The Order of Business is No. 1, motion re 2009 allocation of the horse and greyhound racing fund, to be taken without debate at the conclusion of the Order of Business; and No. 2, Electoral (Amendment) Bill 2009 — Second Stage, to be taken at the conclusion of No. 1, with spokespersons having 15 minutes, all other Senators 12 minutes, and on which Senators may share time by agreement of the House.
Order of Business.
This afternoon I pay tribute to our great sportspeople——
Hear, hear.
——who brought such pride and joy to this nation over the weekend. The Irish rugby team won the Grand Slam, ending a 61 year wait for such glory and giving us more than a few heart-stopping moments in the process. The whole country was clearly delighted and it was wonderful to have such a reason to celebrate. I also congratulate my constituent and Palmerstown resident Bernard Dunne on his superb achievement.
We are having questions to the Leader on the Order of Business. I do not want to turn this into——
Come on. It is an historic occasion.
We all support the sentiments expressed.
I am sure the Cathaoirleach does.
On the Order of Business.
If it was the GAA it would be a different matter.
I am sure the Cathaoirleach would not expect me to refrain from commenting on those wonderful sporting achievements that have brought so much pride to the country.
Turning to the Fine Gael team, I welcome my new colleague, Senator Ciaran Cannon, the former leader of the Progressive Democrats, who has joined Fine Gael today.
Hear, hear.
It is a credit to the leadership of Deputy Enda Kenny and the strong team he has built that Senator Cannon is joining us today, and it is a vote of confidence in an alternative Government and the alternative economic policies of Fine Gael and Deputy Kenny.
Hear, hear.
I welcome Senator Cannon to the Fine Gael team today. I must comment on the disparity in the figures being quoted by various Government members at present. The Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, Deputy Brendan Smith, mentioned the possibility of €6 billion in cuts and then corrected himself, while the Minister for Foreign Affairs, Deputy Martin, said last night that the figures are not really the point and the Government was not focusing on them. However, the figures do make quite a difference. A sum of €1.5 billion would have a major impact on people's lives. Whether it is money for special needs, for a family which needs subvention for an elderly relative, or for an autistic child who needs a new special needs class in his or her school, many sections of society will be severely affected depending on the level of Government borrowing and where savings are to be made. It is essential we have clarity on this. I ask the Leader to ensure the Minister for Finance comes to the House as quickly as possible to discuss the Government budget strategy so we can have a proper pre-budget debate on Thursday when the House is scheduled to discuss the budget.
It is ridiculous for the Government to talk about the Opposition putting forward proposals when the figures are in such dispute. The numbers mentioned by the Taoiseach have gone from €2 billion to €4 billion and potentially to €6 billion. In that context, and without a full briefing for the Opposition, it is difficult to have a real discussion. We want proper information, which we have not yet got from the Department of Finance, proper details and proper briefings. That is essential if we are to have a full debate in the House on Thursday.
Will the Leader arrange a meeting of the Committee on Procedure and Privileges, along with the Cathaoirleach, to discuss how the business of the House can be done more efficiently? We have had several proposals from Fine Gael in this regard and these need to be taken further at the next meeting of the committee.
The country faces a national day of industrial action next Monday. This is unnecessary and does not need to happen.
Senators
Hear, hear.
It is a direct result of the uncertainty about figures and objectives referred to by Senator Fitzgerald. The Government must explain to the social partners what it is doing, what its objective is and what the problem is.
This industrial action is unusual. It reflects anger and uncertainty among workers across the country. It is different from industrial action that seeks to reverse a Government decision or change a policy position, it relates to people not feeling part of the decisions made by the Government. ICTU tried to put forward a ten point plan that it could use to engage with the Government — even Senator Butler on the Government side said it should be discussed. This must be done and I appeal at the eleventh hour to the Government to engage with ICTU and the social partners to clear the way so this strike does not go ahead.
No one at leadership level in the trade union wants the strike. It is a response from people to the way they have been treated. The social partners need something they can champion and explain to their members and we will then be able to move forward, united as a society. That is the objective and the Government has the opportunity to do it. It is easier to prevent this difficulty now than to pick up the pieces afterwards. Rather than look at what might happen next Monday during the strike, we should focus on preventing it. The leadership of the trade union movement has a clear view that this can and should be prevented with movement by Government to demonstrate its objectives.
The first item on today's Order of Business is referral to committee of the Horse and Greyhound Racing Fund Regulations proposal. That should not be in front of us and we should not be referring it to committee. In last year's budget, there was a provision for the introduction of a betting tax that was deferred until 1 May. Because that tax has not been introduced, the Government and the taxpayer must now find the money to fund this industry. I support the industry but, as Horse Racing Ireland believes, it should be funded through taxation at bookmakers rather than by the general taxpayer. We are funding huge betting companies that are avoiding tax by lodging money in places such as the Isle of Man. That tax should be imposed now, as proposed in the budget, and we should introduce legislation to prevent tax avoidance in the gambling industry. I do not say this from a puritan viewpoint but from an economic viewpoint. It is another example of the lack of Government planning.
