Dáil debates

Tuesday, 12 December 2017

2:20 pm

Photo of Aengus Ó SnodaighAengus Ó Snodaigh (Dublin South Central, Sinn Fein)
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Today’s business shall be No. 31, Road Traffic (Amendment) Bill 2017 - Second Stage (resumed), if not previously concluded; No. 10, motion re change in ministerial rota for parliamentary questions; No. 11, Financial Resolution re Intoxicating Liquor (Breweries and Distilleries) Bill 2016; No. 12, motion re EU recast reception conditions directive 2013/33/EU - referral to committee; No. 13, motion re fifteenth report of the Committee of Selection and appointment of chair; No. 5, Electoral (Amendment) (Dáil Constituencies) Bill 2017 - all Stages; and No. 32, Health Insurance (Amendment) Bill 2017 [Seanad] - Committee and Remaining Stages. Private Members' business shall be No. 165, motion re home care packages, selected by the Rural Independent Group.

Wednesday’s business shall be No. 13a, Financial Resolution re Finance Bill 2017; No. 13b, motion re appointment of ordinary member of the Houses of the Oireachtas Commission; No. 32a, statements in advance of the European Council; No. 32b, statements on Northern Ireland; No. a1, Finance Bill 2017 - recommendation from the Seanad; No. 5, Electoral (Amendment) (Dáil Constituencies) Bill 2017 - all Stages (resumed), if not previously concluded; No. 33, Protection of Cultural Property in the Event of Armed Conflict (Hague Convention) Bill 2016 [Seanad] - Order for Report, Report and Final Stages; No. 32, Health Insurance (Amendment) Bill 2017 [Seanad] - Committee and Remaining Stages (resumed), if not previously concluded; and No. 31, Road Traffic (Amendment) Bill 2017 - Second Stage (resumed), if not previously concluded. Private Members' business shall be No. 50, Online Advertising and Social Media (Transparency) Bill 2017 - Second Stage, selected by Fianna Fáil.

Thursday's business shall be No. 13c, Revised Estimates 2018, referral to committee; Item 5a, Appropriation Bill 2017 - All Stages; No. 34, Technological Universities Bill 2015 - Order for Report, Report and Final Stages; No. 3, Recognition of Irish Sign Language for the Deaf Community Bill 2016 [Seanad] - All Stages; No. 31, Road Traffic (Amendment) Bill 2017 - Second Stage resumed, if not previously concluded; and No. 34a, statements on the McCartan report on the Stardust disaster.

Friday's business shall be No. 34b, statements re child homelessness; No. 4, Domestic Violence Bill 2017 [Seanad] - Second Stage and No. 1, Intoxicating Liquor (Amendment) Bill 2017 [Seanad] - Second Stage.

With regard to the announcement of the proposed arrangements for this week's business, I refer to the first revised report of the Business Committee 7 December 2017. In respect of today’s business, it is proposed that:

(1) the Dáil shall sit later than 10 p.m. and shall adjourn on the conclusion of Private Members' Business;

(2) the motions re parliamentary questions rota change, Financial Resolution re Intoxicating Liquor (Breweries and Distilleries) Bill 2016, EU recast reception conditions directive 2013/33/EU - referral to committee and fifteenth report of the Committee of Selection and appointment of Chair shall be taken without debate;

(3) any division demanded on conclusion of Second Stage of the Electoral (Amendment) (Dáil Constituencies) Bill 2017 shall be taken immediately; and

(4) Private Members' business shall take place not later than 9 p.m. for two hours.

