Today's Order of Business is item 1 until 5.30 p.m., item 21 from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. and item 1 again from 8 p.m. to 11 p.m. It is hoped Second Stage of the Finance Bill will be taken today by agreement within those times. I suggest each spokesperson take 40 minutes and other Senators 20 minutes. There will be a sos between 5.30 p.m. and 6 p.m.
Order of Business.
As far as I am concerned those arrangements are acceptable.
On the Order of Business, I draw the attention of the House to the publication today of the report of the Opsahl Commission on Northern Ireland, one of the most comprehensive studies and assessments on Northern Ireland and possible ways forward there since the New Ireland Forum and the Anglo Irish agreement. I ask the Leader of the House to make time available before the end of the session to discuss Northern Ireland, perhaps in the context of that report.
I agree with Senator Manning's remarks on the Opsahl Commission. I am probably the only Senator in this House to have made a presentation to the Commission and I would welcome a debate on the outcome of its deliberations.
Over the last number of weeks I have continuously raised the issue of accommodation for the University Senator's group. There has been much frustration over that period and I was upset we had to interrupt the Order of Business and the working of the House on a number of occasions last week. We do not wish this to continue and we understand that measures are being taken today to resolve this matter. I recognise the support and commitment people have given on the matter. I hope it is resolved soon and that it will not be necessary to raise it again on the Order of Business.
I agree with the Order of Business as proposed. However, while I accept it is reasonable to regulate the time of speeches, the imposition of a measure like the guillotine at 11 p.m. is a matter I ask the Leader to consider. If there are speakers still offering at 11 p.m. I suggest the debate should continue, especially in view of the fact that the legislation runs to 170 pages, is complex and there may well be many Senators wishing to contribute.
Regarding item 4, Statements on Structural Funds on the Order Paper, within recent days a report from the Economic and Social Research Institute has been widely circulated among media commentators. If this matter is to be properly debated in this House I ask the Leader of the House to ensure the report be made available to the Members of the Oireachtas.
I ask the Leader of the House to allow time to debate item 22 which is on the issue of attacks on tourists in Dublin which is creating much concern. There was another attack yesterday and it is important for the Minister for Justice to have the opportunity to discuss the issue in this House. There should be an urgent debate on the issue to allay public concern and to ensure that Irish tourism is not damaged internationally by the recent spate of attacks against tourists in the capital city.
I ask the Leader of the House to make provision for a debate on drug seizures in the Cork region, which is an ever increasing problem. This is of national as well as of local interest. Such seizures may tarnish our reputation abroad if we are not seen to be patrolling our coast to prevent drugs being smuggled into the country. I know this is not relevant to the Order of Business but it is relevant to the young people on our streets who are using these substances. I would appreciate if we could debate this issue.
Like my colleague, Senator O'Toole, I am glad that progress is being made on the question of accommodation. I want to pay tribute to the interest that you, a Chathaoirligh, have taken in this matter. Also this morning the Leader of the House, Senator Wright, took the trouble to personally inspect the accommodation in the "dungeons" of Kildare House. We appreciate very much this direct personal interest in the welfare and working conditions of colleagues.
I wish to propose an amendment to the Order of Business. This is not intended to be in any way hostile to the Government but to draw attention to a very important matter. I propose that we take item 24 before item 21 — a motion in the names of Senators O'Toole, Lee, Henry and myself about the situation in East Timor. I am pressing this matter today because this morning the Indonesian Ambassador presented his credentials to Her Excellency, President Robinson. Indonesia is guilty of genocide. There is an illegal occupation of East Timor.
You are making a speech.
The only way I could get this motion on to the Order Paper was by removing controversial words, such as "genocide". I would like to have "genocide" included——
It is not on the Order Paper in accordance with Standing Orders of the House.
I appreciate that and I will take a serious look at the Standing Orders.
You have moved the amendment; there is no need to debate the issue.
May I make the point of order? I believe there is a difference between controversial elements and argumentative items on the Order of Business. I do not believe there is any argument internationally about the genocide that is taking place in Indonesia. I move this amendment to the Order of Business.
May I ask the Leader to arrange a debate on the Foyle Fisheries Commission? The commission is administered jointly by the authorities in this State and Northern Ireland. It is very important that we examine how successfully it is working. Such an examination may provide a model other bodies could adopt. Only good could come from such a debate and I ask the Leader to arrange one in the near future.
Senator Manning requested the Leader to find time for the House to debate the report of the Opsahl Commission. I have already spoken to the Leader on this matter and he has promised to do what he can to facilitate such a debate. I made a submission to the commission and read its report which offers a number of options regarding the problem of Northern Ireland. I support Senator Manning's request that we discuss the report.
I second Senator Norris's motion. The small island of East Timor, because of its wealth of natural resources, has had the misfortune to fall victim to the territorial claims of its neighbours.
