The Order of Business is item 1 and 2; item 1 to be taken without debate. The contributions of spokespersons on item 2 — Statements on the Annual Report of Bord Bia — not to exceed 20 minutes and all other Senators not to exceed 15 minutes.
Order of Business.
The Order of Business is agreed but I would ask that time be given at some future date for a discussion on the contents of item 1. Some of our people would like to speak on that.
I asked the Leader yesterday for an indication of what legislation and other business the House would have between now and the end of the session. He indicated that something like six Bills would be introduced. Perhaps he could tell us today what those Bills are and when he intends to have them introduced. Could I remind him that, in the time of the last Government, it was customary for the Leader of the House to supply the Opposition Whips and Leaders, on a monthly basis, with a programme of future work so that people could do some forward planning for the proposed dates for legislation. Could the Leader put a similar system in place?
I would like to reinforce the point made by Senator Manning. This is a real problem for both sides of the House. The House will sit on four days per week for the next two weeks. Senators have to organise their time and make arrangements. It is crucially important that they know, even in a general way, the days and time of Bills. We have tried, over the last four or five years, to put that kind of order on the business of the House so that people could plan their days. The previous Leader, Senator Manning, agreed to the idea of time limits on Second Stages of Bills so that people knew when they would be called to speak. The same applies to the business of the House. This is not, strictly speaking, relevant to today's business but if four different Bills are to be introduced in the next two weeks Senators who have a particular interest in some of them should have an idea when they are likely to be taken — at least on Second Stage — I recognise that this may not be quite so easy to do for subsequent Stages.
My second point I raised with the Leader yesterday and it has become more pressing today. It deals with the lack of representation of the Independent group on the, so-called, all party Oireachtas committee on the Constitution. I think that is its full title — it does not have the word "joint".
Is the word "so-called" part of it?
My colleague, Senator Ryan, also made the point yesterday that the committee was not established by the Houses of the Oireachtas. This is significant also. Whatever the game is we would like to be in there. We would like a positive response to this question by this time next week.
In the context of item 1, the Labour group is agreed that this would be taken without debate today but we would like an opportunity to have a brief discussion on it at a later date.
On item 2 — and in the context of the Vincent Browne radio programme on the deplorable conditions in St. Ita's Hospital, Portrane, and the subsequent visit of the Minister to the hospital — will the Leader make time for a debate on mental handicap services? This would be appropriate in the context of the departmental Estimates and the budget.
I would like to raise the question of duty free goods. This is of great interest to Members from the Shannon region in particular and it has implications for jobs throughout the country. It is important that the House shows unity. I would like to have that debate either before or after Christmas.
I ask the Leader for a debate on the implications of abolishing duty free and its effect on jobs throughout the country. This is relevant to Members, particularly from the Shannon region. It is important for the House to show unity in its efforts to change the European Commission's decision.
Yesterday the Irish Civil Rights Association sought an order in the High Court to protect the life of the unborn in the unfortunate C case. Why did the legal team which was appointed by the Attorney General to protect the life of the unborn not appeal the decision to the final arbiters in such matters, the Supreme Court? Why did the State's legal team not act at the appropriate time when its client's life was at risk?
I understand that statements on Bord Bia will be taken this morning. As there is an important meeting of the Joint Committee on Agriculture, Food and Marine at 11 o'clock and five Members of the House who are on that committee are interested in discussing Bord Bia, I ask the Leader to order the debate for no sooner than 11.15 a.m.
I strongly support Senator Seán Ryan's request for a debate on St. Ita's Hospital in Portrane. I am glad he is so active on this matter, but I warn him that if he is not careful he could lose his seat in this House and be demoted, which would be a tragedy. I asked the Leader a couple of weeks ago — on foot of publicity, among other things, about St. Ita's Hospital — to arrange for a delegation from this House to visit it. Perhaps he could indicate if that is now possible.
I understood from various sources that a discussion on broadcasting would take place today. Perhaps the Leader could indicate if, in light of comments made about an RTÉ programme which was regarded as unfortunate, that discussion could be broadened to inquire into why the RTÉ signal, in particular, is so extraordinarily weak in Dublin city. It is almost impossible to get because it is being driven off the airwaves by local pirate radio stations. I do not mind them, but we should at least be permitted to hear the radio stations we pay for as taxpayers.
