Order of Business
- Order of Business 2 speeches
The Taoiseach proposed the day’s business and a late sitting, and the Ceann Comhairle put the sitting-time proposal, which was agreed.
Enda Kenny, Seán Barrett
- Referendum Commission and primary care documents 8 speeches
The Taoiseach confirmed that the Children’s Referendum Commission is active and will be chaired by Justice Mary Finlay Geoghegan; the Taoiseach declined to undertake on the Order of Business to publish primary-care-centre documentation, directing the matter to parliamentary questions.
Micheál Martin, Seán Barrett, Enda Kenny
- Upward-only rent review legislation 6 speeches
Gerry Adams sought legislation abolishing upward-only rent reviews and action on such clauses in State contracts; the Taoiseach said the proposed Bill had been deferred following the Attorney General’s legal and constitutional advice.
Gerry Adams, Seán Barrett, Enda Kenny
- Rent allowance accommodation transfer 4 speeches
Willie O’Dea asked whether legislation would transfer rent-allowance accommodation responsibility to local authorities by January 2013; the Taoiseach promised to provide details.
Willie O'Dea, Seán Barrett, Enda Kenny
- Home help service funding cuts 12 speeches
Michael Healy-Rae raised proposed monthly cuts to home-help funding and their effect on people cared for at home; the Ceann Comhairle ruled the matter out of order, while the Taoiseach said the Bill would come next year and those needing home help would receive it.
Michael Healy-Rae, Seán Barrett, Enda Kenny
- Building regulations legislation 7 speeches
Dessie Ellis cited serious defects and explosions at housing estates and sought urgent building-regulations legislation; the Taoiseach said the Bill was not listed.
Dessie Ellis, Seán Barrett, Enda Kenny
- Probation service Bill 6 speeches
Bernard Durkan asked when the probation service Bill, including the EU framework decision provisions, would be introduced; the Taoiseach said its heads had not reached Cabinet and that the Bill would probably come next year.
Bernard Durkan, Seán Barrett, Enda Kenny
- Adoption and wind turbine legislation 2 speeches
Robert Troy sought progress on adoption-tracing legislation and asked whether Seanad wind-turbine legislation would be brought to the Dáil; the Taoiseach said the adoption Bill would probably be taken next year and promised further details.
Robert Troy, Enda Kenny
- Construction Contracts Bill and school project 7 speeches
John McGuinness sought rapid passage of the Construction Contracts Bill and intervention in the failed Loreto school contract affecting 160 jobs; the Taoiseach said the Bill awaited Committee Stage and the Education Minister would respond on the project.
John McGuinness, Seán Barrett, Enda Kenny
- CAP reform and farmers’ meetings 27 speeches
Mattie McGrath criticised the Agriculture Minister’s absence from a farmers’ demonstration and sought action to protect the Common Agricultural Policy and farm payments. The Taoiseach said the Minister of State had met farm representatives and that four provincial public meetings on CAP reform would be held; the exchanges included political jibes and confirmation of a meeting in the midlands.
Mattie McGrath, Seán Barrett, Enda Kenny, Colm Keaveney, Dara Calleary
- Housing estate defects legislation 11 speeches
James Bannon disputed Sinn Féin’s account of housing-estate problems and asked when environmental-liability legislation would address them; the Taoiseach said the Bill was not due until next year.
James Bannon, Dessie Ellis, Seán Barrett, Robert Troy, Enda Kenny
- Horse Racing Ireland legislation 2 speeches
Michael Lowry asked about the Horse Racing Ireland (Amendment) Bill and its possible inclusion in the Finance Bill; the Taoiseach said it would be taken early next year.
Michael Lowry, Enda Kenny
It is proposed to take No. 4, Fiscal Responsibility Bill 2012 - Order for Second Stage and Second Stage. It is proposed, notwithstanding anything in Standing Orders, that the Dáil shall sit later than 9 p.m. tonight and shall adjourn on the adjournment of Private Members' business, which shall be No. 63, motion re agriculture; and Private Members' business shall take place on the conclusion of the opening speeches of No. 4 or at 7.30 p.m., whichever is the later, and shall, if not previously concluded, adjourn after 90 minutes.
Comment on this
There is one proposal to put to the House. Is the proposal that the Dáil shall sit later than 9 p.m. agreed to? Agreed.
