The Order of Business is items 1, 2 and 20, motion 34. Item 1 will be taken without debate. Item 2 is statements on the waiting list for driving tests with the contributions of spokesperson not to exceed 12 minutes and other Senators eight minutes. Item 20, motion 34, will be taken from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m.
Order of Business.
May I confirm that item 1 is without debate?
Yes.
Some Members will have become aware of the case of a superintendent William Geary who was discharged from the Garda Síochána in 1927 or 1928 and who will be 100 in four or five days time. During all those years, he sought to have his case reopened. He claims to have been illegally dismissed from the police force at that time. He is not seeking any financial pay back from the State nor is he asking that all those years be taken into account. He wants the pension contributions he made during his four years in the force and, most of all, he wants his good name restored. He has fought all his life to have his name restored and there have been a number of newspaper articles on this matter.
During previous Administrations Mr. Geary attempted unsuccessfully to have his case reopened. That is the least he is entitled to. If a wrong was done, which could have happened, it should be put right in the time he has left. He has lived to be 100 and he will go on for a good bit longer. I would like the House to support his call to the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform to ensure a swift and effective re-examination of his case. Let any evidence he has be put forward so that justice will be seen to be done.
I raise the issue of taxi and hackney services in Dublin and other parts of the country. I raised this issue with the Leader before and he indicated that he would arrange for a debate on the matter. The number of licences should be doubled immediately and we should then look at any additional licences which are necessary. Political conviction and courage are required for such a measure. There are safety, commercial, social and family reasons for addressing this matter. Members on both sides share my views. I would prefer an open debate rather than a motion on which the House will divide. This is an issue which affects not only Dublin. People in provincial towns are driving illegally because they do not have access to a taxi service. We need to address this issue. Given the way in which the country has developed it is amazing that we cannot deal with such a simple issue.
The Order of Business is agreed with one caveat. We agree that item 1, the Landlord and Tenant (Amendment) Act, 1980, (Section 13(4)) Regulations, 1999, dealing with the Dublin Docklands Development Authority, be taken without debate. However, will the Leader arrange for a debate on this issue in the near future? There are considerable questions arising from the recent EU decision on urban renewal and the tax incentives which will be allowed. It is time we looked at the docklands development.
Will the Leader arrange for the taking of item 5, the Local Elections, (Disclosure of Donations and Expenditure) Bill, 1999, at an early stage? Will he indicate when that Bill will be taken as there are serious matters which need to be addressed concerning this Bill?
I agree with Senator Manning's comments on the 99 year old former garda who is living in the US and is seeking to vindicate his good name. Will the Leader come back to the House when he has brought the matter to the attention of the Minister of Justice, Equality and Law Reform. That would be a worthwhile step.
I support Senator Manning's call for the reopening of the case involving the former garda. It is terrible that the man never had an opportunity to defend himself and was sacked under spurious circumstances.
Will the Leader arrange for a debate on big business, banks, supermarkets etc? Ireland is in the hands of a legalised Mafia where people are afraid to speak. Clients of some firms are more afraid to speak now than were humble peasants in the days of the landlords. That is a retrograde step. I am asking for an open debate on the rights of suppliers and those in business. I grew and sold early potatoes but, from what I hear, I would be afraid to be in that business today. In the past, one went into shops and made a deal. One struck a hard price but one got what one negotiated. This issue needs to be opened up. It is no wonder the farming community is in a terrible position at present. The problems are not only in Europe; there are also many problems in Ireland.
We cannot debate the matter now.
I appeal for a debate on this entire issue.
I wish to refer to a matter which has raised many questions among the public and caused considerable offence to many people. I am glad that many sections of the media are also raising the same questions. I ask the Leader to invite the appropriate Minister to discuss the decision of the broadcasting authority not to allow an advertisement from the Irish Catholic newspaper, this is at a time when another newspaper is advertising the salacious details of a lady's alleged indiscretions with the President of the United States of America. It behoves all Members to ask which of the two advertisements would have caused the greatest harm or offence to young people.
