The Order of Business today is item No. 1, to conclude. I will not order a sos but if it appears that the Bill is going to take a long time the Whips can meet and agree on one.
Order of Business.
The Order of Business is agreed. Can the Leader tell us when he hopes this House will deal with the Fifteenth Amendment of the Constitution (No. 2) Bill? It is my party's wish that the Leader, when ordering business for the new session, will give priority to the recent increase in crime figures both nationally and in Dublin city and county and will allocate Government time for the House to discuss them.
Senator Daly gave notice that on the Adjournment of the House today he wished to raise the matter of the unsafe nuclear stations in the UK. Will the Leader make Government time available for the House to express its concern about the disastrous situation that prevails in those stations?
We have some concerns about getting through our business today although it is not our intention to cause problems and we will co-operate in every way. There is a great deal of business to get through and, due to its rushed nature, it has been difficult to get amendments until late. I hope our business can be concluded in one day but I would have liked to have had a little more notice to deal with amendments and to come to terms with the various versions of the Bill.
I wish to raise two more issues. First, I remind the Leader of his commitment to holding a debate on education. The White Paper on education has receded in people's minds but a number of issues are of serious consequence to Members on both sides of the House and to people at all levels of society. Will the Leader decide on a date for a follow-up debate on the White Paper because the Department is now at the point of making decisions?
One aspect of the White Paper applies to the next point I wish to make — the question of political accountability within the education service. This matter has been raised on a number of occasions here, by Senator Magner, and in other places. We need to debate it and representational outlets or access to other bodies for elected members of the Dáil, Seanad and county councils. I read in today's newspapers, for example, that Dublin city councillors were booed at the civic reception they organised for the Dublin team. That is symptomatic of a disease that is widespread and of which we are a part when we blithely pass legislation through this House which forbids Members of the Dáil and Seanad and county councillors from sitting on various bodies. We are sounding our own death-knell in this regard. We are demeaning our positions and those who devote themselves to public life. Serious questions should be asked as to whether it is appropriate or inappropriate for elected Members to sit on another body.
A question for the Leader of the House.
During the Leader's time in Opposition we had a contretemps about the attitude of young people towards a career in public life. All these things are happening now outside. This is our first day back, as it were, and it is time that we looked at ourselves, our role and how Members of this House are perceived in society. We should take this ball on the hop and have a full debate on the issue.
I agree with speakers who have raised their concern about the dangers of nuclear stations in Britain. The news today that a second shutdown had to take place is of great concern. We saw the huge reaction to French nuclear testing but the dangers of nuclear stations in England and Wales are even closer to us. Can the Leader tell us what political and diplomatic representations have been made regarding this extremely serious matter for all of us on this side of the Irish Sea?
In addition, could the Minister for Health come to the Chamber at an early opportunity to discuss the breakdown in negotiations between the members of Positive Action and the Minister about the tribunal for compensation for victims of hepatitis C?
On the day when the Secretary-General of the United Nations has suggested that the UN should pull out of the former Yugoslavia, it is appropriate that we should hold an urgent debate on the role of the United Nations particularly as this is its fiftieth year of operation. One of the reasons there should be an early debate on this matter is that Mr. Boutros-Ghali suggested the withdrawal of the UN from Bosnia and that NATO should take over. He said that the United Nations is a peace-keeping unit whereas NATO is a war-making unit. If NATO is to take over peacekeeping and we accept war and NATO trying to resolve problems, we are in for a dangerous new era in world politics. NATO is not controlled by the United Nations. Unfortunately, it is controlled by a small number of so-called superpowers.
Will the Leader of the House have a debate here immediately on the role of the United Nations and Mr. BoutrosGhali's unfortunate suggestion of an enhanced role for NATO? An enhanced role for NATO is a dangerous concept and should be fought, particularly as the Russian Federation will not agree to NATO as the peace-keeper or, as Mr. Boutros Boutros-Ghali said, the war-maker of the future.
I raise the matter of the recent serving of redundancy notices to 70 employees of the Office of Public Works in County Roscommon at a time when the work being undertaken on the Boyle-Bonet drainage is incomplete. There is grave concern in the county about this matter given that there are 3,000 acres yet to be drained and approximately 300 bridges to be constructed. Will the Leader of the House invite the Minister for Finance to come into the House and arrange an opportunity for us to debate this matter? The general opinion in the county is that this action is totally inappropriate.
