Before I announce the Order of Business, the new Government Chief Whip is Senator Burke and his assistant will be Senator Hayes. I wish him well in that role. He has a hard act to follow but he will do it very well.
Order of Business.
The old guard is taking over.
Today's Order of Business is items 1, 2, 3 and 4. Item 1 will be taken immediately after the Order of Business. Item 2 will conclude not later than 5 p.m. Item 3 will be taken from 5 p.m. to 6 p.m. and item 4 will be taken from 6 p.m. to the conclusion of business.
I had intended having statements on tourism but Fianna Fáil asked if we could take item 4, which is a Fianna Fáil Private Members' Bill. I am happy to facilitate it in doing so. With the agreement of the House, all stages of item 4 will be taken after 6 p.m.
I think the Leader for taking item No. 4, which is very progressive legislation in the interests of the disabled. In the new year we will deal with tourism. The Leader mentioned that the Credit Union Bill may be initiated before Christmas and he might comment on that before the Seanad goes into recess on Friday. I welcome the announcement that Senator Burke is to be the Government Chief Whip and that Senator Hayes is to be his assistant. Senator Burke may not know some of my colleagues that well but between now and the new year he will get to know them better than I especially when it comes to finding pairs. I wish him well.
I could not believe that when I asked about the Oireachtas (Miscellaneous Provisions) and Ministerial and Parliamentary Offices (Amendment) Bill, 1996, I could not get a copy of it. It is being rushed through Cabinet this morning and it has not been published. It is to be rushed through the Dáil this afternoon and through the Seanad tomorrow. Then it will be rushed to the President to sign tomorrow evening. The manner in which this legislation is being rushed through is the very opposite to how we should do business. The people are worried about many things and the element of panic surrounding this measure which is aimed at putting taxpayers' money into the coffers of political parties is out of all proportion. Why is this Bill being rushed through tomorrow? I cannot get a copy of the Bill and am told that it will not be available for another hour or so.
I congratulate Senator Burke on his appointment as Whip and Senator Hayes on his appointment as assistant. If they do half as well as the Cathaoirleach did when in that position they will have done very well. Both of them can count and that would be one of the first prerequisites of the position.
Regarding the matter raised by Senator Quinn and without going into the detail of the legislation, it would be the general experience that when we deal with legislation in that rushed way history teaches us it is very easy to make mistakes. Some consideration should be given to these matters.
I ask the Leader if he can arrange time in the next session to discuss the national lottery and the report published on where that money goes. We also need to consider how the money is distributed and the way decisions are made apart from the list of recipients.
Item 19, Statements on economic and monetary union, was not concluded last week and Members still wanted to speak on it. This was raised by Senator Howard last week. Will the Leader confirm that we will discuss the Dublin Summit, the publication of the draft European Union Treaty and the progress of the Intergovernmental Conference in the resumed debate on European Monetary Union? If not, perhaps he would initiate another debate on the broader issue of European union and enlargement and other related aspects.
I congratulate our new Chief Whip and assistant Whip on their new positions and wish them every success.
I also congratulate the Minister for Transport, Energy and Communications and his predecessor, Deputy Lowry, on the work they have done for Bord na Móna, especially in obtaining an equity injection which is now being cleared by the European Union. This is of immense importance. Perhaps we could debate in the next session how the company's finances are being handled because an excellent job is being done. The European Union examined the equity injection very carefully and I am pleased it found it to be in order. The Minister is to be congratulated on that.
Can we discuss the policy on the transfer and closing of post offices? When a person who runs a post office dies, the branch is closed. However, some of these post offices are occasionally transferred without being advertised. This is something about which there ought to be policies and guidelines and we should debate it. I am sure rural Senators would agree with me.
Would the Senator put a question to the Leader?
Will the Leader organise a debate on this matter in the next session?
I congratulate Senator Burke and Senator Hayes on their elevation to new office. I assure them of my full co-operation.
I have repeatedly called for a discussion on safety at sea. It is appropriate to introduce legislation on this because a fishing boat sank yesterday near the Smalls off the east coast. There was a lot of controversy about the rescue, although all were saved. They were rescued by a helicopter from England for which we are grateful. Questions are now being asked about where our helicopter was, especially as the accident occurred so near the coast. The other question is how the boat got into difficulties in such calm seas; apparently it was caused by a freak wave. There is a need to review safety at sea and enact new legislation in this area as most of our boats are very old.
