Today's Order of Business is items 1, 2 and 3. Item 1, Second Stage, will be taken from now until 6 o'clock, with 20 minutes per speaker. Item 2 will be taken from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m., and I suggest ten minutes per speaker. Item 3 will be taken from 8 p.m. until it concludes.
Order of Business.
I commend members of the Garda Síochána on their efforts yesterday in the fight against crime and terrorism. Hopefully, lives and property have been saved by their excellent work.
Also yesterday, the Government announced its policy on the future of sport. The Leader will be aware that my own party produced its document on sport within the last month. In the context of both documents and given the importance of sport in our everyday lives, will the Leader make time available as soon as possible for an in-depth discussion on the development of sport and its future funding?
Noting the fact that the Government side seems to be facilitating us with statements every Wednesday night, which is impressive and open of them, does this signal a coming election? More to the point, the fact that the Government has now announced the date of the next budget as 29 October, will the Leader confirm that the Government intends introducing another budget before the election? It would allow us to plan things like the summer holiday break.
It is possible. It is within the law.
I am aware of that. My question is to the Leader who knows I am well aware of the constitutional possibilities. That was not the effect of my question. My question was whether the Government has decided to bring in a new budget before the next election. This information would be convenient for all of us in terms of planning our diaries for the remainder of the year. It would also take some pressure off the Government parties. Of course, the Leader should tell his own people first. To take some pressure off the Government benches may I reiterate my earlier request that, in order to inform Members of the House what is happening in the country's schools, the Minister for Education should supply us with a list of her planned buildings for this year, next year and the following year, the amount of money to be spent on each school and where and when the money will be spent. That would save us much trouble and would save the staff of this House and the Department having to spend time preparing material for matters on the Adjournment. It would also be an efficient means of meeting the Government's objective of delivering better government.
On previous occasions I mentioned the beef industry on the Order of Business. The threat posed to the poultry industry by the spectre of Newcastle disease has caused public concern in recent days. The proposed debate on agriculture should focus on the effects of BSE and Newcastle disease. In order to create public confidence we must debate the facts and base our judgments on them. Perhaps the debate next Wednesday morning could deal with this issue.
The Leader indicated that an early debate will be held on agriculture. Can he confirm the date? He also suggested that debates be held on Wednesday mornings; I agree. Will the Order of Business will be taken at the start of business or later on Wednesday afternoons?
There is an urgent need for a debate on agriculture in view of the BSE crisis, events in the Russian and Egyptian markets and so forth. The incidence of Newcastle disease is an additional reason. It is important to realise, however, that the outbreak of Newcastle disease is different from the BSE crisis. There appears to be a public perception that Newcastle disease in poultry is contaminative and poses a potential risk for people who eat poultry. That is not the case. It is a virus much like any other virus that might occur in animals.
Senator Wright referred to the report "Targeting Sporting Change in Ireland". It is important that the House debates the report and examines our policy on sport. We should dwell on the role of the Olympic Council of Ireland and how funds will be distributed. I have no difficulty with what is proposed in the report in that regard. However, given the proposals on the share of national lottery funds, the building of a 50 metre swimming pool and so forth, it is important that such matters are dealt with early.
Another subject worthy of debate is economic and monetary union. The debate should be extended to our fiscal and exchange rate policies. There is considerable concern in the farming community and elsewhere about the effect interest rates can have on the exchange rate and the fact that a reduction in interest rates would reflect on exchange rates. However, there appears to be a difference of opinion between financial analysts and stockbroking firms so it is important that we examine this issue in the near future, preferably within the next two weeks.
I support the calls of Senator Wright and Senator Dardis for a debate on the report on sport released by John Treacy and the Irish Sports Council. My colleague, Senator Maloney, has called for a debate on sport on several occasions and the report is a suitable basis for such a debate. I understand from newspaper reports that the report deals with both structures and finance.
All Governments have failed sport in terms of allocating national lottery funding. It was originally intended that a larger proportion of that funding should be devoted to sport but that has not been done by any Government. The issue of women in sport is extensively dealt with in the document and I welcome that. Perhaps the famous Oireachtas rugby team might be challenged by the eight female Members of this House who were not even considered for selection recently.
