Seanad Éireann debate -
Tuesday, 30 Jun 2009

Vol. 196 No. 7

Order of Business (Resumed).

Senator Eoghan Harris

I will touch on two issues. Senator Norris and others will join me in expressing condolences to the Cloney family of Fethard-on-Sea, as Sheila Cloney has passed away. We salute physical force republicanism and physical force heroes, but we do not salute moral heroes sufficiently. The Fethard-on-Sea boycott was one of the shabbiest periods in history, but it was also one of the noblest. It saw great moral courage by Sheila Cloney who refused to give in to the infamous ne temere decree to rear a child as a Catholic and sent the child to Belfast. The child lived to take an active part in the divorce action campaigns of the 1980s. I was privileged to be involved in another project, as I suggested this story to the film makers of “A Love Divided”, which turned out to be a popular film.

Two or three other people in that difficult period deserve credit. One is Donal Barrington, the great senior counsel and later a judge who showed significant moral courage. The other is Éamon de Valera, who stood up in the Dáil and effectively ended that boycott with one short, terse reprimand of those involved. I hope the Leader will write to the family and express the sympathy and condolences of the House. The Cloneys are one of Ireland's historic families.

Without anticipating the debate on an bord snip nua's report, nothing could be ideologically clearer than our present position. We are seeking €5 billion and it must be found either by taxing the social welfare class — a voiceless class full of new recruits from the jobs market — or by tackling public sector pay. Instead of dealing with the matter in simple ideological terms, it has been obfuscated by RTE and other commentators right across the board. It has been obfuscated by talk about public sector expenditure cuts etc.

The public sector is objectively and relatively a privileged class. When I was a socialist, I would look around and ask who were the fat cats. If I were an active socialist today and looked around, I would realise the only fat-cat class, permanent and pensionable, is the public sector. While it is not the public servants' fault, the benchmarking system was not meant to give them 20% more than those in the private sector. Mr. Peter Cassells, former general secretary of the Irish Congress of Trade Unions, said that last week at the Seán Lemass conference. It is wrong that public servants are paid 20% more than their private sector counterparts; it must be taken back. If we want €5 billion, which is what we are looking for, the simplest way to get it is to cut public sector pay by 20%, or one fifth. That would yield the €5 billion and one would not have to target unmarried mothers, annoy anyone by means testing or torment the social welfare class. In doing so, the lead would have to be given by this and the other House. So far, the reason we are not hearing much debate on cuts of public sector pay in this or the other House is because we are up to our necks in it and our snouts are super-glued into the public purse.

Senator Eugene Regan

Let me draw the House's attention to the decision of the German constitutional court, which found the Lisbon treaty was compatible with the federal constitution. There are some adjustments required in domestic law but the fundamental fact is that it has been found that the Lisbon treaty is compatible with basic German law. The judgment found that the European Union is based on international law and the responsibility for integration remains with member states, which remain masters of the treaty. This clears the way for ratification of the treaty by Germany. The Czechs and Poles have approved the treaty and it remains to be signed by those countries' Presidents subject to the outcome of the referendum in Ireland. They will only sign when Ireland approves the treaty by referendum. We are back in the limelight.

All the member states want the treaty. We have an interest in it and have received our clarifications on taxation, neutrality and the right to life. It is an international treaty and, subject to ratification on the basis of the guarantees we received, it will become part of EU law. When will the Taoiseach announce a date for the referendum so we can start the campaign on making this very important decision?

Senator Ann Ormonde

On the last point, it is very important we keep the Lisbon treaty on the agenda and decide very quickly when the referendum should be held. It is more than necessary that we keep the debate alive.

I endorse the points raised by many speakers, including Senators Harris and Hanafin, on an bord snip nua and the question of where the cuts should come from. We should all make an honest contribution in this regard.

Today I note the Combat Poverty Agency is about to be integrated into the Department of Social and Family Affairs. Now that there is new thinking because of the downturn in the economy, perhaps the national action plan dealing with social inclusion should be revisited to determine what kind of programmes we could implement to tackle the new risks of poverty. I refer in particular to the service area, irrespective of whether it pertains to schools, health centres or social housing providers. The action plan, which was introduced in good times in 2007 and which is to cover the period to 2016, should be revisited in light of the changes that have taken place.

