The Order of Business is Items 1 and 2 and statements on the abolition of the death penalty. Item 1 is to be taken without debate. On Item 2 the statements of each Senator are not to exceed ten minutes. Statements on the abolition of the death penalty are to be taken at 2 p.m. and should not exceed ten minutes duration.
Order of Business.
The Order of Business is agreed. Will the Leader of the House allow a greater length of time for the statements on the death penalty and on homelessness? Perhaps 15 minutes could be allowed.
I am sure the Leader will respond to that when he is replying.
In Ennis last week the Director General of the Cohesion Fund, while announcing the good news about the amount of money to be spent on sanitary services throughout the State this year, which will be assisted by cohesion and Structural Funds, stated he envisaged that Ireland would have to introduce water rates to fund the sanitary services programme after 1999. Clearly the cohesion funds for these services may disappear after 1999 and any structural funding may be greatly diminished after 1999. The major party in Government announced it was opposed to water charges but the junior partner has no such policy. It is a matter of public concern. Does the Leader of the House have a response to this question raised by Senator Doyle on the Order of Business yesterday? I hope he has discussed the matter with the Minister for the Environment and Local Government in the meantime.
I raised the need for better industrial relations. The Leader said he would look favourably on that and I would like to hear his response.
We are dealing with two issues on the Order of Business and, to take up Senator Connor's point, perhaps the Leader might consider 15 minutes for the first speaker from each group with the option of sharing time.
We should also discuss the transport infrastructure. We have debated roads but we should also discuss rail travel. A report in today's newspapers states that the Dublin-Sligo rail line is not viable but a service which is barely heated, never on time, often derailed, always uncomfortable and rarely provided with a dining car will never be viable. People in the west should take a stand on these issues. In any other country in Europe people can commute on a daily basis over similar distances. They should not need to take their cars. This problem undermines our social infrastructure and the House should discuss it. The Athlone bypass, useful as it is, cost more than it would cost to upgrade the Dublin-Sligo track to European TGV standards. We should demand such a service for rural Ireland and hold a debate on the rail service, stock and track condition.
The Labour group would prefer if ten minutes were allocated to speakers because in that case the tenth speaker waits only 90 minutes to speak. It would be all right if a group could split up a 15 minute time slot but the tenth speaker should not have to wait for nine speakers to speak for 15 minutes each. We will oppose the extension of speaking time for that reason.
I agree with Senator O'Toole that we should have a debate on transport infrastructure, and that the Sligo-Dublin line and other rail services should be upgraded. In Dublin the light rail is on hold pending a new inquiry, as is the port tunnel. The country will soon no longer have Objective 1 status for European infrastructural funds so we should urgently examine where money can be spent on transport infrastructure under the present tranche, because we will have much less funds for that area on the next occasion. We should have an early debate, with the Minister present, to find out the position on these major projects.
The House should welcome the imprisonment of a north inner city drug baron, the second in a month. He and the other man, known as "the Boxer", were the main drug suppliers in the area.
We should pay tribute to the good work of the gardaí and of the previous and current Governments which provided the gardaí with the legislation and resources to do their job. Perhaps RTÉ should give credit where it is due to all the participants in this House, rather than giving two interviews to one person on a news bulletin as it did on the previous occasion. That is unprecedented on any news media and I fail to understand why it happened.
This man does the work.
And Deputy Gregory does not?
He is not the only one.
I ask the Leader to bring to the attention of the Minister for Public Enterprise a matter of concern which I heard on the radio this morning. For this weekend's rugby international Iarnród Éireann is increasing its fare by £3 through the introduction of a boarding pass. People bringing their families to the match will pay not only for their tickets but also an extra £3 per person. I thought that payment for a ticket included a seat on a bus or train.
That matter could be taken up with Iarnród Éireann. The House has no function in that regard and it is not relevant to the business. It has been my practice to allow considerable latitude on the Order of Business to the leaders of the various groups. Yesterday I extended that latitude to all Members but today and for the remainder of the session I must insist that contributions on the Order of Business be brief and relevant to the business of the House.
We know of the problems caused by death threats and intimidation in the North. I ask the Leader to bring to the attention of the Minister for Foreign Affairs the death threats to Protestant ministers in my county. We have often called for a debate on the North and death threats emanating from the North towards the South should be drawn to the Minister's attention.
I ask the Leader to bring to the attention of the Minister for the Environment and Local Government the urgent need for a grant aided scheme for the provision of home heating, particularly for the elderly. Some years ago there was a grants scheme for house reconstruction but the major need at present is to provide proper heating for the elderly. They cannot afford the cost and such a grant would make a significant difference to their quality of life.
