Seanad Éireann debate -
Friday, 7 Jul 1995

Vol. 144 No. 7

Order of Business.

Mr. Manning

Before announcing the Order of Business, I wish to say that the past two weeks have been among the most traumatic in the history of this House. On behalf of the House, I wish to thank the staff of the House for the extraordinary amount of extra hard work they did and the understanding they have shown over the past two weeks. We are all in their debt. I also wish to thank Senator Cassidy for the very professional and highly competent way in which he helped to organise the funeral of the late Cathaoirleach. It was done with total professionalism and good taste and it helped us to pay the tribute we wanted to our late Cathaoirleach.

Today's Order of Business is items 1, 2, 3 and 4. Item 1 will be taken straight away. Item 2 is to conclude and will be followed by the Second Stage of item 3 which will continue until 1 o'clock. There will be a sos at 1 o'clock. At 2 o'clock we will take item 4 after which we will come back to complete item 3 if that is agreed.

Mr. Wright

Before I deal with the Order of Business, I wish to be associated with the Leader's remarks in relation to last week's arrangements, and in particular those of the last two days, for our late friend and colleague Seán Fallon. I also wish to be associated with his remarks about all the staff, past and present, who put so much time into the organisation of the removal of the remains and the Mass yesterday. As the Leader has rightly done, I would single out my colleague Senator Cassidy and I wish to put on record our thanks for his efforts in ensuring the smooth running of the service.

On item 3, is it intended to clear that Bill today?

Mr. Manning

Yes.

Mr. Wright

That is agreed.

Dr. Henry

On behalf of the Independent Senators I support what Senator Manning and Senator Wright have said about the work, kindness, thought and care that the staff of the House put into the organisation of the last few weeks when we were all in such distress, even though they too were in great distress. Had I been in the situation of Senator Fallon over the last few weeks I would hope to have had a friend like Senator Donie Cassidy.

Mr. Dardis

I also wish to be associated with the remarks that have been made. The staff have had two very difficult weeks, particularly last week when they had a Bill with an enormous number of amendments in the middle of all the other things they had to cope with. I echo what has been said about Senator Cassidy. It was obviously very difficult for him because he had to deal with a bereavement on a personal basis as well as organising matters which he did extremely well. Yesterday's funeral service was conducted in a very dignified way, for which Senator Cassidy can take a great deal of credit.

In respect of item 3, the Transfer of Sentenced Prisoners Bill, has the Leader a time limit in mind for Second Stage speeches?

Mr. Manning

Fifteen minutes. I should have said that.

Mr. Dardis

In respect of the earlier all-party motion on East Timor endorsing the Lisbon declaration, we should note that the person designated to be the Indonesian Ambassador to Australia was not appointed because he was associated with some of the things that have happened in East Timor. That is to be welcomed and I hope we can keep up the pressure in this area. I would like the Leader to report to us, if not today then at a later stage, on what action has been taken on foot of the motion that was passed here. What has the Government done as regards that motion? Have they brought any pressure to bear on behalf of the Irish people?

Ms O'Sullivan

I wish to be associated with the words of thanks to the staff and to Senator Cassidy in relation to the funeral arrangements. A great deal of work had to be done behind the scenes and it was done with skill and care. That vote of thanks is deserved, particularly as the staff had worked so closely with the Cathaoirleach; their sense of grief was very strong yet they were able to carry out their duties.

An Leas-Chathaoirleach

Before calling Senator Cassidy, I wish to endorse the sentiments expressed by the Leaders of the various groups both to our staff and to Senator Cassidy.

Mr. Cassidy

I would like to avail of this opportunity to express the gratitude of Seán's wife, Anne, and his family. The Members of this House and the staff, in particular, were a great comfort to them in the past two to three weeks. I want to pay tribute to the staff of the House who, kindly and generously, travelled to County Westmeath during the past three days and worked so effectively and efficiently to ensure the smooth passage of Seán's funeral. I thank the leaders of the various groups and the Leas-Chathaoirleach for all their help in carrying out those functions during the past number of days. If Seán were here he would be the first to do the same for any one of us, had the situation arisen. I am grateful for the remarks made by the leaders of the various groups and the Leader of the House.

