The Order of Business is No. 1, Financial Emergency Measures in the Public Interest (Amendment) Bill 2011 — all Stages, to be taken at the conclusion of the Order of Business and conclude not later than 3 p.m., with the contributions of group spokespersons on Second Stage not to exceed ten minutes and those of all other Senators not to exceed eight minutes, the Minister to be called on to reply not later than 1.45 p.m., and Committee and Remaining Stages to be taken immediately at the conclusion of the debate on Second Stage; No. 2, Local Government (Household Charge) Bill 2011 — Committee Stage, to be taken at 3.30 p.m. and conclude not later than 7.30 p.m., if not previously concluded. There will be a sos between 3 p.m. and 3.30 p.m.
Order of Business
Yesterday I raised the proposed cuts in the disability allowance both on the Order of Business and during the debate on the budget. I asked the Leader and his colleague, Senator Ivana Bacik, to raise it with the respective Ministers. I am pleased that it appears the Government will row back on this. I watched what the Minister for Finance, Deputy Michael Noonan, said last night in response to my colleague, Deputy Michael McGrath. All Members will agree that a cut in the disability allowance, particularly for young adults, is not appropriate or progressive and simply should not happen. I wish to record our complete opposition to it. We are trying to be constructive on this. There are many items in the budget that we can criticise, as we will and are entitled to do, but this is the single most important. I call on the Leader to give me an update on the discussions in government with regard to reversing the proposed cut for young adults on the disability allowance.
Well done, Senator O'Brien.
I am disappointed that no additional time was given yesterday evening for many speakers still offering for the debate on the budget. The budget is crucial in that it sets out the financial strategy of the Government for the coming year. Legislation will follow and we will consider the social welfare Bill here for two days next week, which is important. However, many people were offering yesterday evening and did not get an opportunity to give their views on the budget. Debates have lasted a good deal longer than two hours on other matters. We will propose several amendments to the Order of Business to try to discuss various items today.
In particular, I propose an amendment to the Order of Business for a debate on health matters, specifically on the increases to private health insurance brought about by the increase that the Minister, Deputy Reilly, has announced for the use of public beds by private patients. Two weeks ago I raised this matter on the Order of Business. As Members will be aware, 43,000 people have given up their private health insurance this year alone because they cannot afford it. The measures announced by the Government yesterday will at the least increase average premiums by more than 50%. Thousands more will give up private health insurance and this will put additional strain on the public health system which at the moment is broken in many aspects. Contrary to the promises of the Minister, more patients are on trolleys this year than ever in the history of the State and the system is getting worse. Government proposals for an increase in charges will make it worse still. The Government will push people out of private health insurance into a public system that cannot deal with them.
I propose an amendment to the Order of Business to the effect that the Minister for Health, Deputy James Reilly, should attend the House to discuss his policy on private health insurance premium increases and public nursing home closures in which, as I have stated previously, he should have no involvement——
He has none.
——owing to a direct conflict of interest.
He has not.
I call on the Leader for a debate in the new year on the way in which we conduct debate in the House. In recent weeks, especially on the Order of Business, there has been a great deal of barracking and heckling, especially from the other side of the House.
Really.
It is unfortunate because this undermines one of the strongest assets the Seanad has always had, that is, our tradition of courteous, respectful and dignified debate. Numerous Ministers from various parties, not only serving Ministers, have commented on that fact that in the past the Seanad has been a place where, especially in the case of legislation, there has been an opportunity for thoughtful and considered debate and the taking of amendments. It would be unfortunate to change that tradition through an overuse of heckling and barracking.
We should bring back Deputy Buttimer.
Where is Jerry when you need him?
There is an example, a Chathaoirligh.
Senator Bacik is no angel.
Senator Bacik to continue, without interruption.
There have been mornings on the Order of Business when I have been unable to finish a sentence and I am not the only person who has been hassled, barracked and heckled by the other side. It is something of which we should be aware.
Senator Bacik is going well this morning.
The Fianna Fáil Members opposite could learn a great deal from their colleague, Deputy Michael McGrath. I do not agree with what he says but I appreciate that he has a restrained style and that it is a more effective way of making his points in debate——
With all due respect, there is no point in Deputy Bacik standing here lecturing us.
——than the loud-mouthing we often have here from the Opposition.
We hear it from Senator Bacik more often than not.
Senator Daly is welcome back.
Could I say——
Let she who is without sin cast the first stone.
Senator Bacik to continue, without interruption.
If I could finish my sentence, all of us welcome the genuine engagement, especially on "Prime Time" last night, between the Minister, Deputy Noonan, and Deputy Michael McGrath. In the course of a genuinely respectful exchange, the Minister made the point about the disability allowance.
Senator Bacik dismissed it yesterday.
All of us are keen to see a constructive debate through genuine engagement and changes made to ensure that young persons with disabilities are not disadvantaged unduly by the change to align different rates of disability and social welfare payments. This is an important point about respectful engagement in the House.
I compliment Senator Feargal Quinn who referred to the issue of Central European Time yesterday. This is something he has raised in the House in a courteous and respectful way for many years. I am pleased to report the justice committee is debating the issue. In the new year when we have finished our review in the justice committee I will put it to the Leader that we might debate in this House a move to Central European Time. This is likely to take place next year and will bring with it numerous benefits to us not only in terms of carbon emissions but in terms of the economy, tourism and other benefits.
I wished to highlight some concerns last night during the statements on the budget. However, I was prevented from doing so by an inadequate time allocation provided for such a serious and relevant debate. The refusal to extend the time last night shows once again how the Seanad system is so badly broken. I am deeply ashamed and embarrassed because of the shameful cuts imposed on our young disabled people in the budget. I echo the comments of Senators relating to the drastic reduction in disability allowance for young people between the ages of 18 and 24 years and the 20% cut in the fund for students with disabilities at third level.
I acknowledge the Minister, Deputy Noonan's comments on "Prime Time" last night and welcome the increase in the age of entitlement for disability allowance from 16 to 18 years of age and that the entitlement to domiciliary care allowance will be extended to those aged 18 years in line with this. Parents' groups have been calling for this for several years. However, I have grave reservations about the reduction in weekly payments for disabled people between the ages of 18 and 24 years. While there are no immediate cuts to those already in receipt of disability allowance, all new applicants will be subject to the new regime. Those aged between 18 and 21 years will now received €100 per week.
While many young people with disabilities progress through the education system and secure employment, this is not an option for all. I employ one of these people upstairs, Kevin, my personal assistant in the Seanad. Since this announcement was made on Monday, Kevin has identified what such a cut would have meant to him if it had been introduced as he progressed from education to employment.
One thing the Minister has failed to factor into her logic is the extra costs associated with a disability. This is a real story. It is like Coca-Cola, it is the real thing. For someone such as Kevin, who is blind, this would include additional adaptive equipment and software and additional travel costs to name only some. Kevin is certain that if such a cut had been imposed on him, he would have been unable to complete his primary degree or obtain his masters degree.