Would the Leader consider referring to the Committee on Procedure and Privileges the question of the wearing of emblems? Yesterday, on my way into the Dáil, I was stopped and politely told I could not enter the lobby because I was wearing a ribbon for disabilities day. That was a pity. The Superintendent was within his rights and was acting on the inane advice of the Committee on Procedure and Privileges. I understand it is dangerous to allow the wearing of potentially divisive political emblems, but surely on a day when those in the Dáil shop asked politicians to wear them because there would be positive publicity, they should have been allowed. I was a little sharp on my second occasion with the Superintendent and I apologise to him for that. It seems idiotic that we should get ourselves into such a bind. If such decisions are made without discrimination, it places the Superintendent in an invidious position. We should not wear party political or divisive emblems, but something like this is inoffensive.
I support the call for a debate on local government reform. This House is an ideal place to discuss this matter, particularly since the Minister has said he will introduce changes in local government.
I ask the Leader to arrange a meeting with the Minister of State at the Department of the Taoiseach, Deputy Séamus Brennan, or whoever is responsible, to discuss the lack of office accommodation for Fine Gael Members. One Senator brought to my attention the fact that his office is so overcrowded, his secretary asked him not to make telephone calls until she had completed her work. I ask the Leader to do something about this crisis situation.
I welcome the announcement by the Minister for Defence about the 500 recruits to the Defence Forces. As we approach the festive season we should bear in mind those members who serve us well in various parts of the world. I ask the Leader to ask the Minister to allow them to make additional telephone calls to their families over Christmas.
It has been brought to my attention on more than one occasion in the past couple of months that those who assist old people across the street in my home town are not good citizens because they do so to steal their money. It is a new tactic, particularly in Mullingar, by people who have nothing better to do than attack our old people. I ask the gardaí and everyone else to be alert to this inhuman practice.
Two weeks ago I asked the Leader to introduce the Courts Service (No.2) Bill, 1997, in this House. I am delighted it is on the Order Paper and I thank him for acceding to my request. When is it proposed to discuss this important Bill?
A couple of weeks ago I asked the Leader for a debate on local government reform and local authority funding. Perhaps he could also include a discussion on the funding of the National Roads Authority.
Does the Leader plan to have a debate on the funding of county enterprise boards, the Fund for Peace and Reconciliation and the International Fund for Ireland, which are now up for review by the European Commission? I hope the House will examine if these funds have been successful. Perhaps the Leader could indicate when we will have a debate on these matters.
I support the call by Senator Burke and Senator McGowan for a debate on local government funding, which I raised last week.
I ask the Leader to ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs, Deputy Andrews, to come into the House for a debate on Northern Ireland. A number of relevant matters arose this week, including the discussion of the Police Bill in the House of Commons, Dr. Mo Mowlam's reply to questions on Bloody Sunday that the British Government was no closer to responding to the new evidence supplied by the Irish Government — a statement before the anniversary of Bloody Sunday is not sufficient; we want further action — the uproar over remarks made by the Minister for Foreign Affairs and the statement by Mr. Trimble that he preferred stability to conquest. I would say in regard to the latter that there was very little stability at Drumcree in the past few years.
I support my colleagues' calls for a debate on local government reform, particularly in view of the ridiculous anomaly that if a councillor is on local authority business but away from the meeting, he or she is marked absent and consequently loses the allowance for that day.
I am extremely disappointed with the Minister for Finance — I am sure he will be terribly worried — for not introducing an allowance for childcare, which costs young couples up to £80 per week. It is very disappointing for a large number of young people who must rely on childcare to keep the two jobs which they need to keep the roof over their heads.
Lastly, I want to tell Senator Norris that I wore my emblem and nobody stopped me.
That is because the Senator is so very charming that she would get away with it.
I am deeply concerned about comments which were made by a Member in this House last week in regard to the decriminalisation of heroin, which received publicity in the newspapers. I read the Member's contribution subsequently and I know the motive may have been very well intended, but I want the Leader to find a solution to the danger which has been created by this message. I do not know whether that solution is a debate on drugs.
It is.
We had a debate on drugs only last week so I am not sure if that is the solution.
Let us have another one.
However, I am concerned about the message which has gone out to the young people of this country that one voice of authority in this House says that we should consider the decriminalisation of heroin. I read the contribution so I understand the motive was very well intended, but I think it was reckless to make such a proposal and have it reported in the newspapers.
Young people need to be made aware of the huge dangers of drug abuse and if they hear voices emanating from this House, which represents those in authority, calling for the decriminalisation of heroin, then we have a huge problem to overcome. I urge the Leader of the House to find a solution to this. I would welcome a debate on it, if that is the way to do so, but we should make sure that this House does not send out messages without ensuring that the full message is carried. The full message and the understanding was in the contribution, but I still believe it was dangerous, wrong and almost reckless.
