Vol. 591 Thursday, No. 2 28 October 2004 DI´OSPO´ IREACHTAI´ PARLAIMINTE PARLIAMENTARY DEBATES DA´ IL E´ IREANN TUAIRISC OIFIGIU´ IL—Neamhcheartaithe (OFFICIAL REPORT—Unrevised) Thursday, 28 October 2004. Requests to move Adjournment of Da´il under Standing Order 31 ……………… 329 Order of Business ……………………………… 330 Private Members’ Business Childhood Development Initiative: Motion (resumed) ………………… 335 Irish Nationality and Citizenship Bill 2004: Second Stage (resumed) …………… 363 Ceisteanna — Questions Ta´naiste and Minister for Health and Children Priority Questions …………………………… 407 Other Questions …………………………… 421 Private Notice Questions Flood Relief ……………………………… 425 Adjournment Debate Matters …………………………… 436 Adjournment Debate Hospital Services ……………………………… 437 Child Care Services …………………………… 439 Genetically Modified Organisms ………………………… 442 Tribunals of Inquiry …………………………… 445 Message from Seanad ……………………………… 448 Questions: Written Answers …………………………… 449 329 330 DA´ IL E´ IREANN employed at Castlemahon Foods in County Limerick. ———— Mr. Boyle: I seek the adjournment of the Da´il De´ardaoin, 28 Deireadh Fo´mhair 2004. under Standing Order 31 to discuss the following Thursday, 28 October 2004. urgent matter: the need for a statement on the damage caused by serious flooding yesterday ———— throughout the country, particularly in the Cork area, outlining the remedial measures being taken Chuaigh an Ceann Comhairle i gceannas ar and the additional resources to be provided. 10.30 a.m. An Ceann Comhairle: Having given the ———— matters full consideration, I do not consider them to be in order under Standing Order 31. Paidir. Prayer. Order of Business. ———— Minister for Finance (Mr. Cowen): : It is pro- posed to take No. 3, Irish Nationality and Citizen- Requests to move Adjournment of Da´il under ship Bill 2004 — Second Stage (resumed); and Standing Order 31. No. 4, Grangegorman Development Agency Bill 2004 — Order for Second Stage and Second An Ceann Comhairle: Before coming to the Stage. Private Members’ business shall be No. 33, Order of Business, I propose to deal with a motion re Tallaght West Childhood Development number of notices under Standing Order 31. I call Initiative (resumed) to be taken immediately on the Deputies in the order in which they sub- after the Order of Business and to conclude after mitted their notices to my office. 90 minutes. Ms Lynch: I seek the adjournment of the Da´il Mr. Kenny: In view of the Taoiseach’s com- under Standing Order 31 to discuss the following ments yesterday, will the Minister for Finance urgent matter of public interest: the need for the comment on the status of the Dublin metro Bill Government to provide assistance for house- which is proposed to streamline and accelerate holders and traders in Cork who have suffered certain procedures for metro projects and significant loss and damage to their property aris- reduce costs? ing from the serious flooding of the past 24 hours Yesterday, the Taoiseach said the Department and for action to address the ongoing cause of of Health and Children was committed to the regular flooding in the area. preparation of new legislation to update and clar- Mr. Gogarty: I seek the adjournment of the ify the legal framework for eligibility and entitle- Da´il under Standing Order 31 to discuss the fol- ment in the health services. There is no sign of lowing urgent matter: the need for the Minister such a proposal on the Government’s legislative for Finance to grant a stamp duty exemption to programme despite the Taoiseach’s contention the facility beside Ballyowen shopping centre in that it is being prepared in the Department. What Lucan. The facility is a much needed community is the status of the legislation? resort which is experiencing delays in opening due to the requirement of the Revenue Commis- Mr. Cowen: I was not in the House yesterday sioners that full stamp duty be paid on the and cannot comment. My understanding is that premises. the Taoiseach stated the advice of the Attorney General was being sought on certain matters that Mr. Gormley: I seek the adjournment of the had arisen recently. We must wait for the out- Da´il under Standing Order 31 to discuss the fol- come of that advice. lowing urgent matter: the report that Mr. Benny I understand the first Bill referred to is sched- McCullagh, a 72 year old who lived only 500 uled for next year and can say no more about it yards from Monaghan General Hospital, was at the moment. forced to travel 30 miles to Cavan General Hospital by ambulance and died subsequently Mr. Rabbitte: Will the Minister for Finance and the need to restore an on-call service to speak to the House about the progress of the Monaghan General Hospital as soon as possible. Northern Ireland talks and state whether the impression that matters are stalled and the antici- Mr. Neville: I seek the adjournment of the Da´il pated breakthrough is unlikely to happen is cor- under Standing Order 31 to discuss the following rect? Can the Minister make Government time urgent matter: the need for the Minister for Agri- available for a debate or, at least, a Government culture and Food to intervene to settle the dis- statement? pute between poultry growers in west Limerick and Castlemahon Foods which threatens the Mr. Cowen: I will leave the matter of a state- livelihoods of the growers and 300 people ment for the Taoiseach to respond to if asked. 