I thank the Cathaoirleach and the Leader for their interest in our accommodation. However there are fresh disasters to report. The fire regulations should be seriously examined. A new safety door has been installed in the basement which can only be opened automatically. While I am a great believer in new technology, I would like to be assured that if a fire starts we will be able to leave the building. Apparently the door can only be opened by some great person on high. Since I moved into an office in the basement, there has not been a fire drill. This means that in the event of a fire, I will not know in which direction to go because the windows cannot be opened. I would be grateful if this could be taken into consideration when the accommodation problem is being examined.
I support the request by Senator Kelleher that the House debate the recent drug seizure in west Cork. This debate could be broadened so that the Minister for Defence could tell us if extra resources could be provided for the Naval Service to intercept ships and yachts which are bringing drugs into Ireland. I call on the Leader to make time available for this debate as soon as possible.
I ask the Leader when it is proposed to debate the report on the Kilkenny incest report. An undertaking was given two weeks ago that it would be discussed this week but it is not on the Order Paper.
I wish to raise the balance in broadcasting Oireachtas debates. Last Thursday, when we debated the Criminal Law (Suicide) (No. 2) Bill, 1993, not one Fianna Fáil Senator who contributed to the debate was shown on the televised broadcast. Does one have to contribute each day or be controversial to be shown on such programmes? Would it be possible for such programmes to list those who contributed if it is not possible to show all the speakers?
I wish to support Senator Kelleher's request for an urgent debate on the problem of drugs in the Republic. I wish to remind the Leader that I requested on two previous occasions that such a debate take place; he has given a commitment that this will happen before the summer recess. This is a matter of urgency and is probably not unconnected to Senator Neville's motion on the Order Paper. The crime rate in the Republic is not unconnected with the drug problem.
I support Senator Neville. There is need for discussion on the problem of crime, particularly in our capital city. I would like the Leader to inform us when we can have this discussion. We are taking this problem very lightly. The problem of crime, particularly in our capital, is being mentioned all the time; it was spoken about on radio today. I think we should discuss this matter with the Minister urgently.
I support Senator Kelleher and the other Senators who spoke about the drug problem, drug seizures and the opportunity that seems to be presented to criminals to use Ireland as a corridor. I would like the House to be given an opportunity to debate this problem with the hope of having it resolved, possibly with EC support.
I ask the Leader, as I have asked him in the past, to consider providing time for a debate on State-sponsored bodies. We could discuss recent decisions Bord na Móna have taken which can put the peat industry in the midlands in jeopardy. I have been told that one fire station in the midlands has only enough peat to last until July. These are appalling decisions and are not in the national interest. This House should certainly be given an opportunity to debate a matter of such public concern.
In relation to the suggestion of Senator Manning and Senator Wilson, last week I gave Senator Wilson a commitment that we would debate the Opsahl report, hopefully before the summer recess. I repeat this commitment today and hope that, with the agreement of the Whips and the Minister, such a debate would be arranged.
I wish to assure Senator Dardis that there will be no guillotine on the Finance Bill today but it is hoped that by 11 p.m. everybody will have had an opportunity to contribute to the debate. It is hoped that we will return to the issue of Structual Funds next week. The Minister, having listened to contributions last week, was very keen to return to the House to listen to more contributions. I have no control over reports but will pass on the Senator's comments.
Private Members' time would be an ideal opportunity to raise that issue. Senator Kelleher, Senator Crowley, Senator McGennis and Senator Finneran mentioned the problem of drugs in our society. Senator McGennis referred to this issue during the last couple of months and I gave a commitment that, subject to agreement by the Whips, we would debate this issue before the summer recess. Items 24 tabled by Senaor Norris and Senator Henry is suitable for Private Members' Business. The Whips will consider the Foyle fisheries issue raised by Senator McGowan.
The Kilkenny incest report, raised by Senator Honan, will be debated as soon as I can arrange a time when the Minister is available. He wants to come to the House and I hope this will take place in the next couple of weeks. We will be sitting three days a week during the next few weeks. Therefore, I am sure we will have an opportunity to deal with this issue.
In relation to Senator Ormonde's point about RTE, the Committee on Procedure and Privileges has been concerned about the coverage given to the Seanad. Senator Ormonde's good suggestion, that if a Senator is not given visual coverage a list should be made of those who contributed to a specific debate, should be implemented. Senator Finneran mentioned the possibility of a debate on State-sponsored bodies. This will be agreed by the Whips between now and the summer recess.
The amendment is: "That item 24 be inserted before item 21." Is the amendment being pressed?
I do not wish to delay the Order of Business, but I want to address a comment to the Leader of the House. I know he intended to be helpful by suggesting that the matter be taken in Private Members' time. However, it is a matter which Members on all sides of the House would like to discuss. Perhaps the Government could think about having a debate outside Private Members' time. In the meantime, I am happy to withdraw the amendment.
Amendment, by leave, withdrawn.
Order of Business agreed to.