The Order of Business is No. 1, motion re report of the Committee on Procedure and Privileges on amendments to Seanad Éireann Standing Orders 60 and 62, to be taken without debate at the conclusion of the Order of Business; and No. 2, Road Traffic (No. 2) Bill 2013 - Second Stage, to be taken at 3.45 p.m., with the contributions of group spokespersons not to exceed eight minutes and those of all other Senators not to exceed five minutes.
Order of Business
I am sure all of us will share the concern of the Minister for Justice and Equality, Deputy Alan Shatter, about the fact that already this year there have been eight violent deaths in this country. That is a matter of great concern and my sympathy and that of my group goes to the families of those who were brutally murdered. It points to an issue I have raised regularly with regard to resourcing of the Garda Síochána. I have welcomed the reopening of recruitment for 300 places in the Garda, but gardaí across the country - certainly in the city of Dublin - will tell one that they are operating with one hand tied behind their back. They simply do not have the resources to carry out the work required of them. It is a great frustration to members of the force who are putting their lives on the line to keep citizens safe.
I further reference the case of the poor 68 year old gentleman in County Clare who cycled all night to check himself into a nursing home in Ennis because he had been robbed twice in the space of five days. I am not saying any police force can police every town and village in the country, but we all know the Garda is under-resourced. It does not have enough patrol cars and there are not enough gardaí to fill units. I call on the Leader again, as I have done on a regular basis, to invite the Minister to come to the House for a debate on policing in Ireland and to allow ideas to be put to him. I have many ideas on how the situation could be improved because 300 new gardaí will not do the job, although it is a start. This is an issue of great concern to me and I am sure to all colleagues across the House.
I raise the issue of accident and emergency services. I do not know if the Leader got a date from the Minister for Health, Deputy James Reilly, as to when he will come into the House to debate the detail of the Health Service Executive action plan and service plan, but most Members should have received a copy from the Irish Emergency Medicine Trainees Association which is co-signed by over 30 doctors who specialise in emergency medicine. They are raising major concerns with the HSE and state "current ED conditions are unequivocally dangerous for patients". That is just one of the many criticisms they make. I referenced a case last week in Beaumont Hospital in my area where a 70 year old man who was called in for a diabetes check ended up spending two nights not on a trolley but on a chair. As of last week over 341 patients have been on trolleys in accident and emergency departments. That is happening while the Minister continues to talk about how well the special delivery unit is operating.
None of us wants to see people going into hospital and spending two nights sitting on a plastic chair. This man was 70 years of age. It is important to have a debate and hear directly from the Minister about what he and his Department are doing to try to alleviate these problems. Both of these issues are important. Will the Leader schedule these debates in early course?
I welcome the news that the Minister for Education and Skills has brought to Cabinet today his plans for the creation of the technological universities. These have long been in the pipeline following the merger of some institutes of technology. It is a welcome sign. There is further good news on the education front from Student Universal Support Ireland, SUSI, which is showing better times for the awarding of grants, and with the announcement that full-time dental nursing students from Trinity College Dublin and dental hygiene students from University College Cork, UCC, are approved for student grants. Other Senators have asked for a debate on third level education. In the light of the legislation that will come before us shortly on the technological universities, I hope we will have that debate in early course.
Will the Leader arrange a debate with the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade or with the Minister of State at the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, Deputy Joe Costello, on the worsening situation in Syria? A very troubling report was released today by three international human rights lawyers which describes the scale of the killing in Syria, in particular by government forces, as being on an industrial scale, with clear signs of torture and appalling treatment of detainees. It is particularly troubling to see that happening. We all very much hope we will see some resolution of the crisis there on foot of the international meeting.
I also welcome the announcement by the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade that the Irish Embassy network will be extended in support of trade and aid. The Minister announced today the expansion of the diplomatic network abroad to include five new embassies and three new consulates. I am personally pleased to see that we will for the first time be establishing an embassy in Zagreb in Croatia, now that Croatia has acceded to the European Union as the 28th member state. We will also establish embassies for the first time in some of the growing hubs in South-East Asia, particularly in Bangkok and Jakarta. As part of the review the Minister has announced, "a scaled-back one-person embassy" in the Vatican will be opened "to enable Ireland to engage directly with the leadership of Pope Francis on the issues of poverty eradication, hunger and human rights". This is part of the ongoing review the Minister said he would conduct of the embassy network.
I am sure the Senator is not happy with that.
It is important to note that we have had very good news on the international front with the upgrading of Ireland’s status and the increased ability of foreign investors to invest in Irish bonds. That is very important. It is a real testament to the great work of a very few diplomats and staff in our embassies and consular and diplomatic network. The Minister has often spoken about the huge contribution they have made. This expansion is welcome because it will provide greater potential for more positive work in enhancing Ireland’s reputation internationally.
