Today's business will be items Nos. 1 and 2. Item No. 1 will be taken until 4.30 p.m. Is 30 minutes per speaker sufficient or do colleagues with a great deal to say on the matter require more time? Thirty minutes is agreeable to Senator Ormonde and myself.
Order of Business.
That is fine.
There will be a sos from 1 to 2 p.m. Second Stage of the Bill will not conclude today. The Minister will not reply and Second Stage will continue next Wednesday. Item No. 2 will be taken at 4.30 p.m.
The Order of Business is agreed. Will the Dublin Docklands Authority Bill, 1996: Report Stage, be taken at 4.30 p.m.?
Yes.
I have several inquiries. When is it proposed to bring the Merchant Shipping Bill before the House?
It is dead.
Has it been put on the shelf? Letters concerning the urgency of getting the Bill passed are pouring into my office. The Leader probably gets the same letters himself. We wish to have the matter cleared up. I am sure agreement could be reached to allow the Bill to go through with certain amendments. If we are coming back after Easter——
Write it down.
There is no "if" in it, is there?
And after the summer holidays.
There is a need for a debate on agriculture. Irish agriculture could fall between two stools, given its current state, with bad reports, EU agreements with countries outside the EU, etc.
There is a need for a debate on fishing — my hobby horse. This does not arise simply because of the accident in Cork but we need to clarify the matter, have it aired properly and put new safety regulations in motion.
I welcome the fact that we have been given 30 minutes to speak on the Universities Bill, but I wish the Committee on Procedures and Privileges would look again at the matter of allowing people to share time in the first speaking slot. It is a good idea and I have never understood why it was ruled out.
Will the Leader make provision for a debate on the Middle East? It is important that we have one, particularly in view of developments there. The Israeli Prime Minister, Mr. Netanyahu, seems bent on creating as many difficulties for the peace process as possible. This debate should also include an opportunity to deal with a matter that continually resurfaces. Last night's headline in the Evening Herald read “Fury as Israeli general says Irish back terrorists”. This referred to a statement made by the Minister for Defence, Deputy Barrett, who was not at the meeting with the Israeli general. A similar statement was made previously by a member of the Joint Oireachtas Committee on Foreign Affairs who, also, was not present at the meeting with Brigadier General Tzur. I was and a completely wrong slant is being given. This type of sensationalised reporting will only ensure when we travel abroad for sensitive meetings with military personnel, we will simply not have a useful exchange of views, which is the purpose of such meetings. I regret it and would welcome an opportunity for the record to be set straight.
I noted Senator Magner's assurance that we will back after Easter, but in what incarnation will we back? Does he expect to be in the same position as he is at present?
Will the Leader indicate when the Credit Union Bill, 1996, will be taken? When do we propose to rise for Easter? On item 2, the Dublin Docklands Development Authority Bill, 1996, is it proposed to take all Stages today? I noted on the Order Paper that only Report Stage is listed.
I support Senator Fitzgerald's call for a debate on agriculture, which we have asked for almost weekly since Christmas, particularly in view of the changes taking place in the green currency and the consequences it will have for the industry. It appears cereal growers and milk producers will suffer in order to pay compensation to beef producers. I have no objection to compensation being paid to beef producers but we appear to be robbing one sector to meet the needs of another, which is not desirable. That is another reason this matter should be debated.
Will the Leader indicate when it is proposed to debate the hepatitis C tribunal report? Will he clarify this morning's reports indicating that the Government is prepared to pay additional special damages? Is that exemplary and aggravated damages or is it something different? If it is something different, it would not be good. We would welcome, however belatedly, exemplary and aggravated damages.
All I know is that after the general election most of my colleagues will be in the other House. The only difficulty I will have will be getting used to many new faces on this side. I wish to support the employees of Dunnes Stores which threatens to open on Easter Sunday. This has gone beyond a joke. Employees are press-ganged into working St. Stephen's Day, up to midnight on Christmas Eve and on St. Patrick's Day. Such employees comprise the most vulnerable sector of our society.
