The Order of Business is Nos. 1 and 2. No. 1, Health (Repayment Scheme) Bill 2006 — Committee Stage, to be taken on the conclusion of the Order of Business and to conclude not later than 5.30 p.m.; and No. 2, International Criminal Court Bill 2003 — Second Stage, to be taken between 5.30 p.m. and 7 p.m., with the contributions of spokespersons not to exceed 12 minutes and those of all other Senators not to exceed eight minutes. Senators may share time and the Minister will be called upon to reply not later than five minutes before the conclusion of Second Stage.
Order of Business.
I would like to mention an incident that occurred in Dublin last weekend. A young firefighter who works for the Dublin fire brigade service received 35 stitches to the face when a lunatic hooligan decided to throw a bottle at him. Such incidents constitute an increasing trend not only in Dublin but also in other cities. As I said some years ago, emergency workers such as firefighters, paramedics and nurses, who are often attacked by people who are out of their minds with drink, drugs or both, should be given additional legal protection. I understand that the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform is considering an amendment to the Criminal Justice Bill 2004, which is before the other House, in this regard. I would be grateful if it could be expedited in this House as soon as possible. We need to do something to help those who put themselves in the front line of hooliganism and vandalism and encounter people who are trying to destroy our society. We need to protect such people and the jobs they do. I ask the Government to accept the amendment to the Criminal Justice Bill 2004 as soon as possible. I hope Senators will have a chance to debate this matter if the legislation in question comes to the House before the summer break.
I wish to refer to something I said about RTE last week. I stated, with the support of other Members, that it had not covered debates in this House. Since then, I have been informed that while it had done so, it had changed the broadcasting time, which did not appear in the newspapers. It is important to withdraw that criticism.
However, I wish to replace it with a different criticism, which concerns the new programme scheduling. It proposes to remove programmes like John Kelly's "Mystery Train", which is a distinguished and unique form of broadcasting and which brought people's attention to groups such as the Buena Vista Social Club, of which they would not otherwise have heard. I also refer to broadcasters such as John Creedon, that inimitable voice, Val Joyce, as well as Myles Dungan's arts programme. There is a legitimate interest in this regard, because RTE is a national broadcaster. While I am happy to pay the licence fee, I do not see why I should do so, simply to get another music and blather station.
Hear, hear.
Members want a real national broadcaster and ought to support RTE in its provision of its traditional kind of distinguished coverage of the arts and other interests.
I also wish to raise the issue of Guantanamo Bay, especially in the light of the suicides of three inmates. They were astonishingly described by an official — whose own title, namely, the person with responsibility for political diplomacy, poses some questions — as a public relations stunt. It was some stunt and I doubt whether the official herself would be inclined to engage in such a stunt. It showed astonishing disrespect to so describe it. Moreover, I was amazed at the governor of the prison, who stated that it was an act of aggression against the United States and that it constituted asymmetrical warfare. He was correct in that the action could not have been more asymmetrical. It involved one imprisoned, shackled and tightly controlled person in his pyjamas against a nuclear power which has no scruples in respect of torture. That is certainly asymmetrical. However, it begs a series of questions and I am glad that the Government has at last woken up to what is happening at Shannon Airport. That issue will probably be a matter for tomorrow night's Private Members' debate.
The Government has called in the American ambassador because a civilian aircraft with more than 100 military personnel and a prisoner in shackles has been discovered. I congratulate the whistleblower, the cleaning lady, who made the discovery. A cleaning lady, or even a garda disguised as a cleaning lady, who boarded some of the other aeroplanes might not have found someone in shackles, but would have found the shackles. I am glad the House will debate this issue tomorrow night.
In addition, the House should have a wider debate on the Middle East, in the light of the bombing of a beach in Gaza, in which there were seven civilian casualties, as well as the apparent descent of Palestine into civil war. It has been stirred up and is the direct responsibility of all those countries, including Ireland, which meanly held back money from the suffering people of Palestine, although they did nothing whatever about the human rights violations or the implementation of the human rights protocols attached to the external association agreement between Israel and the European Union.
I call Senator Minihan. Rather, I call Senator Ryan. I apologise to Senator Ryan, for mixing up the Members from Cork.
I would not have allowed the Cathaoirleach to forget.
If the Cathaoirleach had wished me to continue, I would have been happy to oblige.
It is high time for the House to debate the Middle East. The participation of Ireland, through the European Union, on the assault on the people of Palestine and their elected Government is a particularly shameful moment. Moreover, it is a peculiar and confused morality which lectures one side for firing rockets while asking for restraint when the other side does so, or which is quite correctly horrified when children are killed by one side, but which almost leaves out the killing of children by the other. Apparently, this is because it did not aim at the children, who simply happened to be there.