Every possible effort should be made to avert the strike planned for Monday, 30 March. It is not enough for people to accuse the trade unions of sabotage, as has been done in some quarters. The only thing to do is to act along the lines suggested by Senator O'Toole where the Taoiseach and the Government engage with the representatives of tens of thousands of Irish workers and employees about the uncertainty, fear and anger that exists about the current situation.
That anger and frustration can only have been added to by two more events: the extraordinary arrangement Mr. McCaughey appears to have made and the continuing controversy surrounding the bonus paid to Mr. Fingleton. What impact does the Minister for Finance think those failures have on the outlook of ordinary workers across the State? People feel they have no other option but to take industrial action. They are wrong, however, because they have another option — I understand their believing they have no choice but to take strike action on Monday. In those circumstances, the Government must act now to ensure a seriously damaging general strike is averted next Monday. I ask the Leader to communicate directly to the Taoiseach and his Government colleagues that view, which is certainly my party's view.
Serious action needs to be taken today but, as seems likely, it will not be through social partnership, which appears either to have been paused or set aside completely, although I see no reason for that. Of course it is a matter for the Government to deal with the economy and make all the necessary decisions which can be debated in this House. I accept that we live in a democracy, but that does not mean the Taoiseach does not have the power or the responsibility to engage with the representatives of employees across the State. In the public sector, for example, they have been faced with the so-called pension levy and the income levy, with promises of more to come in two weeks. Therefore action is required today. Even IBEC indicated at the weekend that it was prepared to engage with ICTU on these issues. If IBEC is prepared to engage, surely the Government should do so.
A large number of Members have indicated their wish to contribute on the Order of Business, but as I have a limited amount of time I ask them to be brief and to the point.
In the same way that the Government must plan ahead in a phased way to deal with the economic crisis and reassure the public that there is such a plan, the same obligation to plan is on the Government regarding other crucial aspects, such as public order and safety. I am referring to the criminal justice system. The recent rape and murder case in Galway raises serious questions about the equity of keeping the full context of crimes from a jury. I am not a criminal justice lawyer and I do not know how this can be done. However, there must be prudential situations about which it would be a good idea for the jury to know — at least, before sentencing — or be allowed to comment in some way when the verdict is brought in. I do not know how it can be done but it is disgusting that this person can get away with that without the jury knowing it.
On a recent visit to New York I was struck by three aspects of the criminal justice system there. First, the speed of the police response to incidents on streets was enormously fast. I was on the lower east side of Manhattan, which is not the most salubrious part of New York. Second, there were very few such incidents. It is shocking to think that during the entire week I was in New York there was not a murder in Manhattan, while it would be normal in Dublin. Third, I was also struck by the severity of their criminal justice system as regards white collar crime. Bernie Madoff is in a cell with lights on 23 hours a day. He gets one hour of recreation and the New York Post is given to him one month late. We do not have that kind of severe system.
With economic pressure on the population, especially working class people, there will be more crimes against property. It is unconscionable that jails are full of people who have committed minor crimes against property. I have never equated such crimes with crimes against the person and neither does the public. Crimes against the person should be dealt with severely, but it is ridiculous that in this day and age people are still in jail for minor crimes against property, such as stealing a pair of runners from Dunnes Stores. The jails should be opened up and different methods should be found to deal with minor crimes against property. We know they are going to increase so we should plan for that. We should also plan for a much more severe criminal justice system against real criminals, including financiers and others, who commit crimes against the person and serious crimes against property.
The past few weeks have been good for this country. The welcome that Brian Cowen received in Washington from President Obama was very uplifting.
The Senator should refer to the Taoiseach.
He is a new Member.
The Taoiseach, Deputy Brian Cowen. The victories on the sports field and Bernard Dunne's victory in the WBA super bantamweight title fight were also good for the country. It just shows what we are capable of. We are all agreed that the most severe economic crisis is confronting the country. We have gone through the process of denial, which is common with economic bubbles. There is denial that the problem exists, eventually there is an acknowledgement of the problem and then there is a search for solutions. At this stage it is a question of implementing some immediate solutions and the budget is the focus of that. Speakers have referred to the national strike on Monday, 30 March, but it is simply insane and should be abandoned unconditionally by the Irish Congress of Trade Unions. The reality is the unions are still in denial. This is not a criticism of the unions, their members or those concerned at the severity of the cutbacks and the pension levies. I accept there are people in the public service at the lower end of the pay scales who have been badly affected by the pension levies. However, we have to find solutions and everyone must play their part.
The trade union leadership, which is part of the problem, is out of step with its own members. That can be judged by the reaction to some of the industrial action that has taken place to date. The leadership is certainly out of step with the country. We are trying to find solutions in this and the Lower House. The unions should play their part in this and abandon unconditionally the proposed industrial action for next Monday. The Government should not be arm-twisted with some secret deal done to secure a reversal. The trade union leadership must rethink this strike and abandon it. That would be in the public and its members interest.
I am very heartened by Senator Regan's comments and welcome them. I have been a trade unionist all my life. I have held union office and served on the picket line when necessary. However, I believe next Monday's general strike is wrong.
