I hope today's newspaper articles are not the reason I am sitting here alone. Today's Order of Business is Item 1 which will go on until 7 p.m. The previous arrangement was 20 minutes for spokespersons and ten minutes thereafter. If the House wants to extend that to 15 minutes per person I have no problem.
Order of Business.
We would like to see the time period extended for those taking part in the debate on the Opsahl Commission report. Perhaps the Whips will agree to 15 minutes.
Secondly, I congratulate Deputy Harney on her election today as Leader of the Progressive Democrats. I wish her well, but not too well, in the years ahead.
At the beginning of the life of this Government we saw the appointment of a raft of programme managers. We were told among other things that this would facilitate the processing of legislation through both Houses. There would be no log-jams in the future.
Nine months later there are no logjams, neither is there any legislation. The Order Paper today is a disgrace and an insult to this House. It contains not a single piece of legislation. One has to ask what has been happening all summer. Has the entire Government joined the Taoiseach and the Tánaiste on an extended vacation out of the country or does Parliament not matter anymore?
You are making a speech, Senator.
I am but I feel the matter is important.
I accept that. I am giving you some latitude.
This House is being taken for granted while the Civil Service apparently gets on with the job of governing. It has never happened that this House resumed after the summer without one piece of legislation on the Order Paper. That is not acceptable to the Opposition and it is bringing the House into disrepute.
We have always co-operated in a reasonable way but at the outset of this session I want to say we will not co-operate unless we are given adequate advance notice. We are not going to have a repeat of the practice where Bills will be published on a Friday and we are told the Minister must have them out of the House by the following Thursday. That is not and will not be acceptable.
Last session when the Industrial Development Bill was published we were told the Minister had to have it through within a week. We co-operated but that legislation still has not been enacted. We had to rush it through but it is still waiting to come into effect. I am putting the Leader of the House on notice that this party will not agree to take legislation unless there is a period of ten days to a fortnight between its publication and coming to this House. It is not good enough for it to be published and then rushed through; the business must be planned in an orderly way.
We as an Opposition are entitled to be given adequate notice of legislation before it comes here. We are asking for no less. We do not want eight weeks when little legislation is put through the House and in the last two weeks of the session to have a raft of Bills to be put through in a hurry because the Minister requires them. If the business arrives in an orderly way we will co-operate.
It is extraordinary that after three months it is impossible for the Government side to order a decent day's work when the House resumes. It is no wonder the Seanad is held in such poor regard outside the confines of Leinster House. This feeds the negative views and attitudes about political life.
This is the Government that promised rafts of legislation and reams of resolutions. We were going to deal with all that needed to be done and it was to be done in due time. Without doubt, we will find ourselves at the end of this session rushing through legislation. This is ironic coming from a Government which indicated it would put through more legislation than any other in the history of the State.
This House is ready to work but there is no legislation in front of us. Those who have already spoken on the Opsahl report will not speak in the debate today. They might as well not be here; they cannot make any further contribution today. It is an extraordinary way of approaching business. It is unacceptable and we will oppose it at all times.
Through you, a Chathaoirligh, I thank Senator Manning for his good wishes to Deputy Harney. We are pleased about her election.
Today's Order Paper proves that the criticism I made in the last session is even more relevant now. Parliament is rapidly becoming an uncomfortable irrelevancy as far as the Government is concerned. Everything is being done by Executive action without reference to Parliament, which is a sovereign Parliament in its own right. The question one must ask the Leader is are we to be ignored? I am prepared to accept that during the last session, the Leader made strenuous efforts to ensure that legislation was brought before us, but it is not acceptable that Bills would be presented to us for serious discussion at short notice without them being circulated well in advance, nor is it acceptable that we should find ourselves having to deal with a lot of legislation at the end of the session or that the proceedings of this House should not be published, as happened during the summer, for several months after the House rose. I want to emphasise that I do not apportion blame to the reporting staff in that connection. That is a matter for the Government to deal with effectively.
I would support the view that we should have more than the time indicated by the Leader to discuss the Opsahl report. Indeed, events have moved so fast over the summer that it would be appropriate for those Members who had spoken on this matter earlier to contribute to a completely new debate rather than letting it continue.
The other issues to which we must pay attention — and I hope the Leader will make time available over the coming weeks — is to discuss in detail the Government's letter to Santa Claus which issued yesterday. Secondly, there should also be a full debate in this House on agriculture and the state of agriculture. As we speak, beef farmers are in a serious predicament; grain farmers have not completed their harvest——
You are making a speech, Senator.
I hope to show the Leader the need for this debate and we have the outcome of the GATT negotiations and what that entails. For those reasons, it is important to discuss the farming situation.
We have the prospect of GATT and what that entails. For those reasons, It would be important to discuss the situation in farming.
