Dáil debates

Wednesday, 24 May 2017

12:55 pm

Photo of Pat GallagherPat Gallagher (Donegal, Fianna Fail)
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We will now move to questions on promised legislation. It is very clear that the questions must relate to promised legislation - the programme for Government. This is not an opportunity to raise other matters. After the leaders, I have indications from 12 Deputies and I am anxious to ensure that they will all get an opportunity to contribute.

Photo of Micheál MartinMicheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
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Under the programme for Government, there are commitments on the national security and defence policy. In the context of the appalling terrorist attack on young children in Manchester - from the impact of which people are still reeling and on which they are reflecting - attention must be drawn to whether our own structures and systems, particularly those relating to intelligence, are adequate to deal with this international terrorist threat. The question is whether there is a need for a fundamental re-evaluation of the position in this regard. I read reports this morning which are quite critical of our position and the lack of an effective single agency to deal with security and intelligence in this country. Apparently, Ireland is the only EU state that does not have its own national security and intelligence agency. That is a matter which requires fairly urgent examination. I am sure the Taoiseach will agree that a national committee where different people come together every time there is a crisis is not the ideal response. The issue is whether responsibility for crime and security remains with An Garda Síochána, whether we have looked at an alternative to that or whether there is a more effective approach that enhances our capacity to prevent such atrocities from happening and to prevent extremism from developing within communities. It is very important to counter the growth of violent extremism. What is the Taoiseach's position on that?

Photo of Enda KennyEnda Kenny (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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It is a valid question. I read the reports to which Deputy Micheál Martin refers and, from what I understand, the perpetrator's family came from northern Africa in order to live in Manchester in England.

That has been replicated in a number of other locations here. These savage acts of terrorism were carried out by people from local bases. When one considers any event, concert or major sporting occasion in any country or here, no matter where one puts the perimeter of security people must congregate and move to where the event actually takes place and this movement is always outside of that perimeter.

I have looked at the situation and have called a meeting for 7.30 a.m. tomorrow morning of all the agencies in defence, justice, transport and health. We will look at the situation in Ireland. I was very impressed with the immediate response to the tragedy of the first responders in Manchester.

1:05 pm

Photo of Micheál MartinMicheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
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We need to look at what can be done in advance.

Photo of Enda KennyEnda Kenny (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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The Deputy raised a couple of important points. When the O'Toole commission gets going it will look at security in policing. There is an issue as to whether or not we should have a security and intelligence unit as a separate structure and how it currently operates. We will reflect on that. It is important for the Government of the day to give assurance to people that everything humanly possible is being done and put in place to protect the innocent people and citizens of our country.

Photo of Pat GallagherPat Gallagher (Donegal, Fianna Fail)
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I thank the Taoiseach.

Photo of Enda KennyEnda Kenny (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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We will do that and we will share the information as far as we can with the House because it is important to get this right.

Photo of Pat GallagherPat Gallagher (Donegal, Fianna Fail)
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I thank the Taoiseach.

Photo of Enda KennyEnda Kenny (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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While we cannot proceed on the basis that everything is calm and rosy and that nothing could happen here, the levels of security are at moderate which means that it is possible but not likely.

Photo of Brendan HowlinBrendan Howlin (Wexford, Labour)
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It was supposed to be four minutes only for the first question.

Photo of Pat GallagherPat Gallagher (Donegal, Fianna Fail)
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The Taoiseach must conclude. We must give others an opportunity.

Photo of Enda KennyEnda Kenny (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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There is not any reason as to why that might change, but tomorrow I will meet with the agencies.

Photo of Gerry AdamsGerry Adams (Louth, Sinn Fein)
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In the programme for Government, the Taoiseach committed to the State's honouring of recognition for the state of Palestine. Two and a half years ago the Dáil and the Seanad voted to do this but the Government, thus far, has refused to act. The Taoiseach still has time before he goes. The Government recognises the state of Israel, which is fair enough, but the failure to stand up for the rights of Palestinians has led to multiple acts of oppression and discrimination, including the stripping away of Palestinian land and water rights. This week there are more than 1,000 Palestinian prisoners on a mass hunger strike. The situation grows more desperate every single day. The Taoiseach has been to the area and he knows what it was like years ago, but it has got worse since then. Before the Taoiseach leaves office, he has the opportunity to honour the will of the Oireachtas and his own programme for Government. Will the Government agree to recognise formally the state of Palestine?