In relation to Wednesday's business, it is proposed that:

(1) the Dáil shall sit later than 10.15 p.m. and shall adjourn not later than 11.15 p.m.;

(2) the Financial Resolution re Finance Bill 2017 and the motion re appointment of ordinary member of the Houses of the Oireachtas Commission shall be taken without debate and any division demanded on the Financial Resolution for the Finance Bill 2017 shall be taken immediately;

(3) the statements in advance of the European Council shall commence immediately after Taoiseach's Questions and be followed by the suspension of sitting under Standing Order 25(1) for one hour. The statements shall be brought to a conclusion after 85 minutes and speeches shall be confined to a Minister or Minister of State and the main spokespersons for parties or groups, or a member nominated in their stead, which shall not exceed ten minutes each, with a five-minute response from the Minister or Minister of State, and all members may share time;

(4) statements on Northern Ireland shall be confined to a single round of 15 minutes each for a Minister or Minister of State and the main spokespersons for parties or groups to conclude within two hours and all Members may share time; and

(5) Second Stage of the Online Advertising and Social Media (Transparency) Bill 2017 shall conclude within two hours.

In relation to Thursday's business, it is proposed that:

(1) the Dáil shall sit later than 7.48 p.m. and shall adjourn on the conclusion of Topical Issues;

(2) the Revised Estimates 2018, referral to committee, shall be taken without debate and the suspension of sitting under Standing Order 25(1) shall take place on the conclusion of the Revised Estimates for 40 minutes;

(3) the proceedings on Second Stage of the Appropriation Bill 2017 shall, if not previously concluded, be brought to a conclusion after 85 minutes and any division demanded on the conclusion of Second Stage shall be taken immediately. The speech of a Minister or Minister or State and the main spokespersons for parties or groups, or a Member nominated in their stead, shall not exceed ten minutes each, with a five-minute response from the Minister or Minister of State, and all Members may share time. The proceedings on Committee and Remaining Stages shall, if not previously concluded, be brought to a conclusion after 15 minutes by one question, which shall, in relation to amendments, include only those set down or accepted by the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform;

(4) Report and Final Stages of the Technological Universities Bill 2015 shall adjourn after two hours if not previously concluded;

(5) the proceedings on Second Stage of the Recognition of Irish Sign Language for the Deaf Community Bill 2016 [Seanad] shall, if not previously concluded, be brought to a conclusion after 90 minutes and any division demanded on the conclusion of Second Stage shall be taken immediately. The speech of a Minister or Minister or State and the main spokespersons for parties or groups, or a Member nominated in their stead, shall not exceed ten minutes each, with a ten-minute response from the Minister or Minister of State, and all Members may share time. Proceedings on Committee and Remaining Stages shall, if not previously concluded, be brought to a conclusion after 30 minutes by one question, which shall, in relation to amendments, include only those set down or accepted by the Minister for Health;

(6) the weekly divisions shall take place on the conclusion of proceedings on the Road Traffic (Amendment) Bill 2017 - Second Stage resumed, if not previously concluded, or at 7.12 p.m., whichever is the earlier;

(7) the statements on the McCartan report on the Stardust disaster shall take place after the weekly divisions, no Private Members' Bill shall be taken under Standing Order 140A and no Committee Report shall be taken under Standing Order 91(2). The statements shall be confined to a single round of 15 minutes each for statements by a Minister or Minister of State and the main spokespersons for parties or groups, or a Member nominated in their stead, to conclude within two hours and all members may share time; and

(8) the Topical Issue debate shall take place not later than 9.52 p.m., or on the conclusion of the statements on the McCartan report on the Stardust disaster, whichever is the earlier.

In relation to Friday's business, it is proposed that:

(1) the Dáil shall sit on Friday at 10.30 a.m. and shall adjourn not later than 2.30 p.m. to take statements re child homelessness, the Domestic Violence Bill 2017 [Seanad] - Second Stage and the Intoxicating Liquor (Amendment) Bill 2017 - Second Stage;

(2) the quorum for the Dáil on 15 December shall be ten Members;

(3) in the opening round of the statements re child homelessness, statements of a Minister or Minister of State and the main spokespersons for parties or groups, or a Member nominated in their stead, shall not exceed 15 minutes each with speeches in the second and subsequent rounds of all other Members not exceeding five minutes each. The statements shall adjourn after two hours, if not previously concluded, and all Members may share time; and

(4) the Dáil on its rising shall adjourn until 2 p.m. on Tuesday, 16 January 2018.

