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Seanad Éireann debate -
Tuesday, 24 Sep 2013

Vol. 226 No. 3

Order of Business

The Order of Business is No. 1, Residential Tenancies (Amendment) (No. 2) Bill 2012 - Second Stage, to be taken at the conclusion of the Order of Business and adjourned not later than 5.45 p.m., with the contributions of group spokespersons not to exceed ten minutes and those of all other Senators not to exceed six minutes; No. 2, statements on Directive 2011/24/EU of the European Parliament and the Council of 9 March 2011 on the application of patients' rights in cross-border health care, to be taken at 5.45 p.m. and to conclude not later than 7 p.m., with the contributions of all Senators not to exceed six minutes and the Minister to be called on to reply to the debate not later than 6.55 p.m.; and No 3, statements on the Houses of the Oireachtas (Inquiries, Privileges and Procedures) Act 2013 (Commencement) Order 2013, to be taken at 7 p.m. and to conclude not later than 8.30 p.m., with the contributions of group spokespersons not to exceed eight minutes and those of all other Senators not to exceed five minutes and the Minister to be called on to reply not later than 8.25 p.m. I know many Senators wish to speak on the Residential Tenancies (Amendment) (No. 2) Bill 2013. We have had requests from Members for debates on the issues of housing and residential tenancies and I have arranged for this debate to be resumed next Tuesday in the event that those who wish to speak do not have an opportunity to do so today. I am sure we will have a very comprehensive debate on the Bill.

I have arranged the debate on No. 3 following requests on the Order of Business last week for such a debate.

Before concluding, I propose that we have a vote of sympathy to the wife and family of former Senator John Blennerhassett, an excellent Member of the House from 1973 to 1983. I extend my condolences to his family at this time.

Will the Leader invite the Minister for Health to come to the House to deal with the issue of discretionary medical cards? All Members of this and the other House, local authority members and GPs throughout the State are aware of the extent to which the provision of such cards has been cut in recent years. We often hear the Minister boast that more medical cards are being given out than ever before, but the reality is different. I cannot understand the disrespectful and dismissive manner in which the authorities are dealing with patients with serious medical conditions such as motor neurone disease, cancer, multiple sclerosis and other seriously debilitating illnesses. Health authorities traditionally had discretion to issue medical cards to such persons where their income was somewhat over the threshold to allow them to meet the increasing cost of tests, medications and so on as they underwent treatment.

This issue should be debated in the House. As a result of the cuts, there are only some 59,000 people now in receipt of discretionary medical cards compared with approximately 81,000 in 2010. Yesterday in Sligo a man in his 40s came to me in tears because his wife had been informed by letter that their discretionary medical card was being withdrawn. The Minister has confirmed in the other House that cancer patients will only receive medical cards under the discretionary arrangement if their condition is terminal. As I am sure Senator John Crown will agree, it is often very difficult to confirm whether a particular cancer diagnosis is terminal. To deny authorities the ability to give medical cards on a discretionary basis for seriously debilitating diseases means that large numbers of people are falling between two stools. I am not saying a review was not warranted in the case of some of the 20,000 or so who have already lost their medical cards, but many are now caught in a terrible situation. The Minister's office is inundated with parliamentary questions on this matter from Members of the other House, as well as representations from Members of this House and others. It is a very serious issue which must be debated in this Chamber.

Will the Leader allow a debate on funding for the Road Safety Authority in the context of the criticisms by its chairman, Mr. Gay Byrne, and his call for increased Garda resources? The response from the Minister for Justice and Equality, Deputy Alan Shatter, to Mr. Byrne's criticisms, as is so often the case with the Government, was to play the man rather than the ball. I call for a debate on these developments, including the Minister's remarkable response in tackling Mr. Byrne on a personal level rather than dealing with the issue, namely, a lack of appropriate resources for the organisation in question to do its work in the best possible way.

I will start with a measure of good news, certainly for Dublin Senators. It was a wonderful result in the all-Ireland final on Sunday. I was among the thousands of people on Merrion Square last night to watch the team come home with the Sam Maguire cup. On a more serious note, it was the culmination of a particularly good weekend in terms of organising communal events that brought large crowds into the city centre. Culture Night took place on Friday night, although it was not confined to Dublin, and was a huge success in urban centres across Ireland in bringing people into city centres, regenerating urban spaces, bringing in families and children and giving a real boost to city and town centre economies. We could do with more of these initiatives. I commend Dublin City Council on supporting similar initiatives and, in particular, the initiative that has just finished at Granby Park, a pop-up park off Dominick Street. It was initiated by a collective of architects and artists with the support of Dublin City Council on a piece of wasteland in an area that is to be developed. It showed the kind of initiative that could be taken and brought lots of people into the city centre. It was a very positive development. Many colleagues will visit the National Ploughing Championships this week which bring a similar regeneration to rural areas. It is good to see hordes of people flocking to Stradbally.

I ask the Leader to continue the initiative we have taken in debating European directives. I am glad to see that we will debate an EU directive on the application of patient rights in cross-border health care. We had an excellent debate in the House on Thursday on the new directive dealing with measures to combat child sex abuse and, in particular, sex abuse material online on the Internet and pornography. We had a strong debate on it and Senator Jillian van Turnhout and I, and a range of colleagues, participated in it. This is the sort of debate that can bring out important issues and help the Government in deciding how it should go about implementing directives. I am glad to see it and would like to see us inviting more MEPs. We have had a schedule of invitations to MEPs, but some have not yet been here. We might usefully debate with those who have not yet appeared the future direction of European Union economic policy, particularly in th light of the German election result and the possible shaping of a grand coalition between Angela Merkel's Christian Democrats and the Sozialdemokratische Partei Deutschlands, SPD, which could see the social democrats take the finance ministry. This would be likely to present a rather different set of economic policies which would help to determine EU economic policy. It is a good time to have more MEPs visit the Chamber.

