Mary O'Rourke (Fianna Fail)

The House will have to put up with me; the Order of Business is a long story. The Order of Business is Nos. 1 to 5, inclusive. No. 1 is a referral motion whereby the subject matter of Nos. 16 to 18, inclusive, on the Order Paper are being referred to the Joint Committee on Justice, Equality, Defence and Women's Rights.

Nos. 16 and 17 concern an agreement between Ireland and the Republic of Bulgaria and the Republic of Cyprus providing for co-operation in the exchange of information relevant to the prevention, detection and investigation of illicit trafficking in drugs, money laundering, organised crime, trafficking in persons, terrorism and other serious crime. It also provides for co-operation in the development of training programmes, including the exchange of law enforcement personnel. Articles in the agreement cover procedural matters such as the use and confidentiality of information of the agreement regarding other international agreements, entry into force and termination.

No. 18 concerns an agreement between Ireland and the Republic of Poland providing for co-operation in combating organised crime and other serious crime. The agreement provides for co-operation in combating crimes such as offences against the person, paedophilia, terrorism, trafficking in arms, illegal migration, crimes against property, money laundering, drug trafficking, trafficking in persons, trafficking in nuclear and radioactive materials and corruption. It also provides for the secondment or exchange of personnel with a view to sharing professional expertise. Articles in the agreement cover procedural matters such as the use and confidentiality of information, protection of personal data, refusal of assistance, bearing of costs, implementation of the agreement regarding other international agreements, entry into force and termination. This item will be taken without debate.

Nos. 2 and 3 are motions which were referred to the Joint Committee on Communications, Marine and Natural Resources. That committee has completed its deliberations. No. 2 concerns the postponement of the elections of the regional fisheries boards due to the recent Government decision to restructure the inland fisheries sector. No. 3 concerns a change in the fees for licences issued or renewed on or after 1 January 2006. These items will be taken without debate.

No. 4, Transfer of Execution of Sentences Bill 2004 [Seanad Bill amended by the Dáil] — Report and Final Stages, will be taken after the Order of Business and conclude not later than 3.45 p.m.; and No. 5, Irish Medicines Board (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2005 — Committee Stage (Resumed), will be taken on the conclusion of No. 4 or at 3.45 p.m., if No. 4 has not concluded earlier. This item will conclude at 6 p.m. or whenever Committee Stage is concluded.