We should be very happy to see that the Government has decided not to be so determined and fixed in its views that it is willing to reconsider decisions it has made. The decision on the Irish Embassy to the Vatican on which Senator Ivana Bacik touched is one such example. It appears to be reconsidering decisions rather than saying it will not change decisions it has made. The same applies, I think, to the question of the pylons and whether they are the only way to go. The fact that it is at least questioning them is useful.
It would be useful for this House to do its best to ask the Government to reconsider the decision to have the Seanad Electoral Reform Bill 2013 limited to the university seats. There is a great need for real reform. Senators Katherine Zappone and John Crown have produced Bills on this. I think Sinn Féin has drafted one and that Fianna Fáil is coming up with one-----
Plus Senator Terry Leyden.
It will give all citizens on the island and the Diaspora a chance to have a vote. This is worthy of consideration and we should decide it, or at least discuss it, before the local elections.
One of the questions that every citizen should ask candidates in local elections is whether, if they are elected, they will determine that they have five votes in the Seanad election, whereas the rest of the people do not get one at all, except university graduates.
They could also be asked whether they accept that every citizen on the island of Ireland should have a vote. If all candidates in the local elections are asked these questions and if we publish their answers, real consideration will be given to genuine reform of this House. The Seanad requires reform and there are a number of aspects of the different Bills relating to this matter which could be used to facilitate that reform. I urge the Leader to arrange a debate on Seanad reform in the near future.
I have previously noted how long it takes to get things done in this House. Some six or seven years ago the Seanad engaged in a debate on presumed consent in respect of organ donation. The debate on the particular measure involved was adjourned and nothing has happened in the meantime. In other words, a decision has not been made. It is interesting that a Bill to facilitate presumed consent is being introduced in Northern Ireland today. Wales has already enacted legislation on this matter. Let us ensure we move earlier and more quickly than others to deal with issues of this nature. The relevant legislation seems to take a long time to proceed through the House.
I greatly welcome the Tánaiste's announcement earlier today with on the reopening of the embassy to the Vatican.
I thank the Senator for all the work he did to secure that decision.
Senator Paul Coghlan to continue, without interruption.
I mean that.
There is a knighthood in this for Senator Paul Coghlan.
I am always prepared to listen to Senator Darragh O'Brien. The embassy is one of our oldest diplomatic missions. It was established at the time of the foundation of the State. I welcome the announcement in respect of our embassies in Jakarta in Indonesia, Croatia and elsewhere. In fairness, many of us made representations to the Tánaiste in respect of this matter since a number of our embassies abroad were closed. I take the opportunity to recognise the quiet diplomacy engaged in by our excellent Secretary General and non-resident ambassador to the Vatican, Mr. David Cooney, and the papal nuncio to Ireland, Archbishop Charles Brown, in the intervening period. The Joint Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade and its Chairman, Deputy Pat Breen, should also be recognised for the work they have done on this matter.
They did a good job in Iran also.
The economy is recovering, thanks to the efforts of the Minister for Finance, Deputy Michael Noonan, and others.
God bless the Senator.
Everything appears brighter than previously and people are more hopeful. It is timely, therefore, that the Irish Embassy to the Vatican is going to be reopened. I reiterate that I greatly welcome this development.
I hope some fruitful dialogue is taking place regarding that most important company, Liebherr. As has been stated previously, this company employs 670 people. Some 149 of those were taken on in the past two years. Liebherr also employs 40 apprentices. Senator Ned O'Sullivan and I come from the south west and we are both aware that the work done at the Liebherr plant is invaluable, particularly in view of the enormous spin-off to which it gives rise for the local economy and for the country as a whole. I hope that common sense will prevail and that the people in SIPTU will step back from the brink. It is most important that this happens.
I join the Cathaoirleach in welcoming Mr. Brian O'Dwyer and his colleague, Mr. Michael Carroll, from O'Dwyer and Bernstien, LLP, New York. I had dealings with Mr. O'Dwyer's father, the late Mr. Paul O'Dwyer, and the Cathaoirleach will be familiar with the contribution he made to County Mayo and the fact that a Cheshire Home and a forestry trust there are named in his honour. When I served as a Minister of State, I had the pleasure to be present in New York with the late Mr. Paul O'Dwyer when a memorial to another Irishman was unveiled. His work for Ireland should absolutely be recorded and I am delighted that his son, Brian, is here today. We sometimes forget the contribution made by certain individuals in very difficult times. The late Mr. Paul O'Dwyer was a friend of Ireland and, in effect, its diplomatic mission in New York. He represented Irish people who lived there and also represented the interests of the country. During a very difficult period in our history, he was a man of peace and reconciliation. I thank his son, Brian, for being present in the House today.
