Order of Business.

Mr. Wright

Before I give the Order of Business I would like to express condolence from this side of the House to Senator Howard on the death of his wife, to Senator Hussey on the death of his brother and to Senator McCarthy on the death of his father.

It is intended today to take Items Nos. 1 and 2, the latter being Second Stage of the Patents Bill, depending on the agreement of the House as to what way that might be dealt with, and to take Item No. 3, the Milk (Regulation of Supply) Bill, Second Stage (Resumed) which stage we hope to conclude.

Mr. Manning

First, I would like to be associated with the expression of sympathy.

I was not aware that Item No. 1 was being taken today. Perhaps the Acting Leader could explain to us the way in which the Limerick Markets Bill will be taken. Secondly, may I ask the Acting Leader to ensure that, in relation to the programme of reforms which was agreed to by the Committee on Procedure and Privileges over the Christmas recess and which I think had the agreement of all groups in the House, that there will be no delay in having the reforms implemented. That would greatly assist in improving the way in which the House does its business. I know he is totally committed to them, but I would like him to give a timescale for that.

Thirdly, will the Acting Leader remind his constituency colleague, the Minister for Justice, of the commitment he made in this House some time ago that the judgment of the European Court of Human Rights against the Irish Government would be reflected in legislation in the very near future. I would like to remind him of that solemn commitment which was made here.

Mr. McDonald

May I take this opportunity to wish you, Sir, every success in your new role and to assure you of my personal support and co-operation during you term of office.

I should like to ask the Acting Leader of the House if he has decided on a date to take Item No. 8, that is the discussion of the report of the new Industrial Policy Review Group. I live in Abbeyleix, where it was announced this week that Manchester Tools, half of the industrial facility in the town, was closing. It came as a very severe blow and I would like an early opportunity to discuss this, because last year the Government closed two post primary schools. It leaves——

An Cathaoirleach

I know Senator McDonald will not mind me intervening, but if at all possible we should try to raise matters which are relevant to the Order of Business and not have subsequent follow-on speeches.

Mr. McDonald

I quite agree, but perhaps the Acting Leader might indicate when we can have an early discussion on this matter. It is very important especially since one of the major problems in the country is unemployment and we seem to be losing more jobs than we are gaining.

Mr. Norris

I would like to support what Senator Manning said about urging the Acting Leader to come to the House with some specific information about the Government's response, which is long delayed, to the judgment of the European Court of Human Rights. In fact, I signalled to the Whips that I would be proposing an amendment to the Order of Business that we take Item No. 40 on the Supplementary Order Paper, which is the item in my name and that of Senator Ross dealing with this matter. I am happy formally to propose that amendment to the Order of Business, but because I understand there are other attractions — not in this Chamber — in the nature of a farewell party, I will not push it to a vote on this occasion. However, I will continue the pressure which I think is appropriate until we get some further information on that matter.

I would like also to ask for a debate on Northern Ireland. For the past eight months I and many other people have been asking for such a debate. There is a motion in my name and that of Senator Murphy supporting the Government in taking whatever measures are necessary to prevent the Provisional IRA provoking a sectarian civil war in the North of Ireland and I am sure that many people would like——

An Cathaoirleach

I ask the Senator to refrain from making a speech. I would prefer if he would put a question specifically to the Acting Leader of the House.

Mr. Norris

Fine. I will just leave the question there, because I think people would like the opportunity to comment on remarks, of, for example, Mr. Gillis, and Minister O'Kennedy recently which are very topical indeed.

Finally, I welcome the fact that you have selected as the matter on the adjournment my colleague's motion on the RTE dispute because I think that perhaps renders redundant Motion 46 in the names of the Independent Senators calling on the Government to intervene to encourage a speedy resolution of the RTE dispute. I am happy that matter will be taken on the Adjournment.

Dr. Upton

I wish to join in the expression of condolence to the Senators who have been bereaved, Senator McCarthy, Senator Hussey and Senator Howard.

I would also like to express my concern about the serious industrial relations difficulties which are ongoing in RTE. It is necessary that every effort should now be made to try to reach a solution. It is a pity that politicians of many parties have found it necessary to protest at the fact that they were covered on RTE last night, apparently against their will. Certainly in the case of my colleague, Senator Costello, he has found it necessary to write to the Director General of RTE protesting at the way in which he was treated last evening.

An Cathaoirleach

It is not a matter for the Chair. It is a matter for RTE.

