Dáil debates

Tuesday, 24 June 2014

5:55 pm

Photo of Enda KennyEnda Kenny (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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It is proposed to take No. 9, Employment Permits (Amendment) Bill 2014 - Financial Resolutions; No. 20, Health Service Executive (Financial Matters) Bill 2013 - Order for Report, Report and Final Stages; and No. 21, Housing (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2014 - Report Stage (resumed). It is proposed, notwithstanding anything in Standing Orders, that in the event a division is in progress at the time fixed for taking Private Members’ business, the Dáil shall sit later than 9 p.m. and Private Members' business, which shall be No. 151, motion re the Irish beef industry, shall, if not previously concluded, adjourn after 90 minutes; and, in the case of No. 9, Financial Resolutions Nos. 1 and 2 shall be moved together and decided without debate by one question. Tomorrow's business after Oral Questions shall be No. 1, State Airports (Shannon Group) Bill 2014 [Seanad] - Second Stage.

Photo of Seán BarrettSeán 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 Private Members' business agreed to? Agreed. Is the proposal for dealing with No. 9 agreed to? Agreed.

Photo of Micheál MartinMicheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
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The education section of the programme for Government committed to the establishment of "a multi-campus technical university in the south-east". I presume this should say "technological university". This relates to commitments given before the last election regarding a new university in Waterford. The programme for Government states "We will explore the establishment of a multi-campus technical university in the south east". Will the Taoiseach give an update on the progress of this commitment? When can we expect the promised legislation?

On the issue of universal primary care, the Minister of State at the Department of Health, Deputy Alex White, said the legislation currently in the House relating to free GP care for children under six years of age had been pushed back until autumn. This is yet another delay. The Taoiseach must examine the entire page of commitments made on primary care in the programme for Government because it bears no relationship to reality any more. When will the universal primary care Bill be passed? It says in the programme for Government that universal primary care will be introduced in phases so that additional doctors, nurses and other primary care professionals can be recruited. It says that during the term of the Government, GP training places will be increased and GPs will be encouraged to defer retirement and will be recruited from abroad. The plan was to increase the number of practice nurses so that care could be delegated to nurses where appropriate. Access to primary care without fees was to be extended in the first year to claimants of free drugs under the long-term illness scheme at a cost of €17 million. Access to primary care without fees was to be extended in the second year to claimants of free drugs under the high-tech drugs scheme at a cost of €15 million. Access to subsidised care was to be extended to all in the following phase. The programme goes on and on. A new GP contract was to provide incentives to GPs to care more intensively for patients with chronic illnesses. Registration of primary care teams was to be compulsory. This all now reads as though it came from fantasy land. Will any of this be implemented?

When can we expect the universal primary care Bill, which is to govern all of this? What of the ring-fenced funding that was promised for additional psychologists and counsellors?

It seems that what is required are concrete proposals to address these issues with which we have been living now for the past three and a half years.

Given the Taoiseach's commitment to a Cabinet reshuffle, when does he expect to bring before the House a resolution for the appointment of Ministers to new portfolios? What is the timeline in terms of that proposition being brought before the House?

6:05 pm

Photo of Enda KennyEnda Kenny (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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Fairly soon is the answer to the Deputy's last question.

Photo of Micheál MartinMicheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
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Fairly soon.

Photo of Enda KennyEnda Kenny (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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In regard to the Universal Primary Care Bill, I will give the Deputy an update later on it. I take the Deputy's point about a comprehensive response to the nine or ten issues he raised in relation to the programme for Government. I am glad to be able to inform the Deputy that progress is being made on the technological university legislation. I understand there is now much greater progress between Waterford and Carlow institutes of technology, which is to be welcomed because this is where the process commenced following the closure a number of years ago of TalkTalk. A number of entities in Dublin are moving ahead with lodging their formal applications and discussions between Tralee and Cork institutes of technology and Letterkenny, Sligo and the Galway-Mayo institutes of technology are ongoing. The process is moving ahead although, perhaps, not as fast as one would wish. The criteria in this regard are set very high, as they must be because what we do not want at the end of this process is inferior entities. I will seek more up to date information for the Deputy but I can confirm that progress is being made.

Photo of Micheál MartinMicheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
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Will the Taoiseach answer my question about the Universal Primary Care Bill?

Photo of Enda KennyEnda Kenny (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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I will come back to the Deputy with a date in that regard.

