Order of Business
- Order of Business 1 speech
The Government proposes business on the Education and Training Boards Bill, medical goods pricing, and resumed Private Members’ business on home-help cuts.
Brendan Howlin
- Government legislative timetable 10 speeches
Deputy Micheál Martin seeks timelines for the strategic investment bank, Official Secrets Act amendments and Freedom of Information legislation. Minister Howlin says the bank legislation is planned for next year, gives no date for the Official Secrets legislation, and expects the FOI Bill to proceed once drafting is complete.
Micheál Martin, Seán Barrett, Brendan Howlin, Frances Fitzgerald
- Primary care centre documentation 14 speeches
Deputy Martin presses for documentation concerning the selection of primary care centres, alleging deliberate withholding of information; the exchange is curtailed by the Chair amid cross-floor interruptions.
Micheál Martin, Alan Shatter, Seán Barrett, Finian McGrath, Joe Higgins
- Freedom of information reform 6 speeches
Deputy Adams asks when the Freedom of Information amendment Bill will be introduced, criticising the lack of precision in the Government’s timetable. Minister Howlin says its heads will be considered through an Oireachtas committee and that the Bill will broaden access beyond reversing previous restrictions.
Gerry Adams, Seán Barrett, Brendan Howlin
- Property tax legislation 2 speeches
Deputy Higgins asks when property tax legislation will be introduced and whether the household charge will be repealed; Minister Howlin says the announcement will accompany the Budget, with legislation and implementation details to follow.
Joe Higgins, Brendan Howlin
- National children’s hospital timeline 2 speeches
Deputy Higgins seeks a date for a decision on the national children’s hospital; the Minister says its location remains under consideration and has not yet gone to Cabinet.
Joe Higgins, Brendan Howlin
- Prisons inspectorate legislation 2 speeches
Deputy Mac Lochlainn asks when legislation responding to the Inspector of Prisons’ report will appear; Minister Howlin says reform legislation is being prepared for next year.
Pádraig Mac Lochlainn, Brendan Howlin
- Children detention schools Bill 2 speeches
Deputy Healy-Rae asks when legislation amalgamating children detention schools will be introduced; the Minister says it is expected next year.
Michael Healy-Rae, Brendan Howlin
- Noise control legislation 3 speeches
Deputy Dowds urges Cabinet action on the delayed noise Bill, citing severe effects on residents; the Minister will convey his concerns, while a brief follow-up asks about its application to the Justice Minister.
Robert Dowds, Brendan Howlin, Joe Higgins
- Road traffic legislation 4 speeches
Deputy Broughan asks about the road traffic Bill, Garda traffic-corps legislation and related social insurance provisions. Minister Howlin says the road traffic Bill is scheduled for next year and may be published earlier, but is unaware of promised social insurance legislation.
Thomas P. Broughan, Seán Barrett, Brendan Howlin
- Gangland crime legislation 16 speeches
Deputy McGrath seeks urgent legislation and stronger Garda powers after a fatal gangland shooting in south Tipperary, arguing that next year is too late. The exchange becomes heated, with the Chair directing the matter toward a Topical Issue debate and Members disputing its political treatment.
Mattie McGrath, Seán Barrett, Brendan Howlin, Paul Kehoe, Micheál Martin
- Health insurance risk equalisation 2 speeches
Deputy Shortall asks why risk-equalisation legislation has been delayed; Minister Howlin says Cabinet cleared it the previous day and publication is imminent.
Róisín Shortall, Brendan Howlin
It is proposed to take No. 4, Education and Training Boards Bill 2012 - Second Stage (resumed); and No.1, Health (Pricing and Supply of Medical Goods) Bill 2012 [Seanad] - Second Stage. Private Members' business shall be No. 64, motion re home help cuts (resumed), to conclude at 9 p.m. if not previously concluded.
Comment on this
Will the Minister outline the legislative timeline for the establishment of the strategic investment bank and for the legislation on the promised amendment to the Official Secrets Act?
Despite the Tánaiste and the Taoiseach giving a clear commitment that all of the documentation in respect of the selection of primary care centres would be made available to the House and despite the fact that I have tabled freedom of information requests, I have not yet received the documentation. It has been weeks. When will the reform of the Freedom of Information Act be before the House? We would like to amend aspects of the Act to ensure that it cannot be used as a shield by the Government to prevent information from reaching Deputies quickly and effectively. We have been waiting six months to get vital information on significant policy decisions of the Government.
Comment on this
Everything gets referred to freedom of information. When will the legislation be before the House?
Comment on this
The Deputy asked about three Bills and also asked a general question. As the Deputy knows, the Government established the strategic investment fund. It has been commenced and is leveraging money as a fund to be made available to defined sectors of the economy. The legislation for it to migrate to a bank will be introduced next year.
There is no date yet for the amendment to the Official Secrets Act as proposed in the programme for Government. The freedom of information (amendment) Bill is in my area of responsibility and forms part of a suite of transformational legislation, including the register of lobbyists, the extension of the remit of the Ombudsman, which is before the Seanad, and-----
Comment on this
There is nothing transformational about the current practice.
Comment on this
-----a range of other matters. As the Deputy knows, the heads of the Bill have been approved by the Government and we are awaiting drafting.
In terms of freedom of information, one of the objectives of the amendment is to undo the narrowing of the terms of the freedom of information legislation which Fianna Fáil enacted.
