentation by the Minister. I have mentioned that if a decision is made in respect of Coillte, it will relate to timber and not to land, and where Aer Lingus is concerned, it will be in respect of the shareholding. From that point of view, Members can have a debate.

Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
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What is the timeline for it?

Enda Kenny (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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They can raise it at the Whips' meeting and they can have a debate on it the week after next if they wish, but it might be more appropriate if we had a full debate on it-----

Barry Cowen (Laois-Offaly, Fianna Fail)
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The Taoiseach promised on a debate on it.

Enda Kenny (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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-----when the Government makes a decision about the recommendations that will come before it from the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources, having consulted with all those authorities involved.

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

Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
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Has the Taoiseach a legislative timeline for this?

Enda Kenny (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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No, I cannot give the Deputy a timeline for legislation. The start of process is that by the end of March the Government will be presented with a list of recommendations by the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources.

Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
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So the Minister has not announced it this morning.

Enda Kenny (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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I do not expect that any of these sales would take place until 2013 at the earliest.

Joe Higgins (Dublin West, Socialist Party)
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We need a debate on the principle of-----

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

Joe Higgins (Dublin West, Socialist Party)
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-----selling off assets to satisfy speculators in Europe.

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

Joe Higgins (Dublin West, Socialist Party)
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The Taoiseach should not come in here and pretend this is for the good of the Irish people to provide cheaper energy prices.

Seán Barrett (Dún Laoghaire, Ceann Comhairle)
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Deputy Adams to proceed. I ask Deputies to restrain themselves and to speak through the Chair.

Gerry Adams (Louth, Sinn Fein)
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There is a clear pattern of the Government making announcements outside this Chamber, running away from having a referendum on the austerity treaty and so on.

Gerry Adams (Louth, Sinn Fein)
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Last night there was an announcement about a constitutional convention. At least seven or eight months ago the Taoiseach promised the Opposition that he would consult its members on that issue. A fortnight ago I wrote to him on behalf of Sinn Féin and made a number of suggestions. The announcement last night did not contain one of the suggestions Sinn Féin made to him-----

Seán Barrett (Dún Laoghaire, Ceann Comhairle)
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That is a separate issue.

Gerry Adams (Louth, Sinn Fein)
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-----in regard to a constitutional convention. The point I am coming to is that this is more of a process of notification than consultation. I cannot take the Taoiseach seriously-----

A Deputy:

We cannot take the Deputy seriously either.

Seán Barrett (Dún Laoghaire, Ceann Comhairle)
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We cannot have a debate on the Order of Business.

Gerry Adams (Louth, Sinn Fein)
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-----in terms of political reform and his lack of willingness to consult the Opposition on these issues. If he was serious about consulting on a constitutional convention, why did he not meet us before he made his announcement?

Seán Barrett (Dún Laoghaire, Ceann Comhairle)
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This is not in order on the Order of Business and the Deputy knows that right well. The matters that can be raised are those related to promised legislation. I call Deputy Healy-Rae on a matter of promised legislation.

Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin (Cavan-Monaghan, Sinn Fein)
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There will have to be facilitating legislation. This is a constitutional change.

Seán Barrett (Dún Laoghaire, Ceann Comhairle)
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There are other ways of debating this issue-----

Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin (Cavan-Monaghan, Sinn Fein)
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Legislation will be required.

Seán Barrett (Dún Laoghaire, Ceann Comhairle)
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-----but it cannot be debated on the Order of Business.

Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin (Cavan-Monaghan, Sinn Fein)
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Deputy Adams's question is quite valid.

Seán Barrett (Dún Laoghaire, Ceann Comhairle)
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Deputy Healy-Rae to proceed.

Michael Healy-Rae (Kerry South, Independent)
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Will the Local Government Act have to be amended to allow for the proposed alignment of local development companies to local authorities and is there promised or proposed legislation in regard to this?

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

Michael Healy-Rae (Kerry South, Independent)
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I have one other item.

