Skip to main content
Normal View

Dáil Éireann debate -
Thursday, 24 Apr 1997

Vol. 478 No. 3

Order of Business.

It is proposed to take the report of the Select Committee on Finance and General Affairs on the Finance Bill, 1997; report of the Select Committee on Foreign Affairs on Revised Estimates for Public Services for the year ending 31 December 1997; No. 59b — motion to rescind Order of Referral of the Non-Fatal Offences Against the Person Bill, 1997, to the Select Committee on Legislation and Security; No. 60 — Committees of the House of the Oireachtas (Compellability, Privileges and Immunities of Witnesses) Bill, 1995, Report Stage (resumed) and Final Stage; No. b1 — Public Service Management (No. 2) Bill, 1997 [Seanad] Second Stage.

It also proposed, notwithstanding anything in Standing Orders, that No. 59b. shall be decided without debate; the proceedings on the resumed Report Stage and Final Stage of No. 60, if not previously concluded, shall be brought to a conclusion at 2.15 p.m. today by one question which shall be put from the Chair and which shall, in relation to amendments, include only those set down or accepted by the Minister for Finance; the Dáil on its rising today, shall adjourn until 1 p.m. on Tuesday, 29 April 1997.

There are three matters to put before the House. Is the proposal that No. 59b. shall be decided without debate satisfactory?

Why is this being done?

It is being done to facilitate business with the agreement of the Whips.

I know it is being done with the agreement of the Whips but why were they asked to agree to it?

I do not have the information available but I will communicate it to the Deputy later in the day.

I suspect the reason is so that all Stages of the Bill can be taken next week along with about 12 other Bills.

Is the matter agreed? Agreed. Is the proposal for dealing with No. 60 agreed? Agreed. Is the proposal for dealing with the resumption of the Dáil at 1 p.m. next Tuesday agreed? Agreed.

Are we being asked to sit until 1 a.m. several mornings next week?

I have no knowledge of that.

The Deputy should make a proposal.

It is already made. As this, effectively, is the last week of the House according to the business agreed by the Whips last night, there is no point in asking about legislation other than the 12 or so Bills which are being rammed through next week. We will facilitate that so that we can move into the general election next Wednesday or Thursday.

What is the Government doing to avoid the rampant chaos in the health service? As we conclude this week's business we know that radiographers are likely to join thousands of other paramedics.Will the Minister use his role as Minister for Finance with responsibility for the public service to try to get the Labour Relations Commission or the Labour Court to involve themselves in this matter? I have not raised this matter in the last few days but it is getting very serious for many people with disabilities. It should be dealt with.

Having regard to the prevailing climate I am allowing this question. Deputy O'Donnell also wishes to raise this matter.

As we adjourn until next Tuesday, it is important that we invite the Minister to indicate what ongoing negotiations are taking place to alleviate the current situation. All Members of the House are becoming increasingly concerned that it is unconscionable that stroke victims and other helpless and vulnerable people are facing into their second week without essential therapeutic services. I invite the Minister, in a non-confrontational manner, to reassure the House and the people that moves are afoot to resolve this dispute.

The Minister may not be aware that the medical laboratory technicians are also balloting next week. If they join this dispute it will put the entire health service in chaos. Will the Minister inform us what progress Fine Gael backbenchers have made with the unions whom I understand they have met?

Let us hear the Minister.

They are making significant progress.

Negotiations have taken place with the health management authorities and representatives of the workers involved to ensure an adequate level of emergency cover is provided in the course of this dispute. I want to allay any possible fear that these health workers, whom we all respect, are being irresponsible in regard to their overall duties. References to stroke victims and other categories of people can be misconstrued.I was somewhat saddened that the Leader of the Opposition, a former Minister for Labour and Finance, should refer to what he called "the rampant chaos" in the public services.

(Interruptions.)

Does the Minister want them to walk out?

Let us hear the Minister's reply.

If anybody on the benches opposite understands the context within which these negotiations are being advanced, it is Deputy Bertie Ahern. Nobody knows better than he that the industrial peace clause components of the Programme for Competitiveness and Work, which he helped to negotiate, is not being observed.

Who called them greedy? They are particularly annoyed about that.

The Government, for its part, is prepared to enter into negotiations to have the dispute considered under the process clearly outlined in the Programme for Competitiveness and Work. All we ask of any of the social partners is that they observe the terms of the agreement to which they were signatories. The Government wants to see this dispute resolved in a manner which respects all of the contracts entered into and commitments made.

——and which respects disabled children too.

Shame on the Deputy.

Deputy Callely, let us not engage in a shouting match.

I apologise, a Cheann Comhairle.

I pointed out to the Taoiseach yesterday that, in respect of any matters outstanding under the Programme for Competitiveness and Work the Labour Court is the guarantor as it has been in respect of all national agreements negotiated over the past ten years. Therefore, whenever a dispute arises out of those agreements, as happened in the case of the Programme for National Recovery and the Programme for Competitiveness and Work, it is the responsibility of the Labour Court to endeavour to resolve it.

I have allowed considerable latitude on the matter. There can be no debate now.

Has the Government requested the Labour Court to resolve this issue? Therein, lies its resolution.

Deputy Ahern knows quite well that, in the course of a dispute like this, contacts and exploratory discussions are on the understanding that both sides want to find a resolution, which is what is at present being attempted.

Will the Minister for Finance answer the question; did the Government refer the matter to the Labour Court?

On the reference by Deputy Callely I said in reply to a question from a journalist that this country has the prospect of sustained economic growth over the next five to ten years. However, if we are greedy that prospect will be put at risk. I refute the allegation which has been repeated: I did not accuse any individual worker or any individual category of workers of being greedy; I referred to "all of us".

