The Order of Business is No. 1, Valuation (Amendment)(No. 2) Bill 2012 - Order for Second Stage and Second Stage, to be taken on the conclusion of the Order of Business and to conclude not later than 1.45 p.m., with the contributions of group spokespersons not to exceed ten minutes and those of all other Senators not to exceed six minutes, and the Minister to be called on to reply to the debate not later than 1.35 p.m.
Order of Business
I wish the Acting Leader well in his temporary role.
It is very temporary.
As I also am in a temporary role, this is from one temp to another.
A Senator
There have been some changes over there.
I propose a slight amendment to the Order of Business to enable Members to make statements on the issue of public sector allowances before taking the Valuation (Amendment)(No. 2) Bill. As the Minister is coming into the House for the debate on that Bill anyway, I suggest Members could eat into some of the time allocated to it by debating the issue of public sector allowances. Massive confusion surrounds that issue and such confusion deserves to be clarified and removed from the system.
I also wonder whether the Valuation (Amendment)(No. 2) Bill is to be withdrawn from the schedule because I understand that some representative bodies are meeting officials today to raise with the Minister the most serious issues regarding that Bill's constitutionality. The representatives in question have met quite a number of Oireachtas Members. However, I understand the Department is meeting these people today and is taking seriously their concerns. On that basis, might it be necessary for the Acting Leader to withdraw the Valuation (Amendment)(No. 2) Bill this morning? Perhaps he should consult the Minister.
What is happening in respect of allowances? There is confusion everywhere again, including about the Valuation (Amendment)(No. 2) Bill and the allowances. A letter has been leaked by the Department of Health to health service workers to the effect that the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform, Deputy Howlin, is looking for their heads in respect of allowances. This has neatly diverted the flak from health to public expenditure as far as the day's news cycle is concerned and I wonder whether that was the deliberate intent, as it certainly has been the effect. Who are being targeted in respect of these allowances? Those targeted are teachers, nurses, gardaí and soldiers. These are the people who Deputy Howlin and the Labour Party-Fine Gael Government have decided to target first for cuts, namely, the people on whom we depend in our daily lives, those front-line workers who provide the front-line services about which the Government talks so much and yet does so little. The Government has targeted them as they are the easy targets.
Another common thread running through the leaked list of allowances pertains to the Irish language. Any allowances related to the Gaeltacht or to Irish appear to be under attack by the Government. This is a retrograde step because it takes some effort and additional skills for someone to go to a Gaeltacht or to be able to speak Irish and communicate with people in the constitutional language of their choice, as is their entitlement. However, the Government is targeting this among the aforementioned nurses, gardaí, soldiers and teachers. Many teachers in Gaeltacht areas or gaelscoileanna will receive quite a fright on reading the newspapers this morning. This was an outrageous way to leak this information. It is only right, fair and proper that Members have a debate in this House on this issue. This is my proposal in respect of the Order of Business.
I ask for the Acting Leader to allocate time to facilitate a debate on the issue of pyrite. This matter has been discussed in the House on numerous occasions and time must be set aside for it. Fianna Fáil certainly would like to use its Private Members' time, if available, but there would be no harm in the Government setting aside some time to debate this issue. Members were given many promises but I note people are really upset and worried. They do not know what is going on in Meath, Kildare, Offaly and Dublin and they seek answers.
We gave the Government time and I specifically told the Minister last March that I would not put him under political pressure if I felt he was genuine in resolving that issue. However, the longer this issue goes on, the more cynical the public becomes that nothing will be done. I urge the acting Leader to set aside time to debate that issue and also to set aside time today to debate allowances.
In regard to the Croke Park agreement, last month, when this matter came into the public domain, the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform, Deputy Howlin, made it clear that he intended to look at all the allowances and to establish the best way of modernising the pay structure and eliminating outdated arrangements. As I said previously in this House, the reason we are dealing with this quagmire of allowances is because Senator Byrne's party in government instituted all of these allowances for this, that and the other, instead of dealing with the real issue of low paid workers.
Some the allowances date back to the 1950s, or the 1940s and to the inter-party government.
Senator Hayden, without interruption.
I have no difficulty in having a debate on the issue of public sector reform but with due courtesy to those people participating in the Croke Park agreement, we should allow them the opportunity to have their meeting this afternoon. On the broader issue, I have no difficulty whatsoever in fully airing this matter in this House.
I welcome the announcement today of 610 jobs in Dublin. It has been a good week for jobs in this country. The Kerry Group has done us proud, Kildare has benefited and now thankfully Dublin has benefited. Not many people know this but some of the worst unemployment black spots in this country are in the Dublin region. We very much welcome those 610 jobs.
