Brendan Ryan (Dublin Fingal, Labour)
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Today's business shall be No. 9, motion re exchange of views with H. E. Jean-Claude Juncker, President of the European Commission; No. 10, motion re position of UK and Ireland in respect of the area of freedom, security and justice, referral to committee; No. 11, motion re apology for persons convicted of consensual same-sex sexual acts and statement of values, to conclude within 85 minutes, if not previously concluded; and No. 27, Road Traffic (Amendment) Bill 2017 - Report and Final Stages, resumed, if not previously concluded. Private Members' business shall be No. 185, motion re Dublin Fire Brigade, selected by Fianna Fáil.

Wednesday's business shall be No. 1, Childcare Support Bill 2017 - amendments from the Seanad, resumed, if not previously concluded; No. 27, Road Traffic (Amendment) Bill 2017 - Report and Final Stages, resumed, if not previously concluded; No. 51, Intoxicating Liquor (Breweries and Distilleries) Bill 2016, introduced by Deputy Alan Kelly - Order for Report, Report and Final Stages; and No. 28, summer economic statement. Private Members' business shall be No. 186, motion re health waiting lists, selected by Sinn Féin.

Thursday's business shall be an exchange of views with H. E. Jean-Claude Juncker, President of the European Commission, joint sitting of Dáil Éireann and Seanad Éireann; and the Consumer Protection (Amendment) Bill 2017, No. 52 – Second Stage of which shall be debated in the evening slot.

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

(1) motion re exchange of views with H. E. Jean-Claude Juncker, President of the European Commission, and motion re the position of the UK and Ireland in respect of the area of freedom, security and justice, referral to committee, shall be taken without debate and any division demanded shall be taken immediately; and

(2) The motion re Apology for Persons Convicted of Consensual Same-Sex Sexual Acts and Statement of Values shall conclude within 85 minutes, if not previously concluded. Speeches shall be confined to a single round for a Minister or Minister of State and the main spokespersons for parties and groups, or a Member nominated in their stead, for a period not exceeding ten minutes, with a five minute response from a Minister or Minister of State and all Members may share time.

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

(1) Report and Final Stages of the Intoxicating Liquor (Breweries and Distilleries) Bill 2016 shall be taken in Government time; and

(2) the Summer economic statements shall be brought to a conclusion after three hours, if not previously concluded. The statements of a Minister or Minister for State and the main spokespersons, or a Member nominated in their stead, shall not exceed ten minutes each, with a second round of 30 minutes in total for members of the Government, Fianna Fáil and Sinn Féin, to be divided proportionally on a 40/40/20 basis respectively, with five minutes for all other Members, a ten minute response from a Minister or Minister of State and all Members may share time. If the statements conclude before 10.15 p.m., the order shall resume thereafter.

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

(1) Leaders’ Questions shall be taken at 2.30 p.m. and oral Parliamentary Questions to the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht shall take place on the conclusion of Questions on Promised Legislation and shall be followed by Topical Issues. There shall be no suspension of the sitting under Standing Order 25(1)(b). Notwithstanding anything in Standing Orders, any division which would normally be taken at the weekly division time on Thursday 21 June 2018 shall be taken in the weekly division time on Thursday 28 June 2018; and

(2) the Dáil shall sit later than 7.48 p.m. and shall adjourn on the conclusion of the proceedings on Second Stage of the Consumer Protection (Amendment) Bill 2017.

Seán Ó Fearghaíl (Kildare South, Ceann Comhairle)
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Is the proposal for dealing with Tuesday's business agreed?

Ruth Coppinger (Dublin West, Solidarity)
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I wish to raise a matter. It is absolutely vital that we ask the Business Committee to alter the schedule to take into account the dominant issue on our television screens over the last few days, namely the separation of children from their parents and the putting of those children into cages under the new immigration policy of the US President, Mr. Donald Trump. It has horrified the entire nation and the world. It has also horrified the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade who tweeted about it but we need a little bit more than a tweet. We need this Parliament to send a message that we do not agree with this policy.

Seán Ó Fearghaíl (Kildare South, Ceann Comhairle)
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We cannot have a debate on it now. The Deputy has made her point.

