Tough tests ahead for Govt after Dáil break

The Government faces a series of tough political tests when the 29th Dail resumes after its five-week Christmas break today.

Taoiseach Bertie Ahern must await developments on the restoration of power-sharing in Northern Ireland after he issued a blunt ultimatum to Sinn Féin yesterday to end to all criminal and paramilitary activity.

Mr Ahern is also studying the findings of a report into the awarding of lucrative PR contracts by Minister for Transport Martin Mr Cullen to friend and political supporter, Monica Leech.

Any criticism of Mr Cullen will be a point of early controversy for the Government and inflame the Opposition benches.

Mr Cullen and the Cabinet will also have to make a prompt decision on future investment into Aer Lingus, whose top three executives leave the company on Friday.

In addition, government parties will be hit with two by-elections in Meath and Kildare North – likely to be held in March.

As no serving government party has won a by-election since 1982, a double-defeat including the loss of former Finance Minister Charlie McCreevy’s seat will rattle the administration.

Meanwhile, Government attempts to impeach Judge Brian Curtin could be thwarted in early March by a High Court bid to stop an Oireachtas committee seizing his computer.

Acquitted of child porn charges last year because a garda search of his home was illegal, Judge Curtin claims the committee’s attempts to probe his alleged misbehaviour is unlawful and unconstitutinal.

As well as political obstacles besetting the government parties, the Cabinet will be hoping to push through an extensive legislative programme during 2005.

The constitutionality of the controversial Health (Amendment) (No 2) Bill will be decided upon by the Supreme Court next month.

The Criminal Justice Bill is due before the Dáil again and could include controversial UK-style electronic tagging for offenders as an alternative to custodial sentences and to cut prison overcrowding.

Environment Minister Dick Roche is likely to come under pressure to change the proposed route of the M3 motorway in Co Meath – expected to be the leading campaign issue in the local by-election.

Campaigners have warned that archaeological and historical sites in the Tara-Skryne valley will be destroyed and have threatened ten years of legal battles.

Under an amendment to the National Monuments Act, Mr Roche has the power to order the preservation of sites in such public projects.

Mr Roche is also expected to revise the Government’s Critical Infrastructure Bill and revise it for the Cabinet’s approval.

Designed to fast-track planning for major infrastructure projects like motorways, the legislation came under attack for including incinerator plants.

Sluggish and expensive tribunals are set to be slimmed down and made work harder with the forthcoming Tribunals of Inquiry (Evidence) (Amendment) (No. 2) Bill 2004.

Further amendments are also expected to the Road Traffic Bill, including proposals to introduce random breath-testing by gardai -a key plank in the Government’s own Road Safety Strategy 2004-2006.