The Order of Business for today is No. 1, the Twenty-first Amendment of the Constitution (No. 2) Bill, 2001 – all Stages, with the contributions of spokespersons not to exceed 20 minutes and those of other Senators not to exceed 15 minutes, and on which Senators may share time; No. 2, motion re information to be issued to voters in connection with the referendum on No. 1, to be debated in conjunction with Second Stage of No. 1; No. 3, motion re the Referendum (Ballot Paper) Order, 2001, to be taken without debate; No. 4, the Twenty-third Amendment of the Constitution Bill, 2001 – Second Stage, with contributions of spokespersons not to exceed 20 minutes and those of other Senators not to exceed 15 minutes, and on which Senators may share time; and No. 5, motion re information to be issued to voters in connection with the referendum on No. 4, to be debated in conjunction with Second Stage of No. 4.
Order of Business.
We agree to the Order of Business. Will the Leader arrange a discussion on the archival reports on the Arms Trial of 1970 and the need—
I understand that matter is to be taken as Private Members' Business tomorrow and I do not wish the debate to be pre-empted on the Order of Business.
I hope the Leader conveys to the Government the need for a full inquiry and investigation into the matter to resolve it once and for all.
Will the Leader invite the Taoiseach to the House for a full debate on the proposed national stadium? It is important there is a full and open debate on this issue given the huge expenditure proposed. It is also important there is full clarification of the cost and other details. It is a public matter of national importance which needs to be debated in the House with the Taoiseach. Will the Leader convey to him the request of the House for his attendance at a full and open debate on the issue?
A health report was issued today, a copy of which I understand none of us has received. The report is of great concern because it indicates clearly that there is a greater possibility of people in urban areas developing cancer than those in rural areas and that there is also a greater possibility of males dying prior to 74 than females. This is a matter which should be debated openly and fully. Preventative action needs to be taken.
A huge question has been raised in the past few days about the power of the Oireachtas because it has been subject to extraordinary levels of criticism by the legal profession. It is important that Members of the Oireachtas assert their right to conduct their business in line with the laws of the Oireachtas. It would help if we had a debate to indicate, explore and outline the power of the Oireachtas. It is clear that, in terms of issues such as Abbeylara – I will not speak on that specific issue – the general principle governing the conduct of our business is that it is done clearly in line with the law, and this principle applies to the operation of any committees of the Houses which come under the most minute scrutiny.
It is unacceptable to allow criticism by members of the legal profession to go unchallenged and without reply in some shape or form. There is no understanding generally about the work of committees of the Houses, such as the compellability committee, and the legal advice available which ensure everyone's rights are monitored, maintained and protected while at the same time the Oireachtas conducts its business.
May Day provides a good opportunity to reflect on the country's priorities. The Seanad should mark this occasion with a debate on the uses of the benefits of economic prosperity, the distribution of wealth, homelessness and health problems. The test of a society is how ordinary people benefit from its prosperity. We must also ensure good Government during good times. Will the Leader arrange for a May Day debate to discuss these matters?
Let the anarchists in.
The report on cancer to which Senator Tayor-Quinn has referred contains the alarming fact that one third of the population will have contracted this disease by the age of 74. There is a shortage of facilities to carry out operations on patients suffering from cancer. We must direct the benefits of our economic prosperity towards those most in need of them.
The Taoiseach should come to the House to debate the question of Stadium Ireland, a project which is his brainchild. The House should have the opportunity of examining and listening to the arguments in favour of this £1 billion project. The questions of Stadium Ireland and cancer services fit into the wider context of a May Day debate on our priorities during this period of economic prosperity.
I agree with the point made by Senator O'Toole regarding the conduct of its business by the Houses of the Oireachtas. The House should be concerned if a committee is prevented from carrying out the business it is directed to do by the Oireachtas. The Houses of the Oireachtas are the proper vehicle for examining matters of this nature which are of serious concern.
The pupils of two national schools in Rathkeale, County Limerick, were withdrawn by their parents this morning because of the policy of the Department of Education and Science regarding age appropriate integration. Will the Leader ask the Minister for Education and Science to bring forward his new proposals at the earliest possible date and to consult with the parents and teachers in Rathkeale to resolve this matter urgently?
