The Order of Business is items 1, 2 and 10, motion 13. Item 1 is to be taken without debate. Item 10, motion 13, is to be taken from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. If the proceedings on the Committee Stage of item 2 have not previously concluded, they will resume at 8 p.m.
Order of Business.
The Order of Business is agreed. Will the Leader facilitate the Opposition groups by letting us know what business is to be taken a couple of weeks in advance? It is very difficult for the Opposition to organise properly when we are told the business on the Thursday or Friday of the preceding week. If, as was done in the previous Seanad, he could give an outline list of the business for the next two or three weeks rather than the 100 Bills which are promised, it would enable the Opposition to prepare better for their duties.
A specific promise was made during the previous Seanad that the foreign adoptions Bill would be dealt with as a matter of urgency. I have raised this on a number of occasions but I have held off from taking any action because I was told legal advice was being sought from the Attorney General. Has that advice been received? Does it differ from the advice given by the previous Attorney General? What is going to happen in regard to this Bill? I remind the Leader and the Government parties that a specific promise was made by the parties now on this side of the House that the Bill would be a priority and would be put on the Statute Book at the earliest moment. We on this side of the House have been very patient but we are asking for action now.
I concur with much of what was said by Senator Manning, especially in regard to giving the Opposition notice of business. I also support the points made about the foreign adoptions Bill. When Senator Manning was the Leader of the House he gave a commitment that if he had any influence with the new Government he would see the Adoption (No. 2) Bill was introduced. The then Leader of the Opposition gave a commitment that Fianna Fáil would do the same. I fully concur with the points he made. It is crucially important that the legal advice sought is received. Many people are very insecure about adoptions and await the outcome of this proposed legislation.
Will the Leader arrange a debate on industrial relations as a matter of urgency? It is fair to say his party has a strong record for introducing legislation in this area. The Taoiseach introduced the Industrial Relations Act, 1990.
The House has previously discussed the question of semi-State bodies and we argued for many years about the support needed by such bodies. I argued against the expansion of Ryanair, although I accepted its importance. However, it is important to recognise that Government decisions gave Ryanair its routes to Stansted, Zurich and Liverpool, on which a great deal of work had been done by the semi-State company, Aer Lingus.
We have all worked to restrictions. We have always said industrial relations are for everyone. It is beyond belief that Ryanair, with its huge profits, to which it is entitled, should deprive the workers of articulating their views. This debate must take place as a matter of urgency. There is a great deal of unhappiness and worry in the trade union movement about the outcome of this matter.
I realise I have said more than I should at this point. However, it is important that an issue be examined when even Senator Ross and I agree on it. Ryanair is to be condemned for its contemptuous attitude towards the industrial relations structure.
I agree with Senator O'Toole that we should have an early debate on industrial relations. One of our last debates before the recess was when the Tánaiste came to the House to discuss Seagate and we found there was quite a vacuum in Seagate in terms of industrial relations. We now find that, despite making enormous profits, Ryanair is contemptuous of its workers. I am in wholehearted agreement with the call for an early debate on that issue.
The Labour group will not be supporting item 1 on the Order of Business. The House rarely exceeded the curtailed time for the Order of Business which was suggested for the weeks prior to the Christmas recess. It would be better if we were to operate with a guideline rather than a guillotine. The Labour Party is very unhappy with the fact that we come tenth in any debate, whether on a Bill, a motion or any other matter before the House and the manner in which we are treated in terms of time allocated to us.
It was decided before the recess and at the suggestion of Senator Norris that we visit St. Ita's in Portrane. I suggest we do that at an early stage because of the controversy which has arisen in the past month over letters sent out dealing with the treatment of patients.
Can we have an early debate on Northern Ireland? I know there was a special request that there be a debate in the other House on this issue. The peace talks are reaching a critical stage, there will be an inquiry into the events surrounding Bloody Sunday and, over the Christmas period, a tremendous number of deaths and attacks of a sectarian nature took place. It is appropriate for the House to condemn what it sees as the obscenities which have taken place and to lend its support to the peace talks and other positive developments.
A report issued in recent weeks confirms an alarming increase in the number of women and children fleeing from violence in the home and seeking succour in women's refuges. This is an appalling indictment on a society which deems itself to be civilised and Christian. Will the Leader organise for the appropriate Minister to outline to the House what new initiatives this Government proposes to take to tackle and confront this appalling and unacceptable situation?
