It is proposed to take Committee Stage of the Environmental Protection Agency Bill until 4 p.m. There will be a sos between 1 p.m. and 2 p.m.; from 4 p.m. until 6 p.m. it is intended to conclude all Stages of the Radiological Protection Bill.
Order of Business.
Is it proposed to conclude all Stages of the Radiological Protection Bill, even if it has not come to a normal end at that time?
Yes, that is the intention.
Could I ask the Leader of the House to be a bit more flexible on that? In principle I would not like to see an allocation of time.
There will be an element of flexibility.
May I also refer to item 38 on the supplementary Order Paper, which is the commitment given by the Government in the Programme for Government that there would be detailed proposals for reform of the Oireachtas brought before both Houses before the end of 1989? Could the Leader of the House find out for us, if he does not already know, if there are such detailed proposals? If they exist, what shape are they in? When may we expect to see them in this House, if at all?
I would like to raise again the question of the introduction of the Education Bills, and also the question of a debate on education, which the Leader assured me he would raise with the Minister with a view to determining a date for such a debate. On the question of the reform of the Seanad we, on these depleted Independent benches, are very keen to extend the Seanad franchise to people outside local authorities and university graduates. We would like to raise the issue of a debate on reform of the Seanad. It could be taken with the constitutional Oireachtas reform question raised by Senator Manning. We are open to all sorts of criticism at the moment in that we do not have enough people involved in the election of representatives to the second Chamber.
In the light of what happened last week, it would be appropriate at some stage to consider the state of industrial relations in Ireland. Between the Dáil and the Seanad we had 226 experts on industrial relations running riot last week. In calmer times, now is the time to address the structures and the problems in general. This is not having a cut at Government or anyone else. It is just simply assessing and addressing the question of industrial relations in Ireland.
Has the Leader of the House any information for us on the present status of the proposed foreign affairs committee? Can he confirm for us that Members of this House will be members of it? Have there been any developments, in view of the Taoiseach's reply yesterday, in regard to the possibility of this committee being established during this session?
Senator Upton took the words out of my mouth. I was thinking of what the Leader said yesterday in reply to a similar question from me in which he said he was hopeful that there would be appropriate Seanad representation on such a committee. That does not sound to me to be terribly positive. Since the Leader is the only channel between the House and the Government, has he been making active representations on our behalf that there should be appropriate Seanad representation and that it should be a joint committee?
I would like to ask the Leader of the House if he would allow time for a debate on the report from the Law Reform Commission published this morning on the confiscation of property of racketeers and drug barons, on combating the laundering of the proceeds of crime, and the compensation of victims of crime by those convicted? The report is very important and vindicates Fine Gael policy.
You are asking a question.
Ba mhaith liom i dtús baire comhghairdeas a dhéanamh leis an Seanadóir Ó Foighil os rud é gur tháinig sé slán sábháilte as an pothole mór sin in ar thit sé le linn na deireadh seachtaine. Is cosúil go bhfuil na poill úd an-dáinséarach i gConamara má tá gá le ceathrar fear chun carr a tharraingt amach as ceann acu.
It is not relevant to the Order of Business.
His survival is relevant to all of us.
You can take it up again next week.
Could I ask the Leader to confirm what I think Senator Finneran said, that the Local Government Reform Bill is definitely going to be introduced in this House? I think Senator Finneran said that last night.
It is the Leader of the House that you address.
I am asking the Leader simply to confirm what I think one of his colleagues said. I do not think that is an unreasonable question.
I would not like to be misquoted. I did not say that it would be initiated in this House.
You have it from the horse's mouth now.
I would not use that phrase about Senator Finneran.
It is evidence of his power and strength.
(Interruptions.)
You should know.
Like yourself, Senator Honan.
Many I ask about the debate on the prison system and on law and order and related issues, which was promised? The Leader cast some doubt on it but I will go and dig up the records if I have to. It was mentioned before Christmas. At this stage it will be a question of whether it is debated before next Christmas.
As has been said, the Progressive Democrats would be very keen to have a debate on Oireachtas reform. We were anxious to see it in the Programme for Government and anxious to see it come to the top of the list. Would the Leader of the House support the move to have a discussion on that whole area. With regard to the foreign affairs committee, we are more than just hopeful. We believe that Senators have a right to be on this committee. I ask the Leader of the House to impress on the Taoiseach that this is the feeling of all the Senators.