I ask the Leader to arrange for a debate on teenage drinking. Confirmation used to be an occasion for children to take a pledge, not to drink. It now seems to be the occasion when they begin to drink, even at that young age. The problem is out of hand and a debate is called for. We must decide if we are to do something about the problem or, as usual, wring our hands and say nothing can be done. I know this subject is close to the Leader's heart and while that would never determine his priorities I hope this debate will be held very soon.
Will the Leader ask the Minister for Finance to come to the House to discuss the health services? The Minister for Health and Children is well aware of these problems. Important projects and the employment of personnel are constantly vetoed by the Department of Finance after they have been accepted by the Department of Health and Children. The recent manpower forum report was accepted by the Minister for Health and then vetoed by the Department of Finance. I can list projects throughout the country which were refused permission by the Department of Finance rather than the Department of Health.
Will the Leader of the House allow a debate on the recent Ombudsman's report? I understand there are some controversial sections in the report, particularly where it relates to local authorities, which play a major part in the election of Members to this House. It is important to take this opportunity to have a debate.
We should convey our congratulations to the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Rural Development and his officials in the Department for the excellent work they have done in recent months in preventing foot and mouth disease from becoming widespread. The country owes a debt of gratitude to the Minister, Deputy Joe Walsh, and his officials, the Garda, the Army and all others involved in this national operation.
I welcome the opportunity for a debate on Stadium Ireland. It is important that we do so in order to put to bed some of the myths regarding it. It might also expose the divergence of opinion evident in the Labour Party. Last night a Labour Party spokesman said he is in favour of it. There is a revolt in the Fine Gael parliamentary party against their present leader over this issue.
Maybe a debate will sort out some of the difficulties which the Opposition has. There is no difficulty with this issue on the Government side.
Order please.
It is in the best interests of this country. The people are totally in support of this project.
Will the Leader indicate when legislation will be introduced vindicating the rights of people with disabilities, particularly in view of the horrific experiences of disabled people travelling by rail and the appalling conditions they are put in? This is utterly disgraceful. The spokesperson for the disabled people involved referred to the vast amount of money which is allegedly being put into this stadium. I would prefer to see that kind of funding going towards people who really need it now.
If the Senator was listening to the news today she would have heard that Iarnród Eireann has spent money on new carriages. The Senator is behind the times.
I support the request from Senators Finneran and Keogh to have a debate on the so-called Bertie Bowl. It tells us something about our national priorities. Senator Keogh was trying to say, with some justification, that maybe we have our priorities wrong and should be spending more money on health and less on sport. I do not know the answer to that issue, but this is a matter of great controversy which has not yet been discussed in this House. The Government side has a case, but so too do those who say that more money should be spent on health and education. It appears that there is all-party agreement for a debate. Proposals are coming from all sides of the House, including Senator Costello, that we reflect on our priorities and where these vast sums coming from taxation in the Celtic tiger economy should be spent.
I return to the comment made by Senator Finneran, complimenting the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Rural Development on the lack of further outbreaks of foot and mouth disease in Ireland. The last time the Senator made such a point an outbreak occurred the following day. I hope we do not have a recurrence as a result of his suggestions today. The Minister did not run around the country preventing foot and mouth disease; it is the farmers and others who are responsible for preventing it.
I wish to take up the point raised by Senator Finneran on the Ombudsman's report which was unfailing in its condemnation of this Government in a number of areas, but in particular that of planning. We had a debate on the Planning Bill which was supposed to shorten the amount of time spent on planning but in fact it has not worked. I am seeking a debate with the Minister for the Environment and Local Government, Deputy Dempsey, who should tell us what we are going to do with a system that is collapsing. It is impossible to obtain planning within the limited period allowed. Planning officers spend their time trying to get planning through but they are not watching out for bad planning developments that are occurring. It is time we had an urgent debate on this issue.
Like Senator Costello, I suggest that we have a debate on workers' rights on May Day. I would like it to be a celebratory debate. There is no doubt that those who set up the May bank holiday were thinking in terms of a celebration of workers and what they have achieved. It should be a celebration rather than, as we have at present in every country in the world, a crowd of anarchists who have decided they want to get rid of the system. It seems to be obligatory for them to travel all over the world, although I do not know how they get the money to do so. The workers should have a say instead of having people who would not work in a fit but who tell everyone else where and how they should work. A debate on the celebration of labour would be worthwhile.
It has been suggested that less money is being spent on health than on sport, but if more money was spent on sport, less would have to be spent on health. This must be acknowledged by anybody who makes a political football out of the cost of a stadium. They are talking about the cost of it rather than the need for it. It has been stated that there will be a discussion about costs which have overrun in many cases.