I ask the Leader to bring to the attention of the Minister for Public Enterprise the essential need to extend the DART to Balbriggan. I agree with Senator O'Toole that transport policy should be debated here. I also ask the Leader to bring to the Minister's attention the horror felt by supporters of rugby and all other sports at the extra charge of £3 per passenger imposed by CIE.
That is a matter for CIE which I have ruled out of order.
I appreciate that, a Chathaoirligh.
I move amendment No. 1 to the Order of Business: "That item 6 be taken before item 1."
I second that amendment. I asked yesterday why the previous proposed wording for the referendum, which has been withdrawn by the Government, is still on the Order Paper as item 8. Will the Leader indicate when the new wording will be provided for our consideration?
Will the Leader arrange for the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment to come to the House in the near future for a full and open debate on the funding available to community groups? I have asked continually for such a debate for nearly a year. Some funding has been given to community groups on which local authority members are in a minority. I question the wisdom, efficiency and viability of continuing along that path. Will the Minister come to the House to debate this matter before the current phase of funding ends? This would give Members an opportunity to assess the position and perhaps make recommendations. The Minister may welcome such a debate because there are rumours that changes are in the pipeline. I raised this matter on a number of occasions previously and I do not want to have to make a similar request in six months. I do not blame anybody because I am aware of the pressure on time in terms of the number of matters raised. However, I ask the Leader to make time available for this matter as soon as possible.
I support the calls of Senator O'Toole and Senator Cosgrave regarding the upgrading of the Sligo-Dublin railway line. County Donegal is not fortunate enough to have a railway. The Minister for the Environment and Local Government is upgrading the local government system and I ask the Leader to invite him to the House to discuss the effectiveness of the National Roads Authority and particularly the funding available for secondary roads. The level of funding for this year was announced recently and while I welcome the total amount made available for County Donegal, £8 million will be spent on one stretch of road. I criticise the sum of £900,000 made available to upgrade the M56 which covers in excess of 100 miles between Donegal town and Letterkenny. Calls have been made over many years for the upgrading of this road. It covers the most scenic part of the coast and the Minister should come to the House and outline the up to date position.
Will the Leader indicate when a revised Electoral Bill will be produced? I understand the Electoral Act is proving so unsatisfactory that it must be reconsidered. When that happens, will the Leader make every effort to ensure the Seanad is included and that, at the very least, election expenses can be discounted against income tax? It is extraordinary that the House is not included.
Will the Leader ask the relevant Minister what has happened to Operation Freeflow in the city of Dublin? It took me a great deal of time to get to the House this morning because at least 12 lorries were parked on double yellow lines on one side of O'Connell Street. I presume there was another dozen on the other side. The inner city business group complained loudly about the illegal operation of stalls on Moore Street yet it is happy to flagrantly break the law every morning. Will the Leader ask the relevant Minister why it is tolerable for business people to treat the capital city as a provincial market town?
It should be so lucky.
Is that a plug for Dingle?
Senator Norris on the Order of Business please.
I support the points made by my colleague from the Labour Party who raised the position regarding the Amsterdam Treaty. I raised this matter yesterday because I understood it had been dropped from the Dáil Order Paper. However, precisely the same wording, about which disquiet has been expressed, is used on the Seanad Order Paper. I understood the Taoiseach agreed to drop the section giving a blank cheque to Government. This is guaranteed to cause problems for the parties supporting the Amsterdam Treaty if it continues. Will the Leader outline the position? Is it that there has not been time to remove it from the Seanad Order Paper? Is it an oversight or is there a deliberate political will to retain the section, which the other House found unsatisfactory, for presentation to the Seanad?
I support the remarks regarding the Dublin-Sligo railway line. Will the Leader provide time for a debate with the relevant Minister to discuss a national strategy for railways? In the light of increasing investment in the European railway system, the bodies charged with investment in Ireland need scrutiny, specifically with regard to the Mullingar to Sligo part of the Dublin-Sligo line. Serious concern is being expressed by business and other interests in the north-west at what is perceived to be a neglect of the line. This is irrespective of the assurances of various bodies that investment is ongoing. That may be the case but it is significantly lower on the Mullingar to Sligo section in comparison to the Dublin to Mullingar section. It involves pennies as against hundreds of millions of pounds.