Many young people in receipt of disability allowance are unable to take up employment opportunities due to the nature and severity of their disability. The argument put forward by the Minister is utterly flawed and marks the unravelling of the good work done to assist people with disabilities. Figures released only last week by the Central Statistics Office show that the number of people with disabilities living in consistent poverty has increased dramatically in recent years. I intend to put together a pledge after the Order of Business and will e-mail everyone and ask them to sign our pledge because we must get a cross-party motion on this issue and get it through. It is embarrassing for us all.
I have some questions for the Leader. I am a Seanad novice but I cannot believe what is going on here. Will the Leader tell the House this morning why the Government failed to freeze increments? "Increments" is a word I had to look up in the Oxford English Dictionary. It seems that it is a regular increase in salary, known in the private sector as a definite pay rise, every year. We are in the real world. There is no such thing in the private sector. Why did the Government not talk gently to the public service, which will cost us €300 million next year in increments? This step is not prohibited by the Croke Park agreement, something widely accepted by Ministers such as Deputy Pat Rabbitte. We are broke and insolvent. We simply cannot go on.
I could continue to highlight the difficulties imposed on young disabled people. It embarrasses me greatly. I emphasise to each Minister, Deputy and Senator that these decisions should be revised. I call on the Leader to go further and ask his Government colleagues to allow people in receipt of disability allowance to take up places in the labour activation programmes announced by the Government such as Springboard and JobBridge. They are currently prevented from doing so. This would bring them into line with those of a similar age in receipt of jobseeker's allowance.
I am afraid I will repeat what Senator Mary Ann O'Brien has just said but it is worth repeating.
We will see how the Senator goes.
I wished to comment during the debate yesterday evening as well but due to time constraints I did not get to say my piece. I understand that we must run the Seanad in an orderly way but perhaps if we cut out the repetition we would be able to operate within the time constraints agreed on the Order of Business. If we allow it to run over all the time we will get nowhere. It would be good if research was done in the Seanad on how many times an issue was repeated because one hears the same things.
An emergency meeting of the Fine Gael parliamentary party discussed disability. I heard the Minister for Finance, Deputy Noonan, on "Prime Time". He said he would re-examine the issue, which I welcome. By chance I met the Minister for Social Protection, Deputy Burton, this morning. I would never stop a Minister in his or her tracks in a corridor because it is discourteous. I apologised for mentioning the issue to her but I said it is the most important issue which has arisen in the Seanad since I became a Senator. Her heart is in the right place. She said she was prepared to look at the issue.
I ask the Leader to go to both Ministers and tell them there is all-party agreement that the issue will have to be revisited. The change will not affect those currently in receipt of the allowance and there is a two-year span. The issue needs to be addressed immediately.
The labour market activation fund, work experience, SpringBoard and JobBridge are all in place. I know children with Down's syndrome who are well able to work and have told me they have been on work experience for a long time. They asked me if there is anything I can do to take them off that platform and into a real job. I ask the Minister to address things like that and the use of the labour market activation fund for such people.
The issue regarding the disabled as represented in the budget has been well ventilated in this House and the media. The fact that the Minister has indicated a possible rethink on this should not be seen as a U-turn by the Government. It should be seen as a response to a robust and comprehensive debate on the budget and all its terms. If we do that we may all make a contribution to solutions.
None of us has all the answers. When I was on the Government side of the House I always requested those in opposition to endeavour to create consensus on some issues. That is what we should do as legislators. It is good for the country and particularly good for people who do not have a voice. We can do that in a balanced and reasoned way.
Yesterday I raised the proposed closure of a considerable number of rural Garda stations. In his response, for which I thank him, the Leader indicated it was a recommendation of the Commissioner. We will not have the opportunity to debate that issue with the Commissioner. In the same manner as the issue relating to the disabled and their families, the issue of Garda stations has been fairly well ventilated. I would like to think the issue would also merit further debate. I propose a change to the Order of Business. As we cannot have a debate with the Commissioner I would like the Minister for Justice and Equality to be invited to the House to give us an opportunity, before it is too late, to put our views forward.
I spoke to a councillor on the telephone yesterday about this issue who said his or her area was lucky because closures would not happen in the locality, but that is not what this is about. We are not representing a local constituency, rather we are representing the whole country. I second the change to the Order of Business proposed by Senator O'Brien.
What is the Senator's proposal?
That we invite the Minister for Justice and Equality to the House to give us an opportunity to debate the proposed closure of rural Garda stations.
Does the Senator want to invite him today?
I ask the Leader for a debate in the new year on moneylending. Coupled with it are organisations and companies offering debt solutions. People are under pressure, not just because of the times we are in but because Christmas is upon us. They are incredibly vulnerable when they hear advertisements on the radio promising that one should not worry if one has debts of €10,000 because one can pay €25 a week and all will be well.
Reading the small print one finds that the cost of these schemes is prohibitive, but many people forget to read the small print or are so tempted by the offer they become stuck before they can get out. Moneylending is the more criminal end but there is also what I would call advertised moneylending which sounds very inviting. It is very dangerous and we need to find a way, through the House, to bring this to the attention of the relevant Minister and seek legislation relating to the administration of such organisations.
On the Private Members' motion that was discussed in October regarding the prosecution of purchasers of sex, which was highlighted by the Turn Off The Red Light campaign, I commend and applaud what happened in Limerick which has been outlined in a report in The Irish Times today. In Limerick 21 people pleaded guilty to soliciting or importuning for the purposes of prostitution between 11 November and 4 December this year.
As I said during the debate, those involved were ordinary Irish people who procured sex. The motion, which was defeated by the House, proposed to introduce legislation to criminalise such behaviour. It was promised that the Minister of State, Deputy Lynch, would return to the House to introduce a broader consultation process which would ultimately lead to legislation. I ask the Leader for an update on that issue.
I support Senator Keane in her comments on disability allowance. The Independent group tried to raise the issue on the Order of Business yesterday with little success. I propose an amendment to the Order of Business.
Each Senator is only allowed one topic on the Order of Business.
I propose to amend the Order of Business to ask the Minister for Social Protection, Deputy Burton, to attend the House to debate disability allowances today.
Is that a proposed amendment to the Order of Business?
Dundalk Institute of Technology is better known as DKIT. There are number of institutes of technology throughout the country and they celebrated 40 years of existence last Monday. I attended the celebrations. Distinguished fellowships were awarded to four people as a mark of the celebrations. They included people who have contributed to business, sport, the arts and media, not just in Louth but throughout the world.
Our colleague, Senator Fergal Quinn, was awarded a distinguished fellowship, as was Dr. Carmel Naughton for her contribution to the arts, Mr. Joey Maher, a famous handballer and world champion, and a brother of the Minister of State, Deputy O'Dowd, Mr. Niall O'Dowd, who received an award for his international media skills and contribution to the peace process. I congratulate them.
Although we are not supposed to do so, I am sure the Cathaoirleach will allow me to congratulate our colleague, Senator Feargal Quinn, and the other recipients of awards.
I thank Senator Brennan for his kind words. It was good to see the representation in Dundalk the other day.
I was jolted recently to discover that several of the high-tech companies that were coaxed into investing in Ireland have been unable to find the talent they require among job applicants, particularly in regard to coding and computer technology, and have had to import staff. The reason for this dearth of talent is that we are not encouraging nearly enough people at a young age to pursue training in the area of science and technology. Yet the Government has just reduced the number of career guidance teachers at second level. There must be a heavy emphasis on such guidance if we are to succeed in this area.