Photo of Enda KennyEnda Kenny (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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I have always favoured a two-state solution in this respect. The Government has always said that the recognition of Palestine would have to be in the context of that recognition contributing to a two-state solution. This has gone on since 1948-----

Photo of Gerry AdamsGerry Adams (Louth, Sinn Fein)
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I wonder why.

Photo of Richard Boyd BarrettRichard Boyd Barrett (Dún Laoghaire, People Before Profit Alliance)
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Countries that continue to buy arms-----

Photo of Enda KennyEnda Kenny (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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-----and this country has tried its damnedest on many occasions to bring about a situation where people can agree that there should be that two-state solution. Part of this is that Ireland has always said the recognition of Palestine is certainly quite possible, provided it leads or assists-----

Photo of Gerry AdamsGerry Adams (Louth, Sinn Fein)
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The Oireachtas-----

Photo of Pat GallagherPat Gallagher (Donegal, Fianna Fail)
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Without interruption please.

Photo of Enda KennyEnda Kenny (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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-----towards a two-state solution so that people can live normal lives and not have to put up with the constant barrage, either way, which is what they have to do at the moment.

Photo of Brendan HowlinBrendan Howlin (Wexford, Labour)
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Last November I tabled a Bill to tackle the issue of rogue crisis pregnancy agencies. These bodies abuse women who are in incredibly vulnerable positions. The agencies mislead, lie and frighten these women. The Bill passed Second Stage and is now stopped at Committee Stage because of a commitment by the Minister for Health, Deputy Harris, to regulate in this area before the summer recess. I fully accepted this commitment and the bona fides of the Minster when he explained it to me. Six months after the first debates on the legislation we still have not seen anything resembling draft regulations finally to tackle this area. Given the very firm commitment by the Taoiseach and his officials at the Oireachtas committee, and I believe the good faith of the Minister, when will we see and debate the regulations to give effect to the intentions of the House in this regard?

Photo of Enda KennyEnda Kenny (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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I thank Deputy Howlin.

I am glad Deputy Howlin accepts the bona fides of the Minister in terms of the explanation he gave him. I will be meeting him after lunchtime and I will have that conversation with him and advise the Deputy further later today.

1:15 pm

Photo of Brendan HowlinBrendan Howlin (Wexford, Labour)
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I thank the Taoiseach.

Photo of Catherine ConnollyCatherine Connolly (Galway West, Independent)
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A Vision for Change, which was a ten-year strategy, expired in January of last year. I, and other Deputies, have repeatedly been asking when the review in this regard will be published. When I raised this issue on 5 April, I was told that publication of the review was imminent, but it still has not been published. Equally important, I was told that the oversight committee was being re-established and it would be in place from 17 May. Has the review been published and is the oversight committee in place, given the importance of mental health issues and that issue has been raised by every Member of the Dáil, and in light of the front page headlines in Galway every week for the past three weeks in regard to suicidal patients being refused entry into the psychiatric services?

Photo of Enda KennyEnda Kenny (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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As I understand it, the Department of Health commenced its policy review of A Vision for Change, beginning with an evidence-based expert review of international evidence of best practice and of existing service development. This was completed in February of this year and will inform the next stage of the policy review process. A review of the Mental Health Act 2001 is also being progressed. I do not have the intended date of publication but I will advise the Deputy of it. She also asked about the oversight committee. I will come back to her on both of those issues, if I may.

Photo of Gino KennyGino Kenny (Dublin Mid West, People Before Profit Alliance)
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I have previously raised on a number occasions in this format the status of a Bill which I put forward last year, namely, the Medicinal Cannabis Bill. Thankfully, on 1 December the Bill received cross-party support in the Dáil. Since then the Bill has completed the pre-legislative scrutiny process and it is now with the Parliamentary Legal Adviser. I understand this stuff - scrutiny and so on - has to take place. However, there is no doubt in my mind that the Committee on Health is trying to frustrate passage of this Bill. I have no doubt that that is going to happen despite that Vera Twomey and many others could benefit from its enactment. Will the Taoiseach put pressure on the Committee on Health to bring the Bill forward to Committee Stage?