Mr. Lanigan

In the past three weeks I have criticised the fact that the Minister for Finance came to this House and suggested that the Government would not produce the report of the OECD, at a cost of approximately £3,000, to give Members the opportunity to debate that report in a proper manner. Newspaper reports this morning say that the Taoiseach has appointed a new adviser with a salary of £46,752. If he can pay that amount of money for another adviser, the Taoiseach and Minister for Finance should at least give Members the opportunity to properly debate matters in both Houses of the Oireachtas.

Mr. Dardis

Possibly a photocopying consultant?

Mr. Lanigan

Possibly. I would like to know if it was suggested by the Minister for Finance that it was illegal to photocopy the OECD report. From where did that legal advice come? I cannot find the illegality in photocopying an OECD report. Perhaps permission might have to be sought, but I think that would be forthcoming.

Senator George Mitchell addressed the Joint Committee on Foreign Affairs earlier this week. During his submission it was suggested that the International Fund for Ireland is under severe threat. There are two threats. First, the Republicans, who are seeking cuts in the United States' budget, are asking that the $20 million allocated to the International Fund for Ireland each year should be completely eliminated. I ask the Leader to ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs, the Minister for Finance and the Taoiseach to ensure that all pressure is brought to bear on the newly elected Republican majority in the United States to ensure there is no interference with the International Fund for Ireland. This is another case where leaders, presidents or kings can make public statements of intent to give but when the chips are down they do not follow through on that commitment. I apologise for taking so much time on this issue. The second threat comes from a caucus of Republicans and Democrats who want to attach strings to the allocation of $20 million. They are suggesting that the McBride principles should be introduced before any allocations are made. I ask the Government, and any Members in both Houses who have contacts with American Congressmen or Senators, to get in touch with them immediately. If the IFI fund is not brought up to date, we will have terrible problems.

A further question——

Mr. Manning

A third speech.

Mr. Lanigan

I have asked a series of questions and would like a series of answers.

An Leas-Chathaoirleach

I hope it is brief, Senator.

Mr. Lanigan

I ask the Leader to ask the Minister for Enterprise and Employment to investigate the comments made by the President of the European Union in Dublin this week, who when questioned about job employment in the EU blamed individual Governments and said it was not the job of the European Union to protect employment. At the Congress of Irish Trade Unions yesterday, the President of the European Trade Union Congress suggested that the European Union would supply an extra 15 million jobs between now and the year 2000. The President of the European Union said it will not.

An Leas-Chathaoirleach

A question to the Leader.

Mr. Lanigan

I ask the Leader to ask the Minister for Enterprise and Employment to ascertain the actual position in Europe.

Mr. Byrne

I join with you, a Leas-Chathaoirligh, and other Members of the House in the sincere thanks to the staff for the dignified manner in which the funeral of the late Seán Fallon took place yesterday. The last few days were a busy time for everybody concerned. I also thank Senator Cassidy.

I was unavoidably absent when the House paid due tribute to Seán Fallon. I will not delay the House but I want to say a brief word. I join with all the wishes and statements made about Seán Fallon last Tuesday. I knew him for 20 years and, since I came to this House, I got to know him very well. He was a very humble and kind man who never thought about his own aches, pains and bad health. He was always concerned about other people, ensuring they got a fair crack of the whip, and that the business of the House was run properly and fairly. This House has lost a great friend and a great Cathaoirleach. His wife, Anne, and family have lost a wonderful family man who was an example to us all. He had great patience. The country has lost a great man.