Will the Leader invite the Minister for Education and Skills and the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation to the House for a debate on this issue? There is a double challenge, encompassing the remits of both Departments, in terms of developing the expertise in computer skills which is needed by the companies investing in this State. There is work to do in education and at enterprise level, but it is achievable. There have been several interesting success stories such as that of the eight year old girl who is able to teach a class of 15 year olds in her school how to handle computer technology. Children should be introduced to technology skills at the age of seven, eight or nine. Little action has thus far been taken to address this shortfall in expertise among the Irish workforce.
I join colleagues in welcoming the indication by the Minister for Finance, Deputy Michael Noonan, on last night's "Prime Time" that he will review the budgetary decision in regard to disability allowance. With due respect to my Independent colleagues, the fact that this review is taking place is positive. While I acknowledge their amendment to the Order of Business, the Government has already pledged action in this area. This is a very disability-aware Administration, which is keen to ensure that the moneys allocated in this area are spent properly.
I tabled a motion on the Adjournment last week in regard to funding for People with Disabilities in Ireland, PWDI, an issue which was raised by several speakers on the Order of Business. I was disappointed that none of them attended the Adjournment debate on this issue, where I discovered that 92% of the funding provided to that organisation was spent on administration. What is needed, and is beginning to happen, is an overall value for money audit in respect of the €1 billion plus allocated to the disability sector. My deep concern is that this money is not being channelled correctly to the end user. We must not have ivory towers built on the backs of people with disabilities. The organisations deserving of State support are those which provide front-line services. We must not have a situation where 80% to 90% of funding is spent on the wages of headquarters staff, administrative costs, travel expenses and so on. That is what has been happening in the disability movement for the last ten to 14 years.
Does the Senator have a question for the Leader?
Yes. The Government is committed and determined to ensure that the end user, who deserves to benefit, will benefit from the massive resources which the Government will, in its five-year term, invest in the sector.
Will the Leader arrange a debate in due course on the funding of the disability sector in order to ensure the moneys being allocated are spent wisely, prudently and efficiently? All organisations in receipt of substantial resources from the State in order to provide services and support to people with disabilities should be accountable to the Oireachtas for how they are spending that money and who is benefiting.
The events unfolding in Europe are, together with the budget, a source of fear for people throughout the State. Agreements are currently being made between powerful European states and this week's Council summit will have a potentially long-lasting effect on the State. Last week the Taoiseach clearly stated his opposition to further treaty change, before the Tánaiste indicated that the Government is open to negotiation on treaty change. Where exactly does the Government stand on this matter? We must be told its position on enshrining budgetary policy into EU treaty law, giving the European Court of Justice a say in policing member states' budgets and the transfer of further fiscal powers from these Houses to the EU institutions. These are the key proposals which Nicolas Sarkozy and Angela Merkel will bring to the EU crisis summit on Friday. These are the demands they will make of member states.
Today we learn that the amendments they are seeking are proposed to be made by rewriting a protocol attached to the Lisbon treaty which sets out how Europe deals with countries which persistently breach budget guidelines. This is being seen as a back-door route to treaty change, as the protocol has the same legal effect as the treaty itself. What arrangements, if any, is the Leader putting in place to update this House on the summit? Will he invite the Minister of State with responsibility for European Affairs, Deputy Lucinda Creighton, to the Chamber in order to brief us on developments? I accept that we have a full legislative programme to fulfil before Christmas, but the speed and momentum of developments in Europe are such that a debate is required as soon as possible. It cannot wait until the next session when the issues will already have been settled.
Last May I raised the issue of recruitment of junior doctors. Many of their contracts are of six months duration and are again up for review on 11 January. I understand the Health Service Executive is running into the same problem it experienced on 11 July in terms of a shortage of junior doctors. Little has been done in the past six months on the issue of young Irish doctors leaving the country for jobs abroad. There is a need for an urgent debate on the issue.
There are more than 750 vacancies for nurses in private nursing homes. The operators of these facilities cannot secure the services of qualified nurses. This raises the question of whether there is a requirement for a new category of qualification between care assistant and the academic qualification that nursing has become. People who obtain a nursing degree now feel that a position in a nursing home does not meet their long-term requirements in terms of matching their qualifications. We must review the entire system. I recently attended a ceremony where awards were given for every category of person working in nursing homes throughout the State. More than 50% of the awards went to non-nationals, a recognition of their vital contribution to the health care sector. We must have a debate on the qualification criteria and why we are losing so many people from the system. I hope that debate will take place as soon as possible.
I support my colleague, Senator Fiach Mac Conghail, in his call for a debate on the proposed changes in respect of the disability allowance. I hope the House will see its way to facilitating that debate rather than accepting the proposal from the other side of the House that we wait for the departmental officials to do the driving and come back with their considered view.
I propose an amendment to the Order of Business that we debate the issue of public sector pay increments, which are not covered under the Croke Park agreement. An increase of €300 million in the public sector pay bill is money that could have been used elsewhere to soften the blow of budgetary measures. Under those proposals a family of three in receipt of social welfare will see their income reduced by €1,052 per annum. On the other hand, a family with three children and a joint income of €150,000 will be impacted to the tune of €1,078. This does not sound like a fair and balanced proposal. On the contrary, it seems that the most vulnerable are being targeted.
I look forward to the proposed debate in the new year on parliamentary debating procedures. Parliamentary politics is about cut and thrust. If a Member opposite raises an issue or makes a point in regard to a particular proposal and induces heckling in so doing, one can be sure that this was precisely his or her intention. A particular party tries to induce a bit of heckling rather than allow us sit idle on this side of the House. The budget is anti-rural.
(Interruptions).
Senator Daly to continue, without interruption.
Oh, dear me, the people in the glasshouses are throwing stones.
Does the Senator have a question for the Leader?
They have proved the point that debate is about provoking a response. I am delighted to see that I have succeeded in proving the point.
A question for the Leader, please.
The budget is anti-rural. Small schools are being told to consider their future, Garda stations are being closed down and farm families are being affected. My amendment proposes that the issue of increments be debated today and that the Government should use the €300 million which it is proposed to pay the public service in a fairer way. My colleague, Senator Ó Murchú has an amendment to the Order of Business.
Like everybody else I support calls for a review of any proposed cuts in disability payments. I supported Senator O'Brien yesterday on that issue. However, I reiterate my point that situations have arisen over the past years in which 16 year-olds in second level going on to third level were receiving a disability allowance and were graduating with a degree and obtaining employment. This indicates that perhaps these people should not have been receiving disability allowance in the first place. In my view there is a need for a two-tier system whereby severely disabled people are given the full rate of disability allowance while those with mild and moderate disability could be given an allowance along the lines of the jobseeker's allowance. On a related issue, a person aged 18 years and in receipt of a disability allowance gets €100 a week. I would insist that such persons qualify for a medical card. I call on the Leader to take note of this point because down through the years anyone with any income was assessed in their own right for a medical card. Since the transfer of the administration of the medical card scheme to the PCRS in Finglas, anyone in receipt of €100 a week in unemployment assistance is no longer eligible for a medical card and no longer assessed in his or her own right. They are now being lumped in with the family income. This is a new regulation and I want the Leader to bring this to the attention of the Minister. We need answers to why this has happened because if this is the case for those in receipt of €100 unemployment assistance, the same will apply if a person is getting €100 disability allowance.
