The Order of Business will be No. 1, State Airports Bill 2004 — Committee and Remaining Stages. Committee Stage will be taken on the conclusion of the Order of Business until 1 p.m. Report and Final Stages will be taken between 3 p.m. and 6 p.m. There will be a sos between 1 p.m. and the 3 p.m. The purpose of the longer sos is to allow Report Stage amendments to be prepared, following on from Committee Stage.
Order of Business.
I join the Cathaoirleach in wishing all Members of the House an enjoyable summer break. We will have a break during August only, as most committees will meet in July. On behalf of the Fine Gael group, I wish the Cathaoirleach, his staff, the Clerk of the Seanad and her staff, all Members of the House, the Leader of the House, the various group leaders and the Whips an enjoyable summer period. It has been a long session, with many elections in the middle of it. People have worked hard, particularly in recent weeks when we have had to consider many Bills late in the session. Special thanks are due to the Clerk of the Seanad and the Seanad office for the extended work they have done in recent weeks. I thank the Captain of the Guard, the Superintendent and the ushers for their help during the session. As we move into the summer period, it is worth saying that it is good that the House has met this week.
Yes.
The more often we can meet without the Dáil on our back, the better. I suggest that we should not meet when the Dáil meets in the interests of having the work of the Seanad get a fair airing in the media. I wish the Leader every success over the summer period, particularly as a reshuffle is coming up.
Is the Senator joking?
I am not sure what job she will get. There is a vacancy as an EU Commissioner. As the House will not have a chance to meet before nominations are made for the presidential election, I wish all prospective contenders on both sides of the House every success in putting their names forward.
When the summer comes, it is inevitable that Deputy Cassidy will produce his annual report on insurance. I wonder if the Leader will organise a debate on insurance when the House sits again in the autumn.
We will have him here.
I would not be bold enough to suggest that. A debate on insurance would be worthwhile. A well-informed leak from the committee — I wonder where it came from — has suggested the Government's opposition to the introduction of a traffic corps on the national highways and byways should be reversed. I would welcome such a move. We should have a full debate in the autumn on the report, which was leaked to the Irish Independent today. We seem to get this report or a variation of it every summer — long may it be.
On behalf of the Labour Party group, I wish the Cathaoirleach, the staff of the House, the leaders and Members from other parties an enjoyable break from the plenary sessions of the House. It is obvious that committees will be meeting in the next few weeks. Given the level of productivity and co-operation that has marked this Seanad, we can be proud of our work and achievements, particularly in recent months.
I believe the new President of the European Commission has asked the governments of member states to nominate women to the new Commission. He should not have to look much further than this House for somebody who has huge experience, particularly in the transport area.
Is the Senator applying?
I would like to wish the Leader of the House every luck in that regard.
Hear, hear.
I do not want it.
One never knows. The Leader, who is very experienced and highly regarded, would make a popular choice.
In view of reports this morning that the Minister for Finance, Deputy McCreevy, is unlikely to loosen the purse strings in the Department of Health and Children, perhaps the beleaguered Minister of that Department, Deputy Martin, should set up a meeting with Mr. J.P. McManus in a final attempt to open some of the unused medical facilities around the country.
I join with others who have thanked the Cathaoirleach for the way he has conducted proceedings during the session and I include the Leas-Chathaoirleach in those thanks for his fair and balanced conduct of the House and his defence of Members whenever such was required. I congratulate the Clerk and the staff of the Seanad office who work very hard and whose work is generally unrecognised. It is only when one is in Opposition that their work on amendments and so on is appreciated. I have observed before that the burden on the Clerk is increasing all the time with additional responsibilities, including those relating to the Referendum Commission, and this must be reviewed soon. I join with Senator Hayes in thanking the staff of the Houses, including the ushers and others who have looked after us so well. I also thank the press, particularly Mr. Jimmy Walsh for his coverage in The Irish Times.
