Eamon Gilmore (Dún Laoghaire, Labour)
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It is proposed to take No. b12, motion re ministerial rota for parliamentary questions; No. c12, motion re nomination of Comptroller and Auditor General; No. 12, motion re proposed approval by Dáil Éireann of the Council decision on the conclusion of the agreement between the United States of America and the European Union on the use and transfer of passenger name records to the United States Department of Homeland Security (back from committee); No. 5, Local Government (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2012 - Committee and Remaining Stages; and No. 6, Electricity Regulation (Carbon Revenue Levy)(Amendment) Bill 2012 - Order for Second Stage, Second and Subsequent Stages. It is proposed, notwithstanding anything in Standing Orders, that No. b12 shall be decided without debate; the proceedings in relation to No. c12 shall, if not previously concluded, be brought to a conclusion after 25 minutes and the following arrangements shall apply: the speech of a Minister or Minister of State and of 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, shall not exceed five minutes in each case, and a Minister or Minister of State shall be called upon to make a speech in reply which shall not exceed five minutes; the proceedings in relation to No. 12 shall, if not previously concluded, be brought to a conclusion after 20 minutes and the speech of a Minister or Minister of State and of 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, shall not exceed five minutes in each case; the proceedings on the Committee and Remaining Stages of No. 5 shall, if not previously concluded, be brought to a conclusion at 1.30 p.m. today by one Question which shall be put from the Chair and which shall, in relation to amendments, include only those set down or accepted by the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government; the following arrangements shall apply in relation to No. 6: the proceedings on the Second Stage shall, if not previously concluded, be brought to a conclusion at 3 p.m. today and the opening speeches of a Minister or Minister of State and of 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, shall not exceed 15 minutes in each case, the speech of each other Member called upon shall not exceed ten minutes, and such Members may share their time, and a Minister or Minister of State shall be called upon to make a speech in reply which shall not exceed five minutes; the proceedings on the Committee and Remaining Stages shall, if not previously concluded, be brought to a conclusion at 3.42 p.m. today by one Question which shall be put from the Chair and which shall, in relation to amendments, include only those set down or accepted by the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources; and the Dáil on its rising today shall adjourn until 10.30 a.m. on Wednesday, 6 June 2012.

Seán Barrett (Dún Laoghaire, Ceann Comhairle)
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There are six proposals to be put to the House. Is the proposal for dealing with No. b12, motion re ministerial rota for parliamentary questions, without debate agreed to? Agreed. Is the proposal for dealing with No. c12, motion re nomination of Comptroller and Auditor General, agreed to? Agreed. Is the proposal for dealing with No. 12, motion re proposed approval by Dáil Éireann of the Council decision on the conclusion of the agreement between the United States of America and the European Union (back from committee) agreed to? Agreed. Is the proposal for dealing with No. 5, Committee and Remaining Stages of the Local Government (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2012 agreed to? Agreed. Is the proposal for dealing with No. 6, Order for Second Stage, Second and Remaining Stages of the Electricity Regulation (Carbon Revenue Levy)(Amendment) Bill 2012 agreed to? Agreed. Is the proposal that the Dáil on its rising today shall adjourn until 10.30 a.m. on Wednesday, 6 June 2012 agreed to?

Richard Boyd Barrett (Dún Laoghaire, People Before Profit Alliance)
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It is not agreed.

Joe Higgins (Dublin West, Socialist Party)
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I have no problem with Members of the Dáil being free next week to campaign on a full-time basis on the austerity treaty.

Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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There is no austerity treaty.

Joe Higgins (Dublin West, Socialist Party)
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However, I have a major problem with the Dáil rising today amidst a fog of confusion over what is implied in a vote for the fiscal compact.

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

Seán Barrett (Dún Laoghaire, Ceann Comhairle)
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Deputy Higgins is entitled to make his case as to why the Dáil should not adjourn, but not go into full details.

Joe Higgins (Dublin West, Socialist Party)
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That is exactly what I am doing. This morning we read that the German Parliament was supposed to vote tomorrow on the austerity treaty.

Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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There is no austerity treaty.

Joe Higgins (Dublin West, Socialist Party)
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It is refusing to do so. It has postponed the vote until the autumn and until it sees concrete proposals for growth and investment. The Government returned from yesterday's summit with no such proposal-----

Seán Barrett (Dún Laoghaire, Ceann Comhairle)
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I ask the Deputy for his co-operation.

