The proposed Order of Business is No. 1, a motion regarding the specification of the Grand Canal docks area. This will be taken from 3 p.m. to 4 p.m. with a proposed time of ten minutes per speaker. No. 2, Committee Stage of the Statute of Limitations (Amendment) Bill, 1998, will be taken from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. Private Members' business will be No. 20, motion 16, in the name of the Fine Gael Senators. The afternoon's business will recommence at 8 p.m. if it has not previously concluded.
Order of Business.
The Order of Business is agreeable. Members will agree with my appeal to the Minister for Foreign Affairs to use every effort and all his powers to convey to his colleagues in the European Union the urgency of the situation in Mozambique. The reaction has not been nearly as rapid or as extensive as it should have been. While we, as one country, cannot do very much we could do more and we could put pressure on our colleagues to realise the urgency of the matter.
Anybody who is watching the excellent series on the history of modern Ireland by Seán Ó Mordha on RTÉ will be struck by the extraordinary professionalism, from the beginning, of the Irish Army. At every key point in our history the Army has been thoroughly professional. It is a national scandal that due to the actions and the incompetence of the Minister for Defence the Army chiefs and the Army are now being put in a new situation where the Army is behaving in a way which many people do not regard as proper for an army. The fault for this lies squarely with the Minister. Last week the Deputy Leader informed us that a compromise had been found which would resolve all the issues. They certainly have not been resolved and the situation has worsened. Nobody likes to see the present situation.
I ask for a debate in the near future on the Government's policy on decentralisation. Decentralisation per se is a good thing, but what we have seen recently is that Ministers are taking parts of their Departments, like apples from a tree, and putting them in their constituencies, irrespective of the merits of the case. People join the public service with certain expectations that they will live in a certain place and be able to make plans about their children, their education and their future. In a totally arbitrary way they are being told in an abrupt manner that they must either move to a particular part of the country or leave the public service. As I understand it, five other agencies are on the hit list for decentralisation without any consultation. If we are to have decentralisation, which can be a good thing, let us have a debate and hear the reasons for it but not have Government agencies used by Ministers as a means of enhancing support in their areas.
I wish to raise a number of issues. I had a letter yesterday from a classroom of young pupils who asked why the rest of the world does not do something about Mozambique and why cannot they do practical things. If necessary, they should be sent boats, engines and material. It is important that this country, as a small nation, should be seen to take a stand on world affairs such as this in a practical way. I will not dwell on it in detail but I would like to hear what the Department of Foreign Affairs intends to do in that area.
On the issue of the national minimum wage, there are soundings coming from the employers and the chambers of commerce who have been parsimonious with regard to the low paid in national talks. We are now awaiting the minimum wage legislation. People all over the country are working for very low wages. For people in all unions, the minimum wage proposals are the absolute minimum that anyone is prepared to accept. That is a plank and a foundation stone on which this scheme is constructed and if it is pulled away there will be no deal. If the Government is tardy in bringing forward the legislation we need to hear its plans. I do not think the Government is at fault but rather that the chambers of commerce are trying to ride a couple of different horses at the same time. It is unacceptable that the low paid should become another bargaining chip.
Given that the Deputy Leader, many others and I support the Shannon River Council Bill and given that the Leader is away for a week, is the Deputy Leader prepared to grasp the nettle and put it on the Order of Business for tomorrow? Let us go ahead and do our business and show we can get on without him, even though we show much appreciation of him.
I will go with the flow.
I could not agree more with Senator O'Toole. This is the opportunity to clean up the Shannon. Let us get going on Committee Stage.
It would be appropriate for Ireland to bring influence to bear on the European Union with regard to the situation in Mozambique. This should be done by the Minister for Foreign Affairs. Will the Deputy Leader ask the Minister to tell the House what he proposes to do about this matter? The Minister might be asked to do this tomorrow.
The publication of the White Paper on Defence appears to have gone terribly wrong. It now appears that the White Paper will have to be totally rewritten. Will the Deputy Leader arrange to hold a debate on defence? The Minister has dealt with this matter most unsatisfactorily.
The Minister now proposes to transfer sections of the Army headquarters to his own town of Roscrea. This smacks of petty aggrandisement and is not acceptable. Such smash and grab raids by Ministers on their Departments are happening far too often. I agree with Senator Manning that a discussion on decentralisation is called for.
I hope Senator O'Meara will support Roscrea.