2:30 pm

Photo of Seán Ó FearghaílSeán Ó Fearghaíl (Kildare South, Ceann Comhairle)
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There are four questions to be put to the House today. Is the proposal for dealing with today's business agreed to? Agreed. Is the proposal for dealing with Wednesday's business agreed to? Agreed. Is the proposal for dealing with Thursday's business agreed to? Agreed. Is the proposal for dealing with Friday's business agreed to? Agreed.

Photo of Eamon RyanEamon Ryan (Dublin Bay South, Green Party)
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On a point of information, last week's business involved statements on the transition statement relating to climate change late at night on Thursday evening. Fine; the only problem is that we did not get the statement until Friday afternoon. It shows a disrespect for the issue and for this House and should be noted.

Photo of Seán Ó FearghaílSeán Ó Fearghaíl (Kildare South, Ceann Comhairle)
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A total of 22 Members are offering. We will not get to everyone, particularly if Members do not stick to one minute.

Photo of Micheál MartinMicheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
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Last night's edition of "RTÉ Investigates" outlined how the criminal justice system, particularly in the District Court, is very poor in terms of dealing with drink-driving offences, particularly regarding the progressing of warrants and summonses, the number of loopholes that are contained in the 22 different Road Traffic Acts and the number of people who get off completely and people who were never prosecuted, fined and so on. More particularly, the number of people who have been murdered or killed by people who are out on bail is growing alarmingly. I can think of people like Manuela Riedo, Sylvia Roche Kelly, Garda Tony Golden, Shane O'Farrell and more who were either killed in hit-and-run accidents or murdered by people who were out on bail and not just out on bail once. There is a fundamental malaise at the heart of our system. If one goes through the O'Higgins report, one will see further examples of people on bail continuing to commit crime. When we can anticipate the tabling before the House of the consolidated road traffic Bill? In the interim, will the Government accept Deputy O'Callaghan's legislation, which he will bring forward tomorrow, concerning our bail laws?

Photo of Charles FlanaganCharles Flanagan (Laois, Fine Gael)
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The Deputy posed a number of questions. In respect of the bail laws, I remind Members of the recent introduction of the Criminal Justice Act 2017, which, again, has broadened the factors the court will be required to take into account before the granting of bail and which is already having an effect. I believe it is fair to say that all of the cases cited by the Deputy happened prior to the introduction of this legislation.

In the event this legislation does not deal with the issue in the manner in which it is intended, I assure the Deputy we will continue to review the matter of our bail laws. It was the subject matter of a constitutional amendment some 20 years ago. I am concerned by the ease with which bail is being granted by the courts. I assure the House the new legislation will deal with many of the matters raised.

On the matter of the consolidation of the road traffic legislation, I assure the Deputy I spoke to the Minister, Deputy Ross, this morning on the issue.

2:40 pm

Photo of Micheál MartinMicheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
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I am glad somebody spoke to him because he did not turn up last night.

Photo of Charles FlanaganCharles Flanagan (Laois, Fine Gael)
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His Department and mine will work together to ensure that over the next few months we set about a long-awaited consolidation of road traffic legislation going back to the 1960s and even before that. There are a number of loopholes.

As far as last night's programme is concerned, I am very concerned at the operation of the court poor box, which is inconsistent. I assure the House I will bring the issue to an end.

Photo of Gerry AdamsGerry Adams (Louth, Sinn Fein)
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My question is on the health (transport support) Bill. In February 2013 the Government scrapped the mobility allowance scheme and the motorised transport grants because they were not in compliance with the Equal Status Act and the Disability Act. That was done despite a recommendation by the Ombudsman that the schemes be widened. I remember it very well. The Ombudsman ruled they were discriminating because some people would not be given the grants. Instead of people being given those grants, the grants were stopped. The then Minister of State, former Deputy Kathleen Lynch, said it was because it cost too much. Other Deputies and I have raised this very often since then. A replacement scheme was promised but it has not been delivered. Those who are excluded are being caused much extra hardship. The health (transport support) Bill has been in the legislative programme for five years now. According to the current legislative programme, the Bill is now priority legislation for publication. However, a date for pre-legislative scrutiny is still to be determined. Does the Taoiseach have a date for the publication of the health (transport support) Bill?

