Vol. 631 Thursday, No. 5 15 February 2007 DI´OSPO´ IREACHTAI´ PARLAIMINTE PARLIAMENTARY DEBATES DA´ IL E´ IREANN TUAIRISC OIFIGIU´ IL—Neamhcheartaithe (OFFICIAL REPORT—Unrevised) Thursday, 15 February 2007. Requests to Move Adjournment of Da´il under Standing Order 31 ………………1469 Order of Business ………………………………1470 Finance Bill 2007: Allocation of Time Motion …………………………1492 Financial Resolutions ……………………………1493 National Development Plan: Statements ………………………1498 Education (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2007: Order for Second Stage ……………………………1518 Second Stage ………………………………1518 Referral to Select Committee …………………………1564 Ceisteanna — Questions Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism Priority Questions ……………………………1564 Other Questions ……………………………1575 Adjournment Debate Matters ……………………………1589 Adjournment Debate Rail Services ………………………………1589 Questions: Written Answers ……………………………1593 1469 1470 DA´ IL E´ IREANN An Ceann Comhairle: The notice I received finished with “spring 2007”. ———— Mr. F. McGrath: I seek leave to move a motion De´ardaoin, 15 Feabhra 2007. for the Adjournment of the Da´il under Standing Thursday, 15 February 2007. Order 31 to discuss a matter of national import- ance and concern, namely, the huge price ———— increases in meat, vegetables, fruit, gas and elec- tricity and the 15% increase in rents for Dublin Chuaigh an Ceann Comhairle i gceannas ar City Council tenants, particularly those living on 10.30 a.m. the north side of Dublin and pensioners. I call on the Government to do something as a matter of ———— priority to assist our elderly, our disabled and Paidir. working people in general as they must put up Prayer. with these huge price increases which are affect- ing everyone’s quality of life. ———— Mr. P. Breen: I wish to seek the Adjournment Requests to move Adjournment of Da´il under of the Da´il under Standing Order 31 to discuss a Standing Order 31. matter of extreme importance, namely, that the Minister for Communications, Marine and An Ceann Comhairle: Before coming to the Natural Resources immediately intervene with Order of Business, I propose to deal with a the management of An Post to stop the policy of number of notices under Standing Order 31. closing and downgrading rural post officers, such Mr. J. Breen: I request the Adjournment of the as the recent downgrading of Kilmaley post office Da´il under Standing Order 31 to discuss a matter in County Clare to post point status, and the clos- of local and national importance, namely, the ure of Liscannor, Kilamona, Carran, Kilnaboy, threatened closure of Seamount College, Kin- Inagh, Kilbaha, Cross, Querrin, Moyasta and Lis- vara, County Galway. I ask the Taoiseach and the deen post offices in recent years because of the Minister for Education and Science to intervene devastation this has caused in local communities. and prevent the closure of this college that pro- vides an excellent standard of education for a Mr. Durkan: Hear, hear. An Post has deci- large catchment area that includes Lisdoonvarna, mated the postal service. Fanore, Ballyvaughan and New-Quay, County Clare. The projected growth in the area will not An Ceann Comhairle: Having considered the be accommodated in Gort Community College or matters raised, I have found that they are not in Calasanctius College, Oranmore, where there is order under Standing Order 31. no spare capacity. Order of Business. Mr. Healy: I request the Adjournment of the Da´il under Standing Order 31 to discuss a matter Minister for Social and Family Affairs (Mr. requiring urgent attention, namely, the need for Brennan): The Order of Business today—— the Taoiseach to intervene with the Minister for Finance and the Minister of State at the Depart- Mr. Kenny: On a point of order, while I have ment of Finance to approve funding for the great respect for the Minister, this is a contemptu- Clonmel flood alleviation scheme in view of the ous snub to this House. fact that Clonmel has been devastated by four major floods in the past ten years, that millions An Ceann Comhairle: That is not a point of of euros of damage has been done to homes and order. businesses, that insurance cover cannot be obtained in flooded areas, that the completed Mr. Kenny: Neither the Taoiseach nor the proposal is currently with the Minister for Fin- Ta´naiste is here. ance for approval and in view of the fact that the Minister of State has in this House promised that An Ceann Comhairle: That is not a point of the scheme would commence in September 2006 order so I ask Deputy Kenny to allow the Mini- and again in spring 2007, promises he has failed to keep. ster to continue without interruption. An Ceann Comhairle: It is not appropriate to Mr. Kenny: I understand they are attending go beyond the notice submitted to the Ceann social partnership meetings but this is the primary Comhairle. legislative body in this country and we have no representation from either the Taoiseach or the Mr. Healy: This is in the notice. Ta´naiste. 