I express sympathy, as I am sure most colleagues do, about the stabbings that took place in Dublin over the weekend, some of which were fatal.

Last Thursday, in the light of the introduction of a ban by the French Senate, I expressed my opposition to the child beauty pageant due to take place in Dublin. I am delighted to say the hotel where it was planned to be held cancelled the booking and that no other hotel in Ireland would take the event. Eventually, it was a rushed event in a bar in County Monaghan. I thank all of the parents who got behind my call and the hotels that stood firm, for which I thank them, as I realise they are commercial ventures. I also thank the social media which showed their positive use in getting behind the call, as well as my colleagues who supported the call. I have been inundated by messages from across Ireland and it seems to have hit a touchstone with the people. The organisers of the child beauty pageants have said they will be back next year and organise events regionally. This is about the early sexualisation of children, to which I am very much opposed. I have taken the initiative to contact the French Senate to ask for details of its ban and how it put it in place. I ask the Leader and my colleagues in the House to join me in opposing this initiative. This is above party politics and we can work together on the issue. I will shortly bring forward an initiative, but I hope it will be a joint initiative on behalf of Members of the House.

I welcome the election of the first woman bishop in either the Church of Ireland or the Anglican Communion in the United Kingdom.

Bishop Patricia Storey came from Belfast to Trinity College, Dublin, and then went to Derry. She will be coming back to Meath and Kildare. Her appointment is a significant advancement for women and is much to be welcomed. I note that the other House is today discussing the work and life of Seamus Heaney. I will place in the Oireachtas Library correspondence which I have and which deals with how Seamus Heaney felt about the loss of our colleague, Trevor West, and which also contains good wishes towards this House. Seamus Heaney was named in a list being considered by the Leader and me for an invitation to address the House. He was very interested in the work of this House and I wish to acknowledge him in that way.

I note the shyness of An Taoiseach in that he does not wish to debate the future of this House with Deputy Micheál Martin because it might cause embarrassment. I think he means it might embarrass Deputy Martin but rather it might embarrass the Taoiseach. There is no need for embarrassment. The constituency which I represent has a debating tradition going back well over 200 years and we will afford protection for a maiden speaker like the Taoiseach on the subject of abolishing the Seanad. We will afford him full protection. Sometimes people waive those rights and they are applauded by the attendance. There is no need for the Taoiseach to be the slightest bit embarrassed. It could give him the opportunity to get away from his accident-prone spin doctors who do not know either the functions of this House or the cost.

On the issue of the functions, I refer him to a statement by our Leader in the debate on 26 June 2013 when he stated that blocking legislation is not what the Seanad is about; improving and enhancing legislation is the key contribution we make to the legislative process and the current score is about 550 amendments made by this Seanad. We have sat 110 times for 698 hours. We play a major role. We invited the Orange Order to the House. The House has a citizens liaison group which the Dáil intends to copy, belatedly. All the MEPs have addressed the House as has a Nobel prize-winner in economics and a United Nations speaker on disasters. This Seanad, this Leader and this Cathaoirleach have been effecting change. Only a Member who attends one hour a year would be unaware of that. The one hour a year equates to one minute for each of the 60 Senators whom the Taoiseach wishes to sack.

I welcome the announcement from the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport and the National Transport Authority that the railway line connecting Heuston and Connolly stations is to be reopened. We suggested this in the House and the Minister, Deputy Varadkar, took the suggestion on board. I think CIE did not want to reopen the line. It took the Minister on a tour by way of Manulla Junction or some place and said it was too long. However, this view has been overruled. We have a perfect piece of infrastructure which has concreted sleepers installed as well as an electronic signalling system. The Minister and the National Transport Authority will reopen services to reunite the railway system. This all happened here in this House and it is another credit to the way in which this House serves the people, particularly those in west Dublin, where the Socialist Party has many posters saying the Seanad is useless. This railway connection will be a practical benefit to public transport in that area and this should be noted by the people concerned. We should thank the Minister, Deputy Varadkar, for taking notice of what we do say in the Seanad and ignoring the advice of CIE on the matter.

I very much welcome the breaking news from Galway of the safe recovery of Mr. Frank Helly, a gentleman who was very involved in sporting and community activities and who had gone missing from a nursing home over the weekend. He was found safe and well. He is very well regarded throughout the county of Galway. Thank God he has been reunited with his family.

I wish every success to two wonderful ladies who spearhead and organise and run the National Ploughing Championships. Some 100,000 people are expected to attend the event this year. The farming community has had a very successful summer and it is hoped the communities in the area will see significant economic benefit from that fine event. It is to be hoped that the weather will hold and that the event will be bigger and better than ever.

I welcome the publication of the crime statistics for the second quarter of the year.

I ask the Leader to organise over the next few weeks a debate involving the Minister for Justice and Equality so we can tease out some of these figures. It is to be welcomed that in 12 of 14 categories there has been a fall in crime figures. There has been an 8.9% drop in burglaries, amounting to a decrease of over 2,500 incidents, and that is a very significant figure. There has also been a drop in the rate of weapons and explosive offences, as well as a big decrease in drugs activity. We cannot become complacent, however, and I share the concern expressed by Senator MacSharry with regard to the increase in road traffic accidents and people driving under the influence of alcohol or other drugs. We must ensure that resources continue in place, with Garda vehicles being of a sufficient standard and quality to ensure the level of community policing and patrolling can be achieved.

