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Seanad Éireann debate -
Thursday, 9 May 1996

Vol. 147 No. 5

Order of Business.

Today's business is items 1, 2 and 3. Item 1 will be taken without debate by agreement and item 2 from now until 1 p.m. and from 2 p.m. until 6 p.m. Part I of the Bill, which is the most substantial part, will be taken until 3.30 p.m. and the remaining parts will be taken from then until 6 p.m. Item 3 will be taken from 1 p.m. to 2 p.m.

The Order of Business is agreed. As I mentioned yesterday, we are pleased to see the Harbours Bill, 1995, through its final Stages today. Will the Leader outline the legislative programme for the rest of the session? If he cannot do so today, will he do so next week?

The report by the visiting committee on Mountjoy Prison appears to be discussed by everybody except the Members of the Oireachtas. Will the Leader find out when this report, which should be public property, will be made available to Members of the Oireachtas? I gather it has been referred by the Department of Justice to the Attorney General's Office, but I would like to think there was not much delay in giving an opinion on whether there was the possibility of libel with regard to the report because it is being discussed on radio programmes. In fact, all the complaints in the report appear to have been raised in previous years and, indeed, addressed in the five year plan which Deputy Máire Geoghegan-Quinn introduced when she was Minister for Justice. I would be grateful if the Leader would find out how soon we will be in a position to discuss this obviously very disturbing report.

I support the remarks made by Senator Henry on the report of the visiting committee on Mountjoy Prison. When it becomes available — and I hope it will be soon because it is being debated extensively in the media — we will have an opportunity to debate it in the House.

On the Finance Bill, I note that the Leader said he expected it to finish at 6 p.m. I assume in the unlikely event that it continues until 6 p.m. he does not propose to have it concluded by a single vote on all the outstanding issues because that would not be a good move on his part and would not be welcomed on this side of the House. I know that if he were on this side of the House, he would not welcome it either.

The other matter is an important one which was raised last week. Once again, I appeal to the Leader to make the Ministers for Finance and Agriculture, Food and Forestry aware of just how much disruption has been caused by the continuing dispute in the public service. I do not want to enter into the debate about the various agreements that are in place and how important they are. At this stage the dispute is causing serious hardship for individual farmers, in particular, and others. Will the Leader do whatever he can to influence the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Forestry and the Minister for Finance, who, I understand, has primary responsibility in this area, to ensure this dispute is concluded as quickly as possible?

Will the Leader ask the Ministers for the Environment and Health to get together on a matter which is causing great distress throughout the country? There was a headline in this morning's Irish Independent concerning bacteria getting into a new unit in St. James's Hospital; but there are other hospitals around the country — and I know of one in particular — where the patients are asked to bring in bottled water because the hospital's water is either contaminated or not fit for use. If this is the case in certain hospitals around the country, it is time a survey was carried out to find out what has happened to the water supply to these hospital, that is, whether it is that it is an old system or whatever. Apparently, the St. James's Hospital water system is a new one, so both Ministers should get together urgently on the matter.

On the Order of Business, I ask that the Government convey to the United Nations that we are satisfied with the reports coming from south Lebanon. This morning Mr. Peres said: "Do not trust the United Nations". This is coming from one of the two countries set up by a vote of the United Nations.

A question, Senator. We are not discussing the matter.

I ask the Leader to ask the Government to give the United Nations the support that is needed at this time when civilians have been killed deliberately by one of two countries set up by a vote of the United Nations.

I raise a matter relating to agriculture which Senator Dardis has already raised, that is, the unrest caused among farmers by the Civil Service strike. It is causing farmers great concern, especially at this time when farmers are buying and selling breeding bulls. Bulls are being exchanged at present having had no tests carried out on them. This is serious for the bovine disease eradication scheme. The Minister introduced a new scheme recently which will prove to be a disaster. I told him that in this House.

We are not discussing that matter.

This was raised on the Adjournment last week both here and in the Dáil. The Minister was made aware of it, but it has been going on for five or six weeks and the Minister's inaction is not acceptable.

As I said, we are not discussing the matter now.

Last week, when it was raised in the Dáil, the Minister did not seem to realise the seriousness of the situation.

I am sure the Leader understands the point you are making.

We should have a debate on agriculture or some other arrangement. We raised the matter on the Adjournment and there is still no action. I appeal to the Minister to ensure something is done.

I ask the Leader of the House to ask the Government to take steps to co-ordinate action at Government level to prevent the further pollution and degradation of Lough Derg in the Tipperary, Galway and Clare area. It has become a matter of great concern. Fish kills are being noted every day. The quality of the water, which is a special asset to the people around there, has been degraded.

I am sure the Senator can find some other way of raising that matter.

I ask the Leader to ask for a co-ordinated approach and one Government Minister to deal with this.

There is already.

I thank the Opposition speakers for their co-operation on the Finance Bill and on the Harbours Bill, to which significant changes were made during its earlier time in this House. Everybody is anxious to get it on the Statute Book and into effect. Next Wednesday I will outline the business we intend to see processed between now and the end of the session.

Senator Henry and Senator Dardis raised the Mountjoy visiting committee report. I will find out immediately after the Order of Business when it is intended to publish it. I will communicate with both Senators and if needs be try to arrange a debate. Senator Dardis asked when we will finish today. I do not even recognise the word "guillotine". The time of 6 p.m. is aspirational.

In what sense is it aspirational?

Senator Dardis and Senator Kiely mentioned the effects of the CPSU dispute. Everybody is aware of the hardship and disruption and I will pass on once again their concern. However, I know that every effort is being made to try to resolve this dispute, which is not a single, stand alone dispute but part of a wider network. I will also pass on Senator Lanigan's concern about bacteria and the quality of water.

It is my view that the report of the UN more or less coincides with the observations of the Irish troops, so I do not think there should be any difficulty in accepting that report. Senator O'Kennedy mentioned Lough Derg. It is my belief that there is a plan for Lough Derg but I am aware of the deterioration in that beautiful lake and I will pass on the Senator's concern.

Order of Business agreed to.
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