The Order of Business is items 1, 2 and 17, motion 18. Item 1, Second Stage, is to be taken today with the contributions of spokespersons not to exceed 20 minutes and all other Senators not to exceed 15 minutes. The contributions of spokespersons in respect of item 2, Second Stage, are not to exceed 15 minutes and all other Senators are not to exceed ten minutes. Item 17, motion 18, is to be taken from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. and business, if not previously concluded, is to resume at 8 p.m.
Order of Business.
The Order of Business is agreed. Will there be a sos?
There will be a sos from 1.30 p.m. to 2.15 p.m.
Colleagues will have been disturbed to read this morning that not a single Irish person will be appointed to the higher levels of the new European Central Bank. People who are appointed to the higher levels become European civil servants rather than speaking for their country. Nevertheless, it is very disturbing that the highest Irish official will be at the level of the research department. There will be no senior Irish person on the board nor in the higher reaches of management.
This is very disturbing news to people in this country as we embark on what still is an adventure in unchartered waters. Will the Leader ascertain if the Minister used every effort available to him to ensure this country would get its proper and adequate representation at this level of the new central bank? It is important people are reassured that Ireland's interests will not go by default.
This is a very bad start. The House would like to be reassured that the Minister and the Government have done everything possible and, if it is not yet too late, that the strongest possible representations will be made at the highest level to ensure this matter is rectified.
I strongly support Senator Manning. The entire House would support the Minister. I do not believe we wish to be critical — at least I do not. It is very important we make strong representations on this matter. It is probably too late. It is a dangerous situation when interest rates are falling at a time when our control mechanisms have been removed from us by the fact that we have joined the euro. This is an obvious opportunity to do what women traditionally have done so well in terms of networking. Ireland has a strong ally in Denmark which has people at the top level of the body. We should work closely with them to ensure that the interests of small nations are properly represented.
I and others have raised previously the important issue of the position of the Insurance Ombudsman. Will the Leader provide time for a debate on this matter? It is highly unusual that a person of that calibre has been forced out of office by the machinations of an industry which does not regard itself as responsible to the people. The Insurance Ombudsman spoke on the radio this morning about bullying, censorship and the withholding of funds. She has been forced out of office by an industry that is out of control.
I can instance countless cases with regard to this area and if the Insurance Ombudsman is being bullied, what about average consumers of insurance policies? It is time the Seanad considered this matter and I intend to place an item on the Order Paper. A statutory independent paid official should have responsibility for this area. It should not be left to the whim of an insurance industry that has shown itself to be grossly irresponsible and totally incapable of responding to the trust placed in it by the people.
I agree with the sentiments expressed by Senator Norris in relation to the Insurance Ombudsman. It is disgraceful that a person in that position has been bullied out of office. It is a terrible reflection on the industry. This matter should be debated so the views of Members can be expressed.
I am equally dismayed about the report in today's newspapers that Ireland does not have any representatives in the senior management or on the executive board of the new European Central Bank. The Central Bank, the Taoiseach and the Minister for Finance have taken their eye off the ball on this matter. It is outrageous that in over 50 positions Ireland does not have a single senior representative although all the other small countries are represented. Our interests are not being protected. There is ongoing discussion about how vulnerable Ireland will be in relation to inflation and other matters. Therefore, I ask the Leader to arrange a debate with the Minister for Finance on the implications of this matter. How could two countries which are not members of the European currency be represented on the board when Ireland does not have any representatives?
Two momentous events start today. The first is the World Cup and although Ireland is not represented, there will be many late nights and bleary eyed viewers over the next month. The leaving certificate and junior certificate examinations also start today. I wish all the participants well in their endeavours.
Will the Leader convey the appreciation of the House to the Minister for the Environment and Local Government, Deputy Dempsey, regarding the introduction of regulations to control the development of superstores? I have raised this matter twice previously in the House and I am glad the Minister's response has been so immediate. I thank him for his action.