Seán Barrett (Dún Laoghaire, Ceann Comhairle)
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No, the Deputy cannot be making speeches.

Michael Healy-Rae (Kerry South, Independent)
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No, I wish to raise a separate item. Everyone else seems to get to have all the say they want.

Seán Barrett (Dún Laoghaire, Ceann Comhairle)
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No, the Deputy knows what I am talking about.

Michael Healy-Rae (Kerry South, Independent)
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Yes.

Niall Collins (Limerick, Fianna Fail)
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The Deputy has asked a fairly direct question there.

Michael Healy-Rae (Kerry South, Independent)
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That was one direct question for the Taoiseach. Another direct question for him is how soon the taxi regulation legislation will be altered to allow for the use of new low cost hackney licences which are proposed to be issued? I welcome this initiative as it was I who proposed it in this House a number of months ago.

Seán Barrett (Dún Laoghaire, Ceann Comhairle)
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Thank you, Deputy. Is legislation promised on this?

Enda Kenny (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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There may well be legislation required in respect of the transfer envisaged in regard to the county enterprise boards. The Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government and the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation are discussing that matter.

On the question of the taxi regulation report, that is under discussion and being handled by the Minister of State, Deputy Kelly. I am glad the Deputy welcomed that element of it. I am sure it will be very beneficial in Kilgarvan and surrounding areas. Down there near Robber's Glen the hackneys will be busy in the evening. Obviously, the Deputy will have the opportunity to discuss that in the House when it progresses.

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

Michael Healy-Rae (Kerry South, Independent)
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The Taoiseach did not answer my question.

Seán Barrett (Dún Laoghaire, Ceann Comhairle)
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He did.

Enda Kenny (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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I said that-----

Michael Healy-Rae (Kerry South, Independent)
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The Taoiseach did not answer it with all the noise.

Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
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The question on the county enterprise boards.

Seán Barrett (Dún Laoghaire, Ceann Comhairle)
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Deputy Healy-Rae, resume your seat.

Michael Healy-Rae (Kerry South, Independent)
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The Taoiseach did not answer what I asked him.

Enda Kenny (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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I did.

Seán Barrett (Dún Laoghaire, Ceann Comhairle)
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Will the Deputy ask the Taoiseach to answer it again?

Michael McCarthy (Cork South West, Labour)
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Did the Deputy's translator ask the question?

Michael Healy-Rae (Kerry South, Independent)
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I ask the Taoiseach to hear this question out.

Seán Barrett (Dún Laoghaire, Ceann Comhairle)
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Will the Deputy resume his seat?

Michael Healy-Rae (Kerry South, Independent)
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The Taoiseach did not answer my question.

Seán Barrett (Dún Laoghaire, Ceann Comhairle)
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Will the Taoiseach answer the question?

Enda Kenny (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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I did answer it.

Michael Healy-Rae (Kerry South, Independent)
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The Taoiseach did not answer what I asked him.

Enda Kenny (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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The Deputy asked would legislation be necessary to amend the Local Government Act to cater for the transfer of county enterprise boards.

Michael Healy-Rae (Kerry South, Independent)
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No. I asked whether the Local Government Act will have to be amended to allow for the proposed alignment of local development companies to local authorities and is there promised or proposed legislation in this regard?

Enda Kenny (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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The local development companies are slightly different from the county enterprise boards. That is a matter on which the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government will respond to the Deputy.

Seán Barrett (Dún Laoghaire, Ceann Comhairle)
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If the Deputy tables a parliamentary question on the matter, he will get an answer.

Enda Kenny (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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They are set up under an element of legislation and it may well be necessary to amend that.

Michael Healy-Rae (Kerry South, Independent)
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That is why I am raising the matter now because-----

Enda Kenny (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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The noise Bill has been on the agenda here for the past 20 years. We will have to get that introduced so that people can hear each other.

Barry Cowen (Laois-Offaly, Fianna Fail)
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We could do with an answers Bill too.

