Dáil debates
Wednesday, 12 March 2014
Order of Business
12:30 pm
Enda Kenny (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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It is proposed to take No. 23 - statements on pre-European Council meeting of 20 and 21 March; and No. 21 - statements on the Government’s priorities for the year ahead (resumed). It is proposed, notwithstanding anything in Standing Orders, that No. 23 shall be taken immediately following Order of Business and the proceedings thereon shall, if not previously concluded, be brought to a conclusion after 65 minutes and the following arrangements shall apply: the statements shall be made by the Taoiseach and by 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 and shall not exceed 15 minutes in each case; a Minister or Minister of State shall be called upon to make a statement in reply which shall not exceed five minutes; and the suspension of sitting shall take place on the conclusion of No. 23. Private Members’ business shall be No. 145 - motion re gateway scheme (resumed), to conclude at 9 p.m. tonight, if not previously concluded.
Tomorrow's business after Oral Questions shall be No. 24 - statements on the 2020 strategy on the Irish language. The following arrangements shall apply in relation to No. 24: the statement 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 15 minutes in each case; and such Members may share their time; the statement of each other Member called upon shall not exceed ten minutes in each case; and such Members may share their time; and a Minister or Minister of State shall be called upon to make a statement in reply which shall not exceed five minutes.
Seán Barrett (Dún Laoghaire, Ceann Comhairle)
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There are two proposals to be put to the House. Is the proposal for dealing with No. 23, statements on pre-European Council meeting of 20 and 21 March agreed to? Agreed.
Is the proposal for dealing with No. 24, statements on the 2020 strategy on the Irish language, tomorrow agreed to? Agreed.
Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
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Next week the Dáil will not sit and for the past two weeks in reality we have had little of substance to debate in the House. We have had very little if any legislation coming through, bar yesterday. For three full weeks the Dáil will not have been operating with any degree of substance in terms of legislation or issues. It would have been within the capacity of Government to have facilitated a debate in Government time today on the Garda Síochána Inspectorate report. We have been informed that the Minister for Justice and Equality, Deputy Shatter, will this afternoon publish the Garda Síochána Inspectorate's ninth report, entitled the Fixed Charge Processing System - A 21st Century Strategy, after which the Garda Síochána Inspectorate will hold a press conference. We had selective leaks of the report last evening and a presentation by the Minister.
Seán Barrett (Dún Laoghaire, Ceann Comhairle)
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We cannot have a debate. This is about time.
Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
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I know; I am looking for time. Next week there is no time. One could be very cynical and suggest that the timing of all this has been well managed by the Government side to avoid any discussion by the House or the relevant committee, today, tomorrow or next week. The Government hopes that when the Dáil comes back after the one-week break for St. Patrick's Day the heat will have gone out of the issues.
Mattie McGrath (Tipperary South, Independent)
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Alan has not gone yet.
Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
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That is what is happening in essence.
Seán Barrett (Dún Laoghaire, Ceann Comhairle)
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That is fine, but not on the Order of Business.
Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
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Others have said that maybe it was deliberately leaked yesterday-----
Seán Barrett (Dún Laoghaire, Ceann Comhairle)
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We are not into "maybes" on the Order of Business. I ask the Deputy to ask a question.
Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
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-----to get Mr. Flannery off the headlines for a moment.
Robert Troy (Longford-Westmeath, Fianna Fail)
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The Government would never do that.
Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
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Government Members will find themselves going backwards and they will meet themselves on the way back-----
Seán Barrett (Dún Laoghaire, Ceann Comhairle)
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The Deputy is not listening to me.
Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
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-----if they are not careful with all this sophisticated news management.
Seán Barrett (Dún Laoghaire, Ceann Comhairle)
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Can you put a question, please? You are not making a second stage speech.
Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
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Will the Taoiseach give an assurance to the House to give Government time on the first week back to a full debate and questions and answers with the Minister on the full Garda Síochána Inspectorate report, which I trust has not been redacted? I ask the Taoiseach to confirm that it will not be redacted or has not been redacted in any shape or form. The House should get an opportunity to debate it in full in the week we return after the St. Patrick's Day break when the Taoiseach and his colleagues will be around the world.