Perhaps Senator Norris will report to us on his trip to Australia and the voting procedures there.
I will.
I join with other speakers in congratulating Deputy Harney on being elected Leader of the Progressive Democrats. The Seanad should be given the recognition it is due under the Constitution. It should be given more legislation to initiate, debate and conclude. In relation to time allocated for contributions in the last session, Senators shared their time with Members from the smaller parties but we often found it inadequate. Adequate time should be allowed to ensure that Members of smaller parties have an opportunity to contribute to debates. I ask the Leader of the House if time will be allowed to debate the National Development Plan.
Senator Norris. fresh from Canberra, I believe.
And Fiji, Los Angeles, Hong Kong and Beijing. You underestimate me, a Chathaoirligh.
I am sorry, Senator.
Senator Norris is boasting again.
Yes, I am and I have more to say.
First, I congratulate Deputy Harney, who was first appointed to this House and was a distinguished auditor of the Historical Society of Trinity College, on being the first woman leader of a political party in this country. It is a splendid day for all the citizens of Ireland, not just for women and I hope she does well. She certainly does not threaten me as an Independent, whoever else she may threaten in this House and outside it.
I share the concern expressed by Senator O'Toole, Senator Manning and others about the lack of legislation before the House today. I think it is a pity. I do not under-estimate the talents of the Leader of the House or his devotion to this House and I will listen with interest to his explanation of why there is so little legislation on the Order Paper.
May I say again, that this situation would not arise if the Government parties did not adopt a dog in the manger attitude, in other words, if they were prepared to permit legislation to originate from sources other than the Government. For years, we have had legislative proposals of a non-controversial nature that everybody knows ought to have been put through like the Bill I put down a couple of years ago looking for the removal of sexist language from legislation — even Mr. Haughey said was important and ought to be taken — which was never taken. Why? Because it did not come from the Government. When a government is not capable of producing its own legislation, it should at least take non-controversial legislation that originates in other places.
I think the Seanad is treated with contempt. I do not think this is the fault of Members in this House so much as it is an attitude of Government. In the last session, Seanator Neville's Bill on suicide was taken out of the Seanad and a Government Bill taken in the Dáil at the last minute because it had nothing to do. That type of practice is not acceptable. We get the published reports of important debates three months late. This creates a bad impression in the public mind.
I am proposing an amendment to the Order of Business — that Item 17 be taken after Item 1. I urge the Government to appoint a press officer for the Oireachtas to counter the misinformation, misunderstandings and the under-estimate of the work that is done by Members not only in this House but in our offices. I am tired of the clichés I see in the press saying "there was a debate and only three people present". The rest of us were working hard in our offices. I come to my office every working day and I object to being told I am not working if I am not speaking in the Seanad. I would like a response from the Government. I understand there is support for this kind of proposal in the other House as well.
I would like to take the point made by Senator Dardis about going to Australia, with your indulgence, a Chathaoirligh. Before we went there was a lot of criticism that this was a junket. I can tell Senator Dardis and those members of the press who criticised us that not only did I go to Canberra but previously I went to Budapest and India. On both occasions I spoke effectively and vigorously and was covered widely in the international press. Was there a whisper in the Irish newspapers? When I spoke in Canberra I worked hard and I organised a press conference.
Could we have copies of Senator Norris's statement?
I got headline news on Australian national television, radio, newspapers. However, I bit the hand that fed me and attacked the Australian Government vigorously for its policy in East Timor and when I got home I found waiting for me a message from the people of East Timor and a traditional garment, which was extremely beautiful. The message said that they were aware of what I had said. Even if the press here did not know, the people in East Timor did. They said — this may not be true; I have no way of checking it — that because of what I said they believed lives had been saved.
To facilitate the House and the press, would Senator Norris arrange for the international news agencies, AP, UPI and Reuters, to make available copies of the statements our colleague made in the international fora? We would be better informed if we had those statements.
I call Senator Farrelly.
I want to make sure——
You have been given a great deal of latitude, Senator and you have abused it somewhat.
I wanted to ensure that, on the record, I had formally proposed an amendment to the Order of Business.
I endorse the comments made by Senator Manning. The Industrial Development Bill was pushed through this House but to date, no regulations have been laid down for the enterprise boards, although they have met on two or three occasions in most counties, and nothing has happened to help those who are looking for aid to start up a business.
When will we have a debate on the National Development Plan which was introduced yesterday? In relation to the point Senator Dardis raised vis-a-vis a debate on agriculture, coming to the end of the discussions on GATT, it is important that the Minister be made aware of how serious set-aside is to this country. I want to tell those Members and the former Commissioner who agreed to set-aside that one bad winter will do away with all the set-aside in this country and we do not have any major surpluses.
There is a real need for a debate as soon as possible, and to get the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Forestry to come to the House and deal with the issues and not deal with side issues as he has done all year.