Senator Fidelma Healy Eames

Is the Minister for Education and Science aware of the plans of two primary schools in a well-off area of Cork city to hire a teacher privately and to levy parents to achieve that? This is a really serious development. It widens the gap between rich and poor as public education becomes a two-tier system. This is the result of cutbacks and will further institutionalise educational disadvantage. This plan will hit parents hard from 1 September when they will have to pay because they know the value of education. Will the Leader ask the Minister for Education and Science to respond to that question for me and this House prior to our summer break which will begin in two weeks? I would appreciate if the Leader could bring the Minister's answer back here.

I strongly support Senator O'Toole's remarks about the importance of keeping the Ryan report on the agenda. This is a history of shame in our nation and many continue to suffer. The Seanad should play an active role in ensuring the recommendations of the Ryan report are implemented. I would be prepared to put my shoulder to the wheel if the Seanad considers forming a sub-committee to ensure the recommendations are implemented so that these human atrocities never happen again.

Senator Jerry Buttimer

Well said.

Senator Cecilia Keaveney

I agree with the concept of having more emphasis on consumer watchdog activity so companies do not get free short-term advertising for something that they reverse when people are no longer aware of it. People living on the Border have been aware for some time about the price differential. While we like to wrap the flag around ourselves and be republican it is important to vote with our feet. That is the message for consumers in this report.

The Adjournment matter I have raised today for the Minister of State with responsibility for youth affairs relates to communications strategies here. I commend the initiative of the Oireachtas education programme going to schools and the activity last weekend of opening the Oireachtas for families to come to see what we do. Will the Leader inquire from the Committee on Procedure and Privileges, or maybe in the far off fields of Seanad reform, whether we can consider youth councils and Dáil na nÓg? We give them the potential to develop ideas, they come together to make reports which are published in nice colourful brochures yet how many of us see, read or react to them?

We are often criticised for travelling but last week I was at the Council of Europe with my colleague Senator Leyden and Senator Joe O'Toole.

An Cathaoirleach

Senator O'Toole was here.

Senator Cecilia Keaveney

I apologise, Senator Joe O'Reilly.

Senator Joe O’Toole

I would like to have been there.

Senator Cecilia Keaveney

The President of Ireland gave a presentation there about which representatives from 47 countries spoke for the entire week. I did a report on teaching history in areas of conflict and post-conflict that was unanimously approved on Friday morning after contributions from Georgia, Croatia, Russia, Turkey, Cyprus and many other countries——

An Cathaoirleach

The Senator can make that contribution on another day.

Senator Cecilia Keaveney

My question may apply to the Cathaoirleach and the Committee on Procedure and Privileges. How can we find a mechanism to come back here and tell either House about our activity and work? There does not seem to be such a mechanism and a lot of good work is being done but we are open to criticism because we cannot tell the House about it.

Senator Jerry Buttimer

I join Senator Healy Eames in urging the Leader to continue our debate on the Ryan report before the summer recess. As Senator O'Toole said, it is not good enough to park the debate now that the report has been published, and for the President, Mary McAleese, to make an apology and meet with the victims as she did last weekend. As the Second House of the Oireachtas we need to keep this debate going so we can keep the issue of the impact on victims alive and make changes to ensure this never happens again.

Like Senators Hannigan and Norris I welcome the publication of the Civil Partnership Bill. I pay tribute to Senator Norris for his fearless campaigning. When will it come before the House? I regret that we have not taken the opportunity to protect and enshrine the rights of children and it is important that we do so.

This morning, we received a very important information leaflet from the Irish Tobacco Manufacturers Advisory Committee which identified that €387 million of revenue is lost to the State as duty is not paid on one in five cigarettes consumed. That is a savage amount that is being denied to the State. It is done through the illegal activity of criminals who have no interest in the State. I ask the Leader for a debate on the importation and smuggling of cigarettes and on the role of Revenue.

