It is proposed to take items 1 and 14, motion 25, today; item 1 to conclude at 6 p.m. and item 14, motion 25 to be taken between 6 p.m. and 8 p.m.
Order of Business.
We agree with the proposed Order of Business. The Leader has given a commitment that between now and the end of this session we will be given an opportunity to make statements on Northern Ireland. I suggest that, after a weekend of major speeches by the Taoiseach and my party leader, now would be a good time for us to be afforded a chance to make such statements.
I agree with the proposed Order of Business. It is in everybody's interest to have a nonjudgmental type debate on the operation of semi-State companies. I am concerned — this is not a political comment — about the quality of people who will participate in public representation at this level in future and about the morale of workers and management in these companies. Many of the good aspects of these companies also need to be mentioned. I am not taking sides and I am not saying that the Minister or Fianna Fáil is right or wrong. The situation is a total mess at this stage and the whole series of events reflects badly on all of us in public life. All aspects of semi-State companies and not just the corner of a plot in Cork should be discussed.
With regard to item 1, the Leader did not indicate if there would be time limits on speeches. If there are limits, will time sharing be permitted?
We should condemn the execution in Nigeria of Ken Sara-Wiwa and others and say we do not condone that type of activity. Consistent with the concerns we expressed last week about human rights in East Timor, the same concerns should be expressed in this case. I am glad to see Senator Norris has returned safely from Indonesia; we were worried about him last week.
I support what Senator O'Toole said about semi-State companies. I do not wish to open a political debate on this matter but we should reflect on it and the House could make a valuable contribution. There must be concern at this stage that people who have the ability and qualities required to serve on the boards of semi-State companies may not be attracted to do so. This would be regrettable.
When will the White Paper on foreign affairs be published? It has been expected for some time. When it is published time should be made available to debate it here.
I join with Senator Dardis in his condemnation of the execution of Ken Sara-Wiwa and his colleagues. The world seems to be ineffective in preventing such atrocities. These executions were signalled in advance and protests were made but the executions were carried out. It would be helpful if we could debate the kind of sanctions which could be availed when there are international incidents such as this. There should be a powerful and effective world body in this area. As a neutral country Ireland could make a valuable contribution to what can be done at world level.
I reiterate my question to the Leader about the criminal justice drug trafficking Bill. He will recall that I asked him if the Minister for Justice could introduce the Bill, perhaps in this House, as a matter of urgency. Everybody agrees this Bill is vitally important. When will it be before this or the other House?
I ask the Leader of the House, in view of the great urgency attached to Irish Steel, that he immediately contact the Minister for Enterprise and Employment, Deputy Bruton, and ask him to intensify his efforts to resolve this matter with Mr. Eggar, his British counterpart. There is currently a stalemate on the matter. I also support Senator Dardis' condemnations of the Nigerian Government.
I thank Senator Dardis for welcoming me back and I also wish to place on record my appreciation for the kind words from the Leader of the House and others which were transmitted to us in Indonesia. The international delegation of which I was a part was impressed with the recorded stance of Ireland on East Timor. It is on that matter that I speak. There is a motion about East Timor, No. 18 in the name of myself, Senator Henry and Senator O'Toole, on the Order Paper. Can the Leader indicate whether it will be possible to take this motion or one similar to it provided by the Government at the beginning of December because 7 December will be the 20th anniversary of the invasion and illegal annexation of East Timor. It is a particularly important anniversary and will be acknowledged throughout the world. I would like to think this House could have the opportunity to have this sort of debate. This will also provide me with an opportunity to update the House on developments there, as I was made aware of them.
I also support what other Members said about the situation in Nigeria. The way to apply pressure is through the oil companies like Shell and Chevron; that is the key. It was made clear to me, both in Indonesia and Singapore, that economic pressure at the time of the invasion of East Timor would have stopped the Indonesians dead in their tracks; but they were given the signal by the West that it would look the other way. Perhaps a debate on international human rights, about which Senator O'Sullivan expressed some concern, would be in order.
We had, on the day of Brian Lenihan's lamented death, a high powered delegation from Iran. Some serious matters about the barbarous torture and execution of gay people in Iran were raised. That delegation confirmed this was what they wished to do, but it was not recorded because the committee went into private session. I greatly regret the Irish people did not have the opportunity to see the savagery of the Iranian Government greatly revealed.
I congratulate our public relations officer for a series of information leaflets which have recently been published. I draw the Leader's attention to the fact that an information session for provincial journalists from Munster took place on 7 November to enable them to see the Houses and the committees of the Oireachtas at work. However, the Seanad was not sitting that day. I am concerned the public relations officer would arrange such a session on a Seanad non-sitting day and herald it as giving information on how the Houses worked.
In light of the image of honesty, accountability, openness and transparency this Government is trying to project, would it not be right and fitting for it to provide some time to discuss the continuing problem in the Department of Agriculture, Food and Forestry regarding the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Forestry, Deputy Yates, and his Minister of State, Deputy Deenihan, in connection with the employment of the Minister of State's private secretary?
He should talk.
That does not arise on the Order of Business.