Photo of Leo VaradkarLeo Varadkar (Dublin West, Fine Gael)
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To correct the Deputy, those grants were not stopped. They are still being paid. The schemes were not scrapped; they were just closed to new entrants. People who were availing of them up until then still are. We now need to put in place, on a statutory footing, a new transport support scheme. It is intended to have that legislation published next year and to have it through the Dáil and Seanad so we can fund it for the budgetary cycle beginning in October. There is still some work to do on that.

To answer Deputy Adams's question from Leaders' Questions, 1,600 homes were offered to the Housing Agency, not 1,800. Of those 1,600, 600 were purchased and 1,000 were not purchased for the following reasons: they were unsuitable for social housing, they were not in an area where there was social housing demand, they were bad value for taxpayers' money due to excessive cost, they were withdrawn from sale or there were legal complications related to the property due to title or planning issues.

Photo of Seán Ó FearghaílSeán Ó Fearghaíl (Kildare South, Ceann Comhairle)
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Deputy Brendan Howlin.

Photo of Gerry AdamsGerry Adams (Louth, Sinn Fein)
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Given the serialised form of these answers, may I have a right to reply?

Photo of Seán Ó FearghaílSeán Ó Fearghaíl (Kildare South, Ceann Comhairle)
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No, I am sorry. The Taoiseach has been given a certain flexibility.

Photo of Brendan HowlinBrendan Howlin (Wexford, Labour)
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It is a novel way of subsequently answering questions. Today The Irish Timesreports that buyers of new homes could be at risk of losing their deposits. This is because contracts being used by developers no longer have old fashioned protective clauses. For example, a subject-to-loan-closure clause used to be standard in contracts. Now somebody who has made a deposit but for some reason cannot raise the loan will lose the deposit. Will the courts and land conveyancing (amendment) Bill deal with that loophole? When will see that Bill?

Photo of Charles FlanaganCharles Flanagan (Laois, Fine Gael)
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Work on it is at an advanced stage. I do not expect its publication this side of Christmas but certainly during the course of the spring.

Photo of Richard Boyd BarrettRichard Boyd Barrett (Dún Laoghaire, People Before Profit Alliance)
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I attended a meeting this morning in the Mansion House at which trade unions, political parties and housing NGOs gathered to express their frustration at the failure of Government policies to live up to the programme for Government commitments to provide affordable, quality and accessible housing for all as a priority and to work with others with good ideas. The gathering, which included some of the leading NGOs, some of the biggest trade unions and many of the political parties announced a major national demonstration on 7 April to try to pressure the Government to abandon failed policies of relying on the private sector. What I and everyone at that meeting wants to know is when will the Government deliver on its commitment in the programme for Government to work with others. People across the spectrum of groups working with housing have consistently said that the policy of relying on the private market, which the Government is depending on, is not working. CSO figures today show an 86% increase in property prices accompanied by an 80% rise in rents.

Photo of Seán Ó FearghaílSeán Ó Fearghaíl (Kildare South, Ceann Comhairle)
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The Deputy is over time.

Photo of Richard Boyd BarrettRichard Boyd Barrett (Dún Laoghaire, People Before Profit Alliance)
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Will the Taoiseach admit the policies have failed and listen to those who are now gathering to protest against the Government's policies?

Photo of Eoghan MurphyEoghan Murphy (Dublin Bay South, Fine Gael)
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I thank the Deputy. We have been working with stakeholders, housing bodies and NGOs who are our partners in the voluntary sector to end the scourge of homelessness. We do not rely on the private sector. This year we will support more than 21,000 new social housing tenancies. We will well outstrip the targets we have for this year. A portion of that will come from housing assistance payments, thereby relying on the private rental market but we will see a dramatic increase in the number of houses built, acquired or long-term leased into social housing stock by the Government. If we look at the last two years of the Rebuilding Ireland action plan, 2020 and 2021, more houses will be built, bought or long-term leased by the State into State stock. We will not be relying on HAP to meet the social housing needs of people who need our help. We are not relying wholly on the private sector. We have a mix of solutions. The most important thing is to get people into secure tenancies and that is what we are doing as a Government.