I join Senators Darragh O'Brien, Mary Ann O'Brien and others who were highly critical of the failure to provide adequate time last night for the debate on a very important matter. We are well paid and some people depend on us to articulate their concerns in this Chamber. The least we should have is the opportunity to do so. I do not know where the blame lies, whether with the Leader or the Government Whip's office. Whoever is to blame, it is appalling and a disgrace. This is symptomatic of the trend since we came back this term. New Members may not be aware but in the previous Seanad it was not unusual for spokespersons to have between 12 and 15 minutes speaking time and for other speakers to have eight to ten minutes. This time around, spokesperson are given eight minutes and other speakers are given five minutes. Debate is being truncated. A speaker can only give some headline comments. This is very bad for government because if people have the opportunity to speak — even if they have opposing or critical views — at least it helps to inform policy formulation. I agreed with certain aspects of the budget last night but, for example, I do not agree with the change in the qualification for widows. I know from personal experience what it is like for families to have to make do with the widow's pension. The qualification for a widow's pension is to be increased from three years to ten years. Many women in the workforce leave in order to rear their families and work intermittently over the years. They will be penalised simply because they will not have accumulated ten years. It is an horrendous increase from 156 to 520 weeks qualification and an uncaring decision. If we have any regard for families and widows in particular who are left in very difficult circumstances, this decision should be reversed.
I propose an amendment to the Order of Business that the Minister for Social Protection come to the House today to debate this issue. I hope that like-minded people on the Government benches who share my concerns will articulate their concerns about this uncaring and unsympathetic measure.
On the issue of the disability allowance, I join other speakers and in particular with Senator Conway. Many people may not realise that he was born blind because he does not refer to it. I am full of admiration for how he conducts himself every day. I say, hats off to him in every way. It is a great thing in life to be able to admit when one is mistaken. Not just last night but also this morning, the Ministers, Deputies Noonan and Howlin, have said they will review this issue. These are two honourable men whom we must take at their word. They have said they will review this issue in advance of Christmas. The Social Welfare Bill will be before both Houses and the issue will be on the table. They have admitted there is an issue with this particular provision in the budget. This is not a U-turn, as Senator Ó Murchú has stated. They have said this will be addressed.
I refer to Senator Walsh's contribution. As a person new to politics, I think brevity in debate is to be commended. I do not speak at length. I am not suggesting anyone else does so unnecessarily——
Does the Senator have a question for the Leader?
It was not just brevity, this was actually closing down the opportunity.
I ask for a debate on the future of this House——
A short debate.
No, a sensible debate in which people do not interrupt speakers unnecessarily——
(Interruptions).
It is very difficult to make a contribution when one is being interrupted.
The Senator is out of time.
I really would like if we could be afforded the opportunity to have a debate in this House on the future of this House.
What we are seeing today with the number of amendments to the Order of Business is probably the product of not having a proper debate about the budget prior to the budget. The chicks are now coming home to roost. Serious issues have been raised. I second Senator Mac Conghail's amendment to the Order of Business asking the Minister for Social Protection to come to the House to discuss the disability issue. With all due respect to Senators Conway and Noone whom I respect on this issue and whose bona fides I accept, "Prime Time" is not the place to discuss issues of policy. This is the national Parliament. We did not get an opportunity to discuss these issues before the budget. If we had been given such an opportunity it is possible these anomalies would have been highlighted. When the Minister comes to the House I would also like to discuss with her the great unfairness of the measures regarding one-parent families who are being hammered by this budget. The cutbacks are an absolute disgrace. I raised issues with the Minister previously regarding the fact that people in receipt of lone-parent payments are exempt from JobBridge; they are not permitted to participate in that scheme. The budget proposes cutting back their payments and their rights and getting them back out to work as soon as their children are seven years of age but the training opportunities are not being provided to them. These are significant issues. They are being hammered with more VAT, more carbon tax, higher petrol and diesel prices, higher school bus fares, rent costs, water charges, household charges, and more. This is another decision which requires a U-turn. If the House had the opportunity to have a proper debate before the budget, we would have raised this issue and we would have outlined that this is an unfair and inequitable use of the budgetary process. The Minister should come to the House today because this is a massive issue causing significant distress for single parents as Christmas approaches.
We should greatly welcome the three-pronged financial rescue package being mooted by the EU Council President Van Rompuy for presentation at the upcoming summit, together with the increased support for the IMF. This will bring about tougher budget rules to be imposed on countries as well as sanctions which can be employed against offending countries who step out of line. The future of the euro is so much bigger than the other very important measures under discussion. On the issue of the disability payments, we should not be making a song and dance about it. We do not need an immediate debate, we have the assurances of the Minister for Finance, the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform and the Minister for Social Protection, that this matter will be rectified in the Social Welfare Bill.
We do not know that.
On an issue raised by Senator Reilly, I ask the Leader to arrange a debate next week on the European summit once the report of the Council President has been produced.
I compliment the Fianna Fáil Party leader in the House, Senator Darragh O'Brien, and our finance spokesperson in the other House, Deputy Michael McGrath, on raising proposed cuts in the disability allowance. I also compliment Members who raised the issue at meetings of their respective parliamentary parties. This latter approach is much more effective than resigning on a whim. Public representatives are given the trust of their constituents when they elect them to the Oireachtas to represent a political party. Those who resign are outside looking in rather than inside looking out and are unable to exert influence to change decisions. Members of Fine Gael and the Labour Party, on the other hand, are in a powerful position and can and will influence change. Every budget has difficulties. I was in that——
Does the Senator have a question to the Leader?
Yes, I wish only to compliment members of the Cathaoirleach's party. At least I presume he is still a member of Fine Gael, although he may have recanted his membership.
The Chair is above——
——reproach. I was a Member of the Oireachtas when VAT was imposed on children's shoes. Fortunately, that ill-conceived tax was dealt with in the correct fashion. I was present when the late Jim Kemmy walked the right way through the lobbies and we had a general election as a result ach sin scéal eile.
The Senator's memory is holding up well.
I second the amendments to the Order of Business proposed by Senators Jim Walsh and Mark Daly and propose my own, namely, that the Minister for Finance, Deputy Michael Noonan, postpone until 1 January 2013 the provision in Financial Resolution No. 4 to increase value added tax from 21% to 23% on 1 January 2012 to allow consumers to respond to the pending change. The timeframe for introducing the proposed change is too short. A large number of purchases will be made. Cars will have been booked, sold and bought for 2012. The Government's proposal is a panic reaction. The Fianna Fáil Party in government reduced capital gains tax, for better or worse, from 40% to 20%, a measure which excited considerable activity.
What is the Senator's proposal on the Order of Business?
I propose that we invite the Minister for Finance to the House and put to him a proposal that he postpone the increase in VAT from 21% to 23% until 1 January 2013. Our VAT rate is the joint highest in Europe. A postponement would encourage consumer spending.
