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Vol. 597 Tuesday, No. 5 15 February 2005 DI´OSPO´ IREACHTAI´ PARLAIMINTE PARLIAMENTARY DEBATES DA´ IL E´ IREANN TUAIRISC OIFIGIU´ IL—Neamhcheartaithe (OFFICIAL REPORT—Unrevised) Tuesday, 15 February 2005. Ceisteanna—Questions Taoiseach …………………………………1197 Minister for Transport Priority Questions ……………………………1211 Other Questions ……………………………1223 Adjournment Debate Matters ……………………………1233 Leaders’ Questions ………………………………1234 Requests to move Adjournment of Da´il under Standing Order 31 ………………1241 Order of Business ………………………………1243 Finance Act 2004: Motion ……………………………1246 Issue of Writ: Kildare North By-election ………………………1247 Issue of Writ: Meath By-election …………………………1260 Criminal Justice Bill 2004: …………………………… Order for Second Stage ……………………………1275 Second Stage ………………………………1276 Private Members’ Business Domestic Refuse Charges: Motion ………………………1285 Adjournment Debate Electronic Management System …………………………1311 Health Services ………………………………1314 Public Relations Contracts …………………………1316 Proposed Amalgamation of Colleges ………………………1318 Questions: Written Answers ……………………………1321 1197 1198 DA´ IL E´ IREANN tion in Northern Ireland; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34252/04] ———— 10. Mr. Rabbitte asked the Taoiseach if he has plans for a new initiative to advance the political De´ Ma´irt, 15 Feabhra 2005. situation in Northern Ireland; and if he will make Tuesday, 15 February 2005. a statement on the matter. [34253/04] ———— 11. Mr. Rabbitte asked the Taoiseach his views on the implications for the situation in Northern Chuaigh an Ceann Comhairle i gceannas ar Ireland of the statement by the Chief Constable 2.30 p.m. of the PSNI, Mr. Hugh Orde, that the IRA was responsible for the pre-Christmas 2004 robbery of ———— the Northern Bank in which more than £26 mill- ion was taken; and if he will make a statement on Paidir. the matter. [34601/04] Prayer. 12. Mr. Rabbitte asked the Taoiseach if he has discussed with the British Prime Minister the ———— implications of the statement by the Chief Con- stable of the PSNI, Mr. Hugh Orde, that the IRA Ceisteanna — Questions. was responsible for the pre-Christmas 2004 rob- bery of the Northern Bank in which more than ———— £26 million was taken; and if he will make a state- ment on the matter. [34602/04] Northern Ireland Issues. 13. Mr. Rabbitte asked the Taoiseach if he has 1. Mr. Kenny asked the Taoiseach if he will raised with representatives of Sinn Fe´in the impli- report on recent developments in the Northern cations of the statement by the Chief Constable Ireland peace process; and if he will make a state- of the PSNI, Mr. Hugh Orde, that the IRA was ment on the matter. [34087/04] responsible for the pre-Christmas 2004 robbery of 2. Mr. Kenny asked the Taoiseach if he will the Northern Bank in which more than £26 mill- report on his recent contacts with the political ion was taken; the response he has received from parties in Northern Ireland; and if he will make a Sinn Fe´in representatives; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34088/04] statement on the matter. [34603/04] 3. Mr. Kenny asked the Taoiseach if he will 14. Mr. Sargent asked the Taoiseach if he will report on his recent contacts with the British report on recent developments in the Northern Government; and if he will make a statement on Ireland peace process; and if he will make a state- the matter. [34089/04] ment on the matter. [34611/04] ´ 4. Mr. Rabbitte asked the Taoiseach if he will 15. Caoimhghı´nOCaola´in asked the Taoiseach make a statement on the outcome of his meeting if he will report on his participation in the peace with a delegation from Sinn Fe´in on 13 December process since 17 December 2004; and if he will 2004. [34247/04] make a statement on the matter. [1382/05] 16. Mr. J. Higgins asked the Taoiseach if he 5. Mr. Rabbitte asked the Taoiseach if he will will report on his meeting with the British Prime make a statement on the outcome of his meeting Minister, Mr. Tony Blair. [1449/05] with a delegation from the SDLP on 14 December 2004. [34248/04] 17. Mr. J. Higgins asked the Taoiseach if he will report on his recent contacts with the parties 6. Mr. Rabbitte asked the Taoiseach if he will in Northern Ireland. [1452/05] make a statement on his telephone contact with the leader of the DUP, Dr. Ian Paisley, on 13 18. Mr. J. Higgins asked the Taoiseach when December 2004. [34249/04] he next expects to meet with the British Prime Minister; and if he will make a statement on the 7. Mr. Rabbitte asked the Taoiseach if he will matter. [1455/05] make a statement on his contacts with the politi- cal parties in Northern Ireland since 15 19. Mr. Rabbitte asked the Taoiseach if he will December 2004. [34250/04] make a statement on the outcome of his meeting on 26 January 2005 with representatives of Sinn 8. Mr. Rabbitte asked the Taoiseach if he will Fe´in. [2328/05] make a statement on his contacts with the British Prime Minister since 15 December 2004. 