Eamon Gilmore (Dún Laoghaire, Labour)
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It is proposed to take No. a4, Protection of Life During Pregnancy Bill 2013 - Order for Second Stage and Second Stage, to adjourn after opening speeches; No. 19, Thirty-second Amendment of the Constitution (Abolition of Seanad Éireann) Bill 2013 - Second and Remaining Stages (Resumed), to adjourn at 5.45 p.m. tonight, if not previously concluded; No. 12a, motion re Statement for Information of Voters in relation to the Thirty-second Amendment of the Constitution (Abolition of Seanad Éireann) Bill 2013, to be taken on the conclusion of No. 19; and No. 20, Ministers and Secretaries (Amendment) Bill 2012 - Second Stage (Resumed).

It is proposed, notwithstanding anything in Standing Orders, that: the Dáil shall sit later than 5.45 p.m. tonight and shall adjourn on the conclusion of Topical Issues; in the event No. 19 concludes, No. 12a shall be taken immediately upon the conclusion and shall be decided without debate; the resumed Second Stage of No. 20 shall, if not previously concluded, be brought to a conclusion after one hour; Oral Questions shall be taken for 75 minutes at 5.45 p.m. today or on the conclusion of No. 20, whichever is the earlier; Topical Issues shall be taken on the conclusion of Oral Questions or of No. 20, whichever is the later; the Dáil shall meet on Tuesday, 25 June 2013 at 11 a.m. and the business to be transacted from 11 a.m. until 1.45 p.m. shall be as follows: European Union (Accession of the Republic of Croatia) (Access to the Labour Market) Bill 2013 [Seanad] - Second and Remaining Stages; Second Stage shall, if not previously concluded, be brought to a conclusion at 1 p.m.; 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, shall not exceed 20 minutes in each case and such Members may share their time; the speech of each other Member called upon, who may share his or her time, shall not exceed ten minutes; a Minister or Minister of State shall be called upon to make a speech in reply which shall not exceed five minutes, Committee and Remaining Stages shall, if not previously concluded, be brought to a conclusion at 1.45 p.m. 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 Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation; whereupon the sitting shall be suspended until 2 p.m., whereupon the normal order of the day shall commence with Oral Questions.

Michael Kitt (Galway East, Fianna Fail)
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There are six proposals to be put to the House. Is the proposal that the Dáil shall sit later than 5.45 p.m. tonight agreed? Agreed. Is the proposal for dealing with No. 12a, motion re statement for information of voters, agreed to? Agreed. Is the proposal for dealing with No. 20, Second Stage (Resumed) of the Ministers and Secretaries (Amendment) Bill 2012, agreed to? Agreed. Is the proposal for deal with parliamentary questions agreed to? Agreed. Is the proposal for dealing with Topical Issues agreed to? Agreed. Is the proposal for dealing with the sitting and business of the Dáil on Tuesday, 25 June agreed to? Agreed.

Charlie McConalogue (Donegal North East, Fianna Fail)
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On the Ministers and Secretaries (Amendment) Bill 2012, I note the Tánaiste is imposing a time limit and guillotining that Bill as well. I might just ask, particularly in light of the comments of the Chairman of the Fine Gael Parliamentary Party yesterday, Deputy Charlie Flanagan, where he lamented the approach of the Government in guillotining so many Bills and the entire lack of any reform agenda, whether the Tánaiste might happen to agree with him and take on board his comments.

On the universities (amendment) Bill, is there an update from the Minister for Education and Skills, Deputy Quinn, on his intentions in that regard? Has Deputy Quinn had second thoughts on it or is he planning to bring it forward in the near future?

On SUSI and third level student grants, it was pointed out to us at committee level yesterday that there are some 550 applications still under appeal and over 100 affected by particular issues, including estrangement from families and being able to approve independent means of living. I ask that the Tánaiste and the Minister for Education and Skills take note of that, with particular regard to ensuring that no student is blocked from accessing his or her examination results, which in many cases are now available, because they still have not received their student grant.