331 Order of 28 October 2004. Business 332 [Mr. Cowen.] provide time for a debate on the disgraceful state The scheduling of a debate is a matter for the of accident and emergency services? Whips. An Ceann Comhairle: Unless a debate has Mr. Gormley: Yesterday, I made a request to already been promised, the matter is one for the adjourn the House under Standing Order 31 to Whips. discuss the state of readiness of the emergency services to deal with the flooding problems that Mr. Ferris: When will Second Stage of the were about to occur. Now that they have—— health and social care professionals Bill be taken? An Ceann Comhairle: That does not arise on Mr. Cowen: It is proposed to publish and the Order of Business. debate a health Bill before Christmas, at which time Members will have an opportunity to raise Mr. Gormley: If you let me finish, Ceann any issues they wish under that heading. Comhairle, I wish to ask about legislation perti- nent to this matter. I mentioned it yesterday. In Mr. Allen: Given the reported serious illness of this city—— Yasser Arafat, will the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Government contact the Israeli An Ceann Comhairle: I do not intend to hear Government to ensure it gives a guarantee of safe the Deputy on this matter. There is a submission passage to medical treatment? for a Private Notice Question on this matter and if I am to consider it for that, I will not have a An Ceann Comhairle: That matter does not debate on it now. arise on the Order of Business. Mr. Gormley: The legislation to which I refer Mr. Allen: It is an urgent matter. is the building control Bill to stop builders flood- ing this city. Mr. Durkan: It is a pressing matter. Mr. Cowen: The Bill concerned seeks to amend Mr. J. O’Keeffe: I hope they do not send and strengthen the powers of local building con- Yasser Arafat to Monaghan General Hospital. trol authorities under the Building Control Act 1990 and to provide for the registration of the Mr. Ring: Two years ago, the Ombudsman titles of architect, building surveyor and quantity directed the Minister for Finance and his Depart- surveyor. The heads of the Bill were approved by ment to pay arrears of blind welfare allowance to Government and it is expected it will be pub- people in receipt of pensions. The Department of lished in the middle of next year. Health and Children agreed the money was owed. Mr. Howlin: It is appropriate the Minister for Finance is taking the Order of Business. When An Ceann Comhairle: The Deputy must ask a this country voted for the Nice treaty we did not, question appropriate to the Order of Business. following enlargement, put up any barriers to the inward migration of workers from the new Mr. Ring: Will the Minister provide the money accession states. Given that circumstance, when this year to enable these people to be paid? will Government legislate to ensure trade union rights and wages will not be undermined by yel- An Ceann Comhairle: The matter does not low-packing, so to speak, by companies arise now. employing new accession state workers? Mr. Ring: This matter has been ongoing for two An Ceann Comhairle: Has legislation been years. Would any other section of society have to promised? wait two years to have arrears due to them paid? The health boards and Ombudsman agree these Mr. Howlin: In particular, Irish Shipping pro- people are due that money. poses to de-man its crew. This is a serious matter. Perhaps the Minister will discuss the matter with An Ceann Comhairle: I call Deputy Finian his colleagues with a view to introducing legis- McGrath. lation on it. Mr. Ring: I would like an answer to my ques- Mr. Cowen: I am not aware that specific legis- tion. These people are disadvantaged and are lation in this area was promised. I suggest that entitled to their money. the central review committee, under the social partnership, would be the appropriate forum to An Ceann Comhairle: A question to the line discuss any issues that might arise in that regard. Minister would be more appropriate. Mr. Ferris: In light of the death of a 72 year old Mr. Ring: The Ombudsman has said they are man who lived 500 yards from Monaghan Gen- entitled to the money.