I welcome the Government's decision to reopen the Irish Embassy to the Holy See. The decision to close it in the first instance was very bad but at least it is now being reversed. The Government has decided now that it was a major error to close this very important embassy.
The Holy See is a small country that recognised Ireland in very difficult times and sent the first ambassador in St. Patrick. That is a fact. We must recognise that. We accept the decision.
I ask the Tánaiste to reopen the embassy in Tehran in the Islamic Republic of Iran. I was there as Minister of State with responsibility for trade and opened doors for many companies in that country. These doors are being closed, which is a very bad move. I am asking the Tánaiste to reconsider reopening the embassy in Tehran in the Islamic Republic of Iran which is a very pro-Irish country. I accept that embassies will open in Bangkok, Jakarta, Zagreb in Croatia and that new consulates will open in Hong Kong, Sao Paulo and Austin, Texas. We must bear in mind that this is a major country that needs to have representatives throughout the world.
The Chair has given the Senator great leeway.
The Chair is being very generous. I am just back from the Christmas break and wish to take the opportunity to say those things. Our embassies around the world are the best investment this country has made. Let us be honest about it - they are trade missions. That was what we changed in government. Instead of just being diplomatic missions, they are trade envoys around the world and open doors for companies in this country. I commend the Tánaiste for his actions but ask the Leader to ask him to reconsider the situation in reopening the embassy in the Islamic Republic of Iran.
Yesterday I had the pleasure of attending an excellent initiative between Dundalk Institute of Technology and Dundalk Football Club with the launch of a joint student scholarship that will commence in September 2014. Four scholarships will be offered each year to both CAO candidates and mature students who wish to pursue third level education, while simultaneously pursuing a professional soccer career playing at the highest level in the Republic of Ireland. It is a fantastic opportunity and will provide successful candidates with an opportunity to embark on a clearly defined playing, academic and personal development career path. It will be a win-win situation and is another positive step forward for education and our young people.
I express my continued anger at the further revelations last week at the Committee of Public Accounts regarding Mr. Paul Kiely's pension arrangements at the CRC. I was sickened by the latest revelations and wonder what else is to be revealed in the coming weeks and months. I commend the Committee of Public Accounts for its work to date in securing the answers it has received. We must all agree on the benefit of the committee and the work it has carried out and committee work in general. The revelations last week have opened up yet another can of worms. I found the lack of remorse shown to date by these individuals particularly sickening. I welcome the news over the weekend that the former board members will all be called back before the Committee of Public Accounts. It is dreadful that they have played this game of cat and mouse and answered questions in the most indirect way. I feel so sorry for the people who need the services in the CRC the most and the front-line workers who are completely innocent of any wrongdoing and are working above and beyond the call of duty to provide support and care for the disabled. Deserving charities have reported immense reductions in their fund-raising capabilities since these dreadful revelations. Many of these charities depend on public donations for survival. Again, I add my voice to those of others to encourage people to continue to provide support to charitable organisations.
The water issue will be discussed in the House tomorrow. I ask, as I did last week, that the activities of Irish Water be put under the scrutiny of the Comptroller and Auditor General. This would allow the matter to go to the Committee of Public Accounts which has distinguished itself by extracting information that this House tried to extract when the Bill was being debated here but all our amendments were turned down.
I note that Irish Water intends to employ 400 people at its headquarters in Dublin. Today the Central Bank announced that its headquarters will cost €140 million. These bodies exist to serve the public, not to develop an edifice complex. The state of banking in Ireland requires that the inability of the Central Bank to punish reckless banking should be addressed much more than building headquarters.
I refer to a very sad situation last week when the State had to decide to switch off the life support machine of a child. In view of the tragic death of the mother the child had no legal guardian. Unmarried fathers in this State have no automatic right to guardianship. It is time that situation was rectified. I was made aware some time ago that the Government was considering legislation in this regard. The current situation is bad for children and bad for families. I ask the Leader to inquire from the Minister for Justice and Equality, Deputy Alan Shatter, if and when it is proposed to introduce such legislation.
Fad is atáimid ag suí anseo, tá bean atá 79 bliain d'aois, agus a bhfuil ailse agus an galar Parkinson ag dul di, ag suí i bPríosún Luimnigh. It was very significant, even though it was down played by the media and Government sources, that the President's wife, Sabina Higgins, visited Limerick Prison yesterday to call to her long-time friend, Margaretta D'Arcy. I refer to Article 13.6 of the Constitution which states: "The right of pardon and the power to commute or remit punishment imposed by any court exercising criminal jurisdiction are hereby vested in the President". Perhaps the President is considering that right in the case of Margaretta D'Arcy. For him to use such powers I imagine he would need the beannacht of the Government. I call on the Government to consider the release of Margaretta D'Arcy. Although there are many people whom it is believed should be in prison, there is absolute outrage in the community that the State has imprisoned a 79 year old woman suffering from Parkinson's disease who has cancer and who is no threat to the community in any real sense. The Minister for Justice and Equality and the Tánaiste should act on this issue immediately.