It shows how effective the Senator can be.
It also shows that there is an effective Minister.
I agree with the sentiments expressed by Senator Manning regarding the appointments to the European Central Bank. It is most disturbing that Ireland, which qualified as one of the top three countries, has been left out in the cold.
Regarding the issue raised by Senator Norris, I called for a debate on the insurance industry the morning Ms Marrinan Quinn announced her resignation from the post of Insurance Ombudsman. I was most impressed with Ms Marrinan Quinn's contribution on the radio this morning and the two issues mentioned by her regarding lack of funding and interference in the preparation of her annual report are most disturbing, particularly since she accepted that the office worked effectively on behalf of insurers in general.
Regarding the World Cup, I regret that Ireland is not represented. However, I am as excited as I would be if Ireland was represented because——
That matter is not relevant to the Order of Business.
Perhaps it would be relevant if the Senator became over excited.
——Ireland is represented in the opening match given that so many of the Scottish panel play for Glasgow Celtic Football Club and have deep Irish roots.
I share the concerns raised by Senator Manning and Senator Norris about the European Central Bank and the insurance industry. I also join Senator Callanan in welcoming the Minister for the Environment and Local Government's directive yesterday. As many Members are aware, the Oireachtas Joint Committee on Enterprise and Small Business has been united in its approach to this matter.
I am particularly pleased that the Minister listened to the advice proffered from so many quarters. I am aware that he had to resist the interests of big business, outside multiples and huge developers. I commend him for his action in the interests of towns and villages. The trading activities of superstores are all embracing and involve the sale of everything from petrol to bread. Superstores would have dominated the scene to such an extent that they would have had a devastating effect.
Will the Leader arrange a debate with the Minister for Education and Science regarding the problem of schools which are losing teachers? The INTO blames the Minister for this problem. However, it is obvious that the INTO entered an understanding that the number of teachers would drop if pupil numbers fell. This difficulty affects disadvantaged areas along the Border where if pupil numbers fall by only one or two, the school loses a teacher. This is a serious problem and the Minister and INTO should be asked to renegotiate the position given the difficulties in many small schools in the Border area. I ask the Leader to invite the Minister to the House to discuss and perhaps resolve this problem.
I support Senator Norris's call for a debate on the Insurance Ombudsman. It is totally unacceptable that somebody who was appointed to act independently should feel that their job is threatened by lack of co-operation from the industry. The best interests of the public are not being served as a result and a debate on this matter is appropriate.
Regarding Irish involvement on the board of the European Central Bank, I understand that the Central Bank will be involved at directorship level. There is a high level board but I understand Ireland has a direct involvement through the Governor of the Central Bank or his representative and that other personnel are involved at a senior level. That was expected and I understand it is the position.
I ask the Leader to make the Minister for Education and Science aware that students sitting the leaving certificate and junior certificate should be catered for. There are disturbing cases where young people with certain disabilities are unable to sit the examinations because the Department is not co-operating with them. I have lobbied on behalf of two cases in my constituency and the Minister should be made aware of this because it is only fair that everyone should have an opportunity, particularly when there is so much pressure on those taking the examinations.
Is mian liom a mholadh go mbeadh díospóireacht sa Teach seo maidir le Teilifís na Gaeilge. Chualamar go léir le déanaí go bhfuil gach seans ann go mbeidh laghdú ar na seirbhísí toisc easpa airgid. Cuireann sé seo andíomá ormsa agus ar an-chuid daoine eile, mar tá obair an-phrofaisiúnta déanta, go mór mór le daoine óga atá chun tosaigh sa stáisiún. Tá an-dea-thoil don Ghaeilge agus do Theilifís na Gaeilge sa Seanad. I hope the Leader will be able to arrange a debate.