Photo of Enda KennyEnda Kenny (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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The Deputy referred to the scrutiny of Bills, which is right and proper. He also referred to the process as "stuff". The pre-legislative scrutiny of Bills is very important and enables all Deputies elected to this House to have their say about what might, should or should not be in any particular Bill. The scrutiny to which the Deputy referred is very important. I have had a letter from the Ceann Comhairle requesting that I meet him and the chairpersons of the committees to discuss the question of the process for Private Members' Bills, such as the Bill introduced by the Deputy, of which there are now 140 backed up.

Photo of Richard Boyd BarrettRichard Boyd Barrett (Dún Laoghaire, People Before Profit Alliance)
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There are not 140 Private Members' Bills. That is not true.

Photo of Pat GallagherPat Gallagher (Donegal, Fianna Fail)
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Deputy Boyd Barrett, allow the Taoiseach to continue without interruption or we will move on.

Photo of Enda KennyEnda Kenny (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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Whatever the number is, they are delayed. The question is how to prioritise these Bills, including Deputy Kenny's Bill, in order that they can move through the process. I do not accept that there is an attempt to stymie the Bill, to delay it or not to have it put through. What happens is that a number of Private Members' Bills are accepted but when they go through to the next Stage, the Department or the Minister has to do an extensive amount of work on them to make them suitable for purpose, taking into account the original intent of the Private Members' Bill. The members of the committee are not subject to my direction.

Photo of Pat GallagherPat Gallagher (Donegal, Fianna Fail)
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I must ask the Taoiseach to conclude as there are other Deputies who need to be given an opportunity to put their questions.

Photo of Enda KennyEnda Kenny (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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They are entitled to have their say and they should have their say. That is the reason they were elected. Bills must go through the process.

Photo of Michael HartyMichael Harty (Clare, Independent)
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I would like to ask the Taoiseach a specific question in regard to the Programme for a Partnership Government. In that, there is a reference to the building of capacity in our emergency departments and, in particular, there is a reference to opening the new accident and emergency department in Limerick regional hospital. The accident and emergency department in that hospital is one of the busiest in the country. It is frequently overcrowded and is not fit for purpose.

On many occasions, ambulances have queued outside the emergency department to take patients onto trolleys which are all occupied inside the hospital itself. The Minister, Deputy Harris, has given a commitment to open the accident and emergency department on 29 May, next Monday, and the hospital management has given a similar commitment. Will the Taoiseach confirm that all the preparations have been made relating to funding, staff and the operational structures which will govern the accident and emergency department?

1:25 pm

Photo of Enda KennyEnda Kenny (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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This is not a legislative matter.

Photo of Michael HartyMichael Harty (Clare, Independent)
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It is in the programme for Government.

Photo of Enda KennyEnda Kenny (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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Yes, but it is not a legislative matter. It is a management matter. If it is agreed by the HSE, the hospital, the Department and the Minister that the unit should open on 29 May, then the arrangements will have been made for that. I do not have the details of whether everything is in order, but if they all say it will open on 29 May, I expect it to happen.

Photo of Michael HartyMichael Harty (Clare, Independent)
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Will the Taoiseach make sure?

Photo of Enda KennyEnda Kenny (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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I will mention it to the Minister, Deputy Harris, with whom I have an engagement after lunch, and I will confirm the position for the Deputy afterwards.