I compliment and applaud the Neighbourhood Watch and Community Alert schemes which dovetail so well with Garda operations and which are having a significant impact in reducing crime levels. Those schemes are providing dividends. Nonetheless, I would like the Minister to come to the Chamber so we can get a reassurance that new procedures and processes are working in all areas of the country. We heard much scaremongering about the closure of Garda stations but that has been misplaced and the additional patrols that have replaced them in the community have worked well. The resources should be in place for the coming year to ensure we can further enhance the schemes that appear to be working well, according to published crime figures.

I ask the Leader to arrange for the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade to come to the House in the near future to discuss crucial issues, including the suicide bombing that has killed more than 78 people at the All Saints church in Peshawar in Pakistan. Christians are under attack all over the world, and there is an ongoing siege in a shopping centre in Nairobi in Kenya, which is really an attack on the Christian community. In Syria, Christians are also under severe threat from rebels, strangely enough. There is grave concern around the world with regard to these suicide attacks and other acts by fanatical Muslims.

The European Union and its High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, Catherine Ashton, should be more active, as I have seen no condemnation of these acts. The danger is that there is an Irish community in Pakistan and everybody is under threat when two suicide bombers go into a church to destroy so many people. The toll could rise to 200 people before we are finished, so it is a serious issue. There is an ongoing siege in Nairobi, where there are many Irish people, and there are Irish priests working very hard in that country. The Minister should come to the House to outline the Government's view and the action that could be taken by the European Union to protect citizens and Christians throughout the world.

I commend Senator van Turnhout and the hotel in question on the matter of the child beauty pageant last week. Children are a most precious commodity and I thank Senator van Turnhout for raising the issue in the Seanad last week. It once again demonstrated the value of our Upper House-----

-----and how important it is that it should be retained.

I welcome yesterday's launch by the Minister for Education and Skills, Deputy Quinn, of the public consultation on promoting inclusiveness in primary schools. This consultation process is part of the Minister's action plan in response to the report of the advisory group to the forum on patronage and pluralism, and there is an information leaflet for parents. This is a wonderful opportunity for parents and guardians, as well as everybody involved in the education of young people, to give views and opinions on how they want children to be educated. In recent years many schools have welcomed children of many different cultures, nationalities and religious views, and this is a wonderful chance for parents to share those views. I urge all parents to become involved in the consultation process before the deadline for receipt of submissions on 22 October.

Let me raise a topic I raise at every opportunity in this House, namely, the question of the Walsh report on symphysiotomy. Could the Minister for Health, Deputy Reilly, be invited to this House to give us a direct answer as to when it will be published?

I join my colleague in welcoming the first woman bishop in the church, either here or on the neighbouring island. I welcome also the humane statements of Pope Francis, which show there is compassion and dialogue. There is none in the Government. There is no dialogue whatever and no attempt to meet the people. Every attempt is made to stamp out discussion. The Government is refusing to allow the matter of Seanad abolition near the Constitutional Convention. It is a question of, "Take it or leave it." The people have taken it in that they have taken the tax increases and the mess the Fianna Fáil Government walked us into with the support of the Taoiseach, Deputy Enda Kenny. The current Government is as complicit as anybody else. The Taoiseach voted for every measure that ruined this country. No wonder he is a little bit shy. He refused to debate with me over the past three months - I suppose I am nobody of any great consequence but I am the father of the House – and he refused to debate with Deputy Micheál Martin, the Leader of the Opposition. Tonight he is having a little discussion out in Killiney Castle with Mr. Colm McCarthy, a Government appointee from an bord snip who agrees with him. They should call it after Micheál MacLiammóir: "I Must be Talking to my Friends". It is a question of the Taoiseach not discussing anything and not answering or asking any questions, such as the question as to how many times the Dáil defeated Government legislation.

However, the Government uses the argument against this House. How much taxpayers' money is being squandered? We know Fine Gael gets €5 million in taxpayers' money and that party funds are used in its campaign. Those concerned are paying out of party funds. It is an unequal fight as people on this side have very few resources. They have their hands tied behind their backs and the Government is using every resource of government, civil servant and quango it possibly can to do us in.

Look at the lies the Government tells on its posters - they are wonderful. Could we ever have a little bit of truth? The posters state "Fewer politicians" but I say "No". There should be more honesty, integrity and decency in politics. Let us take the Government's figure that the Seanad costs €20 million per year. Over the course of the remaining two and a half years, the Seanad will cost €50 million.

Has the Senator a question for the Leader?

Yes. Will the Leader ask the Taoiseach to have a bit of courage, be a bit of a man, face up to the issue and come to this House to listen to the questions that we, his victims, want to ask him? I ask the Leader to write to the Taoiseach today. He will not talk to anybody else. He has a duty to talk to this Parliament. It is an evil thing to set one half of Parliament against another and to divide the nation when we are still facing such a crisis economically. If the people do not know, they should vote "No" and deal the Government a damn good kick where it is needed. It is payback time for all the suffering it has put us through. There are four people running this country: the Taoiseach, Deputy Kenny, the Minister for Finance, Deputy Noonan, the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform, Deputy Howlin, and the Tánaiste, Deputy Gilmore.

The Senator is way over time.

If they get away with it, they can fire the President and the members of the Supreme Court.

The Senator is way over time.

It is payback time. Let the people rise up and show the Government we are not prepared for tyranny.

There are wonderful slogans, each one of which can be ridiculed, including "One Parliament, One People, One Vote". I know the rhythm of that as I remember it from the 1930s newsreels: "Ein Volk, Ein Reich, Ein Führer".

The Senator is way over time. I call Senator Coghlan.

Follow that.

I second and support fully the vote of sympathy proposed by the Leader of the House on the death of the late Senator John Blennerhassett of Tralee.