The Tánaiste made a statement yesterday regarding the importation of 200,000 skilled immigrants to deal with the labour shortage. It is necessary to have a debate on this question. On the one hand, the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform is firmly placing legal obstacles in the way of recognising economic refugees while, on the other, the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment proposes to round up workers from the highways and byways of the European Union and applicant countries. The Government's policy on immigration must be clarified. If the Tánaiste's proposal is acted upon massive social problems will arise in housing, education and so on. Will the Deputy Leader arrange to have a debate on this matter?
I call on the Deputy Leader to invite the Minister for Health and Children to the House to discuss the health aspects and dangers of dioxin emissions from thermal treatment plants. This is particularly necessary in view of the 1999 EU report on dioxins which was published late last year. This report contains alarming findings regarding dioxin levels in Britain and in mainland Europe which are sometimes three to four times the acceptable WHO level. As we face the challenge of waste management and the possible introduction of thermal treatment, we should examine all aspects and particularly the health aspects of this matter.
I join Senators in seeking greater input by Ireland in EU efforts to deal with the crisis in Mozambique. It is only a few days since we debated overseas development aid. The need in Mozambique is immediate and we cannot waste another second.
When will the Children Bill, which has been promised for quite some time, and the Mental Health Bill come before the House?
I welcome the fact that the issue of Sellafield is tabled for discussion tomorrow. However, we are in a very poor position to point the finger at any other country on pollution issues, considering our own very poor record in coming to terms with litter, the most visible form of all pollutions. The House debated the subject of litter on 9 February last year but I detect no visible improvement since then.
It is getting worse.
Will the Deputy Leader invite the Minister for the Environment and Local Government to debate this issue once again with a view to initiating effective action before our tourist trade and our food industry are sabotaged by our failure to deal with this very obvious problem?
Were the Leader here he would be reminded of the various efforts made to have Partnership for Peace debated in the last session. We were unable to do so because the Government did not allow it. I am taking into account the comments of Senator Costello in seeking a debate on the Government White Paper on Defence. Almost simultaneously as the White Paper on Defence was published, the Fine Gael policy on neutrality – the suggestion we abandon neutrality – was published. We should have an urgent debate on our military capability, including the White Paper on Defence, as it would give us an opportunity to have an input into the second draft of the White Paper.
I would like to have a debate on Teagasc and, in particular, its concentration on genetically modified foods and organic foods. This House is the perfect place to have a dispassionate debate which should involve science rather than emotions. I welcome the £25 million investment in Teagasc and the discussion opportunities in respect of genetically modified food and organic food. It could be a big threat but it could also provide us with a big opportunity. If we allow emotions to rule rather than science, we may miss a great opportunity. If we do not have a debate, however, we may find ourselves stepping into something which is a big mistake. Let us ensure we have such a debate soon.
Will the Deputy Leader ascertain if a date has been set to bring forward the White Paper on Education? There are disturbing headlines in today's Irish Independent that Ireland is at the bottom of the league when it comes to the promotion of adult education. It is important that the White Paper is brought forward sooner rather than later. Many interested parties are awaiting it. I would appreciate if the Leader would indicate, in the next week or so, when it will come on stream.
With other Senators I wish to address the question of Mozambique. This tragedy has not been addressed by the international community. Mozambique went through the trauma of many years of civil war where both sides were aided and abetted by other countries. They were supplied with arms, military equipment and anything they wanted so that the civil war could continue. Fortunately that civil war was brought to an end. Senator Connor and I, among others, were in Mozambique when the first elections took place and we saw the problems the civil war had created in terms of mines, the running down of agriculture and the rural economy. Over the past few years, there has been a renewal of spirit in Mozambique and it was beginning to rise up and grow in stature. De-mining was being put into operation.
As Senator Costello asked, why does the rest of the world not do something? The people who supplied arms to Mozambique during the civil war should do something now. It is a nonsense that there are nine operational helicopters taking people from nearly 1,000 sq. km. of land. South Africa has provided between two and four helicopters but they are not operational at the same time. The international community and the African countries neighbouring Mozambique have not been helpful.
While we can do only a limited amount, I ask the Leader to contact the Minister of State with responsibility for overseas development co-operation to see if we can get the relevant organisations together, such as Concern, Trócaire, Goal and the Department of Foreign Affairs, to make a concentrated effort to send money or the practical necessities to Mozambique. On radio this morning there were five separate—
I have given the Senator much latitude. We cannot have a full scale debate on Mozambique on the Order of Business, much as I sympathise with the Senator's sentiments.