Eamon Gilmore (Dún Laoghaire, Labour)
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First, on the Ministers and Secretaries (Amendment) Bill 2012, we have agreed the way in which that is to be dealt with in the House. It is No. 20 and we agreed that there will be an hour for the debate on it. There is a time limit on the enactment of that Bill. There are issues which are related to the establishment of the fiscal advisory council and the new regulations on budgetary governance which come within that and the legislation must be dealt with before the summer recess.

On the issue about SUSI, there is not a legislative issue arising in that regard but, as the Deputy will be aware, the Minister for Education and Skills is on top of that.

Dara Calleary (Mayo, Fianna Fail)
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If he will not talk about SUSI, what about Charlie?

Pádraig Mac Lochlainn (Donegal North East, Sinn Fein)
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In April, the Government facilitated the passage through Second Stage of the Statute of Limitations (Amendment) Bill 2013. As the Tánaiste will be aware, my colleague, Deputy Ó Caoláin, designed this Bill to facilitate access to the courts to all victims of symphysiotomy. These elderly women are waiting for this. The Joint Committee on Justice, Defence and Equality, of which I am a member, was to have had the Minister before it to take this forward but he was out of the country. It has been weeks and we still have no more information. At this stage, I appeal that this be brought before the Select Committee on Justice, Defence and Equality for Committee Stage as soon as possible.

Finian McGrath (Dublin North Central, Independent)
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Hear, hear.

Eamon Gilmore (Dún Laoghaire, Labour)
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My understanding is that the Bill is due to go to the committee. I understand the Minister and the committee are in contact about that. I will relay Deputy Mac Lochlainn's concerns about the matter to the Minister.

Mattie McGrath (Tipperary South, Independent)
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First, I welcome the Government's decision - on being coerced - not to sell off Coillte. If we can believe them and trust them, hopefully, it will be there for the people to enjoy and to benefit the country.

I also want to ask about the county enterprise-----

Paudie Coffey (Waterford, Fine Gael)
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We looked after that. It was Deputy Tom Hayes.

Mattie McGrath (Tipperary South, Independent)
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Whoever, I welcome it. We, and the public, put on enough of pressure about it.

Michael Kitt (Galway East, Fianna Fail)
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On the Order of Business.

Paudie Coffey (Waterford, Fine Gael)
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It is the real Opposition.

Mattie McGrath (Tipperary South, Independent)
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I welcome something that is good for the country and its people.

Paudie Coffey (Waterford, Fine Gael)
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The real Opposition looked after that. Deputy Tom Hayes looked after it.

Mattie McGrath (Tipperary South, Independent)
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I am glad. I hope the Deputy is not calling Deputy Tom Hayes as he is now part of the Government. I ask about the county enterprise boards (dissolution) Bill. There were people from my and other counties here yesterday who are very concerned about their future. I have supported our county enterprise board and I value what it has done with little money over the years.

With regard to the Central Bank (consolidation) Bill, will the Tánaiste comment on what I regard as a very worrying statement last night from Mr. George Osborne, MP, about the disengagement - or perhaps the dropping into the Irish Sea - of Ulster Bank by the Royal Bank of Scotland? I have raised this significant issue before. There will be a major effect on us here in Ireland.

Michael Kitt (Galway East, Fianna Fail)
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I do not know if legislation is promised.

Eamon Gilmore (Dún Laoghaire, Labour)
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Not on Ulster Bank. I had a very substantive reply ready to give the House in anticipation that-----

Mattie McGrath (Tipperary South, Independent)
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The Tánaiste can give it now.

Eamon Gilmore (Dún Laoghaire, Labour)
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-----some of the Opposition parties might have considered it sufficiently important to raise this morning.

Mattie McGrath (Tipperary South, Independent)
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It can be read now.

Eamon Gilmore (Dún Laoghaire, Labour)
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There was an opportunity at Leaders' Questions but it was not taken.

Mattie McGrath (Tipperary South, Independent)
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It can be given now.

Eamon Gilmore (Dún Laoghaire, Labour)
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There is no legislation promised so the matter does not arise at this point. The county enterprise boards (dissolution) Bill is due this session.