We cannot discuss this matter on the Order of Business.
Will the Leader arrange an opportunity for the Minister for Finance to come into the House, so we can debate this matter to see if we can resolve it to the satisfaction of both the farmers and the workers?
The Leader of the House will be aware of the widespread anxiety and concern about the British nuclear industry, especially in view of the report today of further incidents. While I do not wish to have this matter debated in a piecemeal way in Adjournment debates, it would, be desirable if we could get an indication from the Leader on what arrangements he can make to have the issue discussed here. There is concern about Government inaction in this area and we would like to hear from the Government what action it proposes to take to deal with this crisis and what action it is taking, both with the British authorities and internationally, to deal with the situation. The situation is chronic and there is widespread alarm about the developing situation in the UK nuclear industry.
I join with Senator Daly in his remarks vis-a-vis the nuclear industry. It is time a debate took place in this House but it should be a debate based on reality. There are a number of realities that, generally speaking, people do not face up to — the power or imagined power of an Irish Government to influence a decision of the British Government in that area, the component that nuclear energy is in the total British energy requirements and the appalling level of disregard for Ireland and the Irish people by the British Government, even in this latest incident, where we were told of the event long after it occurred — I understand it was nine days. We need to have a calm systematic debate to look at real options, as against favoured options, that are available to the Irish Government and what it can do, both with the British Government and also internationally. The point on which any success will be based is in influencing British public opinion. It is no problem to influence Irish public opinion, it is to influence British public opinion. The debate should be structured around that element.
I welcome the White Paper on mental health published by the Minister for Health. I would like the Leader to raise with the Minister the possibility of having a debate on it as soon as possible. I read recently that in one health board area a 98 year old person who spent 66 years in an institution was transferred to a community nursing home and a 97 year old, having spent 60 years in a hospital, was also transferred. These matters raise grave concerns for people like me who work in the psychiatric services. The sooner we have a debate on the White Paper the better.
Many of us share the joy of Senator Wright at last Sunday's victory by Dublin. All of us would like to congratulate the Dublin team on bringing the Sam Maguire cup back to Dublin.
We should put up a banner.
I assure Senator Daly that I do not forget Clare, as if anybody could, after their magnificent victory.
Senator Wright raised the question of a debate on the Fifteenth Amendment to the Constitution Bill. It is proposed that this will be taken on 17 October. The Whips will meet to ensure there is adequate time for this debate. It will probably be essentially a Second Stage debate as it is a short Bill. As much time as is needed by all Senators who wish to contribute will be available.
Senators Wright, Magner and Daly raised the issue of the nuclear problems being encountered at present. A calm reasoned debate, as indicated by Senator Magner, should be a priority as soon as the House is fully back in session. I will ensure, if at all possible, that this will be the first major debate we have. I will also give priority to a debate on crime, as suggested by Senator Wright.
Senator O'Toole asked for a debate on education. A debate on the White Paper is still on the Order Paper, although at this stage it may be appropriate to change this and begin a new debate on education in line with developments which have taken place since the White Paper was published. I will try to arrange this as early as possible. I agree with Senator O'Toole on the question of political representation on school boards. It would be a detrimental step if any attempt were made to reduce the amount of public representation on them. I am not aware of any such proposals.
Senator Honan raised the nuclear issue, to which I have replied. It would probably be more appropriate for her to raise the issue on the Adjournment, when she could be given a speedy reply by the Minister. I am not sure if a full debate would be warranted.
Senator Lanigan raised the role of the UN. We had a debate on this about a year ago; coming up to its fiftieth anniversary. In light of rapidly changing events, a further debate would be desirable and perhaps we can arrange it fairly soon.
I will convey Senator Finneran's concerns about the Office of Public Works to the Minister for Finance.
Senator Maloney raised the issue of the White Paper on mental health. This was raised by Senator Finneran on many occasions. It is worthy of a debate and I will try to arrange one as soon as possible.
Order of Business agreed to.