I have asked the Leader for an early debate on the Middle East and he has agreed that will take place. The area, particularly Palestine, is in utter chaos. The sooner the better we at least acknowledge what is going on there.
I fully support the calls by Senator Coogan and Senator Finneran for a debate on the report of the Ombudsman. To add to what Senator Coogan said about the planning system, we must all acknowledge that generally it is in a shambles. We should take serious note of yesterday's editorial in The Irish Times, which I felt was a well reasoned and factual account. It would be useful if the Minister would come to the House for a productive debate on the matter. He said recently that he was going to update the 1984 regulations which both sides of the House would agree are badly in need of revision. They need to be put in the form of a directive or another mandatory format. The Minister has indicated that he intends to proceed along those lines but that will not cure the situation which seems to exist in every local authority.
I also wish to refer to a matter about which the Leader and myself had an exchange of views before. There is no doubt that the continuing closure of some of the State's top tourist attractions, despite the easing of restrictions nationally, is unwarranted. I hope there will be a further announcement from the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Rural Development today. Given that the country has received the all clear on foot and mouth disease and that normal trading is resuming around the country, it is a matter of serious concern that there is discrimination against places such as Muckross House and Ross Castle. I am calling on the Leader to arrange with the Minister for Arts, Heritage, Gaeltacht and the Islands for an immediate reversal of the decision which has been forced on us by faceless bureaucrats in her Department. If she cannot do so, she should produce these people in public and make them account for their actions and explain themselves.
It would not do any good if they have no faces.
I ask the Leader to urge the Minister for Foreign Affairs to draw to the attention of the Czech authorities the concern of the family and friends of the young man who died on the streets of Prague last week. I understand that a post mortem has taken place and if it confirms the suspicions that have been raised, I urge the Minister to remind the Czech authorities of the need for a thorough and immediate investigation into the matter.
I support the call by a number of colleagues for a debate on the Ombudsman's report. However, in reply to some of the comments made, planning is far from a shambles but there is a need to address planning enforcement, which was the specific issue raised in the report. It has been a long established difficulty that resources have not been concentrated in this area. A debate would be timely, particularly given the response of the County and City Managers' Association which more or less dismissed the Ombudsman's report. If better local government is being sought, that is not the line to follow.
I support Senator O'Toole's call for a debate on the primacy on the Houses of the Oireachtas to establish investigative fora and hold public inquiries. However, I understand why members of the legal profession want to avoid such an occurrence because the tribunals and public inquiries have been akin to their buying a winning lotto ticket on an annual basis.
I welcome Senator Costello's call to mark May Day. A primary focus of such a debate should be to welcome the fall of communism and extreme socialism which did so much damage to freedom of movement and freedom of speech and impacted heavily on a wide area in central and eastern Europe.
And the pending fall of Fianna Fáil at the next election.
That slogan will not go far.
I support my colleague, Senator Ross, and other colleagues in calling for a debate on the new stadium. I do not see why we should be the only ones not to enjoy the storm in the "Bertie Bowl". Senator Lanigan chastised people who were penny pinching and looking for prudent management of resources. I remind the Senator that his own partners in Government, the Progressive Democrats, have adopted a sensible attitude. I am not against the stadium but, as public representatives, we ought to monitor the escal ating costs of such projects and see if it is possible to conduct an independent inquiry into them or appoint somebody to monitor them to see what is the ultimate cost.
I also support the call for a debate on planning. That would be appropriate because we have received a great deal of material recently regarding council officials which raises questions in this area once again. An article in The Irish Times today states: “Kilkenny Corporation has admitted it knew that trees screening a controversial citycentre development were likely to be felled when it told An Bord Pleanála they would be protected.” That is a curious example of a lack of co-operation between a council and An Bord Pleanála. There is something for us to be worried about and there is material to be debated.
On a point of order, the officials of Kilkenny Corporation knew; the elected members did not.
I was quoting precisely what was reported in the newspaper. I would not impugn anybody, as Senator Lanigan knows. I would be most delicate and scrupulous, especially regarding the city of Kilkenny and its elected representatives. The article referred to "Kilkenny Corporation" and I do not need to parse and analyse what that means.
When will No. 9 on the Order Paper, the Transport (Railway Infrastructure) Bill, 2001, be brought before the House? Can that be done as soon as possible? The Bill seems narrowly to deal with on-street rail. Will the Minister for the Environment and Local Government come into the House and update us on what is happening with the metro, the underground section, for which the House was largely responsible?