I would not mind scrumming beside the Senator.
The Senator's party colleague has a son who is very good at rugby and I am sure he inherited that talent from somewhere. We will certainly seek the opportunity of selection in future.
The Control of Horses Bill, 1996, was signed by the President but it has not yet been signed into law by the Minister. I wish to reiterate the concern of local authorities, who must deal with the problem of stray horses in urban areas, that the legislation be implemented as soon as possible.
We are pleased we could facilitate Senator O'Toole as regards the Labour Party's Private Members' Time tonight. We were responding to calls in the House from our Members and from such people as Senator Mooney and Senator Ormonde for a debate on youth unemployment.
It is so hard to amend it.
It is even more difficult to vote on.
We are pleased to facilitate the Senator.
I support the leader of my party in calling for a debate on sport. Perhaps there should also be a debate on national lottery funding because sports people do not seem to be receiving any.
I thank the Leader of the House for allowing time for a debate on local government structures. Not enough time was allocated to it and we should have more time to debate it because we did not discuss the matter in depth. As there is now disagreement between Fine Gael and the Labour Party on water charges, we should debate the matter further.
All is harmony and light.
Would the Leader ask the Minister of State at the Department of the Marine, Deputy Gilmore, to come to the House to discuss a disturbing matter raised at a meeting of the Limerick Harbour Board last Friday about funding for the Shannon Estuary? There seem to be numerous discrepancies——
There are not.
I have it here in black and white.
Senator Kiely without interruption.
Does the Senator ever read The Examiner?
A question to the Leader, Senator Kiely.
In this Government, the left does not know what the right is doing; perhaps the left side is even running the show and that is what has gone wrong.
The Government does not know its left from its right.
A question to the Leader, Senator Kiely. The Senator without interruption.
I welcome the development of Foynes to which I may be more attached than Senator Neville, although he benefits from the sea traffic in and out of it.
The election has started in Limerick.
Does the Senator have a question for the Leader?
A Chathaoirligh, if I were allowed I would put a question. We should have a full debate about funding for the Shannon estuary; this was proposed and guaranteed by the Minister of State. However, I am informed that money this will be diverted to the National Roads Authority which is running out of money. This is very serious for the counties of Clare, Limerick and my constituency in Kerry.
I would also like the Minister for Transport, Energy and Communications, Deputy Dukes, to come to the House for a debate on the rail system. I am very disappointed with the funding provided for the upgrading of the Tralee to Mallow line. While he is here, we could debate the proposed new telephone charges.
We can bring in the entire Government and have a debate.
We will have the Cabinet in next week.
That is 25 debates so far.
The last time I contributed to the Order of Business, the Leader promised me he would bring the Taoiseach to the House.
He came.
While the Minister, Deputy Dukes, is here, we should have a full debate on the telephone system, especially Telecom Éireann's answering service which is an absolute disgrace.
They have never heard of the Senator.
That is not a matter for the Order of Business.
Of course it is. I want a debate on it. It is very important, a Chathaoirligh.
It is not relevant to the Order of Business.
The Senator forgot to congratulate the Kerry team on its win on Sunday.
Senator Dardis and Senator O'Toole have comprehensively covered what I was going to say regarding Newcastle disease in the North. I ask the Leader to convey our best wishes to the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Forestry in what is a testing year for him.
I was involved with the Ministry of Agriculture in the North during several outbreaks of Newcastle disease there. There is close veterinary co-operation between the North and the South. However, Newcastle disease has now spread to Armagh and this places the South in danger. I suggest that the Government sends an unofficial observer to the operations room in Dundonald House to monitor the administrative operations. Establishing restricted zones involves an elaborate administrative operation and it might be useful for officials from the South to observe how this is done. The system used in the North received much acclaim in a veterinary journal in the mid-70s during the first serious outbreak of this disease.
Has the Leader been able to ascertain the deadline set by the Minister for Education for the completion of the report by the committee established to inquire into the regional technical college sector? This is still a live issue.