We have a motion on this matter on the Order Paper. The Minister stated in the Dáil last week that under no circumstances did any civil servant ever indicate to Michael Kelly that he would be allowed to continue drawing invalidity payments. Yet, the Minister of State, who is continually supporting Mr. Kelly——
A question for the Leader, please. We cannot debate the issue.
I am not debating the issue. I am trying to put the question. The Minister of State has supported his private secretary, which is completely in conflict with what the Minister, Deputy Yates, stated in the Dáil last Tuesday.
We cannot discuss the matter on the Order of Business. A question for the Leader.
I ask the Leader to ask the Minister of State, Deputy Deenihan, to come to the House to explain what is happening in connection with the employment of Mr. Kelly and why the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Forestry, Deputy Yates, said that no civil servant gave him that indication. Someone is being economical with the truth on this issue.
I also call for a debate on Northern Ireland. It is now almost five months since the death of Senator Wilson and the matter has not been discussed in the Seanad in that time. There have been a number of serious exchanges concerning the peace process and it is important we move as soon as possible. Could the Leader also indicate when the Seanad seat of Senator Wilson will be filled? It is important that someone of that calibre, living and working in Northern Ireland and from a Unionist viewpoint, should be here to keep us informed.
I support my colleagues' condemnation of the executions in Nigeria. I ask the Leader to ask the Minister for Justice if she intends introducing amending legislation on the reporting of family law cases. It is essential that the identity of participants would remain private; but it would do much to inform the public, and in particular legislators, about family law cases. Many lawyers specialising in this area have called for reform and I support that.
I ask the Leader to convey to the Minister for Foreign Affairs this House's appreciation of Ireland's recent decision to vote with Cuba in the UN. For years we abstained on this matter but we now have voted in favour of lifting the USA's unjust blockade of Cuba.
Cubans are back.
The Leader may not be aware of the growing concern in the midwest about Government plans for the future of the Shannon Free Airport Development Company. SFADCo is the agency which promotes and undertakes to develop tourism in the midwest region, which includes north Kerry. It has recently been suggested that this responsibility may be given to Bord Fáilte. The concern is felt both in the region and the company, especially in view of the recent announcement by the Minister for Transport, Energy and Communications that responsibility for the promotion of Shannon would be given to Aer Rianta. We need some clarification from the Minister as to future plans for SFADCo. Is it intended that it will retain responsibility for the development and promotion of tourism within the region or are there plans to transfer that responsibility to Bord Fáilte?
I ask the Leader for a debate on tourism. We had a good summer this year and tourism is important for employment in rural areas, even if such employment is part-time. I ask that such a debate occur in the near future.
A number of issues were raised. All of us agree with Senator Dardis and others about the executions in Nigeria. This was a brutal act carried out in defiance of world opinion. As Senator O'Sullivan said, it also indicated the powerlessness of the world to influence the Nigerian dictators who persisted with such an act. The disgust and condemnation of the House will be conveyed to the Nigerian Embassy in Dublin, but it may be appropriate to have a short debate on the matter later. If Senators are interested we may set aside half an hour for short statements.
Senator Wright mentioned Northern Ireland. I have spoken to the Tánaiste; he is anxious to come to the House and as soon as an appropriate date in the near future can be found we will have such a debate. Senator O'Toole and others raised the future of the semi-State bodies. This is a serious subject for which I would be happy to make time available and to invite the Minister to the House. Perhaps we can arrange that in the next few weeks. Senator Dardis asked about time limits on item 1. I suggest 20 minutes per speaker, if that is agreeable, and Members may share time if they wish.
I am not aware of the date of publication of the White Paper on foreign affairs but I will seek information on that. Senator O'Sullivan raised the question of sanctions; it might be appropriate to have a short debate on the future of the UN between now and the end of the session. We live in a crucial time in the life of the UN which is being reshaped for the next century. The issue which she and other Senators raised would be appropriate to that debate.
I am not aware of progress on the criminal justice drugs trafficking Bill but I will attempt to find out about it. I assure Senator Sherlock that the Minister is working very intensively to ensure the proper result in the case of Irish Steel and there is good reason for hope at this stage.
I welcome back Senator Norris. The wishes of the House last week were sincerely meant. It would be appropriate, if we could do it, to have a short series of statements on 6 or 7 December. It is the view of the House that we should have that debate and we will see if we can arrange it around those two dates. Perhaps an hour would be sufficient.
That would be perfect.
In reply to Senator Neville, I am puzzled that an information day was held when this House was not sitting and I will pursue the matter. Senator Kelleher's party has Private Members' time next week and a motion on the Order Paper so it is open to them to spend their two hours next week pursuing the matter. He will have a device open to him.
In reply to Senator Maloney, I believe the seat will be filled in the very near future. In reply to Senator Honan, I will take advice on the reporting of family law cases and I will try to come back to her. I will convey Senator Kelly's good wishes to the Tánaiste — I think it was a good day's work — although she may see him before I do.
I have already done so.
Senator Daly raised the issue of the Shannon Development Company. I am not aware of the disquiet being caused but obviously it is there. That motion might be appropriate for the Adjournment. Perhaps the Senator might raise it tomorrow in order to get a speedy response. In reply to Senator Calnan, I do not have any plans at the moment for a debate on tourism but we will try to work it in later.
Order of Business agreed to.