I note that our President, Micheal D. Higgins, is doing us proud in Rio de Janeiro. I do not know if people know but the famous Christ the Redeemer statue overlooking Rio de Janeiro will be swathed in green for St. Patrick's Day. It is no mean achievement for this country to have achieved the recognition we have, particularly over the past 12 months, for the upcoming Gathering. I congratulate the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport on the increasing pace of this event and the good it is doing this country. I also note the great work being done by my party leader, the Tánaiste, in restoring the international reputation of the country.
We instituted The Gathering.
I refer to taxi regulation. I am sure many colleagues, particularly those who live outside Dublin, have more occasion to use the taxi service in this city than I do. Last night Dawson Street was like a Christmas tree of taxis. In fact, some of them were bedecked with all sorts of weird lights and jingle jangles which I have never seen on an official taxi. To say the situation has gone out of control would be an understatement. There is a real issue around rogue taxi drivers. The level of kerb-crawling in this city with taxi drivers not adhering to the formal ranks is outrageous. Given the number of people who I hope and pray will come to this country for The Gathering, taxi regulation and cleaning up our act in regard to taxis is vital.
I refer to other good news today, namely, the comments of Christine Lagarde of the IMF suggesting that more time be given to countries like Ireland which are trying to tackle a very difficult economic situation and to deal with deficits. There is a growing acceptance that countries like Ireland are doing their best to tackle a very difficult situation. Another debate on the economy is due at this time and perhaps the acting Leader might suggest that.
I support the sentiments of Senator Byrne on the Valuation (Amendment) (No. 2) Bill, particularly as the acting Leader hails from Killarney. The documents submitted to us by the Irish Hotels Federation were very well argued. They were not the usual lobbying documents and appear to make some serious points about the way in which this commissioner could value properties without the right to appeal. That is an important consideration. The rate on a hotel room is approximately €1,500 per year, so it is important for that major industry that it is not disadvantaged and that we do not end up with the Government losing a case in the courts, as with the valuation of agricultural land for rating purposes.
I welcome Senator Hayden's reference to Christ the Redeemer going green on St. Patrick's Day. He drove the moneylenders out of the temple so I hope it is a good omen for us in dealing with these bankers and as we attempt to put this country to rights again.
Where I live in Bennettsbridge, County Kilkenny, I often get telephone calls from people wanting to know who the peace commissioner in the area is but there is no peace commissioner currently. I contacted the Department of Justice and Equality and thanked it for sending me a list of 147 peace commissioners in County Kilkenny but when I went through the list, I was a bit shocked to see that my father, who is dead 15 years this year, was still on it. A neighbour up the road, who I will not name and who is dead 12 years, was still on the list. Another man from Bennettsbridge who is also dead 12 years was still on the list.
It is the Garda's responsibility to keep this list up to date. Of 147 on the County Kilkenny list, more than 30 are dead. It is time the Department of Justice and Equality instructed the local gardaí to bring this list up to date because people need peace commissioners at different times and I could not name a peace commissioner in my area, although there are some in Kilkenny city. It is disrespectful to families to see that people's names are still on the list even though they are dead a long time. Will the acting Leader contact the Department of Justice and Equality and ask it to get the gardaí to up date this list? I presume the same applies to the list in every county.
Every week I become more alarmed at how out of touch our public service, public service unions and the political establishment in general is with the difficulties people are encountering and at the complete disconnect or lack of empathy with their problems. This House could usefully focus on those issues. I appeal to the acting Leader that we address issues like banking on a weekly basis. The banks were recapitalised so that we would have a credit flow to SMEs and business. Nothing of the kind is happening, even though huge amounts of money have been invested in the banks. People have personal debt and are struggling with mortgages but banks are not dealing with the issue. The Personal Insolvency Bill is languishing somewhere in some civil servant's office and there is no credit flow to SMEs.
I agree with Senator Hayden that there has been some good news on job creation this week but we have also had a lot of bad news. I felt there was an air of unreality about the interview the Taoiseach did with Time magazine. The jobs being created is like placing a plaster on a tumour. It really will not achieve what is needed given the magnitude of the task. People are unemployed and people are emigrating. We face huge issues and we are talking about all sorts of partisan political issues in this and the Lower House.