I feel especially sorry for the trade union leadership. They have been endeavouring to give leadership and bring home the message of the seriousness of the economic situation. This was evident on last night's "Questions and Answers". Right across the political divide, it was clear people were saying we must all pull together if we are going to arrive at a solution to the current recession. One young woman in last night's audience struck a chord with me. She said she had lost her job and is now living on €200 a week. Many of those who will go on strike next Monday have a job, job security and pension rights.
Whatever frustration brought about the necessity for this strike in the eyes of those who want it, I believe they should reflect on this. The damage they will do to any hope we have into the future will be immense. Above all, it will send a message outside of this island to prospective investors, the very people we are endeavouring to woo back into the country, and those already based here, whom we are endeavouring to keep on our side. I am not against bridge building. If there were a possibility of the social partners coming back to the table in a formalised manner, so that should be. I do not believe anyone should suggest at this stage that it is right to proceed with a general strike and to cripple the economy, particularly when so many people have lost their jobs and many more face such a prospect.
I endorse what Senators Regan and Ó Murchú said. It beggars belief what will happen next Monday.
Hear, hear.
What would a prospective investor outside Ireland — we have to impress these people at the moment — make of the Irish people going on general strike when faced with the greatest economic crisis they have ever come across? What is proposed is complete and utter economic madness and suicide.
I agree with Senator Regan that the trade unions must make an unconditional declaration they will not have a strike of any sort next Monday. At least they can wait for the budget. Everyone knows they will have an input into the budget. Everyone knows talks go on with the social partners before and after budgets, whether they are open or secret, and there is huge influence.
What in the name of God are the unions attempting to do in trying to destroy the fragile economy of this country next week? I do not understand this. The airports will be closed. What message is that going to send to people outside Ireland? Aside from who would invest in such a country as this anyway, when they see we are going on general strike and the country is strike ridden, they certainly will not do so.
The proposed strike is national vandalism. I appeal to the unions to call it off today and not to start playing brinkmanship with this. The only people who will be destroyed are their own members. More jobs will be lost as a result of the action to be taken next Monday. The economy of the country will suffer and it is in no situation to do so.
There is a second matter of which the House should be aware, and perhaps the Leader will enlighten the House on the matter or arrange a debate on it. I attended the meeting today of the Oireachtas Committee on Economic Regulatory Affairs. There was even more disturbing news at that committee than what we are used to. A former auditor from Allied Irish Banks made a statement which carries a credibility which I believe we can trust. He claimed that he warned the then Financial Regulator, that is, the Financial Regulator before last, about the over-charging in the banking system and that this was comprehensively buried by the regulator. What we are seeing is not just that the current system of regulation is not working but also that the past system did not work. He said he not only produced information on the over-charging, which was not released but was deliberately buried and, indeed, concealed, but he also produced information to the regulator about the most extraordinary shareholder dealings in offshore tax havens. The regulator was apparently very shocked about it when the auditor spoke to him but he did absolutely nothing about it.
There is no credibility left in the financial regulatory system in Ireland and there has not been for a long time. Damage is being done abroad not just in terms of financial regulation, where these revelations are sensational, but also by the dangers of the strike which we face next week. We must cop ourselves on and take urgent action on both issues to restore what is left of international confidence in this country.
I appeal to the social partners and the unions to call off the absolute madness that is proposed. They cannot even get two thirds majority support for it in the unions. If necessary, they should be injuncted to ensure that the regulations and rules are adhered to. I have long been a supporter of the social partnership. It has been an important part of the social structure in recent years. It is right to have a social partnership but it is not right that the social partners should dictate to the Government how budgets should be structured. That is the job of the public representatives in both Houses.
I support my colleague, Senator Ó Murchú, who gave a fine definition of what we should do and the responsibility of the trade unions. Indeed, Senator Regan made a fine contribution today to common sense, which should——
Common ground at last.
Senator Butler, without interruption.
When somebody says something right, I believe in supporting it. Senator Regan struck a very important note today in that regard.
I appeal to the unions to take a patriotic approach to this, an approach like that to the great win on Saturday. That was a team effort. The current situation cannot be overcome unless there is a team effort. The unions could do a great service to themselves and the people they represent in this regard. They should also think about the people who are losing their jobs each day in the private sector. The unions and the social partners have not yet woken up to this. It is a serious situation and I appeal again for the strike to be called off. If necessary, a court injunction should be sought against the unions because they do not have their two thirds mandate for a strike. I thank the Cathaoirleach for giving me time on the Order of Business.
This is extraordinary, I thought I was living in a democracy until I heard the Members' opposite. The frustration of the people——
The Senator should ask a question please.
He has only started.
I am coming to the question.
A Senator
Senator Buttimer has been frustrated for a long time.
That is some haircut the Senator has; it is a hair shirt.
No interruptions are allowed.
The frustration of the people is born out of the lack of leadership from Government. The Government has divided citizens, public against private. As a consequence of a failed economic policy hundreds of thousands of our fellow citizens are now unemployed. When does the Leader propose to bring the Minister for Finance to the House? I might be wrong but, according to my records he has not been here since the recapitalisation plan at the end of September.
Can I also ask the Leader when the Government is going to tell Mr. Fingleton to stop, hand the money back and give real leadership to the people? There is no point in calling in the two members of the bank's board and giving a little finger-wagging public relations exercise. The people are sickened and disgusted by the cronyism that is continuing and is being supported by the Leader's party in Government. They want to see real action. It is not good enough for the Green Party and the Minister to cycle on his bike to Government Buildings——
The point has been made.