There are people sitting on the tops of trees because the international community has not come together.
I understand that.
A huge amount could be done with the moneys RTÉ receives from organisations which advertise for funds. The organisations concerned should be brought together immediately to ascertain if a concerted effort can be made. I agree that I have spoken at length but I have witnessed the problems in Mozambique in which a man-made disaster has been followed by a natural disaster. I ask the Deputy Leader to do whatever he can.
I refer to No. 20 on the Order Paper, motion 10 which calls on the Government to establish a national paid holiday to value women's work. When I raised this matter before the Leader of the House gave an indication that he would grant a debate on 8 March, International Women's Day. I understand there is a proposal to change this to half an hour at lunch-time tomorrow. I hope this can be altered again. Serendipity is a wonderful thing. St. Brigid has smiled upon us and it will be my Private Members' time on 8 March and I propose to take the motion to which I referred. I would like the Deputy Leader to inform me if it is possible to substitute the half hour debate on a day which is not appropriate to the two hours which St. Brigid has granted us on International Women's Day.
As the Cathaoirleach will remember I raised the question of decentralisation two weeks ago. I am very glad that various Members of the House share my view that there is a curious coincidence about the fact that every time a Department is moved it is moved to the relevant Minister's constituency. If there is to be decentralisation why not, as a very sensible person said on the wireless the other day, move to the suburbs of Dublin? This would certainly help to alleviate some of the traffic problems and would not cause as much disruption for the civil servants involved.
The question of Mozambique should be discussed. I lend my support to calls for a debate on the matter. Further flooding is expected.
The question of genetically modified food has been raised many times. I could not agree more with my distinguished colleague, Senator Quinn. Let us have an informed debate. I am not quite so much against emotion as he. Citizens are rightly concerned and they should be emotional, particularly when they are confronted with operations such as Monsanto which has a conviction in the American courts for falsifying scientific results. In the last week there has been information that scientific results on this subject were suppressed from within the Food and Drug Administration in America. If we are to have a debate informed by science let us have the full facts, not the partial facts promoted by an international conglomerate which has a very murky reputation.
Senator Manning referred to the fine historical series being broadcast on RTÉ produced by Seán Ó Mordha. It is a fine series except in one regard. It has, to date at least, completely excised the Labour Party from Irish history. I hope this will be corrected in future programmes. Perhaps an explanation will be given as to why there has been no reference to the Labour Party.
Prescience.
Will the Deputy Leader ask the Minister for Defence to debate with us the role of the Army in the context of the White Paper on Defence, in particular its role in overseas operations, whether in eastern Europe or further afield? It appears that the downsizing of the Army will have huge implications for its role in overseas missions, of which it is proud. The matter should be debated as a matter of urgency.
I join Senator Cox in calling on the Deputy Leader to make arrangements for a debate on thermal treatment or incineration at an early date. Waste management is probably one of the biggest challenges facing local government and there is much concern regarding not only the health aspects but the effects on agricultural producers of dioxin emissions. The debate we seek could cover all areas of waste management because incineration runs in the face of the minimisation of waste, which is one of the EU's objectives.
I also want to raise the recent controversy involving a District Court judge and members of the Law Society. I do not wish to comment on the specific issues, but to avoid such unseemly controversies in the future I suggest it could be useful to provide for some system – this has been mentioned here previously – of monitoring decisions. This would involve self-regulation within the judicial system to provide checks and balances to ensure consistency in judicial decisions and also to avoid such events happening in the future.
The House will be aware that, contrary to the common misconception, Kerry is suffering severely from a shocking lack of funding. Many small counties, which I do not begrudge, are doing much better. For instance, in the recent allocations to local authorities Kerry ranked 14th even though it is ranked fifth in terms of size and eighth in terms of population. On top of that discrimination, I have been informed that the Cahirciveen marina project, which we had been led to believe was sanctioned, was not approved under the Operational Programme for Tourism, 1994-1999. That project is badly needed there and it would fit in well. We were led to believe it was on the way. This is a kick in the teeth.
Senator Coghlan, on the Order of Business please.
I appreciate your guidance, a Chathaoirligh, as ever, and I am coming to the point.
It is not related to the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform.
I want to invoke the aid of the Deputy Leader. I ask him to urge the Ministers for the Marine and Natural Resources and Tourism, Sport and Recreation, if they will not listen to me, at least to listen to their Cabinet colleague, the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform, Deputy O'Donoghue.
