Today's Order of Business is Nos. 3 and 4: No. 3, Town Renewal Bill, 2000 – Second Stage, with contributions of spokespersons not to exceed 20 minutes and those of other Senators not to exceed 15 minutes; No. 4, Aer Lingus Bill, 2000 – Committee and Remaining Stages.
Order of Business.
The Order of Business is agreed except that the Leader of the House last week gave an indication that on 27 June, today, we would debate No. 22, motion 21, the motion supported by Members on all sides on a review of the funding of political parties and public life in Ireland. I ask the Leader in his reply to give an indication when he intends to take that if it is not ordered for today.
I welcome the announcement that the IRA has opened up a number of arms dumps to international inspection and I am sure all Members will agree that this has significantly strengthened the peace process in Northern Ireland.
I am sure that Members will welcome Senator Tom Hayes back to the House after his excellent performance in the recent by-election.
I also welcome Senator Tom Hayes back to the House. I am surprised he is walking among us at all. With all that was said in the newspapers about him, I felt sure he would come in at least in a toga and with a laurel wreath on his head. I would hate to have missed him on the agriculture debates and for that reason I am very glad he is back with us.
With Senator Joe Doyle, I welcome the announcement with regard to the IRA. I hope that more can be done with the IRA regarding the graves of the disappeared, a matter that has been raised by many Members of this House. I hope that can be brought forward.
However, I must express some disappointment with regard to the debate we had on staffing problems in the health service the week before last, when the Minister for Health and Children came into the House and gave us to understand there were virtually no problems, despite the fact that for months I have raised the grave problems in the health service. Today the Cabinet introduced emergency legislation to permit non-EU doctors who have exceeded the time they are allowed to stay in Ireland to remain longer.
The Senator knows it is not in order to re-open debates that have taken place in recent weeks in the House. I have allowed the Senator some latitude.
Thank you.
It is not in order to re-open that debate, Senator.
I will have an opportunity to re-open it tomorrow because the Fine Gael Private Members' motion is on the same topic. Today is 27 June and any non-EU doctors who did not know that they could stay have left.
Legislation is being introduced to cover that.
Why should specific legislation be introduced?
I concur with Senator Doyle that it is appropriate we should recognise the events that have taken place in Northern Ireland. I do not know whether the Leader can make time available at this stage to discuss them but the fact it has been verified that guns have finally been put out of use has probably been the most significant move in the peace process. We owe a debt to Mr. Ahtisaari and Mr. Ramaphosa for the work they have done in bringing us to this point. It is hoped this will lead to full decommissioning and it is notable that the IRA has re-engaged with the decommissioning body, which is also to be welcomed. I hope these events will lead to further progress and that the Assembly and Executive can do the work which is central to all democracies.
Like Senator Doyle, I implore the Leader to have a debate on corruption in public life, the need for the Oireachtas and this House, in particular, to take control of the debate to show leadership in challenging the status quo and to introduce changes that would be acceptable to the community, not just to politicians.
I ask for a debate on the Bacon report, which I sought last week, with particular emphasis on the increasing number of young people who are unable to purchase houses and the need to re-examine the availability of serviced sites for people who would be able to build their own homes if the price of such sites was properly con trolled and was low enough. That would have a significant impact on local authority housing lists.
I concur with the comments regarding the developments in Northern Ireland and the IRA response which has been brought to our attention. It helps in many ways to underline that the Taoiseach and the Government have read this picture correctly from the beginning. That is important when we realise how decommissioning almost destroyed the entire peace process. It is sad in a way that when such major developments are taking place the media tend, unfortunately, to concentrate on other issues.
Will the Leader ascertain in what way the House could co-operate through dialogue with the Assembly in Northern Ireland? There must be an opportunity, now or in the future, whereby members of the Assembly could attend the Seanad and we could do likewise in the North, leading to greater co-operation between the two parts of the country.
I welcome the news regarding IRA weapons and hope that there will be similar actions on the loyalist side. However, there should also be an end to punishment beatings on both sides. That is extremely important. It is awful that young people are tortured and brutalised in such a manner.
On what days, if any, will the House sit next week? There is talk of a sitting on Monday. Perhaps the Leader will confirm that.