Will the Leader bring Mr. McCarthy, the chairman of an bord snip nua, before the House to debate with him the remit of his committee and what it proposes? Unlike Senator Harris, I worry that we are demonising public servants in this House and in the debate throughout the media. We should avoid pitting private sector against public sector. Many thousands of good public servants do great work. Senator Harris is correct that it is not their fault benchmarking was introduced. We should stop demonising public servants. They do a valuable job for our country and perform a great service, and we should not be derogatory towards them in any way. What we should be derogatory towards is the fact that the Government awarded them benchmarking in the first place; that is where the mistake was made.

Senator Marc MacSharry

I join Senator Leyden in calling for a debate on export credit insurance, given its importance at present. In times with such challenging news on an ongoing basis, I welcome the fact that the value of exports rose by 5% in April and in the same period imports fell by 6%, which increased the State's trade surplus. That is a very strong and encouraging performance at a time when worldwide all economies are recording strong declines in trade. I also welcome the news in recent days that consumer confidence is up to a 14-month high and there are a number of factors for that. It is important that when we have such challenging decisions to make we note good and positive developments.

On the recommendations made by Colm McCarthy's group on the savings of up to €5 billion, it would be much better if Members of the House came up with their suggestions on where the savings could be made rather than react to what it is clear will be very stark and difficult recommendations. It will be extremely difficult to have consensus on a set of recommendations where cuts are involved. Ultimately we will all want to see €5 billion in cuts provided we, as collective people — I do not mean us as politicians — are not affected. No sector wants to be directly affected. It will require many painful decisions and I ask the Leader for some time to be made available, sooner rather than later, so we can come up with our own suggestions on what priorities should be made for those cuts. I do not know whether the report in its entirety will be published prior to the summer recess or whether our reactions to those proposals can be as proactive as I know Members of the House would be anxious that they be to achieve the levels of savings required.

Senator Labhrás Ó Murchú

Tá an samhradh ag sleamhnú thart anois agus deirtear go mbeidh reifreann nua againn maidir leis an gconradh Liospóin san fhómhar. Tá súil agam idir an dá linn go mbeidh seans againn sin a phlé anseo, mar má tá ceacht le foghlaim ón reifreann deireanach, is é sin go gcaithfimid éisteacht leis na rudaí atá á rá ag na daoine atá i gcoinne an chonartha.

It is very important that the House has an opportunity to discuss the promised new referendum on the Lisbon treaty. There is always a danger that we might be lulled into a false sense of confidence. There will be a very long period during the summer when we will not be involved in debate in the Houses of the Oireachtas. If the referendum is to take place some time in the autumn there might not be a great amount of time to debate the matter when we return after the summer recess. It is very important that we do not make some of the mistakes we made during the previous campaign. It is important we do not try to demonise people who are opposed to the treaty or look down on their views, because it is particularly important that we bring as many people as possible with us. It is accepted that in the current economic situation there may be a new sense of reality when the time comes to vote, but that should not be the main focus for us. There must be a commitment to what the Lisbon treaty is trying to do.

I recommend to the Leader that an invitation be given to An Taoiseach to come in here prior to the summer recess and let us hear precisely from the Government what exactly has been agreed in the new guarantees. I am confident about them and confident that they have a legal basis, but already I see mutterings outside questioning them. If that builds up and we are not able to respond in a coherent manner, we could find ourselves in exactly the same situation as we did before. I ask the Leader to accommodate my request and ask An Taoiseach to come in and let this House set the tone for the upcoming debate because it has to be set and we all must have a clear focus on what it is we want to achieve.

Senator Feargal Quinn

I congratulate all those involved in the arrangements last weekend for the family day in Leinster House. I am not sure who was in charge of it, but those who were involved deserve a great deal of credit. I heard many words from people who were pleased to be able to show their children and families how democracy works and it reminded me that although we see many schools in here, they do not often have the opportunity to understand how it works. It is very important. It also came to light when I met somebody last month who did not bother voting and said he never votes. I realised how sad it is that, having fought for and gained our democracy, some people do not regard it highly. Praise is due to those who organised the event.

I read that Wexford and Ennis became the cleanest towns in Ireland and Athlone and Mallow were at the bottom of the list. The point I noted was that a number of towns said they can no longer afford to employ cleaners to the same extent. We should not need cleaners. Those citizens among us who value our democracy and country will not drop litter on the ground in the first place.