Senator Fitzgerald has spoken on many occasions about Sunday being a family day and one to attend matches and so on. I have no objection in principle to Sunday trading in a controlled way. However, I resent the fact these people are forced to work in shops on public holidays. The same level of cash is in circulation and takings are not improved. Threats that Tesco will do this is no excuse. Dunnes Stores has a lousy record with employees——
Hear, hear.
——and it goes to show that it has learned nothing from all the disputes. Will the Leader ask the Government to do what it can to protect these workers? I would welcome his comments on the matter.
Speaking of returning after Easter, will the Leader clarify the position on the Refugee Bill?
Does the Senator expect to be a refugee?
I hope to seek political asylum in another Chamber.
What asylum did the Senator say?
Political asylum.
The Leader will be aware the Refugee Bill has been passed. The Minister intimated at the time she was in a hurry to pass this legislation. Will this Dáil bring the Bill into law? Will the Leader clarify the position as regards the prisons authority and the legislation promised by the Taoiseach last December? We should be told whether this legislation will be introduced before this Dáil is dissolved.
I welcome the announcement on the recruitment of 1,000 extra gardaí. However, the number of gardaí is still short of the 12,000 my party believes necessary. It is important to mention that gardaí intend to march to the Dáil on 16 April. I understand their frustration and it is essential we support them when appropriate. I am afraid the Government is heading straight for confrontation with gardaí over pay. If that is the case, this matter should be discussed by the House. If gardaí converge on the House on 16 April, what will happen to law and order in the city? Has the Government put its mind to resolving this issue? This is a serious situation and the Minister for Justice should come to the House as soon as possible to say if a head to head confrontation with the gardaí is imminent and to outline her policing proposals on the day gardaí descend on Leinster House.
Will the Leader reconsider the half an hour allocated to speakers on the Universities Bill, 1996? As late as yesterday I understood there would be no limit on time.
On a number of occasions we have raised the question of notification by the Minister for Education of the commencement of new primary schools, in particular. We had a long debate on underfunding of primary education and a resolution was unanimously passed by the House in that regard. The situation in our primary schools, in particular, is still unsatisfactory and many are in a dilapidated and run down condition. Last week young people from Ennis protested outside the gates of the House about the fact that up to 200 young students are accommodated in prefabricated and dangerous buildings.
A question to the Leader. This matter might be more appropriate to the Adjournment.
There is inaction in the Department of Education in relation to investment in primary education. Will the Leader ascertain from the Minister for Education if she proposes to release further projects to tender in the coming months? Yesterday nearly all the matters Members endeavoured to raise on the Adjournment related to problems in the education area.
The Minister for Education indicated some time ago that she had a procedure for placing schools on a priority list for remedial action, new buildings, extensions, etc. She seems to be departing from the list and picking and choosing particular projects to go ahead to the detriment of others.
Does the Senator wish to raise this matter on the Adjournment?
I tabled a motion on the Adjournment on several occasions and other Members tabled similar motions. It is a fundamental issue with which the Minister must get to grips. I am alarmed that schools such as Tulla and Kilkee national schools in my area, which were included in the 1994 capital list of projects to proceed, are still on the list.
Secondary schools which have been on the list for two or three years have been passed out by projects which were not on the list. The Minister, despite assurances given in the House that she would set down clear procedures on how these project would be to dealt with on a priority basis, seems to be picking and choosing projects to proceed to the detriment of ones which have been on the list for years. The Minister will not give us a clear indication of her priorities or how the matter is being dealt with. Parents are angry and frustrated and children are being accommodated in dilapidated and inferior conditions.
We are not debating this matter on the Order of Business. The Senator may table a Private Members' motion, or if he wishes to raise it on the Adjournment, I will look favourably at it.
My colleague, Senator Mulcahy, raised a matter on the Adjournment last night.
It was selected.
The Minister for Education did not show.
Senator Mulcahy knew how to address the matter on the Adjournment.
The Minister for Education ignored him.
The Minister did not turn up.