I am asking the question because I am representing the views of the ordinary people who have a voice in this House. When are we going to see real action? Senator Boyle can smile and go on local radio but I say to him that people want action.
I compliment the IRFU on not having any politician on the stage in Dawson Street last Sunday. At least no one on that side could jump on the bandwagon. I have raised the point in the House on numerous occasions that we have had no debate on the performance of Irish sport. The Olympic Games will be held in London in 2012. The Irish Sports Council, which commissioned the Genesis report, is at loggerheads with the Olympic Council of Ireland. There does not appear to be any planning or co-ordinated, joined-up thinking regarding sport in Ireland. It is imperative we have a debate on the matter and that in advance of 2012 in London we can use this country as a base for athletes.
Like other Senators I, too, call for the strike planned for next Monday not to go ahead. I do not believe it serves any useful purpose and on those grounds it should not proceed. If it takes an intervention to stop it from going ahead then that intervention should be sought. If it takes a formal restoration of the social partnership process then that too should be given every consideration. In restoring the social partnership process all the social partners need to be aware we are in an era where difficult and unpopular decisions will have to be made. If that were to precipitate a decision not to proceed with a strike on Monday, it would be the beginning of a process in which we as a nation need to engage.
I also join in the calls made by other Senators for a debate on the banking system. I am aware we are having a debate on Thursday on pre-budget statements but the news that came out of the Joint Committee on Economic Regulatory Affairs today was very disturbing. There is ongoing concern at the events in Irish Nationwide. While I have made several comments in recent weeks on the resignation of the chair of that board, the revelations about the interaction of Irish Nationwide with Anglo Irish Bank, and the news about the €1 million bonus payment and the €27.6 million pension pot that exists for the acting chief executive who has continued in office in that organisation for no reason whatever, I am surprised there has been so little political comment from other political parties in this Chamber. If we are serious about bringing about——
What is Senator Boyle or the Government doing about it?
I am making the comment that in terms of this individual and bank there has been a near political silence.
That is rubbish.
The Senator has not been listening. That is rubbish.
We need to have a debate on general regulation here to air these things.
That is what we have been asking for.
I have said what I have said.
The Government side is not listening. That is the problem.
Senator Boyle, without interruption.
I would like to see the series of press releases released by the Fine Gael Party since yesterday week or ten days ago. I have not seen them or heard any Fine Gael members make those statements.
The Senator should have listened to the Fine Gael leader, Deputy Enda Kenny, today.
Deputy Kenny spoke about it on the plinth at 2 p.m.
The Senator is becoming a communist now.
In terms of how we need to inform the process of bringing about real and proper regulation, the Government is engaged in such an exercise. This House needs to be involved by having a debate and helping identify best international practice to ensure the regulation that will exist, probably for the first time ever, will be the best it possibly can be.
The Government brought in regulation, but did not address it.
I welcome the presence of Mr. John Drennan in the Press Gallery on what I think is his third visit in a long, distinguished and somewhat acerbic career as a political analyst ——
Hear, hear.
It is not appropriate to the Order of Business to welcome anybody to the Press Gallery.
I hope his newspaper group will show a sustained interest in this House from now on.
Has the Senator a question appropriate to the Leader?
On the issue of the proposed strike, I am glad to be a member of three trade unions, IFUT, the NUJ and Equity and support the trade union movement. However, on each occasion I have voted against this strike. Senator O'Toole may well be correct that the trade unions are angry, but an angry response is not necessarily a rational one. I have heard of people cutting off their noses to spite their faces, but in this case they are cutting off their faces to spite their noses. The proposed strike is excessive action.
I also criticise employers because it is clear unions are being provoked by employers who are making use of the difficult financial situation to cut back and not pay legitimate wages. People are also provoked by the behaviour of people like Mr. Fingleton. I understood Irish Nationwide was a mutual society, but if that is the case, Mr. Fingleton's idea of mutuality and mine are quite opposed. I understand the €28 million pot was described as a group insurance scheme. His definition of "group" is also unusual, because it appears to be confined entirely to himself. This is very provocative when so many people are losing jobs.
A number of property speculators who have driven this country into the mess we are in have indicated publicly they are not in a position to pay their debts or even the interest on their borrowings. Meanwhile, a 37 year old single mother of two was jailed last week for a month for non-payment of €5,800 to one of the financial institutions. Where is the equity in that? Is it any wonder people are angered? I share the anger of the trade unions, but I try to hold on to my rational intellect. The picture of Ireland this strike will project outside the country is disastrous.
On sport, does the Leader agree that the qualities displayed by the Irish rugby team in its extraordinary and historic victory were ones that could be taken on board by Government? I mean perseverance, fortitude, refusal to panic in awkward and difficult circumstances——
Hear, hear.
—— and ability to keep the pressure on consistently according to plan until it achieved victory in a difficult situation. These are the kind of qualities the Government needs. Consider too how the team united the country. There was not much political verbiage. I saw the team coming back at the airport and saw Ulstermen there delighted to see the tricolour. Ulster voices intimated they were thrilled with the Dublin crowd. Such sports victories, and the rugby victory was not the only victory, does more to lift spirits than anything. Not only was there the rugby victory, there was also the victory of Bernard Dunne who behaved with equal decency and sportsmanship——
Has the Senator a question on the Order of Business?