Ruth Coppinger (Dublin West, Solidarity)
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I suggest that we ask the Taoiseach to withdraw the invitation to Mr. Trump to visit this country and that we support the protest that will take place at 5 p.m. this evening at the US embassy. I also suggest that tomorrow, instead of Topical Issues, we schedule a debate on this issue. It is important that we give the Tánaiste a chance to carry out-----

Seán Ó Fearghaíl (Kildare South, Ceann Comhairle)
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The Deputy has made her point. Deputy McDonald, please.

Mary Lou McDonald (Dublin Central, Sinn Fein)
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Everybody has been deeply shocked by the images of small, distressed children being separated from their parents and being held in what can only be described as cages. It is unconscionable and mind boggling that this would be a policy and practice pursued by any civilised administration. I note that the Tánaiste has commented appropriately on the issue on Twitter but I agree with Deputy Coppinger that we should reflect on this and that a message should be sent from this Chamber to the American Administration that those practices are abhorred by all of us, are absolutely unacceptable and should cease.

Brendan Howlin (Wexford, Labour)
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I support the call from Deputy Coppinger for the House to take a stand on this issue. Most of us thought that things could not get any worse but this new low, involving the separation of infants and toddlers from their parents in order to intimidate the parents, is shocking. We must be very clear in the stance taken across all benches in this House and we must make our views known to the United States.

Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
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It is our view that we should agree an all-party motion on this matter which can be put to the House. Such a motion may have already been circulated or is on its way.

We should do that because this is a reprehensible policy. We should not have a debate on it tomorrow instead of Topical Issue matters. Topical Issue matters should be preserved to give backbenchers an opportunity to raise issues. We should agree an extra time slot and if that means sitting a bit longer, so be it. It is important to have a cross-party perspective on this matter to give the US Government a very clear message that it is unacceptable. It should be communicated Government to Government and Parliament to Parliament that we find this degradation and undermining of basic children's rights reprehensible.

Róisín Shortall (Dublin North West, Social Democrats)
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On behalf of the Social Democrats, I agree with other speakers that it is important for us to have an opportunity to express our abhorrence at the appalling civil rights violations that are perpetrated against people coming to the US across the Mexican border. It is important for an all-party motion to be agreed by this House. Deputies should have an opportunity to express their abhorrence at what is happening. It would be appropriate for the Tánaiste and the Taoiseach to call in the American ambassador to convey the strength of the feelings of public representatives in this country. I hope that could be done at an early stage.

Mattie McGrath (Tipperary, Independent)
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On behalf of the Rural Independent Group, I agree that we should have a debate on this appalling issue. We believe the House should have a wider debate on the situation in the Middle East, including the ongoing persecution of Christians and Muslim minorities. We seem to give-----

Ruth Coppinger (Dublin West, Solidarity)
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What has that got to do with this issue?

Mattie McGrath (Tipperary, Independent)
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We should have a debate on that before the summer recess.

Ruth Coppinger (Dublin West, Solidarity)
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This is about Mexico.

Alan Farrell (Dublin Fingal, Fine Gael)
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Having written to the US ambassador this morning, it would be very appropriate for the House to discuss this matter. I ask the Business Committee to convene to see whether a suitable slot can be assigned. An all-party motion would be warranted.

Seán Ó Fearghaíl (Kildare South, Ceann Comhairle)
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Is the Taoiseach amenable to this proposal?

Leo Varadkar (Dublin West, Fine Gael)
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Absolutely. The eyes of the world are on the US at the moment. No one can defend the scenes of children being forcibly separated from their parents. We know from dark chapters in our history how lasting can be the consequences of separating children from their parents and how it can damage them for their entire lives. Like most in this House, I love America and I am very fond of it. I am always reminded of the words that are written on the Statue of Liberty:

Give me your tired, your poor,

Your huddled masses yearning to breathe free.

It seems to me that America, more and more, is departing from its own values. An all-party motion is appropriate and I would support that. We will convey our grave concern to the acting US ambassador as soon as possible. Perhaps the Business Committee can discuss the arrangements for the all-party motion.