This took place as recently as yesterday, when people, including children, were killed. Apparently, if there are children in a building when Israel decides it wants to kill someone, that is tough on the children. This is what Ireland supports when it subscribes to the world assault on the people of Palestine for not electing the Government which some people think they should have elected. Such a debate is desperately needed.
I would also welcome a debate on public sector broadcasting because those who lobbied me and others in both Houses for a proper licence fee have a right to an explanation. Senator Norris listed the people and a programme that have been dropped. As a friend of mine in Cork said, it appears that RTE Radio's philosophy is that during the day it should have neither culture nor culchies. All those with accents are being taken off the programme to give a bland, Dublin-based succession of people who sound the same, are the same and meet RTE's peculiar criterion.
Senators
Hear, hear.
There was a report in today's newspaper on the new phenomenon of homeless immigrants. Those who have been here long enough to know how I came to this House will know of my connection with the Simon Community. Although I have been aware of this for a while I was asked not to make a public issue of it, however it has been done. In view of the refusal to give people from accession States access to our welfare system, if their job does not work out they have no recourse to supplementary welfare, rent allowance or employment assistance. If their jobs fall apart they end up on the streets. A disproportionate number are being encountered by those who provide services for the homeless.
If we are not to create another underclass, one cut off by language and culture, it is time we intervened vigorously. Nobody who comes to this country to work should end up in a state of misery sleeping on our streets. I do not care how it is done, what we do with the law or what are the issues involved. We cannot claim to be a welcoming country for people who come to work here if we allow them to be abandoned on the streets because of the inadequacy of our welfare system.
I would like the Leader to allow us to have a debate on the international armaments race. Yesterday the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute revealed that last year, the world spent $900 billion on armaments. It is the most astonishing sum, is approximately five times Ireland's annual gross domestic product and dwarfs the international drugs industry by a factor of approximately ten. While the world is in perpetual uproar, correctly, about the international drugs trade, the sale of arms to tyrants, dictators and terrorists is tolerated all over the world. The difference is that drugs are made by poor people and sold to rich people while arms are generally made by rich people and sold to poor people. It is overdue for a House of the Oireachtas to debate this issue and the increasing evidence that Ireland is getting tangled up in it.
I support the statement by Senator Brian Hayes on the unprovoked attack on a member of the fire service. We should have strong laws to protect those working in our emergency services. It is not unusual for false calls to lure Garda cars, fire engines or ambulances into an area where they can be attacked by people. A clear message must go out on this issue.
I ask the Leader to arrange a debate on education, particularly on the points system. It would not be appropriate to do so now as the exams are ongoing. However there have been calls in the last few days for an examination of the points system on higher level maths and science subjects. This has been raised several times at the Joint Committee on Education and Science. The time has come for a review of the points system. In certain schools and colleges pupils, my son included, are encouraged not to take honours maths because of the amount of time it consumes but to take up other subjects instead. The code for playing the CAO system has been cracked in certain schools. I believe we should have a debate on this in the autumn.
There are concerns relating to the higher level maths paper but they will be dealt with in the fullness of time. A report today points out that yesterday's higher level geography paper was produced in colour while the ordinary level paper was unfortunately produced in black and white. The colour paper gives a significant advantage to students in analysing graphs and such. We should have a debate on all of these issues in the autumn.
The cancer strategy was launched yesterday and I request a debate in the next couple of weeks on various aspects thereof. We have no idea of the cost or timescale for implementing the strategy. The Tánaiste made an announcement indicating the merger of cervical cancer screening and breast cancer screening, but we do not know the implications of such a move. Previous debates in the House have shown that roll-outs have been announced but have not happened around the country.
I am disappointed that there has been no initiative on prostate cancer screening. In every debate on health in the House many contributions have been made on the need for men to get regular health checks, yet on this issue the State has failed to implement a screening process. I do not understand why there cannot be a national screening process for prostate cancer. Many men in this House will, unfortunately, contract this in the course of their lives. Indeed it is somewhat topical in that our former Taoiseach, Charles Haughey, died today having fought prostate cancer for many years. I ask the Leader to arrange a debate and have the Tánaiste clarify to this House the costs and timescale for the implementation of the cancer strategy.
Media reports, especially in The Irish Times last week, referred to the abandonment of the western rail corridor, which represents only 1% of the total budget of €31 billion under Transport 21. I hope there will be a debate on this issue as it is relevant at the moment and it is relevant to a motion I tried to raise on the Adjournment, which the Acting Chairman had to refuse, relating to train stops. If we had that debate I would have the opportunity to say I do not think Iarnród Éireann is fulfilling its role in providing a proper train service in the west. If Iarnród Éireann is behind the attempt to scupper the western rail corridor I will be very disappointed. Dublin Bus receives subsidies and we know what the DART and Luas cost to set up and it would be unfair to leave out the western rail corridor.
