Seanad Éireann debate -
Tuesday, 5 Jul 1994

Vol. 140 No. 19

Order of Business

Mr. Wright

It would be wrong if this morning I did not mention the events last night in Orlando. While disappointed with the result, as all in the country will be, the House can have pride in the soccer team and the fans in that they were fantastic ambassadors worldwide. They have given all of us, young and old, a fantastic summer and we wish them well on their way home.

The Order of Business is Nos. 1, 2 and 3, Item 1, Investment Limited Partnership Bill, 1993, by agreement, all Stages will be taken today; Item 2, Milk (Regulation of Supply) Bill, 1992, Committee and remaining Stages; and Item 3, An Bord Bia Bill, 1994, all Stages. It is proposed to take a sos at the conclusion of Item 1, to take Committee and all remaining Stages of Item 2 at 2 p.m. and to proceed to Item 3, with the Adjournment Matters at the conclusion of business. It is proposed also to allow 20 minutes for party spokespersons and 15 minutes for remaining speakers on Items 1 and 3.

Mr. Manning

I join with the Leader of the House in expressing the great pride we all feel in the exploits of the Irish soccer team, not only over the past couple of weeks but over the past number of years. The team has given great joy and happiness to millions of Irish people all over the world. They have served as a unifying force, as nothing else in our lives has, over the past number of years. Regrettably, the only discordant note was the racist remarks of Peter Robinson and the begrudgery of some other members of the DUP, but that is a small price to pay. It is a shame that all groups on the island could not join together in harmony on this issue.

Well done to the team, and welcome home.

The Order of Business is agreed on condition that all business comes to a natural conclusion rather than by the enforcement of what my party terms the guillotine but is given another term by the Leader of the House.

Mr. Wright

There will be no guillotine.

Mr. Manning

Senator Cregan has been granted permission to raise the question of Irish Steel on the Adjournment, so the matter will be on the Order Paper today. Given the importance of the issue perhaps that matter could be discussed with the Whips after the Order of Business. Nobody wants to exacerbate a difficult situation or to hamper attempts to resolve this crisis. However, since time is being made available, it might be possible to allow greater participation in the debate.

I would like to thank the Leader of the House for arranging the debate on Northern Ireland for Thursday. On a point of information, I presume that it will not be item 6 on the agenda, that it will be a new motion?

An Cathaoirleach

It is there by request but I understand the point you are making.

Mr. Quinn

I join with Senator Manning and the Leader of the House in supporting the welcome home for the Irish football team. It was not just the team but the supporters who were the unifying force during this wonderful summer. I had the pleasure of attending the first match and it was a joy to see our well behaved supporters. They have given Ireland a wonderful image and have also given us a pride in ourselves that we did not always have in the past.

I am concerned about today's Order of Business, particularly with regard to the An Bord Bia Bill, 1994. To have everything rushed through in one day makes it impossible for this House to give this important Bill the attention it requires. I have tabled amendments which I hope we will have a chance to debate but that may not be possible when all Stages are rushed through in one day. Perhaps the Whip could try to avoid a recurrence of this.

Mr. Dardis

The Order of Business is agreed as far as I am concerned. We all took enormous pride in the events in the United States. The team, management, FAI officials and supporters all deserve congratulations. It has done a lot for our national self-confidence and is another small step towards defining what we are. Everybody involved deserves the utmost credit. I hope the Tánaiste does not readily identify with people who drop the ball, but that is by way of an aside. I also hope that the lark in the park proceeds, but people who organise parties should first make sure that the guests are available. That would strike me as a basic precaution which in this instance does not seem to have been taken.

We should record our congratulations to the Palestinian people on the establishment of a Palestinian government in Jericho. We should also send our good wishes to Chairman Arafat on that event which is of major international significance. There are lessons for us in what has taken place. We hope that the peace that has been brought to that area will continue to grow and develop and that the Palestinian nation will be able to express its individuality within the international community.

Mr. McGowan

Could the Leader of the House arrange a debate on the National Road Authority's plan for the next five years? I understand that Sligo, Leitrim, Cavan, Monaghan and Donegal have been poorly treated and will receive inadequate provision in the next four years. The Members of this House should have an opportunity to express their disappointment and hopefully focus attention on the need for a vast increase in road improvement grants for national primary roads in those counties.

Mr. Neville

What about the county roads?

Mr. Kelleher

I join with Senator Cregan in raising the issue of Irish Steel. I hope that the timely intervention of congress may bring about a successful conclusion to this problem which will have a lasting effect on the economy of Cobh and the surrounding area. Could the Leader arrange a debate on the economy given the publication of the Exchequer returns for the first six months? It is important that issues like Irish Steel and TEAM Aer Lingus are kept out of the political field and that people do not take advantage of what is happening to them. We should have a debate on the economy and on the issues which are very close to politicians and public representatives. I hope the Leader will respond to this.

Ms O'Sullivan

I concur with the words of congratulations to the Irish team which brought us together in a spirit of unity. As politicians we should analyse what happened and see whether the Irish psyche can maintain that kind of a positive spirit with no begrudgery, apart from what Senator Manning mentioned. There may be a lesson here at which we all need to look because the team brought us all together in a way which has not happened in the recent past and it is to be congratulated.

Mr. Neville

In view of the demands by Members of the Government side for debates on very important issues, would the Leader arrange for us to sit next week?

Mr. R. Kiely

I support Senator McGowan's call for a debate on roads. There are terrible potholes in County Limerick and an organisation has been set up to protest about them. We were told that nothing could be done about them because of the bad weather. We now have fine weather but I do not see anything being done. Limerick County Council is controlled by Fine Gael and the Progressive Democrats——

Mr. Manning

Long may it continue.

Mr. R. Kiely

——and are dragging their feet on the whole issue.

Mr. Neville

It is a pity Senator Kiely is not a member of the council, he is one of the few Senators from Limerick who is not.

An Cathaoirleach

Senator Kiely, I thought you were going to wish Limerick well next Sunday.

Mr. Wright

With regard to Senator Neville's request, we are fortunate that we have excellent Whips, including the Senator's own Whip, who will ensure that all the business intended to be taken before the summer recess will be dealt with in time. In relation to Irish Steel, we will communicate with the people involved after the Order of Business. Item 6, Statements on Northern Ireland, will be dealt with on Thursday and orders will pertain that all can contribute to that debate. It is my desire that the An Bord Bia Bill will be given full attention and I have no doubt that in the hours we have put aside for what Senator Quinn rightly calls very important legislation, it will be dealt with properly and fully. On the other items mentioned, I will come back to the various Senators before the end of the week.

Order of Business agreed to.