This section covers disputes between a supplier and purchaser. The supplier may submit the dispute to arbitration. The arbitrator is appointed by agreement between the panels. If there is no agreement an arbitrator may be appointed by the President of the Law Society of Ireland or another person prescribed by the Minister. Are these terms also applicable to section 9? Section 9 covers prompt payments to subcontractors. The benefits available to suppliers under section 8 are not available to subcontractors. Can the Minister clarify this matter?
Prompt Payment of Accounts Bill, 1997: Committee and Final Stages.
Sections 1 to 7, inclusive, agreed to.
SECTION 8.
Question proposed: "That section 8 stand part of the Bill."
I assure the Senator that section 8 will apply to subcontractors.
Question put and agreed to.
Sections 9 to 16, inclusive, agreed to.
Schedule agreed to.
Title agreed to.
Bill reported without amendment and received for final consideration.
Question proposed: "That the Bill do now pass."
This is a good Bill. My brother will be happy with it because he has often complained to me about the inability of health boards to pay their bills on time for goods he supplied to hospitals. He used to charge the hospitals less, supplying goods on a fixed price basis. This is a welcome Bill.
As this is the last meeting of this Seanad before the election I wish to thank the Cathaoirleach for his courtesy. When he was Government Chief Whip we had many discussions. I hope the content of some of them will never be recealed. I also wish to thank the Clerk and Clerk Assistant, the parliamentary reporters, the ushers and the media. This Seanad was unusual because there was a change of Government without an election. I was a Whip when my party was in Government and I thank Senators for their co-operation during that period. I thank the Leader of the House, Senator Manning, who did his job very well. We could always rely on his word. I thank my colleagues on this side of the House for their co-operation. I also wish to remember those who are no longer with us — the former Cathaoirligh, Seán Fallon and Liam Naughten, and Gordon Wilson.
There are 28 Senators running for election to the Dáil. The Minister had better be careful; he was the cause of my being elected to the Seanad in 1981. On the second last count his surplus put me in ahead of Senator McGowan. Hopefully, I will be as lucky this time.
I endorse Senator Fitzgerald's remarks. I thank the Minister for fulfilling his commitment on this Bill. I thank his staff who contributed to ensuring this measure would be brought in. It is a unique and special occasion to have completed the last item of legislation of this Parliament. The Minister served as a distinguished Member of this House. He has come to the House many times and has dealt constructively and responsibly with the observations and arguments made. I am particularly grateful to him for that. It is my sincere wish and confident expectation that he will be back in a similar role after 6 June.
I thank you, a Chathaoirligh, and the Leas-Chathaoirleach for the very fair and efficient way the business of the House has been conducted. I also thank the Seanad staff, especially Jody Blake and Deirdre Lane, for the co-operation they have always given us, often at very short notice and under trying circumstances. The strenographers, ushers and other staff who ensure this House of Parliament can effectively operate on behalf of the people deserve our thanks. I am glad to be associated with the comments of Senator Fitzgerald. I say to Senators Fitzgerald, Lanigan and Quinn who are present, that it is my hope that, together with the Cathaoirleach, we will be back in due course.
The effectiveness of this House in ensuring the welfare and rights of citizens are protected in the legislation was referred to eloquently this morning. This is a House which works constructively. There are many occasions where an idea whose merits both sides of the House can see receives support from both sides. That is what makes this Chamber so constructive and effective in ensuring the legislation is for the benefit of the people. I wish all my colleagues every success in the election and I hope we will return as Members of the next Seanad.
When I referred to time in my speech I began to blush because I remembered I met the Minister at the front of a checkout queue when he was doing his shopping on Christmas Eve and he was not showing much patience at the length of time it took him to get through the checkout. I promise we will do our best to ensure that is speeded up and that the concept of time in the private sector is improved to at least the standard at which I thought it was.
I endorse everything which has been said, especially about you, a Chathaoirligh, because you are a new body in the office. You were elected after the sad deaths of Senator Fallon and Senator Naughten. When you were elected we congratulated you on coming from an illustrious family but we added that you were not elected for that reason but in your own right. I congratulate you on the way you have handled this House, in conjunction with a very efficient and effective staff.
I hope the rest of the nation will realise that our democracy depends on the working of both Houses. I do not think that is sufficiently recognised or understood. When I was elected to this House four years ago I did not realise the amount of effort, work, commitment and dedication which goes into making these Houses work. I hope more people, particularly young people, will use their opportunity to vote in the forthcoming election. The more knowledge people have of the operation of this House, the more they will value democracy.
I join in the tributes paid to you, Sir, and the staff of the House. Senator Howard and I were elected on the same day 20 years ago. In some ways it has been a short 20 years but in other ways it has been a long time. Senator Fitzgerald said that, because of the Minister, he was elected to the Seanad. At one count in 1977 there was a surplus of one vote from a Fine Gael Party candidate which, when transferred, resulted in 12 votes for the Fine Gael candidate, 13 votes for me and 14 votes for another candidate. If I had not got the 13th vote I would not have been a Member of this House for the last 20 years. I found out later that the councillor in question did not vote for the Fine Gael candidate because he asked him for a job for his son which did not materialise.
It has been a privilege to be a Member of this House for the last 20 years. The staff, including the stenographers and ushers, have done their job as we would expect them to do.
I do not suggest, Sir, that you should be back in the Chair, but if that transpires, so be it. I wish you and other Members well. It is my intention to seek re-election.
Point noted.
I am happy to take this opportunity to join in expressing good wishes to all in the House, especially to you, Sir. I was privileged to come into this House for the first time 32 years ago. The standard of debate, discussion and all party analyses of various issues in this Seanad compares with anything I have experienced before. The role of the Seanad has been enhanced and endorsed by the conduct of debate during this session. I am privileged to have been involved with colleagues in it.
The forthcoming elections are of considerable importance, not only to us as Members but to the public. With regard to the conduct of the Dáil election. I hope that all the resources of the State behave in the same impeccable fashion as they always have and that the Garda Síochána especially, to whom we own so much and which served the nation so well, will play a full and effective role in the conduct of democratic affairs, particularly on election day. I have no doubt it will because we all owe it to those who gave us the privilege of being Members of this democratic House and to the generations that will follow, to ensure that, whatever our party differences, we fully co-operate in the conduct of democratic affairs.
I wish you, Sir, and all well. I also wish to express my appreciation for those Members who departed to better places. They made a great contribution and we are greatly indebted to them. Míle bhuíochas.
Question put and agreed to.
When is it proposed to sit again?
Sine die.
The Seanad adjourned at 1.35 p.m. sine die.