Seán Ó Fearghaíl (Kildare South, Ceann Comhairle)
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We will ask the Business Committee to arrange that. Are we saying the motion should be taken today or tomorrow?

Brendan Howlin (Wexford, Labour)
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As soon as possible.

Seán Ó Fearghaíl (Kildare South, Ceann Comhairle)
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We will try for today or tomorrow. It will be organised between today and tomorrow.

Ruth Coppinger (Dublin West, Solidarity)
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Tomorrow is probably more realistic.

Seán Ó Fearghaíl (Kildare South, Ceann Comhairle)
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Okay. Is today's business agreed to? Agreed. Is Wednesday's business agreed to? Agreed. Is Thursday's business, with a slight amendment that Leaders' Questions shall be taken at 2.45 p.m., agreed to? Agreed. I call Deputy Micheál Martin on promised legislation.

Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
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I was going to raise the issue we have just dealt with, so instead I will ask about legislation.

Seán Ó Fearghaíl (Kildare South, Ceann Comhairle)
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Okay.

Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
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The legislation that has been promised to implement the result of the referendum repealing the eighth amendment is a key issue. The people have voted to remove the eighth amendment. The Government has issued a statement to the effect that it will not proceed with the legislation until the autumn. It is taking that approach on the basis that legal cases are ongoing. I understand that there is no legal stay. Nothing is legally preventing us from proceeding with this legislation. The cases that are being taken do not prevent the Government from bringing the legislation into the House for debate. If we were to take the Government's position to its logical conclusion, there could be Supreme Court appeals, etc.

Seán Ó Fearghaíl (Kildare South, Ceann Comhairle)
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The Deputy's minute is up.

Leo Varadkar (Dublin West, Fine Gael)
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The advice I have received from the Attorney General is that we can publish the legislation.

The legislation is being drafted and we anticipate publishing it next month. However, my advice is that we cannot actually debate it or bring it through Second Stage in this House while the constitutionality of the actual referendum result is being challenged.

Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
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That is not the case.

Seán Ó Fearghaíl (Kildare South, Ceann Comhairle)
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There is no provision.

Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
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Has the Government been advised that it would be imprudent or that it cannot happen?

Ruth Coppinger (Dublin West, Solidarity)
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It would be good to have clarity on the matter.

Seán Ó Fearghaíl (Kildare South, Ceann Comhairle)
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We cannot go into it now.

Leo Varadkar (Dublin West, Fine Gael)
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I will check again.

Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
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The Taoiseach should do so as we need an opinion. It is a very important point as to whether we can legally proceed with the legislation. We should not be misled in the House unwittingly.

Seán Ó Fearghaíl (Kildare South, Ceann Comhairle)
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It is a hugely important point, but I am afraid that we have a system to operate. Will the Deputy, please, resume his seat?

Mary Lou McDonald (Dublin Central, Sinn Fein)
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If I might try to be helpful, could a note-----

Leo Varadkar (Dublin West, Fine Gael)
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We could never pass legislation on Second Stage that was unconstitutional.

Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
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It is not unconstitutional.

Mary Lou McDonald (Dublin Central, Sinn Fein)
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I am about to try to help the Deputies.

Seán Ó Fearghaíl (Kildare South, Ceann Comhairle)
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Excuse me.

Mary Lou McDonald (Dublin Central, Sinn Fein)
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Jesus, Mary and Joseph - the Ceann Comhairle rang his bell very loudly.

Seán Ó Fearghaíl (Kildare South, Ceann Comhairle)
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Will the Taoiseach and the Leader of the Opposition respect the rules of the House?

Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
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I was interrupted when I was going to ask a question.

Seán Ó Fearghaíl (Kildare South, Ceann Comhairle)
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The rules of the House apply to everyone.

Mattie McGrath (Tipperary, Independent)
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Hear, hear.

Mary Lou McDonald (Dublin Central, Sinn Fein)
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It might be helpful if the Taoiseach or the Government circulated a note summarising the advice on the legislation.

