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Da´Il E´Ireann Vol. 626 Thursday, No. 3 26 October 2006 DI´OSPO´ IREACHTAI´ PARLAIMINTE PARLIAMENTARY DEBATES DA´ IL E´ IREANN TUAIRISC OIFIGIU´ IL—Neamhcheartaithe (OFFICIAL REPORT—Unrevised) Thursday, 26 October 2006. Requests to Move Adjournment of Da´il under Standing Order 31 ……………… 813 Order of Business ……………………………… 815 Planning and Development (Amendment) Bill 2006: First Stage ……………… 820 High Level of Suicide in Irish Society: Statements …………………… 821 Citizens Information Bill 2006: Second Stage (resumed) ………………… 876 Ceisteanna — Questions Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism Priority Questions …………………………… 886 Other Questions …………………………… 895 Adjournment Debate Matters …………………………… 910 Adjournment Debate Cancer Services in Waterford ………………………… 910 Health Services ……………………………… 913 Alternative Energy Projects ………………………… 915 Fire Emergency Provisions ………………………… 918 Questions: Written Answers …………………………… 921 813 814 DA´ IL E´ IREANN Deputies: Hear, hear. ———— Mr. O’Donoghue: But of course. De´ardaoin, 26 Deireadh Fo´mhair 2006. Mr. Durkan: The tunnel has not even opened Thursday, 26 October 2006. yet. ———— Mr. M. Ahern: Ivor is out fixing the windows. Chuaigh an Ceann Comhairle i gceannas Mr. F. McGrath: Ivor is staying silent on the ar 10.30 a.m. issue. ———— An Ceann Comhairle: Deputy Murphy, with- out interruption please. Paidir. Prayer. Ms C. Murphy: I wish to request the adjourn- ment of the Da´il under Standing Order 31 to raise ———— a matter of urgent national and local importance, namely, the need to review radically the avail- Requests to move Adjournment of Da´il under ability of child care and to examine the factors Standing Order 31. which are driving the cost of child care provision. An Ceann Comhairle: Before coming to the Despite the introduction of a grant of \1,000 in Order of Business, I propose to deal with a respect of children under the age of six in last number of notices under Standing Order 31. year’s budget, many families continue to com- plain that it was a drop in the ocean, at best, and Mr. Healy-Rae: I wish to seek the adjournment that they face serious pressure in covering costs. of the Da´il under Standing Order 31 to raise a We need to consider new options including a matter of urgent national importance, namely, further extension of maternity leave, the role that the need for the Ministers for Education and can be played by the voluntary sector and the fact Science and Transport to introduce lessons on that the costs of child care providers are being safe driving techniques as part of the second level passed on to parents. There is a need for a full school curriculum, for example, in transition year. debate on the issue. Such lessons are needed because many young people have died on our roads. We can help to Aengus O´ Snodaigh: I wish to seek the save lives by trying to educate young people adjournment of the Da´il under Standing Order about the dangers of driving cars. We have to try 31 to raise a specific and important matter that in every way to stop the carnage on our roads requires urgent consideration, namely, the need immediately. to congratulate and commend the Dublin Fire Brigade for its heroic actions last night, when it Mr. Durkan: Hear, hear. prevented a major tragedy by saving up to 70 people from a burning hostel in the north inner Mr. McCormack: Did the Minister for Arts, city; the need for the Government to provide Sport and Tourism write that? extra ambulances to meet the demands of Dublin’s growing population; the need for it to Mr. F. McGrath: I seek the adjournment of the carry out a fire risk assessment for Dublin in line Da´il under Standing Order 31 to discuss a matter with its legislative obligations, which is something of national importance and concern, namely, the it has failed to do over many years, where part- urgent need to assist families in Fairview, Marino, icular attention should to be given to private Drumcondra and Santry whose homes have been rented hostels; and the need for everyone to co- damaged as a result of the construction of the operate fully with the fire brigade especially at Dublin Port tunnel. I am calling for the immedi- this time of year, around Hallowe’en. ate repair of the 273 houses which have been damaged in recent times. The damage includes Mr. Costello: I wish to seek the adjournment 200 cracks, 39 hairline cracks, eight seriously of the Da´il under Standing Order 31 to discuss a damaged windows and doors, two seriously matter of urgent public concern, namely, the damaged roofs, three major plumbing problems, recent seizure of four large quantities of drugs three major glazing problems and 18 other which were destined for the Irish drugs market; serious complaints. We need to ensure that all the fact that each of the heroin seizures was equal families in my constituency get the maximum to or in excess of the total amount of heroin compensation for the damages which have seized in over 700 Garda operations in 2005; and resulted from the construction of the Dublin the fact that the problem of illegal drugs is out Port tunnel. of control. 