The Order of Business is No. 1, statements on the reform of further education and training and the apprenticeship system, to be taken at 11.45 a.m. and conclude not later than 1.30 p.m., with the contributions of group spokespersons not to exceed eight minutes, those of all other Senators not to exceed five minutes and the Minister to be called on to reply to the debate not later than 1.20 p.m.; No. 2, statements on An Action Plan for Jobs, to be taken at 3 p.m. and conclude not later than 5.30 p.m., with the contributions of group spokespersons not to exceed eight minutes, those of all other Senators not to exceed five minutes and the Minister to be called on to reply to the debate not later than 5.20 p.m.; and No. 45, Private Members' business, motion No. 6 re child protection, to be taken at 5.30 p.m. and conclude not later than 7.30 p.m.
Order of Business
I ask the Leader to outline what stage the legal services Bill has reached. It has been promised for the past three years but seems to have been sidelined for whatever reason. When will it be brought before the House?
My primary reason for speaking is to ask the Leader to recognise that last evening the Government accepted on principle the protection of residential mortgage holders Bill and allowed it to pass Second Stage in the Lower House. That is an important acknowledgement of the work done by Deputy Michael McGrath. My difficulty is with the commitment that the Minister and the Government have given to introduce the legislation in 2015. Owing to the urgent nature of this matter and my desire to protect vulnerable mortgage holders, I ask the Leader to give a clear commitment and convey a message to the Government that 2015 will be too late to introduce such legislation. The sale of the Irish Nationwide Building Society is imminent and Danske Bank, the Royal Bank of Scotland and the ACC Bank are all in the process of exiting the Irish market. What about their customers?
The danger which is acknowledged by senior Government figures is that these vulture capitalists - most of whom are neither European nor American - are buying the loan books. The kernel of the Bill, which was introduced by Deputy Michael McGrath in the Lower House, is that the code of conduct on mortgage arrears applied by the Central Bank will also apply to those taken over by these vulture capitalists. They must be protected. Even though the Government accepted the principle of the Bill in the Lower House, it is too dangerous to kick it to touch for another 12 months. That will be too late for many concerned mortgage holders. Many of them are beleaguered and under pressure so they need such protection. As bad as things are, at least there is some protection under the aegis of the Central Bank. There will be no written guarantee until the Government's proposed legislation is introduced in 12 months time and passed to ensure such mortgages are protected. It is an extremely serious issue.
I ask the Leader to comment on how the Water Services (No. 2) Bill 2013 applies to rural water schemes. As many such schemes have not been taken in charge by the local authority, they appear to be in limbo. Perhaps the Leader might enlighten me on what is available for those schemes for which trustees were established. Hundreds of people have got water from some excellent schemes, but they have not reached the final stage where the local authority takes charge of them. They are now the responsibility of Irish Water. Unfortunately, those schemes that are three quarters baked are not under the control of a local authority or Irish Water. That issue should be addressed. Perhaps the Leader might acknowledge the difficulty and tell us where the people concerned stand.
Like others, I call on the Leader again to organise a debate on the situation in Ukraine. Things are at a very difficult stage. I commend the Tánaiste, Deputy Eamon Gilmore, for calling in the Russian ambassador yesterday to make clear Ireland's view that a peaceful resolution is essential. Anyone who saw the extraordinary footage last night of the unarmed Ukrainian soldiers bravely confronting heavily armed Russian troops in an attempt to take back their bases on their own territory in Crimea, will know just how commendably the Ukrainian armed forces are responding. They are not being provoked by the extreme provocation they are facing from Putin's policies in Russia. We all very much hope there will be a peaceful resolution. We also hope the European summit this week will have an impact on Russian policy and that Ukraine will manage to hold onto its territory.
Following the National Women's Council report, I also wish to ask the Leader to arrange for a debate on the creation of a gender balanced and women friendly Oireachtas. My colleague, Senator Aideen Hayden, raised this issue yesterday. Many of us attended the launch by the National Women's Council of its publication entitled A Parliament of All Talents: Building a Women-Friendly Oireachtas, which features Senator Susan O'Keeffe. It was launched yesterday by the Minister for Social Protection, Deputy Joan Burton. The National Women's Council has done a huge amount of work in preparing this report which makes recommendations on how the Oireachtas could become more women-friendly, and how we could see more female parliamentarians coming forward.