Joe Higgins (Dublin West, Socialist Party)
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-----but it is still insisting that our people vote next week on pure austerity. Meanwhile, it threatens on a daily basis if our people vote "No".

Seán Barrett (Dún Laoghaire, Ceann Comhairle)
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Deputy, will you please make your case? We cannot have a long debate on the stability treaty.

Joe Higgins (Dublin West, Socialist Party)
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I am making an argument for a variation-----

Seán Barrett (Dún Laoghaire, Ceann Comhairle)
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This is a technical issue. I cannot allow a full debate again on the stability treaty. There is plenty of business here where there are time limits and people want to make their contributions.

Joe Higgins (Dublin West, Socialist Party)
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A Cheann Comhairle, under Standing Order 26(2)(a)-----

Seán Barrett (Dún Laoghaire, Ceann Comhairle)
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Yes, you are entitled to make a brief contribution as to why you do not agree to a proposal.

Joe Higgins (Dublin West, Socialist Party)
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-----I can say why I oppose the proposal as is. It is very unfair that I cannot make a simple proposal, as I am allowed to under Standing Orders.

Seán Barrett (Dún Laoghaire, Ceann Comhairle)
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You are not making any proposal on this issue. You are either for or against it.

Joe Higgins (Dublin West, Socialist Party)
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I am making an argument as to why I oppose this proposal. There is a threat being made on a daily basis if our people vote "No". We are just waiting for a threat that we will be exiled to Siberia if we vote "No". The reality is-----

Seán Barrett (Dún Laoghaire, Ceann Comhairle)
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Deputy, I am not going to tolerate this.

Dinny McGinley (Donegal South West, Fine Gael)
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You would know plenty about Siberia and the gulags.

Seán Barrett (Dún Laoghaire, Ceann Comhairle)
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I do not need help from the Deputies on the Government side of the House. You are just encouraging more disorder. I ask Deputy Higgins to co-operate.

Joe Higgins (Dublin West, Socialist Party)
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We need a variation of the Government's proposal so the Government can come to the Dáil before 31 May to tell our people exactly what is involved in proposals that are supposed to bring forward investment and growth and are seen as part and parcel, according to the Government, of the treaty on which it is asking our people to vote.

Seán Barrett (Dún Laoghaire, Ceann Comhairle)
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Thank you. I call Deputy Boyd Barrett.

Joe Higgins (Dublin West, Socialist Party)
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It is fraudulent to ask us to vote on this as it is.

Richard Boyd Barrett (Dún Laoghaire, People Before Profit Alliance)
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It is unacceptable that this House will not have the opportunity to debate the outcome of the European Council before the referendum. Yesterday's Council debated the very serious possible consequences of a Greek exit from the eurozone, the very deep crisis within the European economy and a political sea change that is occurring in Europe regarding-----

Seán Barrett (Dún Laoghaire, Ceann Comhairle)
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Deputy, we know all of that at this stage.

Richard Boyd Barrett (Dún Laoghaire, People Before Profit Alliance)
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-----how to deal with that crisis. More and more people, countries and political leaders are rejecting the austerity path contained in the fiscal treaty and are refusing to ratify the treaty until a clear strategy for growth, jobs and investment is set out.

Seán Barrett (Dún Laoghaire, Ceann Comhairle)
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I think you have made your point.

Richard Boyd Barrett (Dún Laoghaire, People Before Profit Alliance)
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We have not got that and we must debate, in this House, the outcome of that European Council. We must have a full opportunity to question the Taoiseach about what happened and what proposals for growth and investment-----

Seán Barrett (Dún Laoghaire, Ceann Comhairle)
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Deputy, you have made your case. I will ask the Tánaiste to reply.

Richard Boyd Barrett (Dún Laoghaire, People Before Profit Alliance)
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-----are there because that has a serious bearing on the referendum vote on 31 May. The Government should allow a discussion about what happened at the European Council.

Eamon Gilmore (Dún Laoghaire, Labour)
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First, there will be plenty of time for discussion about the proposals being worked upon because they will be going back to the June summit meeting. However, in reply to the two Deputies, I am happy to set out in summary what is being proposed. It is intended to do this across three pillars. The first pillar is to mobilise EU policies to fully support growth, to advance legislative measures dealing with the Single Market Act, the energy efficiency directive, the European patent and the digital agenda, and to pursue work on how to better use international trade as an engine for growth and to complete major trade agreements.

