Today's business is items 1 and 2. Item 2 will be taken at 2 p.m. I suggest 20 minutes for the spokespersons and 15 minutes for other speakers. There will be a sos between 1 p.m. and 2 p.m.
Order of Business.
I wish to raise the matter of the Adoption of Foreign Babies Bill. During the previous Government, this matter was raised on a daily basis by Members of Fianna Fáil, the Progressive Democrats and the Independent Senators. They impressed on the Government the need for urgent action. As a result of this urgency, there was all-party agreement when the last Seanad ended that the Bill would be restored at Report Stage. A few weeks ago the Leader said that this would be done soon and that certain inquiries were being made. When will this Bill be restored and what will be its status? The sense of urgency which we were told about on a daily basis cannot have dissipated in the meantime.
I am reluctant to, but I must, raise the issue of accommodation and secretarial services to Members of my group. This may also be a problem for other groups. Our accommodation is seriously worse than was the case in the last session. We have made every effort to resolve the matter in meetings with the Government Chief Whip of the other House. However, we have made no progress. We are waiting for three or four weeks for a reply from the Government Chief Whip. I realise that this is not the fault of the Leader who has been helpful and constructive in every way possible. However, there is a serious problem that we, as a House of Parliament, do not have control over our resources and accommodation. I am giving notice that if this matter is not resolved soon we will have no alternative but to suspend many of the aspects of co-operation that are part of the running of this House. I would regret having to do so. This is not a personal attack on the Leader.
It is outrageous that the Leas Cathaoirleach, a constitutional officer, is obliged to share a secretary with three other people. The ratio is unacceptable and we are asking for some action. We have gone through all the usual procedures but have made no progress. I ask the Leader for action on these matters.
The Order of Business is agreed. I support Senator Manning's comments on foreign adoptions. This is an urgent matter for those involved. May I thank the Leader for saying he will get the Department of Health and Children guidelines on raped, pregnant, suicidal 13 year olds back to me today? We must take into account the fact that suicide in unwanted pregnancies is a real threat. It is important to know how the health boards deal with these cases.
I support Senator Manning's remarks on adoptions and on accommodation in the House. I agree that it is most unsatisfactory the Leader of the House should not have an office of his own with a separate secretary and that the House does not have control over organising its accommodation. That is an important matter which should be examined and suitable accommodation should be found.
I would like the Leader of the House to congratulate the Minister for the Environment and Local Government on reintroducing Operation Freeflow as announced yesterday. Will he ask the Minister to consider having Operation Freeflow all year round. It is not enough to have it operating for one month of the year. The best way he could do this would be to establish a Dublin traffic police. Presently 160 gardaí are being taken off other duties and put on road traffic duties. We need to keep as many gardaí as possible on the beat doing the job they are employed to do with a separate traffic police to deal with traffic duties.
Will the Leader express my concern at the statements made by the Minister for Public Enterprise yesterday at a function in south Dublin that she is going ahead with the research and consultation phase of the light rail project Luas? It was indicated there that £150 million was lost due to traffic congestion in that area alone and the taxpayer would have to foot the bill if the project did not come within the timeframe of the European requirements. The taxpayer will have to foot a bill of £220 million because an unnecessary phase of consultation is being put in place when there is not the slightest hope we can meet the timeframe laid down by the European Union.
I ask the Leader to raise a matter with the Minister for Social, Community and Family Affairs which relates to old age contributory pensioners who, for one reason or another, might not have claimed their pension in time. Many of them would have arrears of several years. There is provision under section 37 of the Social Welfare Act, 1997, which allows the Minister to make the necessary regulations under which all of these cases could be re-examined and most of the arrears repaid. The matter has lain there since. Will the Leader ask the Minister what he is doing as regards making the necessary regulations and bringing forward to both Houses the changes which might need to be discussed? This matter was to be resolved before the end of this year
Will the Leader confirm that the Scientific and Technological Education Investment Fund Bill will be taken next week?
Even though Independent Senators do not have the same problems, I have great sympathy with Senator Manning and the assertion that this House should control its own affairs including its own resources and support services. As one who has been here, intermittently at least, for as long as many people, the idea that people who are not connected with this House can make decisions which profoundly affect the working conditions of Members of this House has always rankled. It is time the Members of the House asserted themselves as a group. The Leader of the House has made enormous efforts in this area, but we should say we are in charge of our own affairs and business and are better capable of looking after our affairs than anyone else.
Will the Leader of the House consider having a debate on the revaluation of property? I do not know whether it is the Department of the Environment and Local Government or the Department of Finance that deals with this. The Leader has promised a debate on the restructuring of local government and perhaps this issue can be covered then. The valuation levied on a square footage basis is the same in the west of Ireland as in Dublin 4. This is unfair and impractical. Small business people in rural areas are levied resulting in a £12,000 rate increase. It is a matter of importance to every Member in the House. I ask the Leader to clarify which Department is responsible for this matter and, if possible, to arrange a debate.
