Leaders' Questions.

Mr. Kenny

Cuireann is sé isteach go mór ormar an gcéad lá do mhí Bealtainele deich gcinn de tíortha nua ag teacht isteach san Aontas Eorpach, go mbeidh suas le 20 cinn de teangacha oifigiúilsan Aontasagus ní bheidh an Gaeilge leo siúd. Tá fhios ag an Taoiseach go gcuireann sé seo isteach ar cúrsaí oibritheorí agus cúrsaí aistreoirí. Os rud é gurb é seo an t-Uachtarántacht deireanach a bhéas againn-ne agus ós rud é gurb é an Taoiseach an Príomh-Aire agus an t-Uachtarán, an bfhuil sé i leith aige brú a chur chun go mbeidh ár dteanga bunreachtúilaontaitheleis na teangacha oifigiúil eile?

I have no wish to make a case here on the basis of this being purely a specific lobby group in respect of the Irish language. I regard it as a matter of national pride and in Ireland's interest that, as he is the President of the European Union and as we will not have a Presidency again in the form that it is currently conducted, and since on 1 May there will be 20 official languages in the European Union, a unique opportunity is presented for the Taoiseach and the country to have Irish recognised as an official language. Is it his intention, given the unique opportunity he has, to have Irish included as an official language, as a matter of pride for the country and for the next generation?

The Taoiseach

This issue has been raised a number of times in recent months. As Deputy Kenny knows, there was a debate on it at the Forum for Europe some weeks ago. The Government decided to put together a group to examine what can be done and whether it can be progressed. Deputy Kenny also knows that there has been a basis for many years — since one of the early enlargements — as to what classifies an official language. That was based on the premise that a language must be in total administrative use within a country. An example is Malta where 99% of business administration is conducted in Maltese, as is the work of the judiciary and parliament. That is not the situation with the Irish language and that is why it was not classified as an official language from the start.

As the Deputy has acknowledged, a case is being made that translation should not be sought for everything. It should not be a question that the 100,000 pages or so a year should be translated, but a more limited modus operandi through the use of Irish in correspondence would provide opportunities for Irish-speaking people to obtain employment in the Commission. This has been well put by many of the groups that have made their cases to me. The Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs, Deputy Ó Cuív, has put together a small group to look at the possibilities and see if there is some middle ground.

I have read the 1973 position and the mid-1980s document on this. It seems that if it is not used fully in the work of parliamentary and judicial administration, it would not be one of the languages. The figures the Deputy has quoted are correct. There are 20 languages in the system from May. The recruitment for that is currently taking place. Some aspects of the case put by the Irish language movement we will try to facilitate. Hopefully, Deputy Ó Cuív's committee will report back in about a month or six weeks.

Mr. Kenny

Ba mhaith liom a rá go bhfuil mé fíor-bhuíoch as ucht an freagra sin. Bí cinnte go dtabharfaidh mise agus ár bpáirtí anseo cuille tacaíocht don Rialtas chun an rud seo a chur i gcríoch. Tá an ceart ag an Taoiseach. Níl sé i gceist ar chur ar bith to mbeadh chuille páipéir aistruithe go Gaeilge.

It would not be possible for people to read every document in Irish such as agricultural or economic directives, which are difficult enough to read in English. We contribute to a translation fund which we will continue to do in any event. My reason for raising this issue now is that time is relatively short. I know the Taoiseach has to do some administrative work with the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs, Deputy Ó Cuív. I offer him the full support of my party in respect of this issue. It is not my intention to have a situation whereby every single document would have to be translated in Irish. However, our young people, if they wish to become translators or interpreters, should be able to avail of that opportunity in Europe also. This will be the last Presidency and the Taoiseach has this opportunity. All Governments since 1973, when we joined the Union, have been guilty of not addressing the problem.

Is ceann de na teangacha is sine é ár dteanga dúchais agus ba cheart go mbeadh seo curtha i gcrích ag an Rialtas. Tabharfaidh Fine Gael agus an Teach ar fad tacaíocht dó leis seo a reiteach.