Enda Kenny (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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As somebody who used not to read reports, even Deputy Martin has a requirement to read this one. I have not seen it yet and I intend to read it.
Mattie McGrath (Tipperary South, Independent)
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On the plane.
Enda Kenny (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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If I were to say that we are changing the rules and that we will have a full debate on the Garda Síochána Inspectorate report in the afternoon, the first thing the Deputy would say is that he needs to have time to read it.
Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
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Tomorrow.
Enda Kenny (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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That makes common sense. I can confirm that the Dáil will have the opportunity to debate fully the unredacted report of the Garda Síochána Inspectorate into the process here.
Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
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When?
Enda Kenny (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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Deputy Martin wants it on the first day we come back. It is a matter for the Whips to agree.
Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
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No it is not. The Taoiseach can tell the Whip what he wants.
Seán Barrett (Dún Laoghaire, Ceann Comhairle)
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Excuse me; we are not having a conversation across the floor.
Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
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We are, actually. We are trying to get a very important issue on to the floor of the House-----
Seán Barrett (Dún Laoghaire, Ceann Comhairle)
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Excuse me, Deputy.
Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
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-----if it was not for the belligerence of the Taoiseach.
Seán Barrett (Dún Laoghaire, Ceann Comhairle)
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I happen to be in the Chair.
Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
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I know that full well. I accept you are in the Chair.
Seán Barrett (Dún Laoghaire, Ceann Comhairle)
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I ask the Deputy to allow the Taoiseach to answer.
Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
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Will the Taoiseach have the debate on the first week back-----
Seán Barrett (Dún Laoghaire, Ceann Comhairle)
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That is why we have Whips.
Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
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-----and not try to avoid it-----
Enda Kenny (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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I point out to Deputy Martin that last week-----
Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
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-----like the Government did with the Health Service Executive Bill and other issues?
Enda Kenny (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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The Deputy does not want to listen either.
Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
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I am listening.
Enda Kenny (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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Last week the Fianna Fáil Whip, Deputy Ó Fearghaíl, a good and decent man, made an agreement-----
Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
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I know that.
Enda Kenny (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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----- at the Whips' meeting for a process to be put in place for debating certain issues and Deputy Martin pulled the rug from under him the following day and demanded a vote.
Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
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What is the Taoiseach talking about?
Enda Kenny (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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The Deputy pulled the rug from under him. He does not even believe his own Whip.
Dara Calleary (Mayo, Fianna Fail)
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The Taoiseach pulled a few rugs himself.
Enda Kenny (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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If Deputy Martin gives a Whip responsibility to make decisions at a Whips' meeting, then he should let him stand on his own two feet and not be pulling the rug from under him.
Mattie McGrath (Tipperary South, Independent)
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What happened to poor old Mr. Flannery?
Enda Kenny (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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This will be debated when we come back here, but it will be debated following agreement at a Whips' meeting.
Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
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The Taoiseach should check with his Whip about reading the minutes of Cabinet meetings, which he announced to the Dáil yesterday. Did he know about that?
Seán Barrett (Dún Laoghaire, Ceann Comhairle)
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I call Deputy Ó Caoláin.
Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
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The Government Chief Whip read the minutes of Cabinet meetings.
Seán Barrett (Dún Laoghaire, Ceann Comhairle)
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Sorry, Deputy. I have called Deputy Ó Caoláin.
Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
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He went back on them all despite the confidentiality.
Seán Barrett (Dún Laoghaire, Ceann Comhairle)
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Deputy Martin, would you mind-----
Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin (Cavan-Monaghan, Sinn Fein)
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I ask the Taoiseach to assure the House that we are talking about that first week in order to address the matter of the Garda Síochána Inspectorate report substantively.
We have had statements on housing, but what we really need is action on social housing. The housing (miscellaneous provisions) Bill is intended to expand and strengthen the regulatory framework for social housing. I am very interested in this matter. I know that the Minister of State with responsibility is also very interested in it. We must all be aware of the crisis that is presenting for many families in the absence of a real programme of social housing provision.
