Seán Barrett (Dún Laoghaire, Ceann Comhairle)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

There are five proposals to be put to the House. Is the proposal that the Dáil shall sit later than 9 p.m. tonight and shall adjourn not later than 11 p.m agreed to? Agreed.

Is the proposal for dealing with Nos. 11 and 12, motion re referral to joint committee of proposed approval by Dáil Éireann for a directive of the European Parliament and of the Council on the fight against fraud and a regulation of the European Parliament and of the Council on Europol and repealing Decisions 2009/371/JHA and 2005/681/JHA and the Legal Services Regulation Bill 2011 - Financial Resolution agreed to? Agreed.

Is the proposal for dealing with No. 19, Health (Amendment) Bill 2013 Seanad - Committee and Remaining Stages, agreed to?

Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

It is not agreed to. I will not force a vote on this. I again want to articulate our disquiet at the frequent use of guillotines in regard to such Bills. This is an important Bill which will have a very significant impact on many patients and people who will have to attend our public hospitals in the coming months and years. It merits significant debate on Committee Stage, in particular, as well as on Remaining Stages. It will receive very limited time today.

In the context of overall Dáil reform and the democratic revolution which was promised, day by day and week by week the actual experience of Dáil business, in terms of its scheduling and organisation, is falling far short of what was promised. It reflects the frustration of the Chief Whip who, two weeks ago, described the Government's performance as deplorable in regard to the reform of the Dáil.

Paul Kehoe (Wexford, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

It was four weeks ago.

Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

In the four weeks since then things have become worse in terms of reform procedures. We see the evidence of that all the time.

Gerry Adams (Louth, Sinn Fein)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

No. 19 is an important Bill which will have the effect of increasing charges on public patients and the contributions paid by clients of long-term residential care. It needs full discussion. I will not press it to a vote but, as I said to the Taoiseach many times, what I have seen since I was elected to the House has not involved reform or doing business better, but has been about cutting debates short.

Seán Barrett (Dún Laoghaire, Ceann Comhairle)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

Is the proposal for dealing with No. 20, Construction Contracts Bill 2010 Seanad - Order for Report, Report and Final Stages, agreed?

Gerry Adams (Louth, Sinn Fein)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

I very much welcome the Bill, which is good and has been eagerly awaited by small contractors. I rest my case; it is the same point I made earlier.

Seán Barrett (Dún Laoghaire, Ceann Comhairle)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

Is the proposal for dealing with No. 5, Private Members' business, agreed to? Agreed.

Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

I wrote to the Taoiseach on 3 July in regard to the delay in filling the position of Secretary General Clerk of the Dáil post which is to become vacant on 5 August 2013. The Clerk will retire tomorrow and we might have an opportunity to speak on that.

I wrote a lengthy letter to the Taoiseach in which I pointed out that the process relating to the appointment of the Clerk or Secretary General of the Dáil should be transparent and accountable. In December 2012 the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform, Deputy Howlin, gave a commitment to amend the Staff of the Houses of the Oireachtas Act 1959, which he described as being outmoded and in need of change. His predecessor in the Department of Finance made similar comments in 2009. During a Topical Issue debate on 15 May 2013, the Minister stated:

I believe the objective in filling top posts of the Houses of the Oireachtas service should be to employ professionally organised and independent competitive selection mechanisms such as those that exist throughout the wider Civil Service to ensure the best possible person is selected from as wide a pool of talent as possible to lead the parliamentary service in future.

Seán Barrett (Dún Laoghaire, Ceann Comhairle)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

The Deputy has made his point.

Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

This is a very important issue.

Seán Barrett (Dún Laoghaire, Ceann Comhairle)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

I am sure it is, but we are on the Order of Business and Deputies should inquire about promised legislation.

Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

This is the final opportunity I will have to raise the matter prior to the summer recess.

Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

Will the Taoiseach write back to me?

Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

It has been a month since I wrote to the Taoiseach.

Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

This is a serious issue.

Seán Barrett (Dún Laoghaire, Ceann Comhairle)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

We are not discussing letters here. The Taoiseach provided the Deputy with a reply.

Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

Members would like to know how the key administrative position in the House is going to the filled.

Seán Barrett (Dún Laoghaire, Ceann Comhairle)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

Exactly, and it will be filled.

Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

We are not going to be informed as to how it will be filled. That is contrary to everything which has been said to date.

Seán Barrett (Dún Laoghaire, Ceann Comhairle)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

The Deputy inquired about legislation and the Taoiseach provided a reply.

Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

It is also contrary to everything the Government indicated would happen.

Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

We have had no transparency from the Taoiseach on it and no proposals have been forthcoming.

Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

We have no sense of what is going to happen and this is despite all the commitments given by the Taoiseach and the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform, Deputy Howlin.

Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

Legislation was promised and it has not been forthcoming.

Seán Barrett (Dún Laoghaire, Ceann Comhairle)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

Deputy Martin should resume his seat.

Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

What is happening is regrettable. The House is being badly treated.

Gerry Adams (Louth, Sinn Fein)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

The programme for Government contains a commitment to develop a cultural plan for future commemorative events such as the centenary of the Easter Rising in 2016. This morning a number of other Oireachtas Members and I visited Moore Street and the buildings there which have been deemed to constitute a national monument and which stand in a state of considerable decay. The Taoiseach visited the same location and described it and the surrounding area as the "laneways of history". There is a clear view that this entire battlefield site should be preserved. I understand the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht, Deputy Deenihan, brought a memo on this matter to Cabinet this morning. The relatives of the signatories to the 1916 Proclamation who were with us on the plinth outside the Houses earlier were not informed of this fact or given any notification in respect of it. The memo was given to the media, which is unfortunate. Will the Taoiseach provide the Dáil with the detail of the memo?

Gerry Adams (Louth, Sinn Fein)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

It is owned by NAMA.

Gerry Adams (Louth, Sinn Fein)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

It is a mistake of historic proportions to give a developer who was part of the inner circle relating to the former Anglo Irish Bank permission to develop a shopping mall adjacent to a site of historic importance.

Seán Barrett (Dún Laoghaire, Ceann Comhairle)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

The Deputy can raise this matter in another way.

Anthony Lawlor (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

I have raised this matter on a number of occasions and the name of the relevant Bill has changed on a couple of occasions. Will the Taoiseach indicate when the assisted decision-making (capacity) Bill will come before the Cabinet, when it will be published and when it will be introduced in the Dáil?

Mattie McGrath (Tipperary South, Independent)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

As I am sure has been the case for other Deputies, I have been contacted by many GPs in respect of the new attack launched against them. As everyone is aware, GPs provide a tremendous service. Not all of them work in primary care practices and they are being obliged to deal with successive cuts. Some of them literally cannot continue to operate. In the context of the Medical Practitioners Act 2007 (amendment) (medical indemnity insurance) Bill, it must be recognised that GPs constitute one of the only functioning aspects of the health system at present. These people work independently to provide employment and valuable services to their communities.

Seán Barrett (Dún Laoghaire, Ceann Comhairle)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

We will obtain an answer in respect of the Bill for the Deputy.

Mattie McGrath (Tipperary South, Independent)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

They are coming under such pressure that they are being obliged to close their practices. They are being obliged to let staff go and they are also being forced out of small towns and villages. As stated, they represent the only part of the health system which is functioning at present.

Frank Feighan (Roscommon-South Leitrim, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

When will the pyrite levy Bill be introduced?

Peter Fitzpatrick (Louth, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

When will the data sharing Bill, the purpose of which is to underpin better risk-based enforcement, efficiency and co-operation in business regulation by allowing specified public bodies to share specified data relating to businesses, be published?

Michael Healy-Rae (Kerry South, Independent)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

I wish to declare a personal interest in the matter I wish to raise. Earlier today, the House heard statements on the report, Promoting a Sustainable Future for the Post Office Network. I thank the Government for allowing that important and informative debate to proceed. In the context of the programme for Government, will the Taoiseach indicate the legislation that is going to be put in place in respect of securing the future of the post office network? This matter is vital to every town and village throughout the country in which there is a post office.

Michael Healy-Rae (Kerry South, Independent)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

The Taoiseach should have a date in respect of it.

Michael Healy-Rae (Kerry South, Independent)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

That is not a good answer.

Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

Will the Taoiseach indicate when the Garda Síochána (compensation for malicious injuries) Bill is likely to come before the House? Have the heads of this legislation been discussed or approved? When is it likely that it will be passed into law? Will the Taoiseach also indicate the position with regard to the planning Bill, which will provide for the implementation of planning recommendations in the report of the Mahon tribunal and other matters? Have the heads of this legislation been approved and when is it likely to be published and brought before the House?

Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

I thank the Taoiseach.

James Bannon (Longford-Westmeath, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

The proposed industrial wind turbine development is a highly controversial issue across the midlands. The Taoiseach may or may not be aware that public meetings are being held in every parish across the midlands on this issue. We are still working under the 2006 guidelines for wind turbines. It is an issue that-----

Seán Barrett (Dún Laoghaire, Ceann Comhairle)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

Is there promised legislation on this?

James Bannon (Longford-Westmeath, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

Politicians across the board are being called on to have a moratorium on such development until the guidelines are changed. Perhaps new guidelines for wind turbines could be covered under the common arrangements that will apply under the gas or EirGrid legislation. It is an issue that has been promoted by the Government since it took office.

Seán Barrett (Dún Laoghaire, Ceann Comhairle)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

Thank you, Deputy. You have made your point.

James Bannon (Longford-Westmeath, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

People want a stay on such developments until new guidelines are drawn up.

Barry Cowen (Laois-Offaly, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

When is it expected that next the Bill regarding the setting up of Irish Water will be brought before the House? I am conscious of the fact and have been led to believe that lucrative contracts for water metering will be announced next week when the Dáil will not be sitting. I thought we might have been informed of the content and extent of those contracts during this week when the Dáil is sitting.

Barry Cowen (Laois-Offaly, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

They are not compelled to employ subcontractors.

Séamus Kirk (Louth, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

If I might revisit the Narrow Water Bridge project, as the Taoiseach will know there is huge disappointment north and south of the Border about the fact that the project appears to be on hold because of a financial shortfall. In view of the fact that the Minister for Finance is along with the Taoiseach today, I suggest that this project be considered along with the projects intended under the National Pensions Reserve Fund development structure. Given the symbolic and strategic nature of this project, it would be great pity if it did not proceed. It is shovel-ready and the Taoiseach has the structure in place to get the necessary finance to augment what is already there. I exhort him to give this suggestion serious and sympathetic consideration.

Seán Barrett (Dún Laoghaire, Ceann Comhairle)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

There is no promised legislation on this.

Séamus Kirk (Louth, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

If needs be, the Taoiseach could consider it in terms of the National Pensions Reserve Fund.

Seán Ó Fearghaíl (Kildare South, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

I have repeatedly raised on the Order of Business the plight of the 32 survivors of thalidomide. Last Tuesday, responding to a similar question from my party leader, Deputy Martin, the Taoiseach indicated that the Minister for Health had discussions with the organisations representing the thalidomide survivors. It is my information having spoken to the bodies during the course of last week that the Minister for Health has had no discussions with them. I am sure the Taoiseach's information was inadvertent but will he set to rights the record of the House and indicate when the Minister for Health will meet the bodies involved?

Seán Barrett (Dún Laoghaire, Ceann Comhairle)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

We are straying away from the Order of Business.

Seán Ó Fearghaíl (Kildare South, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

This is in the programme for Government.

Ray Butler (Meath West, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

When is publication expected of the customs Bill to consolidate and modernise national legislation relating to the administration of customs by a single piece of legislation?

Tommy Broughan (Dublin North East, Labour)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

In regard to the Seanad abolition referendum, does the Taoiseach intend over the summer to bring forward legislation on reform of this House to give it strength and powers like other unicameral Legislatures such as New Zealand or Sweden? Will he spell that out clearly to the public, in other words, to people who would say they would vote for abolition of Seanad if the Dáil was reformed? Is that the Taoiseach's plan of action?

Tommy Broughan (Dublin North East, Labour)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

Will legislation follow or will the changes require legislation?

Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

It speaks volumes that they are to be set out when the Dáil will be in recess.

Tommy Broughan (Dublin North East, Labour)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

The Deputy's party used to do the same thing.

Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

The Taoiseach can text all the changes to us.

Timmy Dooley (Clare, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

He can get the new Clerk to deliver that.