I, too, welcome this Finance Bill. As many of the previous speakers have commented, we are one of the most highly taxed countries in the world. We may not be the most highly taxed but we are certainly very close to the top of the league. In addition, we are not a wealthy country in the sense in which wealth is considered. Many of our explorations — for example, with regard to oil — have been disappointing so far. We have been dominated by a colonial power and exploited. We have had these problems in the past. We also have the situation where problems were created by ourselves through debts.
In the course of the debate, mention has been made of those who were responsible from 1973 onwards. All parties must take their share of responsibility. Deciding on the guilt and the blame at this time is purely academic and for most people it is a case of looking forward and not looking backwards.
In this House we do not have a discussion on the budget. There is no budget debate here as there is in the other House. This gives us a wider scope in our discussion on the Finance Bill. Traditionally, we take in many areas. The question of whether or not the budget should be discussed in this House is perhaps relevant at present with regard to the Seanad and its work. There are Members who criticise this House, there are very few of them. But, to my mind, some of them do it in a manner that is not constructive. I think they could contribute to the House by playing a fuller role under the terms such as we have them. It is possible to do that. Under the terms of the Finance Bill we can deal with any matter which, broadly speaking, comes under fiscal policy or financial consideration.
The first point which comes to my mind with regard to the budget is this: has it become a routine operation over the years, or is there any element left in which it can be creative? I really think that in the sense of the creative end there is not much scope under the present system.
I listened to most of the contributions. I was very impressed, as indeed I always am, by Senator Bulbulia's contribution. In a sense she was less than generous to Fianna Fáil when she said that the party are now facing reality with more or less the zeal of the convert. As I said, there is no point in looking backwards, but I think there was considerable zeal with the Coalition Government in terms of the difficulties we have had. This was underlined right along, but at the end of the term the national debt had doubled from £12 billion to £24 billion. People realise that steps must be taken at this late stage to redress this imbalance. There are very few who would think otherwise. I think that the country is with the Government in what they are doing and what they are trying to do. The Government have taken a very courageous stand. As has been said on so many occasions by members of the Government, there was no alternative but to take that stand. The Government did make certain promises and it is disappointing for many people that it could not fulfil those promises. As I said, the seriousness of the situation was underlined by the previous Government and no party and no Government would want to take unpopular decisions or do unpopular things if it were not necessary to do them. The fact is that it is necessary. As some people have said, perhaps this is our last opportunity to pull the country back from the edge of the precipice. It was necessary to take those decisions and the Government have taken those unpopular decisions.
Some of those decisions which come to my mind, being a member of a local authority, as most of the other Members are, are with regard to the refuse charges and the charges for water supply. There are many people who are hurt by those charges. There are many people who expected that they would be reduced or perhaps eliminated. But the situation is that the finances are in such a state that at this time that we cannot afford that luxury. I feel from my work with the local authority that the people in general would be quite prepared to agree to bring back the rates as we had them before they were abolished. When the rates were abolished in 1977 all parties were in broad agreement with that decision. In part at least the decision was based on the inequity with regard to the rates. Perhaps two householders were living in identical houses side by side, one party might be elderly, the other might be a married couple with sons and daughters working and they both had to pay the same rates. There was provision for some adjustment but I think it was minimal. By and large, it was the inequity of the system that led to the decision to abolish the rates. The car tax has been brought back. I do not see any reason why the rates system could not be brought back, legalised in whatever way it would have to be, and made equitable. Many people would feel that the rates system at this time would be far more acceptable than the service charges.
There are many people who are pessimistic about the situation. I spoke to one individual who told me there are two things that will never happen as far as the country is concerned. We will never be in a position to repay the national debt, and the Irish language as a spoken language is doomed to extinction. I hope that both of those statements will be proved wrong in time. I know it will be difficult. With regard to the Irish language, it is unfortunate that we have come to this situation. I spoke in the House on many occasions before concerning circumstances that could be averted and circumstances that could be created to restore the national language. With regard to repayment of the national debt, I know it will be difficult, but through time, and with the efforts of a determined Government, I have no doubt that we will achieve this as well.