I welcome the offer of the Minister for Tourism, Sport and Recreation, Deputy McDaid, to concerned parents to inquire into the abuse of young swimmers over a long period. If the findings of any such inquiry are not to the satisfaction of the families who have suffered great trauma — the first report was in 1981 and the man concerned was only sentenced recently — will the Minister then proceed by way of judicial tribunal to inquire into that awful matter? Will he also extend our sympathy to all the people involved, parents and children?
I also welcome the Government's positive response to Deputy Shatter's Bill on the mandatory reporting of child abuse. I am very pleased with that. I am interested in hearing the Leader's response to my request concerning the tribunal of inquiry.
Under current regulations, an applicant for a small public service vehicle licence, be they a taxi, hackney or minibus driver, must make a declaration that he is available for work 40 hours per week. As a consequence, it is not possible to grant such a licence to a person who continues to work in another employment. The situation up to now was that part-time licences were granted and renewed, but no new part-time licences have been granted over the past number of years. This has arisen from an interpretation of the Attorney General's Office. It makes life almost impossible for small time taxi and hackney owners because they have to employ full-time drivers and they cannot afford it. Who will then relieve them when they want a break or holiday? Will the Leader convey my concerns and those of Members and have the relevant amending regulations introduced?
Will the Leader write to the chairpersons of all Oireachtas committees to tell them that 2.30 p.m. on Wednesday is not an appropriate time for an important meeting? Yet again these matters have clashed, and it betrays the contempt of the Upper House. The Order of Business in the Dáil does not clash with the meeting of a significant committee. This happened with the Oireachtas Joint Committee on Foreign Affairs today. I protested and was told it would not happen again, but it does. I support Senator Manning's comments on the foreign adoptions legislation. I have received correspondence on this matter.
I refer to item 9 on the Amsterdam Treaty. Is this the form in which the House wishes to discuss this matter? It seems to include a section found offensive in the Dáil and which was removed from the Dáil Order Paper. The section states:
The State may exercise the options or discretions provided by the Treaties referred to in subsections 3º, 4º and 5º.
I understood that this was dropped in the other House after consultation. Will we discuss this text or will appropriate amendments be made to it?
Will the Leader provide time for a debate on Algeria? My colleagues on the Joint Committee on Foreign Affairs would be interested in such a debate. I have tabled a motion on this, but it should be taken as an all-party motion rather than one from the Independent group. I would also be grateful for a debate on genetic engineering. I raised this matter in the last session with reference to Monsanto, and I was assured it was a once-off event. The company now proposes to carry out another ten experiments. That is exactly what those of us against these experiments predicted. This is a most unreliable firm which is not welcomed anywhere in the world. It would be a great shame if Ireland became a dumping ground for these genetic experiments.
I welcome the support of my friend, neighbour and colleague Senator Costello for my suggestion that we visit St. Ita's Hospital. I have been in touch with the Eastern Health Board, and I would be happy if an arrangement could be made for us to visit the hospital, formally or informally. The endorsement of the Seanad for this investigation would be welcomed.
Before the Christmas recess I requested a debate on the dispute between communities and those erecting pylons for telephones and other purposes. This matter has become very serious. In my county Esat Digifone has resorted to working at night in order to build in spite of the community. Democracy must be seen to work. People are asking for a tribunal on this matter. Have the Garda authorities come to an agreement with Esat Digifone? That company is planning to erect a mast to carry a telephone line within ten feet of a house in Castlefin in Donegal. I want an honest debate on this matter. It is of national importance. There is no point in saying we will have a conference and give people tickets to attend it. This is a matter for Parliament. Has a deal been made behind the community's back? If so, we want to know what it is.
The EU Cohesion Fund Director, Mr. Jean-Francois Verstrynge, recently stated that Ireland may be forced to introduce water charges because of the EU Commission's opposition to their absence. What is the Government's policy on this matter?
Like Senators Costello and Norris, I expressed concern before Christmas about St. Ita's. In view of the most recent developments I do not think a visit by Members would be sufficient. If they visit they will find a very bad situation, but I assure them that conditions have improved considerably when compared to the situation when I first visited there 25 years ago.
During the Christmas recess guardians and parents were asked for permission to allow patients to take part in a drugs trial. There is no evidence of any protocol being produced for the board. I wrote to the Eastern Health Board and the Department of Health and Children to ask if the hospital had an ethics committee to which trials would be referred before being undertaken. I have not had replies to either letter.