I ask the Leader for a debate in the near future on extradition, particularly in light of the recent statements of the British Home Secretary regarding the abandonment of the right to silence, the miscarriages of justice which have taken place in the British justice system and the recent police "stitch-up" incidents in Britain. I call on the Leader to make time available for a debate on this issue before the extradition legislation comes into the House.
I sympathise with the view expressed by Senator Manning in relation to the time that we require for legislation that is brought before us in the House. I expressed that view here on the last occasion regarding a raft of social legislation which came through rather quickly and which we spent more time considering than the Lower House. There is no disagreement with that generally and the Leader of the House probably shares that view. Nevertheless I have to take issue with Senator Manning when he said of today's business and I quote him — perhaps on reflection he would not think that this is the appropriate way to describe it —"it is a disgrace and an insult to the House".
The Order Paper.
The Order Paper today provides for a debate on the Opsahl report. Far from being a disgrace and an insult to the House, it could hardly be a more appropriate time in the light of many developments since the publication of that report and the unfortunate death of Professor Opsahl, for a reasoned, balanced debate on it. Many of the report's recommendations have been affected by developments that have occurred, notably the Hume-Adams talks, the debates in the North of Ireland and in Westminister. In spite of the tragic events of this morning, the statement by Rev. Martin Smyth was a welcome development. I would have thought that on reflection at least we would regard it as of the utmost importance rather than as a disgrace.
What about the people I already spoke about today?
I come now to Senator Norris who suggests that instead of that very important issue——
In addition.
——which affects the lives and wellbeing of people, we substitute — I hardly believed what he said — the need for the urgent appointment of a press officer for the Oireachtas so that people like Senator Norris, who has no doubt about his own style and status, would not be somehow misrepresented by the press. In the nature of political activity we all feel occasionally that we are misrepresented. However, we would want to be very thin-skinned and sensitive to feel that it is more important to debate today the appointment of a press officer for the Oireachtas rather than the fundamental right to life and the wellbeing of the people of the North of Ireland.
The Senator is deliberately misunderstanding what I said.
Senator O'Kennedy, without interruption.
You are deliberately——
Senator O'Kennedy, please, through the Chair.
——unable to express yourself effectively or perhaps I deliberately misunderstood.
I see. The failure might be on the part of the receiver rather than the transmitter.
If the Senator wants to replace today's order which is a matter of the most vital importance, affecting life and limb, with the issue of the appointment of a press officer, I, and I believe most of my colleagues on all sides in the House, will vigorously oppose any such change.
There has been some misunderstanding on Senator O'Kennedy's part. We want this taken in addition to the Opsahl report. While I deplore the fact that we have so little legislation to take today, nothing could be more important to this country than the Opsahl report, especially at this time.
I am always glad when Senator Norris comes back to the House and has fresh proposals for me to second. I am particularly glad to have him here from Clontarf Castle where, as the Seanad knows, he is making an appearance and sings and dances. While there are no "freebies" to the occasion I am assured I can get a block booking for the Seanad, at a reduced rate.
Incidentally, Senator Henry, my Canberra agent has informed me that Senator Norris did much waltzing and fox-trotting with delightful ladies in Canberra. He was in rehearsal apparently in Canberra.
And delighted.
Ballroom of Romance.
Strutting his stuff.
He should not be underestimated.
I am sure, having listened to the excellent dissertation from Senator Norris about his exploits in the international press, we would all like to read them because I have not seen any international press reports. Perhaps that is because I do not read as many international papers as he does. Having said that, I am sure there are many in the House who wish that he would take up a permanent post as a roving ambassador all over the world because this seems to be his forte.
He would only be trotting after the Taoiseach and the Tánaiste.
Perhaps we should go and have a look at him in Clontarf Castle. He does most of his acting here and I am sure that the rehearsals——
Have you a question for the Leader of the House?
——here over the years will help him in a professional acting capacity in Clontarf Castle. There are many who would suggest he should be there.
There are a number of issues I wish to raise. One of the most urgent is that we have a discussion here in the near future with the relevant Minister on the role of indigenous Irish industries. Over the past few weeks there has been a heavy attack on the performance of indigenous Irish businesses versus the performance of businesses from abroad. It is a very unfair comparison.
In that regard I wish to bring to the attention of the House the necessity for a debate given the take-over by IDG of the Cooley whiskey firm of John Teeling. This is where an international conglomerate has decided it will not allow an indigenous Irish industry to compete against it. IDG has said it will buy the company out because it does not want it on the market; it does not want it to sell lower grade whiskeys on the international market. It has basically taken John Teeling and Company's ideas. IDG has bought it, will eliminate it from the marketplace and no jobs will be created. There is a danger from international companies in take-overs, such as the Teeling situation. We will not gain jobs if Irish people produce ideas and an international conglomerate comes in, buys them and eliminates the jobs. There is a great need for that debate to take place.
