Order of Business
- Order of Business 2 speeches
The Government proposes the day’s legislative and Private Members’ business, and the Chair confirms that no proposals require a vote.
Brendan Howlin, Seán Barrett
- Interdepartmental working group deadline 2 speeches
Dara Calleary seeks a firm deadline and a ministerial update on an interdepartmental working group; Brendan Howlin promises a report before the end of the month.
Dara Calleary, Brendan Howlin
- Symphysiotomy reports and legislation 5 speeches
Sandra McLellan asks when the Walsh and Murphy symphysiotomy reports and related Government proposals will be published, raising families’ hardship and possible medical-card consequences. The Chair limits discussion of proposed Bills, while Brendan Howlin promises to seek an update from the Health Minister.
Sandra McLellan, Seán Barrett, Brendan Howlin
- Moore Street heritage protection 2 speeches
Dessie Ellis urges action to protect Moore Street and its historic surroundings from redevelopment before the 2016 celebrations; Brendan Howlin says the monuments Bill will come later in the year.
Dessie Ellis, Brendan Howlin
- Banking regulation legislation 2 speeches
Mattie McGrath calls for stronger regulation through the Competition and Consumer Protection Bill and Central Bank consolidation legislation; Brendan Howlin gives no date for the latter and says the former is on Report Stage.
Mattie McGrath, Brendan Howlin
- Adoption and aviation Bills 2 speeches
Joe Carey asks about the adoption tracing and information Bill and the Irish Aviation Authority amendment Bill; the former is expected later this year and the latter next year.
Joe Carey, Brendan Howlin
- Bail and sexual offences legislation 2 speeches
Bernard Durkan asks when bail-law amendments and the criminal law sexual offences Bill will be published; Brendan Howlin has no date for the bail Bill but expects the other Bill later this year.
Bernard Durkan, Brendan Howlin
- Noise nuisance mediation Bill 5 speeches
Jerry Buttimer seeks expedited legislation enabling mediation over neighbourhood noise near universities and colleges, while the Chair and Brendan Howlin acknowledge the concern; no publication date is available.
Jerry Buttimer, Seán Barrett, Dara Calleary, Brendan Howlin
- Transport support scheme legislation 2 speeches
Brian Walsh requests an update on legislation replacing the mobility allowance and motorised transport grant schemes; Brendan Howlin expects it before the House later this year.
Brian Walsh, Brendan Howlin
- Sea fisheries legislation 2 speeches
Noel Harrington asks about the delayed sea fisheries and maritime jurisdiction amendment Bill; Brendan Howlin says publication may slip beyond the session and will seek a departmental update.
Noel Harrington, Brendan Howlin
It is proposed to take No. 5, Social Welfare and Pensions Bill 2014 - Second Stage (resumed). Private Members' business shall be No. 147, motion re local and community development programmes, resumed, to be taken immediately after the Order of Business and, if not previously concluded, to be brought to a conclusion after 90 minutes. Tomorrow's fortnightly Friday business shall be No. 46, Cemetery Management Bill 2013 - Second Stage; and No. 47, Reform of Judicial Appointments Procedures Bill 2013 - Second Stage.
Comment on this
To return to the issue we just discussed, the danger of an interdepartmental working group is that it drags on and given the complexity of the work at hand, it may drag on beyond the recess. Will the Minister give a commitment that the Minister for Justice and Equality will come into the House within two weeks to give an update on the work of that group and on its findings and that the Cabinet will impose some sort of deadline on the group finishing its scoping work so that we can a full debate, perhaps before the end of this month?
Comment on this
I can give the Deputy and the House a commitment that a Minister will report on the situation before the end of the month.
Comment on this
I would like to raise with the Minister the Walsh and Murphy reports on symphysiotomy. Last July, the Taoiseach told the Dáil that the Walsh report on symphysiotomy would be published soon. In November, Judge Yvonne Murphy was appointed to examine the issue of symphysiotomy and her report was to be completed in eight weeks but neither report has been published. In a letter to Teachta Adams on 15 May, the Taoiseach said that the Minister for Health would submit his proposals to the Government in a few weeks but that was three weeks ago. When will the Minister submit his proposals to Government and when can we expect the Government to decide on its response?
In regard to the forthcoming health reform Bill, will the Minister confirm if this legislation will reinstate discretionary medical cards to all those who need them and who have had them removed?
Comment on this
Families across the State have been put through unnecessary hardship and this is an opportunity to clarify if this legislation will result in medical cards being handed back.
Comment on this
It is due later this session. I will ask the Minister for Health to revert to the Deputy in regard to the position on the work of Judge Murphy.
Comment on this
There are serious concerns in regard to Moore Street and its environs. The protection and preservation of the entire historic area is of national importance. As we approach the 2016 celebrations, hanging over us are plans to bulldoze this area. The monuments Bill needs to be brought forward and we need a debate and action to stop our heritage being vandalised. When will this happen? We need this now to protect our national heritage.
Comment on this
The monuments Bill will be brought before the House later this year.
Comment on this
In view of the lack of regulation, the actions of several banks in this jurisdiction, the number of entities they own and companies under which they trade, I wish to ask about the Competition and Consumer Protection Bill and the Central Bank (consolidation) Bill which are badly needed to rein in these people.
Comment on this
I have no date for publication of the Central Bank (consolidation) Bill. The other Bill is on Report Stage in the House.
Comment on this
What is the position on the adoption (tracing and information) Bill and the Irish Aviation Authority (amendment) Bill?
Comment on this
The first Bill will be published later this year and the Irish Aviation Authority (amendment) Bill will be published next year.
Comment on this
What is the position on the amendment of the bail laws, which I understand is under active consideration? When is legislation likely to be brought before the House? When is the criminal law (sexual offences) Bill preventing the exploitation and sexual abuse of children and other vulnerable adults likely to be brought before the House? Is it likely to be passed in this session?
Comment on this
Unfortunately, I do not have a publication date for the bail Bill. I do not think it will be published this year. The criminal law (sexual offences) Bill will be published later this year.
Comment on this
In regard to the noise nuisance Bill - I do not mean in the Chamber-----
Comment on this
-----but in the context of mediation between neighbours. I do not want to sound pejorative but the college year has ended and students have gone to their respective homes. Is there any hope that Bill could be expedited so that there would be a mediation process and relief for citizens living in areas around universities and colleges?
Comment on this
What about mediation between Ministers?
Comment on this
Unfortunately, I do not have a publication date for that Bill but I will bring the Deputy's concerns to the Minister's attention.
Comment on this
Will the Minister provide an update on the transport support scheme Bill which is being initiated to replace the mobility allowance scheme and the motorised transport grant scheme?
Comment on this
That work is being undertaken in the Department of Health and we expect to have legislation before the House later this year.
Comment on this
What is the progress on the sea fisheries and maritime jurisdiction (amendment) Bill? We were promised it this term and it is very important Bill for the fisheries industry.
Comment on this
It was expected to be published this session but that may not happen now. I will ask the Department to give an update to the Deputy directly.