Let us not forget either the victory of Katie Taylor, another world champion and a woman. That was a day of which we could all be very proud.
I recognise that.
I join those who called on the chief executive officer of Irish Nationwide to return his bonus. Serious questions must also be asked about his pension fund. I acknowledge he is a man who has done a lot over the years to build up the mutual society and that he deserves quite a bit of credit for it. Unfortunately, what has happened brings the whole system into disrepute.
When Senator Boyle was speaking, Senators on the other side of the House were agreeing with him and taking up his invitation. The leaders of this House should table an agreed motion whereby the House would call unanimously on the chief executive officer to do the appropriate and right thing in the circumstances. That is very important when starting to restore equity and public confidence.
Will the Leader allow a debate at an early stage on banking? We have all heard the absolutely true assertions of excessive payments being made but all plcs have questions to answer on their remuneration and on the cosy operations within board rooms that give rise to extraordinary payments to chief executives and higher executives. This disadvantages shareholders.
I join those speakers who asked that there be a rethink within trade union circles on the general strike. It smacks of economic suicide. I can understand the position and the difficulties that arise and I can also understand why highly paid people within the unions feel it necessary to take a populist line, perhaps to protect their own positions as much as those of their members. The people who will suffer from the general strike first are the unions' members in the private sector through increased unemployment as we start sending out negative signals that this is not an employer-friendly location in which to do business. The very people who are prompting the strike in the public service could be the main sufferers from the reaction to what will happen here.
I watched a very good programme last night on the BBC and it is a pity we cannot see it on our own national broadcaster.
We are not into programmes.
The point I want to come to is that the programme dealt with the economic circumstances in Latvia which was rescued by the IMF. The IMF, as a condition of its support, sought and received a 35% decrease in public service salaries. When the IMF rescued Argentina, the number of people working in the public service was halved and the salaries of the other half were halved. If we do not join together to meet the challenges that exist, this will be the outcome for everybody. The unions, as partners within the social partnership structure, will have to accept that they have contributed to the problems to some extent and therefore have a responsibility to resolve them in a way——
We cannot have a debate now.
——that does not bring the whole economy down.
I am outraged at the thought of a national general strike next Monday. As a former member of IFUT and of the INTO, of which I am now an associate member, I am greatly disappointed with the misguided and poor leadership shown by teachers' unions. They have been encouraging teachers to strike when fewer than 50% of them voted for a strike in the ballot. This point needs to be made in the context of our economy, which is haemorrhaging jobs, and of how we present ourselves to the wider world from which we want to borrow money. We are putting the examinations of our pupils under threat and receiving calls from parents who are saying the proposals are having a demotivating effect on the students.
The Government must take responsibility. I am touched by the fact the House is united on this issue.
Has the Senator a question for the Leader?
I am coming to my question, which will be appropriate. The Government has created and pandered to the leaders who are now calling for the national general strike. The Government must intervene now and it is time we examined the reconstruction of a social partnership that can serve the country at this time. Like everybody here, I call for the general strike to be called off. However, as I did last week, I also call for a debate with the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment and the Taoiseach on social partnership and how it can serve our needs.
I also want to discuss the value to this country of the English language teaching sector. We are losing billions of euro because of a non-friendly visa system. The English language teaching sector earns €500 million in revenue for this country. In the UK it earns €12 billion, in Australia it earns €6 billion and in New Zealand it earns €4 billion. Our visa system does not allow English language schools to attract the business here. It is time we debated with the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the issue of creating a friendly visa system which would attract these billions of euro. We have a perfect and competent teacher workforce. We have clear diction, good English teaching capacity and a welcoming country.
I do not want to repeat what colleagues have stated but I add my voice to those urging the unions and workers not to engage in industrial action next Monday. We need to support measures to protect work and not to stop work. I understand the fear and anger but this is not the way forward. It is not in anybody's interest and certainly not in the interests of our country.
Will the Leader make provision for the Minister for Health and Children to address the Chamber with regard to the expenditure of what is now very limited funding in the area of health? I also seek a discussion on the determination of priority areas for this funding. In particular, this would provide an opportunity for the House to hear an update on reports that are circulating regarding voluntary redundancies within the HSE. It would also provide an opportunity to clarify and confirm that bonuses traditionally paid to senior HSE managers in December each year will cease. We do not have the funding for it.
When can we expect the new legislation on mental capacity to come before the House? This is essential legislation on which I have spoken previously. It is required to address deficiencies in basic human rights for people with disabilities.
When the Leader invites the Minister for Health and Children to the House will he seek from her an update on the status of the non-national children who have gone missing from the care of the HSE? We have spoken about this previously. In excess of 350 children have gone missing from the care of the HSE in recent years. It is imperative that we ascertain what measures are being undertaken to seek them and assure ourselves of their safety.