This incident relates to the fact that Margaretta D'Arcy is attempting to draw attention to our policy on neutrality which is allowing foreign armies to use Shannon Airport, a civilian airport, as a stop-over while on their way to wage war. The airport is also used by planes suspected of being involved in extraordinary rendition. This Government and previous Governments have always put their heads in the sand on these issues. There has been much praise for the development of Shannon Airport, but the issue of our neutrality is never raised. Given that Margaretta D'Arcy has been trying to draw attention to the issue of human rights violations she has found herself in prison. What kind of justice is that? I call for a debate and on the Government to have Margaretta D'Arcy released as soon as possible on humanitarian grounds. This House needs to debate the broader issue of neutrality, why Shannon Airport is being used in such a way and why the Government is doing nothing about it.
I agree with Senator Feargal Quinn's point that Governments deserve to be applauded wherever they make a U-turn on decisions that are fundamentally wrong. The imposition of pylons and wind farms on ordinary people in rural Ireland in particular has been continually raised in this House. It was interesting to read recent media reports which suggested the European Union planned to row back significantly on the green energy targets.
This means that the pressure is off the Government. If targets are being imposed, the Government can make its own decisions on this matter. In recent weeks we have called for a review of renewable energy policy and sought a debate in this House on the matter. A deadline of 21 February has been set for the making of submissions to the Department and to the Minister of State, Deputy Jan O'Sullivan, regarding the proximity of wind turbines to family homes. It is important for this issue to be debated in this House before 21 February because of what the European Union is now proposing. This is an opportune time for the Government to take a serious look at the Wind Turbines Bill 2012, which I have proposed. All of the setback distances set out in that Bill are equivalent to those set out in An Bord Pleanála's decision in the Cloghan case. It is time for the Government to look at this matter seriously, rather than listening to departmental officials who say that if my Bill is implemented it will not be possible for the targets that have been set to be achieved. In any event, it looks likely that those targets will be rowed back on. I call on the Leader to try to organise a debate in this House before 21 February.
I applaud the Government's decision to reopen the Irish Embassy to the Vatican. It was long past time. It should never have been closed in the first place. I am particularly pleased that there will be an emphasis and focus on human rights and overseas development. I look forward to wishing the new ambassador every success in his or her new role.
I draw attention once again to IDA Ireland's regional policy on job creation. It has been established in response to a parliamentary question tabled by my colleague, Deputy Dara Calleary, that my own county of Leitrim received just one IDA Ireland visit last year. This is in keeping with the trends over previous years. A similar trend is evident across the north west in general. By contrast, there were 373 IDA Ireland-sponsored visits to Dublin in the same period. I appreciate, as IDA Ireland said yesterday in a statement, that companies cannot be corralled into going to a particular location. It seems obvious to me that a certain type of company wants to locate in this country. I appreciate that in some instances, information technology companies want to be part of the cluster that has developed around the dockside area in Dublin as a result of the arrival of Google and Microsoft, etc. Surely there is a case to be made for bringing potential investors to parts of the country that already have an educated workforce. The irony is that every time a facility is located in Dublin, it is inevitable that it is staffed partly by people from my own county. In other words, a migration is going on. It does not apply to County Leitrim only - I would say it applies to the west and north west in general.
It is time for representatives of IDA Ireland to sit down with the Government and the Minister, Deputy Richard Bruton, to try to figure out how they can persuade companies to visit these counties, rather than focusing on Dublin only. I know it has been said that they would go to Amsterdam or Barcelona instead, but so be it. They are not coming here to do us a favour - they are coming here because they have made hard-nosed business decisions on the basis of this country's corporation tax rate, its well educated workforce and its lifestyle. I do not want to labour the point too much. I ask the Leader to provide for an hour to be set aside for the Minister to come to House, perhaps for a set of statements. I have made this request before. We should be given some indication of the Government's thinking on regional policy, with particular reference to the establishment of industries outside the main cluster areas of Dublin, Cork, Limerick and Galway.
I highlight an aspect of the crime issue that was raised by Senator Darragh O'Brien. I have spoken previously about the theft of smart phones in Dublin. It has been reported that some 16,000 phones were robbed in this city in 2012. This is indicative of crime in general. It is easy for thieves to turn around the value of a phone for upwards of €100 within an hour. While this might seem trivial when compared to certain other cases, it seriously needs to be addressed. I welcome the investigations which are being undertaken by the Garda in relation to the issue in the city centre.