I wish to raise a point which perhaps you can rule on, a Chathaoirligh, or bring to the attention of the Committee on Procedure and Privileges. I would have thought if Members asked questions of the Leader on the Order of Business that they would remain in the House to hear the answers and at least extend that courtesy to the House.
Is it not correct that the absence of Members is not a subject to be raised?
Senator, you have spoken already.
Senators Taylor-Quinn and O'Toole called for a debate on the Arms Trial. This will be taken during Private Members' time tomorrow.
A number of Members called for a debate on the new sports stadium, Stadium Campus Ireland. I will provide time for this debate and request the presence of the Taoiseach, if possible, to discuss this magnificent proposal. Everyone in Ireland, particularly those of us born into less well off parts of the community with parents who did not have the opportunities that we have now, should support anything that is good for young boys and girls—
Does the Deputy Leader agree with the Leader?
—and enhances their opportunities in the prime of fitness. It is certainly worthwhile. As a Member of this House, I have heard similar statements on Knock Airport and look what it has done for the west. I also heard certain members of the Opposition use the term 'Taj Mahal' in relation to Government Buildings, which have become a showpiece of the new young Ireland for television cameras all over the world. When I was very young I heard similar statements about Shannon Airport, which is located in the acting leader of the Opposition's area. There is never a wrong time to do the right thing if it is good for Ireland and the right thing is to go ahead and invest in the young people of the future.
Senators O'Toole, Costello and Walsh called for a debate on the powers, rights and affairs of the Oireachtas. I will allocate time for that. Senators Costello and Lanigan called for a debate on May Day and Senators Lanigan and Walsh called for a debate on the celebration of May Day. I will allocate time for that. Senator John Cregan raised a very serious and important issue for the people of Limerick. I will pass on his views to the Minister this afternoon.
Senator Ridge called for a debate on teenage drinking, a matter debated in this House some time ago. Many Senators from all sides of the House, particularly Senator Farrell, have been vocal about the dangers presented by teenage drinking. There is an inherent danger that the problem will get out of control. I will allocate time for a debate.
Senators Finneran, Coogan, Coghlan and Norris called for a debate on the Ombudsman's report, particularly in relation to local authorities and planning issues. I will allocate time for that.
Senators Finneran and Coogan expressed their congratulations to those people who have played a major part in keeping foot and mouth from our shores, namely the Minister of Agriculture, Food and Rural Development, the farming community, the Garda, the Army and the general public, in particular those people who are suffering heavy losses in the tourism sector. As Leader of Seanad Éireann I appeal to the people of Ireland to support the tourism industry this year because it is going through a bad time. There are many opportunities on offer at present and an enormous amount of money has been invested in the industry, which is one of the three great growth industries in terms of employment. Many very professional people are involved in the sector. I ask people to support it in the same great way that they have supported measures to keep out the foot and mouth plague.
I will come back to Senator Keogh regarding her inquiry about disability legislation and inform her of progress in this matter. In response to Senator Lanigan's request, I have already said that I will arrange a debate in the House on the Middle East at the earliest possible time. I will pass on Senator Coghlan's views to the Minister. I will pass on to the Minister Senator Quinn's views on the matter he raised. I will be able to answer Senator Norris's query regarding No. 9 tomorrow. I will allocate time for an update, with the Minister present, on the metro.
The proposed legislation this term is 13 Bills. The Bills to come before the House are the Horse and Greyhound Racing Bill, the Residential Institutions Bill, the Audit of Allowances of Parliamentary Party Leaders Bill, the Dormant Accounts Bill, the State Authorities Public Private Partnership Bill, the Ombudsman's Bill for Children, the Public Health and Tobacco Bill, the Emigration (Carriers Liability) Bill, the Data Protection (Amendment) Bill, the Law of the Sea (Suppression of Piracy) Bill, the Gas (Interim Regulations) Bill, the Postal (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill and the Pensions Bill. The Government expects to publish all that legislation before the summer recess.
We have a report showing the connection between poverty and ill health. Surely my request to the Minister for Finance should be addressed.
I omitted to reply to Senator Henry. We will do our utmost, as we always do, for the Senator in allocating the necessary time to this very serious and important request.
It is not for myself I speak, it is for poor people.
I represent those people myself.