I want to raise a different matter - the motion to be debated this evening both here and in the Seanad on the 25th anniversary of the decriminalisation of homosexuality. I welcome the motion and the notion of an apology to those who were convicted under what was, frankly, an abhorrent and disgusting law. Given that homosexuality was only decriminalised 25 years ago, we know that there are men who still hold convictions. Senator Fintan Warfield has tabled an amendment which calls for the establishment of a system to quash those convictions, as well as a ban on what is called conversion therapy and for the LGBTI community to be protected under hate crime legislation. Will the Taoiseach support these three things?

Leo Varadkar (Dublin West, Fine Gael)
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The Minister, Deputy Charles Flanagan will respond to the Deputy's questions.

Charles Flanagan (Laois, Fine Gael)
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It was my understanding an all-party motion had been agreed to reflect the unanimous viewpoint of this House, but I understand from Deputy Mary Lou McDonald that that is no longer the case. However, a debate will take place this afternoon, during the course of which the matters addressed by the Deputy can be dealt with.

Brendan Howlin (Wexford, Labour)
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For the purposes of clarity, it is my understanding the legislation to enact the outcome of the referendum on the eighth amendment will be published in the timeframe set out. The Bill will be published in the first week of July. There is no impediment to that happening.

Leo Varadkar (Dublin West, Fine Gael)
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There is no impediment to it happening in the context of the court challenges, but, obviously, it has to be drafted.

Brendan Howlin (Wexford, Labour)
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Subject to it being drafted, there is no impediment to publishing it.

Let me raise a different issue. The Government has indicated that it will support the Labour Party's Bill to update the law on harassment. The Taoiseach will be aware that there has been controversy in the United Kingdom about the blocking of a Bill to deal with the offence of upskirting. The Harassment, Harmful Communications and Related Offences Bill 2017 which is based on the Law Reform Commission's proposals deals with a number of things, including cyberbullying, revenge porn and upskirting. The Minister has indicated that he will work with us to progress it. He might update us on where exactly is the legislation. Is there any prospect of having it debated in this session?

Charles Flanagan (Laois, Fine Gael)
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I thank the Deputy, in particular, and the Labour Party for their contribution in bringing forward this important legislation. It is being drafted. I am keen to see further consultation take place with the Labour Party as the sponsor of the original Bill. I expect that we will be able to report a large measure of progress between now and the end of term.

Paul Murphy (Dublin South West, Solidarity)
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In April the Dáil passed Solidarity-PBP's Provision of Objective Sex Education Bill 2018 on Second Stage. The Bill provides for the introduction of progressive, LGBTQ+ positive and factual sex education, with consent at its core. Crucially, it also provides that the religious ethos of a school will not stand in the way of the provision of such necessary objective sex education. It is in line with the recommendations of the Oireachtas committee on the eighth amendment. In the referendum the people clearly expressed a view on the repeal of the amendment and also broadly having a progressive and secular society.

3 o’clock

We received a letter from the Ceann Comhairle last week saying that a money message would be necessary for the Bill to proceed to Committee Stage. Unfortunately, this has become a favoured method of the Government in blocking the progress of Bills like the Cannabis for Medicinal Use Regulation Bill. The Ceann Comhairle wrote that he expects an answer within three weeks. I ask the Taoiseach to give a commitment that the Government will not block our Bill, particularly as June is Pride month. The money message that is required is extremely simple. The Taoiseach simply needs to sign it to enable us to proceed with debating and implementing this necessary legislation.

Leo Varadkar (Dublin West, Fine Gael)
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I can only issue a money message for legislation on two grounds. First, the legislation must be quality legislation or of sufficient quality that it can become law. Second, money must be voted by the Oireachtas for its implementation. That is the basis on which I make a decision on whether a money message can be issued. We have a wider problem with legislation that is queuing up or stuck at money message stage which should probably never have reached Second Stage in the first place because of its flaws. We need to agree on an all-party basis a much better mechanism to make sure legislation that could never become law because it is poorly drafted or of bad quality does not get to Second Stage in the first place.