Richard Boyd Barrett (Dún Laoghaire, People Before Profit Alliance)
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The Government has had on its legislative programme almost from the beginning of its term of office reference to a housing Bill. We are now two years on, and the housing crisis is worsening daily for the 100,000 or so families on the housing list with virtually no prospect of getting a home because of waiting lists which are 12, 13 or even 15 years in many cases. This week alone in my constituency, eight families are faced with homelessness because of the inadequate rent caps. Landlords have indicated they can get higher rents and they want these people out, so they are faced with homeless or being told to go to emergency accommodation hostels on the far side of the city.

Where is the housing Bill? The Government can plead that it does not have any money but it cannot say that we do not have houses in the country. We have houses and we need a housing Bill to deal with the disastrous housing crisis facing 100,00 families in this State.

Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin (Cavan-Monaghan, Sinn Fein)
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Hear, hear.

Eamon Gilmore (Dún Laoghaire, Labour)
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There are three housing Bills. One is in the Seanad and Second Stage took place this week. The heads of the second housing Bill are expected shortly and it is intended to be published this year, whereas the third housing Bill will be published next year.

Jerry Buttimer (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
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Given the success of the Constitutional Convention and the way in which members, and particularly citizen members, have gone about their business to make it a success, when does the Government intend to hold a series of debates in the House on the reports so far?

Eamon Gilmore (Dún Laoghaire, Labour)
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The procedure is that the Government has committed to giving a response to each of the reports within four months of the report being presented. The first of those will arise by the summer and a second will arise in the autumn. Arising from those responses, we can make arrangements for debating the issues in the House. Where there are constitutional amendment proposals or proposed referenda arising from the Constitutional Convention, they would have to be brought to the House in any event for legislative measures. The idea of having a wider debate on the reports of the Constitutional Convention, once the Government has responded to it, could be arranged.

Robert Troy (Longford-Westmeath, Fianna Fail)
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I have two issues. Will the Government consider withdrawing the Bill facilitating abolition of the Seanad in view of the lack of any real substantive Dáil reform on the table and the lack of support from the Government's Deputies and Senators? The referendum will cost €14 million, which could be better spent on special needs education.

I also ask about the Children First legislation. On assuming office, the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs, Deputy Fitzgerald, stated it would be her top priority but after two and a half years, we are still awaiting its publication. Will the Tánaiste enlighten the House on when we will see the legislation published?

Eamon Gilmore (Dún Laoghaire, Labour)
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The Government will not be withdrawing the Bill on the abolition of the Seanad.

Barry Cowen (Laois-Offaly, Fianna Fail)
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Fine Gael will not be doing it.

Eamon Gilmore (Dún Laoghaire, Labour)
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Work is proceeding on the drafting of the Children First Bill.

Robert Troy (Longford-Westmeath, Fianna Fail)
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Will we see it before the summer recess?

Peter Fitzpatrick (Louth, Fine Gael)
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When can we expect publication of the radiological protection (amendment) Bill to ensure Irish legislation is compatible with the terms of the Convention for the Physical Protection of Nuclear Materials and Nuclear Facilities so that Ireland can ratify the convention?

Eamon Gilmore (Dún Laoghaire, Labour)
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It is expected next year.

Noel Grealish (Galway West, Independent)
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I am sure the Tánaiste and most Members of the House are aware of the position in many estates around the country with regard to noise pollution and disturbances caused to many good and law-abiding citizens. When does he expect publication of the noise nuisance Bill?

Eamon Gilmore (Dún Laoghaire, Labour)
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The noise nuisance Bill is intended to extend and improve the powers available to enforcement authorities to prevent, reduce or abate noise nuisances by allowing for on-the-spot fines and providing for mediation between neighbours. I do not have a date for the publication of the Bill but I know the Minister is working on it.

James Bannon (Longford-Westmeath, Fine Gael)
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The harm associated with alcohol misuse and the effects on society are very well documented, with consequences including suicide, physical assault, self-harm and even murder in some cases. As we know from media outlets, there has been a significant increase in the number of places selling cheap alcohol or engaging in below-cost selling.

Michael Kitt (Galway East, Fianna Fail)
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To which legislation is the Deputy referring?

James Bannon (Longford-Westmeath, Fine Gael)
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When will the public health (alcohol) Bill come before the House?