I congratulate Senator Hayes on his promotion. I am sorry I did not get the position of Chief Whip but I am not altogether surprised.
Neither are we.
We would not be coming back after Christmas had the Senator got the position.
Senator Ross without interruption.
It demonstrates that party loyalty is not always rewarded.
On a more serious note, would the Leader of the House ask the Minister for Finance, before or after Christmas, to explain something which he has not yet explained to anyone else, which is the complete surrender to the public service unions between Friday and Saturday while we were celebrating the stability pact with European Union leaders? That deal was struck in the middle of the night yet we had been told one week earlier that such an arrangement was impossible. Does this mark the total domination of the Government by the Labour Party and the left?
With the help of God and His Blessed Mother.
This is possibly the most irresponsible decision taken by a Minister for Finance since 1977. It makes Fianna Fáil's bribery of the electorate look like a minor birthday present.
That is a hard act to follow.
It has almost become a ritual for us to ask for a discussion on Northern Ireland. That will not be arranged before the end of the term but could I suggest that the Leader arranges such a debate as soon as possible after we resume?
There is an example which this House can follow. It has been established since the days of Aristotle and Plato——
I hope the Senator is not going to include all their work on the Order of Business.
This House can make a real contribution to the analysis and development of the Northern Ireland situation. Where there is a political stand-off, as currently exists, what is required is that politics be exercised in a manner that breaks through that log jam. If people insist on standing firm on constitutional positions no progress will be made. Using the precedents of the resolution of conflicts around the world, we should have an informed analysis in this House, and invite people, if necessary, to help break the log jam in the knowledge that the art of politics is to break down barriers.
I thought that Senator Ross had begun the process of reconciliation with Fine Gael.
Where would the Senator be without me?
Obviously the Senator's instructions from the Irish Independent newspaper were to take this tack. I can assure him that every time he attacks the Labour Party the membership increases.
The membership is falling.
Tactically, why did the Leader not offer Senator Ross the job he so desired?
Senator O'Kennedy is right to request a debate on Northern Ireland. The Foyle Fisheries Commission was fined £40,000 for discriminating against employees on religious grounds. This is not a subject which I like to pursue but the Government is a joint manager of the commission and must take responsibility for allowing religious discrimination in the selection of employees. We must deal with this matter urgently. I am not a bigot and if I have something to say I will say it. If this Government tolerates being a party to religious discrimination then it has to be told that we are contributing to some of the problems in Northern Ireland. We must debate the fundamental issues because there is no point talking superficially about what we might desire. The House might be shocked that religious discrimination is practised, partly in our name, by the Foyle Fisheries Commission but I work with cross-Border organisations and I feel obliged to raise this issue in the House.
I congratulate Senator Burke and Senator Hayes on their appointments. In view of the recent practice where any and all issues have been raised and elaborated upon at length on the Order of Business, is it intended to reform the procedures in this regard?
It is the last straw when a Senator who is paid a substantial salary by a newspaper comes to the House to attack workers in the public service whenever he feels like it.
Senator Ross has struck a chord.
His attendance is negligible and he should be suspended. His contribution to the debate has no meaning.
I was going to refer to Santa Claus but Senator Ross has already dealt with him. It seems the presents are not going down well with certain Members.
He came too early.
Some months ago I raised the issue of a regional industrial policy and how it impacted on rural development. In this regard two reports have been published recently. The first is from the Western Partnership Board, set up by the Government and, although we are awaiting action from it, I commend its chairman, Mr. John Higgins, for keeping the agenda focused on the disadvantages in rural areas. The second report is that from the Combat Poverty Agency which shows that the most severe deprivation and poverty is to found in housing estates on the fringes of small and medium sized towns in rural areas. This may come as a surprise to those who have always believed that poverty is exclusive to the large cities. In this context, there will be many families whom Santa Claus will not visit on Christmas Eve.
While the public service unions may have been delighted with the outcome of the Government's negotiations, the reality is that many families will go without this Christmas. There is a perception that rural Ireland comprises small farmers who live on largesse from Brussels. However, the reality is that many of those people have no land assets, live in local authority housing and do their best to get by. Will the Leader make time available in the next session for a discussion on the imbalances in industrial development? I would not want to be accused of being the dog in the manger with regard to the new industries which have located on the east coast. However, there is an imbalance, an east-west divide, which we should have the chance to address.