The electoral amendment legislation we have passed which provides for gender quotas will have a transformative effect in the next general election in ensuring we will see more women elected to the Dáil and I hope also to the Seanad. The report's recommendations would make the Oireachtas a better place for all of us, both men and women, to work in. I previously put similar recommendations before the Seanad Committee on Procedure and Privileges and might do so again. Following discussions at the committee, we could then have a debate to see how we can examine our own internal working procedures to make them more family-friendly.
I am also seeking a debate on diversity in the workplace generally. Yesterday, I attended the launch of a report by GLEN, the Gay and Lesbian Equality Network, supported by Ernst & Young and Trinity College Dublin. The excellent survey examines diversity in light of the experience of LGBT employees in the workplace. The survey of 600 employees describes their experiences of difficulties with coming out and discrimination at work. It commends employers who have managed to achieve a good experience of diversity in the workplace and who have benefited as a result. A lot of work has been done on the benefits to employers of ensuring inclusion and better diversity in the workplace. I am, therefore, seeking a general debate on diversity in the workplace, based on both reports.
Once again this week we have practically no legislation coming through this House. We have had very little in recent weeks and I gather that we might not have much coming next week either. We have to do something about that dearth of legislation. The Leader could grasp some of the procedures we have suggested and recommended for Seanad reform. We could do it without waiting for somebody else to do it for us. Could we not do something about European legislation ourselves, rather than waiting for the other House or the Government to day, "Yes, here is what you can do"? As it is in our own hands, we should do it. Today's newspapers report that Ireland is in ninth place for innovation of the 28 EU member states; therefore, we are way down the line. There is no place in business for those who wait for somebody else to do something. That applies not just to the business sector but also to this House. We must stand up and do it ourselves. This is a real opportunity for us to do something like that and I suggest that we could do it with European legislation on that basis. The Leader should grab hold of this proposal. If we are not going to be given legislation, let us grab hold of it ourselves and do something about it. Let us be the innovators and set an example of what we can do. It does not only apply to business or dthe Government, but is also a way of life. If Ireland is going to succeed, we have got to do it ourselves. This is a real opportunity to do something in this House by introducing legislation or examining European legislation. That is part of what we have proposed in the Seanad Reform Bill. If we are to have a healthy and successful Seanad in future, we must do it ourselves. I urge the Leader to do something about this in the immediate future.
I wish to make one point about the sale of the INBS loan book. I congratulate Deputy Michael McGrath for introducing legislation to try to protect the interests of mortgage holders who have mortgages with the Irish Nationwide Building Society. It is important to remember that the latter company was the original sub-prime lender in this country and there is a serious impairment on that loan book. However, the proposed legislation will not be enough to protect mortgage holders with the INBS. Appearing before the Joint Committee on Finance, Public Expenditure and Reform, the liquidator said that he would not include compliance with the code of conduct on mortgage arrears as an essential part of the sale of the loan book because it would impair the value he would get in the sale of that business. He also made the point that any prudent pursuer of the loan book would want the loans to be performing and therefore there was no real issue to address. The bottom line, however, is that there is absolutely no protection for those mortgage holders because that loan book is going to be sold off in bits and pieces. The most profitable bits of the loan book will clearly be the first to go. There is no follow-on protection for those mortgage holders when, not if, that loan book is sold on. More importantly, there is no protection against increases in interest rates beyond what we would regard as normal for those mortgage holders. In this respect, changing the law is not enough. No domestic mortgage under State control, as the INBS loan book is, should be sold off at all. It should be transferred to NAMA and administered as such in future. With due respect to Deputy Michael McGrath, no real protection can be offered to those mortgage holders unless the mortgages remain within the control of the Government.
Last week I raised the issue of what I believed to be a trend in the Irish hospitality sector to increase prices across the board. I instanced a personal experience I had which, in some quarters, was received with tongue in cheek. I was, however, trying to make an important point which it seems has now been borne out by the most recent statistics published in today's media. They show that Ireland has moved from being the 34th most expensive country last year to the 21st most expensive this year.