Timmy Dooley (Clare, Fianna Fail)
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The Taoiseach announced this morning that he intends to proceed with the sale of State assets and, in particular, the sale of the 25% stake in Aer Lingus. Can he explain at what stage he decided that it was not a strategic asset and in particular-----

Seán Barrett (Dún Laoghaire, Ceann Comhairle)
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Will the Deputy resume his seat?

Timmy Dooley (Clare, Fianna Fail)
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-----the Heathrow slots which form part of Aer Lingus?

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

Timmy Dooley (Clare, Fianna Fail)
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It is because it is promised legislation. The Taoiseach has promised it this morning.

Seán Barrett (Dún Laoghaire, Ceann Comhairle)
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What promised legislation is it?

Timmy Dooley (Clare, Fianna Fail)
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Can the Taoiseach explain whether the Labour Party and its affiliated unions-----

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

Timmy Dooley (Clare, Fianna Fail)
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-----have identified that these assets-----

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

Timmy Dooley (Clare, Fianna Fail)
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-----are seen to be less than strategic?

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

Niall Collins (Limerick, Fianna Fail)
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There is.

Enda Kenny (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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This is part of the Government decision made yesterday between both parties in government. The objective here is very clear. The outcome has already been agreed with the troika. The Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resource will come back to Government by the end of March with a list of recommendations. Those I mentioned are in respect of the timber and not the land in the case of Coillte-----

Billy Kelleher (Cork North Central, Fianna Fail)
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There will be no Christmas trees next year.

Enda Kenny (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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-----the shares held by Government in Aer Lingus, the energy section of Bord Gáis Energy and elements of the power generation capacity within the ESB complex. The target or objective is to reach €3 billion and the agreement as to the outcome has already been determined between Government and the troika.

Seán Barrett (Dún Laoghaire, Ceann Comhairle)
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Before I call anyone else, I remind Deputies the only thing that is in order on the Order of Business is to inquire about promised legislation in terms of when it will be taken. There are to be no other speeches. There are other ways of raising these issues, by tabling a Topical Issue matter or a parliamentary question.

A Deputy:

What about broken promises?

Seán Barrett (Dún Laoghaire, Ceann Comhairle)
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Broken promises are not included.

Mattie McGrath (Tipperary South, Independent)
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They should be.

Seán Barrett (Dún Laoghaire, Ceann Comhairle)
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I call Deputy Catherine Murphy on a matter of promised legislation.

Catherine Murphy (Kildare North, Independent)
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I wanted to ask about the noise pollution Bill. The Taoiseach said that it has been promised for a long time. It is on the Order Paper but when are we likely to see it?

Mattie McGrath (Tipperary South, Independent)
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That is another broken promise.

Enda Kenny (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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It is still a rumble in distance. There is no clarity as to when it will brought in.

Martin Ferris (Kerry North-West Limerick, Sinn Fein)
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Before the Ceann Comhairle cuts me off, I wish to point out that this matter is in regard to promised legislation.

Seán Barrett (Dún Laoghaire, Ceann Comhairle)
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That is fine.

Martin Ferris (Kerry North-West Limerick, Sinn Fein)
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As the Taoiseach is aware the LNG project for the north Kerry-Ballylongford-Tarbert area is on hold-----

Seán Barrett (Dún Laoghaire, Ceann Comhairle)
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I have already allowed the Deputy along with other Deputies to raise this as a Topical Issue matter.

Martin Ferris (Kerry North-West Limerick, Sinn Fein)
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If the Ceann Comhairle would let me finish, this is in regard to promised legislation.

Seán Barrett (Dún Laoghaire, Ceann Comhairle)
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I have granted the raising of this as a Topical Issue matter.

Martin Ferris (Kerry North-West Limerick, Sinn Fein)
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Has the Ceann Comhairle granted me the opportunity to raise this as a Topical Issue matter?

Seán Barrett (Dún Laoghaire, Ceann Comhairle)
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Yes, along with the other Deputies.

Martin Ferris (Kerry North-West Limerick, Sinn Fein)
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I thank the Ceann Comhairle for that.