I wish to raise a matter that surfaced yesterday, namely, the findings of the European Commission on the environmental record of this country and that certain cases are being taken at the European Court of Justice. I noted the response of the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government, Deputy Cullen, yesterday afternoon. As a regular visitor to County Mayo, I have observed that overgrazing is a serious issue and there has been significant environmental degradation of the hills of that county. It is a welcome development that this degradation is being reduced but one must observe that the problem is a consequence of the imperative imposed by EU policy to overgraze. Payment was made on a headage basis so more sheep on the hills meant more money. The EU needs to look to its own record as the genesis of much of the environmental damage that was caused in the west of Ireland, which is not to say there were not also culpable individuals.
During the discussion of water safety in this House last week, I raised the matter of the implications of jet ski usage. There is an environmental aspect to this, particularly in the case of the shallow lakes of the midlands where I believe serious damage is being done to some of the aquatic life. I would like the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government to discuss these issues in this House in the autumn and to indicate the Government's plan and its future strategy on these issues and on illegal dumping.
I join in the tributes of the previous speakers to the Cathaoirleach. His sense of tolerance towards all Members during the last session, particularly during the Order of Business, was greatly appreciated. Those of us who have been Members of the other House can recognise and respect the difference here in that there are not the same impediments to raising issues of importance. Yesterday proved to me the benefit of the Seanad. I observed the debate on the State Airports Bill 2004 in the Dáil but found the contributions from Senators yesterday an enriching experience in terms not only of the knowledge of the legislation that was displayed but also the wider knowledge of all the pros and cons of the matter. Members' concerns were clearly expressed and are represented in the Committee Stage amendments which will be debated today for the Minister for Transport's consideration. This demonstrates the depth of debate that takes place in this House and we should recognise the quality of that debate and the good attendance, indicative of the tremendous interest in this and other legislation.
Hear, hear.
I propose an amendment to the Order of Business whereby No. 18, motion No. 18, which relates to undocumented Irish workers in the United States, would be taken without debate by agreement of the House.
I second Senator Leyden's motion, which is a useful one and it is appropriate to take it today when there is only one item on the Order of Business.
I join in the good wishes to the Cathaoirleach, staff and Members of the House for an enjoyable summer holiday, irrespective of where they holiday. There will always be a welcome for all Senators in beauty's home.
What about Senator Coghlan and me?
The Senators could go to Senator Coghlan's favourite hotel.
Will the Leader be able to secure a hotel? I did not get an answer on that point.
The honeymoon suite is always there.
I join Senator Hayes in his call for an early debate after the summer recess on insurance and I too read with interest the leak of the report this morning. We have a meeting today to discuss the matter and the report will be officially launched on Friday.
As I have said before, I hope that during the summer recess the Minister for Finance might provide significant increases in the income threshold limits for medical card eligibility. He has been urged to so by the Minister for Health and Children with whom he will shortly have a meeting on the matter. Medical practitioners throughout the country and the Irish Medical Organisation believe strongly that too many people are on the margins and are not properly benefiting from the health system. As politicians, we are aware of how many people have lost their medical cards. I make this plea which I hope will be a unanimous one from the House.
Virtually every week one reads of another person who has gone missing and the list seems to be growing all the time. They are often either people of a tender age or elderly people and it must be difficult for families not knowing whether their loved ones are alive or dead. I raised this matter in the House approximately three years ago and at that time the Government provided money in the budget for the establishment of a service that would enable communities to be involved in discovering information about missing people. This should be formalised into a missing persons bureau because when one considers some of the more high-profile cases, it seems quite certain that the people involved are in serious trouble or perhaps worse. If we are not proactive in this matter, we will continue to see posters at railway stations and bus stops seeking information on missing persons. Something of a superficial nature will not work because we are dealing almost with an epidemic.
Perhaps one of the Oireachtas committees might devote some time to this issue in the autumn session and invite some witnesses to speak about it. A focused approach is required if we are to arrive at a solution.