I support the call for an urgent response to the tragedy in Mozambique. We would all agree that the horrific pictures coming out of Mozambique are heart rending. It is important for us to be able to respond as quickly as possible. We cannot possibly celebrate or enjoy our affluence while such things are happening there. I ask the Deputy Leader to arrange for the Minister for Foreign Affairs, Deputy Cowen, to come in tomorrow and discuss this matter.
While that Minister is here, I also want to raise the other matter I raised recently, that is, the abuse of human rights in Chechnya. I get the feeling that internationally there seem to be two standards on these matters. If we ignore what is happening, we must suffer at a later stage. I hope the Deputy Leader will be able to arrange that.
I support the call of Senators Cox and Walsh for a debate on incineration. No doubt the EU regulations are imposing a demand for treatment, which does not just involve recycling but which seems to place an emphasis on thermal treatment, on the Government, which, in turn, is imposing it on local authorities. There are alternatives which are worthy of a debate in this House. Such a debate would alleviate the fears of people or at least indicate whether their fears are justified about the possibility of dioxin emissions from thermal treatment, which apparently is being pushed by the Government.
I support the call for a debate on decentralisation. Decentralisation, if handled properly, could bring huge benefits to many towns throughout the country. It would put life back into the heart of some towns which have not benefited from the Celtic tiger. I call for an immediate debate because I am concerned to hear that people in some Departments are being forced by the Government to go.
They cannot be forced to go.
There would be a great welcome for those people in certain towns. I call for an immediate debate.
We asked a number of times for a debate on a press council which we should have as soon as possible. One only had to witness the printing of a picture of a Deputy's house at the weekend. I remind the House that in our declaration of interests we do not have a declaration of our private residence. To print a picture of the house of a young woman who has four children because she is rich is disgraceful. It leaves her open to all kinds of threats and abuse which is despicable.
Recently I called for a debate on the United Nations institutions – I refer in particular to the Taiwanese-Chinese problem which we should not be afraid to tackle. It may come as a surprise to this House that if Taiwan offers help to Mozambique in the form of medical or financial aid, the World Health Organisation blocks that aid from getting there. It is time we spoke about this in the House and I would welcome a debate on these institutions at the earliest time.
A fortnight ago other Members of the House raised the problem of inflation. Although it does not seem to be too serious a problem for some, inflation is running at 5%, or 3% above the European Union average. I read what the relevant Minister said and about the blame being placed on smoking and the cost of cigarettes, which is relevant. However, house prices are not included in our inflation rate. We are giving a false impression of the real situation.
Would it be possible to get the relevant Minister to come to the House because it is very serious that inflation is running at 3% above the average European Union rate? I would appreciate if the Minister would explain this or if we could have a constructive debate so Members could suggest the best way to reduce inflation.
A wide range of subjects was raised on the Order of Business and I hope I do them justice in my reply. I regard the matter of Mozambique raised by Senators Manning, O'Toole and Costello and others as being very serious. We are all appalled by the pictures we have seen on television and the scale of the human catastrophe in Mozambique. I often wonder how it is possible to get large fleets of helicopters to drop bombs on people but impossible to get any number of helicopters to save lives.
Hear, hear.
That is something which the Minister for Foreign Affairs would fail to understand as well. I am sure he will make his views forcefully known to the European Union and through international fora. It would be useful if we could debate the issue, although I am not sure if the Minister is available tomorrow. We will consult with the Whips after the Order of Business to see what can be done. It would be desirable to debate this matter as soon as possible.
The matter of the Defence Forces was raised by Senators Manning, Costello and Quinn and several others. It is important to state what the Taoiseach said about this issue in the other House this morning on the Order of Business. He said, "The Government will implement the contents of the White Paper, the note of the agreement of last Thursday and the Government decision yesterday. They will all be fully implemented." That fairly conclusively gives the Government's position on this issue. We all hope that the difficulties which arose are now behind us and that the Defence Forces can go forward well motivated and well equipped to deal with the international and domestic obligations they have always fulfilled so well on behalf of the State.
Senator O'Toole asked about the national minimum wage. The legislation will come before the House and some of the points the Senator raised can be made at that stage. I understand the legislation is imminent in the Dáil. It should be with us next week or the week after but I stand to be corrected on that. I share the views the Senator expressed and I have already stated them in the House.