Comment on this
It is what the Deputy's party did.
Comment on this
We are not getting any information.
Comment on this
We intend to have that Bill before the House as soon as possible.
Comment on this
May we have the documentation on the primary care centres?
Comment on this
If there is difficulty it is because of legislation which the Deputy's party enacted.
Comment on this
The Deputy opposite must have been asleep at the Cabinet table when it was happening.
Comment on this
It is wilful and deliberate withholding of information.
Comment on this
I also had a question about the freedom of information Bill and I accept the need for the area to be broadened, given what has been done to it. This follows the debacle regarding primary care centres. Deputy Ó Caoláin and others from my party have asked a range of questions-----
Comment on this
Okay. The Minister was unable to say when the Bill would be brought forward.
Comment on this
It is the amending freedom of information legislation. The Minister should be more precise as the answer he has given is not enough. We have just discussed mortgage debt. When will the Personal Insolvency Bill be returned for Report Stage?
Comment on this
With regard to the freedom of information Bill, the practice I have adopted with the suite of legislation is to refer the heads to an appropriate Oireachtas committee so we can have a robust debate. It is a matter for the House to deal with the broadening and deepening of our democracy, and I intend to proceed with that. The commitment in the programme for Government goes much beyond simply undoing the damage done by Fianna Fáil to the Bill enacted the last time we were part of the Government. It extends the legislation to a range of other organisations. I welcome the views of the Opposition in that regard and would be very open to amendments. Committee Stage of the Personal Insolvency Bill has been concluded and it is expected that Report Stage will take place in the House during the first week of November.
Comment on this
When will the legislation for the property tax be introduced to the Dáil? Will it be before the budget or after? Is it the intention of the Government to repeal the household tax legislation currently applying before the end of the year or will it be implemented for the first half of next year? The Government has indicated that from 1 July, the property tax will apply.
Does the Government intend to make time available in the Dáil next week for statements and information on the location of and timeline for the construction of the national children's hospital?
Comment on this
A great deal of discussion and analysis is ongoing within the Government regarding the property tax. It is expected the announcement will be part of the Budget Statement and the legislation will be subsequent to it. How and when it comes into effect will be a matter to be announced by the Minister for Finance and its interaction with existing legislation will be outlined by the Minister.
The location of the national children's hospital is still being considered by the Minister for Health and he has yet to bring proposals to the Cabinet. I am sure that when the Cabinet has made a decision on the issue, there will be a debate in the House.
Comment on this
I am unaware of when the Minister will bring the proposal to the Cabinet.
Comment on this
There has been a harrowing report from the Inspector of Prisons. The Minister for Justice and Equality, Deputy Shatter, has indicated there will be primary legislation to deal with the issue so when can we expect it?
Comment on this
Reform of the inspectorate regime has been promised. Work is ongoing and the legislation will be introduced next year.
Comment on this
With regard to the amalgamation of children detention schools in the interests of costs, administrative efficiencies and the public interest, when will the child care (amendment) Bill come before the House?
Comment on this
The Deputy mentioned the amalgamation of detention schools. The legislation will be next year.
Comment on this
I raised the noise Bill with the Taoiseach a few weeks ago but unfortunately no date was available. I urge the Cabinet to prioritise this as much as possible as some people's lives have been made miserable because of noise from neighbours.
Comment on this
I appreciate what the Deputy says and the issue was raised yesterday on the Order of Business. It is not scheduled for this session but I will bring the Deputy's deep concerns to the attention of the Minister.
Comment on this
Will it apply to the Minister for Justice and Equality in the Dáil?
Comment on this
When can we expect to see the road traffic Bill? Is it intended that there will be further legislation relating to the Garda traffic corps? I understand a training course was organised yesterday.
Comment on this
The course dealt with the use of intoxilysers but no gardaí attended. Will there be further legislation relating to the traffic corps? Is it intended to have further legislation relating to the social insurance fund?
Comment on this
The road traffic Bill is on the schedule for next year. I understand from the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport that he is hopeful that it might be published before the end of this year. The heads of the Bill have not yet come to the Government. I am unaware of any promised legislation relating to the social insurance fund.
Comment on this
I am glad the Minister for Justice and Equality is present as I speak with regard to the criminal justice (money laundering and terrorist financing) (amendment) Bill. A man was shot in a village in south Tipperary this morning by gangland criminals.
Comment on this
The Minister knows such action is rife around the country. When will he give the power to the Garda to deal with these people?
Comment on this
It is the criminal justice (money laundering and terrorist financing) (amendment) Bill.
Comment on this
That will be too late. When will we see these terrorists being brought off the streets?
Comment on this
They are striking fear into all citizens. Early next year is not good enough.
Comment on this
I thank the Deputy. There is a noise Bill pending.
Comment on this
Gardaí do not even have squad cars.
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It is serious. A man was shot dead in Golden this morning. It is not funny.
Comment on this
It is a pity the Deputy is playing politics with someone being shot dead.
Comment on this
I am not. How dare the Minister say that.
Comment on this
In view of the unsustainable nature of the health insurance regime in this country, what is the reason for the delay with the risk equalisation legislation and when can we expect to see it?
Comment on this
The risk equalisation legislation was cleared at the Cabinet yesterday and should be published imminently.