I agree with Senator Ó Murchú. Tá sé an-áisiúil go deo go mbeadh Teilifís na Gaeilge ann do múinteóirí. Má táimid chun tacaíocht a thabhairt do mhúineadh na Gaeilge, caithfidh Teilifís na Gaeilge a leathnú agus a fhorbairt. Ní fhéadfaimís chur suas le aon ghearradh siar ar an méid sin, agus ar thacaíocht a thabhairt ar an méid sin. Beidh mé an-sásta a labhairt ar sin nuair a thagann sé isteach chugainn.
My fellow Independent Member, Senator Quinn, has been raised to extraordinarily high office by being selected to lead the World Supermarkets' Association. This is a signal honour which should be noted by the House. It will bring distinction to the country and he will bring distinction to the office. I am sure Members join me in offering the congratulations of the House.
Three Senators mentioned school buildings and school teacher numbers. The INTO is opposed to losing teachers from schools in the "Breaking the Cycle" programme, Gaeltacht schools, and schools which are one or two pupils short. This is happening from Ballyferriter to Ballymun and from the inner cities to Donegal, Monaghan and Cavan. We will support every school affected as there will be severe acrimony in the next few months. The Minister has acted cynically by waiting until now to tell the schools and Members of both Houses——
Senator McGowan has called for a debate on these matters and we cannot have that debate now.
I accept that and would not prevail on you, a Chathaoirligh, except that I noted Senator McGowan had been given some leeway.
That was because of seniority.
He is a senior Member who is entitled to his opinion and should receive adequate time. However, his party is in Government so it has the money and the Minister. The schools should get the teachers because no one will stand in the way. That is the end to negotiations on our side because we have Senator McGowan's support — can we now get the Minister's support?
I ask the Leader for a progress report, before the recess, from the Minister for Education and Science on the pilot scheme for introducing sport to the leaving certificate curriculum.
I join Senators Manning, Norris, Costello, Bonner, Coghlan and Finneran in expressing concern about the appointments to the European Central Bank. As Senator Finneran correctly pointed out, we should have an input as a Government and a nation which has proved that it can operate its economy over the past ten years. We are a shining example of what can be achieved with the help of the EU.
Senators Norris, Bonner, Finneran and Costello called for a debate on the insurance ombudsman. Senator Henry debated this matter on the Adjournment some weeks ago and, given the amount of business proposed for the next three to four weeks, it will be difficult for me to allocate time. However, the Independent Group will have Private Members' time in two weeks and if Senator Norris wishes to have it discussed then I will be only too pleased to partake in the debate.
It is a national matter concerning the insurance industry, not this sole issue.
The Senator should not pre-empt the rest of my remarks — I will also offer Fianna Fáil Private Members' time the following week. That would permit a four hour debate if the Senator can get agreement among his colleagues on the use of the Independents' time.
Senator Callanan and Senator Coghlan congratulated the Minister, Deputy Dempsey, for introducing regulations to protect smaller stores, particularly in rural Ireland. I also welcome that move and will pass on the Senators' congratulations. Senators McGowan, O'Toole, Burke and Hayes called for a debate on education. Senator McGowan and Senator O'Toole mentioned schools in the Border counties and I am concerned about small schools in disadvantaged areas throughout the country. I will definitely make time available for a debate at the earliest opportunity.
In response to Senator Ó Murchú and Senator O'Toole, I agree it is timely to have a debate on the progress of Teilifís na Gaeilge. Its viewing hours should be extended rather than curtailed because the service is reaching every parish in the country. Some of its programming has had considerable success, particularly the GAA programmes — as an advertiser I know that the TAM ratings for the All-Ireland series on Teilifís na Gaeilge were on a par with Network 2. I congratulate the station and hope it goes on to broadcast county finals in the winter months so that GAA clubs, which are the backbone and the pride of parishes, can be seen on television. County finals are sometimes better matches than the provincial games.
On behalf of the House I join in Senator O'Toole's congratulations to Senator Quinn on his elevation to his new position. It brings honour and distinction to the House and to the Senator's industry.
Order of Business agreed to.