This is unacceptable in the context of Senator Bonner's remarks about infrastructural deficiencies in County Donegal. The Border region generally has been the subject of abysmal neglect at official level in Ireland and at European level. The people in my area will no longer accept this second class citizenship. It is past time that the various reports which point out the serious inefficiencies in the Border and north-west region were addressed. There should be a debate in the House on whether there is a national strategy for railway development.
Senator Chambers referred yesterday to the report which was published before Christmas by the National Economic and Social Council. This deals with the points I raised. There will be serious implications if the Government takes on board the report's recommendations which are saying that there is no longer a future for rural Ireland and there should be growth centres throughout the north-west, the west and other depopulated areas. It concludes that there is no longer a future for those who wish to live in the areas in which they grew up because they are too small. The report has serious implications and the House should have an opportunity to debate it.
I appreciate the Cathaoirleach clarified the position that the House does not have much say in relation to the penal tax which has been imposed by Iarnród Éireann. A similar position has developed with regard to Telecom Éireann which has imposed a 40p charge on mobile telephone users.
They are operational matters. The House has no function in that regard.
That is my point. The House has an obligation. Who is speaking up for consumers?
They are operational matters.
The House passed legislation giving semi-State bodies power.
They are day to day operational matters as far as these bodies are concerned. If the Senator wishes to take up those issues with CIE or Telecom Éireann it is a matter for him, not the House.
I have taken them up and I have been given chapter and verse on the legislation passed by the Houses of the Oireachtas giving them the power, without reference to political masters, to impose charges willy nilly.
The Senator is out of order.
How much further down this road will we go?
Senator Mooney is bringing the House into disrepute.
As a resident of an area which Senator Norris would probably regard as a mere provincial market town, I believe the Chamber is a forum for national issues. I am fed up with Dublin provincialism in the House. Dublin is not the only place with traffic problems. The fact that it happens in Dublin and inconveniences Members travelling to the House is a coincidence. It has nothing to do with national policy. If Members want to discuss traffic in general, a debate should be arranged.
Senator O'Toole raised a valid point. I have a serious question for the Government. How are some of the rumours about the view being taken of rail travel reconcilable with the alleged commitment to sustainable development which is supposed to be part of every decision in every area? There cannot be sustainable economic development if rail travel is run down in favour of road travel. This is the fundamental aspect of the issue. This is what should be debated, not a traffic jam on O'Connell Street.
I support the call for a debate on the rail service. I live a short distance from the Sligo line. I also support the call on the relevant Minister to come to the House to discuss the issue because it is time something was done.
I wish to compliment all those associated with the improvement in conditions for Members but we should spare a thought for those who elected us, the members of local authorities. I refer particularly to those with certain disabilities who cannot write. They should receive secretarial assistance. There are not many people involved so the cost would not be great. I am sure Senators share my concerns and they should be conveyed to the Minister, Deputy Dempsey, who has shown an abiding interest in the welfare of local representatives.
Prior to Christmas it was agreed in principle that an all-party delegation from the House would visit St. Ita's Hospital to assess the progress made there. A delegation comprising those parties who wish to attend should be formed, as agreed.
It is a scandal that so many people must wait for taxis, especially in Dublin, when there are taxis which cost £24,000 sitting idle. Political football is being played with the taxi issue between the Department of the Environment and Local Government, the Garda and the Chief State Solicitors Office. The Leader should seek to ensure that these taxis can operate. Those who own them are not earning a living.
The events at Ryanair were raised in the House yesterday. I welcome the Bill put forward by Deputy Broughan in the Dáil on trade union recognition. Will the Leader afford the House an opportunity to discuss trade union recognition in Ireland?
I have spoken before of my concern at the policy of some of the major UK retail multiples who have come to Ireland, Marks and Spencer and Tesco in particular, of buying so little in Ireland. This has a great impact on small Irish food producing firms. There was a news report last night that Tesco in England is boasting proudly that it sells only British beef, not Irish beef although it is cheaper — it may import some beef for burgers. This does nothing for the image of Irish beef. Will the Leader arrange for a debate on the impact of these major retail firms on small Irish food businesses and on the beef industry?
With regard to the requests on speaking time and the proposals I made, I had to keep in mind that today's Order of Business had to be changed because of the many requests for statements on the death penalty. With the permission of the House I propose 12 minutes for principal spokespersons and ten minutes for other speakers, with Senators allowed to share time. I bear in mind Senator Costello's request in that arrangement.
