Order of Business
- Order of Business 2 speeches
The Taoiseach proposes the day’s business, including committee membership, the Social Welfare Bill, dairy-sector statements and Private Members’ business; the House agrees.
Enda Kenny, Seán Barrett
- Irish-language education and legislation 3 speeches
Micheál Martin asks about increasing higher-level Irish participation, investment in Irish-language services and the Official Languages Bill; the Taoiseach says the legislation is scheduled this year and refers other matters to the relevant Minister.
Micheál Martin, Enda Kenny
- Constitutional Convention reports 3 speeches
Aengus Ó Snodaigh criticises the Government’s failure to debate the Constitutional Convention’s reports, while the Taoiseach says departmental work is continuing before debates are arranged.
Aengus Ó Snodaigh, Enda Kenny
- Elective surgery delays and health reform 6 speeches
Noel Grealish raises an elderly constituent’s prolonged wait for hip surgery amid cancelled elective procedures and seeks health-service reform legislation. The Taoiseach has no publication date but says work is progressing.
Noel Grealish, Seán Barrett, Enda Kenny
- Muintir na Tíre staffing 4 speeches
Mattie McGrath raises serious staffing problems at Muintir na Tíre, which operates the community alert programme, but the Chair rules the matter out of order.
Mattie McGrath, Seán Barrett
- Garda and family legislation timetable 10 speeches
Mattie McGrath seeks more time for the Children and Family Relationships Bill and asks when the Garda policing-authority Bill will proceed. The Taoiseach says the former has reached committee and the latter is due this session.
Mattie McGrath, Jerry Buttimer, Seán Barrett, Enda Kenny
- Private health insurance levy 14 speeches
Richard Boyd Barrett asks whether the Dáil will debate a proposed health levy likely to increase older people’s private insurance premiums; the Chair directs him to the Whips or a Topical Issue.
Richard Boyd Barrett, Seán Barrett
- Banna Beach coastal erosion 35 speeches
Martin Ferris raises severe erosion at Banna Beach and the danger to Carrahane, alleging sand was removed for a golf club. The Chair requires a question or Topical Issue, while the Taoiseach says the foreshore Bill is due this session.
Martin Ferris, Seán Barrett, Joe Carey, Enda Kenny, Richard Boyd Barrett
- Noise nuisance legislation 5 speeches
Peter Fitzpatrick seeks stronger local-authority powers against neighbour noise; the Taoiseach has no date for the noise nuisance Bill but will provide an update.
Peter Fitzpatrick, Seán Barrett, Enda Kenny
- Water services Bill and CSO decision 10 speeches
Barry Cowen asks whether the Water Services Bill will precede the CSO’s EUROSTAT submission on Irish Water. The Taoiseach says the independent CSO will publish its documentation and EUROSTAT will decide separately.
Barry Cowen, Seán Barrett, Enda Kenny
- Assisted decision-making legislation 2 speeches
Robert Troy asks when the Assisted Decision-Making Bill will return and presses for an explanation of the delayed national vetting commencement order; the Taoiseach promises updates on both.
Robert Troy, Enda Kenny
- National aviation policy 4 speeches
Jerry Buttimer asks when the draft national aviation policy will be published and debated; the Taoiseach says it has not yet come before Government but can be discussed after publication.
Jerry Buttimer, Seán Barrett, Enda Kenny
- Spent convictions Bill 2 speeches
Michelle Mulherin asks when the Criminal Justice (Spent Convictions) Bill will return; the Taoiseach does not know the date but will contact her.
Michelle Mulherin, Enda Kenny
- Mediation and Defence Bills 2 speeches
Bernard Durkan asks about the timetables for the mediation and Defence (Amendment) Bills. The Taoiseach says the mediation Bill will be introduced later this year but gives no date for the Defence Bill.
Bernard Durkan, Enda Kenny
It is proposed to take No. 17, motion re membership of committee; No. 9, Social Welfare (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2015 - Second Stage (resumed); and No. 42, statements on the dairy sector, to be taken not later than 5.30 p.m. It is proposed, notwithstanding anything in Standing Orders, that in the event a division is in progress at the time fixed for taking Private Members' business, Standing Order 121(3) shall not apply and the Dáil shall adjourn on the conclusion of Private Members' business, which shall be No. 73, Family Home Mortgage Settlement Arrangement Bill 2014 – Second Stage (resumed), and shall, if not previously concluded, be brought to a conclusion after 90 minutes; No. 17 shall be decided without debate; and the following arrangements shall apply in regard to No. 42: the statement of a Minister or Minister of State and of the main spokespersons for Fianna Fáil, Sinn Féin and the Technical Group, who shall be called upon in that order, shall not exceed 15 minutes in each case, and such Members may share time; the statement of each other Member called upon shall not exceed ten minutes in each case; and a Minister or Minister of State shall be called upon to make a statement in reply which shall not exceed five minutes.