I am glad to hear Senator O'Toole speaking on the reform of the Oireachtas and on the number of votes to elect people here. When he takes over the secretaryship of his association he will have in mind a bigger vote. As a former member of the Committee of Procedure and Privileges — until I was moved off that, as well — I suggest that the Cathaoirleach, as chairman of that committee, Senator Manning, Senator O'Toole and the Leader of the House, who are all members of the committee should get together and prepare a White Paper in place on how this House should be reformed. Then we could discuss it.
I am glad to hear Senator Cullen talking about reform. It is a relief to me that he is not getting rid of us that he only wants reform now. I urge the Cathaoirleach and the Leader to think about what I have said. There is mention of White Papers, Green Papers and so on. Let us prepare one paper on reform of the Seanad. I have no trouble with a closed shop. I do not think the Seanad election was ever a closed shop. It has always been tough to get in here. If we compiled this White Paper ourselves, maybe somebody would take notice elsewhere. I have confidence the Cathaoirleach will do it.
Thank you, Senator Honan, for your vote of confidence.
I support what Senator Honan has said. I chaired an ad hoc Committee on Foreign Affairs in 1981-82 but it was mainly composed of a number of Senators briefing ourselves, speaking with ambassadors or VIPS who happened to come through. They were all outside the House. Nevertheless, there is a useful idea there. Since 1981 we have introduced quite a number of reforms. When are we going to put some of them into practice? Yesterday morning I mentioned that we might consider inviting the Commissioner for Agriculture or one of the experts we have on development aid. I mentioned his Lordship Dr. Casey, from Galway, or Father Finucane, who might address the House. We have that provision on the rules of the House. Why do we not use some of the reforms that we introduced ten years ago?
Senator Manning asked about the Radiological Protection Bill. Indeed, I would like to thank the Opposition for their help on that. It is important as we are the last country to arrange procedures so that the Convention can be completed and from that point of view it is urgent. If the debate is not completed at 6 o'clock there will be an element of flexibility. The Senator also asked me to investigate the present state of play in regard to reform of the Oireachtas. I will do that and keep him briefed as much as I can on that matter.
Senator O'Toole asked about a debate on education. My hope was that we would have it next week. I have been in touch with the Minister's office but, unfortunately, she will not be available next week. In the week following that, I had indicated to Senator Costello, Senator Harte and Senator Ryan that we would have the debate on prisons. That is still planned for that week. If we feel we should have a debate on education that week, we will have it and we can put back the prisons debate.
There is no rush.
Senator O'Toole asked about a debate on the reform of the Seanad. I have no proposal for that. It is obviously something we can discuss. The Committee on Procedure and Privileges have discussed it from time to time and should continue to discuss it on and off. Senator O'Toole also referred to the industrial dispute of last week. We are all very pleased that problem is now resolved and, hopefully, it is the last we will see of that type of dispute. I have no proposal for a debate on that matter at this time.
Senator Upton referred to the foreign affairs debate, as did Senator Murphy. I said that the information given to me was that this committee would be set up during this session. Senator Murphy asked what representations, if any, I have made in regard to representation from the Seanad and he made the point that I said I was hopeful. That still is the position. I cannot say categorically that there will be representation from the Seanad. I have expressed the wish on a number of occasions that there would be Seanad representation and all I can say is that I am hopeful that is the position.
Senator Neville asked about a debate on the programme that was recently announced on law reform. I understand the Minister indicated he was bringing forward legislation on that matter. Senator Brendan Ryan referred to the Local Government Reform Bill and he commented on what Senator Finneran said. Senator Finneran replied. I can say the publishing of that Bill is imminent. He also asked about the debate on the prisons system. I have arranged for such a debate either on the 15th or 16th of this month. In fairness to Senator Brendan Ryan, I did not promise a debate before Christmas — before Easter, yes. I really hoped to have it before Easter.
Senator Cullen referred again to Oireachtas reform. Senator Honan's comments have been noted, as have the comments of Senator McDonald.
Order of Business agreed to.