The inspector of mental hospitals produces an annual report which is never debated in this House. The most recent report before the Houses of the Oireachtas is for 1995. Such important issues are not brought before the Oireachtas for debate while reports on hake, monkfish, etc. are. I wonder why the inspector bothers to visit the mental hospitals. On reading his reports Senators would find they contain very useful information which could be applied very well to St. Ita's.
Will the Leader organise for the Minister for Health and Children to produce the 1996 report and to come before the House to debate these reports and let us know the status of the mental health Bill? It is ridiculous that we are working on regulations which are 43 years old.
I wish to draw the attention of the Leader to a statement made by the president of the Irish Farmers Association that it intends to monitor the big supermarket chains to ensure they honour the commitments given in regard to purchasing from Irish suppliers. I would like the Leader to take up this matter with the appropriate Ministers with a view to encouraging dialogue with the supermarkets and to show the just claim which exists among Irish producers and customers to have this matter examined. We are all aware of the ever increasing control of overseas supermarkets on the Irish retail sector. Last year Tesco, the supermarket giant, purchased 25 per cent of the grocery trade in Ireland. Overall, Tesco has four times the total grocery trade in Ireland that it has in other countries; it is 18 times bigger than its nearest competitor in Ireland. I would like the supermarkets to be asked to demonstrate their loyalty to the country, the customers and the producers. They are making substantial profits from the Irish market.
Will the Leader provide for a debate on health matters, something for which I have called on numerous occasions, particularly in view of ongoing concerns about the possibility of transmission of new variant CJD through the blood supply? The Leader gave a commitment that we would debate this matter in this session.
I agree with Senator McGowan's statement in relation to concerns in many communities regarding the possible health effects of mobile telephone transmitters. I remind the House that a number of months ago we tabled a motion, No. 10 on the Order Paper, calling for a debate on this issue. I would appreciate if the Leader would take account of this and the concerns expressed on his side of the House and facilitate an early debate on the issue.
Like Senator Norris, I have serious difficulty understanding why item 9 — to have one question put to the people in the referendum concerning ratification of the Amsterdam Treaty — appears on the Order Paper. The proposal is that there would be two clauses, one to ratify the Treaty and the other to give wider discretion to the State to engage in actions at European level without referring to the Irish people. There should be one simple question on the ratification of the Treaty. If the question is put in the form which is presented here many people who might like to support the Treaty will have to vote against it because of the second subclause. My party leader put this forcefully to the Taoiseach on Monday and I am glad the Government has taken account of our view and has decided to withdraw the proposed wording in the Dáil. In the light of that I fail to understand why the proposal is still before this House. It is said that a good start is half the work but I am afraid that a good start has not been made in this matter . I hope that the success of the campaign has not been jeopardised.
I ask the Leader to withdraw item 9 from the Order of Business, to inform the Seanad when the new wording will be put before the House and to ask the Taoiseach for a commitment that adequate time will be allowed for a debate both in the Houses of the Oireachtas and in the wider community.
I support Senator Norris' call for a debate on bio-technology and bio-engineering. In so requesting I do not suggest that I am opposed to the concept but we need an open and frank discussion. The legislation in this area is very weak. It is tagged on as an afterthought to the Environmental Protection Agency legislation which is the only legislation we have. Serious ethical questions arise but the most exciting advances in relation to disease control and cure will come from this area. We need an informed and open debate. We would do a great public service by having such a debate.
Can the Leader consider a discussion on the potential cost and chaos caused by the millennium bug? Can he ask the Minister for Finance to come into the House to report Government plans to adapt public sector technology to the change of date? There will be huge implications if we do not get this right. I ask for a discussion, not sterile statements and not a charged debate. Members could listen to the Minister and he could then answer our queries. Could we not organise our work so that we can discuss an issue, even agree to disagree, and learn something from one another?
Suffice it to say that I wonder about our society when an executive of a company such as Ryanair can earn £17 million in one year and we do not rise up in moral outrage at the injustice of it.
We have observed the most extraordinary and sickening brutality unfold in the United States ending at midnight last night with the execution of Karla Faye Tucker. This was the most brutal spectacle I have had to witness in recent years. There is a feeling of revulsion in our society and throughout the western world outside of the United States at the death penalty in general but this exercise, carried out 15 years after the offence was committed, has caused a particular level of revulsion. This House and the parliaments of all civilised democracies — to which the US has a decreasing right to belong — must state that a country cannot be included in the company of civilised nations if it continues to indulge in the spectacle of judicial murder in the name of vengeance. I move amendment No. 1 to the Order of Business: "That item 9 be taken first.".