Senator Costello touched on the issue of traffic in the south Dublin area. This has gone beyond being a local issue. The southern cross route is to be launched next March, yet there is no forward planning in relation to consultation as to how traffic can best be managed. Operation Freeflow exists in the city centre but nothing has being done for the area south of the Liffey. I ask the Leader to go back to the Department of the Environment and Local Government and find out what plans exist. Perhaps he could make a statement and prod the two councils in the area into entering a consultation process to plan for traffic management.
I would like to raise the issue of the proposed abolition of duty free facilities. I am concerned this matter has not been given attention recently. I met representatives of Aer Rianta in Dublin yesterday. The workers are extremely concerned. The whole Shannon region would be affected because in excess of £12 million is contributed to Aer Rianta from sales of duty free products. Minister McCreevy should be alerted to this problem when dealing with revenue in the proposed budget. We should also put pressure on Commissioner Pádraig Flynn in Brussels to deal with this immediately. The spin off effect on employment in the region would be catastrophic particularly for the ancillary services and the advances Aer Rianta intend making at Shannon Airport. The sales of duty free contribute to the efforts made to provide increased infrastructure. The abolition of duty free sales would affect the whole country, the ferry ports and Dublin Airport.
This matter cannot be debated now.
In case people think traffic problems only occur in Dublin there should be a debate on the matter. If we are to be fair, some of the 160 gardaí brought in for Operation Freeflow should be sent back to their barracks in the country.
Hear, hear.
Traffic problems in Kilkenny or Cork are worse than in Dublin. Anyone coming to Dublin will see new roads everywhere.
They should get the train.
Dublin is over-endowed with roads at present. I ask the Leader of the House when he is organising this debate on traffic problems in Dublin to consider the traffic problems in Kilkenny where there is no ring road. There is gridlock from Mullinavat into Waterford on the Kilkenny-Waterford road.
What are you doing about it?
What about Callan?
Callan was bypassed and it was the best thing that ever happened because it has developed further as a result. We should remember there are places outside the Pale.
We are too severe on motorists. If people took their time we would all get there. The quicker we go through this life the quicker we will enter the next. The motorist has become a new found criminal whom everybody is criticising.
We have a problem with ring roads in Sligo, where we are in a position to build the road but objectors will not allow us. It is a Tweedledum and Tweedledee situation.
I support Senator McGowan's comment regarding valuations. As an auctioneer I know how valuations operate. I have spoken with the Valuation Office on many occasions and have had problems sorted out, but the problem in rural Ireland is that many businesses have to upgrade to comply with EU or other regulations. If they do not upgrade they are put out of business because of non-compliance with hygiene and other regulations. When businesses upgrade the Valuation Office imposes higher rates which put them out of business. They are in a no win situation. The Valuation Office should be reasoned in its work so that when people have to upgrade to comply with regulations, their valuations are not interfered on the basis that the value of the property is not being increased. I support the call for a debate on the matter to highlight the anomalies.
When is it intended to bring the Air Navigation Bill before the House? Introducing it would resolve the difficulties expressed by Senator Jackman as debate on the Bill would include discussion of duty free.
I take this opportunity to announce to the House that the Taoiseach, Deputy Ahern, has appointed Senator Dardis as Deputy Leader of the Seanad. I wish him well in his new post.
Senators Manning, Henry and Ryan inquired about the restoration of the Adoption Bill. The information I previously gave the House was correct as of then and I will check it immediately after the Order of Business. Senator Manning also raised his serious concern at the lack of action taken regarding facilities in the House. I will meet with the leaders immediately after the Order of Business and arrange a joint meeting with the Chief Whip today to see how this matter can be progressed. I will report to the House at the start of business next Wednesday.
Senators Costello, Ormonde and Lanigan raised their serious concern about the free flow traffic programme which is being put into operation over the next few days. All Members concur with their sentiments. We are all experiencing difficulties due to the huge growth in traffic on the roads, which is attributable to the buoyancy of our economy and the various things success brings. Perhaps we can raise this issue during a debate on the Second Stage of a Bill which the Minister for the Environment will introduce over the coming weeks. If Senators are not satisfied with this, we can arrange for a special debate on the issue early in the next session.
Senator Connor raised the question of pension rights. I concur with him and have experienced what he spoke about. Perhaps he will raise the issue during his own party's Private Members Business in two weeks' time. If this is not suitable, then we will see how we can facilitate him.
I take account of the requests of Senators McGowan and Farrell, two senior Members of the House, and have no difficulty in arranging for a debate on the valuation of property. Senator Jackman and many other Members have raised their serious concern regarding the abolition of duty free on 1 July 1999. I will consult with the relevant Department with a view to organising a debate on this serious issue which has far reaching implications for more than 100,000 people. Duty free has been one of this country's successes because of low airfares and the attracting of tourists in the off season. I wish to enable business progress as favourably as at present and accede to the Senator's request.
Regarding the matter raised by Senator Coogan, I understand that the Air Navigation Bill is going into Committee Stage. Committee members were appointed yesterday and they are starting to meet immediately.
Order of Business agreed to.