Enda Kenny (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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It is proposed to take No.a8, Finance Bill 2012 – Financial Resolutions; No. 8, motion re membership of committee; No. 13, Dormant Accounts (Amendment) Bill 2011 [Seanad] - Second Stage (resumed); and No. 14, statements on the action plan for jobs (resumed).

It is proposed, notwithstanding anything in Standing Orders, that Nos. a8, and 8 shall be taken immediately on the conclusion of Order of Business and shall be decided without debate and in the case of No. a8, Financial Resolutions Nos. 1 to 4, shall be moved together and decided by one Question which shall be put from the Chair. Private Members' business shall be No. 40, motion re State assets.

Seán Barrett (Dún Laoghaire, Ceann Comhairle)
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There is one proposal to be put to the House. Is the proposal for dealing with Nos. a8 and 8, Finance Bill 2012 - Financial Resolutions Nos. 1 to 4, and motion re membership of committee, without debate, agreed to? Agreed.

Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
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I seek the guidance of the Chair on a matter. We have read with some astonishment this morning about €50,000 worth of toners being procured from the Houses of the Oireachtas.

Seán Barrett (Dún Laoghaire, Ceann Comhairle)
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Has the Deputy a question on proposed legislation?

Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
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Has the Oireachtas a means of inquiring into this matter because I find it incredible that one individual would use this quantity?

Seán Barrett (Dún Laoghaire, Ceann Comhairle)
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I am reminded by the Clerk that the Committee on Procedure and Privileges is available.

Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
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I acknowledge that changes have been made but I ask if the changes were made as a result of this practice. Either one entire political party was using the toners because it is incomprehensible that one individual would use €50,000 worth of toners-----

Seán Barrett (Dún Laoghaire, Ceann Comhairle)
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The Clerk has very kindly offered to send the Deputy a note on the matter.

Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
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That is much appreciated. I have a question about promised legislation on the fiscal treaty. Given the earlier announcement about a referendum, I ask the Taoiseach to outline to the House whether he intends to establish a forum within the House to discuss this matter in greater detail. When will the Referendum Commission be appointed? When is the fiscal responsibility Bill to be published? I ask for the timeline for the appointment of the Referendum Commission, the publication of the legislation and the holding of the referendum. Will a significant public information campaign be organised on the content of the treaty?

Enda Kenny (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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Deputy Martin will recall that on my return from the EU Council meeting where the text of the treaty was agreed, I advised the Cabinet the following morning and the Tánaiste wrote to the Attorney General. It was made clear on many occasions that arising from the legal advice of the Attorney General the Government would act appropriately. Just this morning the Attorney General advised the Cabinet of her view that, on balance, a referendum would be necessary in order to ratify the treaty. For that reason, the Government made that decision just this morning.

I confirm that work on the fiscal responsibility Bill has been advanced in the past number of weeks and it will be produced in this session. I expect to have some further information tomorrow when the House discusses the statements on the pre-European Council. The Government will be required to produce a referendum Bill in advance of a referendum, to appoint a Referendum Commission, and to put in train the processes necessary to lead to the question to be asked in the referendum. The House will have the opportunity to debate the matter thoroughly and comprehensively so that people will be properly informed. The referendum will be a brilliant opportunity for Irish people to look to the future of the country, of our people and our place in the European process and an opportunity to consolidate confidence and investment in jobs as a consequence. The Government did not consider the timeline today but we will decide over the next period how best to deal with it. The work on the fiscal responsiblity Bill is advanced and it will be dealt with this session. I will give more details tomorrow about the process.

Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
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Will the Taoiseach consider a special sub-committee of the Committee on European Affairs to consider the treaty and the referendum Bill? There is a need for detailed all-party discussion with a view to getting a grip on the treaty.

Enda Kenny (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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I agree with the merit of the Deputy's proposal. The Lisbon treaty was discussed at a special sub-committee under the chairmanship of Deputy Paschal Donohoe and good work was produced.

Joe Higgins (Dublin West, Socialist Party)
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What is the date for the referendum?

Enda Kenny (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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I have not decided the date yet.

Gerry Adams (Louth, Sinn Fein)
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I thank the Taoiseach for the additional, although limited, information on the referendum. Sinn Féin's legal advice was that a referendum was necessary. I note the Taoiseach says the referendum is a brilliant opportunity for the Irish people and I agree with him. However, if this is the case, why was he so reluctant to hold one?

Ceist faoi reachtaíocht atá fógraithe, the programme for Government contains a commitment to reform the current law on the rights of workers to engage in collective bargaining in order to ensure compliance by the State with recent judgments of the European Court of Human Rights. This court has ruled that the accepted right to join a trade union includes the right to bargain collectively. When will this legislation be published?