I indicated to Senator Leyden that the Fianna Gael party would be supportive of the motion he wishes to proposes and I wish to put that support on the record. The plight of undocumented Irish workers in the United States is a timely issue which has been debated in this House on numerous occasions. We must once more, as on so many occasions in the past, call on the United States authorities to look favourably on our requests. Previous programmes such as the Morrisson and Donnelly visa programmes were of tremendous assistance to people in this country and a similar type of scheme is warranted once again. I want to record our support for the motion submitted by Senator Leyden, which I hope will be accepted.
Did the Senator say he would welcome a debate?
No. I welcome the motion and if it is formally moved we will support it.
Members of the House have supported the view I have expressed on a number of occasions about the creation of an all-island football team as a means of drawing both sides of the island closer together. In light of the events of last weekend, there is no more unifying force than soccer or, as it is called internationally, the beautiful game. Gaelic football is a unifying force in the island but there are sectarian elements to the support of soccer in the North which, thankfully, is absent in the South. In light of that I am sure the Leader will agree that the initiative by the Football Association of Ireland last weekend to propose an all-island competition involving clubs from the League of Ireland and the Irish League is yet a further indication of the need for closer bonding and reconciliation between both sides of the island in a sporting sense. I hope the House would welcome this initiative and support it in any way possible as it is only a proposal and has not yet received any response from the northern authorities, the Irish Football Association. Perhaps the Leader might urge the Minister, in whatever capacity he has in this area, to encourage closer relationships between both sides. This is not a threat to either jurisdiction. It is merely a means of eliminating what is the last bastion of sectarianism in sport in this island, an example of which was the infamous 1994 match in Belfast, which Members will remember, and last week's incidents.
I am sure you will agree with me, a Chathaoirligh, that the wonderfully generous gesture of a Limerick native in contributing to the Limerick county board——
That is not relevant to the Order of Business.
I join other speakers in thanking everyone for their assistance in the past year and wish everyone success in the summer period, particularly in regard to all the renovations taking place in the Houses which I hope will be to the benefit of everyone working here.
I was startled to read a newspaper report yesterday which proves that more people are using cars to get to work and to travel. Some years ago the figure was one third of the population but now it is over a half. Fewer people are walking and cycling to work and we should have a debate on that in the autumn.
Metro.
We cannot continue to build roads. Lately, an extra lane was added to the Naas dual carriageway and there is no doubt that in a few years another lane will be needed. One wonders where we can go in the future.
Underground.
We need to debate that issue. We need a metro and new rail systems. It is worth noting that 100 years ago we had nearly 3,000 miles of railway line; we now have only 1,000. Perhaps we should go back in history to learn lessons.
Senator Brian Hayes, Leader of the Opposition, wished everybody a happy holiday. I take that as generic for everyone because it would be difficult to keep saying it. He called for a debate on what he called the leaked insurance report as soon as the Seanad returns after the summer recess. Such a debate would be interesting and useful.
Senator O'Meara raised the question of nominating women to the new Commission. I am aware the European Commission has sought that; we can see the results of such nominations in this House. The Commission wants more female participation at all levels within the EU and that is to be welcomed. She also asked about the Minister for Health and Children setting up a meeting with Mr. J.P. McManus. The Minister will make his own strong case in that regard. Senator O'Meara also extended best wishes to everybody.
Senator Dardis also extended his good wishes. He also raised the matter we discussed last week, namely, the environmental directive which is topical because we are being taken to court of it. At an early period, however, the EU encouraged overgrazing for sheep. In some instances it is the reaping of that which has now led to the need for this directive. That issue, and illegal dumping, should be raised.
I agree with Senator Finucane, as did Senator Hayes and others, on the importance of the Seanad. We cannot set ourselves up as a Chamber that only sits when the Dáil does not sit; that might be a little odd.
It would be much more useful.
We highlighted that we are a Chamber of debating skills and that there is a purpose to the Seanad. The more journalists we encourage to come to this House, the better it would be. I agree with Senator Finucane that it was a very useful exercise even though Members on all sides were complaining last week about having to come back this week. However, the exercise was well worth it. It is working out well and we will see where it all ends.
Senator Leyden raised a point about No. 18, motion 18, on which, judging by the comments from the floor, he has all-party backing. If you are agreeable, a Chathaoirligh, the motion can be taken without debate.