We have a very high dependency rate in this country. This has been mentioned by many speakers. Therefore, employment is a priority. The Minister dealt with this in some detail in his introductory speech. The taxes are too high, with all the consequent problems that arise from that. This can only be remedied by spreading the tax base, by creating employment. On previous occasions when we discussed the Finance Bill I gave my ideas as to how this could be done. I am sure the Minister would also welcome new ideas. There is no need for me to repeat mine. Perhaps a competition should be held for new ideas, because in my experience it is not always those who are supposed to be the most intelligent or clever who come up with ideas and solutions. Those who might be the last to be considered could possibly make some suggestions which could lead to a solution or help in achieving that solution.
Those of us who pass by the Passport Office daily realise the number of people queing on both sides of the office. I heard the Minister of State, Deputy Calleary, saying last night, when concluding the debate on the motion, that most of these people are going on holidays. I accept this; but, unfortunately, I think many of them would be looking for employment in foreign lands as well.
We have the situation which has been highlighted before, that is, that many people are better off in part-time employment. I gave an example in my own town, where two factories are side by side: one factory was on part time and the workers in the other factory would be better off on part time also. That is sad and it should not arise.
The black economy has been referred to by Senator Daly and other Members. I am not sure if the problem is increasing or decreasing, but there is a problem there. We should be seeking to provide productive employment. There should be some provision in the system for incidental work, occasional work, part time work. The system with regard to unemployment benefits is far too rigid. For example, people who are drawing unemployment benefit break their claim if they go on to work for a period. This leads to abuse of the system. This should be eliminated. Provision should be made for this in such a way that it would be to the benefit of the person drawing unemployment benefit.
I have spoken in this House of the system where the card was stamped. Since then we have a system that is computerised. The old card system in some sense is out of date but it was a very good system. It would be very easy to reintroduce it in such a way that it could be used in conjunction with the computerisation. Where we have employers taking on workers who are drawing unemployment benefit, there should be a heavy fine on the employers. If it were mandatory on employers to stamp a card for a worker, whether he was working for one day in the week or for a full week, or for a long period, this would in a very short time eliminate most of the abuse.
I am surprised that some system of this kind has not been introduced already. If a man is working at a certain wage and opts to leave that employment and draw unemployment benefit, he can work for less. He has a free medical card and he has less rent to pay, if he is living in a local authority house. Most of the money in the long term goes back to the Government, but the system does not help. The system is set up in such a way that it encourages people working part time not to break their claim. There are people who have no desire to be involved in the. black economy, who have no desire to defraud. But, in the case of a man with a wife and family, he has to support that family and the important thing is to get the wherewithal to do it. In that area in many instances the system is to be blamed rather than the individual.
With regard to agriculture, I welcome the decision on farm tax. That is not to say that I cannot see or did not see many sound reasons why the £10 per adjusted acre was a better solution. Agriculture being so important to this country, where a farmer works hard and is at the mercy of the weather, in many instances it should be possible for that individual to make as much money as possible. The £10 per adjusted acre did just that. The question of equity was raised. I know a decision was taken at Cabinet level — and I agreed with the decision — that a person should pay in relation to his or her earnings. At the same time, the £10 per adjusted acre had so many benefits.
The point was made that perhaps a person working on land would not make sufficient money to pay £10 per adjusted acre. Broadly speaking, the £10 could be regarded as a rate or a rent. In many cases farms are used as collateral and not, as any business should be, to make profits. While the people involved are quite content with this situation from the point of view of the country we should be endeavouring to make the best possible use of our land, to make it as profitable as possible. People who are living on farms and not working the land properly should be discouraged. For so many of those reasons the tax per adjusted acre had advantages. The farmers did not want this tax. I attended a meeting organised by the IFA in Navan to which the farmers invited all the public representatives in order to make representations to ensure that the tax would not be introduced. I welcome the decision that was made but there were considerations on the other side also.
In the last few years many enterprising farmers have gone to the wall. I have spoken before about farmers in my county who bought land at a very high price, and were encouraged to buy it by the banks and by the agricultural advisers but who had to sell that land back at less than half the price they paid for it. This should not have happened. Unfortunately, it was the enterprising farmers who went to the wall and suffered. Those who lay back and did nothing but ambled along did not lose out. It is unfortunate in any business when we lose the most enterprising people. I hope in any discussion on agriculture that regard will be had to the farm labourer and the way in which agriculture depends on the farm labourer and perhaps in talking about shares in companies something of this nature could be considered in relation to farming.