I raise the possibility of having a debate on the inability of neighbouring health boards to co-operate with each other in the treatment of patients, particularly in terms of psychiatric services and services for children and the elderly. Health boards have become independent republics in the provision of health services. It would be appropriate to have an inter-linking of services between health boards in the interests of the patients who require treatment. The Leader of the House should bring this matter to the attention of the Minister for Health and Children. We should have a debate on the issue in the near future so that some of the major difficulties can be outlined, including those I have encountered as a health worker.
I understand that a motion concerning health related matters has been tabled for Private Members' business tomorrow evening. The points the Senator is raising now could be made in the course of that debate.
Certainly, I will contribute to that debate. It is an issue that is of public concern at this time.
Would it be possible for the Leader to arrange a debate or statements on the suggested lifting of the groceries order? This is a matter of grave concern to me. I have already raised it on a number of occasions during the session when I received support from all sides of the House. In the event of not being able to allow time for such a debate in this session, no decision should be taken on lifting the order until the House has had an opportunity to discuss fully this important issue for rural areas. It concerns many people running small shops and providing other such services.
I also welcome the move by the IRA on weapons. Last Friday I called for a debate on tourism. When we return from the recess it would be opportune to have such a debate, when the tourist season will be over for most people. Many people have had bad experiences booking holidays and I am anxious to examine if current legislation can deal adequately with that matter, especially at EU level.
I support the call for a debate on health matters. Last week, a survey by the World Health Organisation showed that, internationally, France has the best level of spending on health in terms of the services provided. While the United States has the highest expenditure on health, according to the WHO survey, this is not reflected in the levels of care provided to patients in that country. We must examine not alone the provision of services between health boards, as Senator Finneran mentioned, but if we are to have a pure—
We cannot pre-empt tomorrow evening's debate on the Private Members' motion. It would be unfair to the Members who have tabled that motion to do so.
Interoperability is the new buzz word and we must have it, not alone among health boards but also between countries. If there is an excess of services available in one country, why should other countries not benefit from that? We could send patients abroad for treatment, while accepting patients from other countries for treatment here, as the need arose. That is the sort of system we should be operating.
As regards the arms dumps that have been found, anybody would be scared stiff by the amount of arms involved. We should be proud that the international community with the help of the IRA has been able to locate these arms dumps. It has been stated categorically that many of them are in the South. If that is so, we must find out where they are. The peaceful resolution of the situation concerning guns—
This type of detail is not in order on the Order of Business.
There are too many of them there. If they are in the South, we should know where they are.
Will the Leader of the House draw to the attention of the Minister of State at the Department of Public Enterprise, Deputy Jacob, to a poll published yesterday? That poll showed that eight out of ten people in countries that have reprocessing contracts, either with Sellafield or with its French counterpart, La Hague, believe such plants should close immediately. I understand that the Minister of State is attending a conference in Denmark this week. The Irish have a motion down for the immediate cessation of reprocessing while the Danes have tabled a motion for its suspension. Either motion will do, but let us make sure the Minister of State is aware of that poll.
I disagree with Senator Cregan on the groceries order. I do not think it should wait. If we need a debate we should have one. However, the abolition of the groceries order should not be delayed. Inflation is an important issue at present and vested interests should not be allowed to delay it.
Jobs are more important.
Will the Leader indicate if the Gas Bill will be taken this session? If not, the Minister should be invited to the House to make a statement because I understand a new draft plan has been produced and that County Kerry has been omitted again.
I understand that matter will be debated on Friday. The Senator will have an opportunity then to deal in detail with the way the issue affects County Kerry.
They are looking after the Senator.
He can let off steam then.
I am glad the debate will be on Friday because County Kerry appears to be forgotten in every new plan. I welcome the opportunity to discuss it before the end of the session.
There have been many calls for a debate on the North of Ireland but the Leader and others said that perhaps the House should await further developments. However, the time is ripe for such a discussion before the session ends. I congratulate all those involved in bringing the process to its current level and the House should commend them.
Will the Leader make time available for a discussion on staffing levels in national schools? The applications lodged last September may have reflected a lower number of pupils and teachers may have been lost as a result, but new families may have moved to rural areas in particular. As a rural man I know that when something is lost in rural Ireland it is difficult to get it back. Schools in County Kerry have an increased number of pupils—
That matter would be more appropriate to the Adjournment. If the Senator submits a matter for the Adjournment, I will consider it favourably.