Is the Senator proposing the amendment today?
Yes.
The Senator's time has concluded. I call Senator Jim D'Arcy.
My proposal would stimulate consumer spending, which is what the country needs.
The Senator can make specific points during the debate.
I appreciate the Cathaoirleach's task as an active Chairman because I know how difficult it is to control business at times.
I am pleased to say I have been informed by my colleague, Senator Ivana Bacik, that the Taoiseach has announced in the Dáil that he will postpone the proposed changes on the disability allowance and they will not be implemented in this budget. This is an example of the fairness of the budgetary process and shows that the Minister for Finance, Deputy Noonan, is true to his words. I also compliment Deputy Michael McGrath on raising this issue. The Minister for Finance stated he would listen to proposals from the Opposition and has done so. While I do not support the amendment proposed by Senator Jim Walsh, I take on board his comments and hope they will be considered. The significant change announced by the Taoiseach is excellent news. I also congratulate the Minister for Social Protection on her role in this regard.
If the Taoiseach has made such a statement, I welcome the Government's U-turn on the disability allowance.
The Senator is being petty.
(Interruptions).
Please allow Senator Ó Domhnaill to continue without interruption.
It is not yet 24 hours since the budget was announced and already the Government has done a U-turn. There will be many more U-turns because people will not stand for some of the cuts being imposed on them. Teacher numbers are being cut in second level schools, while rural areas, including farmers, face a multitude of cuts. The cost of school transport has increased and rural Garda stations will close. The decision to reduce funding for materials in community employment schemes from €1,500 to €500 is a disgraceful attack on community groups which no one has mentioned.
Does the Senator have a question for the Leader?
I second the amendment proposed by Senator Leyden and propose my own to the Order of Business, namely, that the Minister for Education and Skills attend the House and explain how secondary school guidance teachers will be in a position to provide guidance to pupils if their posts are subsumed into classroom teaching roles. For example, in the case of a school in my local area which has 870 pupils, its 36 hours of guidance teaching per week will be subsumed into teaching responsibilities, with the result that guidance will no longer be available to students. This is a disgraceful attack on young people who are seeking to better themselves through third level education and so forth. I call on the Minister to attend the House today.
I join Senators in welcoming the changes to the disability element of the budget. The measures in the budget prove to all of us that we are in difficult times and the country is in a crisis. Yesterday, all the commentators and the Minister noted that without job creation we will not be able to emerge from the crisis. The Leader has brought about some innovative developments in the House in recent months and I ask him to consider another proposal. This Chamber contains a great deal of wisdom and its 60 Members have a wide range of life experiences and talents. We could make a fantastic contribution if we were to have a major debate on ideas for job creation. I ask the Leader to provide three or four hours for such a debate in the new year. Every Member should be given equal time, perhaps five minutes, to make one or two good proposals for job creation.
Well said.
We should then collate their ideas, invite the relevant Ministers before the House, present a set of proposals for their consideration and ask them to respond within a short timeframe. This would be a positive development and I ask the Leader to give it serious consideration. I hate to see much of the talent in this House wasted on negative bashing of each other. If we were to pool our collective wisdom, we could do enormous good for the country.
I second the amendment proposed by Senator Ó Domhnaill.
A photograph on the front page of my local newspaper in Sligo this week shows people collecting home heating oil in small containers that are for sale in suppliers these days. That is how difficult people are finding it to cope and keep themselves warm. On that basis, I propose an amendment to the Order of Business to invite the Minister for Social Protection, Deputy Joan Burton, to the House to discuss the implications of the cut in fuel allowance. Such a debate would be timely given the photograph on the front page of The Sligo Weekender showing how people in rural areas have been reduced to buying home heating oil in small quantities. The Minister’s decision is callous in the extreme and will have a significant impact. While no one doubts the challenges that faced the Minister for Finance and other Ministers in trying to secure savings of €3.8 billion, the European Union and International Monetary Fund were not prescriptive and Ministers have many options available to them. There were many options, however, that were not prescribed precisely by the EU-IMF. There were other options. I am sure Senators Comiskey, Henry and O’Keeffe and others from the north west will agree that other measures show this budget to be highly anti-rural, anti-farming, anti-elderly and anti-those most in pain. Other issues could have been embraced for people who are better placed and equipped to deal with cuts, not those on whom we focus. Not least is the callous cut in fuel allowance for the elderly.
I hope another Member, perhaps from the other side of the House, will second my proposed amendment today.
Every day in this Chamber it amazes me to hear Fianna Fáil blame everybody else for the cuts when we are in this position because of that party's work during the past 14 years. It is dreadful. That is the reason we are in this position and why we have had to make the cuts we did. Nobody likes to do that.
I agree wholeheartedly with Senator Mullins it would be a fantastic idea to arrange a debate on job creation in the new year. I also agree with and welcome the news from the Taoiseach that the proposed cuts for disability will be reversed. I am delighted at this. It goes to show how in touch the Government is, that Ministers from both Fine Gael and the Labour Party can listen to each other and be willing to meet with us, as they did last night, listen to our concerns and be prepared now to act upon them. That is what real politics is about. I welcome that and the fact we are working together, leading, and that we will do what we can for the poor and vulnerable in this country.
I ask for a debate and review on the whole issue of disability and disability allowances. The problem is that people tend to place all disabilities into the one basket. That cannot be done because there are multiple layers of disability. The people who would have been affected by these cuts were those who are most vulnerable, who have a disability, will never be able to go to work and will always need long-term care. Supervision for those in this group who are aged over 18 years must be reviewed.
I thought for a while I was on a yellow card. Yesterday I sought to bring the attention of the House to the beds allocation in Cork University Hospital. I asked the Leader to invite the Minister for Health to come to the House to debate that issue. When the centres of excellence were set up, the centre in CUH had a defined allocation of beds for patients from County Kerry. I do not believe that is how beds should be allocated.
I refer to the poor man whose case I raised yesterday, who was involved in a car accident seven days ago. I thank the Leader. Through his good offices he helped me yesterday by making telephone calls. That young man was transferred last night and was operated upon. I maintain my call for a debate on the allocation of beds in CUH.
I will touch on one small issue, namely, the tone that is sometimes set in debate. Last night the tone in the debate on the budget was set correctly, in my view. I would use only one word in regard to the change to disability payments — result. We are in a results game. Every Member who participated last night got the tone correct and underlined there was only one message, namely, we wanted that matter to be changed. Everybody concerned should be commended.
I second the amendment to the Order of Business proposed by Senator Marc MacSharry in regard to the cutting of fuel allowance from 32 weeks to 26 weeks, and the impact that will have, especially on many older people. We know from Age Action Ireland that 2,000 older people die every year because of cold. Reducing the number of weeks of fuel allowance from 32 to 26 will increase that number. I support the amendment calling on the Minister to come to the House for a discussion on the impact that cut will have on the people concerned.