Tourism has been mentioned by nearly all the previous speakers and it is important to this country. There are many matters to be considered in relation to tourism. For example, our county roads were in a very bad state. There has been a considerable increase in the amount of money provided to maintain these roads and there has been a noticeable improvement in them. Our main roads also need attention and I have spoken on several occasions here before about the main road that I travel every morning, between Clonee and Blanchardstown. It must be the worst main road in the country. The main road from Donegal, through Cavan and Navan and into County Dublin is very good but from Clonee to Dublin, a distance of about three miles, the road is very bad. It is a bottleneck that should never have been allowed. While I recognise that the county roads and the main roads throughout the country need to be brought up to a proper standard the main roads around this city should be maintained. If a motorist or haulier gets behind a tractor on the road I am speaking about he cannot pass out for three miles and there is no grass margin on either side. I was assured last year that this road would be attended to but nothing has been done in the meantime.
There has been considerable improvement of the main roads. The ring road in my own county is almost completed in Navan, which is very satisfactory. There is a similar proposal for the town of Kells but, unfortunately, I think it will be a long time before that is completed. One of the problems that arises in the development of ring roads and other areas of main roads is that the rear areas of buildings are exposed and in most cases these sights are not pleasant. This will not help our tourism. In regard to our roads, many of the holes dug by workers to repair gas mains or to investigate leaks in gas mains have been very badly restored. I cannot understand why a more expert job is not done on the road I traverse every morning. Again, I believe this is interfering with our tourism industry.
Fishing and angling are very important components of the tourism industry and I judge the success of tourism in any year by simply counting the number of cars that travel to the lakes in north Meath and Cavan each morning with fishing gear on the roof racks. For a few years this had virtually ceased but I am glad to say that there has been a very noticeable improvement. This area should be looked after because it has been neglected to an extent.
I have spoken before about the problems in regard to housing and the amenity aspect and I will not repeat myself. In relation to roadworks, there is very little sensitivity in many areas with regard to existing contours, in the choice of materials used in the building of fences and walls and the planting of indigenous shrubs and this area should be looked at. I spoke before about the problems with regard to the Boyne drainage scheme and I was critical of some aspects of that scheme. I was always under the impression that very few people read the Seanad reports or listened to what I had to say but I got letters from one person who was seriously concerned about the Boyne scheme. He was concerned about the nature of the work and the damage it would do to the environment and I agree wholeheartedly with him. The Boyne and other rivers that have been improved are like canals and the spawning beds have been interfered with more than was necessary. This is unfortunate. Subsequent to the drainage scheme there was the improvement of land scheme which was inevitable and, by and large, a farmer who has bad land would have as a very high priority the improvement of his land.
There were many reports in relation to areas of land that are unfit for cultivation or agricultural purposes but these are very important with regard to fauna and flora collections and the wildlife preserved there. There are other areas in the world where they are paying fortunes to create those conditions we are trying to eliminate. An examination should be made to see if it would be possible to compensate the farmers and to use those areas of land for leisure and study purposes; I think this is possible. When we have the problem of disposing of the food mountains being produced I think there is a dire need at present to investigate this matter.
We also have a problem with the pollution of lakes and rivers. Many farmers are very concerned about this situation and do their best but nevertheless find themselves causing the pollution and perhaps can be fined for the danger that might arise from whatever action they take, although it might not directly cause the pollution. This is an unfortunate situation. In the Blackwater and in the Boyne rivers whole areas of the rivers have been denuded of fish life, which takes a long time to restore. Something positive will have to be done about this. Poaching has been a big problem here. Fish abound in small rivers in my area and give fishermen and anglers much enjoyment and it is a sad situation when one uncaring individual can remove all the fish. The fishery inspectors do a very good job but it is impossible for one inspector to cover an extensive area which is practically half the size of a county.
The previous Government promised to deal with the problem of derelict sites which can affect tourism, Bord Fáilte have done a very good job with regard to the Tidy Towns competition. There is scope for more improvement. Derelict sites in towns create a problem. I believe the previous Government intended to introduce legislation to deal with that problem and I hope it will be introduced in the near future.
There are many factors which can make an important contribution to tourism. First, there is our culture, our Gaelic games, We do not appreciate how much they do for us. In my younger days we had aeríochta and feiseanna around the country on Sundays but unfortunately these seem to be things of the past. Most of us have seen the ceremonies at Buckingham Palace, the changing of the guard, which is really a ceremonial occasion. I am sure we could introduce something of this nature into Ireland and I am also sure it would have its attractions and benefits.