Comment on this
In regard to the forthcoming referendum on children's rights, has the Referendum Commission been formally activated and a judge appointed?
I raised the issue of the commitment in the programme for Government regarding primary care with the Tánaiste last week.
Will the Taoiseach ensure, in line with the commitment given by the Tánaiste, that all documentation related to the recent announcement by the Government on the allocation of primary care centres, including those in north Dublin, is published immediately to facilitate proper discussion at the Joint Committee on Health and Children and put to bed once and for all the issues connected with the centres?
Comment on this
I am asking the Taoiseach to ensure the documentation is published. It is a simple question.
Comment on this
Will the Taoiseach publish the documentation?
Comment on this
While it is not a matter for the Order of Business, I am sure that whatever was agreed will be followed through.
Comment on this
The Taoiseach is perfectly correct; it is not a matter for the Order of Business. The Deputy should table a parliamentary question.
Comment on this
Tá ceist agam faoi reachtaíocht atá forógraithe. The Taoiseach will recall his promise before the general election to introduce, as a priority, legislation to abolish upward only rent reviews in the case of commercial leases. Will he update the House on the status of the legislation? Is he aware that many Departments and State bodies are the holders of such leases? I am familiar with one case, although I am not sure it is fair to refer to it in the House, involving Mr. John Shine in Killybegs who lost his business and had to make his employees redundant.
Comment on this
In that case, while he is waiting to introduce legislation on this matter, will the Taoiseach make a start by abolishing such clauses in contracts held by Departments and State agencies? The case to which I referred involves a contract with the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine.
Comment on this
The programme for Government contained a commitment to introduce legislation to end upward only rent reviews. As the Deputy will recall, in December last the Government decided not to proceed with the development of the relevant legislation, the Landlord and Tenant (Business Leases Rent Review) Bill on the basis of formal advice received from the Attorney General from a legal and constitutional perspective.
Comment on this
As I stated, some of the contracts in question are held by Departments and State agencies. Will the Government explore the possibility of obtaining legal advice on the matter from an tArd-Aighne?
Comment on this
On the Government's commitment to transfer responsibility for accommodation under the rent allowance scheme from the Department of Social Protection to local authorities-----
Comment on this
I am referring to a firm Government commitment. Will legislation be required to implement it? Is the Taoiseach optimistic that the Government will meet the timetable it has set for doing so, namely, 1 January 2013?
Comment on this
I am not sure if the matter is addressed in the housing Bill, but I will have the details sent to the Deputy.
Comment on this
With regard to the health (amendment) (No. 2) Bill, the Government proposes to slash €3 million from the budget for home help hours every month until the end of the year.
Comment on this
Here we go again. Every day I have to tell the Deputy that contributions must be relevant to the Order of Business.
Comment on this
I raise a very important issue.
Comment on this
Some €3 million will be cut every month until the end of the year.
Comment on this
Does the Taoiseach realise the effect these cuts will have on those being cared for at home?
Comment on this
This is a very important issue.
Comment on this
All these matters are very important, but they may not be raised on the Order of Business.
Comment on this
The Bill will be taken next year. I remind Deputy Michael Healy-Rae that anybody who needs a home help service will have one.
Comment on this
This weekend marks the anniversary of the evacuation of the Priory Hall estate. Balgaddy is another estate with serious problems.
Comment on this
Recently there were two explosions in the Gleann Riada estate in County Longford and buildings have been pulled down.
Comment on this
The Deputy must not have heard me. I remind him that this is the Order of Business and he may only refer to promised legislation.
Comment on this
These problems were caused by a defective sewage system which resulted in the build-up of gases. When will the building regulations Bill be brought before the House? I have provided only a snapshot of the problems and many individual homes have been affected. The legislation is urgent.
Comment on this
On promised legislation, will the Taoiseach outline plans for the reform of the probation service? When will the probation service Bill be introduced to give effect to an EU framework decision? Have the heads of the Bill been discussed by the Cabinet?
Comment on this
Traditionally, it has been acceptable to inquire about the whereabouts of a Bill and whether the heads have been discussed by the Cabinet and ask when it is likely that legislation will be introduced in the House.
Comment on this
The heads of the Bill have not yet been discussed by the Cabinet. It will more than likely be next year before the probation service Bill is brought before the House.