While I do not support the motion proposed by Senator Ryan, I share his feeling of revulsion at the news of the execution of Ms Tucker. It is a barbaric practice in a free democracy. The House should express its regret that such justice is meted out to prisoners in this day and age. No democracy or free society should carry out such a practice in the name of justice. The dramatic news of the execution stirred many people in Ireland. It is a most uncivilised occurrence in a free democracy and in a country that has such high standing on the international stage. The United States is a world power which has done a great deal for people in other countries and this judicial practice is not in its best interests.
I wish to refer to the NESC report which was published last December. It outlines the amount of European funding that was spent regenerating the economies of most of our counties. It also discusses certain areas which fared badly in securing economic support. Will the Leader ask the Government to address the facts contained in this report and to indicate what action it will take to rectify the imbalance of investment through the allocation of the forthcoming Structural and Cohesion Funds?
Will the Leader of the House ask the Tánaiste to clarify the current status of the Pretty Polly factory which has been vacant since 1995? This is a matter of major importance because a first rate, well educated, young workforce is ready, willing and waiting for an announcement of a suitable replacement industry. Rather disturbingly, an IDA spokesman was quoted in the local press as having said that the building might be broken up and disposed of. That would be a tragedy for the area. Will the Leader also ascertain what Bills, if any, the Tánaiste intends to bring before the House in this session?
Another task force report.
Will the Leader ask the Tánaiste to explain her reason for proposing not to permit disclosure of costs to consumers when they purchase insurance for mortgages and other products?
I second the amendment to the Order of Business proposed by Senator Ryan. The United States of America cannot claim to have moral authority in condemning other regimes in the world, including that of Saddam Hussein, when it indulges in judicial executions of this nature.
In view of the Seanad's decision to invite distinguished visitors to the House from time to time, it might be appropriate for the Cathaoirleach to invite the American Ambassador to the House to explain why the United States still approves and carries out judicial killing. It would be doing us a great service if Mrs. Kennedy-Smith, who comes from a great liberal family, came to the House to tell us why this goes on and the justification for it. I would welcome her presence in the House and perhaps the Leader could put that on the agenda of the Committee on Procedure and Privileges and issue such an invitation to the ambassador. Not only should we have a debate on Northern Ireland because it would be appropriate at this time but the House has not yet had the benefit of listening to my words on EMU. When will such a debate take place?
All of us abhor what happened in the United States last night where the judicial murder took place of somebody who spent 14 years on death row which, in itself, is barbaric.
These matters should be expedited. It is appropriate that the House consider the matter and bring whatever influence it can to bear on the United States and, indeed, other Governments which practice judicial murder. It would be better to do so in a structured way and not immediately after the Order of Business, although I understand the urgency. I suggest the Leader allocate time tomorrow to deal with the matter so that those who want to contribute may do so by way of brief statements.
It should be said, as a matter of considerable satisfaction, that we do not and have not had the practice of judicial murder for a consider length of time. It should also be said that there are states within the United States which do not practise capital punishment. One incident, however abhorrent and dramatic, should not drive our discussion on this matter and perhaps it would be better to deal with it in a more restrained and considered way.
I support Senator Quill's call for a debate on abuse in the home and ask that she widen the debate because abuse is not confined to one sex. Many men are beaten in the home. I call for a debate on unruly, difficult and problem children who form a small section of our community. Many women with problem children have taken to the national airwaves crying out for help. Despite all the psychiatrists, psychologists and services available, nobody seems to be able to do anything for this small number of young people who are disruptive in school and at home. We should have a debate on this matter and come up with a solution to help those people. There should be a secure place for and professionals to deal with these young people rather than allow this terrible disruption continue and have mothers cry out for help over the airwaves.
Fine Gael agrees in principle with Senator Brendan Ryan's amendment. However, we agree with Senator Dardis that since the Order of Business has been agreed we would deal with it——
It has not been agreed.
It was agreed among the Whips.
We are taken for granted again.
Time should be provided tomorrow to allow for a structured debate.
I congratulate Dr. Miriam Hederman-O'Brien on her unanimous election by the governing authority of the University of Limerick, of which I am a member. She is the first woman chancellor in the history of the Free State. When the selection process is complete, we will press extremely hard for the extension of Seanad voting rights, along with DCU and other appropriate third level institutions.