Senator David Norris

Hear, hear.

Senator Feargal Quinn

It is our own behaviour. It is not a question of having to clean up afterwards, rather it is a question of making sure we behave ourselves.

I live near a beach and I am stunned every now and then to see the amount of litter left on it because people assume somebody will clean it up afterwards. We have to remind ourselves how fortunate we are to have the country we have and make sure we use our hands so it is not lost. I notice the biggest offender is chewing gum and yet I understand the chewing gum companies have supported the efforts to have chewing gum holders throughout the city — I am not sure if it is the same throughout the country. We have nobody to blame but ourselves if we have a country that is not clean. It is not because we do not employ enough people to clean up, but because we are making it dirty.

Senator Paddy Burke

There is no doubt that this economy needs a kick start and needs to grow. One area that could help is the tourism industry. I ask the Leader, as a matter of urgency, to have a debate on tourism. Recently, the hotel industry, golf clubs, restaurants and so forth have brought down their prices. They have made this country more attractive and competitive as a destination for tourists, not least for the domestic market. We need a debate on this and on reducing VAT for the food and tourism industries. In the aftermath of the Volvo race and the northwest car rally, we should examine how we performed and how valuable those events were to our economy. We could have a very valuable debate on tourism.

Senator Rónán Mullen

I know not everybody can be congratulated in the House, but special circumstances apply with regard to the excellent contribution made by John Bowman over the years on "Questions and Answers". I am sure other Members will agree that he distinguished himself in his chairmanship of that programme at a time when many in these Houses feel the broadcast media is not always as impartial or professional as it might be. That could never have been said about Mr. Bowman's chairmanship of "Questions and Answers". I am very sorry to see an end to that programme.

I regret the delay in the publication of the mental capacity Bill as reported today. This is important legislation, especially considering the importance of issues such as the need to safeguard older people against financial abuse. Codes of behaviour for financial institutions would be contained in this legislation and I hope it will be published without delay.

Comments have been made about the Civil Partnership Bill which has been published. When listening to the debate in recent days, I was struck by the media's presentation of this issue as though it was a debate between those who feel this is fully welcome and timely legislation and those who feel it does not go far enough. There is a third point of view — the one I hold — which is one of support for people in caring dependent relationships and for whom certain protections should be made available, while expressing concern that the legislation, as currently presented, is moving us towards a family diversity model and ignoring the real advantage we should all recognise——

Senator David Norris

Splendid, I wish it was.

An Cathaoirleach

No interruptions, please.

Senator David Norris

He is asking for it.

Senator Rónán Mullen

——the real advantage for children in the family based on marriage between a man and a woman, which is statistically supported. I would like to see changes to this legislation and hope there will be a full and courteous debate on the issue. I intend to propose changes so that any protections to be enjoyed will be enjoyed equally by people in caring, dependent relationships——

Senator David Norris

The Senator would love to dilute any bit of decency, celebration or human rights out of it. We know that perfectly well.

An Cathaoirleach

Will Senator Norris please allow the Senator to speak without interruption?

Senator David Norris

He is inviting it.

An Cathaoirleach

Senator Norris had his opportunity to speak. It is now time for Senator Mullen.

Senator David Norris

It is part of the tradition of this House to interrupt contentious comments.

An Cathaoirleach

No interruptions, please.

Senator Rónán Mullen

I simply hope we will be able to have amendments that will provide that any benefits to be enjoyed by unmarried couples will be enjoyed by people in caring, dependent relationships of any kind.

Senator Nicky McFadden

Will the Leader arrange the meeting he agreed to arrange last week between Oireachtas Members from County Westmeath with the National Roads Authority? I am sure this is still uppermost in his mind and I look forward to the meeting as soon as possible.

The €3 billion provided to the Anglo Irish Bank was found within the Central Bank and if I, as a mother, had a child who was ill and in pain in Our Lady's Hospital for Sick Children, Crumlin I would find the money for the necessary operation. We had a major debate in the House last week on the issue of Crumlin hospital and the reasons sick and ill children are left without help and that money cannot be found to open a closed operating theatre and closed wards for them before the end of the summer. This is unacceptable. Will the Leader let Members know when the Minister for Health and Children will come to the House to answer these questions?