As I said yesterday, the Government parties are squabbling with each other when people are crying out for leadership and for some answers to their problems. Unemployment is a major issue, as is public expenditure. We talk about allowances. Even without the allowances, there are no low paid public servants. I did an analysis going back a number of years which benchmarked pay across a broad range of public service positions with those in other western European countries, such as Britain, France, Italy and the Benelux countries. We are at the top, or near the top, of the list in all of them. Pay in the public service is way ahead. Some estimates put it at nearly 40% to 50% ahead of similar positions in the private sector.
We are crucifying the working class and middle class who are struggling as never before. No Government has tackled the disgrace of legal fees, a report on which was published in 2006 but has not been acted upon by any Minister. We owe it to the people to prioritise and deal with these issues and cut out the propaganda from all sides of the House in order to give hope to the younger generation who are facing unemployment and emigration.
As there is less than one month to the referendum on children's rights, I call on all Members to get out and promote it and ensure the passage of the most important referendum the country will deal with for many years to come. It will help to safeguard children, support families and ensure that some of the awful atrocities that happened to young children in the past will never happen again. That voting takes place on a Saturday affords an opportunity to many who, heretofore, may not have had the opportunity to vote mid-week, particularly students who return to constituencies at weekends. Another issue that must be addressed is those who are not registered to vote. During the general election many people who should have been registered discovered when they arrived at polling stations that they were not registered. They have until 23 October to get themselves on the supplementary register. We should spread that message to ensure a large turnout and a resounding "Yes" vote in order to safeguard and protect the children of Ireland. As public representatives it is incumbent on us to play our part in the next four weeks to ensure the referendum is passed.
We have had a number of calls in recent weeks for a debate on suicide. I am very disturbed because I have spoken this morning to a man who has told me he is suicidal. The reason is that he is an asylum seeker in Lisbrook House, a direct provision hostel in Galway, and a decision was taken yesterday to close the centre. I do not doubt that he is genuinely morose. The Lisbrook centre is part of a broader direct provision system which is hugely flawed and needs to be examined. A meeting sought with the Minister for Justice and Equality, Deputy Alan Shatter, on behalf of all the Galway West and Galway East representatives was not forthcoming and the centre is being closed on the recommendations of the Reception and Integration Agency without discussing the issue with representatives of the residents. It would be only right and fair that Oireachtas representatives be allowed meet the Reception and Integration Agency and the Minister to discuss the issue and give their side of the case. That has not happened. I call on my colleagues to intervene with the Minister to speak to us and representatives of the residents.
I am calling for a debate on direct provision as I believe there is broad agreement that the system is not working. I note that the Minister, when in opposition in July 2010, said the manner in which it operates should be subject to a fundamental review, preferably in the next six months. The Minister of State, Deputy Joe Costello, in opposition, is also on record as describing direct provision centres as a prison for people. He also said that asylum seekers should be allowed to work while they await the decision on their applications. It should be a mark of civilisation of our country that we would ensure that people who come here seeking asylum be treated fairly and humanely and at present that is not the case.
Yesterday the Ombudsman, who appeared before the Joint Committee on Public Service Oversight and Petitions, said she had serious concerns regarding the way in which direct provision is being handled. The Irish Refugee Council report, which is frightening, has highlighted potential instances of abuse. There is much ill-informed commentary in the media and in the public domain about direct provision which must be counteracted. There are allegations of abuse of women and children in the centres. There is also deprivation and mental illness. I fear we are witnessing another State sanctioned scandal happening on our watch and something must be done soon.
I too welcome the jobs announcement this morning by Paddy Power and the announcement earlier in the week by the Kerry Group. I am amused at Senator Walsh's comments who said we are living in an air of unreality in the House. Every Member realises the difficulties being experienced in the country and which we debate daily. The report on legal fees was published in 2006 when the party of which he is a member was in Government, yet now he is very upset that nothing has happened about it.
He acknowledged that.
That is the unreality of where Senator Walsh is living that he should make such a statement.
Does the Senator have a question for the Leader?
The jobs announcement by Paddy Power coincides with the visit yesterday by the Irish Bookmakers Association to the Houses to meet Oireachtas Members. They are seeking that legislation on the opening hours of betting offices be dealt with as speedily as possible. I call on the Leader to request the Minister for Justice and Equality to bring forward the legislation and fast-track it. The Irish horse industry employs 30,000 people, 6,000 of whom are employed through the Irish Bookmakers Association. It is good employment but is seasonal for 1,000 staff who have to be let go owing to the fact that betting offices cannot open at night until Irish racing is taking place. Therefore, all the trade is lost to on-line betting where there are no jobs.