It is important to point out that many people perceive that double standards are operating in this case. I suggest there is outright discrimination against the vast majority of the people of Ireland. I am asking the Leader to invite the relevant Minister to the House on the basis of my belief that legislation or regulations must be logical if they are to be effective. The decision of the broadcasting authority defies all logic.
In view of the word around Leinster House that the entire Government proposal with regard to Objective One status has been rejected by Europe, I renew my call for an urgent debate on the matter. Will the Leader outline why, if the Government was informed of the decision yesterday, it has not yet made a statement? It is shocking that the entire western seaboard and the most peripheral counties in the south-west, which deserves this status, have been denied it.
I support Senator Manning's call for the reopening of the case of former superintendent William Geary. Mr. Geary is from my neighbouring parish and I knew his late brothers well. One of them, Mick, played hurling with Limerick. His cousin, Kevin Long, who is from my parish, also played hurling with Limerick. I made representations to former Ministers on behalf of Mr. Long's sister, who visited Mr. Geary in America and found him to be a decent man. She met him some years ago and was surprised he looked so young for his age. At her request I made representations to former Ministers for Justice and I renew those representations now. I ask the Leader to also make representations on this matter.
I wish to refer to the matter raised by Senator Ó Murchú. I declare an interest because I am a director of Independent Newspapers and also a writer. I also declare a non-interest because I do not usually read the Irish Catholic and I probably would not agree with most of its contents if I read it. I do not wish, nor do I wish the Minister, to comment on the exer cise of discretion by an independent board or body. However, I would welcome the opportunity to discuss with the Minister the nature of the legislation. It is time to review whether there should be a bar on the promotion of religion on the radio and, specifically, to discuss the distinction between promoting religion and a newspaper which is based on a religious tradition. I take some pleasure in supporting Senator O'Murchú's request for a discussion with the Minister.
I agree with Senator Coghlan's point on the crisis which has arisen regarding the regionalisation proposal which the Government submitted to EUROSTAT in Luxembourg some months ago. It was controversial and it now appears that EUROSTAT has rejected in full the Irish application to divide the country into two regions. That is disastrous news for my constituency, a Chathaoirligh. It is the same for you. I ask the Leader for a debate on this matter if there is not clarity in the coming days.
It also appears that the letter from EUROSTAT to the Department of Finance was delivered yesterday. However, it leaked out today, not in Dublin, but in Brussels. Perhaps the Leader could tell the House the contents of that letter. As far as I know, the exact contents have not been announced by any Government source. This is very important. Did the addition of Kerry and Clare cause the problem or was something inherently wrong with the application? We need to know this. I thank you, Sir, for allowing me to raise this important point. I repeat my request that we discuss this issue before the week is out if clarity is not forthcoming.
On the Order of Business we have statements on the waiting lists for driver testing and on investment in roads. Both issues are of tremendous importance. However, both have also been debated here a number of times in recent months. I ask the Leader to apportion time in the near future to debate the victims of the troubles in the Six Counties over the past 30 years. Recently we saw the paltry offer of compensation of £9,000 to the victims of the Omagh bombing. The Northern Ireland Office stated this is only an initial payment. Also, as far as I am aware, we have not had an opportunity to debate the victims of the Dublin and Monaghan bombings. Given that we are approaching the 25th anniversary of the largest and most unfortunate tragedy during the whole troubles, it would be timely and opportune for this House to focus its attention on that.
Also, to refer back to a recent debate here on the 1798 bicentenary commemorations, at that debate it was suggested that this House should appropriately recognise its links in the Houses of the Oireachtas with Lord Edward Fitzgerald who was commander-in-chief of the United Irishmen and in some way ensure that tangible link is referenced and recognised in the precincts of Leinster House. It might be appropriate for the Leader and the Cathaoirleach to consider how we might give effect to the aspirations expressed on that occasion, given that the Houses of the Oireachtas are the seat of democracy and that the genesis of our democratic system has its base in the activities of that year.