He was from an outstanding Kerry family, the Blennerhassetts, and he was a long-time councillor.

I knew him well, as did Senator Ned O'Sullivan and others. He was a true gentleman, a man who served his people well. He always listened, genuinely and politely. He served his church, vestry and, at diocesan level, synod. I extend my deepest sympathy to Veda and his family.

Culture Night has been mentioned and I support what has been said about it by Senator Ivana Bacik. It was wonderful night, not just in the capital city but also throughout the country. We had some wonderful events in Killarney. A true replica of the Annals of Innisfallen was put on display in the library. The annals are famous, written in the 11th century by monks who lived on the island on that lake of learning. There was also a wonderful event in the offices of the Department in Killarney. In the Malton Hotel there was a lovely talk on the great veteran of the Second World War, the late Monsignor Hugh O'Flaherty. I heard the Leader of the House speak and it is hard to follow him when he is in full flow, but I was described by him, amusingly, as a veteran of the House, although that is beside the point. The cultural event I enjoyed most was held in the Frank Lewis Gallery on Bridewell Lane in Killarney where I saw something I had not seen for years. I saw a magician perform. He was called Silvano and-----

Is the Senator calling for a debate on the issue?

I want to enlighten Senators.

(Interruptions).

The man mentioned literally makes things disappear.

Enda Kenny, perhaps.

(Interruptions).

I would like to bring him here because there are a few people on whom I would like him to perform in both Houses.

(Interruptions).

He would leave Houdini in the ha'penny place.

I join Senators Sean D. Barrett and David Norris in welcoming the appointment of the first female bishop of the Anglican Church and look forward to it being the start of many more appointments of women in many other churches, including the one to which I belong.

It is no surprise to me that the Taoiseach has refused to debate with the leader of my party. It is very difficult to defend lies and that is exactly what he would be defending. We all know -----

That is unparliamentary language.

I am sorry, but it is hard to defend the fact that the Taoiseach leads a party that is putting untruthful slogans on posters the length and breadth of the Twenty-six Counties in an attempt to link this House with saving money. It is a disgrace. It has been proved that the amount of money that it is alleged would be being saved is incorrect. The amount would be less than one quarter of the figure on the aforementioned posters. The Taoiseach has also said that with fewer politicians we would have a better democracy, but that is the same as saying that with fewer teachers we would have better schools or that with fewer doctors and nurses we would have better hospitals. What nonsense. In 1916 people fought for the freedom of this country. In 1937 they voted for a Constitution that included this House. I suggest the people in question were far better republicans than the Taoiseach, any member of his Government or any member of this House. This House is needed as one of the three pillars of the Oireachtas and should be maintained. It is a disgrace that the leader of the country is telling and promoting untruths

What would people like Kevin O'Higgins think?

The Taoiseach is forcing his colleagues in the Lower House to do the same, which is a disgrace.

Does the Senator have a question for the leader?

I do. As Whip of the Fianna Fáil Party in the Seanad and a representative of that group, I was very disappointed by the very prejudicial article on the Seanad as a body which appeared in a national newspaper yesterday. It did not take account of the long-standing pairing arrangement in this House which facilitates colleagues in attending to parliamentary duties outside the Chamber.

Neither did it take into account abstentions and people being absent for personal reasons.

Or due to sickness.

While that is unfortunate, it is no coincidence.

They did not compare it with the Dáil.

It is a pity they did not take into account the number of days people are in this House attending to the democratic duties for which they were elected to attend. On one occasion colleagues entered pairing arrangements due to parliamentary business and missed a day on which there were 12 votes. It appears they missed a substantial number of votes but in fact, they missed only one day. I would like to hear the Leader's comments on that.

I call on the Minister for Finance to come to the House to debate the urgent need to retain the 9% VAT rate for the hospitality industry before any budget discussions on it. The restaurant and hospitality sector, particularly hotels, were particularly badly hurt during the economic downturn. This VAT rate was a very welcome shot in the arm to the industry. By reverting to the 13% rate we risk the decimation of all that good work. We are looking at immediate job losses.

Some 9,000 jobs were created as a result of the 9% VAT rate and there is a real risk they will be lost as a result of reverting to 13%. We would all agree that this will cost more in social welfare payments for those who are let go. There is also a threat to the potential 5,000 jobs that are to be created in the next 12 months. It is a shame that the advances made in reducing the numbers on the live register will be reversed as a result of proposals to reverse the VAT rate reduction back up to 13%. This Government has always been strong on advocating that it wants to get this country back to work, but this would be a very regressive step. That is why I call on the Minister for Finance to come here to discuss this at the earliest possible convenience.

I ask the Leader to organise a debate on the Irish overseas and the diaspora in light of a comment by the Minister of State at the Department of Finance, Deputy Brian Hayes, in today's Irish Post. He said the Irish overseas should not get a vote in the Dáil, if there is to be a reformed Dáil, as they have social media. As one of only four countries in Europe that does not give any votes to its citizens living overseas-----

University graduates overseas can vote in the Seanad elections.

-----it is extraordinary that the Government's idea of reform is to advise people, including the 50,900 who left in the last 12 months, that they have social media and do not need a vote.

In our policy documents we have advocated that the Irish overseas and the diaspora should have a vote and a voice in a reformed Dáil. There is a meeting of the Constitutional Convention this weekend dealing with the issue of giving a vote in presidential elections to the Irish living outside the State, and rightly so. The Government is telling Irish citizens who have Irish passports and were born in this country, but who have left in the last number of years and live overseas, that they will never have a voice in Leinster House. If the forthcoming referendum is won by the Government, there will be no voice for them in Seanad Éireann. The Ministers and Taoiseach will talk at great length around 17 March about our diaspora and citizens overseas as an asset, but if they will not give a citizens of a republic, regardless of where they live, a voice in Parliament, they are not reforming politics and bringing about that democratic revolution that was promised when the Government came into power. We are being bluntly told that Irish citizens, as defined under our Constitution, will never get a vote in the Irish Parliament.