Hear, hear.
I support what has been said regarding the national broadcaster, however I am still not clear about the future of the section on farming matters on the "Five Seven Live" programme on RTE Radio 1. Senator Dardis presented it in the past and it provided necessary information to people in the farming community. Will RTE allow this to continue in the autumn schedule?
I would like the Leader to invite the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children to the House to debate the inadequacy of the nursing home subvention. This might help to relieve the hardship and financial stress imposed on families throughout the country. I know families and relatives that have mortgaged their homes to pay for elderly parents and relatives in nursing homes. The subvention has not kept up with inflation and there has not been an increase in several years and we all know the high cost of private nursing homes. The cost of heating oil, insurance and wages have all risen considerably in the last two years, yet there has been no increase in the nursing home subvention.
There is a crisis with regard to public nursing home spaces with the result that people are forced to send their elderly relatives to private nursing homes. It is important we debate this issue, as it is a very sad reflection on our society when we see people having to mortgage their homes in a time of plenty in order to look after the people who served this State well over the years. Perhaps the Leader will urgently arrange a debate and try to pressure the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children, Deputy Harney, to increase the nursing home subvention.
All of us in the Houses of the Oireachtas came into public life in the hope we could give some service to our people. At the same time we hoped to give a voice to those who have none. As a nation, we needed such action in the past. What is currently happening to the Palestinian people and in Guantanamo Bay is challenging all our consciences.
Hear, hear.
It would seem that morality has now gone to the bottom of the list of priorities. We seem to depend on idealistic young people to give voice to an issue, although it may not be politically correct.
Currently, if a country or person is in the right club — particularly the club headed by the American Administration — then anything goes. This is not fair to the American people. They have made it clear in various talk shows we have heard, columns in the newspapers and polls that they are not happy with what is happening at the moment in their name.
In fairness to the Government, it should be said it has gone out on a limb on many occasions, very often as a lone voice, to ensure that morality would be centre stage. I have said this many times previously. We should be careful to unite our voices here. There is no doubt that what is happening at the moment in Iraq and the Middle East as a whole will come back to haunt us. There is no point in us putting up our hands and stating that we did not know.
Hear, hear.
We are fully aware of what is happening, we know it is not right and we know it is vital for all independent minded countries which are neutral and respect sovereignty to continue to give a voice. This voice would be a voice of protest and support, and we have lent it in the past.
Hear, hear.
A "Prime Time" investigation last night on RTE dealt with the tenth anniversary of the ruthless assassination of Veronica Guerin. It is harrowing and worrying to see that we have regressed in the fight against drugs. Up to 100 drug lords are operating from Spain with impunity. My heart goes out to the families, brothers, sons and daughters who must put up with the serious drugs problem all over the country but especially in inner-city Dublin. There appears to be indecision in Europol which is allowing these drug lords to act with impunity.
We have had debates on the ever-increasing rate of road traffic accidents. There are extra gardaí on the roads or in the Garda traffic corps. We must have a debate — a wake-up call — to seek extra resources to deal with the ongoing drugs problem. The Government should lobby at EU level and try to get a decent agreement which will ensure a proper fight against these drug lords in Spain and around Europe.
We have a duty in this House to highlight these issues. They are coming down the line very fast, but we appear to be very naive about what is happening. I thank the Cathaoirleach for his indulgence, but we must have a debate on this very soon. It is the tenth anniversary of Veronica Guerin's death and we should remember her. There was much action following her death, such as the establishment of the Criminal Assets Bureau, but we are losing sight of this serious issue, which will affect the youth of our country. We should deal with it sooner rather than later.
I endorse what Senator ÓMurchú so eloquently stated about Guantanamo Bay and Palestine.
I rise to support the call by Senators Brian Hayes and Minihan for protection for the emergency services. It is appalling that people whose jobs are vital to life-saving should themselves be exposed to risk and injury. The North has seen a frightening development which may happen here. In some areas these services are called out precisely so they can be ambushed. They provide a type of circus for people who seek a riot. While legal protection is important and should be put in train, these people serve the community and we should call on community leaders and parents. Most of those engaged in these activities are young people. Communities have a duty to protect those people who come out to succour them in their need.
Hear, hear.
Hear, hear.
Almost every night a public meeting is held in a parochial hall somewhere in the country regarding fears about planning applications for telephone masts and other communications equipment. We must live in the real world and agree that from an industrial and communications perspective ongoing progress and development must take place. However, many local communities are scared because of a lack of information and confusion surrounding risks posed by this equipment to the health of their families and children. These masts are erected near schools, community facilities and housing estates.
We need a national debate and national regulations. Local authorities appear to approach planning applications for such equipment in varying fashions. We should have a streamlined national system which would allow progress to continue but which would also ensure the serious questions asked by citizens are addressed and answered fully and transparently. Will the Leader arrange that the appropriate Minister will come to the House and debate planning for communications equipment? It is an important issue which causes a great deal of concern. It must be addressed at national level.