Mattie McGrath (Tipperary, Independent)
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The programme for Government contains a commitment to improving the provision of mental health services. Tipperary, the county I represent, does not have one mental health bed. When will the Taoiseach cry "halt"? What does it mean when Dr. John Hillery, a consultant psychiatrist and president of the College of Psychiatrists of Ireland, says that he has been forced to resign his role within the Health Service Executive and he and his colleagues are being ethically compromised? This is not the first time Dr. Hillery has raised these matters. Last year, he pointed out that the recruitment issue facing the child and adolescent mental health services, CAMHS, and general psychiatry services was crippling the service and that the terms and conditions of those working for the HSE were a major issue. When will the Taoiseach do something about the HSE? Mental health is a serious issue. Dr. Hillery visited the Houses twice at the invitation of the Ceann Comhairle. His prowess and stature on this issue are well recognised. He has now resigned because of the chaos in the HSE and its inability to recruit people. How could he remain in such a dysfunctional organisation?

Leo Varadkar (Dublin West, Fine Gael)
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I am sure the person concerned is a fine psychiatrist. I think he is also an election candidate so we should bear that in mind as well. When it comes to-----

Mattie McGrath (Tipperary, Independent)
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That is a nakedly political comment.

Leo Varadkar (Dublin West, Fine Gael)
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I think it is relevant when it comes to-----

Mattie McGrath (Tipperary, Independent)
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Everything about the Taoiseach is spin.

Seán Ó Fearghaíl (Kildare South, Ceann Comhairle)
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Deputy, please.

Mattie McGrath (Tipperary, Independent)
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Will the Taoiseach answer the question?

Seán Ó Fearghaíl (Kildare South, Ceann Comhairle)
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Will the Deputy allow him to answer the question?

Mattie McGrath (Tipperary, Independent)
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He is only talking balderdash. All he sees in front of him are votes.

Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
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Dr. Hillery is a reputable and esteemed voice on mental health.

Leo Varadkar (Dublin West, Fine Gael)
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He certainly is. He is also an esteemed voice for Fianna Fáil.

Seán Ó Fearghaíl (Kildare South, Ceann Comhairle)
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Will Members please respect the Chamber? The Taoiseach is in possession. Please let him speak.

Mattie McGrath (Tipperary, Independent)
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He will not speak.

Leo Varadkar (Dublin West, Fine Gael)
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No legislation is promised on the matter but the programme for Government commits to continuing to increase resources for the mental health sector and we have done so. Funding for mental health has increased by €200 million per annum since 2012, which has led to the recruitment of additional staff.

Catherine Connolly (Galway West, Independent)
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Bheinn buíoch don Cheann Comhairle cabhair a thabhairt dom freagra a fháil ón Taoiseach maidir leis an bplean gníomhaíochta don Ghaeilge. Níl a fhios agam an bhfuil rudaí ag éirí níos measa de bharr go bhfuil an cheist ardaithe go mion minic agam, ach fuair mé geallúintí. Thug an tAire sóisearach a bhriathar ar 2 Meitheamh go mbeadh an rud ag dul os comhair an Cabinet inniu. An bhfuil an plean gníomhaíochta don Ghaeilge curtha os comhair an Cabinet? Seo Bliain na Gaeilge. Is bliain na géarchéime í i ndáiríre.

Joe McHugh (Donegal, Fine Gael)
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Tá nuacht dearfach agam.

Catherine Connolly (Galway West, Independent)
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Gabh mo leithscéal ach ón Taoiseach a bhí mé ag lorg an fhreagra.

Joe McHugh (Donegal, Fine Gael)
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Tá an dáta socruithe chun an plean gníomhaíochta a lainseáil - an 29 Meitheamh i nGaoth Dóbhair i mo chontae féin. Ba mhaith liom cuireadh a thabhairt d'achan duine sa Teach seo agus sa Seanad chuig lainseáil an phlean. Beidh sé réidh le lainseáil ar 29 Meitheamh. Is é mo bharúil go mbeidh sé os comhair bhord an Rialtais an tseachtain chéanna. Ní bheidh aon dhifir idir inniu agus an Máirt seo chugainn. Beidh sé réidh le foilsiú dé hAoine an tseachtain seo chugainn.