Tomorrow's business after Oral Questions shall be No. 2, Betting (Amendment) Bill 2013 - amendments from the Seanad; and No. 3, Gender Recognition Bill 2014 [Seanad] - Second Stage.
Comment on this
There are three proposals to put to the House. Is the proposal for dealing with Private Members' business agreed to? Agreed. Is the proposal for dealing with No. 7, motion re membership of committee, to be taken without debate, agreed to? Agreed. Is the proposal for dealing with No. 42, statements on the dairy sector, agreed to? Agreed.
Comment on this
Tá geallúint i gclár an Rialtais an méid daltaí atá ag tabhairt faoin Ghaolainn san Ardteist ag ardleibhéal a dhúbailt le linn tréimhse an Rialtais. Conas atá ag éirí leis an Rialtas maidir leis an ngeallúint sin? Cé mhéad daltaí atá ag déanamh an Ghaolainn ag ardleibhéal san Ardteist faoi láthair? Maraon le sin, tá sé soiléir sa chlár Rialtais go gcuirfí cláir infheistíochta i bhfeidhm ionas go mbeadh an Ghaolainn ar fáil i bhfad níos éasca do thromlach na ndaoine. Ar tharla é sin?
Cathain a bheidh Bille na dTeangacha Oifigiúla tríd na Dála? Deirtear sa chlár Rialtais chomh maith go mbeidh an Rialtas ag tabhairt faoi chéimeanna chun múineadh na Gaeilge a dhéanamh níos éifeachtaí agus níos fearr agus é a fheabhsú, agus, nuair a bheidh sé sin déanta, go mbeidh an Rialtas sásta machnamh a dhéanamh ar chóir an Ghaolainn a bheith riachtanach don Ardteist. Ní aontaím le sin ach sin atá sa chlár Rialtais. Cad é tuairim an Taoisigh maidir le sin ag an mbabtha seo? An bhfuil an Rialtas chun aon chinneadh a dhéanamh ar sin sna míonna agus sa bhliain atá le teacht?
Dúirt an tAire, an Teachta Brendan Howlin, ag an deireadh seachtaine gurb an botún is mó a dhein an Rialtas, dar leis, ná deireadh a chur leis na comhairlí bailte ar fud na tíre. Bhíos i gCathair na Mart an Aoine seo caite. Bhí díomá an domhain ar thromlach na ndaoine go bhfuil deireadh curtha leis an gcomhairle baile a bhí ann. Tá an tuairim mar an gcéanna ar fud na tíre. Cathain a bheidh an reachtaíocht ag teacht os comhair na Dála chun an cinneadh sin a athrú agus na comhairlí bailte a thabhairt ar ais? Dúirt an tAire, an Teachta Howlin, go gcaithfidh an Rialtas an cinneadh sin a athrú agus iad a thabhairt ar ais. Cathain a bheidh an reachtaíocht againn?
Comment on this
Ba thuairim phearsanta an Aire an tuairim sin. Tá cinneadh déanta ag an Rialtas maidir le seo agus níl an cinneadh sin le hathrú. Beidh Acht na dTeangacha Oifigiúla á thabhairt isteach i mbliana. Tá sé sa chlár reachtúil. Is féidir leis an Teachta ceist a chur ar an Aire Stáit faoin obair atá déanta ó thaobh ardú céime a thabhairt don Ghaeilge agus an infheistíocht atá á déanamh ionas go mbeidh an Ghaeilge ar fáil go coitianta ag chuile duine ar fud na tíre.
Comment on this
An bhfuil aon tuairim ag an Taoiseach é féin?
Comment on this
Tá ceist agam maidir leis an gCoinbhinsiún Bunreachtúil. Foilsíodh an tuairisc dheireanach acu anuraidh, measaim an lá deireanach de mhí an Mhárta an bhliain seo caite. Tá beagnach 12 mí imithe tharainn ach fós nílimid tar éis 14, nó ar a laghad 13, tuairisc a phlé. Gealladh dúinn go mbeadh díospóireacht nó, ar a laghad, freagra ón Rialtas againn lastigh de cheithre mhí ó foilsíodh na tuairiscí. Faoin am seo, is masla é dóibh siúd a ghlac páirt ann. Is mise duine acusan. Experiment maith a bhí ann. Mhol mé é ag an am agus ba chóir é a dhéanamh arís, ach ní fiú tráithnín é muna bhfuilimid sásta cloí leis an amchlár. Cén uair a bheidh díospóireacht againn sa Teach maidir le cearta vóta a thabhairt do shaoránaigh ina gcónaí lasmuigh den Stát, leasú a dhéanamh ar an Dáil agus cearta eacnamaíochta, sóisialta agus cultúrtha? Chomh maith le sin, cathain a bheidh díospóireacht againn faoin gá do choinbhinsiún eile chun déileáil le ceisteanna móra eile a bhfuil fós le plé?