I agree with the comments made by Senator Fitzgerald at the start of the Order of Business on the differing opinions on figures of two Ministers during the weekend. Deputy Martin made an extraordinary contribution where he stated the Government was not examining the figures in detail. This is what has landed us in the position in which we are. We have had a budget a month since the original budget was brought forward last October. The Government did not look closely at the figures in any of the subsequent announcements. The Minister for Foreign Affairs should clarify what he meant by his comments. I hope the Government is examining the figures. We need clarity from the Taoiseach and the Minister for Finance on what savings and tax increases, if any, are being examined. We see a hugely divergent range at present and we need clarity.
Will the Leader clarify whether the Minister for Finance will come before the House on Thursday? He made a number of extraordinary contributions during the week we were not sitting owing to St. Patrick's Day. He spoke about the ridiculous decision to increase VAT, something on which everyone in the Opposition commented at the time. Everybody pointed out that it would have a negative impact on retail expenditures and tax income, but he ignored us. Now he seems to be admitting that he made a mistake. He also muttered something about the banking system in Ireland having the support of Frankfurt. Perhaps in the debate on banking that is being sought by Senator Ross and others, he might clarify his position on that issue.
I share the concerns of colleagues on the proposed national strike next Monday. It would be economically disastrous for the country if this strike were to go ahead. I hope that whatever measures can be taken by the Tánaiste, the Taoiseach and the relevant Ministers with regard to the union leadership can result in the strike being called off. We need to have a sense of solidarity, but Senator Buttimer is right to say that a wedge has been successfully driven between the public and the private sector by the Government in recent months. We have seen no leadership from the Government, given that there are up to ten staff employed in many junior ministerial offices throughout the country, and there has been no leadership from the Oireachtas to resolve the cost of the committee structure and the cost of these Houses. If we are looking for the trade unions to act responsibly, then we also need to provide leadership. That has been striking in its absence from any Government pronouncements over recent months.
Hear, hear.
I hope this can be changed soon. I join others who have called on Mr. Fingelton to look again at this bonus issue. He should do so. Senator Butler stated that the unions should think about people who have lost their jobs in recent months. The Government should also think about people who have lost their jobs in recent months.
In the midst of this economic turmoil, the sporting successes of the weekend gave people a tremendous lift and I congratulate all concerned.
I ask the Leader for a debate on social partnership and competitiveness. I am especially conscious that in 1945, Germany had been devastated by the war but within five to seven years, the people had improved their standard of living beyond recognition and had worked together to ensure their nation arose from the ashes. We are a long way from anything similar to that but I have no doubt a similar spirit is needed.
In light of the fact that threatened strikes will go ahead, it is time this House debated the realities. All income raised from revenue for this year will be spent on only two Departments, namely, the Department of Health and Children and the Department of Social and Family Affairs. This leaves a very serious deficit. The only type of safe job is a competitive one and we need to ensure all our jobs are competitive. We need to look again at becoming competitive in whatever we do in the world. With that in mind, I request the Leader to allow a debate on those issues to continue to ensure the people say that fairness and equity will be introduced at every level by this Government.
I echo the words of Senator O'Toole about the proposed strike or day of action on Monday. We are all in agreement that it is unnecessary. Even though I speak as a committed trade unionist, many of us are very unhappy about the way it looks and many in the public sector are understandably reluctant to be seen to be withdrawing labour at a time when so many of their friends, relatives and colleagues in the private sector are being made redundant. It is something I hope will not happen. I think it is within the power of the Government to engage with the trade unions as ICTU has sought to engage with the Government by putting forward what seemed to many to be an eminently sensible ten-point plan a few weeks ago. ICTU has been seeking to engage with the Government, and IBEC has also been sending signals that it is willing to engage. It is incumbent on the Government to engage with the social partners to ensure the day of action does not go ahead. I agree it should not go ahead and I hope it does not. There has been a real failure by Government to engage with the social partners, especially on the ten point plan. All of us wish to see a plan of engagement and a coherent structure emerging regarding what we can expect, instead of lurching from one mini budget and financial crisis to the next. It is vital that the Government engages on this matter.
I echo Senator Eoghan Harris's call for a debate on the criminal justice system. I do not often find myself in agreement with Senator Harris on the criminal justice system. We have had heated disagreements on the topic in the past, but he is correct to say there is a real failure in our criminal justice system when our jails are full of people imprisoned for minor property offences or for failure to pay fines. We must find a different and alternative approach. The tragic case of the murder in Galway and the welcome conviction for that murder at the weekend shows part of the problem. It may have escaped people's attention, but the man convicted had been imprisoned numerous times in the past. It started when he was incarcerated as a young person in St. Patrick's Institution for young offenders, which has been recommended for closure by international human rights bodies on many occasions and which has been seen as a breeding ground for the training of future criminals. We need such a debate urgently.
I join those who stated that the proposed strike should not go ahead. As a long-standing member of a trade union, who served on a branch executive for many years and as an assistant honorary secretary for two years, I am very aware of the work of trade unions and their relevance. However, this is wrong. As a member of a party that commenced the concept of social partnership, we have no wish for lectures from the other side of the House about whether we should engage. It has been clearly stated that the door is open.
The Government must move.