To an extent I would concur with Senator Quinn because I would not be in favour of the approach to which he referred, despite the seriousness and gravity of the expressions of Senator O'Toole from time to time.
I rise to seek a response from the Independent group to the view that it is no longer a group. There are differing views being expressed by its individual Members. Maybe it should make clear whether or not it is a group.
We are independent.
It is a pity there is not the same practice in Fianna Fáil. That is called democracy. The Senator will find out all about it.
Order, please.
Our independence is our defining characteristic.
I support Senator Quinn's view. It is ridiculous. If we cannot confront something, the attitude seems to be that we should join it. The lowest common denominator is applied again. It is sad that the comment came from someone who is dealing with children and the youth and I condemn it.
I call for a debate on the draft coastal zone management policy, which is important to everybody who lives on the coast. Anybody who plays golf would realise that the sand dunes are rapidly disappearing because the marram grass is failing. Research has been undertaken on how the marram or Bent grass — as it is called in my part of the country, because it was introduced to the County Sligo coastline by a Colonel Bent in the 1700s — can be repropagated. I would ask the Minister responsible to conduct research on the matter and enlighten the House on how the marram grass could be regenerated.
I assure the House that if more time is needed for item 1, it will be made available.
On the request by Senators Manning and O'Toole in relation to the programme of business of the House, as far as possible I will make available information about the business to be taken in the next session. Next Tuesday I propose to take Second Stage of the Criminal Justice Bill; on Wednesday, the Transfer of Sentenced Prisoners Bill and, in the afternoon, the Court Services (No. 2) Bill, Second Stage. On Thursday, I propose to take the Courts (No. 2) Bill. The following week it is proposed to take the Tribunal of Inquiry Bill on Wednesday; the Irish Film Board (Amendment) Bill on Thursday, if it has been dealt with by the Dáil; and the Appropriation Bill on Friday, as is the practice here on the final day before the Christmas recess — in other words, four Bills are being initiated in the Seanad next week.
With regard to Senator O'Toole's request that the Independent group be represented on the All-Party Committee on the Constitution, as I said yesterday, I do not have any objection and I concur with his wish. I did not get an opportunity to pass on his views yesterday as it was budget day, but I will do so after the Order of Business.
Senators Seán Ryan and Norris raised the matter of St. Ita's Hospital, Portrane. My colleague, Deputy Wright, discussed this matter in the Dáil and I support the proposal in that regard. If a group of Senators wish to visit Saint Ita's, it is their prerogative and I have no objection. I think it would be a good idea and I know all parties would probably support the proposal. Perhaps the Senators can raise this matter on the Appropriation Bill the week before Christmas.
Senator Seán Ryan called for a debate on duty free. Many Members have sought such a debate and I hope to have it at the earliest possible opportunity.
On the matter raised by Senator Coghlan, I will confer with the Minister concerned and come back to him about it in the early afternoon. If possible, I will get a reply from the Attorney General's office also.
Senator Norris raised the matter of broadcasting. It was my intention to take that matter today, but the Minister was unavailable so I had to put it off until another day. I suppose the lesson I can learn from this is that I can be too forthcoming.
The Minister ran away.
I should be a little more cautious, but that is a reflection on the openness with which I hope to conduct my business here.
On the wearing of emblems and the Committee on Procedure and Privileges, the Cathaoirleach is chairman of that committee and no doubt he will take it up the next time we meet.
Senators Paddy Burke, Bonner and McGowan sought a debate on local government reform. We had a debate on the National Roads Authority only a few weeks ago. We can look into this matter early in the next session. I would be delighted to facilitate Senators.
I agree with the sentiments expressed by Senator Glynn. His words of caution should be heeded because he is an experienced public representative. No one could condone such activity and I thank him for bringing it to the attention of the House. Senator Bonner requested a debate on Northern Ireland. Every two weeks we review the question as to the appropriate time for such a debate. I hope to have it as soon as possible. The Forum for Peace and Reconciliation meets tomorrow.
Senator Ridge expressed various views. I noted with great concern the lack of participation by the main Opposition parties, apart from the Independents, in last night's debate on the budget.
It sounded good on the radio.
The Independents are not the Opposition.
No, they are a group unto themselves. Senator Farrell and Senator Quinn expressed serious concern about the decriminalisation of heroin; I think I can speak on behalf of the House and the Government in concurring with their views. Senator Farrell also called for a debate on coastal zone management and I will be able to facilitate him in the early part of the next session.
Order of Business agreed to.