20. Mr. Rabbitte asked the Taoiseach if he will [34251/04] make a statement on the outcome of his meeting on 26 January 2005 with representatives of the 9. Mr. Rabbitte asked the Taoiseach his assess- SDLP. [2329/05] ment, based on his contacts with the British Prime Minister and the political parties in 21. Mr. Rabbitte asked the Taoiseach if he will Northern Ireland, of advancing the political situa- make a statement on the outcome of his meeting 1199 Ceisteanna — 15 February 2005. Questions 1200 [Mr. Rabbitte.] the British Prime Minister, Mr. Tony Blair. on 26 January 2005 with representatives of the [4647/05] Ulster Unionist Party. [2330/05] The Taoiseach: I propose to take Questions 22. Mr. Rabbitte asked the Taoiseach if he has Nos. 1 to 34, inclusive, together. received a request from the International Moni- Last week, in the course of Private Members’ toring Commission for a meeting; if he intends business, we had the opportunity to address com- to meet the commission; and if he will make a prehensively developments in the peace process, statement on the matter. [2331/05] and the agreed motion received the overwhelm- 23. Mr. Kenny asked the Taoiseach if he will ing endorsement of the parties in this House. report on his meeting in Dublin with representa- Without restating the text of that motion, it is tives of Sinn Fe´in on 25 January 2005; and if he clear that we all want to protect and develop the will make a statement on the matter. [2459/05] achievements of the Good Friday Agreement and to continue to work to secure its full imple- 24. Mr. Kenny asked the Taoiseach if he will mentation. report on his meeting in Dublin on 25 January The agreement must form the basis of a lasting 2005 with the SDLP leader; and if he will make a settlement in Northern Ireland. The Govern- statement on the matter. [2460/05] ment’s proposals published in December 25. Mr. Kenny asked the Taoiseach if he will addressed the key issues that we had identified report on his discussions in Dublin on 25 January as being necessary to make progress. Regrettably, 2005 with representatives of the Ulster Unionist however, we could not secure agreement on two Party; and if he will make a statement on the key issues: an end to all forms of paramilitary and matter. [2461/05] criminal activity, and decommissioning. The Northern Bank robbery brought into sharp 26. Caoimhghı´nO´ Caola´in asked the Taoiseach relief the need to address and resolve these key when he will next hold a summit meeting with the issues if trust is to be restored. That was the British Prime Minister, Mr. Tony Blair; and if he emphatic message that the Government conveyed will make a statement on the matter. [2611/05] to the Sinn Fe´in leadership when we met in 27. Mr. J. Higgins asked the Taoiseach if he will January. The same clear message was imparted report on the matters discussed and conclusions by Prime Minister Blair and it was the message reached at his recent meeting with the British that both Governments conveyed publicly after Prime Minister in Brussels; and if he will make a we met in Downing Street on 1 February. statement on the matter. [2798/05] At my meeting with the Prime Minister, I raised with him the issue of an apology for the 28. Mr. Rabbitte asked the Taoiseach if he will Conlon and Maguire families and I am grateful make a statement on the outcome of his meeting to him for his prompt response. I also raised our on 1 February 2005 with the British Prime Mini- concerns about the British response to the Dublin ster, Mr. Tony Blair. [3495/05] and Monaghan bombings of the early 1970s and 29. Mr. Rabbitte asked the Taoiseach if he will separate questions have been tabled on this issue. make a statement on the outcome of his meeting The Prime Minister and I will continue to meet with members of the International Monitoring as and when necessary. Committee on 31 January 2005. [3496/05] The two Governments published the latest report from the Independent Monitoring Com- 30. Mr. Sargent asked the Taoiseach if he will mission whose representatives I met recently. The elaborate on media reports that he has encour- conclusions drawn by the independent com- aged the Independent Monitoring Commission mission concur with the intelligence available to not to recommend penalties against Sinn Fe´in in both Governments concerning the Northern its report; and if he will make a statement on the Bank robbery and other incidents in Northern matter.