I thank Senators for their congratulations. I also thank them in advance for their committed support and co-operation over the next 12 months. I support Senator Fitzgerald's request for a discussion on safety at sea, particularly with reference to the fishing fleet. I also want to congratulate the Minister for Justice, Deputy Owen, who has responded to calls from this House to restore operation Shannon. Now that it is in place I have no doubt it will be a great success.
I also congratulate Senator Burke and Senator Hayes on their appointments. I support Senator McGowan's call for a debate on the Foyle Fisheries Commission. On a previous occasion I raised the report on the safety review of the fishing fleet which was published six months ago. We have still not debated that. It is over a year since the Carrigatine disaster, following which the safety review was set up. Fishermen and their families are extremely concerned about safety at work. We should have a debate on that report as soon as possible.
I would also call for a debate on Northern Ireland. The situation there has been deteriorating since the events at Drumcree last July. We have seen disgraceful scenes at Harryville church week after week yet little is said about it here. It is wrong for thugs to behave in this way on Saturday nights when people are trying to go to their place of worship. We have shied away from this matter on a number of occasions but we should discuss it during the new session.
Senator Mooney mentioned two reports and I support his call for a debate on them. However, we should also take into account the Teagasc report on rural development which states that only 40 per cent of farms will be viable in future. The problem is, and will continue to be, as Senator Mooney outlined it. We need to debate the matter urgently.
I assure Senator Wright that the debate on tourism will recommence early in the next session. He also asked about the Credit Union Bill. I understand it is on course but I will be able to confirm that tomorrow. Senator Quinn raised the question of the Houses of the Oireachtas (Miscellaneous Provisions) and Ministerial and Parliamentary Offices (Amendment) Bill being rushed, but it certainly will not be rushed through this House. There is all party agreement on the Bill which is largely concerned with regularising the situation of secretaries in Leinster House who have no statutory basis at present.
That is right.
The Bill is late because of difficulties including union negotiations. This aspect of the Bill could not be put in place until agreement had been reached. Now that it has been reached, people are anxious that the secretaries' situation, which all of us deprecate, should be put right as quickly as possible. Another provision in the Bill will regularise the position concerning overnights. Senator Quinn may not be aware of the real hardship imposed on most rural Senators concerning the rate of overnights and the way they are applied. Many if not all rural Senators are seriously out of pocket because of the situation which pertains. That is why the Minister is anxious to have the Bill passed before Christmas. I will give as much time as is needed to discuss the Bill tomorrow, and if Members want to have Committee Stage on Friday or next Monday there will be no difficulty with that. I will give as much time as the House requires for the Bill.
I am sorry if the text of the Bill was not available. That should not have happened and Senator Quinn has a legitimate point. The Minister for Finance is dealing with the Finance Bill and the Senator should certainly have the text of this short Bill as quickly as possible.
Senator Dardis sought a debate on the national lottery and I have no difficulty with that. It might be wiser to start a new debate on economic and monetary union after Christmas. Events are moving swiftly and Members might like to start afresh on that. I am keen to keep it as an item on the Order of Business so we can have that debate regularly.
Senator Fitzgerald raised the question of safety at sea. That could be debated early in the new year. A number of other Senators raised the same issue which I know is close to Senator Fitzgerald's heart.
I am sorry that Senator Ross has been passed over for promotion once again but I know he will be stoic in the face of adversity. Who knows? His time may come.
I also thank him for his, as ever, very helpful contribution on the Order of Business. He certainly has a talent for helping his friends and we are all very grateful for that. However, he made a serious point and of course it will be conveyed to the Minister for Finance. Somebody else can complain to the Taoiseach.
Senator O'Kennedy raised the question of a debate on Northern Ireland. I am very keen to have such a debate early in the new session. A longer debate than is our wont would be helpful.
Senator McGowan raised the question of the Foyle Fisheries Commission. A Bill will be introduced in the new session which will give him an opportunity to outline his views. Raising the matter on the Adjournment in the meantime would be a useful way of ventilating that particular point.
Senator Sherlock raised a question about the Order of Business which, if need be, can be raised at the Committee on Procedure and Privileges.
Senator Mooney and Senator Kelly raised the question of the reports. I have already assured the Leader of the Opposition that we will have a debate on the Western Development report early in the new session. If the other reports are germane, they, too, can be included in that debate.
I congratulate Senator Burke and Senator Hayes on their recent appointments.
Order of Business agreed to.