I call on the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine to intervene with the Horse Racing Ireland to ensure the much sought after increased race meetings in Dundalk racecourse goes ahead. It is seeking 25 extra race meetings. There are small trainers and big trainers on their knees because they cannot get races for their horses due to weather conditions but also because there are not enough race meetings. A state-of-the-art track in Dundalk, the best in Europe, is open only on Friday nights. It is time we utilised the facilities paid for by the taxpayer.
I second the amendment proposed by Deputy Thomas Byrne to the Order of Business. I agree with Senator Aideen Hayden on the taxi industry. Every Tuesday morning as I drive past Heuston station there are 40 or 50 taxis parked there with little or no movement. It must be soul-destroying for those who have to work in that environment. The Luas and the bus are available to take passengers to Abbey Street. I suggest the regulator examine the issue. I call for a debate on the development of the whole taxi industry. I agree that the standard of taxis, which is pathetic in the capital city, should be upgraded. New York has the Yellow Cabs and London has the Black Cabs whereas Ireland has not got around to having a standardised vehicle to provide a service. The vehicles used are a rag-bag type of car, some are good while others are in poor condition. It would be a worthwhile exercise to invite the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport or the Minister of State at the Department with responsibility for transport to attend the House to discuss the up-to-date position on the taxi industry.
I am delighted to announce that taxi drivers are very anti-Government at this stage. I was in a taxi the other day and the driver could not say enough bad things about the Government, which was music to my ears.
They were talking about the last Government. That is the problem. He or she was talking about the last Government.
Taxi drivers are influential.
The Senator's party destroyed the business. That is what they have told me.
One gets a great insight into the happenings of Leinster House when one listens to a taximan. It is worthwhile paying the fare just to find out what is going on.
I ask the Senator to make his point during the debate.
I will.
The Senator's party was in government for ten years.
I ask the Acting Leader of the House - I am sure it would assist Senator Kelly also - when Committee Stage of the Wind Turbines Bill 2012 be taken? The Labour Party has asserted its power in the House. Obviously, it is a powerful group and has made major changes.
A Senator
More than the Senator's party.
(Interruptions).
Unfortunately, we have lost an officeholder from the west. That is most regrettable because we need every job in the west.
A Senator
And the midlands.
Yes, particularly in Sligo. The Bill is important but there has been resistance to it at Government level from the Minister and his Department. I commend Senator Kelly because the Bill has received tremendous coverage in the local media - so much so that people think it has been passed. This is a wonderful achievement. There has been so much radio coverage that people presume the Bill has been passed.
It is no thanks to Senator Leyden.
A meeting was held in Mullingar last night.
The Senator has run over time.
No, I am entitled to more time because there is a special provision relating to Bills.
There is but there is also a clock, Senator.
I will have to ask the Clerk to check the Standing Orders.
The Senator must check that it is right.
Has Senator Leyden a question for the acting Leader?
When will the Committee Stage of the Wind Turbines Bill 2012 be taken?
No. 12 on the Order Paper is the Registration of Wills Bill 2011, which was endorsed by the Labour and Fine Gael parties when my party was in government. I have a question for the members of the legal profession who are present. There are a few solicitors, barristers and half barristers in the House.
There were a lot of them in the Galway tent.
I ask them to examine the Bill. I want the acting Leader to ask his colleagues in the Law Library and brilliant barristers to examine the Bill. I am prepared to table amendments and to accept changes to them in order to make it possible to enact the legislation.
I note that the Taoiseach is chairing a special meeting of the Croke Park implementation body today. I wish him well in his endeavours to effect change and savings through the Croke Park process. I call on all the stakeholders involved to make a genuine effort to find savings and to pull on the jersey of recovery. The only way the process can work is if all parties buy into it. There are mechanisms in the Croke Park agreement to ensure that further savings can be achieved and at a faster pace.
I agree with previous speakers that we need to do something about the taxi industry. To be fair, the industry was deregulated in 2000 and the taxi unions were at fault for that because they would not negotiate. All proposals made by government were knocked on the head by the taxi unions. The current situation is completely out of control. It is a desperate experience to stand on Dawson Street on any night of the week - not just on a Saturday night - and see the place littered with taxis. Similarly, Harcourt Street is closed off because it is jammed with taxis. We need to do something about the matter. We need a professional taxi industry in the city and country. The bottom line is that we need to portray ourselves as professional. I hope we will have a significant surge in tourist numbers next year for The Gathering and we must ensure that they have a pleasant experience when they get into a taxi. We need to ensure that if they are going to the Davenport Hotel they do not end up on Dawson Street instead. That is what is happening at present. Taxi drivers need to be professionally trained. We need to ensure that they have a proper induction system that enables them to know the city inside out and upside down before they accept fares.