As other Senators noted, the case has a parallel in another dreadful case in County Clare where a man who was viewed as an easy target cycled for 30 miles to sign into a nursing home, despite being in perfectly good health. Clearly, there is a wider issue involved. While figures show that crime levels are decreasing, which is welcome, I sometimes wonder how the figures are compiled. Anecdotally, crime does not appear to be declining. The Fine Gael Party has always been tough on crime, but we are in a time of straitened State resources. I ask that the Minister for Justice and Equality, Deputy Alan Shatter, carry out an audit to assess current Garda deployment and identify more innovative ways of deploying new gardaí to ensure citizens are safe.
I concur with Senator Mary Moran's comments on the Central Remedial Clinic. We are all disgusted and overdosed on outrage about developments related to the CRC last week. The bigger issue, however, is the damage being done to charities. I welcome the announcement by the Minister for Justice and Equality that a charities regulator will be appointed in the near future. We need to do some work to repair the damage to the charities sector.
I welcome to the Visitors Gallery students from Midleton College which is closely associated with a former Member of the House, Trevor West.
The media today are covering an interesting story regarding the use of poor boxes in lieu of fines in the courts. This practice has no basis in law and appears to be an inherited tradition. More than €2 million was collected in this way for various charities this year, with Oxfam being the biggest beneficiary of poor box funds. For some reason, my home county of Kerry accounts for more than 25% of the entire sum collected. I note the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport, Deputy Leo Varadkar, recently expressed frustration that certain judges were accepting fines or donations to the poor box in lieu of imposing penalty points. In one case, a person caught driving at 95 km/h in a 50 km/h zone escaped conviction by making a donation to charity. The Minister for Justice and Equality should examine this issue in consultation with the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport. Perhaps the Leader will invite one or other of the Ministers to come before the House to discuss the practice of making donations to the poor box because an overhaul is needed.
On a separate issue, is it possible to have the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport come to the House to outline his views on public transport, specifically the lack of joined-up thinking and coherence in the operations of Iarnród Éireann and Bus Éireann? The two companies appear to operate in completely different worlds. I learned of a case involving a pensioner who travelled from Dublin to Tralee last week with the intention of taking the next bus to Listowel, a journey of 17 miles. As he left the railway station with his bags, he saw the bus pull out of the station yard - buses and trains use the same compound but the driver drove on when he tried to hail the bus. When he asked the person at the information desk why the next bus to Listowel would not leave for two hours he was informed that Iarnród Éireann and Bus Éireann do not operate a connecting service. They damn well should run a connecting service. Many of the passengers on the train from Dublin wanted to travel on to the next town in north Kerry. Since hearing of that case, I have been informed that the position is similar in many other locations. This is bad business which harms the image of both companies. While public transport has come a long way in the past couple of decades, the problem I have outlined is not acceptable.
Like Senator Trevor Ó Clochartaigh, I would like Margaretta D'Arcy to be released. Ms D'Arcy is a peace activist and woman of principle whom I admire. I remind Senators, however, that we must also consider the law of the land. As everyone knows, encroaching on the runway of an airport has consequences.
What about the consequences of rendition flights?
That is a separate issue which needs to be debated.
It is related.
Through the Chair, please.
I am told that Ms D'Arcy will be released if she gives an undertaking not to encroach onto the runway at Shannon Airport in the future.
She was told not to protest.
No crossfire.
I ask those who support Ms D'Arcy's cause to encourage her to enable her release as soon as possible. She is undergoing treatment for cancer and it is not appropriate that she be in prison. I encourage her early release, but she must come part of the way and meet the requirements of the prison authorities.
I join in welcoming today's announcement by the Tánaiste of an expansion in our embassy network. It is particularly welcome that, for the first time, we will have embassies in the fast-growing economies of Thailand and Indonesia and the business hubs of Hong Kong and Sao Paulo. For the first time, an embassy will support the Irish Aid programme in Nairobi. Like others, I am pleased that the Tánaiste has decided to reopen the embassy to the Vatican. As a member of the Joint Committee on Foreign Affairs, I am pleased that the Tánaiste listened to all of the measured contributions made during the past year. I have no doubt that, under the leadership of Pope Francis, the issues of poverty, hunger and human rights will be addressed by the Government in conjunction with the Vatican.
I strongly support Senator Ivana Bacik's call for an urgent debate on the worsening situation in Syria, the appalling loss of life there and the growing number of refugees filtering into neighbouring countries. If possible, will the Leader arrange the debate for next week?
I add my welcome for the Tánaiste's announcement of an expansion to the embassy network, including the reopening of the embassy to the Holy See. At the time of its closure, he stated that he would revisit the matter. He has been true to his word, which is welcome.