The Taoiseach

I thank Deputy Kenny for his support. There is merit in some of the arguments he made. I do not want to give the impression that nothing has been done. The most recent constitutional papers were immediately translated into Irish. The position is that opportunities do not exist within the Commission and the translation services for Irish-speaking people who want to do their business in Irish. We know from the campaign that many people would like to have that opportunity.

We will see if there is a middle road on this. I do not want go give the Deputy the impression that we can go the whole way because that is not possible. I have been lobbied on this and have examined it and I know it is not possible to do what the Deputy wishes. We cannot say we are in the same position as Malta; the criteria does not hold up. We will have an opportunity to provide limited translation as is currently the position.

The Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs, Deputy Ó Cuív, has, to his credit done a great deal of work on this during the past six months. I welcome the support of the Opposition parties.

Mr. Rabbitte

Chaill an Rialtas an seans seo a dhéanamh don chéad uair i 1973 agus caillfidh an Rialtas seo an seans go deo.

Does the Taoiseach agree with the Tánaiste in wanting to commence a debate on care for the elderly? The Tánaiste said the elderly have no right to expect the State to pay for their care.

Ms Harney

I did not say that.

Mr. S. Ryan

The Deputy does not know what the Tánaiste said.

An Ceann Comhairle

Deputy Rabbitte, without interruption, please.

Ms Harney

I did not say that.

Mr. Rabbitte

I have a copy of the Tánaiste's original statement.

I would also suggest to Deputy Rabbitte that if a Member states his or her position on a particular issue, it should be accepted by other Members.

Mr. Stagg

Even if it contradicts what was said.

Mr. M. Higgins

That makes a farce of the Dáil.

Mr. Rabbitte

The Tánaiste had a full week to correct her remarks before this matter was raised with me from the floor by the National Widows Conference of Ireland who quoted her reported comments at the time. During that entire week she never corrected it. She went on last night to say that she is opposed to people being forced to sell their homes before they are cared for in residential care. People all over this city and country are selling their homes.

Deputies

Hear, hear.

Mr. Rabbitte

The Tánaiste has too many civil servants doing her constituency work if she does not know that is the case.

Ms Harney

I know a lot more than Deputy Rabbitte about it.

An Ceann Comhairle

Please allow Deputy Rabbitte to continue without interruption.

Mr. Rabbitte

How does the Tánaiste propose the elderly in our society be cared for in the community when one of the first things which this Government did was to cut back on home help?

I do not know how affected the Taoiseach is with the Tánaiste this morning after yesterday, but I would like him to state if this is the Government's position. Is the Government about to introduce family assessment, as mooted last year? Will any recognition be given to the fact that two people in many of our homes have to work to pay the mortgage and at the same time take care of their children? The Tánaiste now wants these people to take responsibility for looking after their elderly relatives as well.

The Taoiseach

Deputy Rabbitte should, when making his case, at least try to quote accurately the points made by the Tánaiste. She did not say anything near what Deputy Rabbitte has stated either inside or outside this House. For the record, everybody in the Government wants to continue on the road we have been going since 1997 in increasing the capital programme for services for elderly people and in continuing to assist those who work with them. We have substantially improved the carer's allowance in many ways and we make further improvements on it every year. We have increased spending on home help from €70 million to €110 million. We introduced the minimum wage for those engaged in home help services. Spending on health care services for the elderly is up almost €300 million since 1997 and staff numbers have increased by 800. We have made substantial efforts to increase services for the elderly. Nursing home subventions have been improved, as have housing grants for the elderly.

The Ministers for Social and Family Affairs and Health and Children have been involved in a consultation process which is considering finances in terms of long-term care. We will bring forward proposals in that regard. In fairness, Deputy Rabbitte is aware of what has been done right across a range of services from the old age pensions to facilities and services and he is not accurately reflecting the Tánaiste views in this area.

Deputy Rabbitte is also aware that there are few people in the House who know more about care of the elderly than the Tánaiste, given her own situation.

Mr. M. Smith

Hear, hear.