Photo of Mary ButlerMary Butler (Waterford, Fianna Fail)
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On page 41 of A Programme for a Partnership Government, there is a reference to leadership on jobs and rural development and it states that the ultimate goal of the new Government will be to deliver sustainable, full employment. Unfortunately, this morning we heard the extremely disappointing news that manufacturing will cease at Waterford Stanley in October with the loss of 33 jobs. There are 57 people employed in Waterford Stanley but the workforce will be reduced to 24. Waterford Stanley's first cooker was produced in Waterford in 1936 and the Stanley brand name is synonymous with Waterford, as is Waterford Crystal. I am delighted to see the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation beside the Taoiseach. I call on the Department of Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation and on Enterprise Ireland to liaise immediately with the company and ensure the workers who will lose their jobs in October find new employment as a matter of urgency. We cannot allow these workers to become long-term unemployed

Photo of Enda KennyEnda Kenny (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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I have been in many kitchens where the Stanley was the centrepiece and raised many families. It is a wonderful product.

Photo of Mary Mitchell O'ConnorMary Mitchell O'Connor (Dún Laoghaire, Fine Gael)
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We have a commitment in the programme for Government to ensuring that there are jobs throughout the country. As Chair of the Committee on Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation, the Deputy will know that jobs are being created in all the regions. I am very disappointed that people are being let go at Waterford Stanley. We will get Enterprise Ireland and other agencies to make sure the people who are going to be made redundant will be able to find employment locally. I am very disappointed for the employees and their families.

Photo of Imelda MunsterImelda Munster (Louth, Sinn Fein)
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The extension of the living city initiative is part of the programme for Government and I ask the Taoiseach to extend the initiative to Drogheda. Drogheda is the largest town in the country and has the population of a city without any of the perks. It has, like other large towns across the State, been neglected by successive Governments for decades, and many of the buildings that would benefit from inclusion in the living city initiative are in dire need of refurbishment and regeneration. The extension of the initiative would be of very little cost to the Government so I ask the Taoiseach to consider extending it to Drogheda.

Photo of Enda KennyEnda Kenny (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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Drogheda is a big town and is growing in size and population. The living city initiative is continually reviewed. We have tried different things in the past 30 or 40 years and have offered various incentives to different locations. There was tax relief, which entailed lines being drawn on different streets. That created its own problems as smart accountants were able to get around the legislation and build developments that were never thought of, while areas outside the delineations suffered. Many premises which are derelict and in need of repair are left that way by owners expecting a payday when the economic situation improves.

That question also needs to be looked at. In the first instance, the local authority should prepare a programme justifying why the living city initiative should be extended to Drogheda. It should also point out the initiatives it is taking to improve the lot, perspective and definition in the aforementioned town. There should also be discussions with those who own derelict buildings. The council have a responsibility in that regard and it is not good enough that such buildings in town centres are left for 20 years to rot, fall down and be a disgraceful aspect when they could be put to far better use.

1:30 pm

Photo of Pat GallagherPat Gallagher (Donegal, Fianna Fail)
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I thank the Taoiseach. I want to give other Members an opportunity to speak.

Photo of Enda KennyEnda Kenny (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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The council should prepare its programme to justify why the living city initiative should be extended to that region.

Photo of Imelda MunsterImelda Munster (Louth, Sinn Fein)
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Would the Taoiseach support the extension of the living city initiative to Drogheda?

Photo of Danny Healy-RaeDanny Healy-Rae (Kerry, Independent)
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I yesterday asked the Taoiseach about impediments and blockages to housing in terms of people being refused planning permission to build houses for themselves. Many people are now being blocked at a pre-planning stage because of designations in the county development plans. There are areas of intense urban pressure, stronger areas and weaker areas. There could be a young man in an area under intense urban pressure who would not be considered for planning permission if he wanted to buy a house next door to where he is currently living. That matter has to be addressed. The planning guidelines are currently discriminating against many people, especially local people who wish to build a house for themselves. In Europe, it has been found that such discrimination is unfair and illegal. Will the Government address the planning guidelines? It is acting illegally in terms of the planning guidelines which it has given the local authorities. That matter has to be addressed. It has been highlighted by many local media outlets in recent days. When will the Government address it?

Photo of Enda KennyEnda Kenny (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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Deputy Healy-Rae is aware of the statutory responsibility of each local authority to produce its development plan. Councillors, who are the elected representatives of the people, have a direct say in that plan. If Deputy Healy-Rae is telling me that the majority of planning applications in Kerry are being turned down at pre-planning stage-----

Photo of Danny Healy-RaeDanny Healy-Rae (Kerry, Independent)
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Many of them are.

