Dáil Éireann
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Vol. 1000 Tuesday, No. 7 17 November 2020 DÍOSPÓIREACHTAÍ PARLAIMINTE PARLIAMENTARY DEBATES DÁIL ÉIREANN TUAIRISC OIFIGIÚIL—Neamhcheartaithe (OFFICIAL REPORT—Unrevised) Statement by An Taoiseach 848 17/11/2020A00400Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders’ Questions 848 17/11/2020L00300An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business 861 17/11/2020S00400Protection of Children (Online Pornographic Material) Bill 2020: First Stage 872 17/11/2020S01200Organisation of Working Time (Domestic Violence Leave) Bill 2020: First Stage 874 17/11/2020T00900Road Traffic (All-Terrain Vehicle and Scrambler Motorcycle) (Amendment) Bill 2020: First Stage 876 17/11/2020T01800Horse and Greyhound Racing Fund Regulations 2020: Motion 877 17/11/2020T02100Appointment of Chairperson of Standards in Public Office Commission: Motion 878 17/11/2020T02400Appointment of Ordinary Member of Standards in Public Office Commission: Motion 878 17/11/2020T02900Finance Bill 2020: Motion 878 Microgeneration Support Scheme Bill 2017: Restoration to Order Paper 879 17/11/2020U00500Ceisteanna - Questions 879 17/11/2020U00600Data Protection 879 17/11/2020V00750Taoiseach’s Meetings and Engagements 883 17/11/2020X00400Cabinet Committees 887 17/11/2020BB00200Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions 891 17/11/2020BB00300Military Honours 891 17/11/2020BB01100Defence Forces Remuneration ������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������893 17/11/2020CC00500Search and Rescue Service Provision 895 17/11/2020DD00300Defence Forces Representative Organisations 897 17/11/2020EE00400European Defence Capabilities 900 17/11/2020FF00100Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions 902 17/11/2020FF00150Defence Forces Strength 902 17/11/2020GG00350Defence Forces Remuneration ������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������905 17/11/2020HH00200Departmental Funding 907 17/11/2020HH01200Search and Rescue Service Provision 909 17/11/2020JJ01100Defence Forces 911 17/11/2020KK00600Naval Service 914 17/11/2020LL00100Estimates for Public Services 2020: Message from Select Committee 915 17/11/2020LL00300Ábhair Shaincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Matters 915 17/11/2020LL00500Scrambler Motorbikes and Quad Bikes: Motion [Private Members] 916 17/11/2020YY00100Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate 944 17/11/2020YY00200Housing Provision 944 17/11/2020ZZ00400Wastewater Treatment 947 17/11/2020AAA00400Heritage Sites 950 17/11/2020BBB00450Greenways Provision ��������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������954 17/11/2020DDD00150Ceisteanna (Atógáil) - Questions (Resumed) 957 17/11/2020DDD00200 17/11/2020DDD00300Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions 957 Public Sector Pay 957 17/11/2020EEE00200Lobbying Regulation ������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������959 17/11/2020FFF00500Departmental Offices ������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������963 17/11/2020GGG01000National Development Plan 965 17/11/2020HHH00050Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions 967 17/11/2020HHH00100Flood Relief Schemes 967 17/11/2020HHH00800Covid-19 Pandemic 970 17/11/2020JJJ00700National Monuments ������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������972 17/11/2020KKK00500Flood Relief Schemes 973 17/11/2020KKK01300Budget Process 975 17/11/2020LLL00750Flood Prevention Measures 977 17/11/2020MMM00800Legislative Programme 980 17/11/2020NNN01350Public Sector Pay 982 DÁIL ÉIREANN Dé Máirt, 17 Samhain 2020 Tuesday, 17 November 2020 Chuaigh an Ceann Comhairle i gceannas ar 2 pm Paidir. Prayer. 17/11/2020A00100Statement by An Taoiseach 17/11/2020A00200An Ceann Comhairle: Before Leaders’ Questions, I understand the Taoiseach has a brief announcement for the information of the House 17/11/2020A00300The Taoiseach: On behalf of the Government, I want to issue the following statement The independence and the integrity of the Judiciary is of paramount importance The Judiciary has played a vital role in supporting the democratic and constitutional traditions of the State since its foundation and has ensured respect for the rule of law which underpins those traditions The Government notes the informal process, which was both transparent and comprehensive, conducted by the Judiciary to address the legitimate concerns arising from Mr Justice Woulfe’s attendance at the Oireachtas golf dinner in Clifden The Government fully supports the Su- preme Court and recognises the importance of protecting its collegiate nature and its concern to maintain the highest standards The Government notes the important distinction between a res- ignation and the deliberately high constitutional standard of removal for stated misbehaviour After very careful consideration, and having listened to the Opposition leaders on this matter, the Government believes the constitutional protection of the Judiciary is best achieved in this particular case by taking no further steps in this matter 17/11/2020A00400Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders’ Questions 17/11/2020A00450An Ceann Comhairle: Leaders’ Questions will now be taken Deputy Mary Lou McDon- ald, please 17/11/2020A00500Deputy Mary Lou McDonald: Can I respond to the statement? 17/11/2020A00600An Ceann Comhairle: You can, of course 17/11/2020A00700Deputy Mary Lou McDonald: Thank you, a Cheann Comhairle All of us value the in- dependence of the Judiciary and every measure must be taken to protect that I appreciate the 849 Dáil Éireann events as set out by the Taoiseach The Judiciary chose an informal process of its own and it reported on the matter of Mr. Justice Woulfe’s attendance at a golfing event in Clifden. I hear also the Taoiseach’s determination that the Oireachtas would take no further steps However, the Chief Justice expressing no confidence in a member of the Bench remains problematic. I believe there ought to be some mediated solution to this particular issue On a wider matter, it is essential for the Oireachtas that the Government is fully accountable and that the Minister for Justice, Deputy McEntee, would attend and answer all of the relevant and pertinent questions around the appointment process of Mr Justice Woulfe to the Bench 17/11/2020A00800An Ceann Comhairle: I do not want to stop the Deputy in her flow but----- 17/11/2020A00900Deputy Mary Lou McDonald: This is not my Leaders’ question, by the way I am re- sponding to the Taoiseach’s statement 17/11/2020A01000An Ceann Comhairle: This is not the Deputy’s Leaders’ question 17/11/2020A01100Deputy Mary Lou McDonald: No The Taoiseach has made a statement I asked to re- spond to the statement and I thought that was clear 17/11/2020A01200An Ceann Comhairle: It is in order as far as I am concerned to discuss here the process of selection within the House provided we do not stray into the area of personal suitability that would reflect on any individual