Enda Kenny (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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I do not have the details of that legislation to hand but I will respond to the Deputy's question. I understand that with 434 ink cartridges it is possible to produce 3 million letters.

The Deputy might carry out an inquiry in his own party into what is going on with the Deputy sitting behind him. I will respond to the Deputy on the workers' legislation when I get a more accurate fix on it.

Gerry Adams (Louth, Sinn Fein)
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The Taoiseach should ask the person beside him about his party's involvement with Repsol Press, forgery and all the rest of it. Will he also make it clear that the Deputy behind me spent this in his constituency informing citizens-----

Seán Barrett (Dún Laoghaire, Ceann Comhairle)
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Sorry, Deputy, we cannot have across the floor debates on matters that do not arise on the Order of Business.

Ray Butler (Meath West, Fine Gael)
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Thirty five to 40 pallets of paper, 100 leaflets through every door in the constituency-----

Enda Kenny (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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I understand Deputy Ó Snodaigh-----

Ray Butler (Meath West, Fine Gael)
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-----printing machines running seven days a week-----

Seán Barrett (Dún Laoghaire, Ceann Comhairle)
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Deputy-----

Ray Butler (Meath West, Fine Gael)
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The Deputy said that he used the system.

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

Ray Butler (Meath West, Fine Gael)
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It was an abuse of the system.

Seán Barrett (Dún Laoghaire, Ceann Comhairle)
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Deputy Butler-----

Ray Butler (Meath West, Fine Gael)
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He should be ashamed of his life.

Seán Barrett (Dún Laoghaire, Ceann Comhairle)
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Deputy Butler, you are abusing a system also. Never stand up without being called upon.

Ray Butler (Meath West, Fine Gael)
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He abused the system-----

Seán Barrett (Dún Laoghaire, Ceann Comhairle)
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Never stand up without being called upon.

Ray Butler (Meath West, Fine Gael)
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I am standing up for the people of this country-----

Seán Barrett (Dún Laoghaire, Ceann Comhairle)
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As long as I am in the Chair-----

Ray Butler (Meath West, Fine Gael)
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-----when somebody spends €52,000 on cartridges.

Seán Barrett (Dún Laoghaire, Ceann Comhairle)
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You will find yourself outside in a minute if you are not careful.

Ray Butler (Meath West, Fine Gael)
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I am standing up for the people of this country.

Seán Barrett (Dún Laoghaire, Ceann Comhairle)
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You can when it is in order.

Ray Butler (Meath West, Fine Gael)
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That man over there spent €2,500-----

Michael Healy-Rae (Kerry South, Independent)
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I am sorry now. I spent nothing.

Seán Barrett (Dún Laoghaire, Ceann Comhairle)
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Sit down.

Michael Healy-Rae (Kerry South, Independent)
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I did nothing.

Brendan Howlin (Wexford, Labour)
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That is collateral damage.

Michael Healy-Rae (Kerry South, Independent)
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I do not want to be hit with the fire-----

Seán Barrett (Dún Laoghaire, Ceann Comhairle)
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Will you please sit down?

Seán Barrett (Dún Laoghaire, Ceann Comhairle)
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Deputy Butler, that is your last warning or else you will go outside. That is totally unbecoming of you. You are in a Chamber where there are rules and regulations and you speak through the Chair.

Gerry Adams (Louth, Sinn Fein)
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A Cheann Comhairle-----

Seán Barrett (Dún Laoghaire, Ceann Comhairle)
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Deputy Adams will resume his seat. I call Deputy Collins.

Niall Collins (Limerick, Fianna Fail)
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What is the publication date for the social welfare and pensions Bill? Is there promised legislation in regard to the non-payment of the household charge and attaching non-payment to deductions from social welfare payments? Did the Taoiseach or one of his Ministers promise that during the debate? Is it in train?

Enda Kenny (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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No, that is not promised. The social welfare and Ppensions Bill will be published in this session.

Michael Healy-Rae (Kerry South, Independent)
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Part of the major reform of rural transport announced today is a proposal for special rural hackney licences. Is legislation required to enable these licences to be made available and, if so, when will it come before the House as this would be particularly helpful to small publicans in rural areas? I raised this here before.

Enda Kenny (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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There is no legislation promised. It is something the Minister of State, Deputy Kelly, wants to bring in. If legislation is required, it will be brought in. I am sure it will be of great value in Kilgarvan and places outside Kenmare in the future.

Mattie McGrath (Tipperary South, Independent)
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I rise again in regard to the Water Services (Amendment) Bill 2011. When will we get the conditions from the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government? Three weeks ago he announced that they would be out in ten days. When will we see them and for how long more will this go on? It is farcical at this stage. Hundreds of people will march to the House tomorrow and they want to know the conditions, if any.

Enda Kenny (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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Between septic tanks and scrap metal, Deputy Mattie McGrath is doing well these days.

Mattie McGrath (Tipperary South, Independent)
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The Scrap and Precious Metal Dealers Bill is a separate matter.

Enda Kenny (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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I understand that. That is a Friday matter.

Mattie McGrath (Tipperary South, Independent)
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A Friday matter.

Niall Collins (Limerick, Fianna Fail)
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Scrap Friday.

Enda Kenny (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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The Minister will be before the House with the regulations very shortly.

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

Enda Kenny (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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Beidh an t-Aire ag teacht isteach go luath leis na coinníolacha.

Mattie McGrath (Tipperary South, Independent)
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Agus na hionstraimí reachtúla?

Seán Barrett (Dún Laoghaire, Ceann Comhairle)
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I call Deputy Durkan for the third time.

Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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I did not hear you before. I must be losing my senses.

Seán Barrett (Dún Laoghaire, Ceann Comhairle)
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You must be.

Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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I raise two issues on promised legislation, which I have no doubt are as near to the Ceann Comhairle's heart as mine. The first issue is in regard to matters arising from the recent debate on the location of the proposed national children's hospital and the necessity to have a full debate in the House on this issue rather than-----

Seán Barrett (Dún Laoghaire, Ceann Comhairle)
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You should talk to the Chief Whip about that.

Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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No. I am raising proposed legislation to which I will refer when I finish my sentence. Arising from the fact that expert opinion seems to have prevailed heretofore and notwithstanding the Minister's proposal in regard to the reorganisation of the HSE, is it possible to introduce the health information Bill as a matter of some urgency to enable all Members of the national Parliament to debate this issue?

Arising also from an issue which received considerable publicity in recent times where a successful insurance claim was made against the victim of a crime which, to my mind, creates a serious problem for our society, could the criminal justice (victims rights) Bill be introduced in the House to ensure the majority of the Members of the House of Parliament have an opportunity to speak on this issue on behalf of those who are victims?

Enda Kenny (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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I cannot give the Deputy a date in respect of the second Bill. I do not have any difficulty with the Chief Whip making arrangements for a discussion here on the question of the national children's hospital. The Government considered it this morning and will reflect on its determination to see that this flag-ship project is built. As the Deputy is aware, the Government made a deliberate and conscious decision to build a national children's hospital and has in place a funding model to fund it. The Government is very anxious to pursue and implement its decision. The health information Bill will be introduced in mid-2012.

John O'Mahony (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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I would like to ask the Taoiseach about two proposed Bills. Is there a provision in the proposed social welfare and pensions Bill to cover self-employed people who have become unemployed and who find themselves with no entitlements and with obstacles in their way to up-skilling for future employment?

I asked the following question some time ago but is there a definite date for the National Vetting Bureau Bill? It is supposed to be taken in this session but is there a definite date because it is causing difficulties for people in part-time employment and students in employment who change employment at short notice and, therefore, must begin the whole process again?

Enda Kenny (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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The issue of self-employed people is one which the Minister for Social Protection is considering. It is not possible for me to give the Deputy an answer in respect of the content of the Bill but it is an issue for consideration by the Minister. In respect of the Deputy's comments on the necessity for up-skilling, this is the central point of the pathways to work scheme which was launched last week by the Tánaiste, the Minister for Social Protection, the Minister for Education and Skills and I.

The National Vetting Bureau Bill is an issue of some concern. I am aware of a number of cases where similar things to which the Deputy referred have happened. I do not have a date for it but I will get the Minister to respond in detail to him.

Michael Colreavy (Sligo-North Leitrim, Sinn Fein)
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When will the animal health and welfare Bill be brought before the House? Will it include provisions in regard to minks on fur farms, the welfare of race horses and the treatment of feral cats?

Seán Barrett (Dún Laoghaire, Ceann Comhairle)
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Sorry, we cannot debate the contents-----

Enda Kenny (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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What was the last question?

Seán Barrett (Dún Laoghaire, Ceann Comhairle)
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The animal health and welfare Bill.

Michael Colreavy (Sligo-North Leitrim, Sinn Fein)
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When is the animal health and welfare Bill due?

Enda Kenny (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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It is due in this session. A great deal of work has been done on it. I expect the Deputy will see it in a matter of weeks.