I compliment the Minister for the Environment and the Government on the investment in the roads programme. The national primary, secondary and county roads have received more funding than ever.
From where is it coming?
Is some of it from Europe? The Senator should thank Jacques Santer.
However, the roads leading to farms are being neglected, particularly those on the western seaboard. Would the Leader ask the Minister for the Environment to make a special injection of funds into the local improvement schemes to clear the backlog in this sector? This would be appreciated by those living in rural, western areas.
I support the call for a debate on sports policy. This is worthwhile in terms of the education of young people. Can we have a debate on the role of FÁS? The nature of work is changing from permanent to short-term employment and I am concerned that FÁS has not redesigned its courses to take account of this. This has not been discussed in this House for a long time and I would ask the Leader to arrange for the Minister for Enterprise and Employment to attend such a debate.
The Minister of State, Deputy Allen, is to be complimented on the new sports Bill. Can we debate this as soon as possible so that we can ascertain the Minister's intentions?
I am concerned about under-funded primary schools in areas of high population growth. Will the Leader ask the Minister for Education to come into the House and make a statement on this sector of the education system which is not receiving its fair share of funding?
Twice in the last few months I have had visitors who were planning to hold a large number of conferences here next year. I later learned that they had bad experiences in Dublin because they could not get taxis. This is a matter for Dublin Corporation but would the Leader impress upon the Minister for Tourism and Trade the effect the disastrous taxi situation in Dublin is having on tourism and on our citizens? I can only repeat the utter disbelief of these large groups of tourists that in a European capital city a small group of people demand that the rest of the city bow to a lack of competition. I am not sure what steps should be taken. I urge the Minister to grab this challenge and ensure there is competition in this area, not just for tourism but also for the public.
I agree with Senator McAughtry who congratulated the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Forestry for the work done in this area in the past year. An item in today's newspaper referred to Jacques Santer, the President of the European Commission, transferring responsibility for human health from the Commissioner for Agriculture to the Commissioner for Consumer Policy. Another newspaper report stated that the Department of Agriculture, Food and Forestry is being restructured to emphasise the consumer role. The Department is making an effort to claw back some of the power taken over by the Food Safety Board. In my view, the Departments of Agriculture, Food and Forestry and Health should be separate. That is a direction Europe is taking and is the one we should take. I urge the Government to ensure that we do not allow our sensible, good and well organised Department of Agriculture, Food and Forestry to claw back the power it has lost as regards consumer affairs.
I also welcome the national plan for sport introduced by Minister of State, Deputy Allen, yesterday. Any of us who saw the debacle in Atlanta as regards the Olympic Council of Ireland and the BLE will be delighted at the lessening of the OCI's influence. I congratulate the Minister on the work he is doing.
Can the Leader set a date for a debate on the White Paper on mental health? This matter has been raised on a number of occasions on the Order of Business. When can we debate the Safety Group report on the fishing fleet? It has been some time since these reports were introduced and nothing has happened. I know there is work to be done on them in the Departments but it is important that they be brought before the House as soon as possible.
Some time ago, this House united in expressing its sympathy to the families of the victims of Bloody Sunday. This was an expression not just of this House but of the feelings of the people of Ireland. Since then the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland has made a gratuitously offensive statement in which he indicated that he saw no reason for the British Government to apologise for what has been established as official murder. This House should now unite again in rejecting and condemning that offensive and dangerous statement from the Secretary of State. Their deep hurt has been aggravated by this insult. Can the Leader also ask the Taoiseach and the Minister for Foreign Affairs to protest vigorously on our behalf at that gratuitous insult to the families of the victims of Bloody Sunday?
My colleague Senator Dan Kiely asked for various Ministers to come into the House. I ask three Ministers to come in together to clarify the group water schemes issue.
That does not arise on the Order of Business.
It does. Could they indicate exactly where the Minister is going with his policy change every day?
A question to the Leader.