Yesterday on the Order of Business Senator O'Brien rightly raised the question of the disability allowance and many other Members have raised itsince. As stated, in the other House today the Taoiseach has announced that the Minister forSocial Protection, Deputy Burton, has paused the disability measure until Ms Ita Mangan, chairman of the taxation and social welfare advisory group, has carried out a review ofentitlements to domiciliary care and allowances. That is welcome. It is a response to thewishes of Members on all sides of this House and shows a caring Minister who is willing to respond to requests from Members of her own and all parties. The Minister is to be commended.
There has been a request to amend the Order of Business in the shape of four or five amendments. No, there are six.
There are nine.
There are eight. That is totally unreasonable. Effectively, we are requesting the entire Cabinet to come to the House today to debate various issues. There will be two or three days of debate on the Social Welfare Bill next week during which Members will have ample time to make many of the points they wish to raise and which were raised today. I ask them to be reasonable, to confine their remarks and deal with these issues in the debate on the Social Welfare Bill, rather than disrupt the House. It is their right to seek to amend the Order of Business and I do not suggest they should not do so. However, I ask for consideration, especially in regard to social welfare points——
There was not much consideration shown last night.
The Leader to continue, without interruption.
There are constant interruptions by Senator Walsh, for whatever reason.
The Leader does not run the business of the House properly.
On a point of order, that remark is completely outrageous.
(Interruptions).
We will treat such remarks with the contempt they deserve.
In her comments on the proposal to move to Central European Time, Senator Bacik complimented Senator Quinn. As the Senator mentioned, the relevant committee dealt with the issue. It may be possible to have a debate on that matter in the new year and its implications for business and all walks of life. We should do that.
I reiterate the Social Welfare Bill will be before the House and that we will have a comprehensive debate on it.
The issue of increments was raised, and the saving of €300 million. The vast majority of increments are paid to lower paid civil servants at clerical officer grade who have already taken very serious cuts in their wages in recent budgets. The unions have stated that increments are part of the pay structure and it will be considered a breach of the Croke Park agreement if they are not paid. That is how the matter stands. I am sure all these points will be raised for consideration in another budget but increments were not touched in this budget.
Senator Ó Murchú spoke about the Minister for Justice and Equality, Deputy Shatter, and the closure of Garda stations. The Minister will be in the House practically all day and part of the night on Friday to deal with three items and Bills. This could provide an opportunity for Senator Ó Murchú to raise these matters with the Minister.
Senator O'Keeffe raised the prohibitive interest rates charged by moneylending and debt resolution companies. At this time of year, many vulnerable people fall into the trap of borrowing this way and, consequently, are in repayment difficulties for years. Legislation should be introduced on these companies, particularly the advertising of their products. It is true that in many of these cases the advertising looks much better than the product.
Senator Mac Conghail raised the issue of a broader consultation process on legislation against prostitution as promised by the Minister of State, Deputy Kathleen Lynch. I will inquire as to how this is coming along and revert to the Senator on it.
Senator Brennan referred to several honorary fellowships awarded at Dundalk Institute of Technology last night and complimented our colleague Senator Quinn on his award.
Senator Quinn raised problems experienced by several high-tech companies located here in recruiting Irish graduates with skills in computer coding. There will be a chance to have a debate on this issue with the Minister for Education and Skills in the new year.
Senators Paul Coghlan and Reilly raised this weekend's EU summit at which serious decisions on the euro will be made. It is imperative a report on this issue be presented to the House. I will endeavour to have the Minster of State, Deputy Creighton, attend the House next week for statements on the Council meeting.
Senator Burke raised the matters of young doctors leaving the country and nursing qualifications. We can have a debate with the Minister for Health on these matters in the new year. We can also have a debate on the future of the House.
Senator Leyden raised the VAT increase passed last night in the Dáil. It was part of the EU-IMF deal.
The deal states the rate should rise by 1% in 2012 and by another 1% in 2013, not 2% in one year.
If Senator Leyden wanted an amendment, he should have raised the issue last year when the previous Government signed up to it.
The Leader is incorrect, as he knows. The deal states the rate should rise by 1% in 2012 and by another 1% in 2013, not 2% in one year.
Senator Mullins called for an all-Member debate on job creation in which each Member could provide two or more proposals. This is a good suggestion. One of the first items scheduled for debate when the House returns after Christmas is the report of the advisory group on small businesses. The debate will take place on 11 January. Members now have plenty of notice to come up with ideas for job creation and small businesses for this debate on 11 January.
Senator Moran also raised the matter of disability allowances. I agree with her that the Government parties are working together in a cohesive manner. I am glad the gentleman referred to by Senator Sheahan yesterday has now had his operation and I wish him a speedy recovery.
Senator Darragh O'Brien has proposed an amendment to the Order of Business, "That a debate on health matters, particularly the increase in the cost of private health insurance and the closure of public nursing homes, be taken today." Is the amendment being pressed?
Amendment put.
The Seanad divided: Tá, 15; Níl, 34.
Tá
- Cullinane, David.
- Daly, Mark.
- Leyden, Terry.
- MacSharry, Marc.
- Ó Clochartaigh, Trevor.
- Ó Domhnaill, Brian.
- Ó Murchú, Labhrás.
- Ó Brien, Darragh.
- O'Donovan, Denis.
- O'Sullivan, Ned.
- Power, Averil.
- Quinn, Feargal.
- Reilly, Kathryn.
- Walsh, Jim.
- White, Mary M.
Níl
- Bacik, Ivana.
- Bradford, Paul.
- Brennan, Terry.
- Burke, Colm.
- Clune, Deirdre.
- Coghlan, Eamonn.
- Coghlan, Paul.
- Comiskey, Michael.
- Conway, Martin.
- Cummins, Maurice.
- D’Arcy, Jim.
- D’Arcy, Michael.
- Gilroy, John.
- Harte, Jimmy.
- Hayden, Aideen.
- Heffernan, James.
- Henry, Imelda.
- Higgins, Lorraine.
- Keane, Cáit.
- Kelly, John.
- Landy, Denis.
- Mac Conghail, Fiach.
- Moloney, Marie.
- Moran, Mary.
- Mulcahy, Tony.
- Mullins, Michael.
- Noone, Catherine.
- O’Brien, Mary Ann.
- O’Keeffe, Susan.
- O’Neill, Pat.
- Sheahan, Tom.
- van Turnhout, Jillian.
- Whelan, John.
- Zappone, Katherine.
Tellers: Tá, Senators Terry Leyden and Ned O’Sullivan; Níl, Senators Paul Coghlan and Susan O’Keeffe.
Amendment declared lost.
Senator Ó Murchú has proposed an amendment to the Order of Business, "That the debate on the proposed closure of rural Garda stations be taken today." Is the amendment being pressed?
Amendment put.
The Seanad divided: Tá, 17; Níl, 33.
Tá
- Cullinane, David.
- Daly, Mark.
- Leyden, Terry.
- MacSharry, Marc.
- Ó Clochartaigh, Trevor.
- Ó Domhnaill, Brian.
- Ó Murchú, Labhrás.
- O’Brien, Darragh.
- O'Brien, Mary Ann.
- O'Donovan, Denis.
- O'Sullivan, Ned.
- Power, Averil.
- Quinn, Feargal.
- Reilly, Kathryn.
- Walsh, Jim.
- White, Mary M.
- Zappone, Katherine.
Níl
- Bacik, Ivana.
