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

We have only a short period left. I call Deputy Nulty.

Patrick Nulty (Dublin West, Labour)
Link to this: Individually | In context

There is a commitment in the programme for Government to legislate for companies which clamp vehicles on private property. Will the Taoiseach indicate when the consultation process for this will be finished? When will we see the promised legislation before the House?

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

Is this promised?

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

I know that the Minister, Deputy Varadkar, has been interested in this question. This is now called the vehicle immobilisation regulation Bill. I will have to come back to the Deputy with a more accurate timeline.

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

Tá trí cheist agam. Will the Taoiseach indicate when items Nos. 57 to 59, inclusive, will be taken? Each relates to misinformation given to the House by the Taoiseach, the Tánaiste, the Minister for Education and Skills-----

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

What legislation are you talking about?

Jerry Buttimer (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

What about the Deputy's years of misinformation?

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

It relates to items under Nos. 57, 58 and 59 on the Order Paper.

Jerry Buttimer (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

What about the lies they told for 14 years?

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

The Taoiseach used the phrase "Is binn béal ina thost". However, it is more a question of ciúin ciontach.

Jerry Buttimer (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Tá mé ag éisteacht leat.

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

I am asking when these items, that is, Nos. 57 to 59, inclusive, will be taken on the Order Paper.

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

They are not on today's Order Paper, are they?

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

These are common arrangements for the gas Bill. There are 16 heads in section C.

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

He is referring to the Order Paper.

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

Sorry. Gabh mo leithscéal.

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

These are not matters for the Order of Business.

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

I will read them out. I was informed-----

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

Will you resume your seat? These are not matters for the Order of Business.

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

I was informed that anything in the Order Paper can be taken during the Order of Business.

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

We are not having a debate on it.

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

I am asking when the debate will take place.

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

Your time allowed for the items is up. Your colleagues are waiting to ask about promised legislation.

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

Deputy Ó Cuív has been around long enough to know how to find out when matters will be debated. Any such questions should be raised through his Whip at the Whips meeting and the order is determined in advance. That is how these things apply, as the Deputy knows well.

A Deputy:

He is incommunicado.

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

Will you please co-operate, Deputy Ó Cuív? We are over time and I want to allow your colleagues in.

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

Will the Taoiseach indicate when the regulations under section 70L of the Water Services (Amendment) Act be published by the Minister? We were told they were to be published a fortnight ago but they were not.

In the schedule outlined by the Taoiseach, he stated he would introduce the Bill dealing with the European Stability Mechanism, ESM, this session. This would put an obligation of €9 billion on the people.

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

Sorry, Deputy, that is not for the Order of Business.

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

In view of the timing proposed by the Government - this is very relevant-----

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

No, it is not very relevant.

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

-----does the Taoiseach accept that the President would be correct not to sign such a Bill into law until the people have made a decision on the fiscal compact?

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

Deputy, will you resume your seat? Thank you.

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

Otherwise, we could wind up with a liability of €9 billion without any possibility of drawing down the funds.

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

Please resume your seat, Deputy. I call Deputy O'Dea.

Willie O'Dea (Limerick City, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context

I believe the Taoiseach wants to answer.

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

No, he does not want to answer because it is out of order.

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

We do not debate issues such as that on the Order of Business and we all know it. I call Deputy O'Dea. I am being liberal now because we are over time.

Willie O'Dea (Limerick City, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context

I thank the Ceann Comhairle for his liberality.

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

What about the regulations?

Willie O'Dea (Limerick City, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context

There is a commitment in the programme for Government to establish a statutory register of lobbyists. Is it the Government's intention to go ahead with that? When will we see the legislation?

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

The intention is to go ahead with that. I do not have an accurate timeline of when it will be produced. We will come back to Deputy Ó Cuív in respect of the statutory instrument raised by him.

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

Thank you.

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

I note Deputy Ó Cuív waited until his leader left before he came in here. I dealt with the question on the ESM from Deputy Ó Cuív's leader when he was here.

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

I was here a long time before he left. I was here before Leaders' Questions. The Taoiseach should go to Specsavers.

Mary Lou McDonald (Dublin Central, Sinn Fein)
Link to this: Individually | In context

The Taoiseach has told us that the legislation in respect of the ESM will be brought before the House shortly. Will the Taoiseach indicate whether the Attorney General has been consulted in respect of the constitutionality of that Bill and the appropriate method of its ratification?

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

That is not a matter for the Order of Business.

Mary Lou McDonald (Dublin Central, Sinn Fein)
Link to this: Individually | In context

The Taoiseach was asked a question earlier and it was not answered.

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

It is not a matter for the Order of Business anyway.

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

We will be taking that Bill this session.

Mary Lou McDonald (Dublin Central, Sinn Fein)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Has the Taoiseach consulted with the Attorney General? That is the question.

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

Of course. We do not bring in Bills here that are unconstitutional.

Billy Kelleher (Cork North Central, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context

The Madden Commission on Patient Safety and Quality Assurance reported in 2008 that regulation was required for the licensing of health care facilities. There is growing concern with regard to Poly Implant Prothèse breast implants and that the fact that 1,500 women in Ireland have had breast implants of that nature. There is genuine disquiet on the matter. When will the licensing of health care facilities Bill come before the Dáil? It is due to provide a mandatory system of licensing for public and private health care facilities. The other issue of major concern is registration for medical practitioners engaged in clinical practice and the need for them to have in place adequate clinical indemnity. When will these tranches of legislation come before the Dáil? There is genuine concern among many people who have used invasive cosmetic surgery.