I regret to say one of the premier tourist locations in the country - I would say it is the premier location outside Dublin - namely, Killarney, has not come out of the survey very well. I suggest to the hospitality sector not to be tempted, because there is an upturn in the economy, to increase its prices. Costs have been kept down in recent years and, given the current fragile state of the economy and particularly in the light of a slight improvement in tourism revenue and numbers in the last year, there is no justification for the sector to increase its prices at this stage. There should be a period of patience and waiting. If there is any justification for it, I would like to see it. I would like to hear from the Irish Hotels Federation and the tourism interests why they are justifying these increases in prices. It will damage the Irish tourism industry, perhaps not so much in Dublin, where tourism is booming but in other parts of the country that are struggling. This is particularly the case in my own area, the north west, which traditionally has had to fight very hard and go that extra mile to increase and attract more visitors. In this I include the entire north west and the Border counties. I make a plea to the Leader that the Minister, Deputy Leo Varadkar, or the Minister of State, Deputy Michael Ring, or both, would come before the House and indicate what is Government policy in this regard. They are the first out of the blocks, as any Minister would be, whenever there is good news to be imparted to the public. This is not a good news story; it is a bad news story for Ireland. I would like to hear from the Ministers responsible as to what it is they believe should be done to encourage the hospitality sector to hold the line on this and not to be tempted to increase prices just because there is a slight upturn in the tourism sector.
When I hear mention of the premier tourism resort, naturally-----
Was that Kinsale?
It is a beautiful place too, further down the Atlantic trail. With regard to Killarney, I am surprised to hear my colleague, Senator Pashcal Mooney, say what he has said. I am not aware of that survey-----
It was in the newspapers last week. I am only quoting what was in the newspapers.
I would like to have a discussion with the Senator on it. We cannot believe everything we read in the newspapers. Killarney offers great value for money-----
The facts speak otherwise, I am afraid.
We cannot have a discussion across the floor. Does Senator Paul Coghlan have a question for the Leader?
I would like to counter what has been said because I am in touch with the Irish Hotels Federation, including Conor Hennigan and others who are leaders in that regard in Killarney. I recently had to make inquiries about a conference coming up in September. I know that for four star hotels in Killarney - I can discuss two of them afterwards with Senator Paschal Mooney - the value people are getting for the week they want to spend there is outstanding. I do not accept and do not understand the survey. It may be a once-off-----
It is €199 for two nights.
I can do a lot better than that for the Senator.
Give me a call.
Does Senator Paul Coghlan have a question for the Leader?
We should not just be flying off and frothing at the mouth, although I am not accusing Senator Paschal Mooney of doing so. We have to be careful about what we say here. As I said, I am not aware of the survey, but I will look into it. I do not believe it because I know from my practical experience it is not true.
I presume the House would welcome President Clinton to Ireland today. He is in Derry at lunchtime to honour John Hume; he will then be launching a new Clinton Institute at Queen's University Belfast this evening, and, of course, renewing his contacts with this country through the Cassidy family in Fermanagh. I propose to the Leader that we debate Northern Ireland. The peace process has to be worked at and we have not discussed it for some time. I also suggest it is again time to look at the issue of the absence of an American ambassador in this country since December 2012. Ireland and the United States have one of the closest international friendships in the world and it should be graced by an ambassador here. I do not know why the US authorities have been neglecting that important role.
I also note the views of Mr. Frank McDonald, a distinguished environmentalist and expert on buildings and architecture, that the ESB buildings near here, mentioned yesterday, should be restored as residences and that there are many available office blocks where the commercial aspects of what the ESB does in the Fitzwilliam Street could be carried out. It would be a better project to restore the residences on that street rather than have an office block behind a Georgian facade. I recall, a long time ago, when the then Minister, Mr. Erskine Childers was in charge of that area, he said the drawings presented to him of what the offices would look like differed a lot from what had been constructed. I believe it is time for some vigilance to ensure that a piece of Dublin's Georgian mile can be restored in harmony with its surroundings.