Seán Barrett (Dún Laoghaire, Ceann Comhairle)
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The Deputy should check that with his secretary. I call Deputy Mattie McGrath.

Seán Barrett (Dún Laoghaire, Ceann Comhairle)
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Deputies, you are not in Croke Park now. Will they please show a bit of dignity in the House?

Mattie McGrath (Tipperary South, Independent)
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Ba mhaith liom ceist a chur ar an Taoiseach faoi na gealltanais go léir atá briste ag an Rialtas. Tá a lán acu briste agus beimid ag cur na ceiste sin gach seachtain. Under promised legislation, and this is a matter Deputy Ross tried to raise, there is a promise in the programme for Government to help small businesses. He mentioned the rates review.

Seán Barrett (Dún Laoghaire, Ceann Comhairle)
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He may have mentioned the rates.

Mattie McGrath (Tipperary South, Independent)
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No. The rates review-----

Seán Barrett (Dún Laoghaire, Ceann Comhairle)
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About what promised legislation is the Deputy inquiring?

Mattie McGrath (Tipperary South, Independent)
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Is there promised legislation on this?

Seán Barrett (Dún Laoghaire, Ceann Comhairle)
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No, it is not a matter of "is there" but a matter of about what promised legislation the Deputy is inquiring.

Mattie McGrath (Tipperary South, Independent)
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The Valuation Office was reviewing the rates because-----

Seán Barrett (Dún Laoghaire, Ceann Comhairle)
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The Deputy is out of order. I call Deputy Durkan.

Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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On promised legislation - this arises from the neglect of the local authority housing sector by the previous Government - the housing Bill has been promised for some time. It should have been dealt with by the people now in opposition, but it was not. To what extent has progress been made in bringing the heads of the Bill to Government, and when can it be expected to come before the House?

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

Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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I have another question, a Cheann Comhairle.

Seán Barrett (Dún Laoghaire, Ceann Comhairle)
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Please hurry up, because there are other Deputies who wish to speak and there is a time limit.

Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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I know. The Opposition Members have taken up all the time.

Seán Barrett (Dún Laoghaire, Ceann Comhairle)
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I am trying to satisfy all the Deputies, so cut out the speeches and get on with the question.

Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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The unfortunate Members on this side of the House have a view as well.

Niall Collins (Limerick, Fianna Fail)
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Plenty of leeway there.

Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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I wish to ask about a Bill that has been needed for years, including during the time of the previous Administration.

Niall Collins (Limerick, Fianna Fail)
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Is that a speech?

Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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I refer to the companies Bill, the aim of which is to update company law to ensure that we do not have breaches of company law that could result in serious liabilities for the Exchequer. What progress has been made on this? I know it is a detailed Bill with many sections. Would it be possible to bring some parts of it to the House at an earlier stage to address the issues that have become apparent?

Enda Kenny (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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Deputy Durkan raised two questions. The heads of the housing Bill are being worked on. It is expected that it will come before the House some time this year. The companies (miscellaneous provisions) Bill the Deputy mentioned is a consolidation Bill. This is an enormous volume of work, with 1,300 sections. I expect it will come before the House some time this year.

Paudie Coffey (Waterford, Fine Gael)
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With regard to the criteria for the establishment of technological universities, which were recently announced by the Higher Education Authority, when can we expect to see the heads of the Bill that will be required to give these criteria legal effect? I am aware that this is a priority according to the programme for Government. This is an important issue for the south east, which is the only region in the State that does not have a university. It must be given priority by the Government.

Enda Kenny (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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The process is under way. This is an important advance that the Government decided upon shortly after the demise of TalkTalk in Waterford. There is a process that must be carried out to trigger the achievement of the criteria and to decide what groups of institutions will come together to achieve technological university status. It is not a case of introducing legislation just now, but the process is clearly under way. This will obviously be of advantage to the south east region, among others.

Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
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The Minister for Justice and Equality, Deputy Shatter, issued a guidance document on surrogacy and citizenship yesterday evening. This is a serious issue for a number of families. In the document he promised legislation to deal with these matters. I ask the Taoiseach to indicate when he expects that legislation to come before the House. In the interim, I ask him to take a personal interest in the issues pertaining and examine whether passports can be issued to children whose DNA is unquestionably Irish. The current situation is unacceptable, and I ask him to take a personal interest in it.

Enda Kenny (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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I cannot give the Deputy a time frame for any legislation required. The clarification document issued yesterday by the Minister is beneficial in setting out the range of circumstances that apply in this enormously complex area. Not just I but everybody else has an interest in ensuring that clarity and legal certainty is brought to this area. The Minister commented on this earlier today. He will take the opportunity when it is available to address the House on the matter.

Paschal Donohoe (Dublin Central, Fine Gael)
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I ask the Taoiseach about the status of legislation for the loan guarantee scheme for Irish companies that seek to export abroad but cannot access credit at home. The Government has had major success recently in attracting large amounts of multinational investment to the State but, as the Taoiseach knows better than I, we need to support the local economy as well, and that legislation is critical.

Enda Kenny (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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I answered this during the week. I expect the Bill to be ready in ten to 12 weeks, and then we will bring it to the House. It is receiving strong support from the SME sector and from banks, which are saying that many companies that might not be able to receive assistance in the conventional way will be able to receive assistance under this Bill.

Arthur Spring (Kerry North-West Limerick, Labour)
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When will the fiscal responsibility Bill come before the House and how will it interact with the European treaty? Second, when does the Taoiseach envisage the betting (amendment) Bill coming before the House?

Enda Kenny (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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The fiscal responsibility Bill will be published later this session. As the Deputy is well aware, I am awaiting a response from the Attorney General in respect of the treaty, and depending on that advice, the Government will decide how the treaty should be ratified.

Seán Barrett (Dún Laoghaire, Ceann Comhairle)
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And the betting (amendment) Bill.

Enda Kenny (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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I am informed that it will be published this session.

Michael McGrath (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
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Will an amendment to the National Lottery Act be required to fulfil the Government's objective, when issuing the next national lottery licence, of obtaining a significant up-front payment? Where does that fit in with today's statement by the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform, Deputy Howlin?

Seán Barrett (Dún Laoghaire, Ceann Comhairle)
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That is a separate matter.

Michael McGrath (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
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The Taoiseach has said previously that the proceeds will go towards the national children's hospital. I do not see any reference to that in today's statement. Where does it stand?

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

Enda Kenny (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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There is a process to be gone through. The Government has made a decision in principle, but the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform is going through a process, after which he will report back to the Cabinet. We will see what the Government decides in due course.

James Bannon (Longford-Westmeath, Fine Gael)
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What legislation, if any, is being put in place-----

Seán Barrett (Dún Laoghaire, Ceann Comhairle)
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No. We are talking about promised legislation, not "if any".

James Bannon (Longford-Westmeath, Fine Gael)
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-----to prevent the abuse of the social welfare system under which young, fit, able-bodied people are encouraged-----

Seán Barrett (Dún Laoghaire, Ceann Comhairle)
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That is a matter for a parliamentary question.

James Bannon (Longford-Westmeath, Fine Gael)
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-----to collect social welfare payments when they could be put to good use-----

Joe Higgins (Dublin West, Socialist Party)
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Conscript them.

James Bannon (Longford-Westmeath, Fine Gael)
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-----looking after our community.

Timmy Dooley (Clare, Fianna Fail)
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Bring back the chain gang.

Joe Higgins (Dublin West, Socialist Party)
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Let us have conscription.

Seán Barrett (Dún Laoghaire, Ceann Comhairle)
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There is no promised legislation.

Enda Kenny (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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This is an important matter. Tomorrow, the Minister for Social Protection and I will launch the Government's Pathways to Work scheme, which is designed to provide opportunities for young people and others to change career, improve their skills and get into the world of work. Our unemployment rate among young people, at 29%, is above the European average. It is far too high, and the Government is seeking to address this. I have raised it in Europe and it is part of the Commission's response.