How soon will the industrial relations amendment No. 2 Bill to deliver on the programme for Government commitment on collective bargaining rights present before the Dáil?
Enda Kenny (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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The housing (miscellaneous provisions) Bill will be in this session and the second Bill the Deputy mentioned will also be in this session.
Regarding seeking confirmation about a debate on the Garda Síochána Inspectorate's report, it will be in the first week back.
Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin (Cavan-Monaghan, Sinn Fein)
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I thank the Taoiseach.
Enda Kenny (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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I am not sure what other eruptions might happen in between, which might change people's views as to what we should discuss on the first day back.
Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin (Cavan-Monaghan, Sinn Fein)
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The Taoiseach's answer was clear and I appreciate the clarity.
12:40 pm
Enda Kenny (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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I assure the Deputy it will be done the first week back when he will have had an opportunity to read the report-----
Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin (Cavan-Monaghan, Sinn Fein)
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I will.
Enda Kenny (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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----- and to make his comments here.
In respect of the question asked by Deputy Martin, I have not seen the report. The Government will make its decision today and the report will be published. As I do not know what is in it, I have to assume there will be nothing in it that will be redacted. I want to be clear on that point. I do not know.
Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
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No. The Taoiseach said "unredacted".
Enda Kenny (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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I have not read it. I have not seen it.
Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
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It is very straightforward, Taoiseach. There is no basis to redact anything.
Seán Barrett (Dún Laoghaire, Ceann Comhairle)
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Please, we are not having a debate. This is the Order of Business.
Enda Kenny (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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The Government will publish the report. I do not know whether it refers to issues-----
Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
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Why are you making that qualification?
Finian McGrath (Dublin North Central, Independent)
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Legal advice-----
Enda Kenny (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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Because I have not read the report, Deputy Martin.
Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
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Somebody has whispered in your ear, "Pull back what you just said earlier".
Enda Kenny (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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Unlike you, I do tend to read these reports.
Seán Barrett (Dún Laoghaire, Ceann Comhairle)
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Deputy, would you stop shouting across the floor, please?
Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
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I am not shouting across the floor.
Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
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I am just articulating a very basic point to the Taoiseach.
Seán Barrett (Dún Laoghaire, Ceann Comhairle)
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Will you do it through the Chair in the normal way? You are long enough around here to know that.
Arthur Spring (Kerry North-West Limerick, Labour)
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The regional aid maps for 2014 are to be put to the European Committee of the Regions by June this year. When will they be brought before the House as they are of particular interest to counties such as Kerry, where currently we have disadvantaged status to attract employment to the area?
Finian McGrath (Dublin North Central, Independent)
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That is alright. Deputy Michael Healy Rae will sort it out.
Arthur Spring (Kerry North-West Limerick, Labour)
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The Minister, Deputy Brendan Howlin, has done a good job in negotiating with the committee but when will the Taoiseach be in a position to put the maps before the House and make a recommendation to the European Commission? The IDA's 2015 report is hinging on this and, therefore, it is imperative we get it done.
Enda Kenny (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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I do not see any reason for any due delay in that regard. I will have the Minister contact Deputy Spring to see how early it can be brought before the House.
Ray Butler (Meath West, Fine Gael)
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I ask the Taoiseach when publication is expected of the legal aid Bill to update and strengthen the system of granting criminal legal aid and to transfer responsibility for the administration of the main scheme and ad hoc schemes to the Legal Aid Board.
Enda Kenny (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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Does the Deputy have the right name of that Bill?
Ray Butler (Meath West, Fine Gael)
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Yes, it is the criminal justice (legal aid) Bill.
Enda Kenny (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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What number is it?
Ray Butler (Meath West, Fine Gael)
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It is 54.
Enda Kenny (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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I will have to come back to the Deputy with the detail on that.
Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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An important item of promised legislation is the legislation to consolidate, update and improve the legislative code governing the protection and regulation of the national archeological heritage. It is important issue from an educational, cultural and conservation point of view. Have the heads of the Bill been discussed in Cabinet? Have they been approved? When is the Bill likely to come before the House?
Enda Kenny (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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The heritage (amendment) Bill will be brought forward later this year.
John Halligan (Waterford, Independent)
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Under the Health Identifiers Bill, it was revealed in the Irish Mirror this morning that all the medical cards for those over 70 in nursing homes, and particularly those in the fair deal scheme, are being reviewed. Could the Taoiseach confirm if that is the case?
Seán Barrett (Dún Laoghaire, Ceann Comhairle)
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No. We are on the Order of Business.
John Halligan (Waterford, Independent)
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If that were the case it would be offensive-----
Seán Barrett (Dún Laoghaire, Ceann Comhairle)
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That is a separate issue.
John Halligan (Waterford, Independent)
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-----and distasteful because it is targeting the most vulnerable people in society.
Finian McGrath (Dublin North Central, Independent)
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It is true.
Seán Barrett (Dún Laoghaire, Ceann Comhairle)
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The Deputy should put down a parliamentary question.
John Halligan (Waterford, Independent)
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This is a fact. I have been contacted by people in two nursing homes who said this is happening.
Seán Barrett (Dún Laoghaire, Ceann Comhairle)
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What Bill is the Deputy inquiring about?
John Halligan (Waterford, Independent)
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Could the Taoiseach confirm that the Department is reviewing medical cards for people over 70 in nursing homes?
Seán Barrett (Dún Laoghaire, Ceann Comhairle)
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What Bill is the Deputy talking about?
John Halligan (Waterford, Independent)
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These are people with dementia, Alzheimer's disease and so on.
Seán Barrett (Dún Laoghaire, Ceann Comhairle)
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Deputy, you are totally out of order.
John Halligan (Waterford, Independent)
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It has been confirmed by the Department of Health that this is going to happen. That is disgraceful and appalling.
Seán Barrett (Dún Laoghaire, Ceann Comhairle)
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Would you resume your seat please?
John Halligan (Waterford, Independent)
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The Taoiseach might make a comment on this. Could he confirm that this is the case?
Seán Barrett (Dún Laoghaire, Ceann Comhairle)
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He will not make a comment on it. The Deputy is out of order. When is the Bill due?
John Halligan (Waterford, Independent)
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It is under the Health Identifiers Bill.
Seán Barrett (Dún Laoghaire, Ceann Comhairle)
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Yes. When is the Bill due?
John Halligan (Waterford, Independent)
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I am entitled to raise this under that particular Bill.
Seán Barrett (Dún Laoghaire, Ceann Comhairle)
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Yes, but the Deputy is not entitled to make a speech as well.
John Halligan (Waterford, Independent)
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I am not making a speech. I said as much as previous speakers said when they stood up. I am entitled to do that.
Seán Barrett (Dún Laoghaire, Ceann Comhairle)
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You are not entitled to it. It is as simple as that.
John Halligan (Waterford, Independent)
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I am entitled to do it. I took no longer than anybody from any other party-----
Seán Barrett (Dún Laoghaire, Ceann Comhairle)
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You get more than your share.
John Halligan (Waterford, Independent)
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The Ceann Comhairle can shut me up all he likes. I am not going.
Seán Barrett (Dún Laoghaire, Ceann Comhairle)
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Do not talk nonsense. The Deputy gets as good a service in this House as anybody else.
John Halligan (Waterford, Independent)
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That is not the case, not with the Independent group, and the Ceann Comhairle knows it.
Seán Barrett (Dún Laoghaire, Ceann Comhairle)
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You must be joking.
John Halligan (Waterford, Independent)
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Can we get an answer to the question?
Seán Barrett (Dún Laoghaire, Ceann Comhairle)
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You should cool down and do not get yourself into more trouble.
John Halligan (Waterford, Independent)
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Am I entitled to an answer to the question?
Seán Barrett (Dún Laoghaire, Ceann Comhairle)
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Deputy, he already answered the question.