The Shannon River Council Bill is being so adequately and comprehensively dealt with by the Leader that I would not presume to comment on the matter in his absence.
The Senator could make a name for himself.
I am sure we all look forward to the Leader's return when Senator O'Toole and the other Senators who are so concerned about this matter will be able to raise it with him.
Carpe diem.
I hope it can go forward to Committee Stage at the earliest opportunity.
Senators Manning, O'Meara, Hayes and other Senators raised a point about decentralisation. I am not aware of a threat by any member of Government to the effect that people are being told, "You move, or you leave." I cannot envisage that being said. I am in favour of decentralisation, like many of the Senators who have spoken on it. While Members are critical of Ministers for transferring parts of Departments to their constituencies, every Member of the House will want part of a Department for his or her constituency. I am sure Senator Coghlan would welcome the transfer of the Department of the Marine and Natural Resources to Caherciveen to sort out all the problems to which he referred and which could have been dealt with on the Adjournment.
I thought it had already been promised.
I can assure the Senator we do not want any of this stuff in North Great George's Street.
Mere public servants would have no business up there.
Hear, hear.
Perhaps Senator Norris would like to say something else.
I do not think so.
Regarding the Tánaiste's statement on the shortage of skilled labour and the need to go outside the country to find that labour, she mentioned the figure of 200,000 people over ten years. While that relates to people from within the European Union and other areas, there seems to be an impression abroad that such people will be economic refugees and illegal immigrants. That is not the case. We must accept we have a skills shortage and a labour shortage. If we are to fulfil the objectives of the national development plan, we will need skilled labour and that labour is in short supply. Some of what is being said on this issue borders on racism.
It does.
It is reminiscent of some incidents that took place in Britain many years ago and are now behind it. We need to be careful we do not say the same sorts of things here.
The matter of the thermal treatment of waste and the threat of dioxins should be debated. It is related to the issue of litter raised by Senator Quill. We will have to face up to making some difficult decisions on these issues in the near future. One of the most negative images visitors take away of this country is the degree to which they see litter in the countryside. We will try to find time to debate the issue of dioxins raised by Senators Cox, Walsh and Coogan.
Senator Jackman asked about the Children Bill and the Mental Health Bill. Those Bills are at order for Second Stage before the Dáil. They have commenced their passage and as soon as they have been completed in the Dáil they will come to this House. I hope that will happen at an early stage, although I cannot give an exact date.
Senator Quinn made a point about the Defence Forces. While we have discussed GM foods and organic foods in the past, given the developments taking place at a very rapid rate in this area, it would be useful to revisit these issues. I will see if time can be provided to discuss them.
I cannot answer Senator McDonagh's question on the White Paper on Adult Education, but I will try to get an answer on it and communicate with him.
Senator Norris raised the issue of a national women's day and the possibility that we might deal with it in the morning. I am anxious to facilitate the Senator. Perhaps the Whips could discuss the matter with him to see if he could discuss it during his Private Members' time rather than tomorrow morning.
As to the unfortunate demise of the Labour Party in an RTÉ historical television series, I am sure some of us can empathise with that omission by RTÉ. That is an editorial and domestic matter for RTÉ.
I do not think they mentioned the Progressive Democrats in the first ten years of the State either.
Perhaps not. I am sure the Labour Party has also abolished centralism and is prepared to decentralise to some part of the country to which it wishes to depart.
Senator Walsh raised the issue of District Court decisions. While the practice is that we do not comment on those decisions, he has raised the issue of inconsistencies in regulations and that is something we can consider.
As to the Cahirciveen marina project which was raised by Senator Coghlan, I am absolutely lost on that issue. It is something that might be raised on the Adjournment in the context of decentralisation.
I agree wholeheartedly with what Senator Ó Murchú had to say about Chechnya which does seem to have left the headlines to some extent. The humanitarian catastrophe there is of a similar scale to the one in Mozambique, although caused by war rather than a natural disaster. That is something we should not forget.
I have mentioned the matter of dioxins which was raised by Senator Coogan, and the issue of decentralisation raised by Senator Hayes. Senator Lydon raised the issue of a press council and we have had debates on defamation in the past. It is a subject we should return to, along with the UN institutions. As regards inflation, the Minister for Finance will be bringing the Finance Bill to the House in the near future when those points can be made directly to him.
I hope I have dealt with everything that was raised by Senators.
Order of Business agreed to.