Eamon Gilmore (Dún Laoghaire, Labour)
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The Minister of State at the Department of Health, Deputy Alex White, has been working on the issue and has developed some proposals which will be considered by the Government. Arising from that discussion, the public health (alcohol) Bill will be progressed. I do not have a date for it yet but it is being dealt with as an immediate issue.

Barry Cowen (Laois-Offaly, Fianna Fail)
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Some weeks ago the Taoiseach was asked about any impending legislation on discussions of a merger of Coillte and Bord na Móna and he stated there were no such discussions or proposed legislation in that regard. Considering yesterday's welcome decision, after much deliberation, with regard to Coillte, will the Tánaiste now indicate to the House that there will be legislation emanating from the Government on the proposed or possible merger of Coillte and Bord na Móna?

Eamon Gilmore (Dún Laoghaire, Labour)
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I expect some legislation will be required and when that has been advanced, we will be able to tell the House when it can be brought forward.

Michael Healy-Rae (Kerry South, Independent)
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Unfortunately, children are being abused and used in the Irish sex trade, with 23 children identified as trafficked victims in Ireland last year. The Immigrant Council of Ireland believes the Government must improve in identifying victims, give better access to justice for victims and establish a national database to improve information flow between the Government and front-line agencies. This relates to the Children First Bill.

The next issue relates to Deputy Mattie McGrath's comments.

I ask that the Tánaiste circulate the reply to Members that he had prepared regarding the future of Ulster Bank and the comments made yesterday by Mr. George Osborne. If the reply is available, will the Tánaiste circulate it to Members please?

Michael Kitt (Galway East, Fianna Fail)
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On legislation please, Deputy.

Michael Healy-Rae (Kerry South, Independent)
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We would all appreciate that very much.

Eamon Gilmore (Dún Laoghaire, Labour)
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Regarding the Children First Bill, I understand the heads of the Bill will be before Government in the near future. I will circulate, probably by way of letter, a response on the Ulster Bank issue.

Finian McGrath (Dublin North Central, Independent)
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I wish to raise two issues. First, in connection with the health (amendment) Bill, a constituent of mine rang me last night from the heart unit at the Mater Hospital. He is waiting for someone to donate a heart in order to survive. He also told me that there are 20 other patients in the same situation as himself. He asked me to raise this matter in the Dáil. A public awareness campaign is needed because people are dying every day whose hearts could be donated to others who need them urgently. At the moment there are 20 people in the Mater Hospital who need a heart donation. A public awareness campaign is essential. This is nothing to do with resources but with awareness. I ask the Tánaiste to raise this with the Minister for Health.

Second, regarding the Children First Bill, will the Tánaiste, along with the Minister for Education and Skills, examine the situation that will pertain in September with regard to services for children with special needs? An extra 4,100 children are coming into the system, including many young children with Down's syndrome, who need resources and support. I urge the Tánaiste to consider the situation carefully.

Eamon Gilmore (Dún Laoghaire, Labour)
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What the Deputy has said with regard to public awareness about heart donations is very worthwhile and I agree with the Deputy's comments on the matter. I might be so bold as to suggest that he submit it as a topical issue because I am sure it is something to which the Minister of Health would wish to respond directly on.

Brendan Griffin (Kerry South, Fine Gael)
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In recent months public debate in Ireland has focused on a number of issues but the issues of unemployment and emigration, which are obviously enormous problems, have not been given the attention they deserve. I ask that provision be made in the schedule for a special debate on unemployment and emigration before we rise for the summer. These issues deserve a special debate because they are still hugely problematic. While unemployment may have stabilised, more must be done and new jobs must be delivered. In that context, I call for a special debate-----

Michael Kitt (Galway East, Fianna Fail)
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That is a matter for the whips, Deputy Griffin. Does the Tánaiste wish to say anything on that matter?

Eamon Gilmore (Dún Laoghaire, Labour)
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The Deputy is right. This is the big issue of our time - the need to create jobs and to ensure that we address, in particular, the needs of young people who are unemployed. The Government is always prepared to have this issue debated and discussed in the House. Arrangements for debates are made by the whips and I urge Deputy Griffin to raise the matter with the Government Chief Whip.