John Halligan (Waterford, Independent)
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He did not.
Enda Kenny (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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The Bill is published and is awaiting-----
Seán Barrett (Dún Laoghaire, Ceann Comhairle)
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The Bill is published, in case the Deputy does not know.
John Halligan (Waterford, Independent)
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That is avoiding the question.
Sandra McLellan (Cork East, Sinn Fein)
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The State is in the midst of a severe housing crisis with over 100,000 people languishing on the housing list. The private sector has not delivered an adequate number of houses and it has failed to protect tenants. Will the housing (miscellaneous provisions) Bill come before the House and will it provide funding to local authorities to commence a building scheme? Also, is the Government on schedule to publish the health (general practitioner medical services) Bill to provide a GP service to persons aged five years and under?
Enda Kenny (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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Yes. Both of those Bills are for this session.
Mattie McGrath (Tipperary South, Independent)
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I ask the Taoiseach about what Deputy Donnell said earlier. The story in the Irish Independent today is good news.
Seán Barrett (Dún Laoghaire, Ceann Comhairle)
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On promised legislation.
Mattie McGrath (Tipperary South, Independent)
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When is it proposed to bring in the Central Bank consolidation Bill and when will the Government rein in the activity of banks? They are nearly all rogue banks but most of them are behaving roguishly We need to put some order on these people who are terrorising families and businesspeople on a daily basis.
Enda Kenny (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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That is due for next year.
Robert Troy (Longford-Westmeath, Fianna Fail)
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We are all aware that the availability of cheap alcohol is compounding the problem of excessive drinking in our society.
Seán Barrett (Dún Laoghaire, Ceann Comhairle)
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To which Bill is the Deputy referring?
Robert Troy (Longford-Westmeath, Fianna Fail)
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We are all aware also that throughout the length and breadth of our country small rural clubs are closing down on a weekly basis. When will the Taoiseach finally bring forward the legislation to deal with the minimum pricing of alcohol? He has promised this legislation week in, week out for the past number of years. He says it is in process and that it will be brought before the House, but we are still awaiting this important legislation.
Seán Barrett (Dún Laoghaire, Ceann Comhairle)
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When is the Bill due, Taoiseach?
Enda Kenny (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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It will be brought before the House when it is ready. It is not as simple as Deputy Troy suggests.
Robert Troy (Longford-Westmeath, Fianna Fail)
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The Taoiseach suggested two years ago that it would be-----
Enda Kenny (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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The Minister of State, Deputy White, has done an extensive amount of work on this Bill.
Robert Troy (Longford-Westmeath, Fianna Fail)
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Two years ago the Taoiseach-----
Seán Barrett (Dún Laoghaire, Ceann Comhairle)
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Would you stay quiet please and listen to the answer?
Enda Kenny (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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It will be brought before the House when it is due and ready, Deputy Troy.
Peter Fitzpatrick (Louth, Fine Gael)
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When can we expect publication of the Bill to amend the Health Act 2007 to extend the remit of the Health Information and Quality Authority to include functions with regard to medical ionising radiation protection and on the setting of the standards for private and independent health care providers?
Enda Kenny (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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The amendment of that Act is due for this year.
Róisín Shortall (Dublin North West, Independent)
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The Taoiseach's Government appointed Mr. Frank Flannery to the Forum on Philanthropy. Was the Taoiseach aware that during the period of his office-----
Seán Barrett (Dún Laoghaire, Ceann Comhairle)
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Sorry, Deputy. This is not a matter for the Order of Business and you will not raise it here. Would you please resume your seat?
Róisín Shortall (Dublin North West, Independent)
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-----he was in receipt of payments from Philanthropy Ireland for consultancy work?
Seán Barrett (Dún Laoghaire, Ceann Comhairle)
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Would you please resume your seat, Deputy?
Róisín Shortall (Dublin North West, Independent)
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Would the Taoiseach confirm he was aware of that? Further, in regard to the long-promised legislation to establish a register of lobbyists, first, when will we see that legislation and, second, will that legislation provide for full disclosure of all payments that lobbyists receive?