Is this something the Minister is prepared to defend? I ask the Leader to organise a debate with the Minister concerned. I also ask him to comment on the matter.

With minds starting to focus on the budget, I join Senator Lorraine Higgins in referring to the 9% VAT rate on tourism products. I welcomed this initiative when it was first introduced shortly after my election to the House. A number of businesses were not embracing the initiative by giving the money back to the consumer. The purpose of the reduction was to stimulate the industry and give value to consumers, including tourists in particular. The initiative has proved highly successful in stimulating business and employment in the tourism sector. Senator Lorraine Higgins referred to the estimate of 9,000 jobs. It is estimated in certain reports that 25,000 jobs have been created through this initiative. There has been extensive discussion on the 9% VAT rate which may be restored to 13.5% in the budget. The urge to increase it is understandable, given that it has cost the Exchequer €350 million per annum. However, the cost to the social welfare budget would be much higher. Other Senators have called for a general debate on the budget, but given the amount of lobbying done on this issue and the effect it will have on the industry, I suggest we hold a debate on this issue with the Minister for Finance if he has time in his diary in advance of the budget.

I join the Leader and my County Kerry colleague, Senator Paul Coghlan, in expressing my deepest sympathy to Veda and the rest of the Blennerhassett family on the death of John. He was a good friend of mine, even though we were politically apart. He offered great encouragement to young councillors and was forthcoming with advice. He was highly respected. He came from an historic family with political involvement in County Kerry dating back to Home Rule days. Members of the family were always strongly nationalist and even though they were of a different religious persuasion from the majority of those in the county, they were part of the fabric of society. John's death reminded me of the many great Senators County Kerry had produced over the years from all parties. I will start with my cousin, Kit Ahern, and mention Jackie Daly, a friend and colleague of Senator Paul Coghlan. Others include Jackie Brosnan and Joe O'Toole from the INTO. They all gave great service to County Kerry. When Kerry people go to the polls in the referendum, they will think of the service these Senators gave to their constituency, county and country. That is what will inform the voters of County Kerry and elsewhere around the country rather than the unfair and - I will not use an unparliamentary word - untruthful campaign being pursued by Fine Gael. Instead of apologising and whipping down his posters, the campaign director for Fine Gael, the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation, is brazenly ignoring the statements of the chairperson of the Referendum Commission and the Houses of the Oireachtas Commission on his erroneous figure of €20 million. There is something seriously wrong with that attitude, but I do not think the people will fall for it.

I am concerned that the Government has made it clear that if the people, in their wisdom, decide to vote "No," it will not reform the Seanad, nor will it allow us to do so. That is a threat to the people. Everybody agrees that the Seanad needs reform, but if the people do not go along with the Taoiseach's line, there will be no reform. Talk about throwing the rattle out of the pram.

I have made it my life's work never to comment on the media. The great Benjamin Disraeli once advised some of his colleagues who were upset by the media that they should never explain and never complain.

It is a maxim by which I lived until recent reports were printed, mainly in the Irish Independent, about the referendum on the Seanad. My colleague, Senator Wilson, referred to the reports and some of them were appalling. One must ask what is the editorial situation in the Irish Independent. Why does it constantly bang out articles timed very much to push the electorate to a certain verdict in the referendum? Yesterday's article was a classic example. Somebody was working on it for long time and produced it ten days before the referendum, but it does not give the full clear picture. Not only is democracy under threat from politicians, but we are starting to come under threat from the big media moguls we have seen throughout the world. We also have them in Ireland.

If Mayo had won the All-Ireland football final on Sunday more Members of the House would be congratulating the Cathaoirleach and Mayo on a successful win.

I congratulate my beloved Dubs. When my dear friend Bernard Brogan put the ball into the net with his fist over the weekend it was reminiscent of the 1963 all-Ireland final when Gerry Davey controversially palmed the ball into the net. I congratulate Dublin, the GAA and the spectators who attended Croke Park on Sunday for a wonderful festive occasion. I was very proud to be Irish and to witness such a wonderful sporting occasion.

Like the rest of the Members in the House I am not particularly happy with the language used by members of the Government with regard to next week's referendum on the abolition of the Seanad, and the amount of false information. Another point, which disturbs me more than anything, is the amount of confusion among the public. People think a "Yes" vote is for retention of the Seanad and that a "No" vote is to get rid of it. Is there a way we can use the media - I do not necessarily mean here in the Seanad - to be much more clear with regard to what "Yes" and "No" mean when it comes to the abolition referendum on 4 October?

I echo the comments of my colleagues with regard to the appointment of the new bishop of Meath and Kildare. Church of Ireland parishioners in County Meath were very anxious that a bishop be appointed. It is a first step and is quite welcome. I will take this brief opportunity to be ecumenical; during the summer my parish priest was ordained a bishop and I congratulate Bishop Nulty. He will be based in Kildare, as Meath and Kildare are still in separate dioceses in the Catholic Church.