Then why did the Minister use it in that context?

The lesson of the past ten years, which various Governments have built on, is that sustained negotiation and pay moderation, matched by tax reduction, has provided the kind of success we have all experienced.

These negotiations have been mishandled by this Government.

The Minister should withdraw that reference, it was a disgraceful remark to make in respect of committed, caring health workers.

(Interruptions.)

Deputy Callely, you must not continue to interrupt these proceedings from that seated position. Will you please obey the Chair and restrain yourself.

Since the House will not meet until Tuesday next, can the Minister for Finance assure us — bearing in mind that IMPACT has said it is prepared to talk — that talks will be initiated today either with the Labour Relations Commission or the Labour Court?

I cannot permit a mini Question Time on the subject matter now, it is not in order.

We have endeavoured to raise this very urgent matter on more than one occasion——

I have facilitated Members and will not tolerate a debate now.

——but have been prevented from doing so.

On a point of order, there has been a responsible attempt by the Opposition all week to have this matter dealt with on the floor of the House. In fairness to him, the Minister for Finance has been the first member of the Government prepared to make any statement on what is an urgent, deteriorating position. Given that radiographers and laboratory technicians are now threatening to go on strike next week——

(Interruptions.)

Now that it has been acknowledged by the Government that the position is deteriorating rather than static, will the Ceann Comhairle give further consideration to my Private Notice Question? I understand it was not possible for you to accept it yesterday on the basis of an Adjournment Debate the previous evening and your ruling that there had not been a serious deterioration in the interim. Clearly, the position has now deteriorated.

I will consider the Deputy's request but must again repudiate the insinuation that this House has not discussed this matter.There has been sufficient proof again this morning that has been discussed at some length. The Deputy can raise it on the Adjournment and in many other ways.

As you are well aware, a Cheann Comhairle, a Private Notice Question affords the Government an opportunity to answer supplementary questions rather than engage in formal statements which is all we have had from the Government so far.

I will consider the matter, Deputy, but I do not like to have my arm twisted.

I would not attempt to do that, a Cheann Comhairle.

In support of what Deputy Cowen has said, in Galway mentally handicapped children have had to be sent home as there being no house parents there to look after them in residential homes. This situation is rapidly deteriorating, placing parents in an impossible position. We should debate this matter if this House is concerned with the care of those most vulnerable in society.

The matter is under consideration.

In an effort to restore public confidence in democracy, will the Government consider introducing a measure making it obligatory for all general election candidates to be the holder of a tax clearance certificate?

The Deputy might table a question on the matter.

That could have repercussions.

It is most important because our democratic system has been undermined in recent years and public confidence in it needs to be restored.

Following the publication yesterday of the Government's strategy for tackling poverty can the Minister for Finance inform the House what measures will be taken to ensure that the guiding hand of State policies will not encourage dependency but self-determination. The document was signed by John Bruton, Taoiseach, Deputy Dick Spring and P. De Rossa, which I presume is the Minister for Social Welfare——

(Interruptions.)

The Deputy has made his point.

Is that the man with the bad memory?

——bearing in mind that we had the usual ritual rainbow dance yesterday.

The Deputy made his point. I call Deputy Cullen.

(Interruptions.)

That is enough, Deputy Woods. I heard the Deputy on the same subject yesterday morning. Please resume your seat.

Can the Minister tell us what proposal——

I will not ask the Deputy again.

These are proposals by the Government.

No, Deputy you are completely out of order and you know it.

Will the Government restore the butter vouchers to their former level?

It will not.

Deputy Woods, please resume your seat or leave the House.

The Minister for Finance and the Government will be aware of the serious situation that has arisen in the past number of weeks at Bell Lines in Waterford and the proposals put to the workforce yesterday. Will the Minister consult the Minister for Enterprise and Employment and the Minister for the Marine — this is a major State asset, it is the Euro dedicated port out of Ireland — to ensure the long-term viability of this port is maintained? There is a perception that the Government——

By reason of the climate prevailing I am anxious to facilitate the Deputy but I cannot allow him to make a speech now.

There is Government legislation. The workforce would like to hear something from the Government on this matter.

Let us hear the Minister.

It may come as a surprise to the Deputy that the legislation with regard to the ports has already been enacted.

It does not.

The Government is acutely aware of the situation in Waterford, it has the matter under close review and will take whatever action is appropriate.

Will the Minister ask the Minister for Enterprise and Employment to meet the management of ICG to establish its plans for the development of the port in Waterford? That is a vital question and requires an immediate answer.

With regard to the Family Law (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill, 1997, yesterday the Minister of State announced the title of Ireland on the form would be changed — a matter I raised here with the Taoiseach last week. It will be changed to "Ireland" as opposed to "The Republic of Ireland". Can the Minister guarantee that the 17,500 marriages which have been notified on that form up to now are valid?

That is a matter which the Minister with responsibility for the matter will answer in due course. I am not in a position to give an answer now and I will not pretend I can give an answer.

Following your announcement, a Cheann Comhairle, I thank you for your fair dealings with Members. On matters both orderly and disorderly you have managed to keep a calm rein and that is to your credit. It will be difficult for anybody to follow you. I wish you well. On matters of promised legislation, is it possible to add the travellers' accommodation Bill to the fast track line of legislation to be put through? If the Government is looking for Bills to drop, I suggest it drops the Bretton Woods Agreement (Amendment) Bill which will cause considerable anxiety and hardship for people in poorer countries throughout the world.

The legislation to which the Deputy refers is scheduled for June. If we do not complete it before the Dáil is dissolved we will deal with it when we return.

Top
Share