- Bradford, Paul.
- Brennan, Terry.
- Burke, Colm.
- Clune, Deirdre.
- Coghlan, Eamonn.
- Coghlan, Paul.
- Comiskey, Michael.
- Conway, Martin.
- Cummins, Maurice.
- D’Arcy, Jim.
- D’Arcy, Michael.
- Gilroy, John.
- Harte, Jimmy.
- Hayden, Aideen.
- Healy Eames, Fidelma.
- Heffernan, James.
- Henry, Imelda.
- Higgins, Lorraine.
- Keane, Cáit.
- Kelly, John.
- Landy, Denis.
- Mac Conghail, Fiach.
- Moloney, Marie.
- Moran, Mary.
- Mulcahy, Tony.
- Mullins, Michael.
- Noone, Catherine.
- O’Keeffe, Susan.
- O’Neill, Pat.
- Sheahan, Tom.
- van Turnhout, Jillian.
- Whelan, John.
Tellers: Tá, Senators Terry Leyden and Ned O’Sullivan; Níl, Senators Paul Coghlan and Susan O’Keeffe.
Amendment declared lost.
Senator Mac Conghail has proposed an amendment to the Order of Business, "That a debate on the proposed cut in disability allowances for young persons be taken today." Is the amendment being pressed?
Amendment put.
The Seanad divided: Tá, 19; Níl, 30.
Tá
- Coghlan, Eamonn.
- Cullinane, David.
- Daly, Mark.
- Leyden, Terry.
- Mac Conghail, Fiach.
- MacSharry, Marc.
- Ó Domhnaill, Brian.
- Ó Murchú, Labhrás.
- O'Brien, Darragh.
- O'Brien, Mary Ann.
- O'Donnell, Marie-Louise.
- O'Donovan, Denis.
- Power, Averil.
- Quinn, Feargal.
- Reilly, Kathryn.
- van Turnhout, Jillian.
- Walsh, Jim.
- White, Mary M.
- Zappone, Katherine.
Níl
- Bacik, Ivana.
- Bradford, Paul.
- Brennan, Terry.
- Burke, Colm.
- Clune, Deirdre.
- Coghlan, Paul.
- Comiskey, Michael.
- Conway, Martin.
- Cummins, Maurice.
- D’Arcy, Jim.
- D’Arcy, Michael.
- Gilroy, John.
- Harte, Jimmy.
- Hayden, Aideen.
- Healy Eames, Fidelma.
- Heffernan, James.
- Henry, Imelda.
- Higgins, Lorraine.
- Keane, Cáit.
- Kelly, John.
- Landy, Denis.
- Moloney, Marie.
- Moran, Mary.
- Mulcahy, Tony.
- Mullins, Michael.
- Noone, Catherine.
- O’Keeffe, Susan.
- O’Neill, Pat.
- Sheahan, Tom.
- Whelan, John.
Tellers: Tá, Senators Fiach Mac Conghail and Katherine Zappone; Níl, Senators Paul Coghlan and Susan O’Keeffe.
Amendment declared lost.
Senator Daly has proposed an amendment to the Order of Business, "That a debate on the system of increments in the salary scales of public sector workers be taken today." Is the amendment being pressed?
Yes.
Amendment put.
The Seanad divided: Tá, 16; Níl, 31.
Tá
- Cullinane, David.
- Daly, Mark.
- Leyden, Terry.
- Mac Conghail, Fiach.
- MacSharry, Marc.
- Ó Clochartaigh, Trevor.
- Ó Domhnaill, Brian.
- Ó Murchú, Labhrás.
- O'Brien, Darragh.
- O'Donovan, Denis.
- Power, Averil.
- Quinn, Feargal.
- Reilly, Kathryn.
- van Turnhout, Jillian.
- Walsh, Jim.
- White, Mary M.
Níl
- Bacik, Ivana.
- Bradford, Paul.
- Brennan, Terry.
- Burke, Colm.
- Clune, Deirdre.
- Coghlan, Eamonn.
- Coghlan, Paul.
- Comiskey, Michael.
- Conway, Martin.
- Cummins, Maurice.
- D’Arcy, Jim.
- D’Arcy, Michael.
- Gilroy, John.
- Harte, Jimmy.
- Hayden, Aideen.
- Healy Eames, Fidelma.
- Heffernan, James.
- Henry, Imelda.
- Higgins, Lorraine.
- Keane, Cáit.
- Kelly, John.
- Landy, Denis.
- Moloney, Marie.
- Moran, Mary.
- Mulcahy, Tony.
- Mullins, Michael.
- Noone, Catherine.
- O’Keeffe, Susan.
- O’Neill, Pat.
- Sheahan, Tom.
- Whelan, John.
Tellers: Tá, Senators Terry Leyden and Denis O’Donovan; Níl, Senators Paul Coghlan and Susan O’Keeffe.
Amendment declared lost.
Senator Jim Walsh has proposed an amendment to the Order of Business, "That the debate on the proposed increase in the contribution requirement for widow's contributory pension be taken today." Is the amendment being pressed?
Yes.
Amendment put.
The Seanad divided: Tá, 16; Níl, 33.
Tá
- Cullinane, David.
- Daly, Mark.
- Leyden, Terry.
- MacSharry, Marc.
- Ó Clochartaigh, Trevor.
- Ó Domhnaill, Brian.
- Ó Murchú, Labhrás.
- O'Brien, Darragh.
- O'Brien, Mary Ann.
- O'Donovan, Denis.
- Power, Averil.
- Quinn, Feargal.
- Reilly, Kathryn.
- Walsh, Jim.
- White, Mary M.
- Zappone, Katherine.
Níl
- Bacik, Ivana.
- Bradford, Paul.
- Brennan, Terry.
- Burke, Colm.
- Clune, Deirdre.
- Coghlan, Eamonn.
- Coghlan, Paul.
- Comiskey, Michael.
- Conway, Martin.
- Cummins, Maurice.
- D’Arcy, Jim.
- D’Arcy, Michael.
- Gilroy, John.
- Harte, Jimmy.
- Hayden, Aideen.
- Healy Eames, Fidelma.
- Heffernan, James.
- Henry, Imelda.
- Higgins, Lorraine.
- Keane, Cáit.
- Kelly, John.
- Landy, Denis.
- Mac Conghail, Fiach.
- Moloney, Marie.
- Moran, Mary.
- Mulcahy, Tony.
- Mullins, Michael.
- Noone, Catherine.
- O’Keeffe, Susan.
- O’Neill, Pat.
- Sheahan, Tom.
- van Turnhout, Jillian.
- Whelan, John.
Tellers: Tá, Senators Terry Leyden and Denis O’Donovan; Níl, Senators Paul Coghlan and Susan O’Keeffe.
Amendment declared lost.
Senator Leyden has proposed an amendment to the Order of Business, "That a debate on the proposed increase in the rate of VAT be taken today." Is the amendment being pressed?
Yes.
Amendment put.
The Seanad divided: Tá, 15; Níl, 34.
Tá
- Cullinane, David.
- Daly, Mark.
- Leyden, Terry.
- MacSharry, Marc.
- Ó Clochartaigh, Trevor.
- Ó Domhnaill, Brian.
