Dáil Éireann debate -
Friday, 3 Jul 1998

Vol. 493 No. 6

Order of Business.

The Taoiseach

It is proposed to take No. 7b, motion re Referral of Children Bill, 1996, to Select Committee; No. 7c, motion re Referral of Proposals for Standards in Public Office Legislation to Joint Committee; No. 11, Revised Estimates for Public Services [1998]; No. 24, Statements on 1798; No. 1a, Geneva Conventions (Amendment) Bill, 1997 — Amendments from the Seanad; and No. 25, Education (No. 2) Bill, 1997 — Order for Report and Report and Final Stages.

It is also proposed, notwithstanding anything in Standing Orders, that: (1) Nos. 7b and 7c shall be decided without debate; (2) The Revised Estimates for the Public Services shall be moved together and decided without debate by one question which will be put from the Chair; and any division demanded thereon shall be taken forthwith; (3) No. 24, if not previously concluded, shall be brought to a conclusion after 30 minutes; shall be confined to the Taoiseach and party leaders or a member nominated in his or her stead and shall not exceed five minutes in each case; (4) The proceedings on No. 1a, if not previously concluded, shall be brought to a conclusion after 30 minutes and any amendments from the Seanad not disposed of shall be decided by one Question which shall be put from the Chair; and (5) The Dáil on its rising today shall adjourn until 2.30 p.m. on Wednesday, 30 September 1998; and the committees of the House will sit three days a week until the end of July and recommence their work in early September.

An Ceann Comhairle

There are five proposals to be put to the House. Are the proposals for dealing with No. 7b and 7c agreed? Agreed. Is the proposal for dealing with the Revised Estimates agreed? Agreed. Is the proposal for dealing with No. 24 agreed? Agreed. Is the proposal for dealing with No. 1a agreed? Agreed? Is the proposal for dealing with the Adjournment of the Dáil agreed? Agreed.

Mr. J. Bruton

I commend the efforts which have been made to find an agreed solution to the potentially serious confrontation at Drumcree and on the Garvaghy Road. Will the Taoiseach consider appealing to the political leaders of both communities to urge all their supporters who are not from the immediate Portadown area to stay away from the area where confrontation may arise so that any confrontation is minimised?

Mr. Quinn

I also want to express my concern. I know the Taoiseach has been reported as having had various conversations and contacts, and I suspect there is far more of which we cannot be told. Perhaps he might use this opportunity, since we will not have another one, to indicate the steps which are being taken and his assessment of the situation in the light of further arson attacks this morning on a Church of Ireland church and other places of worship.

Proinsias De Rossa

Will the Taoiseach also indicate the steps he feels may be usefully taken, in particular in support of the call by Séamus Mallon that people from other parts of this island should not converge on Portadown this weekend? That would only make the situation far more inflammable.

I, too, condemn the arson attacks on Church of Ireland property and other property apparently in counter attack to the attacks the other night on Roman Catholic churches.

The Taoiseach

I thank the party leaders for their comments.

First, I condemn last night's arson attacks and I urge people not to get involved in reprisals. They will serve no purpose other than to heighten sectarian tension, which is the last thing we need for the marching season.

Second, I certainly agree with Deputy Bruton and others that asking people, from outside the area or even from the area of Drumcree, to congregate there is a disaster. Nobody should do that.

We have been involved into the early hours of the morning in telephone contacts with just about everybody. I thank everybody who spent all yesterday and the day before — really since Wednesday night — trying to bring some sanity to the situation.

My assessment of the situation is still bleak on two fronts. First, the residents see the determination from the parades commission as the position which others must enforce. Second, the loyal orders and lodges see the position as being any settlement which they must negotiate. Of course, the difficulty is that the loyal orders will not meet the person nominated by the residents and it is unlikely the residents will allow anyone else to negotiate for them. At this stage, despite the best efforts of all the Church leaders, which I deeply appreciate, practically all the political parties and most of the senior representatives, there has been no direct dialogue between the residents and the

Orange Order. In my assessment, that must happen and I cannot see why it should not happen. Whatever about what happened in the past, it is certainly worth doing that. Whatever about Drumcree 1998, there will be Drumcree 1999.

At some stage people will have to look at the broader picture. There are 3,000 marches, of which 2,991 pass off relatively calmly and well over 2,500 pass off very calmly, especially where there is dialogue, compromise and common sense. In many other places lodges meet residents. I do not see how it would create a precedent. Some of the residents have been elected. I understand the difficulties and know what they think about some of these people but people have to talk. The rest of us cannot secure a compromise if the people directly involved do not talk. Meetings are to be held tonight. I do not share the assessment that people have until Sunday morning; we have several hours and no more. People should think about the consequences which are grave. That is my best assessment.

Mr. Quinn

Will the Orange Order meet someone other than Councillor Breandán Mac Cionnaith on behalf of the Garvaghy Road residents association and, if so, has anyone suggested to Breandán Mac Cionnaith that in this instance he should consider stepping aside to allow somebody else to represent the residents and allow dialogue commence?

The Taoiseach

I do not want to be too forthcoming but most scenarios have been put. My assessment is shared by the British Prime Minister and most of those who were involved until the early hours of the morning. Representatives of the Orange Order, either locally or centrally, have to meet the residents. The rest of us can try to accommodate but the two central players will have to meet.