Last year, 29 November was the closing date for people to indicate how they would pay their local property taxes. Many indicated that they would pay through deductions from social welfare payments. Yesterday, which was three weeks into the new year and nearly eight weeks after the date in question, the Revenue Commissioners issued a letter - I am referring particularly to people in receipt of the contributory widow's pension - stating they could not deduct the tax from source. There was no problem when people selected that method of payment, but Revenue has since decided that it cannot be done. When the House debated the local property tax, we were told that it was possible to deduct the amounts from social welfare payments. I am unsure as to whether other social welfare payments have been affected. Given that we were misled, I ask that the matter be debated again and that the Minister for Social Protection attend the House to explain the problem. When I asked that the method be extended to jobseeker's benefit, I was told that it could not be done in respect of short-term payments. The widow's contributory pension is by no means a short-term payment. Will the Leader ask the Minister to attend the House at her earliest opportunity to discuss this problem?
Like others, I was horrified by the case of the 68 year old man who was twice robbed at home in west Clare. Eventually, he was in such terror that he felt his only option was to cycle to Ennis, the county's capital town, and check into a nursing home. Any right-minded citizen would be horrified if any individual of that or any age was subjected to such terror.
In the light of this and other similar sinister crimes against old people, I call on the Ministers for Justice and Equality and Environment, Community and Local Government to revisit the Community Alert scheme in the context of the installation of panic buttons-alarms in the homes of elderly people, which alarms have proven successful in the past in providing elderly people with some level of comfort in terms of living in their own homes. I understand that owing to financial constraints, funding for the installation of panic alarms-buttons was reduced in the 2013 from €2.4 million to €1.2 million. In the light of the recent crimes, I call on the aforementioned Ministers to re-examine this decision and to make more funding available for the installation of panic buttons-alarms for vulnerable elderly people.
I believe also that giving the Garda Reserve a role in visiting elderly people to advise them on security issues in terms of making their homes safer is worthy of consideration. The Garda Reserve does a great job and would, I believe, be happy to engage in this type of work. It is impractical to have gardaí at every street concern and on every country road but it is practical to provide for increased co-operation between communities and the Garda Reserve under the auspices of the local Garda superintendent. What happened in west Clare and the subsequent court case and what happened in Donegal a number of months ago, and in other areas, focuses our minds and underlines the need for new initiatives targeted at ensuring old people can remain living in their homes as long as possible because that is what all of us would like.
I echo Senator Martin Conway's remarks. Like others, I found this morning's report chilling. That a senior citizen should find himself in a situation so terrifying that he had to leave his home in the dead of night is truly appalling. Senator \Martin Conway is correct that we need a strategy for supporting older persons in our communities. It is important they are given advice on issues such as keeping money in their homes and so on and that every possible support, through community alert and otherwise, is available to them. The use of technology makes so much possible now. It should be possible for us to support our senior citizens in a more consistent and sustained manner.
I am not whetting myself with gratitude to the Government for its decision to reopen the Irish Embassy to the Vatican. This is a U-turn. It is an acknowledgement that what it did was very wrong from a diplomatic point of view and was petty politics. Many senior and eminent diplomats criticised that decision at the time. The Government has now come back to us with its tail between its legs just as we approach the local and European elections. The Government knows that it annoyed a considerable section of the community, who realised just how petty it was being, and is now expecting some type of political reward for its decision to reopen the embassy when all it is doing is finally coming around to serving the national interest given the vital listening post that that particular embassy is. This announcement deserves, at best, a qualified welcome. Our message to the Government in this regard should be "It is about time."
(Interruptions).
Senator Rónán Mullen should welcome it wholeheartedly.
European Parliament candidates should leave their ambitions outside the door.
Senator Rónán Mullen to continue, without interruption.
I am delighted that what I am saying is resonating so strongly with the Government side. I will postpone any further comments until tomorrow.
I ask that the Leader invite the Minister for Finance to the House to discuss and debate a quarterly report which was furnished to all Members of the Oireachtas by NAMA in recent days. We all know that NAMA is the largest property company in Europe and, perhaps, in the world. It is important, therefore, that we scrutinise any information put before us by that agency. It is important that as public representatives we have an opportunity to peruse and debate that information. On that basis, I ask that the Leader request that the Minister for Finance come to the House at the earliest opportunity for such a debate.
I support the call for an urgent debate on the situation in Syria. I am extremely concerned about the emerging evidence in regard to detainees and the potential for crimes against humanity being committed there.
The conflict in Syria has been ongoing for a long time. We need to consider what new actions can be taken to ensure that citizens are protected. I would appreciate having that debate as soon as possible. The international community must act.
On so many occasions Members from all sides of the House have spoken about reform. I invite all Members to come to our reform conference at the RDS.
That is the joke of the day.
I will not be there.
Can we get a front row seat?