I wish to ask about the Valuation (Amendment) (No. 2) Bill. During the Second Stage debate I raised serious concerns about this, because it will mean complete reform of the rates system but it will do nothing to help struggling businesses. I and my colleagues in Fianna Fáil were alone in opposing it at the time and we raised concerns about the constitutionality of the legislation. The Bill last appeared on an agenda in the House in October 2012. We have been told time and again that the Seanad has not used its powers, and Fine Gael mentions the past 50 years. I contend this legislation is more than likely being improved in the draughtsman's office in the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform. We commit to supporting the Bill if our concerns are addressed. We do not want to block any legislation; we want to improve it. I would be grateful if the Leader outlined the position with regard to what is commonly called the rates Bill, whose official title is the Valuation (Amendment) (No. 2) Bill 2012.

Will the Leader facilitate, in advance of the referendum, a debate on Article 27 of the Constitution? It is the dog that is not barking with regard to the referendum. Article 27 of the Constitution allows one third of the Dáil, together with a majority of the Seanad, to petition the President to call a referendum on any matter of national importance. I looked back on the record and saw Sinn Féin called for such a referendum under Article 27 during the NAMA debate, and some of the Leader's colleagues called for such a debate during the summer on abortion. Almost ten years ago, when the Minister of State, Deputy Brian Hayes, was in the Seanad, he called for such a referendum on electronic voting. The provision is concerned with democracy and the will of the people and it has not been debated. Every other amendment to the Constitution proposed in this referendum would simply give the Dáil the power the Seanad has.

This provision in the Constitution, which directly relates to the relationship between the President and the people and the will of the people in regard to important Bills, is simply being deleted. It is an issue of major significance for the public that they really have not been aware of. I urge the Leader to facilitate even a brief debate on this before next Tuesday and before the broadcasting moratorium. The people are being badly served by the lack of media debate on this issue. It has been slipped into the Seanad referendum to take away that power to have a referendum in certain cases, which is a most retrograde step.

I support the call for the Minister, Deputy Noonan, to come to the House to discuss the very important issue of the possibility of the 9% VAT rate going back to 13%. It has been a great year for tourism, given the success of The Gathering and, as other Senators have noted, some 9,000 jobs created. I would be fearful in this regard. Many businesses have invested substantial amounts in their premises and in creating jobs in the last couple of years. It would be a retrograde step for tourism and would damage the tourism product.

I met a family recently who spent four or five days on the famous Ring of Kerry, where I have never been in my life. I would like to know how a young woman could be charged €3.40 for a glass of tap water in a famous hotel on the Ring of Kerry.

That is a commercial decision, Senator.

I would hate to see VAT going up to 13%, which would make it nearer €4 for a glass of water.

I do not know about having tap water at that price but it would certainly not be helped by a VAT increase on that basis.

I have the same feeling as others that this House should be debating the budget prior to the budget and prior to the making of the decisions before it is announced. I do not understand why, to the best of my knowledge, we have never had that debate. I imagine the Minister for Finance, no matter what party he comes from, has never wanted to have that debate take place beforehand, and we have never been able to achieve it. However, I believe every Member of the House, on both sides, would like to see that debate take place because the whole purpose and benefit of having extra views is that we are hoping to influence the Minister in making those decisions, rather than just talking about it afterwards. I believe it is too late this year as I doubt we will get such a debate now, but I believe we should.

I want to make a further point on the referendum. If the "No" vote wins, and I am hopeful it will, it will be a real opportunity for the Taoiseach to achieve something which even Eamon de Valera was not able to achieve, namely, a reformed Seanad. I believe he could do that and, whether it is based on either the Zappone Bill or the Crown Bill, it would go a long way in that direction. I believe a "No" vote would give the Taoiseach the opportunity to make a real name for himself. By making sure the Upper House has been reformed, he could look back and say, "This is something that I have achieved".

I have a strong feeling the Constitution has been damaged. A man in Donegal told me of the quote that the Constitution is like a three-legged stool, with the President, the Dáil and the Seanad. If we take away one of those three legs, it becomes a very wobbly stool, and the proposal is that we take away one of those three legs. It would be a very wobbly stool and I do not think we have taken the steps to be able to protect ourselves against that. I believe it is worthwhile having that debate now.

I join with Senator Leyden in condemning the atrocity in the shopping centre in Nairobi. What is really sad about the matter is the fact that all of those killed are innocent people who had nothing to do with conflict in any of the adjoining countries. What really brought it home to me is that a member of my own family, someone who lives there and who goes to that shopping centre, was in the shopping centre just two days before the attack and was lucky the attack was not on that particular day.

Therefore, this attack, although it may have been in another country and on another continent, was not that far away from home. It is important that the people involved in organising it are brought to justice at an early date.

I would also like to raise the issue of the recognition of degrees from third level institutions in Northern Ireland. I was very sad to receive a letter from a graduate from a Northern Ireland institution telling me that having applied to the Department of Health for recognition of their degree, they had been informed that it would be 23 December before a decision would be given. This person is from and lives in my county but happened to go to Northern Ireland to take a particular course. Now they find that after qualifying and receiving a recognised degree in Northern Ireland, they must wait up to six months for recognition for that qualification here. They have a job offer in my county but may lose that job offer because of the Department's delay. Will the Leader raise this matter with the Minister and the Department and inform them that this is not good enough? It is interesting that the letter from the Department uses the term "a non-Irish qualification". I did not realise qualifications from Northern Ireland were considered to be non-Irish. This is something that needs to be remedied immediately.