Barry Cowen (Laois-Offaly, Fianna Fail)
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Will it be launched inside the House?

Séamus Healy (Tipperary South, Workers and Unemployed Action Group)
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On recent developments whereby NAMA has allegedly put thousands of jobs at risk, necessitating the direct involvement of the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government, the Taoiseach told me previously that legislation in this regard is promised for later in the year. In view of these developments, will he prioritise this legislation and introduce it this session?

Seán Barrett (Dún Laoghaire, Ceann Comhairle)
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What legislation?

Séamus Healy (Tipperary South, Workers and Unemployed Action Group)
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Freedom of information legislation.

Enda Kenny (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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That is later this year.

Séamus Healy (Tipperary South, Workers and Unemployed Action Group)
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Will the Taoiseach prioritise it?

Seán Barrett (Dún Laoghaire, Ceann Comhairle)
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We cannot have a debate.

Enda Kenny (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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We have limited time and many priorities.

Séamus Healy (Tipperary South, Workers and Unemployed Action Group)
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It is a serious problem which is putting thousands of jobs at risk.

Mick Wallace (Wexford, Independent)
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Legislation on a strategic investment bank has been promised for a long time. As the Taoiseach knows, small and medium-sized businesses are still having major difficulties accessing credit, and this is hampering employment and job creation. After a year, does the Taoiseach still plan on introducing this legislation, or has it been forgotten about?

Enda Kenny (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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I cannot give the Deputy an accurate date. The Government is seriously pursuing the Bill for a partial loan or credit guarantee scheme and the setting up of a microfinance agency so that credit can be made available to small businesses that are anxious to proceed with matters. I expect the Bill to be published in ten to 12 weeks-----

Mick Wallace (Wexford, Independent)
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Will the investment bank be set up?

Enda Kenny (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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-----and the strategic innovation fund as well.

Michael McCarthy (Cork South West, Labour)
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The Minister for Health indicated to me earlier in the month in a reply to a parliamentary question that legislative proposals for the reform of the HSE are at an advanced stage, particularly the change from a board structure to a directorate structure. When can we expect the legislation to come before the House?

Enda Kenny (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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The HSE governance Bill will be published this session.

Willie O'Dea (Limerick City, Fianna Fail)
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The Government's jobs initiative contains a commitment to introduce legislation to abolish city and county enterprise boards and put something else in their place. When can we expect to see that legislation?

Enda Kenny (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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I expect legislation will be required. I will ask the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government to respond directly to the Deputy.

Willie O'Dea (Limerick City, Fianna Fail)
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This is a very serious point. The chief executives of both the Industrial Development Agency, IDA, and Enterprise Ireland told the relevant committee this morning that legislation was necessary in this case.

Enda Kenny (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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Yes, I expect it will be.

Willie O'Dea (Limerick City, Fianna Fail)
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When can we expect that legislation?

Enda Kenny (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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This is a process that has been agreed by the Government. I cannot give the Deputy a date for the legislation but the intention is that there will be a one-stop-shop in local authorities for small businesses, where they can conduct all their business. The funding for those county enterprise desks will continue to come from the Department of Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation. The Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government, Deputy Hogan, will respond directly to the Deputy in respect of when the legislation will be introduced.

Michael Kitt (Galway East, Fianna Fail)
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Tá ceist agam faoi Bhille na Gaeltachta. An mbeidh Gaeltachtaí nua á gcruthú de réir an phaipéir agus an dtabharfaidh an Taoiseach eolas dúinn faoi na Gaeltachtaí nua seo?

Enda Kenny (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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Sílim nach mbeidh ach beidh díriú isteach ar céard is Gaeltacht ann agus cad é stádas na Gaeilge sna háiteanna ar a dtugtar Gaeltachtaí orthu faoi láthair. Beidh iniúchadh déanta ar na ceisteanna sin as seo amach.