It is proposed to take Items Nos. 1, 2, 3 and 4 today.
Order of Business.
In view of the very obvious agreement on all sides of the House last week on the need for meaningful reform of the House of the Oireachtas — and we cannot go much further than that — will the Leader of the House give us an assurance that this will be a priority with him in the coming session? Secondly, will he give us some indication as to when the House will resume for the next session after Christmas?
On a different note, on behalf of my colleagues, I convey our congratulations to Senator Haughey on his engagement announced today. As someone who has some experience in these matters, I would like on my own behalf and that of the party, to wish him every happiness.
On the Order of Business, I note Senator O'Toole has absolved himself from the category of reject in a letter to The Irish Times yesterday and I wonder if he would extend that same absolution to the other 59 Members of the House so we will know where we stand before the session comes to an end.
We are totally in agreement with the spirit of Item No. 1 as it is a very sensible arrangement but we are worried about the problems in county councils at the moment. It is quite serious as some of them could be dissolved. Three of our Members would like to talk but we do not want to break up the half-hour limit. I ask the Leader of the House if it would be possible to break that half-hour up into three ten minute periods. We would ensure that it would not go beyond the half-hour limit. Did the Leader of the House list five items?
Four items.
Is the Video Recordings Bill urgent? It might be better if people spoke for ten minutes rather than 30 minutes, even if it meant considering dropping the Video Recordings Bill until after the Christmas period.
I do not wish to challenge the Order of Business but since the other House is not sitting it is appropriate that the Seanad should note with concern the disastrous situation obtaining along the south coast as a result of last weekend's flooding. I am calling on the Minister for the Environment to address the problem as a matter of urgency.
In the light of the fact that there are still very long waiting lists for hospital admissions for hip operations, cataract operations, dental, treatment, etc., when does the Leader of the House propose to have a comprehensive debate on the health services and specifically on the recently published report of the Commission on the Health Services so that we can ensure there is an adequate delivery of health services to our people?
Will the Leader of the House be able to give us an update on the question of the translation services which Senator Ó Foighil has repeatedly brought before the House? If not, will he tell us if it is the intention of the Government to proscribe the Irish language and to introduce legislation outlawing its use and providing for the seizure of printing presses using the Irish language, because this appears to be the only alternative way of encouraging people to learn the language?
I would like to join in the congratulations to Senator Haughey although I am less experienced in this matter than Senator Manning appears to be. I have been told it is a very happy state and I am sure we all congratulate him.
I am not seeking a change in the Order of Business but I would like between now and the opening of the new session if the Leader of the House would take Item No. 15, the Irish Nationality and Citizenship (Amendment) Bill to the Government to see what their response would be because it was framed in response to a specific difficulty of an Irish citizen who is a constituent of mine and I would be very grateful for advice as to how best to proceed.
As one of the New Year resolutions of the Leader of the House to show his commitment to reform I would like to ask him to take Item No. 24 which states:
That Seanad Éireann welcomes the conferring of University status on the Universities of Limerick and Dublin City University and calls on the Government to extend Seanad voting rights to the graduates of the new Universities
in the light of the new wave and spirit of reform running through the House.
We did discuss two items and agreed that on Item No. 3 we would have 15 minutes of contribution from each group. If the groups want to break that up into five minutes each it does not make any difference but each group would have 15 minutes. On Item No. 1, it was agreed last week that we would introduce that item. So that there would be a full debate we agreed we would give each of the groups a chance to have a 30-minute intervention in the debate on that Bill this week and that we would have adequate time when we come back after Christmas. Item No. 5 states:
That Seanad Éireann notes the supply services and purposes to which sums have been appropriated in the Appropriation Bill, 1989.
On that day or days we could also discuss the Estimates. It would be a more appropriate time to do that rather than go along the lines suggested today by Senator Harte.
Senator O'Reilly asked a question about the health services. It is up to him or his group to put down a motion in that regard.
Senator Murphy mentioned that there is grave concern about the flooding around the coast. This is a matter of deep concern to everybody in the House, particularly those who are living in the east, south-east and south-west areas. It is a matter that could be taken under Standing Order 29. Apart from that, however, I do not see that it could be taken today. As the Senator knows, the Government are making every possible effort to alleviate the problems associated with that matter and there are insurance and governmental implications all along the line. Ministers are meeting at local level with representatives of farming and fisheries, with the general public and with tourism interests.
With regard to translation service which was raised by Senator Norris, we will continue to press that it be introduced into this House as early as possible. The Government have given every indication that Members will get whatever services are needed to run their own business in the House. Secretarial services to a reasonable standard will also be provided. I am certain that the translation service will be included in that revision.
It is not intended that we take Item No. 15 today. I will speak to Senator Norris about that again.
Senator Jackman mentioned Item No. 23. We had a major debate on the setting up of the universities in the House. As far as the extension of Seanad voting rights to graduates is concerned, if the Fine Gael group want to put that down as a Private Members' motion there is nothing to stop them.
The Video Recordings Bill is before us today and we are taking Report Stage. Even though it might seem to be an innocuous Bill to certain people it needs to be put in place. Because of the concern of everybody who spoke on the Bill about the type of material that is going into homes around this country due to lack of legislation in this area, it is essential that we take that matter today. We will be meeting early in January and we will discuss the Appropriation Bill, the Bord Glas Bill, continuation of the Maritime Institute Bill and the completion of the Derelict Sites Bill.
Is there a proposal from the Leader of the House on the question of restricting the debate on the Ombudsman? That did not arise on the presentation of the Order of Business.
There is a proposal I discussed with various people beforehand and it was generally accepted that 15 minutes from each group would be enough. However, if Senators want to break it up into five three minute contributions or three five minute contributions. I do not think it matters.
With regard to another question raised, I do not want to set a specific time limit because we have the Report Stage of the Video Recordings Bill and I do not think it would be appropriate to set a time limit.
Order of Business agreed to.