The Opsahl report should take precedence over any legislation to come before this House because the future and lives of the people of this island are at stake. The Opsahl report, A Citizen's Inquiry, is an element of the debate that will take place. Words will not help the person who was killed this morning. People on the other side of the House have continually criticised and berated others for not having a debate on the situation in the North of Ireland, when it is brought forward as a priority they whinge and whine but that is just to get a few words in the newspapers on the Order of Business.
Let us have a full debate. Unfortunately some of us have already spoken so we cannot speak again. There is no point in my being here at all.
Senator Norris, please, Senator Lanigan.
The Senator would like to speak again because he speaks too often. Perhaps he should speak less and he might be listened to more.
Senator Lanigan, please, Senator Enright has offered.
I ask the Leader of the House what plans and proposals he has for an immediate debate on the National Development Plan? Although there is much positive thought in regard to job creation, there appears to be too much complacency with regard to what is considered an acceptable amount of job losses. It is important that this matter should be discussed in the House. I also welcome back to Ireland the four most important people who have just returned, the President, the Taoiseach, the Tánaiste and Senator Norris.
I join with other Senators in congratulating Deputy Mary Harney on her election and I wish my fellow Limerickman, Deputy O'Malley, a happy semi-retirement. I ask the Leader of the House to arrange an early debate on Item 27, regarding the management of the prison service. There is concern over present management of the prison service and the House should debate this issue at an early date.
I refer to statements on the Opsahl report. Anybody who knows Senator Manning's view on the Northern situation and the amount of work he has done would not question his position in regard to that area. We have no legislation to debate this week and we are finishing at 7 o'clock this evening when we could debate legislation. The only legislation on the Order Paper is from the Opposition. Perhaps the Government might take that legislation this week.
I agree with previous speakers who suggested that the Opsahl report was of such importance that it should be is fully discussed. I am disappointed there is not more legislation before the House. I am anxious that we deal with legislation such as the Criminal Justice (Public Order) Bill, 1993, which could be discussed at length. I ask the Leader of the House if there will be time to discuss the National Development Plan launched yesterday? It is most important——
Not until it is discussed in the Dáil.
—— and it would be a good idea to discuss it at an early date.
Regarding the Order of Business, speakers will be allowed 15 minutes on the Opsahl report. Only four Senators have contributed to the debate on the Opsahl report. Members have asked what use is the debate when they have no contribution to make. They would be disappointed if they thought the rest of us did not have an interest in their contribution. Many Senators who have been in touch with me on this important issue have worthwhile contributions to make.
Legislation is and will be my priority for the House and my commitment to that may be seen in the past couple of sessions. Items 4 and 5 could have been taken today and we could have spent the next three or four hours debating those issues, but I believe — and many Senators have expressed this view — the most important issue is peace on this island. Only four Members have spoken on this important report and, given the events which have taken place in the past few months, I believe it is an ideal opportunity for the House to debate this issue for three or four hours, depending on the completion of the Order of Business.
Senator Dardis requested a debate on agriculture. Tomorrow's debate will provide the Senator with ample opportunity to deal with that issue. I understand the report relates to the CAP and agreements made at that time. I suspect Senator O'Toole would not want to stand over his comment that we do not have a decent day's work to do given what we are debating today.
Senators who have already spoken, including half the Independent group, have nothing to do today.
The Leader of the House without interruption.
This is not a two man House.
Senator O'Kennedy has just made it a three man House.
I look forward to Senator O'Toole's contribution to this debate.
We will debate the National Development Plan which was announced yesterday for two days next week, subject to agreement between the Whips. It is an important issue which will concentrate our minds. During the next couple of weeks the Irish Aviation Authority Bill, the Matrimonial Home Bill and the Presidential Election Bill will be before this House. My office and that of the Chief Whip have endeavoured to ensure that this House initiates legislation and I am certain that in the coming months a fair share of legislation will be initiated here.
I ask Senator Norris not to push for a vote on Item 17 given the importance of today's debate. We will find time in the coming months to deal with this item with which I have no problem. Many of the other issue raised are ideal for Private Members' time for all parties. I add my congratulations to Deputy Harney on her election.
Senator Norris has moved an amendment to the Order of Business: "That Item 17 be inserted after Item 1." However, this amendment has not been seconded and, consequently, it falls.
It was seconded by Senator Henry.
I understood that Senator Henry clarified the position, but did not second the amendment.
I second the amendment.
Although I was tempted because of misrepresentation from that side to push this amendment, in deference to the wise counsel of the Leader of House and in consultation with my colleagues I have decided to withdraw the amendment.
Amendment, by leave, withdrawn.
Order of Business agreed to.