Bug 142104 Cannot place data set field on master page
Bugzilla 122419 says this is fixed. I am using RC2, and I can't insert a data set field in the master page header or footer.
UI/org.eclipse.birt.report.designer.ui/src/org/eclipse/birt/report/designer/internal/ui/dnd/InsertInLayoutUtil.java
container = DEUtil.getListingContainer( container );
			if ( containerDataSet == null && container != null )
			{
				container.setDataSet( dataSet );
				containerDataSet = dataSet;
			}
			if ( dataSet.equals( containerDataSet ) && container != null )
			{
				container.addColumnBinding( bindingColumn, false );
			}
			else
			{
				
				dataHandle.setDataSet( dataSet );
				dataHandle.addColumnBinding( bindingColumn, false );
			}