Photo of Enda KennyEnda Kenny (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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------what is the nature of the buildings that are being proposed?

Photo of Danny Healy-RaeDanny Healy-Rae (Kerry, Independent)
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Homes for people.

Photo of Pat GallagherPat Gallagher (Donegal, Fianna Fail)
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The Taoiseach must be allowed to speak without interruption.

Photo of Enda KennyEnda Kenny (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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Are they on top of hills? Are they between the road and the sea? Are they too extensive? Are they too elaborate? Pre-planning discussions concern those issues. A person may say he or she wants to build a house which is completely out of order in the location they are proposing and it will be found at pre-planning stage that the house is unjustified but something else might be justified in that location. These discussions have been had in the past and there is an answer to every problem. Sometimes planning will not be allowed and-----

Photo of Danny Healy-RaeDanny Healy-Rae (Kerry, Independent)
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Local authorities are reflecting the planning guidelines given to them by the Government.

Photo of Pat GallagherPat Gallagher (Donegal, Fianna Fail)
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Deputies may ask only one question.

Photo of Danny Healy-RaeDanny Healy-Rae (Kerry, Independent)
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Local authorities are acting illegally.

Photo of Pat GallagherPat Gallagher (Donegal, Fianna Fail)
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I call on Deputy Darragh O'Brien.

Photo of Danny Healy-RaeDanny Healy-Rae (Kerry, Independent)
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The Government must change the guidelines it is giving to the local authorities. That is where the Taoiseach is wrong.

Photo of Pat GallagherPat Gallagher (Donegal, Fianna Fail)
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Perhaps Deputy Healy-Rae and the Taoiseach could meet on the margins.

Photo of Darragh O'BrienDarragh O'Brien (Dublin Fingal, Fianna Fail)
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Under section 39 of the Health Act 2004, many voluntary providers employ hundreds of home help workers who carry out a low-paid job on the front line of our health services. Since February 2013, I have raised with successive Ministers for Health, Senator James Reilly, Deputy Varadkar and Deputy Harris, the issue that the last Government and the current one are in breach of two Labour Court recommendations whereby these workers are due to be paid four and a half weeks pay per annum in lieu of pension entitlements. These are low-paid workers who are owed money by the State. I have raised the issue by way of parliamentary question on numerous occasions. The Minister for Health, Deputy Harris, recently said that the Government is unable to come to an arrangement for this payment under the Lansdowne Road agreement. These are the lowest paid workers in the health sector and they are owed a paltry sum of a few hundred euro. However, that sum is very important to them. I ask the Taoiseach, in his last weeks in office, to take the bull by the horns on this issue I have been raising for more than four years and to pay these low-paid, front-line home help workers in the health service money the State owes them in lieu of pension entitlements.

I ask the Government to take Labour Court recommendations 19297 and 19299 very seriously. The previous Government and the current Government have been ignoring my calls for four years. Now is the time to do something about it and pay these workers what they are due.

1:40 pm

Photo of Enda KennyEnda Kenny (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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I do not know the details in this regard but the Government made deliberate decisions in respect of lower-paid workers across all sectors on the issues of USC, of ensuring no payment of income tax at lower levels, in reversing cuts in the minimum wage and in following through with the Low Pay Commission's recommendations. I will get the details and will follow through.

Photo of Eamon RyanEamon Ryan (Dublin Bay South, Green Party)
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This day six months ago, we introduced legislation here for a directly-elected mayor of Dublin. Fianna Fáil had a similar Bill on the same issue but we reached agreement with the Minister for Housing, Planning ,Community and Local Government, Deputy Coveney, that we would defer the Bills for consultation. In the subsequent six months, there has been no consultation whatsoever. I have read the policy papers of Deputies Varadkar and Coveney. Deputy Varadkar's streets are full of frappé cappuccinos and cupcakes but contain precious little information on who is going to be taking Ireland forward other than Leo. Deputy Coveney similarly covers place-making and good green stuff but again, he does not provide the slightest indication as to what will be the political reform to make happen all this place-making, to bring us forward and get everyone into the cupcakes and frappé cappuccino territory.

