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Vol. 938 Wednesday, No. 1 8 February 2017 DÍOSPÓIREACHTAÍ PARLAIMINTE PARLIAMENTARY DEBATES DÁIL ÉIREANN TUAIRISC OIFIGIÚIL—Neamhcheartaithe (OFFICIAL REPORT—Unrevised) Insert Date Here 08/02/2017A00100Leaders’ Questions � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � 408 08/02/2017J00300Business of Dáil � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � 417 08/02/2017L02800Questions on Promised Legislation � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � 422 08/02/2017Q01550Topical Issue Matters � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � 433 08/02/2017Q01700Ceisteanna - Questions � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � 434 08/02/2017Q01800Brexit Issues � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � 434 08/02/2017S00750Cabinet Committee Meetings � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � 439 08/02/2017T04300Departmental Records � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � 445 08/02/2017U01200Priority Questions� � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � 448 08/02/2017U01300Bus Éireann � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � 448 08/02/2017V00750Bus Éireann � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � 450 08/02/2017W00500Rail Services Provision � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � 452 08/02/2017X00250Bus Éireann � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � 454 08/02/2017X00950Bus Éireann � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � 455 08/02/2017Y00600Other Questions � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � 457 08/02/2017Y00700Road Projects Status � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � 457 08/02/2017Z00700Noise Pollution Legislation � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � 459 08/02/2017AA01300Driver Licence Data � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � 462 08/02/2017BB01150Traffic Management � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � 465 08/02/2017CC00850Fáilte Ireland Staff � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � 467 08/02/2017DD00650US Travel Restrictions� � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � 469 08/02/2017EE00100Topical Issue Debate � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � 471 08/02/2017EE00150Orthodontic Services Waiting Lists � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � 471 08/02/2017FF00450Building Regulations � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � 474 08/02/2017GG00250Job Losses� � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � 477 08/02/2017KK00100Media Ownership Bill 2017: Second Stage [Private Members]� � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � 484 08/02/2017VV00100Courts (No� 2) Bill 2016: Second Stage (Resumed) � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � 506 08/02/2017AAA00100Courts (No� 2) Bill 2016: Referral to Select Committee � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � 518 08/02/2017AAA00400Bail (Amendment) Bill 2016: Order for Second Stage � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � 518 08/02/2017AAA00800Bail (Amendment) Bill 2016: Second Stage � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � 518 08/02/2017LLL00500Bail (Amendment) Bill 2016: Referral to Select Committee � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � 540 DÁIL ÉIREANN Dé Céadaoin, 8 Feabhra 2017 Wednesday, 8 February 2017 Chuaigh an Ceann Comhairle i gceannas ar 12 p�m� Paidir. Prayer. 08/02/2017A00100Leaders’ Questions 08/02/2017A00200Deputy Micheál Martin: All of us in this House will be very saddened at the devastating news that has been visited upon 500 workers at HP Inc� in Leixlip, County Kildare� The loss of such a large number of jobs will obviously, in the first instance, have an extraordinary and dev- astating impact on the workers and their families� It will have a wider impact on the community and economy of the hinterland around north Kildare� It is clear that the closure of the plant was in the company’s plans since last October when it announced that it would cut between 3,000 and 4,000 jobs globally� The production of personal computers, cartridges and printers is under pressure as a business� There is a need for the Government to come to the assistance of the workers and to ensure that there is a comprehensive plan, involving the Department of Social Protection and Enter- prise Ireland, in terms of trying to help some workers to set up new businesses, which happened in the past in similar situations� Solas must also be involved in the context of providing return to work and training programmes to equip people for other job opportunities� I ask the Taoise- ach to outline what the Minister has in mind regarding a comprehensive response so that the needs of the workers will be attended to immediately and in an effective way� It was very unfair and distressing that the workers heard this news through the national me- dia yesterday� I would like assurances from the Taoiseach that no member of the Government or a governmental representative briefed the media in advance of the workers getting a detailed presentation from the company� What happened was unusual because in situations of this na- ture, companies do not tend to leak such news� They generally meet their workforce in advance to tell them the actual details� I ask the Taoiseach to provide some reassurances on that front� More fundamentally, since the global announcement last October, what steps did the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation take in terms of meeting Hewlett Packard executives? Did the Minister meet them since last October? How many meetings took place? Is the Minister or the Government in a position to indicate to the House that future plans at Hewlett Packard are ones that are in the growth areas such as 3D printing etc�, and are there opportunities for 408 8 February 2018 Ireland from this company into the future? Are the existing jobs in Kildare secure with regard to Hewlett Packard Enterprise and has the Government received guarantees on that? Would the Minister be willing to come to the House to answer questions today on the closure and on such a large loss of jobs? 08/02/2017B00200The Taoiseach: I thank Deputy Martin for raising this important matter� Like him, all our concerns and priorities at the moment are with the workers and their families in HP Inc� Thank God this is not a common occurrence these days where the line of investment into the country continues to remain very strong� I thank the workers for the efforts they have put in over the years since Hewlett Packard came to Leixlip in 1995� I can confirm to the Deputy that IDA Ireland has been involved intensely with Hewlett Packard over the last period and the chief executive travelled out specifically to southern Cali- fornia to talk to the HR personnel at Hewlett Packard some time ago� The Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation spoke to the principals in Hewlett Packard last week but, unfortu- nately, the company was not turning from the decision it had made� The efforts made over the period by IDA Ireland and the Minister were, in the end, in vain because the company decided that the particular product in HP Inc� was to be discontinued� The Minister will be answering questions here later today� I can confirm to Deputy Martin that Department of Social Protection staff will involve themselves directly with the workforce in the plant but they need to be invited in there� It would mean that workers in the HP Inc. plant would not have to go through the Intreo offices and could deal directly with Department of Social Protection staff who will go to the plant to engage with the workers and advise them of their benefits and rights. I understand that the company intends that there would be an enhanced severance package