Senator Connor expressed concerns about water charges. The Local Government (Funding) Bill will be before the House in the coming weeks and the matter might be discussed with the Minister in that context. Given the volume of requests for debates on various issues, the requests will have to be accommodated in Private Members' time, during discussions on Bills before the House or in two to three hour debates.
Or on the Adjournment.
I have indicated to the leaders of the groups that it is our intention to sit on Wednesdays, Thursdays and Fridays and to sit four days in some weeks because there is so much legislation to come before the House.
Senators O'Toole, O'Dowd, Mooney, Brendan Ryan, Costello, Glynn and Bonner expressed concern about public transport, and the rail service in particular. I will arrange time for a discussion at the earliest opportunity, particularly to address the Dublin to Sligo line which has been in decline for many years. In the previous Seanad I was Fianna Fáil spokesman on transport and I am aware of the historic lack of investment in this line. I will arrange a debate at the earliest opportunity.
Senator Costello expressed his views on the north inner city. Senator Norris expressed his interest in traffic flows in the city. I have seen an improvement in the north inner city. I welcome the large investment of about £70 million announced by the Taoiseach for that area, which has fared badly in the economic boom. I am sure all public representatives from the north inner city welcome the investment. I use O'Connell Street every morning and the traffic lights are only green for 30 seconds while the lights on the quays going west to east are green for a minute and a half. That is the problem on O'Connell Street. Perhaps it is pre-planned to discourage motorists from using O'Connell Street. It now takes a minimum of 20 minutes to come through O'Connell Street. Perhaps the local authority would let the local representatives know if this is a planned arrangement.
Senator Leonard expressed concern about the Iarnród Éireann price increase. We share that concern. However, we must respect the Cathaoirleach's ruling that it is an operational matter for Iarnród Éireann. The Senator also referred to the death threats issued in the Border region. The House agrees with her sentiments in this regard. I hope to arrange a general debate on foreign affairs at the earliest opportunity.
Senator O'Dowd raised the issue of grants for senior citizens to install heating systems in their homes. I support his point and we might bring it to the attention of the Minister when he is in the House.
Senator O'Meara proposed an amendment to the Order of Business. I have considered this at some length. I do not wish a situation to develop in which Senators put six or seven different Bills before the House — that is the job of Government. However, as a gesture of goodwill to the new Senator I agree to her amendment to the Order of Business.
Senator McGowan commented on the value for money of funds allocated to communities. The Senator has been making this request for the last 12 months and I will arrange a debate on this issue within the next four weeks. Many Members would wish to contribute to such a debate and now is an opportune time to do so. Senator Bonner called for a debate on the National Roads Authority. We had such a debate two months ago during which the Minister gave a thorough overview of the NRA's plans for the coming year. I welcome the allocation given to County Westmeath.
I will come back to Senator Norris today regarding his comments on the Electoral Bill. The Senator and others made comments on the Amsterdam Treaty. This will come before the House as soon as we have agreement between the party leaders. I will report to the House at the earliest possible opportunity. Senator Mooney expressed concern for rural renewal. I hope to arrange a full day's debate on this subject at the earliest possible opportunity. We have seen the transformation brought about by urban renewal and the uplift it has given to depressed areas in larger towns and cities. This must be the way forward for rural renewal which is the next planned phase of Government.
I concur with Senator Glynn's views and I will pass them on to the Minister for the Environment and Local Government. Senator Seán Ryan expressed views on St. Ita's, Portrane. The Minister for Health and Children recently conducted a comprehensive tour of St. Ita's. I have no problem in getting together with party leaders to arrange a fact finding visit to this institution at the earliest opportunity. The Senator also expressed concerns about taxis. I will be in touch with the Minister today on this matter and I will come back to the Senator immediately I have information.
As a Senator elected on the Labour Panel, I would be only too pleased to arrange a debate on the success of the trade union movement and how well it works with Government. The national understanding is the greatest example of how the trade union movement, employers and Government have worked hand in hand. That has been the hallmark of the success of Government since 1987. I would be only too pleased to assist Senator Henry in her call for a debate on major UK retail multiples.
If statements on homelessness are not concluded by 2.30 p.m. will they continue later today? Will they remain on the Order Paper or will they be dropped?
They can be resumed after statements on the death penalty.
I cannot accept the Leader's comments that Bills are not welcome from Senators.
That is not what I said.
That is not in order. Senator O'Meara's amendment to the Order of Business was that item 6 be taken before item 1. The Leader has indicated that he is agreeing to the Senator's amendment.
Amendment as amended, put and agreed to.
Order of Business, as amended, agreed to.