Today's business is item 1 without debate; all Stages of item 2, with the Second Stage contribution of spokespersons not to exceed 15 minutes, all other Senators' contributions not to exceed ten minutes, and Senators may share time; and all Stages of the Electoral (Amendment) Bill, 1998, to be taken not earlier than 7 p.m.
Order of Business.
The Order of Business is agreed. The Leader will be aware that yesterday the British Prime Minister announced his Government's intention to deal with the millennium bug, the consequences of which for business, banking, and the public service are enormous. His Government is putting in place, perhaps belatedly, plans to deal with the problem, such as helping businesses to train people. My colleague Senator Avril Doyle has asked for time for a debate on this subject. The public needs to know that the Government has a plan, that a specific Minister is in charge of it and that an education process is under way. This is a matter of urgent importance and this House could greatly assist by having a full debate and hearing the Government's plans. Perhaps the Leader could, as early as possible after Easter, arrange a debate on this topic.
When will the Leader make time available for item 14, Second Stage of the Shannon River Council Bill? This legislation has the agreement of all sides of the House and the enthusiastic endorsement of both Government parties. We would facilitate the passing of Second Stage in an hour, so I make a small request to the Leader to give time later this week to get the Bill back on the rails.
The Leader has ordered the Electoral (Amendment) Bill to be taken not earlier than 7 p.m. Do you wish to order the Motion for Earlier Signature in conjunction with the Bill?
Yes.
There will probably be a gap of about an hour and a half between the conclusion of item 2 and the beginning of the Electoral (Amendment) Bill, which might be an appropriate time to take the Shannon River Council Bill. The idea behind the Bill is to have one authority for the operation of the river. At present about eight Departments are involved, including the Department of the Marine and Natural Resources, the Department of Arts, Heritage, Gaeltacht and the Islands and the Department of Agriculture and Food. One agency is responsible for draining the river, another for counting fish and another for building houses in the vicinity. So many authorities have an input that we should consider giving all the powers to one body. This is not a question of debating the issue — the matter should be taken because all sides agree. I ask the Leader to request the Minister for the Marine and Natural Resources, or whoever the appropriate person might be, to take this on board.
I again raise with the Leader item 17, motion 9, concerning the death penalty. The last time I raised this it was said that the motion was an attack on the American authorities but it is not. It is directed at those states which use the death penalty. It was also said that liberal Senators select America for criticism, yet they do not take any notice of other countries using the death penalty. We made it very clear, however, that we were talking about a democracy. I may be wrong, but as far as I know, America is the only democracy which indulges in this barbarous practice and that is the reason it was singled out. Items have also been placed on the Order Paper by Members of the Independent group concerning Tibet, East Timor and Algeria.
Will the Leader arrange a debate on mutuality and building societies? In today's newspapers we have read again about the hundreds of thousands of pounds being paid to those who run building societies. I have no objection to the salaries they are getting but I want to remind Senators on the Government benches that the £500,000 mentioned today will now have to be paid for by people with house loans. In other words, it increases the price of houses once again. We need to get back to mutuality as one important way of ensuring that house prices are kept in check.
We agree to the Order of Business as set out by the Leader. I welcome the introduction last Friday of the Housing (Traveller Accommodation) Bill, 1998. This long promised legislation stems mainly from the 1995 report of the task force on travelling people. I compliment the Government on introducing it in this House. As many Senators are also members of local authorities, they can offer direct insights into the issues to be dealt with. Will the Leader indicate the earliest possible date for the Second Stage debate on this important Bill?
I support the requests from all sides of the House for an early debate on the Shannon River Council Bill, 1998. As a representative for County Offaly, I realise the importance of co-ordinating the various uses of the Shannon. An early debate on the legislation, should the Government be able to agree to one, would be welcomed in all the counties that border on the river.
When will the Leader permit time for a debate on a motion, which has been tabled for some months, concerning the effect of microwave transmitters for mobile telephones? The request by the Labour Party group for such a debate has been supported by Senators Bonner and McGowan. We had hoped the debate would take place during this session. I would welcome an indication from the Leader on that matter.
In relation to the announcement by the Minister for Finance of a review group on the financial institutions and the laws relating to them, it is imperative that we should have a debate on the formation of that group. I welcome the fact that, however belatedly, it is being set up. The membership and terms of reference outlined in today's newspapers are not sufficient to deal with the scale of the problem and to restore public confidence in the banking system. The Minister for Finance should attend the House to debate that subject with us.
Will the Leader give the House some information about reports in circulation that, as part of the Government's discussions with the British on a proposed package for the referendum, between ten and 20 seats should be made available to candidates from the North of Ireland? This House is entitled to know what the Government has in mind for the future of the House. It raises certain serious questions about whether or not people can be represented without paying tax in a particular jurisdiction and how they will be elected. What method of election will be used and what changes to the House are involved? When will this matter be discussed? It is important for this House to have an opportunity to discuss it.
There were a number of glancing references to tribunals and I would like guidance from the House on this matter. Like everyone else, I am continually receiving demands for information. I have no objection whatever to filling them in but I take umbrage when I am told I must have the replies notarised, sworn before a solicitor and returned by registered post. It is a small charge — about £5 for the entire operation — but I do not see why any Member should have to spend £5 of his or her money simply to inform the authorities that they have not received a bribe. If the Government authorities or inquirers want this information they should pay for it. I do not see why I should.
The drainage of the River Suir, which passes through Counties Tipperary and Waterford, has been put on the long finger. That river has huge potential.
While it is in order to request a debate on this matter, it would be more appropriate if you raised it as an Adjournment matter. You see how generous I have been to you on the Adjournment. It is not in order to debate it on the Order of Business.
I will do as you suggest.
The floodgates are open.
I have called for a debate on the sale of State assets on a number of occasions.
Ask the Labour Party.
Such a debate should be broadened to include all of the banking issues. Will the Leader ask the Minister for Finance to investigate the position taken by the Central Bank on NIB? It has transpired that the Central Bank undertook an investigation and found nothing wrong. Will the Leader ask the Minister for Finance to also investigate the operations of the Central Bank? It appears that the bank has a vested interest in banking circles in this country.
We cannot debate the matter.
The Governor of the Central Bank will attend a meeting of the Oireachtas Joint Committee on Finance and the Public Service tomorrow. As the Fine Gael Party Whip, Senator Burke can arrange to have his party members take a case to the committee and get a speedy reply to his inquiries.
Senators Manning, O'Toole and Gallagher are anxious to debate the Shannon River Council Bill. I will advise the House of the position later this week and of what progress, if any, I can achieve.
Senator Manning also requested a debate on the millennium bug. Senators Avril Doyle and Finneran made similar requests previously. I am endeavouring to arrange a debate during the first week after the Easter recess. I realise the importance of the matter and will facilitate time to suit the Government representative. We all look forward to debating the issue.
We can facilitate Senator O'Toole's request for a debate on the death penalty. The Senators and others requested a debate on the building societies, banks and other financial matters. In addition, Senator Gallagher requested a debate on the new review group established yesterday by the Minister for Finance. I will allow time for this in the first week after the Easter recess.
I thank Senator Gallagher for his comments on the publication of the Housing (Traveller Accommodation) Bill, 1998. It will be before the House in the week after the Easter recess.
Senator Gallagher also requested a debate on telephone masts and microwaves, which Senator McGowan, one of the longest serving Members of the House, also requested on an earlier occasion. I will order this debate at the earliest opportunity.
Senator Norris expressed concern about an article in this morning's newspaper about colleagues from Queen's University, Belfast, or the University of Ulster, Coleraine, joining him on the universities' panel. I would rather not refer to that newspaper article at the present time.
Senator T. Hayes asked for a debate on the River Suir. Fine Gael has Private Members' time next week and perhaps the Senator could ask his Leader to afford him the time for such a debate.
Order of Business agreed to.