I was very pleased, as, I am sure, was the Cathaoirleach, to see one of the midland hospitals, namely, the Midland Regional Hospital, Mullingar, named as one of the top performing hospitals in the country. This is against a background of efforts by certain members within the HSE to transfer services from Mullingar to elsewhere. I would welcome an early visit by the Minister for Health and Children to the House to tease our these matters.
I was very pleased that someone has taken the initiative in respect of the whole area of men's health. An event pertaining to that will be held in the very near future. I intend to be there and I advise everyone of the male gender to attend. As a man, I can state with a good deal of conviction that men are not the greatest people in the world for looking after their health. We tend to do so on the prompting of our spouse, partner, sister, mother or perhaps a female friend. It is a very important area of public health and I would welcome an early debate on the matter. I succeeded in securing such a debate in the last Seanad and I would welcome one again because it is very important.
I agree with the comment about an increasing disconnect between the membership of our unions and union leadership. That is very much the case. From speaking to a number of union members in Galway in recent days, my experience is that they are utterly ashamed of the positions adopted by their leadership. While listening to a radio station yesterday evening — I cannot recall which one — we got a frightening and particularly sickening insight into the mind of one such union leader — I will not name him — who commented on the very responsible decision taken by the members of IMPACT not to proceed with the strike next Monday. He sought to usurp the will of the members of IMPACT by suggesting methods by which the decision could be got around. His comment at the end of the interview was particularly appalling, that he did not expect the members of IMPACT to pass pickets staged by other unions and that he still hoped they would be able to achieve major disruption on Monday. If that is the mentality that exists within the leadership of our unions, I have very serious concerns for our future. I ask the Leader to take a very strong unequivocal and unified message from this Chamber — I know that he will do so — to the union leadership that the strike on Monday serves no one's interest, least of all that of union members.
I echo the sentiments of other Senators with regard to the proposed action next Monday, which is totally unnecessary. More deliberation and consultation would lead to a much better result. The proposed action on Monday is an attempt to force the Government's hand prior to the budget which will be introduced in the following week. If we are to have fairness, cuts must be introduced across the board and no sector should suffer more than others. We all accept that higher income earners are able to take more punishment and will probably have to pay more taxes. The view among some people that everyone but themselves should be hurt in this process is wrong. While I accept it will not be easy, everybody will have to take some pain.
I pay tribute to the phenomenal sporting achievements of Irish sportspersons at the weekend. The Sunday newspapers carried significant coverage from Cardiff and some covered Saturday night's boxing match in the O2. I am annoyed by the difference in the prices charged for newspapers north and south of the Border. In one case at the weekend, the price of the same newspaper was 200% higher in the South. This issue should be taken up by the National Consumer Agency. It is unfair and wrong that one is charged €1.80 for the Irish Independent in the South when it is available for £1 in the North. The argument made about the difference in VAT and so forth does not hold because a 6.5% difference in the VAT rates North and South does not justify the additional charges imposed on people in the South. If newspapers reduced their prices, they could increase their sales which have, I understand, declined dramatically in the South, both in the daily and the Sunday markets.
We have exceeded the time available for the Order of Business. I will allow Senator Doherty to contribute as he indicated early. Other Senators who indicated will be allowed to contribute first tomorrow morning.
I ask the Leader to invite the Minister for Foreign Affairs to come before the House to report on progress made on the undocumented Irish during his recent trip to the United States.
Some of the information given and statements made by Senators on the strike action proposed for Monday are factually inaccurate. Those who will go on strike on Monday have been balloted and the decision to go on strike was taken by members of the trade unions rather then the trade union leadership.
The leadership is misguiding its members.
Allow Senator Doherty to continue without interruption, please.
The House should also recognise that 65% of IMPACT members voted for strike action and the ballot did not deliver the 66% required for strike action to proceed. Let us not twist this issue and try to blame the executive or leaders of trade unions for the decision forced on union members by the Government. I call on the Taoiseach to stop his attacks on public and private sector workers.
Does the Senator have a question for the Leader?
Government Senators called on people to be patriotic. The most recent occasion that we heard such comments was when 30 attacks were made on the education sector and front line services. The solution to the national strike planned for Monday lies solely in the hands of the Government.
After Friday night, we all know where Senator Doherty's loyalties lie.
I have no problem defending the approach I took on Friday night to the role of this House.
I do not speak from both sides of my mouth. I know where our people were in 1916.
What is that comment supposed to mean?
Senators Fitzgerald, Regan, Norris and John Paul Phelan congratulated our sportspersons on their wonderful and uplifting achievements. On behalf of the Fianna Fáil Party and Senators from all sides, I wholeheartedly congratulate the national rugby team and Bernard Dunne on their remarkable successes. We must all admire the achievements we witnessed on our television screens. Katie Taylor is an incredible world champion — not once but twice — and she deserves our congratulations.
I wish our colleague, Senator Cannon, happiness on the opposite side of the House. I understand he is the only party leader since I entered the House to have served on both sides in one term. This is a marvellous achievement, which would possibly qualify for entry in the Guinness Book of Records. Given that we all come from the same background, I wish to strike the right note in wishing him health and happiness. I hope the Fine Gael Party looks after him as well as the Government side did.
We certainly will.
I also hope he gets what he wishes for, albeit not at the expense of the Government side.