Photo of Michael Healy-RaeMichael Healy-Rae (Kerry, Independent)
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Despite being a doctor, the Taoiseach was unable to answer my brother, Deputy Danny Healy-Rae, when he asked about lidocaine patches being removed from medical card cover. They cost €90 per box and are great for pain management. The decision affects 25,000 people and no reason has been given for their removal. I am inundated with questions from people in County Kerry who are suffering sore and painful ill-health as a result of the removal of these patches from the scheme. They cannot afford to buy them themselves. I am the same as everyone else here so I presume other Deputies and councillors throughout the country are being asked the same question. Will the Taoiseach answer the question today? Who authorised the removal of these patches from the medical card scheme? It was wrong and unfair.

Photo of Seán Ó FearghaílSeán Ó Fearghaíl (Kildare South, Ceann Comhairle)
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I thank the Deputy. It is not a question on promised legislation.

Photo of Michael Healy-RaeMichael Healy-Rae (Kerry, Independent)
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My brother asked the question last week and the Taoiseach said he did not have an answer. Perhaps he will have an answer today.

Photo of Leo VaradkarLeo Varadkar (Dublin West, Fine Gael)
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I thought I did answer it. Decisions on whether medicines or medical devices are authorised in the State are made by the Health Products Regulatory Authority. Decisions on whether they are reimbursed through the DPS or GMS are made by the HSE.

Photo of Eamon RyanEamon Ryan (Dublin Bay South, Green Party)
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At the weekend there was welcome news that the Government is considering introducing a directly elected mayor for Dublin and Cork. Will the Taoiseach confirm whether he has made a call on that today at the Cabinet meeting? If so, does he believe there will be a plebiscite to approve it? What sort of powers will the mayor have? What changes will there be in regional authorities? Would he consider other cities such as Galway, Waterford or Limerick for the scheme? Has the Cabinet signed off on this? What legislation is it intended to introduce?

Photo of Eoghan MurphyEoghan Murphy (Dublin Bay South, Fine Gael)
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Proposals on local government reform have not yet been brought to Cabinet but there is an intention to bring a directly elected mayor to Dublin and possibly Cork. We are working on those proposals at the moment. They will more than likely involve a plebiscite first.

Photo of Joan CollinsJoan Collins (Dublin South Central, Independent)
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My question is on waiting lists in hospitals.

3 o’clock

Ms Aisling Corcoran, a young woman from Castlebar, County Mayo, had an infected rod removed from her back in 2013. This issue has been raised in the Dáil over a number of years. She is still waiting. She was subsequently removed from Galway to Tallaght. She was due to have an operation on 4 September.

2:50 pm

Photo of Seán Ó FearghaílSeán Ó Fearghaíl (Kildare South, Ceann Comhairle)
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This is not a question on promised legislation.

Photo of Joan CollinsJoan Collins (Dublin South Central, Independent)
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This is very important.

Photo of Seán Ó FearghaílSeán Ó Fearghaíl (Kildare South, Ceann Comhairle)
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Of course it is.

Photo of Joan CollinsJoan Collins (Dublin South Central, Independent)
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It needs to be raised. The operation was cancelled. On 21 November, it was again cancelled. This girl has not been waiting three months, six months or a year; she has been waiting nearly five years for an operation on her back that is badly needed. She goes to work every morning and has to come home early because of the pain in her back. I want a Government intervention to deal with this issue. If the operation cannot be done in Ireland, it should be done by experts abroad. I would like to hear the Taoiseach's response.

Photo of Seán Ó FearghaílSeán Ó Fearghaíl (Kildare South, Ceann Comhairle)
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I suggest that the Deputy submit a parliamentary question or raise this as a Topical Issue.