Has the Government discussed the development of a directly elected mayor for Dublin and how do we progress this in a collaborative way? It was agreed six months ago but nothing has happened. Has it been discussed at Cabinet? Certainly nothing has been discussed with us in the interim.

Photo of Enda KennyEnda Kenny (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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No, there has been no discussion at the Cabinet table about the idea of a directly-elected mayor for Dublin. I see much value in the idea. Deputy Coveney is involved in other consultations at the moment but I will get back to Deputy Ryan to see if there is anything in the Department that is moving on this issue.

Photo of Dessie EllisDessie Ellis (Dublin North West, Sinn Fein)
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The Government has deferred legislation on pay-by-weight for waste management. It is clear that waste management companies were abusing the proposed legislation and using it to jack up prices by including a standard charge on all bins, as well as a pay-by-weight charge. It is also clear that certain companies are now giving the Government the two fingers and are beginning to charge for black bins over a certain weight in spite of the agreement in place. The only way to have an environmentally sound and fair waste system is to put waste management back into the hands of the local authorities. Would the Taoiseach consider this when he is reviewing his promised legislation on waste management and when will that review happen?

Photo of Enda KennyEnda Kenny (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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I will advise Deputy Ellis of what is the current situation on this issue. This has not come before Cabinet in the recent past. I will revert to the Deputy.

Photo of Charlie McConalogueCharlie McConalogue (Donegal, Fianna Fail)
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I recently raised the issue of the tillage crisis fund on which this Dáil voted on 18 January this year. It mandated the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine to recognise the plight of approximately 300 farmers who lost a large proportion of their crops last year and to put in place a compensation fund to address the severe financial pressure they were under. Is it still the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine's commitment to follow through with that request and mandate from the Dáil? If so, why has it not been done? It is disgraceful that this fund has not yet been delivered. Can the Minister please update the Dáil today and can he ensure that the fund is put in place as soon as possible?

Photo of Michael CreedMichael Creed (Cork North West, Fine Gael)
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As I have informed the Deputy on a number of occasions during Question Time on agriculture, this matter is the subject of ongoing negotiations between my Department's officials and representatives of farmers affected. I have also stated this is a complex issue and we are some distance removed from the time when losses were incurred. Where there is a way there is a will in my Department to deal with the matter.

Photo of Mattie McGrathMattie McGrath (Tipperary, Independent)
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There is a commitment in the programme for Government to increase employment levels in the regions and in rural Ireland by more than 100,000 jobs. It took long enough to negotiate the programme. One of the greatest success stories in that regard has been the work of ConnectIreland, which works as part of the Succeed in Ireland programme. However, the draft terms of reference for an independent review of Succeed in Ireland on the departmental website today are deeply unsatisfactory. Why is the IDA and the Department so determined to undermine the huge success of ConnectIreland and its work in bringing jobs to rural Ireland? Is there a vendetta? Is it a battle for control with the IDA? ConnectIreland has had excellent success rates. The IDA should be reined in. The website is disgraceful.

Photo of Enda KennyEnda Kenny (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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I believe in ConnectIreland and engaged with it in a very detailed way to get it set up. The theory was that people working abroad for different companies, which were considering investing in Europe, would ask that the companies consider investing in Ireland. If they did decide to invest in Ireland there would be a reward fee for the director to the country here, provided that the jobs were sustainable and that they actually became a reality. It has worked reasonably well in small areas that would not be the focus of the IDA. While it might provide four, ten or 20 jobs in those areas, they had the potential to grow. There were discussions between ConnectIreland and the IDA. There was the question of re-tendering contracts. I cannot provide the up-to-date detail as of today but I will find out. The plan was worth following. It has produced a number of jobs, perhaps not as many as expected, but nonetheless it was important for rural Ireland.