The horse plays a great part in the changing of the guard at Buckingham Palace. As the horse plays such a major part in the Irish scene I think there is a good case to be made for introducing the horse into our ceremonies. Perhaps some people would say that it would be empty and shallow; I do not think so. Ceremonies have an important part to play and they do generate enthusiasm. The Army could make a contribution in this regard. I believe, as I said before, that one year's compulsory service in the Army would be a great benefit and would introduce discipline into the lives of young people before they move on to third level education. It would also benefit school leavers greatly. Anyone who has first-hand knowledge of the Army through the FCA realises the splendid characters there are in our national Army.
Guesthouses have played an important role in the tourism industry; they could play a greater role. There seems to be an abundance of guesthouses in some areas and a lack in other areas, including my constituency where there is room for more guesthouses which would be to our advantage. I do not know the position of grants for hotels; they were suspended for some time. First-class hotels should be a priority. Most of our hotels are first-class. Grants should be made available for hotels and if they are not available at present, they should be re-introduced.
Afforestation has great attractions for Ireland from the point of view of tourism and commerce. I make a plea again for out native species in the planting of forests. National monuments could also play an important role, perhaps more than they are playing at present. The 1986 Bill regarding national monuments which has gone through the Seanad will help with the preservation of national monuments and ensure that they will play a greater role.
I am particularly concerned about housing. During the term of the Coalition Government I was critical and emphasised many times that building construction was at a low ebb. In my lifetime I had never seen the industry in such a crisis. Unfortunately, the housing and construction industry generally is in a very bad state. The number of house starts must be the lowest for a long time. I think we have lost out in Ireland with regard to planning; I do not know why. It would seem that by reason of the 1963 Planning and Development Act we would have sufficient means of controlling planning throughout the last quarter of a century. This does not appear to be the case. We have made many mistakes and we now have an opportunity of dealing with our planning legislation and bringing in whatever amendments are necessary to our existing legislation.
Coolattin woods is an example of cases where compensation may be payable by the State if refusal is given for the felling of timber. That is unfortunate. During this lull, which I hope will be a short one, we have an opportunity to look at our planning legislation and to do whatever is necessary, bearing in mind the mistakes that have been made and the inadequacies in our planning laws during the last period.
All over the country we have unfinished housing schemes. There are many people trying to sell houses in unfinished housing schemes and the houses can scarcely be given away. This is unfortunate. In many areas, the contractor cannot be compelled to complete the scheme due to some legal provisions. In some cases, for example, a contractor may only be liable to look after the estate and restore the roads on completion of a housing scheme. What could happen in that situation is that a contractor would leave one house unbuilt and not finish the scheme and therefore he would not be responsible. All those loopholes should be looked at and closed.
The grant system is fairly restricted now with regard to housing. The previous schemes proved beneficial to very many people. I have spoken on many occasions in this House in praise of those schemes. Finally, the situation became very chaotic and not alone was it impossible to get information from the Department of the Environment but indeed in many cases it was only possible to get one planning application at different times. It was a major problem. Nevertheless much good was done by the schemes now abolished. In some areas, they created problems of their own but by and large they benefited many people and I hope in the not-too-distant future the schemes will be reintroduced, perhaps on a selective basis.
The old scheme for house improvement did not have an income qualification and this might be considered in the introduction of a new scheme. What should not be curtailed in any respect is the disabled person's grant. I read in the newspapers that there is a problem in certain areas and I know from first-hand knowledge that the disabled person's grant has helped very many people. Indeed, it could have been used on a more widespread scale if more people had been conscious of their entitlements. In the Dublin area people who availed of the disabled person's grant got help with regard to planning by the local authority. It should have been possible for local authorities generally to consider providing simple plans to help those people who qualified to provide extensions where plans were required. In providing adequate resources for the disabled persons' grants the Minister might be able to look at the situation and see if it would be possible to provide design services or plans or, if that is not possible, some kind of advice from officials from the local authority for people who qualify.
The local authorities have provided sites in some areas, my own included, for people building houses and these worked out very costly. The sites are not left with the local authorities because if there are not sufficient applicants for the sites, the authorities simply use them for their own housing. When an attempt has been made to provide sites at a reasonable charge for suitable applicants it is unfortunate when it transpires that these sites turn out to be too costly for such applicants. This should be looked at and a bigger grant provided to help qualified people to purchase these sites because we are not talking about very large numbers.