Enda Kenny (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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I expect the registration of lobbyists Bill will be brought forward this session.
Róisín Shortall (Dublin North West, Independent)
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Was the Taoiseach aware of Mr. Flannery's role as a consultant-----
Seán Barrett (Dún Laoghaire, Ceann Comhairle)
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That is a separate issue for another time, Deputy.
Róisín Shortall (Dublin North West, Independent)
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-----and the conflict of interest that existed?
Enda Kenny (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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"No" is the answer to the Deputy's question.
Róisín Shortall (Dublin North West, Independent)
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He was not. Thank you.
Seán Barrett (Dún Laoghaire, Ceann Comhairle)
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The Deputy knows as well as I do that it is not a matter for the Order of Business.
Timmy Dooley (Clare, Fianna Fail)
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Did he ever lobby the Taoiseach in that role?
Willie O'Dea (Limerick City, Fianna Fail)
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Every day I become more convinced that the Taoiseach would make an ideal choice for President of the European Council.
Seán Barrett (Dún Laoghaire, Ceann Comhairle)
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That is very nice of you, Deputy. In the meantime, would you ask your question?
Willie O'Dea (Limerick City, Fianna Fail)
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I would point out to the Taoiseach that we have passed the second anniversary of the Taoiseach's commitment to introduce the consumer and competition Bill. He told me it would be introduced "this session". Several sessions have come and gone. Does the Taoiseach believe he will bring it forward in this session?
Enda Kenny (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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Yes, I do. I expect that Bill to be published and debated in this session.
Peter Mathews (Dublin South, Independent)
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In regard to the gambling control Bill the Taoiseach kindly answered yesterday that it will be published early in 2015. In the meantime, there is a crisis in the advertising of gambling on websites that allow phone apps and other instruments to undermine family life and so on. What can be done about that? How can the advertising, as in tobacco advertising-----
Seán Barrett (Dún Laoghaire, Ceann Comhairle)
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I am sorry. That is a separate issue.
Peter Mathews (Dublin South, Independent)
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-----be stopped in the meantime because a year is a long time?
Enda Kenny (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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I am not an expert in that advanced technology. Obviously, information and understanding of what these instruments can lead to is very important.
Peter Mathews (Dublin South, Independent)
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The advertising on television of the-----
Enda Kenny (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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The Bill is due next year. I assume it is an issue that can be raised in committee to see if there are issues that can be dealt with now.
Peter Mathews (Dublin South, Independent)
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Could I become a member of that committee?
Seán Barrett (Dún Laoghaire, Ceann Comhairle)
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We cannot deal with that issue on the Order of Business.
Enda Kenny (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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The Deputy can certainly put in a request to the Ceann Comhairle for the matter to be addressed by way of a Topical Issue.
Peter Mathews (Dublin South, Independent)
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Would the Taoiseach support it?
Brendan Griffin (Kerry South, Fine Gael)
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When can we expect the criminal law (sexual offences) Bill to be published? There is a huge need for the provision of post-release electronic tagging of sex offenders in terms of trying to protect our communities.
I wonder if it is something that could be brought forward.
12:50 pm
Enda Kenny (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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It will be later this year.
Tommy Broughan (Dublin North East, Labour)
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When is the maritime (international conventions and safety) Bill, which is on the second clár, due to be brought forward? Is it intended to include pay rates and conditions for mariners and workers at sea in that legislation, given that many of the ships that traverse between here and the United Kingdom do not implement either the minimum wage of the UK or of this country? They seem to be outside international labour law-----
Seán Barrett (Dún Laoghaire, Ceann Comhairle)
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We cannot discuss that now.
Tommy Broughan (Dublin North East, Labour)
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Is it intended to bring the Bill forward?
Enda Kenny (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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There is no date for publication of that Bill. I suggest the Deputy brings the specific issues he raises to the attention of the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine.
Tommy Broughan (Dublin North East, Labour)
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And also the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport and the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation.