The Order of Business is items 1, 2 and 3 and Statements on Luas. Items 1 and 2 are to be taken without debate and we will take Committee Stage of item 3. Statements on Luas will be taken from 2.30 p.m. until 4.30 p.m. with questions to the Minister from 4.15 p.m.; contributions of spokespersons are not to exceed ten minutes, all other Senators are not to exceed eight minutes, and Senators may share time. The proceedings on item 3, if not previously concluded, will resume at 4.30 p.m.
Order of Business.
The Order of Business is agreed but I suggest to the Leader that the question and answer period should be longer than 15 minutes — it should be at least 30 minutes. The Minister is anxious to answer questions and we are anxious to put them to her. The most effective use of our time would be a longer question and answer period, which would be appreciated by all speakers if it could be arranged.
On behalf of this side of the House I compliment the Government on its contribution to the Chernobyl fund in memory of the late Hugh Coveney. It is a generous gesture and a fitting tribute to the memory of one whom we honour very much.
I join in Senator Gallagher's appeal yesterday on behalf of the family from Burundi who are in danger of being the first people to be deported. It is dangerous to engage in special pleading but everything about this family suggests they are genuine refugees who would make a contribution to this country, who have already settled in well and who would not be a burden on anyone if given a chance. There must be a certain flexibility in the way that we, of all people, look at the refugee question and a strong case can be made for taking another look at this.
The inclusion of Statements on Luas in the Order of Business is welcome but I must enter the strongest caveat about the way the business has been done. I do not know who ordered the business for today's Seanad, it may have been the Minister or the Taoiseach through their announcements in the other House, but I have heard various stories in the last 24 hours about it, which is not good enough. It is good that we have these Statements — I called for it yesterday and I compliment the Minister for being available so that the House can discuss the issue today — but I have grave reservations about the way this was done. I ask the Leader to confirm whether this was his initiative or if the Government decided in the other House how this House should be run.
Will the Leader ask the Minister to explain to the House the position regarding media coverage, especially by RTÉ, of these and future referenda? There is utter confusion about the matter. The Government, RTÉ and the rest of us are under pressure from the courts. However, there is a need to clarify the guidelines and the boundaries. Legislation may be required.
I welcome the proposal that item 3 will only deal with Committee Stage today and that Remaining Stages will be taken later. I am pleased the Leader accepted our recommendation in that regard. I am also pleased that Luas will be debated today; I requested a debate this week if possible.
With regard to Senator Manning's remarks about the request made yesterday by Senator Gallagher in the context of the deportation order against a Burundi family, while we did not seek a debate, we wanted the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform to exercise his discretion on humanitarian grounds and ensure that the family would not be deported; this is the only decision that can be taken at present.
Yesterday I requested a debate on industrial relations. The Leader indicated that he would advise the House this morning when such a debate will take place. I hope he proposes a specific time. There have been worrying media reports, some apparently from the Minister of State at the Department of Education and Science, that the role of the vocational education committees would be eliminated from the provision of adult education. In this regard there was a precondition in the context of the preparation of the Green Paper. Hitherto, the vocational education committees have provided adult education throughout the country on a shoe string. It would be useful to debate the issue with the Minister with specific reference to the mainstreaming and provision of adult education.
I join with Senators Manning and Costello in requesting the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform to reconsider the deportation order against the Burundi family; one of the couple is a Hutu and the other is a Tutsi. At a time when we are trying to bring people together this family should be allowed stay in Ireland, irrespective of the fact that the regulations specify that they should be sent back to France, which was the EU country they entered first. If they go back to France they will be deported and this could mean that one or both of them will be killed by one of the factions fighting in Burundi and the surrounding areas.
In view of the negative news emanating from the peace talks in the Middle East perhaps we could have a quick debate on the peace process there.
I support the call by Senator Costello for a debate on adult education. The Minister of State at the Department of Education and Science, Deputy O'Dea, launched the IVA response to the upcoming Green Paper. Concerns have been expressed within the VEC sector regarding the role of the vocational education committees. Given the enormous contribution they have made over the years, the input of the vocational education committees should not be diminished. I appeal to the Leader to use his good offices to ensure that the Green Paper is produced on time. I hope the White Paper will also be published within the next year.
I raised a couple of matters informally with the Leader and with you, Sir, in the context of the apparent desire by this Republic to avoid as much pomp and ceremony as possible. The emblem of the State, the harp, which is found in all State institutions, such as the courts, should be placed as near as possible to the national flag in the House behind the Cathaoirleach's chair. The Committee on Procedure and Privileges should discuss the matter.