I support Senator O'Murchú's call for a discussion on the legislation which allows for the banning of the advertisement for the Irish Catholic. In much of the Irish media it is now almost a crime to declare oneself to be Roman Catholic. I also support Senator Hayes's call. Perhaps we could ban Christianity altogether and forget that the millennium is the 2000th birthday of Christ.
I am asking for a debate on the banking industry. In doing so perhaps we might be able to persuade one or two of the banks to give back the millions they have acquired from the taxpayer and stolen from those who subscribe to these banks. This is an extremely important issue. We might include the insurance companies and churning at the same time. We could roll it into a discussion on general finance where perhaps the small man can get a fair deal from the large institutions rather than the large man getting a very fair deal from the institutions.
I support the request by Senators Coghlan and Connor for a debate on our application for Objective One funding. It is unbelievable that it was RTÉ's European correspondent who conveyed the news to the people of this country. I ask the Leader of the House to ask the Taoiseach or a member of the Government to come to this House to explain the contents of the letter and the way in which this news was conveyed to people throughout the country. I am very disappointed that the Irish application has been turned down by EUROSTAT, and I am very surprised at the way the news has been relayed.
I support Senator O'Toole's call for a debate on taxis and hackneys. I agree there needs to be a wide-ranging debate on all issues in this regard.
I support the views expressed by Senators Ó Murchú and Lydon. Fine Gael is introducing a Bill to prevent a recurrence of this unbelievable event.
On Objective One status, I share Senator Burke's disquiet that frequently in these Houses we appear to be the last to learn about events that have wide provenance in the media. It certainly came as news to me that EUROSTAT rejected the application for Objective One status. In respect of the application itself, it would have been preferable to apply for Objective One status for part of the country rather than Objective One in transition for the whole country, which would have meant a lower level of support. That is not to prejudice what EUROSTAT would decide in respect of this matter.
On RTÉ's reporting of the matter, I did not wish to raise this issue when paying tribute to the late Deputy Upton. However, it showed the greatest lack of sensitivity and the greatest degree of distaste to ask the Leader of the Labour Party a question when he was being asked to comment on Deputy Upton's passing.
Senators
Hear, hear.
Senators Manning, O'Toole, Farrell and Rory Kiely called on the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform to reopen the files of former superintendent William Geary. I will pass on their requests to the Minister.
Senators O'Toole and Burke called for a debate on taxis and hackneys. I have no difficulty with this request. Most rural local authorities have addressed adequately this problem and changed the lifestyle in rural Ireland. I agree that this problem must be addressed as a matter of urgency in the capital city and in major towns throughout the country.
Senator Costello called for a debate on landlords and tenants. I have no difficulty with this. In relation to his request and inquiry regarding item 5 on the Order Paper, this will be discussed over the next couple of weeks. The Bill will be initiated in the Seanad and Senators will be allotted whatever length of time they request to make their contributions.
Senators Farrell and Lydon called for a debate on the banks and big business. As Senators know, the Finance Bill will come to this House in two weeks' time. It will be an ideal opportunity for them to highlight their concerns when the Minister will be present.
Senators Ó Murchú, Hayes, Lydon, Coogan and Dardis expressed serious concerns regarding a ban on the Irish Catholic newspaper advertising on local radio. This follows a court decision on foot of a certain section of the Bill, and I believe the Independent Radio and Television Commission had no other alternative. However, Senator Ó Murchú's comments that legislation must be relevant to the needs of today are correct. It is wrong that this should happen. I fully support the call for an urgent debate as soon as the Minister returns – she is currently out of the country. As one who went door to door selling this very worthy newspaper, it was a disgrace to see, when I went to Mass last Sunday, that this was its front page story and that this happened in Ireland. It is a wonderful newspaper which I read every week and I have been a supporter of it throughout my life.
Senators Coghlan, Connor, Dardis and Burke raised the issue of Objective One status. I will make inquiries this afternoon and come back to the House on the Order of Business tomorrow. Senator Walsh called for a debate on the victims of the troubles, North and South. I will leave time aside for this and will pass on his views to the Minister on the debate on 1798.
Order of Business agreed to.