Seán Ó Fearghaíl (Kildare South, Ceann Comhairle)
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Tá an dáta socruithe.

Róisín Shortall (Dublin North West, Social Democrats)
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In regard to the Public Health (Alcohol) Bill, which is inching its way towards completion some six years after it was first proposed, the Government has backed down on a number of features of the original Bill. It seems the Minister for Health, along with some other parties in the House, is looking to reduce the size of the health warning on alcohol containers. Why is the Government doing this at a point when we know the evidence is very clear in regard to the link between several serious health conditions and overuse of alcohol? Why is the Taoiseach supporting this approach? People are talking about having this in Irish and the Labour Party wants to go even further and abolish it altogether. Surely we should stick with that basic warning, with a third of the label being devoted to a very clear warning about health concerns, as we did so successfully in regard to cigarettes.

Leo Varadkar (Dublin West, Fine Gael)
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I understand that legislation is in committee tomorrow. If I recall correctly, the legislation, which I published as Minister for Health, required that there be health warnings on all alcohol products. I do not think it was ever a requirement that they be a particular size. The important thing is that we have the label and that it warns people about the adverse health effects of consuming alcohol.

Róisín Shortall (Dublin North West, Social Democrats)
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It needs to be visible.

John Brassil (Kerry, Fianna Fail)
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On page 86 of the programme for Government, in the section dealing with education, a commitment is given to provide annual increases in primary and secondary capitation grants. On page 90 a commitment is given to set out capitation rates to schools on a rolling three-year basis, allowing for forward planning. To date, there has been no increase in capitation grants for either primary or secondary schools. When will the Taoiseach honour the commitment made in the programme for Government more than two and a half years ago?

Michael Healy-Rae (Kerry, Independent)
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On the same issue, the Government did give commitments. This is causing extreme hardship in our schools which are having to make up the shortfall by fundraising. It is very difficult for principals, teachers, parents associations and parents to try to make up the shortfall of funding to run the schools. Of course, the capitation grant should be increased at this time, given it is one of the most essential things that keep our schools running smoothly. I support the call made here today. When is the Taoiseach going to honour the commitment in the programme for Government?

Leo Varadkar (Dublin West, Fine Gael)
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It is always a case of having to prioritise, as Deputies will appreciate. The education budget this year is €10 billion, the highest education budget in the history of the State. What does that mean in practice? It means 5,000 more teachers than we had two years ago. It means we now have 15,000 SNAs, so there are more SNAs in Ireland than gardaí, even though the number of gardaí is increasing as well. It means new school buildings throughout the country. It means new subjects, like physical education and computer science at the leaving certificate, for example. Extra money, in education at least, is resulting in real improvements.

We were not able to provide for an increase in capitation in the budget for this year as the priority was additional staff, reducing the pupil-teacher ratio and all the things I mentioned, but it is certainly something that is under consideration for budget 2019. As is always the case, however, it is not good enough for Opposition parties just to demand more spending on everything everywhere. We need to prioritise. If the priority for next year is going to be capitation, obviously, that makes it hard to do other things.

John Brassil (Kerry, Fianna Fail)
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The Taoiseach promised it.

Fiona O'Loughlin (Kildare South, Fianna Fail)
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It was his commitment.

Thomas Byrne (Meath East, Fianna Fail)
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The Taoiseach stated today that he is imposing a quality of legislation test in regard to money messages. That is utterly unconstitutional and if the Taoiseach is doing that, the Dáil needs to be very clear there is no provision for it in the Constitution.

Two months ago, almost to the day, the Minister for Education and Skills announced the biggest spending promise by Fine Gael so far this year. He announced a programme of 42 school buildings for new areas from September next year at a cost of €500 million, not including land costs. This also relates to page 86 of the programme for Government. To date, parents on the ground have no information whatsoever about where these schools will be or how they enrol their children. They are looking for schools for September next year, when half of these schools are due to open. The money has not been allocated and parents do not have the information, although the summer holidays are coming up. Will the Taoiseach give the parents of Ireland any more information on this €500 million promise by Fine Gael?