The Senator feels an honorary degree coming on.
The time has come for change ——
Hear, hear.
—— and I will strenuously push for it. It is important to inform people of the unanimous election of Dr. Miriam Hederman-O'Brien. I welcome the acceptance of Deputy Shatter's legislation to grant immunity from prosecution to those who report suspected cases of abuse.
I support the amendment to the Order of Business moved by Senator Ryan concerning the judicial murder in the United States yesterday evening. I also support the other remarks on the need for a debate on this issue. While it has been highlighted that this was the first woman to be executed in the State of Texas for about 150 years, what is most abhorrent in this and other cases of judicial murder is that she spent a number of years in a correctional institution and has been murdered despite showing that she has changed since her conviction. That makes the execution all the more inhumane and outrageous.
My amendment to the Order of Business is "That leave be granted to introduce a Bill entitled an Act to amend the law in relation to celebration of marriage and to provide for related matters."
Are you moving an amendment to the Order of Business that the Family Law Bill, 1998, be included in today's business? That is the only way this matter can be dealt with.
Yes, my amendment is that leave be granted to introduce this Bill.
But are you moving an amendment to the Order of Business that item 7 be included?
I support Senator Ryan's amendment to the Order of Business——
I understand that, but are you moving a further amendment to the Order of Business to include item 7?
Yes, I will be moving amendment No. 2.
Mr. Hayes
Seagate workers will lose their jobs over the next few weeks and we know the devastation this will cause not only in Clonmel but all over south Tipperary. I welcome the Tánaiste's efforts after the initial shock announcement, when she went to Clonmel to meet the workers. There is now grave concern within the county, particularly among the workforce, that nothing positive has happened other than the setting up of a task force. While that is welcome, these unfortunate workers are concerned about where they will get other jobs. Will the Leader contact the Taoiseach and the Tánaiste about this matter? The Taoiseach is reluctant to meet a delegation from Tipperary SR County Council and other concerned people. I ask the Leader to get a response on this matter and to inquire of the Taoiseach when he will meet the deputation from south Tipperary which has requested a meeting on several occasions.
I support the call for a debate on Algeria. It might be better to have a debate on foreign affairs generally, especially at a time when there is a threat of further war in the Middle East. President Yeltsin spoke today not of a Middle Eastern war but a world war, so we should discuss that as a matter of urgency. We should discuss the genocide in Algeria but equally we should discuss Palestinian-Israeli affairs. People are beginning to talk not of the Middle East peace process but of a war process. Those matters are in a particularly dangerous phase so we should have a foreign affairs debate to cover those items.
I join Senator Ridge in congratulating the Minister on his efforts. There has been a number of highly publicised cases against individuals and the parents of abused children will be met. However, institutionalised violence has been committed against orphaned children, who were physically and sexually abused for many years and had no parents to whom to turn for comfort and solace. Institutionalised violence was not confined to a small number of incidents — in my home town, great depravity took place in institutions for many years. This is being addressed through the courts but we must face it as a society. This did not only happen in swimming clubs, it occurred in GAA clubs, rugby clubs and every sporting circle. The publicised cases may result in the IASA being taken to task, which would be beneficial to a small group of people, but we should remember that as a society we have failed orphans and those placed in the care of institutions. We should not discuss only one instance, we should address the broader issue of how we care for children in our society and how we can ensure that children in institutions are not abused.
I agree we should have a debate on capital punishment but it would be better to have it tomorrow. I have been highly critical of such punishment for many years. If we have such a debate we should also address the practice in Saudi Arabia, Iran, China and elsewhere because America is not the only country where institutionalised murder takes place. In discussing last night's highly publicised murder, for that is what it is, we must consider all places where capital punishment exists.
When does the Leader envisage holding a debate on the refinancing and restructuring of local authorities? As he is aware, the Minister for the Environment and Local Government is issuing new guidelines and setting up new structures within the local authority framework. This House should debate the issue at an early opportunity.
I support the call by Senator McGowan and Senator Gallagher for an early debate on telecommunications masts, attended by the Minister, Deputy O'Rourke. During the last session I twice called for such a debate. At that time Esat sought to impose masts on two communities in Donegal and as Senator McGowan said there are two more such cases at present. As regards the two previous cases I was assured by the Minister's office that there would be a conference in March and legislation would be introduced in the autumn, but that does not address the genuine fears of communities which are threatened with the imposition of these masts on a weekly basis. The Minister should intervene to halt the erection of these masts at least until after the conference. The Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform should also intervene in light of the recent agreement between the Garda authorities and Esat. People have genuine fears and while there may be no danger to health, it is not good enough for the Minister's office to say the issue is being monitored on a regular basis, because people do not believe that. The erection of masts should be postponed until people are reassured there is no danger.