I wish my opposite number, Senator Paul Coghlan, well in his position as acting Leader this morning.
It was the original arrangement, as I already explained.
I know that his insecurity has necessitated his arranging for his assistant Whip to sit alongside him. I wish him well in his acting position.
It is like an annual column from County Kerry.
Senator Wilson please, without interruption.
Yesterday morning, my colleague, Senator Paul Coghlan, raised the issue of a long-established business that had been forced into receivership by the Ulster Bank. This morning, I read in a national newspaper about the same happening to another long-established business, Olhausen meat producers, which has been in existence for 126 years. Yesterday morning, 160 workers were informed at 7 a.m. that the plants in Dublin and Lough Egish, County Monaghan, would close with immediate effect because Ulster Bank had appointed receivers to the company. It appointed receivers despite a substantial takeover bid being made by a third party. It is outrageous that Ulster Bank can operate in such a way. It moved in and appointed a receiver with the immediate loss of 130 jobs in Dublin and 30 jobs in Lough Egish, County Monaghan, at a long established and well-respected meat producing company. Such behaviour is unacceptable. I ask the acting Leader to ask the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation, Deputy Richard Bruton, the action the he intends to take. If we do not receive a satisfactory answer from Senator Paul Coghlan, I will raise the matter again next week because such behaviour cannot be allowed to continue. This is the second story in two days involving the same bank and it is unacceptable.
I heard a story that involved Ulster Bank on another day regarding the fact that it did not pass on mortgage interest relief, which was granted by the Government, to first-time buyers between 2004 and 2008. All the banks have passed it on but Ulster Bank has failed to do so. People who should have received it have brought the matter to my attention. What is the regulator doing about it? The question was asked of past regulators about whether they were asleep at the wheel. I ask the banking regulator to go into the banks and find out what is going on. Every Senator has come in here with varying stories about the behaviour of banks. We must have regulations. Ulster Bank has not passed on that relief to its customers. Other banks, such as AIB, the EBS, the National Irish Bank, Halifax and the Bank of Scotland, have done so and I give them credit where credit is due.
I wish to raise another issue. Many banks have set up businesses, particularly small businesses, to fail because they hold on to cash for three to four days. When a client pays a business money owed to it, the bank holds onto the cash in its funds for three or four before passing it on to the small business. Cashflow is of major importance to small businesses. Many of them are living from one week to the next but the banks are not facilitating them. In fact, they are causing a lot of damage to them. I have heard numerous complaints about banks. Is there a timespan for such money transactions? We live in an electronic age where one can transfer money with the click of a button. What is the reason for such a delay? Is there legislation that states that a bank can hold on to a person's money for two or three days? What are the rules? There is no point having rules if they are not implemented. There should be a root and branch analysis of what is happening in the banks. All the issues should be tabulated and brought to the fore here. I ask the acting Leader to ask the relevant Minister to do so. Ulster Bank should be brought to heel for the way it has withheld mortgage interest relief. Can we get a statement from all of the banks on how long they hold on to people's money, particularly money for small businesses?
I agree with Senator Walsh about the issue of public service pay and how it varies between European countries. He had the good grace to acknowledge that his party, when in government, did not address it either. That is not a good reason not to consider the matter. I suggest all Senators interested in this matter, irrespective of party, come together and make a proposal on how to deal with it. We should do so as a collective group in the Seanad rather than fire missiles back and forth. Let us be constructive and get one or two Senators from each party to formulate a proposal together for the Government. I also wish the Taoiseach the best of luck at the meeting on the Croke Park agreement.
As Fianna Fáil spokesperson on jobs, enterprise and innovation, it is my pleasure to announce this morning that the economic viability of the village of Moneygall is guaranteed after I put my firepower as a Senator behind the campaign for appropriate signage for that village. In June I was fascinated to meet Mr. Henry Healy, President Obama's cousin. On driving down there when I arrived at the exit for Moneygall, which is only 1 km from the motorway, I was overwhelmed by the sight of the entrance. It was like the Appian Way into Rome in the olden days. The American and Irish flags were flying on the way in. The quality of the village was matched by the quality of the welcoming entrance and the relationship with the United States. I subsequently visited President Obama's ancestral homestead and was told that he shook with emotion when he put his hand on the fireplace and realised that this was the place from which his ancestors came.
