I said in relation to No. 2 that I proposed 15 minutes for spokespersons, ten minutes for all other speakers and that Senators could share time. There will be a motion on the clinical vaccine trials report before the House soon – probably next week – but I have no difficulty in extending the speaking time for principal spokespersons to 20 minutes.
Senators Coogan, Norris, O'Toole, Burke and Mooney expressed views regarding the poor rail facilities in the west. I will forward those views to the Minister, who is a hardworking and dedicated individual intent on trying to improve the very difficult situation she inherited from her various predecessors. I will also highlight the incident involving the lady in the wheelchair. That was a regrettable occurrence and no one should have to experience such treatment. I join Members in expressing my shock and horror at what occurred.
I look forward to the day when all areas are served equally by our rail network. The affluence which has resulted from the Celtic tiger should be spread across the country, not concentrated on two or three heavily populated areas. I support calls that the Border, midlands and west of Ireland region should be well served by the rail network.
I share the concerns of various Members vis-à-vis the activities of the Olympic Council of Ireland. I will make the Minister, with whom we had a full and lengthy debate some weeks ago, aware of those concerns. If another debate is needed to deal with this specific issue, I will make time available for it.
I wish now to refer to the unfortunate death of a young student at the weekend. It is appalling to see someone die at such a young age and if the ingredients of certain drinks were to blame there should be an immediate investigation.
I agree with Senators' requests for a debate on industrial relations. I will endeavour to arrange such a debate during the next two to three weeks and I look forward to lengthy contributions by the various Members who expressed their concerns in respect of this issue.
Senators Ridge and Glynn requested that the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform should come before the House to outline Government policy for the future in respect of the area of justice. As stated on many occasions on the Order of Business, the Minister is hardworking and dedicated. In the first two years of the Government's term of office, 32% and 27% of all legislation processed by the Dáil and Seanad, respectively, emanated from the Department of Justice, Equality and Law Reform. I spoke to the Minister at lunch and he informed me that he intends to bring further Bills before the Houses, a number of which will be initiated in the Seanad. I agree with the views expressed by Senator Glynn in respect of this matter.
Senator Ridge expressed a number of views regarding law and order on our streets, a matter of extreme importance which involves protecting the basic freedom of every citizen to walk or drive where they please. The Garda Síochána is doing everything possible to protect people's rights in this regard. However, if additional resources are needed they should be forthcoming.
Senators Ormonde, Tom Hayes and Bonner called for statements on An Bord Pleanála. The Senators inquired whether it should be allowed to continue in existence or be replaced by an alternative, perhaps a court style system of appeal that can deal more efficiently and directly with matters and be more answerable to the public. An Bord Pleanála appears to many elected representatives and members of the public to be a law unto itself and people who appeal planning decisions never feel they have been given a fair hearing. Many unexplained decisions have been made in recent years. On the other hand, An Bord Pleanála has been obliged to deal with an unprecedented level of work. This matter is worthy of a lengthy debate, perhaps in conjunction with the debate on local government reform. I will make time available for such a debate.
I will pass on Senator Henry's views on non-EU hospital doctors. Senators Mooney and Rory Kiely requested a debate on the increase in tele vision licence fees sought by RTÉ. I have no difficulty with arranging such a debate. As I have often stated, RTÉ is a place of excellence and has always produced the goods when a challenge has been laid before it. However, there is always room for improvement and there is a need to consider the position from the perspective of viewers. If customers do not like what they see in a shop window, they will not buy it. Likewise, in this case they will switch to another channel. It would be healthy to allow Senators to express their opinions while the Minister is evaluating the request from the RTÉ authority. I fully agree with Senator Mooney that RTÉ viewers and listeners should be included in the procedure. The Committee Stage debate on the Broadcasting Bill is taking place in the Dáil.
On Senator Costello's request for a debate on child care, time can be made available for this. I will pass on to the Minister for Justice Senator Norris's views on the "guilty but insane" plea, which has been referred to a considerable number of times by justices. Senator Ó Murchú called for a debate on the report of the Patten Commission on policing. Time can also be made available for this.
Senator Hayes called for FÁS to expand its training programmes to cater for the many men and women who wish to return to the workplace. These people, particularly females, have much expertise and are fully committed to the areas in which they reside. I will raise this excellent idea with the Minister and it may be possible to debate it during this session.
Senator Bonner called on the Minister for Finance to contact the Chancellor of the Exchequer, Gordon Brown, as a matter of urgency, to discuss the serious plight facing many companies if an additional tax is imposed on Irish freight. A high percentage of industries, for example, the fishing industry in Donegal, export their products by freight. This issue is of serious concern to all exporters and following the conclusion of the Order of Business I will immediately raise it with the Minister for Finance's office.