She was represented.
The Minister of State at the Department of Transport, Energy and Communications dealt with the matter. We did not get any response from the Minister for Education. I have asked the Leader about this issue and I am not the only one. Senator O'Toole had a comprehensive motion on the lack of financing for primary education, the consequent frustration for teachers and parents and the danger for children as well.
I am sure the Leader understands the Senator's point and will respond.
The Minister for Education is in the House today dealing with the Universities Bill.
You have made your point clearly, Senator.
He has made it very well.
I do not wish to be disruptive, but in spite of our requests and pleas, including the fact that children have been withdrawn from schools, the disgraceful situation of many primary schools still exists.
It has existed for years and the Senator knows it.
It has not. In the 25 years I have been in the Oireachtas——
We are not debating this on the Order of Business. The Senator has made his point, is looking for a debate and I am sure the Leader will respond. If he wishes to raise the issue either by way of Private Members' business or by way of an Adjournment matter, I will consider it favourably.
I appreciate the co-operation I have received from the Chair.
I hope it will be reciprocated.
Will the Leader ask the Minister for Education to clarify the situation to avoid her being accused of cherry picking the projects to be proceeded with?
I raised the matter yesterday of the coming marching season in Northern Ireland. I welcome the decisions taken yesterday by the Orange Order in Dromore and in the Lower Ormeau Road in Belfast not to route their next march through the Lower Ormeau area. It was a wise, courageous and welcome decision by members of the Order in Dromore and in the Lower Ormeau Road and I congratulate them for it.
A report by Paul Reynolds on the 6 p.m. and the 9 p.m. news yesterday on the drug situation in Dublin was one of the most striking and chilling reports I have seen in a long time. To watch young men in that programme injecting themselves with heroin and to witness their use of needles and syringes and the colour of the solution they were injecting——
A question to the Leader, please.
The Government should use the report in its anti-drugs campaign. If a decision were taken to show the report before football matches and at half time, it would be more effective than some of the measures taken by the current and previous Governments.
I agree with Senator Mulcahy and welcome the recruitment of an extra 1,000 gardaí. I do not understand the purpose of it because, if another 1,000 gardaí apprehend and charge more people, where will they be put? Gardaí are currently doing a very good job by bringing people to court every day to be sentenced only for them to be released the following day.
Deputy Ruairí Quinn.
Do not start.
Senator Bohan without interruption, please.
Captain Bligh wants to contribute.
Senator Bohan, without interruption. A question for the Leader, Senator.
Last week, a judge sentenced a person to three years and had to say he would review the sentence in July 1998 because he wanted to ensure the person was still in jail then. Until we do something about the prison situation, I do not see much point in recruiting an extra 1,000 gardaí. Will the Leader convey to the Minister for Justice the necessity for more prison places?
I must respond to Senator Daly. I agree with him that schools are in a bad condition but they did not become so overnight. Primary schools have suffered generations of neglect. It is not the first time there has been a Labour Minister for Education and more money than ever has been spent on education by this Minister.
Has the Senator a question for the Leader?
I support another debate on education. We have had several debates on it but I have never seen Senator Mulcahy contributing to them. The Senators on the other side who have contributed have welcomed what the Minister has done. Neglect did not happen overnight and it is most evident in the counties of Clare, Mayo——
A question to the Leader, Senator.
When will we have a debate on primary education? This Minister is providing for primary schools.
I was disappointed by the reply I received yesterday from the Leader on an issue I raised. I support Senators Mulcahy and Bohan and I ask the Leader for a short debate next week with the Minister for Justice. The Department of Justice now seems to be acting in a reactionary manner. It took two young people in Cork to lose their lives before the issue of gardaí using spikes arose.
Has the Senator a question for the Leader?
If I may make my point, I will ask the question. I am concerned about this. We were told in this morning's newspapers that the provision of an extra 1,000 gardaí was rushed onto the Cabinet agenda. Can we have a debate next week with the Minister for Justice when I hope she will agree to change the law on people being held in prison for non-payment of fines and debts so as to put behind bars people like Paul McDonagh, who is terrorising the people of Galway?