1471 Order of 15 February 2007. Business 1472 An Ceann Comhairle: That is not a point of An Ceann Comhairle: There are four proposals order and I ask the Deputy to accept the ruling to put to the House. Is the proposal for the late of the Chair. sitting agreed to? Mr. Kenny: The Ta´naiste is out doing the Mr. Kenny: I propose that we sit until 6.30 p.m. Taoiseach’s dirty work in respect of the tribunal. and that there be a full statement from the We have good cop, bad cop, with the Minister for Government in respect of its intentions relating the Environment, Heritage and Local Govern- to the Mahon tribunal. We are in a situation ment saying the tribunals should be closed down where the Taoiseach says its should go ahead, the while the Taoiseach says they should go ahead. Ta´naiste says it should close down and the Mini- This is contemptuous treatment of Da´il E´ ireann. ster for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government says we cannot go on like this. The An Ceann Comhairle: The Deputy has made tribunal was set up by the Oireachtas and given a his point and he has been ruled out of order by specific remit. Everyone understands it should do the Chair. It is important no one shows contempt its work expeditiously but the truth should be for the rules of the House. known. We are now in a state of classic Fianna Fa´il confusion, where the Ta´naiste is out like a Mr. Kenny: Neither the Taoiseach nor the lapdog doing the dirty work of the Taoiseach. He Ta´naiste is here to answer questions today. should be in here giving a full explanation of Government intentions for the tribunal and I pro- An Ceann Comhairle: Deputy Kenny has made pose we sit until 6.30 p.m. to allow him to do so. his point and I ask him to resume his seat. Mr. Durkan: Hear, hear. Where are they now? Mr. Kenny: It is a snub to the primary legislat- Let them speak for themselves. ive body. Mr. Rabbitte: I support the motion for an Mr. Durkan: It is an absolute disgrace. The amendment to the Standing Orders to allow the three amigos are sitting in place of the two boys Government to clarify its position given that we who should be here. have one version from the Ta´naiste and another from the Taoiseach. Will the Minister clarify this An Ceann Comhairle: I ask Deputy Durkan to position? I had always believed the Oireachtas or allow the Minister to speak without interruption. the Da´il could not stop a module that had already commenced. Mr. Brennan: It is proposed to take No. 12a, Finance Bill 2007, allocation of time motion for An Ceann Comhairle: I would prefer if Deputy select committee; No. 12b, Finance Bill 2007 — Rabbitte would wait until the Order of Business Financial Resolutions, No. 24, statements on the and I will allow him to raise this matter then. It national development plan; and No. 4, the Edu- is out of order on this proposal and we want to cation (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2007 — go through the proposals first. Perhaps when we Order for Second Stage and Second Stage. come to the Order of Business he can raise it. It is proposed, notwithstanding anything in Standing Orders, that the Da´il shall sit later than Mr. Rabbitte: I am just explaining why we are 4.45 p.m. tonight and business shall be interrup- looking for—— ted not later than 6 p.m, Nos. 12a and 12b shall be decided without debate and, in the case of No. An Ceann Comhairle: We are discussing the 12b, Financial Resolutions, Nos. 1 to 36 shall be late sitting. moved together and decided by one question which shall be put from the Chair. The pro- Mr. Rabbitte: Deputy Kenny has proposed its ceedings on No. 24 shall, if not previously con- extension to permit the Government—— cluded, be brought to conclusion after 65 minutes and the following arrangements shall apply: the An Ceann Comhairle: Deputy Kenny’s pro- statements shall be confined to a Minister or posal is not in order because the Opposition Minister of State and to the main spokespersons cannot propose new business. That is the pre- for the Fine Gael Party, the Labour Party and the rogative of the Taoiseach—— Technical Group, who shall be called upon in that order and who may share their time, which shall Deputies: He is not here. not exceed 15 minutes in each case, and a Mini- ster or Minister of State shall be called upon to Mr. Allen: He is in hiding.