I raise the issue of the new service for the provision of national driving licences. Last year the Government decided to take the provision of the service from the local authorities and set up a new organisation. A contract was given out, centres were set up across the country and people had to attend these centres during working hours to get their new driver licences. This has turned into a fiasco in some areas. In the early weeks of last year the system stalled and nobody could get any work done despite the fact people had taken time off their employment to go to the centres to have their licences issued. The issue was raised in the Lower House in December with the Minister, Deputy Leo Varadkar, who has responsibility for this service. In response to the issue raised, the Minister intimated that it needed time to bed in and that, if the difficulties continued, he would look at the matter. In the last week, in my own county of Tipperary, the system again stalled and people who had taken time off work to go to the new driving licence centre wasted their day. It is time the Minister took a serious look at the issue.
The other difficulty is the location of the centres. For example, in all of County Kerry, there is only one centre, in Tralee, and in all of Cork, there are only two, in Cork city and Skibbereen. In my own county, the biggest inland county in the country, there are only two, in Clonmel and Nenagh. People have to take time off work and travel to these places to discover, in some instances, that the service does not work. They then have to go back again, wasting time when they should be at their workplace. It is time the system was looked at and time the Minister did what he said he would do, that is, to review and make changes if necessary.
In the last week we have had a lot of discussion in regard to the role of post offices, particularly in rural Ireland. I see this as an opportunity for post offices to play a part in the provision of the new driver licence system. Post offices could be used in the areas I have outlined and in other parts of the country where there are large gaps in the provision of this service. This could help to enhance the role of post offices across the country. I ask the Leader to raise this matter with the Minister with a view to involving the post office in the provision of this service.
Ba mhaith liom moladh a thabhairt do na Seanadóirí atá ag úsáid na Gaeilge an tseachtain seo. B'fhéidir go dtabharfaidh siad spreagadh do dhaoine eile beagáinín Gaeilge a úsáid sna díospóireachtaí a bheidh againn i rith Sheachtain na Gaeilge an tseachtain seo agus an tseachtain seo chugainn.
I commend a theatre production that a number of us saw last night, which is produced between Garter Lane Arts Centre, Everyman Palace and Project Arts Centre. It is "Dreamland" by Jim Nolan which is a very good production and well worth a visit this week, if people get a chance to see it. It deals with the rise of fascism in the 1930s in Ireland, a theme I was discussing in Bilbao over the weekend. I was lucky enough to be invited to a conference there which was to coincide with the visit of the IMF to Bilbao and was focused on the impact of troika economics on a number of states and regions across Europe. One of the themes that came across from a number of the speakers was the rise of fascism across Europe, which is becoming a very serious problems in places like Greece, Portugal and Spain. The state of their economies and the impact socially of troika programmes was under discussion especially given that in many regions and states the negative impact of what has happened has been very serious. There was a huge protest in Bilbao, with tens of thousands of people on the streets.
It is important for us not to forget that even though we are apparently out of our own bailout programme, bailouts are still happening across Europe and are having a massive negative impact in places like Greece, Portugal, Italy and Spain. We even had speakers from Germany highlighting the difficulties in that country for people in lower income brackets. Now we have the news that the troika is coming back to check our copybooks in the near future. We were told we were out of its grasp, but it is clear now that we will be under its tutelage until 75% of the banking debts are repaid. It is important to have a debate on the impact of troika economics and austerity policies throughout Europe, including their social impact in member states that are still in bailout programmes. Those countries are dealing with serious unemployment and social problems, cutbacks in health services and so on. It would be a useful debate and a reminder that we must not forget our comrades across Europe.
I congratulate the manager of the Clare hurling team, Davy Fitzgerald, on his openness and frankness in his speech to students at the Limerick Institute of Technology in recent days on the issue of alcohol and other substance abuse in sport. He is in a great position to demonstrate that when a group of players decides to pursue a path of abstinence from alcohol and other substances, it can achieve something very significant.