Comment on this
Thug me freagra ar an cheist seo cúpla seachtain ó shin. Tá obair ar siúl faoi láthair i gcuid de na Ranna maidir leis an gceist seo. Thug mé gealltanas, nuair a bheidh sé sin déanta, go mbeidh an Príomh-Aoire ag tabhairt na tuarascála chuig na Dála ionas go mbeadh díospóireachtaí ann. Tabharfaidh mé tuilleadh eolais don Teachta nuair a bheidh sé agam.
Comment on this
Tá sé seo á rá ag an Rialtas ó mhí Iúil na bliana seo caite. Cuirtear an cheist uair sa tseachtain. Ní an Fhreasúra amháin atá ag cur na ceiste ach tá Teachtaí ar bhinsí an Rialtais ag cur na ceiste chomh maith. Níl sé maith go leor ag an staid seo nach bhfuil dáta ann maidir le díospóireacht ar na tuairiscí sin. An rud a chuala muideanna ná go raibh na cinntí déanta lastigh de na Ranna agus go bhfuil an locht orthu. Ní freagra iomlán é an freagra a thug an Taoiseach. Tá a fhios agamsa go bhfuil na Ranna críochnaithe le seo. Is don Teach seo an cinneadh a dhéanamh agus ní na Ranna. Ba chóir don Aoire glacadh le seo agus na tuairiscí a chur faoi bhráid na Dála chún iad a phlé. Ba chóir don Taoiseach iarraidh ar an Príomh-Aoire é sin a dhéanamh.
Comment on this
Some months ago I brought to the Taoiseach's attention the case of an 86 year old man in my constituency who is in agony waiting for a hip replacement operation at University Hospital Galway.
Comment on this
Following the announcement by the Minister for Health that all elective surgery would be cancelled, this man has been told he cannot be given a date for his operation. His is one of many similar cases throughout the country. There is a need for major reform of the health service to ensure people are not left at home in agony.
Comment on this
When will the health reform Bill be brought before the House to address these issues?
Comment on this
I do not have a date for publication of that Bill, but I understand a great deal of work is being done on it. I will advise the Deputy of the progress made.
Comment on this
Are the Taoiseach and the Minister for Justice and Equality aware of the serious human resources and staffing issues at Muintir na Tíre, which runs the community alert programme? This is a very important function given the rise in crime.
Comment on this
I am asking when the Garda Síochána (policing authority and miscellaneous provisions) Bill will be brought forward.
Second, will the Taoiseach and the Minister allow more time for a decent debate on the Children and Family Relationships Bill 2015? A Bill with 172 sections cannot be debated, understood and dealt with by Members in the time allocated.
Comment on this
I am not scaremongering. We would need a whole range of extra staff just to help us deal with the amendments.
Comment on this
The legislation is being rushed through the House with indecent haste.
Comment on this
I am asking the Minister to do something about it.
Comment on this
As Deputy McGrath is aware, 60 Members contributed to the debate on Second Stage, and the Bill will go before committee tomorrow. He is free to make a contribution if he so wishes.
Comment on this
The Garda Síochána (policing authority and miscellaneous provisions) Bill is due to be brought forward in this session and will be dealt with.
Comment on this
The Minister for Health, Deputy Varadkar, was on the airwaves this morning talking about the new health levy that will see a significant increase in private health insurance premiums for older people taking out private health insurance. It appears to be designed to scare people into taking out private health insurance.
Comment on this
Is it the Taoiseach's intention to give Members a chance to discuss this in the Dáil? Is legislation forthcoming in this regard because-----
Comment on this
-----the Minister seems to be acting like a tout for the private health insurance industry?
Comment on this
I asked whether legislation is proposed.
Comment on this
I am asking whether there is legislation in respect of the-----
Comment on this
The Minister made a statement today.
Comment on this
The Minister made a statement today saying that some-----
Comment on this
Put down a Topical Issue matter or ask a question. It is not a matter for the Order of Business.
Comment on this
In recent weeks, I having been trying to get some redress from the Minister, Deputy Kelly, with regard to a huge erosion problem on Banna Beach. To show the Taoiseach the-----
Comment on this
It is under legislation and I will come to it.