Photo of Bobby AylwardBobby Aylward (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fianna Fail)
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In the programme for Government, a commitment was given by the Government that CCTV cameras would be erected at all major junctions on our motorways. It was also in the Fianna Fáil manifesto that if we got into power we would do this. Is legislation in place for this and what is the timescale for the erection of these cameras? We have two motorways going through my constituency of Carlow-Kilkenny, the M9 and the M7, and organised gangs are coming from Dublin in particular and are targeting businesses and robbing them. In one case two weeks ago in Urlingford, a small village in north Kilkenny, a gang came from Dublin and robbed the safe. They took the lot and were in and out in 30 minutes. They got back onto the motorway and back to Dublin. What is the status of this legislation? The Garda needs all the help it can get and I ask the Government to take this on board as per the commitment it gave in the programme for Government.

Photo of Enda KennyEnda Kenny (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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A combination of assistance between the local authority, the Garda, the transport authorities, communities etc. is required here. I will advise the Deputy of the progress this is making.

Photo of Bobby AylwardBobby Aylward (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fianna Fail)
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What is the timeframe?

Photo of Bernard DurkanBernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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Apropos of the issue raised earlier by Deputy Micheál Martin, the criminal justice (money laundering and terrorist financing) (amendment) Bill is on the list and it is still to be reviewed in pre-legislative scrutiny. In view of the recent horrendous events in Manchester, would it be possible to advance the cause of that Bill with some urgency, given the nature of its content?

Photo of Enda KennyEnda Kenny (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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Yes, it is on the priority list but I will have to advise the Deputy on the progress that is being made internally in the Department.

Photo of Eugene MurphyEugene Murphy (Roscommon-Galway, Fianna Fail)
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I address this question to the Taoiseach and the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Deputy Creed. Both know the knowledge transfer system for farmers is in absolute chaos. It was supposed to be up and running on 31 May. I welcome the fact that it has been put back to 31 July. The reality is that the system has crashed time and time again. I also understand that the online system for booking meetings with the Department has also crashed. This is not the first time that this has happened with a Department. The Department of Social Protection had the same issue with maternity benefit some weeks ago. I am not sure what the Taoiseach can do about it in his last two weeks or what the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine can do about it but we must get to the bottom of this. What can be done to stop this happening? It is creating difficulty for the farming community at present.

Photo of Michael CreedMichael Creed (Cork North West, Fine Gael)
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I thank Deputy Eugene Murphy for raising this matter. The closing date of the knowledge transfer scheme has been extended by two months. We do not anticipate that there will be any delay in payments associated with it.

1:50 pm

Photo of John BradyJohn Brady (Wicklow, Sinn Fein)
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There is a commitment in the programme for Government, on page 135, to roll out a new working family payment to support low-income families. There has been very little talk of it since the general election, when it was a key pillar of the campaign. There seemed to be a lot of information given and it was indicated that the payment would be rolled out in 2018 at a cost of €60 million. There was a public consultation process which only finished at the end of March. There has been very little information since then. Can the Taoiseach commit to the roll-out of the new working family payment in 2018? Is it intended to use the payment as a replacement for the family income supplement, FIS? Can the Taoiseach indicate clearly what stage of the process this measure has reached?

Photo of Enda KennyEnda Kenny (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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The Cabinet committee on social infrastructure considered this yesterday. The working family payment is a priority for the Government. It will have benefits for many working families over and above what is there at present. I will advise the Deputy as to the intended dates for further progress.

Photo of Louise O'ReillyLouise O'Reilly (Dublin Fingal, Sinn Fein)
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The programme for Government is a lovely document. It could have been written by Dame Barbara Cartland such is the level of fiction it contains. The programme commits the Government to implementing new procedures to ensure more efficient and timely recruitment of nurses. To be fair, the Government has set itself a target of recruiting 100 nurses each month. It is failing to reach that target, however, and is lucky to get 34 nurses a month. We now have a competition to be our next Taoiseach between the Ministers, Deputies Varadkar and Coveney. Neither candidate has given any indication that he has a plan. In his last few weeks in the role, can the Taoiseach send a message to nurses and health care professionals in respect of recruitment? Is he in a position to say that the Government is going to do something different? Clearly, what it is doing is not working. Nurses do not want to work in the health service as it is currently constituted. Has the Taoiseach something to say to them about how it is going to be different? The two lads who are vying for his job have precious little to say to them.