Leo Varadkar (Dublin West, Fine Gael)
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I do not have that detail before me, but I will ask the Minister for Education and Skills, Deputy Richard Bruton, to provide it for the Deputy once he has it.

Mary Butler (Waterford, Fianna Fail)
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Page 86 of the programme for Government contains the statement that education is the key to giving every child an equal opportunity in life. Unfortunately, that does not always happen. A situation has arisen in St. Declan's community college in Kilmacthomas, County Waterford, a school under the patronage of Waterford-Wexford ETB. For the enrolment year 2018-19, demand has exceeded capacity for 21 students who attend local primary schools. A parent whose family lives 426 ft from the school contacted me this morning to say demand had exceeded capacity. The school simply is a victim of its own success. A couple of years ago it was a 120 pupil school, whereas now it takes in 150, but the demand is for 171 places. I had hoped to raise this matter with the Minister for Education and Skills. In the short term the solution is the provision of additional accommodation in the form of prefabs. Will the Taoiseach give the matter his best attention?

Leo Varadkar (Dublin West, Fine Gael)
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I am afraid that I do not have any particular information on the school in Kilmacthomas to which the Deputy refers. Generally, if a school is oversubscribed, additional accommodation is provided or children are given the opportunity to attend other schools in the locality which might have vacancies. Without knowing the details, I cannot comment on the matter further. Certainly, I will inform the Minister for Education and Skills, Deputy Richard Bruton, that the Deputy has raised the matter in the Dáil and ask him to furnish her with a detailed reply.

Danny Healy-Rae (Kerry, Independent)
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The provision of housing is vital for many. Many of those who have sought and been granted planning permission by their local authority to build their own homes have subsequently been affected by appeals to An Bord Pleanála by serial objectors. Likewise, farmers who want to build roads to bring timber from their forestry lands are given permission by their local authority and the forestry service, but, again, the decisions are appealed by the serial objectors. Will the Government do something about them by placing some charge on them which they would have to pay when objecting? It is fine if someone is affected by a planning decision, but people from far away who are not connected at all are lodging appeals.

Seán Ó Fearghaíl (Kildare South, Ceann Comhairle)
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Time is up.

Danny Healy-Rae (Kerry, Independent)
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They are objecting and causing a great deal of harassment for people who simply want to build houses for themselves or provide roadways. They are being stopped and blocked by serial objectors.

Seán Ó Fearghaíl (Kildare South, Ceann Comhairle)
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Can we hear from the Minister?

Danny Healy-Rae (Kerry, Independent)
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Please do something about them.

Eoghan Murphy (Dublin Bay South, Fine Gael)
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I thank the Deputy for the question. The Minister of State, Deputy Damien English, is bringing through the Houses a planning Bill which includes an amendment to deal with the issue raised by the Deputy of access to industrial forestry to allow farmers and others to facilitate the movement of timber goods from their lands. On the issue of people objecting to the granting of planning permission, we have a very robust planning system which has done a great deal of good to protect us from things which should not happen. However, bearing in mind an increase in the number of vexatious objections and observations, reforms will be made to the system, the details of which will be published in the autumn.

Seán Ó Fearghaíl (Kildare South, Ceann Comhairle)
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That concludes-----

Michael Healy-Rae (Kerry, Independent)
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I would like to register a possible perceived conflict of interest on that subject. It is proper to do so.

Seán Ó Fearghaíl (Kildare South, Ceann Comhairle)
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What subject?

Michael Healy-Rae (Kerry, Independent)
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On the question that was just raised.

Eoghan Murphy (Dublin Bay South, Fine Gael)
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The Deputy did not raise a question.

Michael Healy-Rae (Kerry, Independent)
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I am a connected person and it has to be registered.

Seán Ó Fearghaíl (Kildare South, Ceann Comhairle)
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That concludes questions on promised legislation.

Danny Healy-Rae (Kerry, Independent)
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I have to register it if he is registering something because we are brothers and I do not know what he is talking about.

Michael Healy-Rae (Kerry, Independent)
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It has been well registered.

Seán Ó Fearghaíl (Kildare South, Ceann Comhairle)
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That concludes questions on promised legislation.