Senator Pearse Doherty

D'ardaigh mé an cheist sa Teach cúpla uair cheana i dtaobh ceist na Gaeilge agus an ról a ba cheart don Seanad a bheith ag imirt ó thaobh na ceiste seo. Phléamar An Staidéar Teangeolaíoch ar úsáid na Gaeilge sa Ghaeltacht, an cheist faoi thumoideachas sna scoileanna agus an cheist ó thaobh Foinse de. Ach ó tháinig mise isteach sa Seanad ní raibh plé ar cheist na Gaeilge sa Seanad againn. Since my election, the issue of the Irish language has never been discussed in the Seanad. In that time we have seen huge challenges in the Gaeltacht, have spent €500,000 on a report that has never been discussed and whose recommendations in terms of the future of the Irish language have never been published and have had the issue of tumoideachas and how we teach Irish in the gaelscoileanna. We have had the closure of two Irish language newspapers, given the recent closure of Foinse.

No. 39, motion 26 has been placed on the Order of Business by Senator Joe O'Toole and I. It recognises that the first Dáil, held 90 years ago, was conducted completely in Irish and asks that the leaders of the groups in the Seanad would between themselves work out a system as to how we would promote the use of Irish in the Seanad. To have a day when we let all the gaelgóirí come to the House to discuss Irish issues or the Gaeltacht is not good enough. Caithfimid bheith dáirire — we need to be serious about the Irish language. We face a huge challenge. I know the economic crisis causes serious distress and hardship to many families but if we do not keep our eye on the ball and look at what is unique to Ireland, namely, our language, culture and heritage, we are at risk of losing all of that identity.

The Seanad, the Upper House, needs to use more Irish. We need to do this not by ramming it down anyone's throat but by coming up with a sensible proposal. No. 39, motion 26 proposes that we would agree between ourselves how we would set out that perhaps 10%, 20% or 30% of the work of the Seanad would be done through the medium of Irish.

Senator Donie Cassidy

Before I deal with the Order of Business, as Leader of the House, I join everyone, including the Minister for Foreign Affairs, who saw the significant progress made in regard to decommissioning in the North of Ireland over the weekend. I do not want this important and historic occasion to pass without remembering the words of the Minister, who stated:

In recent years, loyalist organisations have been making effective progress towards conflict transformation, and [the weekend was] an important landmark in this process. Northern Ireland has now moved closer to achieving the genuinely shared future for which many people have taken risks over the past decades. I wish [as do all Members of this House] to express the Government's appreciation to the loyalist leadership and all those who took crucial and courageous decisions to facilitate [the steps which took place over the weekend under the stewardship of General John de Chastelain].

Senators Fitzgerald, O'Toole, Hannigan, Leyden, Hanafin, Harris, Buttimer and MacSharry called for various important and challenging issues, and the reports that are coming to Government for its consideration, to be discussed in the House before the summer recess. Calls have been made to me on several occasions with regard to the IMF report and Senator Fitzgerald repeated that call today. I will be outlining to the House on the conclusion of the Order of Business the proposals for our consideration over the next three weeks. The IMF report will be considered on the final sitting day before the summer recess.

The report of an bord snip nua is coming to the Government for its consideration and I await developments in that area. If the Government wishes to publish part or all of that report for our consideration, we have no difficulty whatsoever with that. As Senators Leyden and MacSharry have pointed out to the House, we would like to have our input into this issue and it is of the utmost importance that we debate it in the House at the earliest possible time. In addition, we want to let the Government know what our proposals in this area would be, especially in regard to Senator Harris's proposal today, which is a worthwhile example of what can be done if everyone puts their shoulder to the wheel.

Senators O'Toole, Healy Eames and Buttimer raised the issue of bringing the Ryan report back to the House for the further consideration of colleagues. I have already given a commitment in this area and I will not be found wanting when time is required.

Senators Hannigan and Keaveney referred to the consumer report and the cuts in the price of food in recent months, which are very welcome. We should debate this on an ongoing basis. It is a serious challenge especially now that the groceries order has been eliminated. The House should keep an eye on this area and be the protector, in so far as we can, on behalf of the consumer.