Comment on this
As the Taoiseach can see, there-----
Comment on this
-----is a 30 ft. gap between the sea and this bay here.
Comment on this
A consequence, if there is a breakthrough, it is only 30 ft. or 10 m-----
Comment on this
Sorry Deputy, this is the Order of Business. Would you put down a question or a Topical Issue matter?
Comment on this
-----the entire population of Carrahane is in danger of being taken over by the sea. I have it under legislation, if the Ceann Comhairle would give me time to finish, please.
Comment on this
Just one second; give me time to finish. I am not going to be shut up by anybody.
Comment on this
I have been trying to get answers for three weeks and have been asking what will be done.
Comment on this
Thousands of tonnes of sand have been taken from Banna and taken to a golf club.
Comment on this
There is a gap here from coastal erosion.
Comment on this
Would you please resume your seat and put down a Topical Issue matter about it? Thank you.
Comment on this
It is under the maritime area and foreshore (amendment) Bill.
Comment on this
Members are not worried about the golf club.
Comment on this
Noise nuisance caused by neighbours makes up the vast majority of noise complaints in Ireland. To prevent and reduce such nuisance, it is necessary to extend and improve the powers available to local authorities.
Comment on this
I do not have a date for that Bill. I will advise Deputy Fitzpatrick of the work being undertaken.
Comment on this
Will the water services Bill predate the decision of the Central Statistics Office, CSO, with regard to its submission to EUROSTAT on the entire construct of Irish Water? I would have thought the water services Bill should have predated any decision, considering that the Government has stated it consulted with the CSO before last November, when it made its climb-downs.
Comment on this
I am asking the Taoiseach whether the water services Bill will predate it or if the CSO will make a decision in its absence, which would seem ridiculous in the extreme.
Comment on this
I dealt with this yesterday and Deputy Sean Fleming got a letter about it. The CSO prepares its documentation and is engaged with EUROSTAT, which is independent. The CSO document will be published and sent to EUROSTAT, which makes its own decision completely independently.
Comment on this
I would have thought that the water services Bill and what was contained therein-----
Comment on this
Sorry, this is not a matter for the Order of Business. We cannot have a debate on this. I called Deputy Troy.
Comment on this
-----would be important information for the CSO.
Comment on this
I wish to inquire about a couple of legislative items. There have been 70 submissions made in respect of the Assisted Decision-Making (Capacity) Bill 2013. When will this be brought before the Houses of the Oireachtas? Second, national vetting legislation was passed more than two years ago. The Taoiseach undertook to consult with the Department of Justice and Equality as to why the commencement order is yet to be signed. I still await information as to why the commencement order was not signed despite this being promised a number of weeks ago. I do not know what postal service the Taoiseach is using but the letters are not going out nearly as quickly as he advised they would. Third, in respect of the guidelines for wind energy, both the Taoiseach and the Tánaiste have promised they would advise me and other Deputies. When can Members expect the finalised, comprehensive wind energy guidelines?
Comment on this
The Ministers for the Environment, Community and Local Government and Communications, Energy and Natural Resources are working on the final issues in so far as regulations pertaining to wind energy are concerned. I must revert to Deputy Troy in respect of the Assisted Decision-Making (Capacity) Bill. There have been quite a number of submissions received on it and obviously, it has not come back for finalisation yet. I also will advise in respect of the national vetting commencement order.
Comment on this
An bhfuil a fhios ag an Taoiseach cathain a bheidh dréachtpholasaí eitlíochta foilsithe? An mbeidh seans againn an polasaí sin, atá i ndréachtfhormáid anois, a phlé sa Teach seo?
Comment on this
Is ea. The national aviation draft policy.
Comment on this
Níor tháinig sé sin roimh an Rialtais go dtí seo chun cinneadh cinnte a dhéanamh faoi. Is féidir liom a rá go mbeidh cead ag an Teachta agus an Teach díospóireachtaí faoi a bheith acu nuair a bheidh sé foilsithe.
Comment on this
Cathain a bheidh an Criminal Justice (Spent Convictions) Bill 2012 anseo arís ionas go mbeimid in ann dul chun cinn a dhéanamh leis an mBille?
Comment on this
I wish to inquire of An Taoiseach the current position in respect of the mediation Bill, which is promised legislation and which has extensive implications. When is it likely to come before the House? Will it be in the current year? Similarly, I refer to the defence (amendment) Bill, which is to revise the Defence Forces Acts regarding the deployment of Irish troops overseas. When is that Bill likely to come before the House and will Members have sight of it before the end of this year?