Mr. Rabbitte

I do not have time to quote the Tánaiste's entire interview but for the record she stated: "I know this seems controversial but is it fair that people require the State to pick up the bill?"

Ms Harney

When they abandon their relatives.

Mr. Rabbitte

The Tánaiste stated that society was becoming increasingly greedy. The Progressive Democrats criticising society for becoming greedy is like alcoholics criticising pubs. Speaking to The Irish Times following the seminar the Tánaiste called for a carrot and stick approach which would both encourage and reward people for looking after their loved ones when they required care. There is no doubt but that the Tánaiste has been caught out and is now trying to reverse engines.

I want the Taoiseach to set out Government policy in this area. The Minister for Finance, Deputy McCreevy, last year introduced a specific tax break for one constituent in Naas. Why, in terms of private nursing homes and the tax breaks he introduced, are there unoccupied beds in these facilities throughout the country? Why is the price not dropping? Why is the Taoiseach prepared to go along with a situation where beds in acute hospitals are being occupied because there is no step-down care provision? That is a serious question which the Tánaiste could answer if she wishes to have a debate on this issue. I ask the Taoiseach to address that matter.

The Taoiseach

As Deputy Rabbitte knows — at least I am sure he knows — one of the most attractive tax breaks that remains in the tax code relates to provision of nursing home places for the elderly.

Deputy Ryan is not the leader of his party and he should not undermine his leader's right to hear the response to his question. I ask him to resume his seat. This is Leaders' Questions.

Mr. S. Ryan

There are 140 unoccupied beds which could be used——

Mr. Cregan

The Deputy should listen to the Taoiseach.

An Ceann Comhairle

I will ask the Deputy to leave the House if he does not desist.

Mr. S. Ryan

Let us deal with the issue.

The Taoiseach

It shows that members of the Labour Party do not want people to hear what is being done in regard to pensions, subvention——

Mr. S. Ryan

Why does the Taoiseach not fill the vacant beds?

The Taoiseach

These schemes for the elderly are having a practical effect and the Government will continue to implement them. When other parties had the opportunity, they did nothing for the elderly and gave them a pittance.

Mr. S. Ryan

I will bring the Taoiseach to the houses of those who are trying to look after the elderly.

Mr. Sargent

One of the strengths of domestic planning law is the legal requirement that each planning authority and An Bord Pleanála should function independently of Government. I refer to an article in The Irish Times last Friday, which quoted the Minister against the environment as saying——

Mr. Cullen

That is original and wonderful. The Deputy must have been up all weekend thinking that one up. I hope he did not tax his brain power.

Mr. D. Ahern

There are many vegetables over there.

Mr. Gormley

The Minister should keep quiet.

An Ceann Comhairle

Please allow Deputy Sargent to speak without interruption.

Mr. Sargent

I am only quoting those who know a great deal more than the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government. The Minister stated, "Cork will get its facility," a reference to the incinerator at Ringaskiddy, and "Dublin is advancing and it will happen there too," a reference to the proposal for an incinerator at Ringsend.

I asked a different question.

The Taoiseach

——and if the Minister can direct the board to make decisions. It is patently obvious, from a number of decisions recently, that the Minister has no such power.

Mr. Sargent

It is amazing to hear the Taoiseach say that. He has not been following the pattern that has developed. Does he realise public confidence in the planning process has been fatally undermined? An Bord Pleanála found many reasons to reject the application for an incinerator at Duleek, yet it is to go ahead. Likewise, 14 reasons were given by the planners to reject the incineration plan at Ringaskiddy, yet it is to go ahead. This is amazing when one considers the independent decision of An Bord Pleanála regarding Ballinaboy and the Corrib gas field.

The Government is engaged in intimidating the board to follow Government policy or become redundant. In framing the national infrastructure Bill, which is seen as the replacement for the board, has he had discussions with the board about this matter? Will he do so? He has had no problem talking to representatives of Shell or other people who are trying to override An Bord Pleanála.

Dáil Éireann debate - Wednesday, 28 Jan 2004

Deputies

Dáil Éireann debate -
Wednesday, 28 Jan 2004