(Interruptions).
I say to Senators that they should not be afraid of reform.
Be very afraid.
We were elected to this House to be able to voice people's concerns at this time in Ireland and to have a more positive and optimistic Ireland.
We do not promote any parties or political groups in the House.
It is not a promotion it is a fact.
Protect Senator Fidelma Healy Eames.
The Senator could go back to Fine Gael. Why does it not bring them all back?
Does the Senator have a question for the Leader?
My question is as follows. How serious are we about reform?
(Interruptions).
We might send an ambassador to that resting post.
Senator Fidelma Healy Eames without interruption, please.
Change is always a challenge for all of us. To be fair we also have to have the courage. This is a time for courage. History is up to us.
Prior to the introduction of the Protection of Life During Pregnancy Bill, we had a great debate on the legislation in this Chamber, chaired by Deputy Jerry Buttimer, involving many eminent speakers from all sides over four days. Siemens-Schuckert was the pioneer behind the power station at Ardnacrusha and rural electrification from 1927. It was a German company and a worldwide leader in power generation and engineering.
Does the Senator have a question for the Leader?
I have a good question for the Leader.
(Interruptions).
I want a debate in advance. Pylons, windmills, turbines and EirGrid proposals are very topical issues at the moment. With respect, not many people in the Seanad or the Oireachtas are familiar with the operation of any of those electricity generation methods. I call for a debate in this House similar to what we had for the Protection of Life During Pregnancy Bill. I suggest those pioneers should come back to this country after however many years it is.
How can they come back? They are all dead.
They have the worldwide experience, aswe have ourselves with young engineers. Men and women from the ESB have gone to far-away places, including eastern Europe and Africa showing how to expand. We need to expand. There are debates on overhead versus underground and the costs of wind turbines. We need the detailed costs and advantages of all systems, including the transmission difficulties of all systems-----
Should the Senator declare an interest in it?
----- for and against and covering operational and technical difficulties.
Is the Senator looking for a debate?
I am looking for a comprehensive debate with the experts and most importantly the independent experts-----
The Senator could hold a séance with John Kelly.
----- including the World Health Organization and the Radiological Protection Institute of Ireland. We need to organise something similar to what we had previously and invite, importantly, independent experts.
Let us be led by the Independents. There will be people in favour of placing cables underground and overhead. However, I have to say before I go-----
The Senator is way over time.
-----what I heard on radio today that the magnetic forces from underground cables are greater than the electric and magnetic fields, EMFs, around pylons is the greatest load of rubbish I have ever heard.
Senator Darragh O'Brien commented on the Garda and resources for it. It was a matter raised by Senator Catherine Noone also. As the Senator knows, recruitment has recommenced to the Garda. On several occasions the Senator has raised the matter of patrol cars. I gather up to €8 million has been provided in the past two years for the purchase of extra patrol cars and the Commissioner has been told that the Garda will receive any resource necessary to combat crime. I will invite the Minister to come to the House to debate law and order and the provision of resources for the Garda.
There was a call for a debate on the HSE service plan. I have asked the Minister for Health, Deputy James Reilly, to take part in that debate. He informs me that he will deal with the plan in the Dáil first and that he will probably come here after that.
Senator Ivana Bacik remarked on the Bill to be be published tomorrow on technological universities. Certainly, we will have a debate on that legislation. It is an important Bill to provide for the creation of technological universities. I imagine the Minister will be willing to come to the House to discuss it in early course.
Several Senators have called for a debate on the situation in Syria. I have asked the Minister of State at the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, Deputy Joe Costello, to come to the House next week. He has agreed to come for a debate on Syria, South Sudan and the Central African Republic. That debate will take place on Thursday next. I hope all of the Senators who have asked for a debate will come to the House and contribute to it.
Senators Ivana Bacik, Michael Mullins and Paul Coghlan and several others commented on the expansion of embassies to promote trade, in particular. This is to be welcomed, as is the provision of a person for the reopening of the Irish Embassy to the Vatican. Everyone has been generous in welcoming it, with the exception of Senator Rónán Mullen, who was far from generous in his comments. Everyone is different, obviously.
We are all God's children.
Senator Feargal Quinn spoke about Seanad reform. He is quite right: we have several documents on the list or the Order Paper. However, the Taoiseach has come to the House and stated emphatically that he is committed to legislating for the decision of the people in 1979, with which he is proceeding. I imagine there will be many other procedures that will have to be changed in the House to provide for reform of the system. We look forward to debating the issue in the coming months. We also look forward to the Government's proposals in that regard.
Reference was made to the Bill on presumed consent for organ donations. I note that the Human Tissue Bill is on the Government list, but it is certainly not down for discussion in the coming months. I will again ask the Minister for Health what is the position. He gave a commitment that we would have the Bill in the first part of the year.
