Ruairi Quinn (Dublin South East, Labour)
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It is proposed to take No. a18, motion re membership of committees; No. 18, motion re proposed approval by Dáil Éireann for a directive of the European Parliament and of the Council on the freezing and confiscation of proceeds of crime in the European Union, back from committee; No. 19, motion re proposed approval by Dáil Éireann of the ratification by Ireland of the Aarhus Convention, the protocol to the Aarhus Convention on pollutant release and transfer registers and the amendment to the Aarhus Convention on genetically modified organisms, back from committee; No. 27, European Arrest Warrant (Application to Third Countries and Amendment) and Extradition (Amendment) Bill 2011 - Second Stage (resumed); No. 26, Residential Institutions Statutory Fund Bill 2012 - Second Stage (resumed); No. 29, Electoral (Amendment) (Political Funding) Bill 2011 [Seanad] - Second Stage (resumed); No. 30, Construction Contracts Bill 2010 [Seanad] - Second Stage (resumed); and No. 30a, statement by Deputy Mick Wallace on tax issues.

It is proposed, notwithstanding anything in Standing Orders, that (1) the Dáil shall sit later than 5.45 p.m. tonight and shall adjourn on the conclusion of No. 30a; (2) Nos. a18, 18 and 19 shall be decided without debate; and (3) the statement of Deputy Mick Wallace shall, if not previously concluded, be brought to a conclusion after 15 minutes.

Seán Barrett (Dún Laoghaire, Ceann Comhairle)
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There are three proposals to put to the Dáil. Is the proposal that the Dáil shall sit later than 5.45 p.m. agreed to? Agreed. Is the proposal for dealing with Nos. a18, 18 and 19, motions re membership of committees, proposed approval by Dáil Éireann for a directive of the European Parliament and of the Council and the proposed approval of the ratification of the Aarhus Convention, without debate agreed to? Agreed. Is the proposal for dealing with No. 30a, statement by Deputy Mick Wallace, agreed? Agreed.

Charlie McConalogue (Donegal North East, Fianna Fail)
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I welcome the announcement by the Taoiseach in the Dáil on Tuesday that the independent review into the death of children in the care of the State will be published this coming Wednesday. This is appropriate, considering the Government has had the report since before Christmas. When can we expect the fifth report of the special rapporteur on child protection to be laid before the Houses? According to the response to a parliamentary question, this report was received on 7 February. As this is an annual report to the Oireachtas, I find it unacceptable that four and a half months later, it has still not been laid before the Houses. It is long past time it was brought forward. When will it be published and laid before the Houses?

Ruairi Quinn (Dublin South East, Labour)
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I am informed by the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs that the report will be published as quickly as possible and certainly before the end of this month. It was received by the Department some months ago, but there were legal issues that had to be investigated and satisfied before it could be published. It was published earlier this week.

Aengus Ó Snodaigh (Dublin South Central, Sinn Fein)
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These are hard times for workers and more and more often we hear stories of employers trying to exploit vulnerable workers. The programme for Government included a commitment to reform legislation on workers' rights to engage in collective bargaining to ensure compliance with recent judgments in the European Court of Human Rights. The position of the Labour Party in the manifesto for the general election and during its campaign on the Lisbon treaty was to make the same commitment. I believe all parties in the House will support the production and passage of legislation that will ensure workers' rights to collective bargaining. When will this be brought forward?

Ruairi Quinn (Dublin South East, Labour)
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I am informed that the legislation relating to the JLC is in progress and that Committee Stage is due next week, on 19 June.

Mattie McGrath (Tipperary South, Independent)
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I am glad the Minister of State, Deputy Lynch, is here, as I have a question with regard to A Vision for Change, the proposals therein and the transfer of accident and emergency for admissions to South Tipperary General Hospital of patients suffering from psychotic attacks.

Seán Barrett (Dún Laoghaire, Ceann Comhairle)
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What legislation are we talking about?

Mattie McGrath (Tipperary South, Independent)
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I am talking about A Vision for Change and health reform, where much has been promised.

Seán Barrett (Dún Laoghaire, Ceann Comhairle)
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The Deputy must have a question about particular legislation.

Mattie McGrath (Tipperary South, Independent)
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I have. They have closed our psychiatric hospital and now patients have no place to go.

Seán Barrett (Dún Laoghaire, Ceann Comhairle)
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There is no necessity for the history. What legislation in particular is the Deputy asking about?

Mattie McGrath (Tipperary South, Independent)
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A Vision for Change. They had a great vision for change before they came in here, but they have lost all their vision.

A Deputy:

They should go to Specsavers.

Mattie McGrath (Tipperary South, Independent)
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They need Specsavers.

Ruairi Quinn (Dublin South East, Labour)
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I am not sure if the Deputy seeks admission.

Mattie McGrath (Tipperary South, Independent)
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That is below the belt.

Seán Barrett (Dún Laoghaire, Ceann Comhairle)
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We cannot lose our sense of humour.

Mattie McGrath (Tipperary South, Independent)
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I know where the Minister would be let in and we can go that way if he wants.

Seán Barrett (Dún Laoghaire, Ceann Comhairle)
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The Minister better withdraw that remark, because the Deputy does not understand.

Ruairi Quinn (Dublin South East, Labour)
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I am informed that the unit to which the Deputy refers is not closed. It is no longer taking-----

Seán Barrett (Dún Laoghaire, Ceann Comhairle)
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We are not dealing with that, but with legislation. Is there legislation promised?

Ruairi Quinn (Dublin South East, Labour)
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Not that I am aware of.

Patrick Nulty (Dublin West, Labour)
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The Minister will be aware that three quarters of all disputes between landlords and tenants that come before the Private Residential Tenancies Board relate to deposit retention. When will the residential tenancies Bill be published and will deposit retention form part of that legislation?

Ruairi Quinn (Dublin South East, Labour)
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I am informed that the necessary legislation to which the Deputy refers will be taken this session.

Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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The friendly societies and industrial and provident societies (miscellaneous provisions) Bill is promised. Have the heads of the Bill been discussed in Cabinet and when is it expected the Bill will come before the House for Second Stage? I have a similar question with regard to the mediation Bill which has been promised. This Bill will provide for mediation as a viable, effective and efficient alternative to court proceedings. Has that been discussed and approved by Cabinet and when can we expect the Bill to come before the House?

Ruairi Quinn (Dublin South East, Labour)
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The heads of the first Bill to which the Deputy refers were cleared and agreed in June 2011 and the Bill will be taken later this year. The heads of the mediation Bill were approved in February and it is hoped to proceed as soon as possible with that Bill.

Niall Collins (Limerick, Fianna Fail)
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When will the legislation be published to include the value of capital assets in the assessment of third level college grants?

Ruairi Quinn (Dublin South East, Labour)
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I have not yet received the report from the working group on that and until we get that report, I am not in a position to answer the Deputy's question. However, I hope we can move on this as quickly as possible. As the Deputy is aware, the grant system has been updated and modernised in recent times.