Mr. J. Bruton

I thank the Taoiseach for his remarks. I am not certain it would serve any purpose to press him to go further or for us to say a great deal more, but it is important that grassroot members of both communities in Portadown look at this issue on a global basis, recognise the broader good of the two communities and what is at stake and not see the confrontation solely in terms of the issues immediately before them. They should recognise that both have a responsibility to ensure a compromise is reached which takes account of the greater good of the total population of both communities in Northern Ireland and of the island as a whole. Both communities are patriotic in their own way. I hope they will recognise the patriotic thing to do is to compromise.

Mr. Higgins

(Dublin West): In ordering Dáil Business when there are extended sittings, as was the case this week, will the Taoiseach ensure there is a short midday break, even for half an hour, as sections of the staff, especially those who report the proceedings of the House, find themselves under immense pressure? Yesterday, for example, there was an unforeseen two hour extension. Will the Taoiseach ensure regard is had to the working conditions of the staff?

Mr. J. Bruton

That is reasonable.

The Taoiseach

We would all agree with the Deputy. Traditionally, every effort is made by the Whips to do that. For seven or eight weeks the House has been sitting later than normal. I take the opportunity to thank the staff for their commitment without complaining.

Mr. Finucane

Will the Taoiseach discuss with the Minister for the Marine and Natural Resources the ongoing impasse between Enterprise Oil and SIPTU to try to resolve the difficulties with regard to offshore oil rig workers? The implications are serious.

Mr. Quinn

Have any changes been made to the schedule of committee meetings which the Chief Whip helpfully forwarded to me some days ago? It shows that the committees will meet throughout July and September. Is the Taoiseach contemplating any changes?

The Taoiseach

The schedule is detailed and comprehensive. There is a heavy workload up to the end of July and from early September. The Chief Whip will notify party leaders of any changes.

Mr. Quinn

Will the news desks also be notified?

Proinsias De Rossa

No. 9 on the schedule of business is a motion dealing with the Universal Declaration of Human Rights to mark human rights year which culminates on 10 December. Is the Taoiseach aware of the United States' act of piracy, in breach of Article 19 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, in seizing money from the Pastors for Peace, who include Fr. Flannery and Sr. Stanislaus, who were raising humanitarian relief funds for Cuba?

An Ceann Comhairle

That matter is not appropriate to the Order of Business.

Proinsias De Rossa

Will the Taoiseach make the strongest possible protest to the United States Embassy?

An Ceann Comhairle

The first part of the question is in order.

The Taoiseach

The Joint Committee on Foreign Affairs can discuss the matter. The motion can be taken at the earliest possible time.

Mr. S. Ryan

In light of the report that the rail network infrastructure is outdated and potentially dangerous does the Government propose to provide finance to deal with the problem before an accident occurs?

An Ceann Comhairle

That matter is——

Mr. S. Ryan

Very important.

An Ceann Comhairle

It is, but not one for the Order of Business.

Mr. J. Bruton

When representatives of the Eastern Health Board appeared before a committee of the House in the last two days I understand they stressed the urgency attaching to the proposed legislation. The uncertainty surrounding the future of the health board and its organisational structure is aggravating the serious problem of waiting lists. When will the legislation, which is No. 39 on the list and which was originated when the Leas-Cheann Comhairle was Minister for Health, be introduced?

The Taoiseach

The Bill, the heads of which were approved on 17 September last, will be introduced in September.

Mr. J. Bruton

I compliment Deputy Higgins on his suggestion in regard to the staff. We express our appreciation of your work, Sir, and that of the staff and those who provide security during our sessions.

Mr. Rabbitte

It goes without saying we will do everything in our power to help the Government struggle on during the summer recess.

Mr. D. Ahern

Yes, the Deputy and Vincent Browne will do so.

(Interruptions.)

An Ceann Comhairle

Order, please. Deputy Rabitte should be allowed to continue.

Mr. Rabbitte

Given that the worst could happen and that the Government could fall apart, will the Taoiseach indicate if the legislation on the redrawing of constituencies has been signed into law? Deputy Jim Mitchell and I would like to know where we stand.

(Interruptions.)

Mr. Rabbitte

We are glad the Taoiseach and the Tánaiste will benefit from the redrawing of the constituencies. Deputy Mitchell stated yesterday that he is again considering retirement. On each occasion he does so, a general election follows six months later.

The Taoiseach

I thank the Ceann Comhairle and Members for their work during the session. I also thank Deputy Rabbitte for expressing his concern about the Government and I hope his party does not decide to change its name again. I know Members will be obliged to attend committee meetings for the remainder of the month but, as this is the last occasion on which the House will sit until September, I take the opportunity to state that I hope everyone will enjoy their well deserved summer break.

Mr. Cowen

If Deputy Rabbitte's party changes its name again it will become known as the "Democratic Leftovers".

Mr. J. Bruton

If Deputy Cowen is not careful he will be left out.

Mr. Higgins

(Dublin West): In proposing a three month break from plenary sessions of the Dáil, did the Taoiseach consider Deputy Rabbitte's “drunks and insomniacs” who will suffer major withdrawal symptoms when “Oireachtas Report” takes its summer break?