I also wish to raise the issue of Northern Ireland, which I mentioned on a number of occasions during the previous session. I want the Minister for Foreign Affairs to come to the House as soon as possible to update Members on the current position. As Members are aware, the situation there deteriorated drastically over Christmas. While I congratulate the British Prime Minister for announcing the establishment of a new inquiry into Bloody Sunday, I am sure Members were astounded by the performance of Mr. Trimble in the House of Commons. He should slow down and stop running away. He should face the reality of the situation in Northern Ireland.
I offer my condolences to the families of all those murdered. Other Members mentioned the barbaric killing of the prisoner in America. However, there is nothing as barbaric as the events in Northern Ireland in recent weeks. People were murdered because of their religion and the majority of them were members of the GAA. I remind the House that members of the GAA helped to calm the situation and to solve problems after the foundation of the State. People in Northern Ireland on the Unionist side have nothing to fear from the GAA. It is time the Minister came to the House for a discussion. This matter cannot be put on the long finger because it has reached crisis point.
Will the Leader bring to the attention of the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the grave concern in the community generally about the serious sexual abuse case heard recently in the courts involving a coach attached to the Irish Amateur Swimming Association? People are concerned that such abuse is taking place and they welcome the action of the Minister for Tourism, Sport and Recreation. However, the community wants longer mandatory sentences for such offences. In addition, the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform should make the Judiciary aware that victims of these crimes need empathy if they wish to give evidence in court. The community wants the support of the Judiciary in that regard.
Will the Leader bring to the attention of the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment, Deputy Harney, and the Minister of State at the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment, Deputy Treacy, the fact that the Guardian PMPA insurance company increased its car insurance rates for people in County Louth by a massive amount recently? Despite the fact that the PMPA promised the previous week that it would reduce loading for younger drivers and make it easier for them to get insurance, it levied a 30 per cent increase on new business in County Louth. This is disgraceful.
Will the Leader ask if a meeting took place between Guardian PMPA and the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment, Deputy Harney, or the Minister of State at the Department, Deputy Treacy, about these increases? Were they discussed with the Ministers before they were announced? If so, what effort, if any, did the Ministers make to dissuade the company from imposing the increases on people in County Louth, especially since two-thirds of accidents in County Louth are caused by drivers from outside the county? While I acknowledge that County Louth has the highest rate of fatal road accidents, the people of the county are being penalised for accidents which they do not cause.
A number of Independent Senators have supported an amendment to the Order of Business regarding item 10, motion 9, which relates to the death penalty in the United States. However, I support the opinion expressed by Senator Dardis and Senator Lanigan. It would be better to have statements on this matter than to discuss the motion. I did not add my name to the list of the proposers of the motion because it only covered the United States. Statements would cover a wider area. The United States uses the death penalty but it does not have the highest number of deaths from it. Statements rather than a discussion of the motion would be a more suitable way to debate this matter.
I welcome Mr. Joe Power, who is in the Press Gallery. He has returned to the House following illness and it is nice to see him. I look forward to him reporting on the affairs of the House for many more years.
Regarding Senator Manning's comments, I will arrange to have the business of the House agreed weeks in advance. This the first day of the new session and I will be happy to do so.
In relation to the Adoption (No. 2) Bill, I understand arrangements are being made for a motion to restore it to the Seanad Order Paper. I hope that will be done in the coming days. Senators O'Toole, Brendan Ryan and Costello mentioned industrial relations. I will facilitate the Senators with a debate on that matter.
Senator Costello expressed his concern about his party's position in relation to contributions in the House. However, this is a matter for the Opposition. The practice is that speakers come from one and then the other; this is the voice of the people. I sympathise with the Senator, but that is the decision of the electorate. Members do not make the decisions on most of these matters.
Senator Quill requested a debate on violence in the home. I will arrange such a debate. Senators Ridge, Farrell, Lanigan and O'Dowd expressed their concerns about mandatory reporting, child care issues and the recent sad and sorry tale of events. I will pass on their concerns to the Minister and the Government. If the Senators want a debate on this matter, I will be pleased to arrange it.