I support what was stated about the drugs situation, the death of Veronica Guerin and the brave acts of that girl who, as a journalist took on the godfathers of drug distribution and the drugs trade. Many of the young people who go to discos and nightclubs know the names of those peddling drugs. However, they will not tell because there is a cloak of secrecy over the distribution of drugs. Many people, particularly those in the medical profession, state that cannabis is not only a gateway drug, but has extremely serious side effects, not least mental side effects, yet others, some of whom have been elected, advocate the legalisation of cannabis. If ever society had a death wish that is it. Everybody in society is a referee. The confidential telephone number should be used. If a person has information he or she should blow the whistle. Those people must be put out of circulation.
Senator Brian Hayes, the Leader of the Opposition, raised the matter of the young firefighter who went to do his public service and by way of thanks got 35 stitches in his face from what Senator Hayes described as a "lunatic hooligan". While firefighters are paid by a town or city council, much of their work is of a voluntary nature and for that to happen is appalling. Senator Hayes called for additional legal protection for those who work in the public emergency services and asked that, if the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform tables an amendment to his Bill, it be accepted as soon as possible.
Senator Norris raised the issue of RTE. He said the debate in the Seanad was broadcast last week but that it did not state in the newspapers when it would be shown. Most of us check the agenda in the newspaper if we want to watch a programme. There was a stunning picture of the Senator on the front page of The Irish Times today and he cannot complain in this regard.
Senator Norris referred to the manner in which some programmes are being displaced by RTE. Myles Dungan was a shining light and his programme "Rattlebag" is brilliant. On this programme one might hear Peruvian singers or a storyteller from Chile. No matter what one says, this is an island and "Rattlebag" gives us a chance to hear things from other countries and continents. I do not know why it is being displaced until 11 p.m. — an amazing decision. It is the quirky voice of John Kelly, who presents "The Mystery Train", that attracts one, in addition to his commentary on the music he is featuring.
Senator Norris also referred to the suicides at Guantanamo Bay, which were described by some PR lady in the United States as a PR stunt — I ask you — and by others as an act of aggression. The Senator wants a wider debate on the Middle East.
Senator Ryan called for a debate on Palestine and Israel and agreed with what was said on public sector broadcasting, on which he also wants a debate. He referred to the new phenomenon of homeless immigrants, who are now part of our lives and abandoned on our streets. He called for a debate on the arms industry, which is now worth €900 billion.
Senator Minihan called for a debate on the education and points systems. These would be suitable for debate in the autumn and it would be wrong to debate them now. Everybody is talking about the fact that one cannot do leaving certificate higher level mathematics. Even the most adept at mathematics in secondary schools say one must spend far too much time on the subject, at the expense of other subjects. Reference was made to the clear mistake in the geography papers at honours and pass levels, whereby the former was produced in colour while the latter was not.
Senator Browne asked for the details and cost of the cancer report and called for a debate on prostate cancer. On Senator Kitt's point, it is now fashionable to speculate on the western rail corridor. Some are saying it should not go ahead in spite of all the work put into it. People who live in Dublin and use the DART and Luas, for example, forget that a wider part of Ireland needs its rail services.
Hear, hear.
The way the media have begun to write about the western rail corridor does not bode well for it. Those concerned would want to get their act together and get stroppy about it again.
Senator Kitt also referred to the national broadcaster and the future of farming. Senator Bannon asked for the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children to be invited to the House to debate nursing home subventions. We had a very good debate last week on Second Stage of the nursing home legislation. It concerned repayments but was essentially about nursing homes and presented a very good opportunity to Senators to talk about subventions.
Senator Ó Murchú raised the issue of Guantanamo Bay and referred to voices against the war in Iraq. He called for a debate on the Middle East. Senator Feighan referred to the great proliferation of drugs in our community. Senator Maurice Hayes referred to the need to protect those who work in the emergency services. I agree because these are the people we call upon when we need them.
Packed meetings are again taking place around Ireland on the subject of mobile telephone masts. I believed this subject had passed on. The people at these meetings are sometimes the ones who complain they cannot get a signal or service, but one cannot have it both ways.
Hear, hear.
There should be a national regulation and information provided on whether there are inherent dangers associated with telephone masts.
Senator Glynn called for a debate on drugs. He referred to those who want to decriminalise cannabis, although it is a gateway drug, and to its mental side effects.
Senators will note four or five short new Bills on the Order Paper for this week and will also note that more are to follow, including the very extensive Criminal Justice Bill. The latter will require considerable debate. I do not know whether we will have time for debates on other issues but we want to complete the debates and the legislation we have on hand before the recess.
Order of Business agreed to.