The second pillar is the stepping up of efforts to finance the European economy. The board of the European Investment Bank, EIB, is being invited to consider an increase of its capital by June for financing projects across the European Union. As I indicated, the Minister for Public Enterprise and Reform, Deputy Brendan Howlin, has been in discussion with the EIB about how that might be applied in Ireland. There is also the European Union-EIB project bond initiative and the reprogramming of current Structural Funds to support growth, jobs and training and the gearing of the multi-annual financial framework to enhance growth and jobs enhancing policies.

The third pillar is the strengthening of job creation. That will address areas such as skills and training, promoting a job rich recovery, the development of national jobs plans which will be given prominence following country-specific recommendations, better synergies between national and European instruments, including Structural Funds, to combat youth unemployment, the introduction of youth guarantees and quality traineeships. Those proposals will be worked on between now and the June summit and there will be plenty of time for the House to have a full debate on them. Constructive proposals from Members to support those measures will be particularly welcome.

Joe Higgins (Dublin West, Socialist Party)
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Anything concrete?

Seán Barrett (Dún Laoghaire, Ceann Comhairle)
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I call Deputy Cowen on the Order of Business.

Barry Cowen (Laois-Offaly, Fianna Fail)
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The Tánaiste was recently asked about his commitment to the upward only rent reviews. In response, and reneging on his commitment prior to the election, he said there would be a review of the Valuation Act. We are all receiving representations from businesses across the country which are finding it increasingly difficult to pay the type of rates they were being charged when they had 60 employees when they now have six. This alone illustrates the loss of income and turnover that exists and their incapacity to meet the payments being demanded. It is time the Tánaiste gave the House a definitive time line for the review of the Valuation Act. When will the review commence, when is it due to be completed and when will proposals be put before the House to ease the burden on businesses throughout the country that are struggling to make ends meet? In the absence of addressing the upward only rent review issue, will the Tánaiste at least address the issue of rates?

Eamon Gilmore (Dún Laoghaire, Labour)
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It is intended to publish the Valuation Bill in this session. Its purpose is to make changes in the legislation to allow for the acceleration of the revaluation programme and other issues relating to the valuation process.

Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin (Cavan-Monaghan, Sinn Fein)
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Dr. Tracey Cooper, who attended the health committee meeting this week, stressed the importance of leadership in the context of health delivery systems in this country. If one cannot measure it, one cannot manage it, to quote the saying. On what date will the health information Bill be published? This Bill aims to provide a legislative framework for the better governance of health information to enhance individual patient care and safety. It is hugely important, particularly in the context of the recent report on Tallaght Hospital by the Health Information and Quality Authority.

Another proposed legislative measure is relative to the focus of the Private Members' business that concluded last night. When will the monuments Bill be published? The need for that Bill, which aims to consolidate, update and improve the legislative code governing the protection and regulation of national archaeological heritage and other heritage sites, is hugely relevant in the context of the decisions that have been made.

Eamon Gilmore (Dún Laoghaire, Labour)
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The health information Bill is due to be published in late 2012. Work is ongoing in respect of the unique patient identifier and on research, ethical approval and some patient safety issues. As I stated, publication is expected to be in late 2012. The national monuments Bill is expected early next year.

Michael Healy-Rae (Kerry South, Independent)
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Last week, I asked the Taoiseach about the Gaeltacht Bill and I now seek further clarification from the Tánaiste. Does that Bill contain a policy by the Government to downgrade the Gaeltachts?

Seán Barrett (Dún Laoghaire, Ceann Comhairle)
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Sorry, we will not get into a debate.

Michael Healy-Rae (Kerry South, Independent)
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We all know the great work that our-----

Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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One cannot do that.

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

Michael Healy-Rae (Kerry South, Independent)
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The Gaeltacht Bill. Is there a policy by the Government to downgrade the Gaeltachts?

Seán Barrett (Dún Laoghaire, Ceann Comhairle)
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We will discuss policy some other time. The Tánaiste, on the Gaeltacht Bill.

Eamon Gilmore (Dún Laoghaire, Labour)
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The Gaeltacht Bill is expected this session. The policy of the Government is to support the Gaeltachts and the Irish language and to do everything it can to improve the circumstances in which hopefully it will grow and increase.

Clare Daly (Dublin North, Socialist Party)
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Arising from the Indecon report into the State of the taxi industry, can the Tánaiste indicate when the amendments to the road transport Bill and the taxi regulation Bill will be brought before the House?