For some time the Moneygall Action Group has been trying to secure signage on the motorway between Limerick and Dublin highlighting that this is the ancestral home of the President of the United States, but to date it has not achieved this. I know some people in this room go along with the Taoiseach's view that this Chamber should be abolished. I believe that as a Senator I have been very successful in delivering on issues for people throughout the country. I approached the National Roads Authority and was informed that 50,000 people needed to visit a location annually in order to justify a sign highlighting the village as an ancestral home. I then put the case to Mr. Seán Quinn of Fáilte Ireland and he agreed, as Fáilte Ireland is the driver behind The Gathering 2013. Fáilte Ireland and the National Roads Authority got together.
Is the Senator seeking a debate on the matter?
I am delighted that Fáilte Ireland and the National Roads Authority have supported my initiative. This is about jobs. As my colleagues know, 99% of the time when I speak here, I talk about jobs and employment. My motive in establishing Lir Chocolates in the 1980s was to create employment. There was an issue about the requirement for 50,000 visitors in order to qualify for a sign. However, as I pointed out to the National Roads Authority, it is not possible to get the 50,000 visitors without the road sign. However, they have all agreed and the Moneygall people are delighted that the sign will be erected shortly. I acknowledge the work of my colleagues, Deputy Barry Cowen and Councillor Peter Ormond, who supported me in this initiative.
Well done.
The Seanad has great power - all we need to do is believe in ourselves that we have power to achieve things.
Hear, hear.
We have access to the powers that be in the country.
A Senator
Was it a sign for Fianna Fáil that the Senator put up?
I welcome that the World Handball Championship is being held here in Dublin. It is a major achievement that 2,000 players and 1,000 officials will be visiting our capital city for the best part of a week from 30 different countries. These championships were last held in Ireland nine years ago and are being branded this year as the global relaunch in the birthplace of the sport. Handball began and evolved to being played in these other countries. The PartyPoker.com World Grand Prix Darts Championship is also taking place with thousands of people involved. It is a major tourism boost at this time of year. Getting these world championships is recognition of the magnificent sporting facilities we have.
I support Senator Landy's request for additional horse race meetings at Dundalk racetrack, which is a magnificent facility. Anyone who has not been there should visit it.
I join others in raising the issue of cuts to allowances for public servants as reported in the media this morning. I ask the Acting Leader to raise the issue of the forthcoming budget. While I would not always agree with the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport, Deputy Varadkar, he was spot on in highlighting that consumer confidence was being directly affected by Ministers flying kites as to what might and might not be cut. We cannot have a different budget every time the Irish Independent prints an article. The people deserve some clarity and some element of confidence but this does not give them that. If there are to be cuts and savings announced, Ministers should not fly kites. As Senator Byrne has said, it is a sad day when our target is the people who are directly at the coalface on the front line. It is the nurses, soldiers, gardaí and teachers. Those people in middle Ireland, who are lucky enough to have jobs-----
Crocodile tears.
----- but are perceived to be making a fortune, are the automatic targets of the Government when preparing budgets. It is wrong that these people represent the first line we seek to attack. In any event it is absolutely unacceptable for Ministers to continue to fly kites in trying to balance the delicate mix of backbenchers in the Labour Party and Fine Gael against their own popularity. I call on the Acting Leader to invite the Minister for Finance to the House to give some clarity in the context of his budget preparations. He might take a lead from the Minister, Deputy Varadkar, in instructing the rest of the Ministers to keep their mouths shut for now or else announce the budget.
The Minister for Health was in the House for more than five hours yesterday and engaged in a detailed debate on a number of issues. I am somewhat concerned that one of our national newspapers ran a story this morning stating that the Minister was running for cover. It gave the impression that the Minister was not available to anyone when he was here for five hours yesterday dealing with issues raised by my colleagues on the other side of the House - which they were entitled to raise. We had a debate from 2.30 to 4.30 on a Bill to restructure the health service and a further two-hour debate on the primary health care centres. Now a national newspaper claims that the Minister is running for cover. That is unfair coverage by any newspaper.
Regardless of who is in charge of health - this also goes back to the previous Minister - the Minister for Health seems to be the running target at all times. He is trying to do a job in a very difficult area and it cannot be resolved overnight. He has also had to deal with €1.7 billion having been taken from the budget in the past two to three years. He is dealing with that in a very constructive way.
Some Senators have spoken about public service allowances.
The background to this issue is interesting. One of the biggest costs in life is the cost of buying a house. In 2000, this was within the reach of most people working in the public service. The Bacon report published in 2002 provided guidelines on what needed to be done in this area. The problem was created by the bowing by the previous Government to the construction industry, which allowed property prices to increase by 200% to 400%.
The banks did.
There was no national policy on the issue. We need to put in place a long-term national housing policy. I am speaking in this regard not only of local authority housing. As I stated earlier, the biggest cost in life is the cost of buying a house.