I support what Senator Feargal Quinn has said about debating budget proposals. New politics must mean treating people and Parliament maturely. One of the problems with old politics during the Celtic tiger years was that there was no real scrutiny of budget proposals. In opposition, Fine Gael constantly criticised the practice of handing out budget speeches at the last minute. I remember watching Deputy Richard Bruton furiously scrambling to get his points together in response to budget announcements. That is an example of dysfunctional government. What we ought to do is to lay out clearly what the plans are. The Economic Management Council should reveal what it has already decided will be inc;uded in the budget and we should debate this. We need to hear what people have to say about it. The horrible thing is that instead of this we have kite flying. We have a situation where Ministers leak certain ideas to the media about withdrawing medical cards or cutting disability benefits so as to gauge the media's and the public's response. Recently we had kite flying in regard to cutting the old age pension. We must consider how disrespectful of people this is, particularly vulnerable persons. Imagine people wondering what bill they can postpone paying in order that they can eat or pay for their basic necessities. It is cynical in the extreme for politicians, civil servants or whoever is in government to be leaking such suggestions which cause distress, fear and anxiety. Why do they leak them? It is in order that they can gauge the reaction or carry on their own internal gamesmanship. This is the type of thing that brings politics into disrepute. It is certainly a reason I believe people are right not to trust the Government when it talks about political reform. There is no apparent sincerity to its claims that it is about political reform.

I very much regret the breaking news that there will be no criminal complaint by the Central Bank against those who participated in the so-called Anglo tapes. We can all remember the revulsion a number of weeks ago when details emerged of the internal telephone conversations between senior management in Anglo Irish Bank.

I advise the Senator to be very careful on this issue.

It is most regrettable that the Central Bank has announced today that there will be no criminal investigation.

The "What's Left" income survey commissioned by the Irish League of Credit Unions was published today. It shows that almost 500,000 people have no money left at the end of the month after paying essential household bills. The study also shows that people are cutting the amount of money they spend on food simply to pay their utility bills, the mortgage or even just to get through each day. It also states that 1.8 million adults have just €50 or less to live on a month after all the bills are paid. That means that almost 2 million adults are surviving on less than €50 disposable income a month. That highlights the failure of the austerity policies. It is no wonder we have empty shops in our high streets, towns and cities. People simply do not have the money to spend. The budget presents an opportunity to move away from the austerity policies in place.

On a number of occasions, Senators from all sides of the House have asked for proper pre-budget debate so that all the alternatives can be discussed, but again that has not taken place this year. The budget is only a couple of weeks away but I imagine that the Minister has signed off on most of the key proposals, so there is no participatory element, even from those who are elected, never mind all the organisations that are making representations to the Minister. It is a lost opportunity. I therefore appeal to the Leader to ensure that the relevant Ministers come before this House so that we can discuss the income survey and all the alternative proposals made by political parties and organisations.

We had a recent discussion and the Seanad sponsored a consultation on lifestyle changes and cancer. If, however, the Seanad is not to leave itself open to an extraordinary charge of hypocrisy in making aphoristic statements, it needs to come to grips with a few things that we in this House and the other House can jointly do. It is important that one of those things is that the important legislation proposed by me and Senators van Turnhout and Daly on banning smoking in cars where children are present is advanced in this term. Second, we must tell the Minister for Finance to ensure that there is a removal or reduction in VAT on sunblock products. Those products have the potential to reduce one of the most rapidly increasing cancers in this country. Third, and for the same reason, we must quickly see - we have talked about the issue and I mentioned it in the previous term on a matter on the Adjournment - legislation to regulate sunbeds. I bring up these issues only because when we had our consultation on cancer, I was sitting here pinching myself because the debate was turning into a bunch of people talking about motherhood and apple pie when we can do something about the issue. Let us take action.

The acting leader of the Opposition, Senator MacSharry, raised an important question about discretionary medical cards for people who have serious illnesses. As he mentioned, since 2011, 22,584 individuals who were previously recorded on the medical card register as eligible for those cards are now, because they meet the income eligibility requirements, registered as ordinary medical card holders. As Senator MacSharry stated, the number of discretionary medical cards has been reduced although many of the people who had those discretionary cards now qualify as ordinary medical card holders. The official position, which I have in front of me, is that there is not and never has been an automatic entitlement to a medical card for persons with a specific illness. That has been the position since the Health Act 1970. There is no legal basis for a cancer or motor neuron medical card. I believe that the Government has a moral obligation in cases in which people who have such serious illnesses should be looked after. However, Senator MacSharry's question is answered by the fact that the majority of those 22,000 people qualify for an ordinary medical card.

Senator MacSharry also raised the question of the lack of Garda resources in regard to checkpoints. I understand from the information I have to hand that there were more checkpoints this year than there were in recent years. A request regarding crime statistics was also made. Perhaps we can arrange for the Minister for Justice and Equality to come to the House to discuss the points the Senator raised and the crime statistics requested by Senator Mullins.

Senator Bacik referred to the success of Culture Night, which was very successful not only in Dublin but throughout the country. That point was also made by several other Senators from other constituencies.

On the matter of EU directives, as Senator Bacik stated, we had a formative debate on EU directives last week. It is something we have tried to set out in the Seanad for a long time and we are now doing it without any of the resources that we requested last year. We are doing it from our own resources and will continue to do it in the future, and I thank all the Members for their co-operation in that regard.

Senators van Turnhout, Moran and others raised the issue of child beauty pageants, which was highlighted by Senator van Turnhout in the House last week. I am glad she highlighted it. The fact that the French Senate has banned these pageants is to be welcomed. I compliment Senator van Turnhout on highlighting the situation here last week.

Senators Barrett and Byrne congratulated Patricia Storey on becoming a Church of Ireland bishop. We would all join in congratulating the new bishop on her appointment.

Senator Barrett also alluded to the future of the Seanad, to which other Members also alluded. I understand Senator Barrett will be attending a debate on the issue in Galway tonight. He made some very telling points.

Senator Barrett also made a point regarding the linking of Heuston Station with Connolly Station, an idea which the Minister, Deputy Varadkar, took up and is now going to implement. That idea came from this House during a debate on a transport Bill. I am glad on another specific item that the Seanad was correct in suggesting that idea to the Minister.