Photo of Joan CollinsJoan Collins (Dublin South Central, Independent)
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I have been submitting this matter for the past five years.

Photo of Leo VaradkarLeo Varadkar (Dublin West, Fine Gael)
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This is an individual case about which I have no information. I am sure it is an extremely important issue, particularly for the person affected and her family. However, the Deputy is providing no assistance to that person by raising an individual case during Questions on Promised Legislation. As a hard-working Deputy, she would know that the best way she can get a result for her constituent is by contacting the HSE's parliamentary affairs division.

Photo of Joan CollinsJoan Collins (Dublin South Central, Independent)
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She is not my constituent, she is from Galway. I have already contacted the HSE's parliamentary affairs division.

Photo of Catherine MurphyCatherine Murphy (Kildare North, Social Democrats)
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When will sections 2 and 3 of the Children and Family Relationships Act 2015 be commenced? They deal with issues of surrogacy and anonymous donations. It was promised that these sections would be commenced by the end of 2017.

Photo of Leo VaradkarLeo Varadkar (Dublin West, Fine Gael)
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I am sorry, I do not know. However, I will check with the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs, Deputies Zappone, and the Minister for Health, Deputy Harris, and reply by correspondence.

Photo of Imelda MunsterImelda Munster (Louth, Sinn Fein)
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Section 31 of the Road Traffic Act 2016 relates to the regulation of rickshaws in cities and towns and amends the Taxi Regulation Act 2013 to cover them. However, the section has never been implemented. We are a full year on and rickshaws remain unregulated, although the National Transport Authority is conducting a painfully slow consultation process. The considerable frustration with this issue is being added to by the delay. Initially, we were told that it was due to seeking and preparing legal advice. Now there is a consultation process. These appear to be stalling tactics. We now know that some rickshaws are facilitating drug dealing across our towns and cities. Rickshaws remain unregulated, are uninsured and are not subject to checks. What is the Government doing to close this gap in the legislation one year on?

Photo of Leo VaradkarLeo Varadkar (Dublin West, Fine Gael)
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This is a matter for the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport. I will ask him to provide a reply to the Deputy.

Photo of Robert TroyRobert Troy (Longford-Westmeath, Fianna Fail)
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Early last year, many small businesses across various counties, Longford and Westmeath being two, received rates revaluation bills. In some cases, the revalued rates were in excess of 400% higher. At the time, if the Taoiseach would care to listen, the Government and many Deputies on the Government side reassured small businesses and told them that a new valuation Bill would be introduced before these bills kicked in. The new bills will kick in on 1 January 2018 but, as a result of a parliamentary question I asked last week, I have learned that the new valuation legislation is still in the Attorney General's office, where it has been since last April. When are struggling businesses going to see the new valuation Bill introduced in the House in order to ensure that they pay affordable commercial rates? If something is not done-----

Photo of Seán Ó FearghaílSeán Ó Fearghaíl (Kildare South, Ceann Comhairle)
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We cannot debate the matter now, Deputy.

Photo of Robert TroyRobert Troy (Longford-Westmeath, Fianna Fail)
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-----the Government will throw many small businesses to the wolves and see them close their doors in the new year.

Photo of Danny Healy-RaeDanny Healy-Rae (Kerry, Independent)
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This bill will be worse for commercial traders.

Photo of Eoghan MurphyEoghan Murphy (Dublin Bay South, Fine Gael)
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Today, the Cabinet agreed to transfer the Valuation Office from the Department of Justice and Equality to the Department of Housing, Planning and Local Government. The latter is also responsible for the rates Bill. I am eager to prioritise the passage of both Bills early in the new year-----

Photo of Brendan HowlinBrendan Howlin (Wexford, Labour)
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The third Department in 18 months.

Photo of Eoghan MurphyEoghan Murphy (Dublin Bay South, Fine Gael)
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-----because I am aware of the difficulties small businesses are facing. I have seen this happen - and the impact it can have on small businesses - in my own constituency, so it will be a priority for me in the new year.