I understand this problem affects many schools throughout the country and it is important that it is debated before the end of the session.
Will the Leader convey the thanks of those operating in the bed and breakfast industry, which is the bedrock of the tourism industry, to the Minister of State, Deputy Cullen, who announced, in the context of the new Valuation Bill, that rates will not be imposed on bed and breakfasts? As most Members are aware, there has been significant lobbying by those in the bed and breakfast industry over the past year on this matter. This is why it is important that the initiative of the Minister of State, who listened and responded to the public in this regard, should be acknowledged.
As a Member from a Border county, I join Senators in welcoming the important breakthrough in Northern Ireland.
I join Senators in welcoming the developments in Northern Ireland. As Senator Mooney said, the Border counties have the most benefit to gain from the developments that have taken place. I also echo the sentiments expressed by Senator Henry and Senator Keogh. I hope it will lead to the elimination of punishment beatings.
I support the call for a debate on tourism. The debate should cover the purchasing of holidays abroad and also the tourism authorities in Ireland and the benefits they provide in terms of promoting and developing tourism throughout the country and not only in selected counties.
Senator Joe Doyle and Senator O'Dowd mentioned No. 22, motion 21. The position was agreed with the various party leaders last Thursday.
I welcome Senator Tom Hayes back to the House and congratulate him on a job well done. I commiserate with those in the Opposition on the loss of the seat in the by-election. Their turn will come in two years' time and no doubt they will be in the same position.
It may be in two hours' time.
Senators Doyle, Dardis, Henry, Ormonde, Keogh and Lanigan welcomed the announcement last week. I also welcome the announcement that the IRA opened a number of arms dumps for the international inspectors who ensured that the weapons and explosives could not be used without detection. The inspectors have confirmed that the weapons and explosives are safely and adequately stored and cannot be used without their knowledge. I am also heartened by the news that the IRA has re-established contact with General John de Chastelain and the decommissioning body which has responsibility for ensuring that the IRA carries out its main commitment to put arms beyond use. Everyone on the island knows this news is important for the Good Friday Agreement and I welcome it wholeheartedly.
Senator O'Dowd called for a debate on the Bacon report. Given that we are dealing with legislation this week and next week, the Senator should raise this issue when we debate the Finance (No. 2) Bill on Thursday. I will not have any difficulty leaving time aside for a full debate on it when we return. I will endeavour to facilitate Senators who wish to discuss matters. As I informed the House last Wednesday on the Order of Business, we will sit all day next Monday from 12 noon to finish processing the enormous amount of legislation with which we are dealing this week.
Senators Henry, Leonard and Finneran expressed their concerns about health issues. As you, a Chathaoirligh, pointed out correctly, Senators may have an opportunity tomorrow evening at Fine Gael Private Members' time to put forward their points of view and to hear the Minister's response.
Senators Quinn and John Cregan expressed their views on the groceries order. It is easy to know why they are on opposite sides of the argument. Jobs are of the essence as far as the Government and the people of rural Ireland are concerned. I support the retention of the groceries order. While that may not be in line with the call of Irish multinationals, we must remember that thousands of jobs and small family businesses will be affected. I would like to reach a happy medium. I know this is a difficult situation for the Government, but life must continue in the rural parts of the country and not just in the big towns.
Senators Glynn and Leonard called for a debate on tourism. I said I would allow time for such a debate and I will try to do so before next Monday. Senator Quinn expressed his views on Sellafield. I will pass his views on to the Minister.
I inform Senator Dan Kiely that the Gas (Amendment) Bill will be discussed on Friday. This is part of his portfolio and I know he will make a lengthy contribution on it. The Senator also mentioned staffing levels in national schools. There is a problem in that numbers are based on the figures for the first attendance day in September. However, this can change, particularly in rural Ireland. I will pass on his views to the Minister.
Senator Mooney expressed his thanks to the Minister for not putting rates on bed and breakfast accommodation.
The Leader referred to No. 22, motion 21 on the Order Paper. However, he did not inform us when it would be taken.
I understood the Leader to say there was agreement between the leaders of the parties about how and when this matter would be dealt with.
It has been agreed by the leaders to take this matter in the first week after the summer recess.
Order of Business agreed to.