Today's Order of Business is No. 1, statements on litter pollution and water quality, with the contributions of spokespersons not to exceed 30 minutes and those of other Members not to exceed 20 minutes.
Order of Business.
I compliment the Leader on securing the initiation of the Intoxicating Liquor Bill, 2000, in the House. When does he expect Second Stage to be taken?
On a previous occasion, I asked the Leader whether he would schedule a debate on the operation of industrial relations in Ireland. Given that the Dublin Bus dispute seems to have been resolved, it would be useful, without the pressure of particular issues, to examine how industrial relations work and should be regulated and their importance. A number of issues in this area have been dealt with by the Houses of the Oireachtas recently, including the National Minimum Wage Bill, 2000, the Programme for Prosperity and Fairness, trade union recognition and high profile disputes. Members should have a good understanding of how industrial relations work. I ask that the Minister of State at the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment, Deputy Tom Kitt, who is responsible for labour affairs, come into the House to outline how they should operate.
I support Senator O'Toole's call for a debate on industrial relations. It is a live issue which should be debated now. Will the Leader facilitate a debate on the health policy document which has just been published by the Labour Party? This area has been a constant bone of contention, especially in terms of hospital waiting lists, respite care, an alleged two tier system, etc. Given that time is available for such debates, it would be worthwhile to discuss the matter following the publication of such a major policy document. The Minister for Finance is expected to announce this afternoon an Exchequer surplus of approximately £1 billion per month. It could be possible to discuss the extra funding required to bring us up to the European average in the health sphere.
I understood that we were to have a debate on Northern Ireland this week. Will the Leader arrange it for next week, given that the Good Friday Agreement will draw to a close on 22 May and the considerable ongoing debate about the Orange march on Dawson Street on 28 May? There are many relevant issues and it is timely to debate them.
I wish to raise the great concern being expressed by the owners and employees of many small retail outlets regarding the suggestion to abolish the groceries order. Statements should be taken in the House at the earliest opportunity so that Members can have an input into whatever decision is taken. It has potentially disastrous consequences for all rural communities.
I wish to raise a number of matters. Will the Leader express concern to the Minister for Arts, Heritage, Gaeltacht and the Islands about the conditions obtaining in the Ordnance Survey office in the Phoenix Park where valuable records are in danger of being destroyed following the collapse of a roof? The building is of interest but, more importantly, the materials stored there, such as maps, books and other records, are also at risk. The office was recently transferred from the Department of Finance to the Department of Arts, Heritage, Gaeltacht and the Islands. I am not trying to pin the blame on the Minister, but perhaps the House, through the Leader, could express concern that part of our heritage is in danger of being destroyed.
Will the Leader consider scheduling a debate on Tibet? I recognise that I have not tabled a motion but I will do so. In the meantime could he express my concern to the Minister for Foreign Affairs and ask if he could examine whether there is any possibility of an Irish initiative to get movement from the European Union to support the American motion on Tibet at the United Nations Human Rights Commission, which is being held up by the French?
I am glad that the Intoxicating Liquor Bill, 2000, was raised. I could not care less if people drink around the clock but I am very concerned that people will be allowed to drink until 1 a.m. without any indication that the behaviour of people who will pour out on to the streets absolutely blind drunk will be monitored by judges, the police or the planning authorities.
Senator, we cannot have a debate on the Bill.
The gates will be locked at that time.
I had better not raise that matter because it is currently the subject of a court case. It is sub judice.
I realise we will have a debate on Mozambique tomorrow but the crisis in the Horn of Africa has developed to the point where it is more than likely that many millions of people will die in the region over the next few weeks and months. People are dying at present and the situation is exacerbated by the fact that there is a war being waged in the area. These people have had a water shortage for four years and the House should debate that matter. It cannot be debated in conjunction with the debate on Mozambique but we should have a discussion on it as early as possible.
If we are serious about an assault on exclusion and marginalisation, and if we are concerned about villages and towns in rural Ireland, as I believe we are, we will be concerned about ensuring a fair trading environment for all. In that connection, I urge the Government to retain the Restrictive Practices (Groceries) Order and take into account the unanimous view—
Senator, a debate has been sought on this matter. We must not pre-empt that debate on the Order of Business.
It is No. 19, motion 10 on the Order Paper and in connection with that—
Senator, we are not debating such a motion now. This is the Order of Business.
I appreciate that, a Chathaoirligh. I strongly urge the Government to take into account the unanimous view of the Joint Committee on Enterprise and Small Business in favour of its retention.
I support the call by my colleague, Senator John Cregan, for statements on the retention of the groceries order. As the Minister is involved in a consultation process following the review of the competition and mergers group, the Seanad should have an opportunity to discuss this matter with her in the House. I ask that such a debate take place as soon as possible.
I support previous speakers who called for a debate on the retention of the groceries order. I ask the Leader to arrange an early debate in the House. There may be no need for a debate, however, because there seems to be unanimous agreement in this House that it should be retained.
There was agreement on the Shannon Bill too.
We can take it from the unanimity expressed here today that the groceries order will be retained. I urge the Government to make a statement on that matter immediately.
In our debate on Mozambique tomorrow we should also mention the crisis in Chechnya. I want to vent my anger at the Russian Government over its refusal to let the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, Mary Robinson, visit the camps where prisoners are being held. That is scandalous. They are denying her the right to do her job. If any other person was refused—
We cannot debate the matter now, Senator.
I am not debating it. I ask the Members of this House to vent their anger at the attitude of the Russian Government to human rights. It is scandalous. These are the great socialists who told us for years what great people they were but they are the greatest gangsters and brutes one could meet anywhere.
I thank Senator Manning for his compliments on the Intoxicating Liquor Bill being initiated in this House. It is proposed to take Second Stage in Holy Week. To answer Senator O'Toole, I have no problem with a debate on industrial relations and having the Minister present. In regard to Senator Costello's request, I have no problem with leaving time to debate the Labour Party's health document. It contains some alarming suggestions and Senators can make their views known to the Minister during the debate.
Senators John Cregan, Coghlan, Leonard and Burke expressed serious concern regarding the retention of the groceries order. I share that concern. I am most concerned about life in rural areas and this is one of the greatest threats to its survival. I will convey the Senator's views to the Tánaiste's office after the Order of Business.
I will convey Senator Norris's views to the Minister for Arts, Heritage, Gaeltacht and the Islands. Senators Norris, Lanigan and Farrell expressed their concerns on human rights issues and I will convey their views to the Minister for Foreign Affairs. He will be here tomorrow for the debate on Mozambique and perhaps Senators will avail of the opportunity to make their views known to him.
Order of Business agreed to.