Vol. 154 No. 16
The Order of Business for today is item 1, Second Stage, to conclude today, with contributions of spokespersons not to exceed 20 minutes and all other Senators not to exceed 15 minutes. Senators may share time. Business will be interrupted between 1 p.m. and 2 p.m.
Item 15, motion No. 19, to be taken from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. and item 1 to resume at 8 p.m. unless previously concluded.
The Order of Business is agreed. Is the Committee Stage of the Social Welfare Bill also ordered for this week?
It is ordered for Friday.
Will the Leader of the House inquire about the progress of an amendment to the Wild Life Act which has been long promised? This would give legal protection to natural heritage areas. We have given legal protection to special areas of conservation as required by EU legislation. For the last several years areas of natural, and indeed of national, interest have been identified and funds are made available under the REP scheme to enable owners or occupiers of such sites to protect them but they have no legal protection under Irish law. Approximately three years ago the then Taoiseach promised that an amendment would be made to the Wild Life Act which would extend this protection. Will the Leader inquire when this legislation will be brought before the Houses?
I wish to raise two items. Item 10 on the Order Paper is the Shannon River Council Bill, 1998, First Stage. Will the Government Senators reawaken their views in this legislation which was first introduced in the House by former Senators, Deputies Michael O'Kennedy and Brendan Daly? Nothing in this Bill would create a problem for the Government. Will the Leader give the House an indication of Government thinking on this Bill, although I realise he may not be in a position to do so today? This measure has support from all sides of the House and is not designed to play tricks on the Government.
I also remind the Leader of his commitment to hold a debate on industrial relations. We see what the management of Ryanair has done. It is important that people have a clear understanding of how industrial relations should work and that routes should be available by which difficulties can be solved. We may differ in our political views but we all have a clear view on problem solving.
We too agree to the Order of Business. We are pleased that item 15, motion No. 19 which deals with a national hourly minimum wage, is to be debated.
Senator O'Toole raised the question of industrial relations. All sides of the House recognise the urgent need for a debate on this issue, particularly with regard to Ryanair. Ryanair is turning into a maverick company with little concern for their workforce or agreed procedures which are supported by IBEC and ISME. I note that the Leader will facilitate a debate on the issue.
I welcome the new arrangements for foreign adoptions which have been negotiated between the Chinese and Irish Governments. The Minister of State, Deputy Fahey, was in China and was involved in these successful negotiations. Listening to him on radio this morning, the Minister of State became perilously close to presenting himself, not as a Minister, but as a spokesperson for a voluntary adoption agency. The Chinese Government must be commended on insisting that the adoption process should be operated on a national basis. I ask the Leader to ensure that these are national arrangements and do not favour any adoption agency over another.
Will the Leader make time for a debate on the state of the Government and their institutions' preparations for the onset of the year 2000 or millennium bug? I asked for a debate on this issue on four occasions over the past few months. There are serious implications for the Government, etc. and the way we do business if we are not prepared for it. Members need to know what is being done to combat the effects of the bug.
I ask the Leader to allow time for us to debate the housing crisis. Four months ago Senator Ross supported a rate of 20 per cent capital gains tax but now he is in favour of 80 per cent CGT. Therefore, we have a crisis and need a serious debate on the issue. Everything we have achieved over the past few years will come down on our heads if we do not solve this problem.
I support Senator Connor's request to the Leader to endeavour to provide legal protection for our natural heritage areas, especially in the context of the extremely successful REPs programme. It is incumbent on the State to protect our rich natural heritage areas.
I ask the Leader to contact the Tánaiste in relation to Seagate workers in Clonmel who lost their jobs prior to Christmas. At that time the Government gave a commitment that it would do everything in its power to help them. So far nothing has happened and there is a sense of crisis in the constituency of south Tipperary. Many families hoped there would be replacement jobs but not one job has been created in the constituency, despite numerous announcements of job creation in other constituencies who have more political clout.
I assure Senator Connor that all remaining Stages of the Social Welfare Bill will be taken on Friday, 27 March.
Senators Connor and McDonagh expressed serious concerns about the protection of wildlife. I will convey their wishes to the relevant Minister and see what I can do in this regard.
Senator O'Toole mentioned our approach to the Shannon River Council Bill. Later in the week I will inform the House on how best to progress this proposal.
Senators O'Toole and Costello requested a debate on industrial relations. I will try to make time available for a debate on this issue within the next few weeks.
As regards Senator Doyle's comments, I have made a commitment to allow time for statements on the year 2000 or millennium bug and I hope to do this at the earliest opportunity.
Senator Brendan Ryan requested a debate on the housing crisis. We recently had a debate on this issue but I will try to make more time available for further debate.
Senator Tom Hayes expressed his serious concerns about Seagate. I will pass on his concerns to the Tánaiste today.