Senators Fitzgerald and John Paul Phelan called for a debate on matters pertaining to budgetary issues. As Senators will be aware, Thursday's entire sitting will be taken up with budget statements and the Minister will, I hope, be in the House. I have not imposed a time limit on the debate, having decided during my meeting with the other leaders prior to the Order of Business to be generous in terms of time. I hope Senators will give the House and the Minister the benefit of any brain waves or ideas they may have as these are urgently required at this time.
The Cathaoirleach was requested to arrange a meeting of the Committee on Procedure and Privileges and I understand the Cathaoirleach has this matter in hand.
Senators O'Toole, Alex White, Fitzgerald, Regan, Ó Murchú, Ross, Butler, Buttimer, Boyle, Norris, Walsh, Healy Eames, Bacik, Glynn, Cannon and Ellis expressed serious concerns about the proposed strike on Monday next and called on the trade union movement to unconditionally call off its action. As Leader of the House, I ask in earnest that the strike be called off in the national interest and in the interests of those who are out of work or are uncertain about their jobs. It should be called off because closing airports or doing anything that will interfere with the fragile economy will send out a message internationally.
I welcome the announcement by the Government that it has invited trade union leaders to return to talks on the economic recovery and its economic plan. This is a welcome step and I hope the spirit with which the Government issued the invitation will give trade union leaders the confidence to call off the strike unconditionally in the national interest. More than 20 Senators, or one third of the House, have called on the trade union movement to call it off in the interests of Ireland plc.
Senators support social partnership and the good work the trade union movement has done. Since 1987, social partnership has been the rock on which we have built the economy and all sectors of society, including farmers, trade unions and employers, have set a shining example around the world of what can be achieved when we work together hand in hand. The wisdom our parents taught us — divided we fall — has never been more relevant.
Senators Harris and Bacik called for a debate on the criminal justice system and sentencing. Senator Harris related his experience of a visit to New York and noted the major differences in the approach taken there to crimes against property and persons. I have no difficulty in making time available for such a debate at the earliest possible opportunity.
Senators Ross, Boyle, Norris and Walsh called for a debate on the statements pertaining to banking made at today's meeting of the Joint Committee on Economic Regulatory Affairs. This is a timely request and I do not have a difficulty in having the Minister come before the House to debate it. I ask Senators to avail of the opportunity of the Minister's presence during Thursday's all-day debate on pre-budget submissions to raise the relevant issues. The Senators correctly brought to the attention of the House serious concerns regarding matters which were made public at this morning's meeting of the joint committee.
Senators Buttimer and Norris called for a debate on Irish sport and specifically on how we can avail of the opportunities arising from the 2012 London Olympics. Given our geographical location, we can benefit significantly from these games. I look forward to having the Minister in the House for that debate.
Senators Healy Eames and Hanafin called for a debate on social partnership, its achievements and future progress, and also on the biggest challenge facing the country, namely, competitiveness. We all know everything to do with the creation of jobs and sustaining existing jobs relates to competitiveness, as Senator Hanafin said. I have no difficulty in having time put aside for that debate to take place.
Senator Healy Eames called for a debate, with the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform present in the House, on the need for a friendly visa system, particularly in respect of the teaching of English. She referred to the very high standard here and the major opportunity that exists here for employment in this area. I support the call made by the Senator. We will have that debate at the earliest opportunity because I see a major opportunity for employment in terms of the very high standard of English teachers available here.
Senator Doherty asked that the Minister for Foreign Affairs would come to the House to give us an update on the undocumented Irish and the visit to the United States on St. Patrick's Day. I again congratulate the Cathaoirleach for representing us so ably in Washington. I offer our congratulations to the Taoiseach on his wonderful visit to the new President of the United States of America. It was very uplifting and gave many of us a great deal of hope. The people of Ireland were very proud of our Taoiseach, and I ask the Cathaoirleach to relate that to him at the earliest opportunity. I congratulate all Ministers and everyone in the Department of Foreign Affairs who promoted Ireland around the St. Patrick's Day period. It is a wonderful opportunity we have as a nation that many much larger countries throughout the world have dreamt of having available to them. I congratulate them for all the great work that was done. Those of us in Ireland enjoyed a beautiful day. I congratulate all of those who participated in a voluntary capacity and contributed to the success of the St. Patrick's Day parades. Record numbers turned out for the parades this year. The weather played a major role in that but it was a very uplifting experience for everyone, which I hope continues.
Senator Corrigan asked that the Minister for Health and Children would come to the House for a debate on the matters she pointed out to the House regarding the Health Service Executive. The Senator also inquired when the mental capacity Bill will be taken. I will come back to the House on that tomorrow morning.
Senator Glynn expressed congratulations to Trevor O'Callaghan, the administrator of the Midlands Regional Hospital in Mullingar, and all his staff on Mullingar hospital, once again, being one of the best in the country. We are so proud of the achievements of the hospital in Mullingar and we all hope they will be rewarded for their endeavours and the keen attention and sacrifices the staff make to keep this hospital one of the top hospitals in the country.
Senator Glynn again called for a debate on men's health. I have no difficulty in having time left aside for that and will accede to the Senator's request at the earliest possible time.
Order of Business agreed to.