815 Order of 26 October 2006. Business 816 An Ceann Comhairle: Having considered the An Ceann Comhairle: This does not arise on matters raised, I have decided that they are not the Order of Business. Deputy Kenny has asked in order under Standing Order 31. a question and we cannot have a debate on the matter now. Order of Business. Ms McManus: This is on the same issue. Will The Ta´naiste: It is proposed to take No. 14, the Ta´naiste indicate why the Minister for Health statements on the seventh report on the high lev- and Children has not used her powers under the els of suicide in Irish society; and No. 2, Citizens Health Act 2004 to have the report published Information Bill 2006 — Second Stage, resumed. long before now? It is proposed, notwithstanding anything in Stand- ing Orders, that the following arrangements shall An Ceann Comhairle: The Ta´naiste will answer apply in relation to No. 14, that the statements of Deputy Kenny’s question. a Minister or Minister of State and of the main spokespersons for the Fine Gael Party, the The Ta´naiste: The Minister for Health and Labour Party and the Technical Group, who shall Children has been anxious to publish the report be called upon in that order, shall not exceed 15 on Leas Cross nursing home. Problems with the minutes in each case, the statements of each other legal advice given to the Health Service Execu- Member called upon shall not exceed ten minutes tive have delayed its publication. I note that a in each case and Members may share time. The magazine today carries excerpts from the report Da´il on its rising today shall adjourn until 2.30 under the headline: “This is the report the p.m. on Wednesday, 1 November 2006. Government does not want to publish.” That is not true. The Government fully supports its pub- An Ceann Comhairle: There are two proposals lication as soon as the HSE resolves the legal to be put to the House. Is the proposal for dealing issues in the matter and I understand that this will with No. 14, statements on the seventh report on happen in the coming weeks. the high levels of suicide in Irish society, agreed? As I indicated last week, the health Bill will be Agreed. Is the proposal for dealing with the published in 2007 and it will put the inspectorate adjournment of the Da´il until 2.30 p.m. on on a statutory basis. That inspectorate is Wednesday, 1 November 2006 agreed? Agreed. I operating, resources are being supplied to the call Deputy Kenny on the Order of Business. area and new people are being recruited to carry out functions protecting the elderly from abuse. Mr. Kenny: I note that an edited version of the The absence of a statutory basis is not inhibiting O’Neill report on Leas Cross has been published the social service inspectorate from getting on by a magazine. When is it expected that the with its work. report will be published officially? Can he con- No legislation is needed on fireworks, but I firm that the families of those who suffered and echo the Deputy’s remarks that the law is the law died in Leas Cross have been contacted by the and must be respected. People are queuing up Department? north of the border with the intention of bringing When are we likely to see the independent them south. If a customs officer stops them, which inspectorate Bill? It is included under the health I hope happens, there will be a criminal pros- Bill 2007, but the Minister for Health and Chil- ecution and their cars are liable to be confiscated. dren was unclear last week regarding when it I warn people that the law is tougher than it was might be published. and the consequences of breaking it are serious. What operation will be put in place next week to enforce criminal law relating to fireworks? Mr. Durkan: It did not seem that way last This week fire crackers have been thrown at week. petrol stations and at cars. Mr. Rabbitte: I have a transcript of the press An Ceann Comhairle: This does not arise on conference given by the Minister of State at the the Order of Business and I suggest the Deputy Department of the Environment, Heritage and finds another way of raising the matter. Local Government with special responsibility for housing and urban renewal, Deputy Noel Ahern, Mr.
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