It is an abuse of privilege to name individuals who are not in the House.
I name this man because the situation has become so serious, it is a joke. Criminals can go in and come out of jails and terrorise people on a regular basis. The newspapers this morning reported that gardaí in Cork are saying it is pointless arresting joyriders because there is no place to put them. I ask for a short debate next week with the Minister for Justice so as to hear some response from her to the specific issues of a number of habitual criminals who are at liberty and about whom nothing can be done.
I have listened to the exchanges on law and order and it is right and proper that a House such as this should debate this topic in a civilised manner. As someone from the North, I ask Senators and Deputies to remember that they live in a country where the police force has the support of the population. They should enjoy that luxury. Some months ago I was distressed on entering the Border at seeing a huge poster from one side of the House which sought to use law and order as a political issue. I appeal to it now to consider and reflect on the good fortune of living in a country where the police have the full support of both sides of the political divide. I implore it not to endanger that by bringing it into an election campaign.
Senator Fitzgerald asked about the Merchant Shipping Bill. I thank him for his co-operation as it is an important Bill and we will complete the remaining Stages when we return after Easter.
The House will rise next Wednesday and will return on Wednesday, 9 April at 2.30 p.m. There is a full programme of legislation planned for the following weeks. I have asked the Minister about a debate on fishing and he will come before the House for that. We will also have a debate on agriculture.
Senator Norris asked for a debate on the Middle East and he put the record straight in an important way. I have no plans in the immediate future for a debate, but I know there is interest and perhaps we can arrange for one. Senator Dardis raised the credit union legislation. It completed Second Stage in the Dáil last night and is now going to Committee Stage. I spoke with the Minister last night and he indicated that he sees the passage of the Bill as a matter of urgency. He hopes the legislation will be passed by the Dáil within a couple of weeks at which stage it will come before this House without delay. It is proposed to complete the docklands legislation today. The debate on hepatitis C will take place next Wednesday from 2 o'clock to 6 o'clock. Further time will be made available if necessary. I am sure the Minister will address the issue of damages in his contribution to the Dáil today.
I share the sentiments expressed by Senator Magner regarding Dunnes Stores. Senator Mulcahy raised the refugees legislation. My understanding is that it is being implemented on a phased basis because there are new structures to be put in place. Quite a portion of the legislation has already been implemented, but I will get a detailed statement for the Senator regarding it.
I am astounded by the hypocrisy of the Fianna Fáil Party on the question of prisons. The biggest programme of prison building in the history of the State is taking place to make up for the years of neglect by Fianna Fáil Governments. Senator McAughtry struck a salutary note when he said there are no simplistic answers to questions of law and order. The Government has shown a resolution which few previous Government's have shown. It has put resources at the disposal of the Minister and it ill behoves Fianna Fáil Senators to speak of the absence of prison spaces.
Senator Ross raised the matter of time on the Universities Bill. When I spoke to him yesterday he indicated that he needed an hour and a half for his contribution. I thought he was joking, because I know Senator Ross is skilled at making his point in short, economical sentences which strike home. Most Sundays he can say all that has to be said in 1,200 words. For the moment there is agreement on half an hour per speaker, but if Senator Ross needs more time I am sure the Chair will facilitate him if the collected thoughts of Senator Ross have not been fully shared with the House in the half an hour. Half an hour is adequate.
Senator Daly raised at great length the matter of education. The Minister heard his comments and I am sure she will respond in due course. I agree with Senator Maloney about Paul Reynold's report on RTÉ yesterday. It was a superb piece of journalism and it should be used as a deterrent in the programme against drugs. Senator Bohan raised the issue of prisons. I compliment Senator Kelly on her spirited performance and I endorse everything she said. Senator Fahey called for a debate on crime. There will not be a debate next week but the criminal law legislation will come before the House within two weeks of the House returning after Easter. It will provide full scope for a long debate on the issues raised by the Senator.
Order of Business agreed to.