I will come back to Senator Norris after the Order of Business about the concerns he expressed. I will make as many inquiries as possible about the matter.
Senator Gallagher and Senator Norris mentioned the Referendum Bill. As the House is aware, the party leaders are trying to reach an agreement on this matter. I will come back to the House when I have further information.
Senator Norris and Senator Avril Doyle mentioned their concern about genetic engineering. The Independents could use their Private Members' time slot next week to discuss this matter. I will have no objection if they wish to do so.
Senator McGowan and Senator Bonner called for a debate on the urgent issue of telephone masts and pylons and the controversy involving Esat. I hope to make time available in the next two weeks for a debate on this matter.
Senator Joe Doyle requested a debate on the Cohesion Funds. I will facilitate the Senator at the earliest possible opportunity. Senator Henry called for a debate on mental health matters. The Minister visited St. Ita's recently and I will ask the Department when the 1996 report will be available. I assure the House that I will arrange a debate within one month of its publication.
Senator Coghlan expressed his concerns about the Pretty Polly factory in Killarney. I will contact the office of the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment to ask what progress has been made on this matter. Members of the Dáil from that part of County Kerry are also concerned about this matter and I hope progress will be made.
Senator O'Dowd and others mentioned their concern about the insurance industry. I will contact the office of the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment and ask what progress can be made on the issue involving Guardian PMPA. I live in a neighbouring county and I am also concerned about it. I will come back to the Senator directly on it.
Senator Ross requested a debate on EMU. I will facilitate him at the earliest possible opportunity. Such a debate was held recently, but if Members want a discussion on particular aspects in the near future, I will arrange it.
Senator O'Meara moved an amendment in relation to item 7. However, the amendment was not seconded.
I second it.
Senator Hayes expressed concern for the workers in Seagate and I will contact the Tánaiste's office to see what is happening in that regard. I am sure Senators will welcome the announcement of and the achievement in securing 3,000 new jobs in Limerick. The Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment and her Department are to be congratulated.
Senator Lanigan asked for a debate on foreign affairs and I will arrange time for that. Senator Burke raised the issue of local authority funding, an issue of great concern to local authority members. Debate on the Appropriation Bill may allow him to raise his concerns. Senator Ó Murchú raised the supermarket chains and family shops; the Appropriation Bill may provide the first opportunity for the Senator to highlight his concerns. Senator Gallagher sought a debate on CJD and I will facilitate him. Senator O'Toole and Senator Avril Doyle sought a discussion on the millennium bug. I will contact the Department of Finance to arrange time to discuss their concerns.
Senators Brendan Ryan, Chambers, Dardis, Ross, Jackman, O'Meara and Quinn referred to yesterday's events in the US. I will arrange a meeting of the group leaders and Whips after the Order of Business to arrange a time to discuss this matter tomorrow. Time can also be made available to discuss the NESC report.
Amendment put.
The Seanad divided: Tá, 9; Níl, 30.
Tá
- Connor, John.
- Costello, Joe.
- Gallagher, Pat.
- Henry, Mary.
- Norris, David.
- O'Meara, Kathleen.
- O'Toole, Joe.
- Ross, Shane.
- Ryan, Brendan.
Níl
- Bohan, Eddie.
- Bonner, Enda.
- Cassidy, Donie.
- Chambers, Frank.
- Cox, Margaret.
- Dardis, John.
- Farrell, Willie.
- Finneran, Michael.
- Fitzgerald, Liam.
- Fitzgerald, Tom.
- Fitzpatrick, Dermot.
- Gibbons, Jim.
- Glynn, Camillus.
- Haughey, Edward.
- Keogh, Helen.
- Kett, Tony.
- Kiely, Rory.
- Lanigan, Mick.
- Leonard, Ann.
- Lydon, Don.
- Manning, Maurice.
- McGowan, Patrick.
- Mooney, Paschal.
- Moylan, Pat.
- O'Donovan, Denis.
- Ó Murchú, Labhrás.
- Ormonde, Ann.
- Quill, Mairín.
- Quinn, Feargal.
- Walsh, Jim.
Tellers: Tá, Senators Ross and B. Ryan; Níl, Senators T. Fitzgerald and Keogh.
Amendment declared lost.
Senator O'Meara discussed her amendment to the Order of Business but as it was not seconded in debate it falls.
Amendment No. 2 not moved.
Order of Business agreed to.