Photo of Gerry AdamsGerry Adams (Louth, Sinn Fein)
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Tá ceist agam faoi chlár an Rialtais agus ceist eile agam faoi na mother and baby homes. The programme for Government in the context of public sector reform commits to transparency and accountability. It states that where secrecy and unaccountability, waste and extravagance, are identified the Government will pin down accountability for results at all levels of the public service from Ministers downwards. Yesterday, the West-North West Hospitals Group announced it had suspended its review into maternity services. This follows on from the resignation as chairperson of the hospitals group of Mr. Noel Daly, a founder and shareholder of a private health consultancy, who was appointed by the Minister for Health. It was Mr. Daly's firm that was contracted to carry out the review of maternity services. In keeping with the commitment of the programme for Government in terms of accountability for results at every level from Ministers down, I have raised this issue with the Taoiseach on numerous occasions, whose response was that the Minister would make a statement on the matter in this House but he has not done so. I again ask the Taoiseach if the Minister for Health, in keeping with the programme for Government, will account to the House on this matter.

Also, will the Taoiseach publish the HSE review into how Noel Daly's firm was awarded the contract to examine maternity services in that region? The Government is drip feeding information in this regard. If this had happened under the watch of Fianna Fáil Members opposite would be up on their hind legs shouting about it. This is happening on this Government's watch. A contract was awarded to a private consultancy firm, a shareholder of which was appointed the head of a public health service. The chairperson then resigned because of a conflict of interest, the review was pulled and the Minister has not accounted for this matter to the Dáil.

In regard to the terms of reference for the commission of investigation into mother and baby homes, the Minister, Deputy Flanagan, said he expected these to be ready prior to the Dáil rising for the summer but that he does not expect the investigation to commence before the end of this year. Is this acceptable to the Taoiseach? Is that not an unduly long lead-in time? The Taoiseach will be aware that Archbishop Martin has said the inquiry should include the Magdalen laundries. Can he give that commitment? Will the county homes, as requested by the campaign of survivors group, also be included? What is the timetable and format for consultation between the Government and Opposition parties and between the Government and the survivors group on the terms of reference and other relevant details?

Photo of Enda KennyEnda Kenny (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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On the Deputy's final question, I expect that the Minister, Deputy Charles Flanagan, will be in touch with the House and publicly in respect of the timelines and so on. As we now know there are extraordinary amounts of material to be examined prior to this process getting under way. I will ask the Minister to communicate with members on the progress being made in this regard.

I do not have all the details in relation to the other matter raised by the Deputy. He might consider tabling a parliamentary question or topical issue on the matter. In any event, I will have the Minister respond to him in respect of the question in regard to the West-North West Hospitals Group.

On the Bill, this is a matter for the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs. I can inform the House that the Government this morning approved the drafting of a Bill to deal with the requirements for medical facilities and coverage for those women who were in Magdalen homes. A small number of them are resident in Britain and will be dealt with through the system there. The Minister for Justice and Equality was given authorisation today to move ahead with that legislation. That work is now under way.

Photo of Gerry AdamsGerry Adams (Louth, Sinn Fein)
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I have raised the issue of the West-North West Hospitals Group-----

Photo of Enda KennyEnda Kenny (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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The Deputy has done so.

Photo of Gerry AdamsGerry Adams (Louth, Sinn Fein)
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-----with the Taoiseach on at least three occasions.

Photo of Enda KennyEnda Kenny (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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I cannot have every file with me.

Photo of Gerry AdamsGerry Adams (Louth, Sinn Fein)
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The issue has also been raised with the Taoiseach by Deputy Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin. The Taoiseach's response is that he does not have all the details.

Photo of Enda KennyEnda Kenny (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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I do not have every file in the country on every issue.

Photo of Gerry AdamsGerry Adams (Louth, Sinn Fein)
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I am sorry, this-----

Photo of Enda KennyEnda Kenny (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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The Deputy does not himself often have files that one would expect him to know about.

Photo of Gerry AdamsGerry Adams (Louth, Sinn Fein)
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We are talking about maternity services and the appointment of a private consultancy boss and so on.

Photo of Seán BarrettSeán Barrett (Dún Laoghaire, Ceann Comhairle)
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I am sorry, Deputy-----

Photo of Gerry AdamsGerry Adams (Louth, Sinn Fein)
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On the last occasion I raised this issue with the Taoiseach he said that the Minister would have no problem accounting to the House on this matter. Where is he?

Photo of Seán BarrettSeán Barrett (Dún Laoghaire, Ceann Comhairle)
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This is not really a matter for the Order of Business.

Photo of Gerry AdamsGerry Adams (Louth, Sinn Fein)
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With respect-----

Photo of Seán BarrettSeán Barrett (Dún Laoghaire, Ceann Comhairle)
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If the Deputy wishes to table the matter for discussion as a topical issue, I will consider it.

Photo of Gerry AdamsGerry Adams (Louth, Sinn Fein)
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-----citizens have a basic right to key information regarding the performance of key services. Do Teachtaí Dála not have the same right?