Is the Senator seeking a debate on this issue?
We should have a debate on where we want to be in five, ten or 20 years' time in terms of house ownership and how we are to move forward while ensuring we do not create a housing bubble of the type previously created. Some gardaí based in Dublin were given allowances on the basis of it being more expensive to reside there. While there is a need to review allowances, this must be done in a constructive manner, which is what the Minister is trying to do. This issue comes within the remit of the Croke Park agreement. We need to examine the reasons the allowances were given in the first instance and the reason the cost of renting and housing was allowed increase beyond the reach of ordinary people. In 2006-07 a teacher and a garda, combining both salaries, could not afford to purchase a house in Dublin. We need to put in place a long term housing plan for the country.
I call on the Acting Leader to provide time for a debate on the mortgage issue. Former President Clinton advised the Government at the Irish Global Economic Forum last year that it needed to tackle the mortgage problem here. All we have seen to date from the Government is activity and no action. It has introduced a personal insolvency Bill which, if the banks had drafted it, we would not be able to tell the difference. Fianna Fáil has proposed real solutions to the problems and issues. To date, 18 months on, the Government still has not taken action. Without action on the mortgage issue there will be no revitalisation of the economy. People are not spending, in particular on luxury items such as cars - I am not sure cars are a luxury item if one needs one to get to work - because they are concerned about mortgages. This is driving down the economy yet there is no action on the part of Government in this regard.
One cannot tackle public sector pay without first solving the mortgage problem because any cuts in this regard would drive public service employees into financial difficulties. Unless the Government takes action and ceases its activity masquerading as action the problem will not be solved. The Government is offering no solutions despite the commitment in this regard in the programme for Government. We need the Government to take action and to do so now. If it does not, the economy will continue to decline, with people continuing to lose work or emigrate. The root cause of our problems at this point is inaction on mortgage issues. We cannot tackle public sector pay and all the other issues which need to be addressed until such time as the root problem has been tackled. People will not spend money on anything until they are secure in their homes. This issue can only be tackled by way of a realistic personal insolvency Bill which tackles the mortgage issue, allowing people to write down debt. We can then revitalise the economy and create jobs and thus retain our young people at home.
It is clear that Senator Daly does not understand the purpose of the personal insolvency Bill. I would point out to him that-----
If it is left up to the banks to declare whether a person is insolvent then no one's problems will be solved.
Senator D'Arcy without interruption, please.
-----it is the only legislation which takes account of mortgage arrears worldwide.
It has not been passed yet.
I wish to comment on the Adjournment debates of this House. When a Member of the Dáil, I criticised the then Adjournment Debate structure in that House, with Ministers reading scripts handed to them as they walked into the Chamber and having no knowledge or information on the matter raised. The same is happening in this House. This is disrespectful to any Member who tables an Adjournment matter.
That does not only happen on the Adjournment.
There is now a mechanism available to Members of the Dáil which enables them to make a complaint to the Ceann Comhairle if they are dissatisfied with a response received in regard to a Topical Issue Matter or parliamentary question. The introduction of such a mechanism in this House would be helpful. I have tabled matters on the Adjournment here, the responses to which have often been irrelevant to the matter raised.
I call on the Leader, Whips and Cathaoirleach to consider implementation here of the structure now provided in the Dáil in order that Members of the Seanad who are dissatisfied with responses they receive can appeal the matter to the Cathaoirleach and have it responded to correctly by the appropriate line Minister. I would welcome a written response to that request from the Leader.
A wide range of questions have been asked. I thank Senator Byrne for his comments, all of which I can assure him have been noted.
We do not hear that too often.
However, I am unable to accept his proposed amendment. Second Stage of the Bill will be taken today. Committee Stage will not be taken until further consultations have taken place. No meetings with interest groups have yet been scheduled. However, I am advised they will be arranged soon. For this reason, Committee Stage will be delayed. I hope that is helpful to the Senator.
I will refer the question on the pyrite issue to the Leader, who is sympathetic to the Senator's concerns in this regard. I am sure the Leader will deal with the matter on Tuesday and will facilitate the Senator in allowing time for such a debate rather than have Fianna Fáil arrange for such a debate during its Private Members' time.
I agree with Senator Hayden's comments in regard to the job announcements by Paddy Power and the Kerry Group, which are all welcome. I agree also, as I am sure do all Members of the House, that the President is doing us proud in enhancing Ireland's reputation in South America.