Eamon Gilmore (Dún Laoghaire, Labour)
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The Government this week gave approval to progress work on the taxi regulation Bill, which the Minister of State at the Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport, Deputy Kelly, brought to the Cabinet this week. Consequently, the taxi regulation Bill is being progressed.

Paschal Donohoe (Dublin Central, Fine Gael)
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What is the status of the national vetting bureau Bill? An issue that is continually raised with me concerns the challenge of those who are qualified and experienced to do work in the child care industry and to work in sensitive areas but who continue to experience prolonged and lengthy delays in having their qualifications and suitability checked. The introduction of such legislation would reduce that bottleneck and is long overdue.

Eamon Gilmore (Dún Laoghaire, Labour)
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The national vetting bureau Bill is due this session. It is being treated as a priority by the Government and a considerable amount of work already has been done on it.

John McGuinness (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fianna Fail)
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The company law consolidation Bill is expected sometime this year and I understand it will contain 1,300 or 1,400 sections. When I asked the Taoiseach about this recently, he stated it might be possible to give Members the opportunity to debate in the Chamber those sections or pillars that have been completed. The Tánaiste should indicate what indications are in place for such a debate to take place and what is the current status of the Bill.

Eamon Gilmore (Dún Laoghaire, Labour)
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I understand the Deputy is referring to the consolidated companies Bill. The state of play is it is expected the Bill will be published late in 2012. I understand the Deputy is asking that certain pillars of the Bill might be debated.

John McGuinness (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fianna Fail)
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The Bill comprises a number of pillars and the Taoiseach gave a commitment that because of the size of the Bill, which will contain 1,300 or 1,400 sections, those pillars which have been completed would be debated. It would be important for Members to debate the Bill as it is produced or completed.

Eamon Gilmore (Dún Laoghaire, Labour)
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That appears to be a perfectly good idea. I will ask the Whips, perhaps in conjunction with the Minister and the party spokespersons, to consider how that might be progressed.

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

Dara Calleary (Mayo, Fianna Fail)
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The man from Del Monte.

Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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When is the regulation of lobbying Bill likely to come before the House and have the heads been discussed by the Cabinet? I seek similar information on the clamping Bill, which is an appropriate item of legislation.

Robert Troy (Longford-Westmeath, Fianna Fail)
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Has Deputy Durkan been clamped?

Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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I can think of several uses for such legislation.

Eamon Gilmore (Dún Laoghaire, Labour)
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As for the regulation of lobbying Bill, I understand the heads are expected during the summer and the intention is to have it published by the end of this year. The clamping Bill, that is, the vehicle immobilisation regulation Bill, is also expected later this year.

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

Dara Calleary (Mayo, Fianna Fail)
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Jedward

James Bannon (Longford-Westmeath, Fine Gael)
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Deputy Durkan has obliged by asking the question I had intended to ask as to when it is expected the clamping Bill will come before the House.

Seán Barrett (Dún Laoghaire, Ceann Comhairle)
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The Deputy is happy.

James Bannon (Longford-Westmeath, Fine Gael)
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Hopefully it will be brought forward fairly soon. The Deputy must have been looking at my notes.

Seán Barrett (Dún Laoghaire, Ceann Comhairle)
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Another happy punter.

Dara Calleary (Mayo, Fianna Fail)
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The Deputy is Fine Gael's answer to Jedward.

Robert Troy (Longford-Westmeath, Fianna Fail)
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When will the public service management (recruitment and appointments) Act 2004 (amendment) Bill come before the House? Will this Bill include provisions to ensure that public servants who retire on large pensions will not be rehired at a time when huge numbers of qualified unemployed people cannot get work? This week, a reply to a parliamentary question revealed 67 retired teachers were rehired, even though there are thousands of teachers of my age and younger who have failed to get employment.

Seán Barrett (Dún Laoghaire, Ceann Comhairle)
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Thanks very much.

Robert Troy (Longford-Westmeath, Fianna Fail)
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It is disgraceful and the Bill should be brought before the House without delay.

Seán Barrett (Dún Laoghaire, Ceann Comhairle)
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The Deputy can pursue that matter in another way and I will try to facilitate him.

Eamon Gilmore (Dún Laoghaire, Labour)
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The heads of the public service management (recruitment and appointments) Act 2004 (amendment) Bill are being finalised and it is expected this year.