Photo of Enda KennyEnda Kenny (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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I would have assumed that the Deputy, as someone who knows the answers to most questions but often does not give them, would have tabled a priority question on the West-North West Hospitals Group issue for response tomorrow by the Minister for Health. However, he does not appear to be sufficiently interested enough to do this.

Photo of Gerry AdamsGerry Adams (Louth, Sinn Fein)
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The Taoiseach knows well that will not happen.

Photo of Enda KennyEnda Kenny (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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The Deputy will get an answer from the Minister for Health tomorrow when he is in the House to deal with priority questions.

Photo of Seán BarrettSeán Barrett (Dún Laoghaire, Ceann Comhairle)
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We cannot have a discussion now on the matter.

Photo of Enda KennyEnda Kenny (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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If the Deputy was sufficiently interested in following up on the matter he would have taken that initiative.

Photo of Gerry AdamsGerry Adams (Louth, Sinn Fein)
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The Minister is not interested.

Photo of Enda KennyEnda Kenny (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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The Deputy appears to know everything else but he does not give any answers.

Photo of Gerry AdamsGerry Adams (Louth, Sinn Fein)
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The Taoiseach is not now interested.

Photo of Paul KehoePaul Kehoe (Wexford, Fine Gael)
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The Deputy should table a priority question on the matter to the Department of Health. The Minister will be in the House tomorrow to respond.

Photo of Gerry AdamsGerry Adams (Louth, Sinn Fein)
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I do not need advice from the Minister of State.

Photo of Seán BarrettSeán Barrett (Dún Laoghaire, Ceann Comhairle)
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Please, Deputies.

Photo of Patrick O'DonovanPatrick O'Donovan (Limerick, Fine Gael)
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There is a foreign channel breaking through.

On the Valuation (Amendment) (No. 2) Bill 2012, I understand this Bill has been on the Seanad Order Paper for a considerable time. The Taoiseach will know that it is important legislation given that a number of local authorities have commenced the revaluation process. When can we expect that Bill to come before the Dáil?

Photo of Enda KennyEnda Kenny (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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That Bill is still awaiting Committee Stage in the Seanad. I understand some amendments in that regard are being worked on. It must first move through that system before coming to the Dáil.

Photo of Pearse DohertyPearse Doherty (Donegal South West, Sinn Fein)
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Tá trí cheist agam ar reachtaíocht atá fógraithe. Baineann an chéad cheist le Bille leasaithe an ESM, which the Minister informed me will be brought forward to allow for the burning of bondholders into the future and potential retroactive recapitalisation of the banks. When is that legislation due to be published given that there is a deadline by which all of the relevant legislation must be passed by member states? I hope the Government will commit to not guillotining the debate on that important legislation.

My second question relates to an issue which requires an intervention by Government and relates to the many citizens who cannot at this time obtain passports. The emergency service is not available to people for up to three days-----

Photo of Seán BarrettSeán Barrett (Dún Laoghaire, Ceann Comhairle)
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I am sorry, Deputy, but that is not a matter for the Order of Business.

Photo of Pearse DohertyPearse Doherty (Donegal South West, Sinn Fein)
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-----and a person must wait two and a half weeks to get an appointment. A constituent of mine who previously fought for Ireland cannot get passport clearance in time to go fight for her country.

Photo of Seán BarrettSeán Barrett (Dún Laoghaire, Ceann Comhairle)
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The Deputy is not listening to me. There are other ways of raising that issue.

Photo of Pearse DohertyPearse Doherty (Donegal South West, Sinn Fein)
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It is an issue that needs to be addressed. I have previously engaged with the relevant Ministers on this issue.

The final issue relates to the Minister and the Department of Health. It was announced by the Government that a Supplementary Estimate for the Department of Health will again be necessary. This relates to the U-turn by Government, rightly so, in relation to discretionary medical cards. Will the Taoiseach tell the House when that Supplementary Estimate will be brought before the House and if it will be only in respect of money required for address of the medical cards issue or, as has been mentioned, amounts of up to €500 million?

Other figures have been mentioned, one being as high as €500 million.

6:15 pm

Photo of Enda KennyEnda Kenny (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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Is the Deputy talking about the strategic banking corporation Bill? It will be introduced this session.

Photo of Pearse DohertyPearse Doherty (Donegal South West, Sinn Fein)
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No.

Photo of Enda KennyEnda Kenny (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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In that case I will let the Deputy know about the ESM. The Ceann Comhairle has ruled on the issue of passports, an issue the Deputy will probably raise. The supplementary budget will be brought forward in due course. I cannot give the Deputy an exact date, but, obviously, there will be one. It will be brought forward later in the year.

Photo of Pearse DohertyPearse Doherty (Donegal South West, Sinn Fein)
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Will it be this session?

Photo of Enda KennyEnda Kenny (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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No, it will be later in the year.