Photo of Eugene MurphyEugene Murphy (Roscommon-Galway, Fianna Fail)
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In the programme for Government, a colossal €15 billion is laid out for the Department of Health. Despite this, and as no one knows better than the Taoiseach, who is a medical doctor, we have the most extraordinary waiting list of up to 700,000 people. According to comments attributed to him in today's edition of The Irish Times, the Taoiseach is hoping to arrive at a situation where at least two patients per week will not be referred by their GPs to hospital. With 2,500 GPs, that would amount to 20,000 patients per month, which would be a great way of reducing the waiting list. How does the Taoiseach propose to do this? Does he realise that most of our GPs are overstretched, overworked and deeply stressed? I cannot see this working. Perhaps the Taoiseach might reveal to the House how he proposes to turn this situation around in the way suggested in The Irish Times.

Photo of Leo VaradkarLeo Varadkar (Dublin West, Fine Gael)
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I did not read the article, but I know what I said. What I said was that, if the average GP referred two fewer people to specialists each week, that would be 5,000 fewer referrals a week and 20,000 fewer referrals a month and, without any additional capacity at all in our hospitals, we would see waiting lists fall. How could that be done? In two ways. First, provide GPs with better access to investigations so that they do not need to send somebody to a specialist who then sends him or her for a scan, scope or whatever. They could have direct access to investigations. We are starting to make that happen, but it is happening far too slowly. The other aspect, of course, is to allow and fund more GPs to perform more procedures themselves, for example, minor surgeries. When I was the Minister for Health, I started that - allowing GPs to do minor operations and be paid for them rather than referring patients to specialists.

The second way is accountability. We do not actually monitor referral rates by GPs, so we do not know who are the ones who refer too many patients and we do not know who are the ones who are appropriate and efficient in their referrals. Other countries do, and they can identify GPs who are over-referring and take action to encourage them to be more appropriate in their referrals. They can identify the GPs who refer appropriately and do not refer very often. They actually get fast-track access to specialists. That is what is done in other countries and we should do it here.

Photo of Brendan HowlinBrendan Howlin (Wexford, Labour)
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Why does the Government not do that?

Photo of Leo VaradkarLeo Varadkar (Dublin West, Fine Gael)
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Resistance, as always. Deputy Howlin knows all about it.

Photo of Donnchadh Ó LaoghaireDonnchadh Ó Laoghaire (Cork South Central, Sinn Fein)
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Last night's "Prime Time" programme was shocking in a number of respects. It reflected how our District Court system is in something of a state of chaos, particularly as regards the striking out of cases due to summonses not being served as well as the over-reliance on the poor box. The inconsistencies and discrepancies in sentencing and the approaches taken by judges were trends. In the context of that programme and what was revealed, will the Government consider the Sinn Féin Bill on a sentencing council to provide clear sentencing guidelines? Alternatively, will the Minister for Justice and Equality consider favourably an amendment to the Judicial Council Bill 2017 to put in place such a sentencing council with sentencing guidelines?

Photo of Charles FlanaganCharles Flanagan (Laois, Fine Gael)
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I acknowledge the separation of powers and the fact that the matter of sentencing is exclusively one for the courts and the Judiciary. However, I wish to advise the House that I recently met the President of the District Court and the Attorney General.

I acknowledge certain pressures on the District Court system, which, by and large, has remained unreformed since the 1920s. I am looking at a number of options in terms of a review of the District Court jurisdiction and the form of the District Court so that there are certain structures within the District Court that ensure the confidence of the people in what is effectively the court of first instance, which deals with hundreds of thousands of our citizens annually. I take seriously the outcomes of last night's RTÉ programme and will advise the House accordingly in the new year of options available to me in terms of review.

Photo of Seán Ó FearghaílSeán Ó Fearghaíl (Kildare South, Ceann Comhairle)
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Gabhaim buíochas leis an Aire. Sin deireadh le ceisteanna ar reachtaíocht atá geallta. Ba mhaith liom mo leithscéal a ghabháil do na deichniúr nár shroicheamar iad.