It is proposed to take Items 1 and 26. By agreement of the House Item 26 will be taken from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m.; I would like to thank my colleagues on the other side of the House for their agreement on this matter.
Order of Business.
We are in agreement with the Order of Business, and I take this opportunity to wish both teams well tonight. Hopefully, we will have one going to the US.
In view of the developments on Northern Ireland — the meeting between the Tánaiste and President Clinton, and the statement by the Taoiseach in the Dáil — would the Leader confirm that a debate will take place next week, as promised, in the presence of the Tánaiste, Deputy Spring, to allow him the opportunity to inform the House of his views on the developing situation?
Would the Leader allow time for a debate on crime within the next month? Concern has been growing about this issue over a number of months and, while there are many motions about crime on the Order Paper, a broader discussion on crime, the granting of bail, the courts, sentencing and the custodial system may be more suitable.
I would like to pay special tribute to Senator McGennis who spoke last week on the Adoption Bill. Her contribution was very moving and very brave. I also congratulate her for her performance on the Gay Byrne Show.
I would be happy to support the Order of Business in order to allow public representatives join the rest of the population this evening.
May I raise the fact that this morning's Belfast Newsletter and Irish News carried the same feature supporting the action for peace tomorrow. I note that in the other House it is proposed to observe that. Tomorrow my members all over Ireland will be observing a day of peace in classrooms. Solidarity is also being shown by workers in the North. It would be most appropriate for us to observe two minutes' silence tomorrow, either at 11 o'clock when the schools are doing it, or at 1 o'clock when other workers are doing it, in order to show solidarity on an issue that has crossed community boundaries. This morning at the executive council meeting of the ICTU, which was discussing many matters, that issue received the support of workers everywhere, as well as support from the Confederation of British Industry and, as far as I know, from Irish industry also. It would be appropriate for us as public representatives to be a part of that movement tomorrow.
May I draw the attention of the House to the serious statement made by the Wellcome Trust regarding the withdrawal of research funds to Ireland because of the very high level of VAT, 21 per cent, that has to be paid on research equipment here? This fund has given an enormous amount of money to Ireland over the past 30 years. I would like the Leader to express our concern to the Minister for Finance to see if anything could be done. Irish research receives more money from this fund than from the Government. It will be extremely serious for research workers in this country if the Wellcome Trust withdraws from activities in the Republic.
I thank Senator O'Toole for raising the issue of the Seanad recognising the Northern Congress of ICTU's solidarity in observing a moment of silence tomorrow. I would appeal to the Chair and to the Leader on that.
We discussed it with the Leader and I understand he will be making a statement on that.
I would like to ask the Leader if he has any news of a specific date for a debate on the drug problem in the cities. I also support the call for a debate on the North of Ireland. There has been some good-humoured reference to the football match this evening. I would like to say that I find it an extraordinarily sad comment that the Irish flag will, apparently, not be visible at that match. It is a strange and sad comment on the situation in the North of Ireland.
I have not discussed with Senator Henry the question she raised but it is very important and I strongly support her on the question of VAT on research equipment and materials. Coincidently, I have received a very strong letter from a constituent in California on this subject. This matter should be discussed in this House.
I wish to call for a debate on the health services. In Mayo County Hospital in Castlebar 34 female surgical beds are about to be closed. That will be a disaster for Mayo. I call for a debate on this subject and on the need for the Minister for Health to provide the necessary funds to restore that ward to Mayo County Hospital.
Would the Leader consent to a general debate on arts and culture? Perhaps the Minister for Arts, Culture and the Gaeltacht would come to the House. I am sure Members elected from the Education and Cultural Panel would be delighted to speak in this debate. I am prompted to make this request by being privileged last night to watch Senator Norris perform in such a professional manner in Side by Side by Sondheim. I advise all Members to see this show. It is wonderful.
I would like to think there would be tickets for everybody in this audience.
They should have been there last night.
I am not sure whether Senator Lydon had the National Monuments Bill in mind when he spoke about the Minister coming to the House for a debate on the arts. I am pleased to inform the House this Bill will be published tomorrow and dealt with in this House in the coming weeks, probably next week if possible. We will have a debate or statements on Northern Ireland as soon as possible, depending on the Tánaiste's schedule. The Public Order Bill will be in the House shortly. This legislation is wide ranging and will allow Senators to give their views on the present state of law and order in our capital city and country. With regard to Senator O'Toole's request, it is proposed that the House will observe a one minute's silence for peace at 1 p.m. tomorrow. In relation to Senator Henry's question I will inform the Minister for Finance of the feelings of the House on the implications of imposing VAT on research funding. In relation to the health services, the Minister for Health made statements yesterday during Question Time in the Dail and I am sure he would welcome an opportunity to come to the House for a debate on the health services.
Order of Business agreed to.