Comment on this
As the Taoiseach will be aware, the purpose of the adoption (tracing and information) Bill is to deal with information on informal adoptions dating back to the 1950s. The Minister for Children and Youth Affairs, Deputy Frances Fitzgerald, has promised to bring the legislation before the House this year. When will it be introduced?
In the light of the number of wind turbines due to be erected in the midlands region, will the Wind Turbines Bill introduced in the Seanad by Senator John Kelly be brought before the Dáil?
Comment on this
In respect of the adoption (tracing and information) Bill, the Minister is considering the matter and has given a timeline for the legislation. The Bill is clearly related to the adoption legislation that will be an important element of the preparations for the referendum on children's rights. In all probability, the Bill will be taken next year, although I cannot confirm this. I will revert to the Deputy with further details.
On the position on wind turbines in the midlands, the memorandum of understanding under discussion between the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources, Deputy Pat Rabbitte, and his British counterpart is the foundation on which such developments might take place. For this reason, I am not in a position to confirm whether any Bill from the Seanad will be brought to this House.
Comment on this
Will the Taoiseach ensure the quick passage of the Construction Contracts Bill 2010 in order that it can be enacted to provide the necessary protection? In the spirit of the Bill, will he ensure the contract at Loreto secondary school in Kilkenny where the contractor has gone broke and 160 jobs are at stake-----
Comment on this
Will the Taoiseach ensure the contractors are paid and will be allowed to have a representative present at a meeting with the Department of Education and Skills on Wednesday? There are 160 families affected by this €5 million contract.
Comment on this
The subcontractors have been caught again. I ask the Taoiseach to investigate the matter fully.
Comment on this
The Minister for Education and Skills, Deputy Ruairí Quinn, will respond to the Deputy on the matter he raises. The Construction Contracts Bill is awaiting Committee Stage and we will see to it that the Whips have it taken as quickly as possible.
Comment on this
In the light of the statement made by the European Commissioner for Agriculture and the possibility that legislative changes will be introduced to implement reform of the Common Agricultural Policy, 20,000 farmers took to the streets today. It was expected that the Minister would meet them, but he did not do so.
Comment on this
I am referring to changes to European legislation.
Comment on this
I accept that. The Minister has stated changes will be made at European level. Will amending legislation be introduced in the House? Will we fight to save the Common Agricultural Policy?
Comment on this
He did not go near the footpath.
Comment on this
The Minister has arranged, at his request, four public meetings with farmers, one in each province in the next ten days, to discuss CAP reform, the protection of the budget and single farm payment scheme and other matters.
Comment on this
The Minister of State, Deputy Shane McEntee, met representatives of the farming organisations today. The Deputy should not engage in this kind of palaver.
Comment on this
It is not palaver. The Minister was expected outside.
Comment on this
The farmers themselves were very happy to hear of the Kerry Group's announcement today of a €100 million investment in the added value for food production.
Comment on this
There was a good bit for Mayo as well. We all welcome this announcement.
Comment on this
Deputy Mattie McGrath is just talking palaver.
Comment on this
A bit like Deputy Keaveney's e-mails then.
Comment on this
Deputy Mattie McGrath will not be charging €5 this time around for attending these meetings. These are free meetings.
Comment on this
Deputy Kehoe should go back to being a big spender on the shop floor.
Comment on this
Deputy Kehoe should go back to the shop floor. He might want another house.
Comment on this
Further to what the Taoiseach has announced, one of the meetings in question will take place in my constituency and the Minister will be present.
Comment on this
Stroke politics is alive and well.
Comment on this
Regarding the issue of housing estate problems raised by Sinn Féin, their Deputies do not have their facts right. I have raised it on numerous occasions before Sinn Féin ever did.
Comment on this
That is probably why the problem is still there.
Comment on this
I have raised it on numerous occasions before Sinn Féin ever did.
Comment on this
The most appropriate Bill to deal with this problem would be the environmental liability Bill. Would this come under housing or health and safety? When will it come before the House?
Comment on this
He raised it before and he does not even know what he is talking about.
Comment on this
I thank Deputy Bannon for confirming the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Marine will attend a public meeting in Longford on farming.
Comment on this
Good and noble counties like Longford and Westmeath deserve a public meeting in that regard. The environmental liability Bill is not due until next year.
Comment on this
What is the status of the horse racing Ireland (amendment) Bill? Both the Taoiseach and the Minister have made numerous public comments on it. Will any aspect of it be dealt with in the finance Bill?