Photo of Enda KennyEnda Kenny (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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A full-time contract is offered to every nurse who comes out of training. The opportunity is there for nurses to work in Irish hospitals and in the Irish health system. Hopefully, they will do so. As the Deputy is aware, discussions are now under way at official level - to be followed by ministerial discussions - on the extension of the Lansdowne Road Agreement. I hope that a conclusion can be brought to those discussions before the end of June.

Photo of Martin KennyMartin Kenny (Sligo-Leitrim, Sinn Fein)
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In the programme for Government, there is a commitment regarding the protection of children and the most vulnerable people in our society. Part of this is a process which all Deputies come across, namely Garda vetting, which individuals who work with children through employment, sports organisations or whatever have to undergo. There are huge delays in Garda vetting. I spoke to the people in the bureau who do it and one of the reasons for the delay is duplication. A person who goes to a school to teach music has to get Garda vetting. If he goes to another school to teach the same music to similar children, he has to be vetted again. If he also goes to a GAA club to train children, he has to be vetted yet again. This continuous duplication of the process is a complete mess. The people in the bureau say there is not a complete system or database and that is what is needed. Will the Taoiseach commit to getting this situation resolved? It is very frustrating for people, particularly those who are trying to get employment in the sector.

Photo of Enda KennyEnda Kenny (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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The Deputy will agree that vetting of those who work with young people is incredibly important, particularly in view of what we went through here for 50 or 60 years and all of that. I could never really understand why a passport system is not available for those who, as the Deputy says, train children in one club and coach in another.

Photo of Brendan HowlinBrendan Howlin (Wexford, Labour)
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Exactly.

Photo of Enda KennyEnda Kenny (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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If a person is properly vetted and deemed appropriate to work with children in school X, the same should apply in school Y, whether it is for music, sport or whatever. That is being worked on and I hope we can arrive at an agreement as to how it can happen. We do not want a situation, however, in which somebody could fall through a crack in the system. It has got to stand up and be effective.

Photo of Tony McLoughlinTony McLoughlin (Sligo-Leitrim, Fine Gael)
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The programme for Government commits to attracting new jobs to Ireland's more rural areas, along with increased investment in the development of towns and villages throughout the country. The Taoiseach, fair play to him, was instrumental in ensuring that IDA Ireland developed new advanced factories in both Sligo and Mayo. On that basis, can he advise me as to the progress being made to promote the new advanced IDA Ireland factory in Sligo to potential foreign clients, given that it is now complete and awaiting a company?

Photo of Enda KennyEnda Kenny (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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These measures have been a success, as Deputy McLoughlin is aware. I hope the facilities that have been committed to from Tralee to the Athlone and in the western region will be marketed by IDA Ireland and will attract interest from direct investors into the country. Approximately 1,500 jobs are being created each week. As broadband capacity and the infrastructure opportunity are rolled out, it makes it much more attractive for jobs to be created outside the greater Dublin region. As the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation, Deputy Mitchell O'Connor has pointed out on a number of occasions, the Government's decision has been to invest in creating the vast majority of jobs outside the greater Dublin region in terms of IDA Ireland. That approach is backed up by Enterprise Ireland's being able to expand many of the firms that export at the moment. Deputy McLoughlin's local facility in Sligo is being presented and promoted by IDA Ireland and I hope that process will be successful soon.

Photo of Pat GallagherPat Gallagher (Donegal, Fianna Fail)
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Before we move on, I want to apologise for the overrun. It is the responsibility of leaders and others to keep within time.

Photo of Gerry AdamsGerry Adams (Louth, Sinn Fein)
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The Leas-Cheann Comhairle should name names.

Photo of Brendan HowlinBrendan Howlin (Wexford, Labour)
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The Leas-Cheann Comhairle should have said the leader of Fianna Fáil.

Photo of Pat GallagherPat Gallagher (Donegal, Fianna Fail)
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In future, we have to be more focused. It is up to the leaders - the Taoiseach and others.