Photo of Michael McGrathMichael McGrath (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
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I want to raise two issues. One concerns secondary legislation and the other, primary legislation. On the former, section 20(6) of the Finance (Local Property Tax) Act 2012 states the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government can issue regulations pertaining to the local adjustment factor, the power of local authorities to vary the local property tax upwards or downwards in the order of 15%. The Minister has indicated he intends to issue such regulations. As one knows, local authorities must notify the Revenue Commissioners by the end of September if they intend to vary local property tax rates. When will the regulations be published by the Minister?

We have learned today that permanent tsb is to sell approximately €2.6 billion worth of its non-core loan book, which will involve sub-prime mortgages. The Minister for Finance has promised that the sale of loan books to unregulated third parties Bill will be published much earlier than 2015 because it will ensure people in the circumstances covered will not lose the statutory protection afforded by the code of conduct on mortgage arrears. Will the Taoiseach advise the House as to when that Bill will be brought forward? I am sure everyone on this side of the House will co-operate in finding time to have it debated and advanced through the House.

Photo of Enda KennyEnda Kenny (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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The Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government is working on the regulations. I am sure he is serious about the bringing forward of the regulations in respect of the sale of sub-prime mortgages to unregulated companies. I will consult the Minister and advise the Deputy.

Photo of Mattie McGrathMattie McGrath (Tipperary South, Independent)
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I have two items to raise, one of which concerns the announcement this morning about Grid West. EirGrid is now stating it can put cables underground for certain distances. This issue might be close to the Taoiseach's heart; it is close to his constituency in any case.

Photo of Seán BarrettSeán Barrett (Dún Laoghaire, Ceann Comhairle)
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There are other ways of raising this matter.

Photo of Mattie McGrathMattie McGrath (Tipperary South, Independent)
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When will the EirGrid Bill be brought forward?

The programme for Government states the Government will protect postal services and ensure communities will have adequate postal services. Does the Taoiseach know that An Post is to increase the price of a stamp by over 8 cent in the coming weeks? This is an awful attack on communities and businesses.

Photo of Seán BarrettSeán Barrett (Dún Laoghaire, Ceann Comhairle)
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The Deputy knows that it is not in order to raise that issue.

Photo of Mattie McGrathMattie McGrath (Tipperary South, Independent)
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The Taoiseach referred to the protection of postal services in the programme for Government.

Photo of Seán BarrettSeán Barrett (Dún Laoghaire, Ceann Comhairle)
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Does it refer to the price of a stamp?

Photo of Mattie McGrathMattie McGrath (Tipperary South, Independent)
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It refers to the protection of postal services, jobs in An Post and rural post offices. This is driving people "to hell or to Connacht".

Photo of Paul KehoePaul Kehoe (Wexford, Fine Gael)
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The Deputy was in a Government that was to protect post offices but which closed them all down.

Photo of Mattie McGrathMattie McGrath (Tipperary South, Independent)
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The Government has been in power for a while; it is time for it to start doing something.

Photo of Enda KennyEnda Kenny (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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The EirGrid Bill will be brought forward next year. As Deputies know, the Government is very much in favour of keeping all post offices open, where possible.

Photo of Mattie McGrathMattie McGrath (Tipperary South, Independent)
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The price-----

Photo of Seán BarrettSeán Barrett (Dún Laoghaire, Ceann Comhairle)
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I call Deputy Eric Byrne.

Photo of Eric ByrneEric Byrne (Dublin South Central, Labour)
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On 15 July 2013, nearly 12 months ago, a Bill entitled Assisted Decision-Making Capacity Bill was initiated. I would really love to know its current status.

Photo of Enda KennyEnda Kenny (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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Amendments to it are being drafted and it is awaiting Committee Stage. I will give the Deputy the up-to-date position on the progress made in the drafting of the amendments.

Photo of Bernard DurkanBernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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On promised legislation, I inquire as to progress on the national children's hospital Bill, an issue I raised on 19 January, 26 February, 3 April, 15 May and on several other occasions. To what extent has progress been achieved in the preparation of the application for planning permission, etc?

Photo of Enda KennyEnda Kenny (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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The fact that the Deputy has raised this issue on so many occasions has not resulted in a defined date, but there is a timeline set. The segments of that timeline are all being followed through on. I will bring the Deputy up to date on the Bill.

Photo of Bernard DurkanBernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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I thank the Taoiseach.

Photo of Frank FeighanFrank Feighan (Roscommon-South Leitrim, Fine Gael)
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With the outbreak of good weather and all of the various parties, this is the time to consider the noise nuisance Bill which would introduce on-the-spot fines and allow for mediation between neighbours. When will it be brought before the House?

Photo of Enda KennyEnda Kenny (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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I do not have a date for its publication.