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

The second one has been approved by Cabinet and has been and is due for publication shortly. I cannot give the Deputy an answer in respect of the timeline for the first query but I will come back to him on it.

Timmy Dooley (Clare, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context

It has been reported that management at Aer Lingus and a US carrier have entered into discussions on a disposal through a trade sale of the State's ownership of 25% of Aer Lingus. Is the Taoiseach aware of this and will he provide some details, if possible? When does the Taoiseach expect legislation to give effect to this event?

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

You could put down a parliamentary question on that.

Timmy Dooley (Clare, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Can we expect to see the protection of the Heathrow slots as part of the legislation?

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

What legislation are you talking about? It is not clear to me.

Timmy Dooley (Clare, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context

I assume the State airports and aviation Bill will be used as a vehicle to give effect to that eventuality. The protection of the slots at Heathrow is of the greatest concern to all.

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

When is this Bill due, Taoiseach?

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

I think Deputy Timmy Dooley is flying a kite here.

Timmy Dooley (Clare, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context

I will be staying at home on St. Patrick's Day, unlike most of those on the Taoiseach's side.

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

I am aware of the reports of the interest of Aer Lingus in this matter. The Bill mentioned by the Deputy is due later this year.

Ray Butler (Meath West, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

When is publication expected of the noise nuisance Bill allowing for on-the-spot fines, mediation between neighbours and giving local authorities more powers?

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

That one has been rumbling along for a long time. No date is fixed for it to be brought before the Dáil.

Michael Kitt (Galway East, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Next on the list is Deputy Griffin.

Brendan Griffin (Kerry South, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

When will the Criminal Justice (Fines) (Amendment) Bill be published? It is a common sense proposal and something that would be beneficial to the State should it become law. I ask for time to be set aside to discuss the deplorable humanitarian situation in Syria and the shocking human rights abuses taking place there currently. It is crucial we discuss this in the House.

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

With regard to the criminal justice fines (amendment) Bill, work on the draft heads is proceeding. On the question of Syria, we have had a number of interventions and questions and the issue may have been raised at the Joint Oireachtas Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade. I responded to Deputy Timmins on this issue yesterday. It is a subject of serious and ongoing discussion at European level and was discussed at the European Heads of Government meeting. We support the decision taken by Europe in this regard and the clear statements made by the American Secretary of State in respect of the humanitarian crisis and the massacre that has been taking place in Syria.

Charlie McConalogue (Donegal North East, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context

With regard to the children's referendum and the children's Bill, which needs to be published in order to proceed with the referendum, the Taoiseach outlined earlier his reason for withdrawing from the commitment that it would happen in 2012 as being the complexity of the issue and the importance of getting it right. This issue is no more complex now than it was three weeks ago, when the Minister went on a big PR blitz announcing the fact that the referendum would happen in 2012. Three weeks later - and not for the first time - the Taoiseach is now rowing back on that and is once again using the rationale that it is a complex matter. Since the Taoiseach is no longer sticking to the commitment that this will happen in 2012, will he at least ensure that the legislation and the Bill will be published? There is no reason for that work not to proceed. We are now three months into the year. Will the Taoiseach give us a timeline for when the Bill will be published? That work should proceed and hopefully, once it is published, we can then push on with the referendum. I would hope that would happen in 2012 but having listened to the Taoiseach, I am not too confident of that.

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

The Deputy is wrong. I have not withdrawn from any of the timelines I have mentioned. What I said clearly was that it is very important that we get this right. Therefore, the legislation being prepared by the Minister is important. I will not say here that we will have a referendum on either of the two issues raised earlier until I am absolutely clear that we can do so within a specific period. Therefore, it is not true to say that we have withdrawn from either having a referendum in respect of the abolition of the Seanad or child protection in 2012. What I am concerned about is that we have clarity before we set out our horizon. I am sure the Deputy would agree with that.

Charlie McConalogue (Donegal North East, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context

The Minister does not agree with that.

Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

In view of the successful fight against organised crime in New York over a long number of years and in view of the obvious growth in that sector in this country over the past ten years, would it be possible to introduce two Bills for discussion in the House at the same time, perhaps on a Friday? These Bills are the money laundering Bill and the bail Bill, both of which are pivotal in the determination of the extent to which we can put a halt to this serious growing business of organised crime.

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

I have spoken to the Minster for Justice and Equality about the bail Bill which is a big piece of legislation. The Minister is interested in advancing it and work is ongoing on it. I do not have any date in respect of the money laundering Bill.

Dessie Ellis (Dublin North West, Sinn Fein)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Five families have been in caravans for the past two years in Avila Park in Finglas, having been moved there on health and safety grounds due to pyrite in their homes. Recently, officials from the Department of the Environment, Community and Local Government met with Dublin City Council and the capital project has been cut from €1.3 million last year to €50,000, a devastating cut. Will the Taoiseach outline when the committee that is responsible for discussing the pyrite issue will report back to the Government and whether legislation will be required as a result? Also, is there any legislation planned for the sell-off of Iarnród Éireann in the future? This issue has arisen recently.

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

What was the Deputy's second question?

Dessie Ellis (Dublin North West, Sinn Fein)
Link to this: Individually | In context

I asked about Iarnród Éireann. The other issue concerns pyrite and the committee set up to examine the issue. It is due to report back but do we know when it will report back and if legislation will be required to deal with this major issue.

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

I understand from Deputy Broughan there is a meeting on that issue today. The Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government has an interest in this issue and we are waiting for his report. On the other issue, as far as I understand, there is no legislation required in respect of not renewing the derogation in respect of Iarnród Éireann.