Dr. Upton

Thank you, a Chathaoirligh. I think I have made my point.

Mr. Staunton

I would like to join with the Acting Leader of the House in the expression of sympathy to the three bereaved Senators.

I would like to ask the Acting Leader of the House if he could make arrangements for an urgent debate about one of the most pertinent issues affecting this country at the present time, that is, the broadcasting strike in RTE. It is symptomatic of the problems this country is having in recent months that at the end of the day there is not a national television service to even tell us about these contemporary events. That is quite outrageous and the matter should be resolved. May I point out to the Acting Leader that Motion No. 46 on the Order Paper, in the names of Senators Norris, Murphy, O'Toole and Hederman, requests the Government to intervene immediately to encourage a speedy resolution of the RTE dispute and I ask the Acting Leader to arrange a debate on this very pertinent, important issue. It seems to some of us that the Government are not politically concerned about resolving the dispute in question.

An Cathaoirleach

It is on the Adjournment.

Mrs. Jackman

Knowing the Cathaoirleach's commitment to Seanad reform I would again like to raise with the Acting Leader the possibility of the extension of Seanad voting rights to the University of Limerick, Dublin City University and the other appropriate third level institutions and to ask if any advances have been made in relation to that.

Mr. B. Ryan

I formally second my colleague's proposed amendment to the Order of Business and say that, regretfully, on a quick look through the Government's list of Bills expected to be published this session. I can find no reference to the promised legislation reforming the law in response to the decision of the European Court of Human Rights, which suggests that it is not going to be published this side of Easter. This suggests a lack of reforming zeal. Therefore, there is a considerable case to be made for Senator Norris's amendment.

As a member of the Independent group I would like to be associated with the expression of sympathy. There is something particularly touching about three Members of this House being bereaved within a short period of time and our group would like to be associated with the expresssion of sympathy.

Professor Murphy

I would like to express my satisfaction that the RTE matter is going to be dealt with on the Adjournment. It is an outrageous irresponsibility on the part of the national broadcasting service not to enter into negotiations at this point. I was always a very staunch supporter of national broadcasting. I never saw the need for an independent service but I must say that the developments of the last week have made me change my mind. The Members of the Oireachtas who were, so the story goes, lured into going into RTE last night were extremely naive not to know what they were doing and their actions have not helped the dispute.

An Cathaoirleach

On a point of clarification in regard to Item No. 1 — Senator Manning referred to this matter — if agreed to, the item deals with the order for laying the report before the House and for printing. The next stage is the Fourth Stage in the Seanad, which cannot be taken until at least ten clear days have elapsed from the day the report has been ordered to be laid before the House. That would be approximately 10 February 1992. As Senators know, it is Private Business which comes on the Order Paper before public business.

Mr. Wright

First of all, may I respond to Senator Manning. The Cathaoirleach has outlined Item 1, I hope, to the Senator's satisfaction. As regards the reforms, whatever role I may have to play in the Seanad in the coming months or years I reiterate my total commitment to reforms and I am quite sure the new Cathaoirleach will be of the same mind. I hope with all our efforts that we will be before this House in the not too distant future with some reforms that I believe will be to the benefit of the House and its operation.

Senators Manning, Norris and Ryan mentioned the European Court ruling. While there may not be a Bill in the legislative programme coming before us in the next session, I am aware that a White Paper will be announced in the near future and I am confident the issue will be addressed in that White Paper. I would ask the Senators to bear with me on that and perhaps next week I will have more definitive information. I know this item has been the subject of an amendment to the Order of Business on several occasions, but I would ask the Senator to hold the matter in abeyance for one week and not to pursue the amendment.

Senator McDonald mentioned the question of industrial policy. Subject to agreement by the Whips, we will definitely have a debate on that most important document dealing with industrial policy.

I have already mentioned the various issues raised by Senator Norris and one in particular. May I just say that the former Leader, now Cathaoirleach, suggested to the House over the past few weeks that some progress was being made on the possibility of a debate on Northern Ireland? All I would like to say is that I hope that can be brought to a successful conclusion in the coming weeks. I would like to think that this House would not be debarred from having a debate on any issue. That is my own personal view and I hope that, given time, that can be achieved.

I think the fact that the broadcasting strike is on the Adjournment today deals with that matter.

Seanad Éireann debate - Thursday, 30 Jan 1992

Order of Business.

Seanad Éireann debate -
Thursday, 30 Jan 1992