During television coverage of the House Ministers speak against a back light which comes through the window adjacent to them. It detracts considerably from the impact of their speeches. The Committee on Procedure and Privileges should consider placing gauze over the window.
Will the Leader arrange a debate in Government time on the question of the country having an honours system, which has been raised by many Members both in debate and on the Order of Business? An MBE was awarded to an Irish citizen who works in the Hard Rock café in London primarily because she promoted British tourism. We should have a similar honours system to acknowledge at official level the contribution to the State made by ordinary people. Following a debate the Government might act on the matter.
The first two matters raised by Senator Mooney can be considered by the Committee on Procedure and Privileges.
I support the request by Senator Costello for a debate on adult education, especially with regard to the role played by the vocational education committees. While I do not consider that their role will be diminished, it is necessary for the Minister to reinforce their input to adult education.
In view of recent newspaper reports on apprenticeships and the low level of participation by women apprentices, will the Leader ask the Minister to attend the House to debate the matter? We are all aware of the skills shortages in trades, such as woodwork and metalwork, and given that FÁS is supposed to have made rules regarding apprenticeships, it is timely to debate the matter, especially the low level of participation by women. I hope there will be a debate before the summer recess.
I have no difficulty with Senator Manning's request for more time on questions to the Minister following Statements on Luas. The Minister was very flexible in this regard. I thank her for making herself available at such short notice. There appears to be a misunderstanding about what happened; Senator O'Toole appears to be confused.
On a point of order, there was no official communication on the matter to us from the Leader's Office or the Whip's Office. Any confusion was created on the Leader's side of the House.
When Senator Manning requested a debate on Luas yesterday I immediately asked the Chief Whip to telephone the Minister during the Order of Business. While there was no time in the Minister's diary, she did everything possible to make time available. She indicated to the Dáil when discussing the Luas project that she would come before this House to discuss it today. It was only at 9.30 p.m. yesterday evening that I received confirmation of the agreed times which would suit the House and the Minister's diary — she had to cancel two other appointments to make time available. If Members had gone home and I was unable to contact them, I apologise; but I must bear in mind that 17 Senators requested of me that time be made available at the first opportunity to discuss this issue. I take these matters seriously and worked hard with the Government Chief Whip to ensure this would happen today. I am pleased to inform the House this is the case. Perhaps the leaders might discuss how we can improve communications on all sides. I know all Members will be anxious to hear what the Minister has to say and I am looking forward to a large attendance in the House when the Minister is here.
Senators Costello, Manning and Lanigan called for a debate on the refugee issue and I will make time available for this at the earliest possible opportunity. Senator O'Toole expressed concern about the RTÉ guidelines with particular reference to its decision about the forthcoming referendum. Again, I will make time available for this.
Senators Costello, McDonagh and Ormonde called for a debate on adult education and I agree to their request. Senator Costello also called for a debate on industrial relations. I hope to arrange this within the next three weeks. The difficulty is that I am trying to have the banking issue debated next week following the many recent calls for the ICC, the ACC, the TSB and the banking issue in general to be debated and I have to give that precedence.
Senator Lanigan requested a short debate on the Middle East peace talks. I will see if this can be included next week or the week after.
I agree with the proposals made by Senator Mooney. As the Cathaoirleach has indicated, they can be placed before the Committee on Procedure and Privileges and discussed there. I understand the proposals have been reviewed by the All Party Committee on the Constitution. Perhaps they can be enhanced and brought forward through that committee.
Senator Ormonde asked for a debate on apprenticeships and training. The House can make a major contribution to this area. In the hotel business there were only 11 apprentices in one section of the training run by CERT. This is alarming when tourism is one of the three biggest growth industries in Ireland. Training is not being responded to by the students. A half day's debate on this issue would be wise and I will make time available for this at the earliest opportunity.
Would the Leader clarify the time to be made available for questions and answers at the end of the statements on Luas? Has the Leader acceded to the request that the time be 30 minutes, meaning that questions be taken between 4.15 p.m. and 4.45 p.m.?
The last 30 minutes will be for questions and answers.
Are questions to be taken between 4 o'clock and 4.30 p.m.? Will business conclude at 4.30 p.m.?
Questions will be taken between 4.15 p.m. and 4.45 p.m.
The business of the House will conclude at 4.45 p.m.
Order of Business agreed to.