In regard to costs, people have to register their sites now with the Land Registry. I want to pay tribute to the improvement in the Land Registry office situation where there is not now such a long delay but the condition of providing original maps for registration should be looked at again. An ordnance survey sheet at present costs about £33. In the past, applications for registration provided unsuitable maps, but photostat copies of the original maps should be accepted. I do not see any reason why, if we have facsimile copies of the Land Registry map, or the portion of the Land Registry map required, that these should not be accepted. In a sense, it is providing more revenue for the Ordnance Survey Office, but I do not know if this is desirable. It certainly is not necessary and the Minister should look at this and decide that where a proper photostat copy of the Land Registry map is submitted that this is acceptable.
Senator Daly spoke about the motor business in great detail. He has covered this area to such an extent that there is no point in repeating what he has said. I could not say it in such eloquent terms but it is worthwhile emphasising that we have the highest rate of purchase tax on cars in Europe. This creates a very serious situation. It also applies to other vehicles; trailers have been taken illegally into the South from a jurisdiction in the northeastern part of our country. Many of the culprits have been apprehended. It is unfortunate that our taxes are so high in every area of the motor business.
Senator Daly also spoke in some detail about the problem in Northern Ireland. Those of us who were in that area during the recent Seanad election were appalled at the derelict filling stations on this side of the Border. I hope the changes that have been made, and to which Senator Daly referred, will redress that situation.
All of us have an opportunity to realise what the problem is. I can get printing paper at £1 a roll less when it is manufactured abroad. I can get other rolls at £5 and £6 less and the only factor in favour of the Irish manufacturer is that it is patriotic to buy Irish and it provides employment, something which we all appreciate. It is fine to talk about these things when they do not relate to one personally but when they relate individually to somebody we can see other angles to the problem.
I referred already to the service charges raised by local authorities. Indeed, this raising of money by local authorities is a big problem and one which local authorities must face up to. I believe local authorities should have and will have a more central role. The people should have a more central role. I referred before in the House to areas where this is possible, for example, in regard to planning and in regard to housing schemes. In Sweden, before a housing scheme is finalised on the drawing board, the individuals who are involved, the people who will live there and the people of the locality, are called in. They discuss the proposals and make their own input. These are taken into consideration when plans are prepared. This does not happen in this country and it is a mistake. The people would be capable of making a great input and we would have less vandalism and fewer problems with our housing schemes if this happened.
I mentioned before the disappointment with regard to oil exploration. We should continue with exploration in all areas and, hopefully, something better will result. The health cuts are a central issue. I have nothing new to say on them but I feel that in an area where so much money was being spent it is important to make the cuts. I feel the greatest sympathy for the medical profession, for nurses and doctors who have done so much in this area. Everybody is concerned and feels the same way for them. Nurses have done a wonderful job. They have worked long, hard hours. They have a very difficult, arduous task. I know of many instances in my area where nurses have been working part-time or have been working in a temporary capacity to pay the bills or to send children to university. I can understand the disruption and the trauma. I hope it will be a short-term situation and that there will be an improvement in the not too distant future.
With regard to voluntary health insurance, I welcome the Minister's assurance that some scheme will be introduced for people who do not qualify for a medical card and yet have an income that is not sufficient to pay for the existing voluntary health insurance scheme. Something should be done as a priority to help those people.
With regard to a few matters raised by the Minister, he told us that when the Government took over the reins of control last March they inherited huge economic and financial problems. The country appreciates this and everybody realises it. All the indications are that the steps that are being taken are paying dividends. The interest rate is falling and, hopefully, the situation will be redressed before very long.
We have to change direction. The Minister told us that this is acceptable even if it involves sacrifices in the short-term. I hope this is the short term. If people see light at the end of the tunnel they will be quite agreeable to whatever the cutbacks are in the early stages. The focus of attention has been the cutbacks in the public service. The Minister assured us that this downward trend in the interest rate will continue. This is very encouraging.
Financial discipline on its own is not sufficient. At the same time we have to give a major impetus to the economy. This is being done. This will also contribute to solving the problem. The Government have already demonstrated firmly their commitment to good management of the public finances despite the unpopular consequences. This will bring us due reward in improved economic performance. I have made it clear that I feel everybody is in agreement that these steps should be taken. I know members of the public who have not supported Fianna Fáil in the past and have stated that because Fianna Fáil have taken this stance they will be supporting them in the future.