Is the Minister for Social Welfare now abandoning his widespread support in rural Ireland by indicating that he is not prepared to see rural families benefiting from the same facilities as urban families? While they are at it, will they ask the Taoiseach to explain Fine Gael policy on this issue? The three of them might——
I do not think that arises on the Order of Business.
Taking into account the fact that we are preparing to celebrate — at least. I presume we are — the 200th anniversary of the 1798 revolution, what plans, if any, are there to include some proper commemoration of the gallant career of Lord Edward FitzGerald? I received a letter a day or two ago from his great-great-grandnephew asking if this House is going to do anything to commemorate him. There was a portrait of Lord Edward in a corridor here which, apparently, has been removed. It seems a pity that any trace of the connection with the FitzGerald family, the Dukes of Leinster, should be removed from Leinster House, particularly the picture of Lord Edward FitzGerald who was a gallant and significant personality in the development of this country.
Does the Senator have a question for the Leader?
Will some consideration be given to a commemoration of the life and gallantry of Lord Edward FitzGerald in this House, which was his family home?
The Leader of the Opposition and a number of other speakers raised the question of a debate on the new sports document. I spoke to the Minister of State, Deputy Allen, who is very happy to co-operate with us. I will make a tentative arrangement, which I will confirm later today, for a debate on the morning of Wednesday, 5 March. The Minister of State and I look forward to that debate.
Senator O'Toole asked me to confirm the date of the next general election. Sadly, my constitutional role does not extend quite that far. I might have a word with the Cathaoirleach about it and let him know. However, I have every confidence that this Government will continue until late in the year. I know my confidence is shared by Senator Dan Kiely who has asked for five separate debates, as we will need all that time to accommodate his demands. As soon as I have hard information, Senator O'Toole will be one of the first to know.
That confidence is based on a deep seated instinct for survival.
This Government will stand its ground, fight its corner and come back with an enhanced majority after a short, sharp and successful election campaign.
What about its minority in this House?
(Interruptions.)
Senator O'Toole also raised the question of the schools list. I am sure the Senator has ample audience with the Department of Education but I will raise the matter with the Minister.
A number of Senators, including Senators O'Toole and Dardis, raised the beef and poultry issue. A debate will be held fairly soon on that matter.
Senator Dardis asked about the Wednesday debates. As I said, the first one will probably be on the sports issue. My understanding is that the Order of Business must precede all other business on the day, so it is not possible to have the Order of Business later in the day. However, if that causes a problem we can see if Standing Orders can be changed.
Senator O'Sullivan raised the Control of Horses Bill and I will get that information if I can. As I said, Senator Dan Kiely asked for five different debates. I will do my best between now and November to accommodate him.
I thank Senator McAughtry for his helpful observations on Newcastle disease. I will have the information for Senator Lee on the regional technical colleges deadline tomorrow morning. I will pass on the point made by Senator McDonagh to the Minister.
In relation to the point raised by Senator Ormonde, I believe it will be possible to discuss FÁS within the context of the debate this evening. That is the intention of Senator O'Sullivan in whose name the motion will be moved. It is an important topic and if that is not satisfactory to the Senator we will do something about it. Senator Cregan raised the question of primary schools and I will see if that can be accommodated.
Senator Quinn raised the issue of taxis which, as he quite rightly said, is not the responsibility of this House. However, I have been informed that Dublin City Council recommended at its last meeting an increase of 200 taxis straightaway, all of which will be accessible to the handicapped. While the problem is bigger than that, this is a start in the right direction.
Senator Maloney requested a debate on the White Paper on mental health. The legislation is at an advanced stage of preparation. I agree with him that there should be a discussion on the safety procedures for fishing fleets.
Senator O'Kennedy raised the question of Bloody Sunday. There is unanimity in the House that there should be a new inquiry and a full apology.
Senator Norris raised the question of the portrait of Lord Edward FitzGerald and a possible commemoration of the Rising of 1798. I would welcome a short series of statements to commemorate the anniversary. I am sorry that the portrait has been removed. The Houses are short of portraits and there should be room on the walls for it. I will raise the matter with the Committee on Procedure and Privileges.
Order of Business agreed to.