Senators Hannigan, Norris and Mullen welcomed the Civil Partnership Bill, which provides for property rights. It possibly does not go as far as some people would want but certainly it is a move in the direction of the requests and calls on the Government over the years to respond to the matter.

On behalf of all of us, I congratulate our colleague Senator Lisa McDonald on the birth of her daughter in recent days and wish her and her husband well. I also congratulate Senator McCarthy. It is also a joyous time for him and his wife with the birth of their baby in the past week. It is good to see all the young family Members of the House having their celebrations and experiencing the joy of birth, which is the greatest gift the good Lord could give any family or individual.

Senators Leyden and MacSharry called on the Government urgently to establish export credit insurance. It has been said here that many other countries and competitors in Europe in particular have brought this in again. I will certainly pass on the urgent views of the Senators to the Minister, especially the comments of Senator MacSharry who outlined to the House that the value of exports increased in the month of April by 5%. Japan and China have experienced a substantial reduction in their exports and this augers well for us as an export nation.

Senator Twomey commented on the role of the public service and the Civil Service and expressed his gratitude for what they have done. He referred to the utterances of the Governor of the Central Bank, and perhaps the Governor was correct. I would not like to think that Fine Gael is always the party of "No". Let us wait and see whether he is correct. We will know in a short period of between six and 12 months.

Senator Liam Twomey

I asked for an explanation that backs it up.

Senator Donie Cassidy

Senator Norris once again expressed his concern about Shell to Sea which, as we are all aware, employs 1,000 people in the west at present. We all wish to see higher royalties and intellectual property rights and all the various other issues, but I understand there is a substantial amount of the basin for licensing within the whole area, representing a serious vote of confidence. I remember when licences were granted in 1987 or 1988 and at the time there was very little interest, practically nil, and share prices, particularly exploration share prices, were at an all-time low. We wish to see as much as we possibly can but we can renegotiate at any time for the future and hopefully this will be seriously considered.

Senator Harris offered the condolences of the House to the Cloney family and the champion of the horrific experience at Fethard-on-Sea. I saw the film of which Senator Harris reminded us and Donal Barrington and Eamon de Valera did their part by not condoning what took place there. I will send a letter on behalf of colleagues following the bereavement in the Cloney family.

Senators Regan, Ormonde and Ó Murchú referred to the Lisbon treaty. Senator Regan outlined to the House the up-to-date position in Germany and the court decision there, particularly on taxation, neutrality and all the other issues brought before the Irish electorate at the last referendum on the Lisbon treaty. The Taoiseach will be in the House next week at 11.45 to debate, discuss and hear colleagues' views——

Senator Paddy Burke

Is that a.m. or p.m.?

Senator Donie Cassidy

It will be on Thursday, 9 July at 11.45 a.m.

Senator Ormonde called for a debate on the National Action Plan for Social Inclusion 2007-2016, a very worthwhile call for which I will allocate time. Senator Healy Eames called for a debate on education. I have outlined to the House the amount of legislation due for our consideration in the next three weeks. With the exception of Fine Gael Private Members' time, it will be very difficult to allocate time for statements or anything such as what is being called for at present.

Senator Feargal Quinn and Senator Cecilia Keaveney offered congratulations to the Ceann Comhairle and the Cathaoirleach for a wonderful weekend of festivities at the Houses of the Oireachtas open days for the public. I had the privilege of being here on Sunday morning with my family. I am pleased to say that another Cassidy sat beside me in the seat of the deputy Leader.

Senator Jerry Buttimer

Did he sit in your seat?

Senator Donie Cassidy

He felt very comfortable in it. I told him that as long as he did not move in next door to myself he was very welcome. It was a wonderful experience and I was amazed at the number of ordinary people who came up to me and said they had never been inside the gates of Leinster House. They are very appreciative of the great work we are doing. The media should be invited to the open days to hear the views expressed by the public, the ordinary, plain people of Ireland, the silent majority of Ireland and how they appreciate the great work being done on their behalf by politicians of all political parties. I congratulate everyone concerned. The theme of the open days was the 90th anniversary of the First Dáil. Perhaps next year Seanad Éireann can play its part and highlight the achievements of this House and its role in the scrutiny of legislation.

