Brian Hayes (Fine Gael)

As we enter the last two weeks of the session, I appeal to the Leader of the House to do everything in her power to ensure the Opposition is informed at all stages of the Government's intentions in respect of proposed legislation. It always happens, as we reach the end of sessions, that Bills are rushed through and Departments put pressure on the House to accept all kinds of amendments at the last minute. We all understand that such behaviour has happened under various Governments over the years. I ask the Leader to work with the Opposition in the next two weeks to ensure all matters are properly debated.

I wish to express my party's opposition to No. 4, the Dormant Accounts (Amendment) Bill 2004. We will oppose the Bill on Second Stage because we do not think there is any need for it. In effect, the legislation will provide another election slush fund for various Ministers in the run-up to the next general election. When the Minister for Finance first proposed the fund, he had the good grace to appoint an independent board to determine the charitable causes and good community projects that were to benefit from it. The Government has decided to take the money back under its control, to be used for its pet projects in certain constituencies.

Fine Gael will oppose the Bill because it is contrary to the spirit of the initial recommendation that emerged from the Committee of Public Accounts. Even at this late stage, I ask the Government to reconsider this retrograde step, rather than rushing the legislation through the House in the final two weeks of the session. My comments are not intended as a reflection on the Leader, but as a criticism of the Government's determination to drive the Bill home. Its actions are contrary to its recommendations, specifically those of the Minister for Finance.

Regarding No. 12, the Garda Síochána Bill 2004, the Leader is aware the House had an extensive and good debate on the matter two months ago, in the presence of the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform. The establishment of an independent ombudsman, who will assume the power of the Garda Complaints Authority and investigate independently all aspects of complaints made against the members of the force, is central to the Bill. Last week the authority produced its report, which shows again the inadequacies of the system. Why has it taken two months to bring the Bill to where it is today? Although we have had time to debate it, it has remained on the Order Paper. Arrangements for the Committee Stage debate should have been made by the Department of Justice, Equality and Law Reform. Why has there been a delay in the appointment of an independent ombudsman to ensure proper accountability of policing? I ask the Leader to respond.

Will the Leader make a statement in the House at some stage today about the Government's intentions in respect of banning children from public houses after a certain hour? I call for such a statement in light of the recent comments of the Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism. A raft of legislation in this area has been passed by the Oireachtas in recent years. If the Government plans to rethink this issue, surely it will have to do so before Friday of next week. Can a change be made by order? I ask the Leader to clarify the Government's plans for a U-turn in this regard.