Senators Hayden and Leyden called for a debate on taxi regulation. The Minister of State, Deputy Kelly, has given an undertaking that he will come to the Seanad in the near future to discuss this issue. I note Senator Barrett's comment in regard to the Commission. I do not doubt what he had to say. I am sure that will be taken into account. As I explained earlier, Committee Stage of the legislation will be delayed.
Senator O'Neill's comment in regard to peace commissioners was interesting. I am sure this is repeated throughout the country. However, the Senator, as I am sure he is aware, is in a position to make representations. I will pass on the Senator's comments to the Minister.
Senator Walsh spoke about the public service unions, the banking sector, unemployment and so on. I understand the Leader is favourably disposed towards debates on those issues. I will communicate with him in this regard.
Senator Mullins issued a timely reminder in regard to the referendum on children's rights. I take on board his comment that we must defeat any apathy in this regard and that it behoves all of us to do what we can to ensure the referendum is passed. I agree also that Saturday is a good choice of day for the holding of the referendum. I compliment the Minister and Government in this regard.
Senator Ó Clochartaigh spoke about suicide. I was saddened by the case which he outlined. I am sure the person concerned welcomed his assurances. I will pass on the Senator's concerns to the Leader.
Senator Landy also spoke of the job announcements by Paddy Power and the Kerry Group, which as I stated are very welcome. I note his comments about race nights in Dundalk. While I have not been there myself I have heard it is a great track. The industry needs help and we should be encouraging the holding of more race nights there. I will follow up the matter with the Leader.
I have already responded to Senator Leyden's call for a debate on taxi regulation. As I stated, the Minister of State, Deputy Kelly, will come into the House soon to discuss the matter. The Senator is correct that the regulator needs to examine the current situation.
I am delighted Senator Leyden is keeping the drivers happy and that he is sharing their fumes.
We debate frequently.
I will refer the question of the Wind Turbines Bill 2012 to the Leader.
Senator Martin Conway raised this afternoon's meeting of the Croke Park agreement implementation body. We call on all concerned to make genuine efforts as we all want progress. Senator Conway is also concerned about the taxi industry and he will be able to pursue the points he raised with the Minister of State, Deputy Kelly, in short course.
I very much agree with what Senator Wilson stated about Ulster Bank. The situation of the meat producers he discussed is most unfortunate. He stated 160 jobs are at stake. I hope this is not a wind-down by Ulster Bank because it gave an assurance to an Oireachtas joint committee that it was here for the long haul and I questioned its representatives myself at the time. I note what he stated about a substantial takeover offer and I will pass on his remarks to the Minister, Deputy Bruton.
Senator Keane also spoke about Ulster Bank not passing on mortgage interest relief. It is a matter for the regulator and we will refer it. She is probably correct about the banks delaying clearing. It is something about which I am concerned as I am sure are all Members. Arising from Senator Keane's comments this morning, I will refer the matter further. The Leader is committed to holding a debate on banking.
I am delighted to note Senator White is overwhelmed and impressed with the ancestral home of President Obama.
Ancestral village.
Of course. I note what the Senator said with regard to appropriate signage. It is good that it will go up shortly because, as she stated, it will be very helpful for the Gathering.
I hope he is re-elected.
Senator Brennan spoke about the world handball championships in Dublin which are an important event. He is concerned about Dundalk as is Senator Landy, and I fully share their views in this regard.
Senator MacSharry is concerned about allowances for public servants, in particular those on the front line. He agrees with the Minister, Deputy Varadkar, on kite flying, as do I. The Leader has given a commitment with regard to debates on finance and budget preparations. I will refer the Senator's remarks to him.
Senator Burke spoke about a newspaper article alleging that the Minister, Deputy Reilly, is running for cover. As Senator Burke explained, we saw how good he was here yesterday during two different sessions. We have no fault to find with the Minister, Deputy Reilly. He is in a very difficult berth and he is doing a good job. We should allow him to get on with it. I will refer the Senator's comments on a national housing policy to the Leader.
I note the comments and concerns of Senator Daly on mortgage problems and I will refer them to the Leader. I note what Senator Michael D'Arcy said about Adjournment debates and the practice in the other House of an appeals system if the person involved is not satisfied with the reply or believes the reply is not correct. As the Senator explained, this may not be the Minister's fault. I will refer these comments to the Leader and I am sure he will deal with the matter.
Senator Thomas Byrne moved an amendment to the Order of Business, "That statements on public sector allowances be taken before the Valuation (Amendment) (No. 2) Bill."
Amendment put and declared lost.
Order of Business agreed to.
Sitting suspended at 11.35 a.m. and resumed at 11.45 a.m.