As it is on the C list of the Government's legislative programme, I would not be hopeful it will be dealt with in the first half of the year.
Senator Paul Coghlan complimented the quiet diplomacy of Mr. Cooney and the papal nuncio regarding the reopening of the Irish Embassy at the Vatican. He also outlined his concerns about the dispute at the Liebherr factory in Killarney. That company is so important to employment in Killarney and County Kerry in general that I hope all parties will come together to resolve this outstanding matter as a matter of urgency.
And accept the Labour Court's recommendation.
Senator Terry Leyden spoke about Iran and the need to reopen the embassy in Tehran. A deputation from the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade travelled to Iran in recent weeks, but I note the Senator's comments which I will bring to the attention of the Tánaiste.
Senator Mary Moran spoke about the collaboration between Dundalk IT and Dundalk FC. These developments are to be welcomed. I note her points about the Central Remedial Clinic and commending the Committee of Public Accounts which obviously has much more investigative work to carry out. The Senator also encouraged people to support charities, as donations have declined significantly since this issue arose.
Senator Sean D. Barrett made some points about Irish Water. I am sure he will make these points to the Minister of State, Deputy Fergus O'Dowd, when we have the debate tomorrow.
Senator Jim D'Arcy spoke about the right to guardianship for unmarried fathers. The children and family relationships Bill is on the A list of legislation, which indicates that it will be dealt with fairly soon. However, I know the Assisted Decision-Making (Capacity) Bill 2013 had its Second Stage reading in the Dáil and is awaiting Committee Stage; therefore, it will be some time before it reaches this House.
Senators Trevor Ó Clochartaigh and Michael Mullins referred to a decision of the courts which are entirely independent in the execution of their functions. It would be inappropriate, therefore, for me to make any comment on a decision of the court in this instance. The person to whom the Senators referred was convicted at Ennis District Court last month of endangering lives by entering the runway at Shannon Airport in late 2012. She was sentenced to three months in prison, a sentence which was suspended for two years on condition that she enter into a bond of good behaviour. Having failed to enter the bond, the sentence was activated by the court and she was committed to Limerick Prison.
Does the Leader support her release?
That is the position and the law must take its course.
Does the Leader support her release?
Senator John Kelly spoke about wind turbines and submissions that had to be made by 21 February. I will ask the Minister of State, Deputy Jan O'Sullivan, to come to the House to discuss the matter and try to find out if she is willing to do so.
Senator Paschal Mooney spoke about IDA Ireland's regional policy on job creation. As he stated, the companies will eventually decide, but I agree with him that there should be a greater regional balance, if possible. The Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation is certainly overdue a visit to the House to discuss the question of job creation. I have asked him and hope he will come to us soon.
Senator Catherine Noone also spoke about law and order, highlighting the theft of smartphones in Dublin and elsewhere. I will ask the Minister for Justice and Law Reform to come to discuss the matter.
Senator Ned O'Sullivan referred to the use of the poor box in courts for donations.
He referred to the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport, Deputy Leo Varadkar. As he will be in the House immediately after the Order of Business, that would be a good time to make these points. On the issue of public transport, I agree with the Senator that there is a greater need for joined-up thinking in terms of connections between trains, buses and so on. He could avail of the opportunity during the debate on the Bill to raise these points with the Minister.
In reply to Senator Michael Mullins, I think I have indicated that next week we will have a debate on foreign affairs, especially on the situation in Syria, South Sudan and the Central African Republic.
Senator Marie Moloney raised the issue of the local property tax and the deduction from social welfare payments, including the widow's contributory pension. I suggest the Senator table an Adjournment motion in that regard to get a answer directly from the Minister on that point.
Senator Martin Conway mentioned crimes against the elderly and the need for a strategy to support the elderly, a community alert scheme in the context of the installation of panic button alarms in the homes of elderly persons and more funding. The Senator called for a greater role for the Garda Reserve in this matter. I will certainly bring these matters to the attention of the Minister.
Senator Lorraine Higgins referred to the scrutiny of a recent report from NAMA. I think a debate on such a report would be more relevant to the Joint Committee on Finance, Public Expenditure and Reform and that the report should be examined by it.
I thought Senator Fidelma Healy Eames was going to burst into song - be not afraid and come follow me.
She would not take her own advice. She is gone.
I think I will decline-----
She must have been afraid of what the Leader was going to say. Perhaps he was going to send her to Syria.
Senator Terry Brennan made a number of points about pylons and various other matters. I know he is not an electrician, but he has very good connections.
He is a live wire.
Having such a comprehensive debate over a number of days would be a matter more for the Joint Committee on Transport and Communications. I hope that will happen and I am sure the request will be made by members of the committee.
Order of Business agreed to.