- Ó Murchú, Labhrás.
- O'Brien, Darragh.
- O'Donovan, Denis.
- Power, Averil.
- Quinn, Feargal.
- Reilly, Kathryn.
- Walsh, Jim.
- White, Mary M.
- Zappone, Katherine.
Níl
- Bacik, Ivana.
- Bradford, Paul.
- Brennan, Terry.
- Burke, Colm.
- Clune, Deirdre.
- Coghlan, Eamonn.
- Coghlan, Paul.
- Comiskey, Michael.
- Conway, Martin.
- Cummins, Maurice.
- D’Arcy, Jim.
- D’Arcy, Michael.
- Gilroy, John.
- Harte, Jimmy.
- Hayden, Aideen.
- Healy Eames, Fidelma.
- Heffernan, James.
- Henry, Imelda.
- Higgins, Lorraine.
- Keane, Cáit.
- Kelly, John.
- Landy, Denis.
- Mac Conghail, Fiach.
- Moloney, Marie.
- Moran, Mary.
- Mulcahy, Tony.
- Mullins, Michael.
- Noone, Catherine.
- O’Brien, Mary Ann.
- O’Keeffe, Susan.
- O’Neill, Pat.
- Sheahan, Tom.
- van Turnhout, Jillian.
- Whelan, John.
Tellers: Tá, Senators Terry Leyden and Denis O’Donovan; Níl, Senators Paul Coghlan and Susan O’Keeffe.
Amendment declared lost.
Senator Ó Domhnaill has proposed an amendment to the Order of Business, "That a debate on the budget provisions for career guidance teachers be taken today." Is the amendment being pressed?
Amendment put.
The Seanad divided: Tá, 17; Níl, 32.
Tá
- Cullinane, David.
- Daly, Mark.
- Leyden, Terry.
- Mac Conghail, Fiach.
- MacSharry, Marc.
- Ó Clochartaigh, Trevor.
- Ó Domhnaill, Brian.
- Ó Murchú, Labhrás.
- O'Brien, Darragh.
- O'Brien, Mary Ann.
- O'Donovan, Denis.
- Power, Averil.
- Quinn, Feargal.
- Reilly, Kathryn.
- Walsh, Jim.
- White, Mary M.
- Zappone, Katherine.
Níl
- Bacik, Ivana.
- Bradford, Paul.
- Brennan, Terry.
- Burke, Colm.
- Clune, Deirdre.
- Coghlan, Eamonn.
- Coghlan, Paul.
- Comiskey, Michael.
- Conway, Martin.
- Cummins, Maurice.
- D’Arcy, Jim.
- D’Arcy, Michael.
- Gilroy, John.
- Harte, Jimmy.
- Hayden, Aideen.
- Healy Eames, Fidelma.
- Heffernan, James.
- Henry, Imelda.
- Higgins, Lorraine.
- Keane, Cáit.
- Kelly, John.
- Landy, Denis.
- Moloney, Marie.
- Moran, Mary.
- Mulcahy, Tony.
- Mullins, Michael.
- Noone, Catherine.
- O’Keeffe, Susan.
- O’Neill, Pat.
- Sheahan, Tom.
- van Turnhout, Jillian.
- Whelan, John.
Tellers: Tá, Senators Terry Leyden and Denis O’Donovan; Níl, Senators Paul Coghlan and Susan O’Keeffe.
Amendment declared lost.
Senator MacSharry has proposed an amendment to the Order of Business, "That a debate on the implications of the changes in the fuel allowance scheme be taken today." Is the amendment being pressed?
I am afraid it must be.
Amendment put.
The Seanad divided: Tá, 17; Níl, 31.
Tá
- Cullinane, David.
- Daly, Mark.
- Leyden, Terry.
- Mac Conghail, Fiach.
- MacSharry, Marc.
- Ó Clochartaigh, Trevor.
- Ó Domhnaill, Brian.
- Ó Murchú, Labhrás.
- O'Brien, Darragh.
- O'Donovan, Denis.
- Power, Averil.
- Quinn, Feargal.
- Reilly, Kathryn.
- van Turnhout, Jillian.
- Walsh, Jim.
- White, Mary M.
- Zappone, Katherine.
Níl
- Bacik, Ivana.
- Bradford, Paul.
- Brennan, Terry.
- Burke, Colm.
- Clune, Deirdre.
- Coghlan, Paul.
- Comiskey, Michael.
- Conway, Martin.
- Cummins, Maurice.
- D’Arcy, Jim.
- D’Arcy, Michael.
- Gilroy, John.
- Harte, Jimmy.
- Hayden, Aideen.
- Healy Eames, Fidelma.
- Heffernan, James.
- Henry, Imelda.
- Higgins, Lorraine.
- Keane, Cáit.
- Kelly, John.
- Landy, Denis.
- Moloney, Marie.
- Moran, Mary.
- Mulcahy, Tony.
- Mullins, Michael.
- Noone, Catherine.
- O’Brien, Mary Ann.
- O’Keeffe, Susan.
- O’Neill, Pat.
- Sheahan, Tom.
- Whelan, John.
Tellers: Tá, Senators Terry Leyden and Denis O’Donovan; Níl, Senators Paul Coghlan and Susan O’Keeffe.
Amendment declared lost.
Is the Order of Business agreed to?
Question put: "That the Order of Business be agreed to."
The Seanad divided by electronic means.
Under Standing Order 62(3)(b), I request that a division be taken by other than electronic means.
Question again put: "That the Order of Business be agreed to."
The Seanad divided: Tá, 35; Níl, 13.
Tá
- Bacik, Ivana.
- Bradford, Paul.
- Brennan, Terry.
- Burke, Colm.
- Clune, Deirdre.
- Coghlan, Paul.
- Comiskey, Michael.
- Conway, Martin.
- Cummins, Maurice.
- D’Arcy, Jim.
- D’Arcy, Michael.
- Gilroy, John.
- Harte, Jimmy.
- Hayden, Aideen.
- Healy Eames, Fidelma.
- Heffernan, James.
- Henry, Imelda.
- Higgins, Lorraine.
- Keane, Cáit.
- Kelly, John.
- Landy, Denis.
- Mac Conghail, Fiach.
- Moloney, Marie.
- Moran, Mary.
- Mulcahy, Tony.
- Mullins, Michael.
- Noone, Catherine.
- O’Brien, Mary Ann.
- O’Keeffe, Susan.
- O’Neill, Pat.
- Quinn, Feargal.
- Sheahan, Tom.
- van Turnhout, Jillian.
- Whelan, John.
- Zappone, Katherine.
Níl
- Cullinane, David.
- Daly, Mark.
- Leyden, Terry.
- MacSharry, Marc.
- Ó Clochartaigh, Trevor.
- Ó Domhnaill, Brian.
- Ó Murchú, Labhrás.
- O'Brien, Darragh.
- O'Donovan, Denis.
- O'Sullivan, Ned.
- Power, Averil.
- Reilly, Kathryn.
- Walsh, Jim.
Tellers: Tá, Senators Paul Coghlan and Susan O’Keeffe; Níl, Senators Terry Leyden and Denis O’Donovan.
Question declared carried.