Senator Mullins referred to the safe return of the gentleman from Galway who had gone missing from a nursing home over the weekend. We all welcome his safe return and we wish him well.

Senators Leyden and Colm Burke raised the matter of the carnage in the shopping centre in Nairobi. I am sure we would all like to extend our condolences to the families of all the people who were killed and injured in that horrific terrorist attack. Senator Leyden also mentioned the question of Syria and Pakistan where a number of Christian worshippers were also slain.

Senator Moran welcomed the public consultation process promoting inclusiveness in Irish schools and outlined that it is an opportunity for parents to express their views in this regard. I note the request she made once again. We were told the publication of the Walsh report on symphysiotomy was imminent. I will find out again the position regarding it. I cannot understand why there are further delays in publishing that report when we were told that its publication was imminent several months ago.

Senator Norris gave a robust defence of the Seanad and he is looking for more honesty and decency in politics. He certainly gave his stirring views on the Seanad referendum.

Without being impertinent, I ask-----

The Senator has spoken already.

-----if the Leader would reply to the question I asked about inviting the Taoiseach to answer questions and to let us know what his reply will be.

I assure the Senator that the invitation will be extended, but I cannot tell him whether it will be accepted.

I thank the Leader for undertaking to extend the invitation.

Senator Paul Coghlan lauded the benefits of Culture Night and joined Senator Ned O'Sullivan in expressing condolences on the death of former Senator John Blennerhassett from Kerry. Senator O'Sullivan praised the contribution of Senators from that county over the decades.

Senator Diarmuid Wilson referred to an article in one of yesterday's newspapers. All I can say is that I am sure the figures cited are correct. I would suggest, however, that the voting figures in themselves do no not present a complete picture of Members' parliamentary contributions. The article takes no account, for example, of absences from the Chamber due to committee work, pairing arrangements, abstentions from votes or illness. I do not agree with the suggestion in the piece that Members simply do not bother turning up to vote. I hope that is not the case and that anybody who is missing has a legitimate reason. I also hope that the newspaper in question, in the interest of balance, will undertake a similar exercise in reference to the other House. It should be done, moreover, prior to the referendum on 4 October.

If pairing arrangements were discontinued no legislation would be passed. The Minister should be aware of that.

Another glaring omission in the article was the failure to acknowledge that the Leas-Chathaoirleach cannot vote. I understand a journalist telephoned to ask why the Leas-Chathaoirleach had missed so many votes, clearly unaware that he cannot vote when he is in the Chair. Notwithstanding these glaring omissions, however, we cannot argue with the figures.

Senators Lorraine Higgins, Catherine Noone and Terry Brennan called for the retention of the lower VAT rate for the hospitality sector. The decrease from 13.5% to 9% has undoubtedly been very successful in recent years. I understand, however, that the annual cost to the Exchequer of the reduction is more than €350 million. Any decision must be made in that context. We will have to wait and see what is done in this regard in the budget.

Senator Mark Daly called for a debate on the Irish diaspora. I will try to arrange it in due course.

Senator Ned O'Sullivan referred to claims regarding the cost of running the Seanad. As I said previously, the report of the Oireachtas Commission on the outturn for 2013 and the Estimate for 2014 was circulated to all Members. It showed a direct cost for the wages and expenses of Members and staff of €8.8 million. After that, it is very difficult to see how further costs could amount to the figures that have been indicated. The report contains the facts as presented to us prior to the summer recess.

Senator Eamonn Coghlan referred to possible difficulties for people in voting in the forthcoming referendum, specifically a potential confusion whereby a "Yes" vote might be misunderstood as a vote for the retention of this House. It is very important that people inform themselves.

If you do not know, vote "No".

I commend the Referendum Commission on the booklet it has distributed to households. I hope people will ensure they are fully informed of what is proposed.

Senator Thomas Byrne asked about the status of the Valuation (Amendment) Bill 2012. I understand extensive work has been done between the Department and the Attorney General's office and the legislation is expected to be back in this House next month. I have had several queries from members of the public and various bodies as to when debate on the Bill will proceed. The confirmation that we will deal with it next month is welcome.

The Senator also asked for a debate on Article 27 of the Constitution. Other Members asked for a debate on Article 29 and how it may be affected. I will give a commitment that I will try to have a debate on that matter next week, but I cannot guarantee it.

I note the comments of Senator Feargal Quinn in respect of a reformed Seanad, should the people vote "No," as in the Bill published by him and Senator Katherine Zappone whom I congratulate on being conferred with an honorary doctorate by UCD over the summer.

Senator Colm Burke referred to the recognition of degrees from Northern Ireland institutions. The delay by the Department is totally unacceptable. I am very surprised at the language used about non-Irish universities. It is a matter that should be addressed and I will bring it to the attention of the Minister.

I note the comments of Senator Rónán Mullen on political reform.

Senator Martin Conway referred to the Central Bank and the Anglo tapes. As I am not aware of the comments referred to, I will not comment on them at this point.

Senator David Cullinane referred to a report by the Irish League of Credit Unions. I note his points in that regard. The report will be debated in the context of the Social Welfare Bill which will be before the House at the end of October.

Senator John Crown referred to anti-smoking legislation and the regulation of sunbeds. I will find out when it is intended to address the question of anti-smoking legislation. I see no reason it should not be dealt with during this session.

I join in the vote of congratulations to Senator Katherine Zappone, as I am sure all Members do. I would also like to be associated with the vote of sympathy to the family of the late former Senator John Blennerhassett. I am sure the Leader will arrange for formal expressions of sympathy at a later date.

Order of Business agreed to.
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