Mr. Farrell

I pay tribute to the Garda Síochána for the wonderful work they do in cracking down on drugs and particularly the crackdown on the manufacture of drugs in Dublin. Will the Leader ask the Minister for Justice if she would put undercover surveillance officers into discos and similar places? While it is good to get at the boys at the top, drugs are still distributed and are available in discos and wherever youth groups gather. It is important that there should be undercover people in these places. If we could put young people off selling drugs and put the suppliers to the discos out of business, we would really be getting on top of the problem.

Mr. Roche

First, I would like to say how nice it is to be back.

Mr. Maloney

Hear. Hear.

Mr. Roche

I know all the Senators are pleased to have me back. I missed the occasion when people paid tribute to Seán Fallon. At a time when politicians come in for a lot of stick, he was a shining example of all that is best in the public service and in political life on all sides of this House and in party politics in this country. It is a pity that critics of politicians do not look at people like Seán Fallon because he is an inspiration to us all.

I want to ask the Leader for time to discuss three items. The first is the relationship which will be established between the Environmental Protection Agency and the local authorities. There is a need to ensure a seamless transfer of responsibility, particularly for environmental emissions, between the Environmental Protection Agency and the local authorities. I have a case in my own constituency of a horrific foul smell in the town of Dunlavin. I am not happy that there is a seamless transfer of power. It would be a good idea if the Leader could put some time aside to discuss the Environmental Protection Agency, how it will operate and how public representatives can assist in feeding material to it. The Environmental Protection Agency is now fully operational and we need to relate it better to the work we do at local authority level.

I hoped this week to raise the issue of Clonmannon in another House. I ask the Leader of the House for some time to discuss it next week. He shares my personal concern, as do the Members on the benches opposite. The Minister has taken additional legal advice in the last five weeks and that advice is now to hand and he is contemplating court action in addition to any action the DPP might consider. I am loth to look for a further Adjournment debate but I ask the Leader to assist in some way next week before we go into the summer recess. People on all sides of the House would agree with that.

I believe there is a lacuna in the local authority housing legislation in the matter of drug dealers and pushers and the abuse of local authority tenancies for drug dealing. I have come across this problem in two housing estates in the town in which I live and every other local authority in every urban area has the same problem. The balance is wrong at the moment. The local authority tenants who are abusing their tenancies are not answerable and there should be a much easier way for local authorities to take effective action.

Could we schedule some discussion on the housing legislation to show political willingness on all sides of the House and to assist the Minister and the Minister of State responsible in the Department of the Environment and the local authorities in bringing this extraordinary scourge to an end? If we could have some time to discuss that I think the Leader will receive assistance from all sides of the House.

Ms Honan

Could we have a response from the Minister for Health in regard to regulations which are limiting the number of days that would be paid for people in psychiatric hospitals?

Mr. Lydon

I was unable to be present when tribute was paid to Senator Fallon. He was a man of elephantine fortitude in the way he bore his illness. I wish to express my sincere sympathy.

I believe the office of the Chief Herald has been vacant for some time now and I hear a rumour that it may not be filled. I would like to hear the Minister's comment on this. It would be a tragic loss to this country if the office were not to be filled.

Mr. Manning

Senator Dardis spoke about East Timor. I am not aware of what he said but I will discuss the matter with him afterwards and convey his concern to the Minister.

In the course of a lengthy question Senator Lanigan raised three issues. I take note of what he said about the photocopying and provision of documentation and I will try to establish the legal position as well as the financial one on that. We all agree with his concerns about the International Fund for Ireland and his points were well made on that. I did not quite get the gist of his question on the European Union but I will not ask him to repeat the question. I will discuss it with him afterwards.

I take Senator Farrell's points about underground surveillance and will convey them to the Minister for Justice.

Senator Roche is very welcome back. He fought the good fight and certainly it is no personal fault of his that the result went the way it did. I doubt if I will be able to make time available next week for any of the issues he has raised. We are, however, sitting the week after that and there may be time there. I will talk to him about that afterwards.

I will try to get the information Senator Honan requested. I do not know what the position is in regard to the office of the Chief Herald but I will make inquiries; it would be a great shame if that office was not filled.

Order of Business agreed to.