Are you accepting the amendment?
I am accepting the amendment and propose that the motion be taken without debate on an all-party basis.
At the conclusion of the Order of Business.
After the Order of Business. Senator Leyden's motion was seconded by Senator Norris.
Senator Coghlan referred to the income threshold limits for medical card eligibility. I will talk to the Senator later about our little holiday.
Senator Ó Murchú raised the question of a missing persons bureau, which he felt should be set up in a formal structure and that an Oireachtas committee might debate it in the autumn. That would be very useful. I do not know if he is talking about a particular case but we could have a word about it.
Senator Bradford also agreed with taking the motion No. 18 without debate.
I picked up on the point raised by Senator Mooney and I thought it was the epitomisation of what he raised here a week ago. I will draft a letter to the Minister for Arts, Sports and Tourism encouraging him to be vocal in his approval of an all-island soccer league or whatever they want to call it, which would be very useful.
He also referred to the generous Limerick man. We could all do with such a patron.
Senator Browne said that 50% of the population drive to work and very few people walk to work. I walked here this morning but that was more a matter of clearing my head. It is very useful to do so and perhaps we should have a debate on that issue. He also pointed out the miles of rail 100 years ago vis-à-vis the current position.
I thank you, a Chathaoirligh, for your forbearance and the good business relationship you and I enjoy. In particular I thank the Senators on all sides of the House. This Chamber has been very productive and useful.
In regard to the staff who service this Chamber, when we go into the office they make us very welcome in a free and easy way. They work flat out, particularly when there are many amendments, reports and so on to be dealt with. We are very conscious of the work record of the staff in this House and as Senator Dardis recorded, the Clerk undertakes many duties, and that has a fall-back effect on the rest of the staff and the workings of the House. That is something of which we all must be conscious. I wish everybody a happy holiday.
Senator Leyden moved an amendment to the Order of Business: "That No. 18, motion 18, be taken today." The Leader has indicated she is prepared to accept the amendment before we take No. 1. Is that agreed?
As the seconder of the motion I believe there should be a debate because we should have the opportunity to support it. In the context of the mean-minded attitude we took as an Irish people in the recent referendum we want to keep other people out and be as restrictive as possible, and at the same time we want special provisions for our own people.
(Interruptions).
Order. Senator Norris——
That is shameful and we should have an opportunity to make that point.
Hear, hear.
I will put the question.
We do not agree to take this motion without debate.
Question put: "That No. 18, motion No. 18, be taken and decided without debate."
The Seanad divided: Tá, 37; Níl, 5.
Tá
- Bradford, Paul.
- Brady, Cyprian.
- Brennan, Michael.
- Browne, Fergal.
- Burke, Paddy.
- Burke, Ulick.
- Coghlan, Paul.
- Coonan, Noel.
- Cox, Margaret.
- Daly, Brendan.
- Dardis, John.
- Dooley, Timmy.
- Finucane, Michael.
- Fitzgerald, Liam.
- Hanafin, John.
- Hayes, Brian.
- Kenneally, Brendan.
- Kett, Tony.
- Kitt, Michael P.
- Leyden, Terry.
- Lydon, Donal J.
- Mansergh, Martin.
- McHugh, Joe.
- Minihan, John.
- Mooney, Paschal C.
- Morrissey, Tom.
- Moylan, Pat.
- O’Brien, Francis.
- Ó Murchú, Labhrás.
- O’Rourke, Mary.
- Ormonde, Ann.
- Phelan, John.
- Phelan, Kieran.
- Scanlon, Eamon.
- Walsh, Jim.
- White, Mary M.
- Wilson, Diarmuid.
Níl
- McDowell, Derek.
- Norris, David.
- O’Meara, Kathleen.
- Quinn, Feargal.
- Ross, Shane.
Tellers: Tá, Senators Minihan and Moylan; Níl, Senators Norris and O’Meara.
Question declared carried.
I thank everybody who supported the motion.
Order, please.
Order of Business, as amended, agreed to.