Senator Feargal Quinn expressed his strong views on the great work of the Tidy Towns committees. He referred to the volunteers and the fact that the reward is small. I congratulate all the local authorities who gave small allocations of funds to the Tidy Towns committees to enable the purchase of lawn-mowers and other equipment. Most of us in this House were members of local authorities. The work of the Tidy Towns committees is to be commended from the highest level. I fully support the Senator's views about the efforts of the Tidy Towns committees to keep everywhere nice and clean and tidy.

Senator Burke asked for a debate on tourism and I will endeavour to have this debate take place. The hotel and restaurant industry and golf, are all in difficult times and under pressure. The services sector provides significant employment and anything the House can do to help it should be done.

Senator Mullen offered his congratulations to John Bowman and everyone associated with "Questions and Answers" and I wish to be associated with those congratulations. I never had the privilege or the honour of being invited to participate on the programme in all the years. It has been one of the most successful television programmes and I was proud of Senator Norris last night. He spoke splendidly and he looked magnificent. Senator Mullen and most colleagues on the Independent benches were the privileged ones as they were always the people who were invited, and they did not let the House down.

Senator Jerry Buttimer

They missed the Leader.

Senator Donie Cassidy

They were always magnificent.

(Interruptions).

Senator Jerry Buttimer

The Leader missed his opportunity.

An Cathaoirleach

The Leader to reply on the Order of Business.

Senator Donie Cassidy

It would have been a dream come true to have the Senator and myself participate.

Senator Jerry Buttimer

That would be some combination.

Senator Donie Cassidy

Senator McFadden asked about arrangements for Oireachtas Members from Westmeath to meet the NRA. I will endeavour to arrange this after the summer recess and I hope to have a date by this weekend.

The proposed Order of Business for the next three weeks is, Criminal Justice (Surveillance) Bill 2009 — Second Stage; Justice (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2009; Enforcement of Court Orders (Amendment) Bill 2009; Broadcasting Bill 2008 — Report from Dáil; Local Government (Charges) Bill 2009 [Seanad]; Housing (Miscellaneous) Bill 2009; Aviation (Preclearance) Bill 2009 — Report from Dáil; Health Insurance (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2008; and Health (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2009 — Second Stage. All these Bills must be dealt with in the House before we finish on Friday evening at 7 p.m. or 8 p.m.

Next week's business is, Health (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2009 — Committee and Remaining Stages; Health Insurance (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2008 — Committee and Remaining Stages; Oireachtas (Allowances to Members) and Ministerial and Parliamentary Offices Bill 2009 [Seanad] — all Stages, to be taken next Tuesday night; Justice (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill — Committee and Remaining Stages; Criminal Justice (Amendment ) Bill — all Stages; statements on the Stardust tragedy, which took place on St. Valentine’s Day, 14 February 1981; and Land and Conveyancing Law Reform Bill 2006 - Report from Dáil.

On Thursday of next week the Lisbon Bill will be debated with the Taoiseach in attendance; Harbours (Amendment) Bill 2008 — Report from Dáil; and Eligible Debt Securities Guarantee Scheme Bill 2009 — all Stages.

Bills to be dealt with on 14 and 15 July 2009 will be, Defamation Bill 2009 and Local Government (Charges) Bill 2009 [Seanad]; and statements on the IMF report——

Senator Jerry Buttimer

On a point of information regarding the business outlined by the Leader, is it proposed to take all Stages of that Bill on Thursday and what is the schedule for Friday, 10 July? I thought it was agreed not to take all Stages of a Bill on one day.

An Cathaoirleach

The Senator should talk to the Whips.

Senator Donie Cassidy

When a Bill is initiated in the House we endeavour to leave a week between Second Stage and Committee Stage, but as that is the final week before the summer recess, which is almost into the last week in July——

Senator Jerry Buttimer

On a point of information, is the House sitting on Friday, 10 July?

An Cathaoirleach

The Senator should talk to the Whips.

Senator Donie Cassidy

Yes, of course it is.

Order of Business agreed to.