Mr. Fitzgerald's speech dovetails nicely with the launch yesterday of the all-party Oireachtas group on alcohol misuse. I attended a very powerful presentation in the AV room by four people - a nurse from University Hospital Galway, a paramedic with the National Ambulance Service, a person working in the drugs and alcohol service, and Mr. Alastair Campbell. The nurse, Ann Burke from Galway, asked a very relevant question, namely, whether politicians really knew what was happening in emergency departments late at night when we were all safely tucked up in our beds and the level of violence nurses had to endure and the horrific injuries with which patients presented. Other speakers spoke of eight and ten year old children looking after their brothers and sisters while their parents are abusing alcohol. In short, a very frightening picture was painted. I applaud Alcohol Action Ireland for organising the seminar in conjunction with the all-party Oireachtas group on alcohol misuse. It would be appropriate, in advance of the publication of the public health (alcohol) Bill, for the Minister of State at the Department of Health, Deputy Alex White, to come to the House for a frank discussion on the urgency of addressing these issues. The number of lives being destroyed and the increasing cost to the health service are a matter of national urgency. The sooner the legislation is brought forward and the recommendations of the various groups that fed into the Bill are implemented, the better. I ask the Leader to organise that debate in the coming weeks.
I support the call by Senator Ivana Bacik for a debate on the situation in Ukraine. It would be very worthwhile to have the Tánaiste come and brief the House on the issue. It is still very tense in the region and there is no evidence of a united approach from the European Union. This morning we heard the Foreign Minister of Spain complimenting the Russian Foreign Minister on oil agreements, tourism from Russia and other issues which are not of paramount importance in the context of the situation in Crimea. A house divided will not stand and it is imperative that we see a more unified approach from the European Union. Meanwhile, a tape played on "Tonight with Vincent Browne" last night showed the influence of the United States Department of State, with the ambassador in Ukraine recommending applicants for ministerial positions in the interim, unelected, Government of Ukraine. The situation is very tense, but we hope the issue will be resolved peacefully. It has repercussions globally, including for us in Ireland.
Given that this is International Women's Week, will the Committee on Procedure and Privileges consider inviting Ms Anne Brasseur from Luxembourg, the newly elected President of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe, to address the House?
The Senator should forward his request to the Committee on Procedure and Privileges.
Ms Brasseur was in contention for the post with Bob Walter from the European Democratic Group.
The leader of the Senator's group is a member of the Committee on Procedure and Privileges and can raise the issue there.
I am sure he will do so. It is interesting to note, this being International Women's Week, that the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe has elected a woman as President for the first time in some 30 years. It is a clear indication of progress. I was delighted to support Ms Brasseur's nomination, as she was the outgoing president of the Alliance of Liberals and Democrats for Europe, of which I am vice president. I am delighted we were successful in securing her election.
The Senator ran a good campaign for her.
I certainly did. Will the Cathaoirleach, as Chairman of the Committee on Procedure and Privileges, recommend that Ms Brasseur be invited to the House to address us? I have no doubt she will make a very interesting and worthwhile contribution. I hope my female colleagues will be supportive of my proposal.
I propose an amendment to the Order of Business that the Minister for Finance, Deputy Michael Noonan, notwithstanding his attendance here yesterday, come to the House again today to discuss the position of mortgage holders with what was the Irish Nationwide Building Society and is now the Irish Bank Resolution Corporation. While the other House accepted the principle of the Fianna Fáil Bill to give protections to this group, it is vital that we have a debate on the issue in this Chamber. Like universal health insurance, this issue is being put on the never-never by the Government. We are told there is agreement in principle with what my party has proposed, but the issue is effectively being kicked down the road, to be looked at, perhaps, in a year or so. As Senator Aideen Hayden said, this simply is not good enough.
The banks' balance sheets show that 1,500 houses have been repossessed, two thirds of them owner-occupied properties and one third buy-to-lets. We have no regional breakdown of these figures. What is the Government's plans in terms of follow-up actions? Of the 1,000 families that are now out of their homes, how many are on housing lists, in rented accommodation or homeless? We do not have anything in place to determine their status. I agree wholeheartedly with Senator Aideen Hayden that the right protections are not in place. Notwithstanding Members opposite wrestling with their conscience three years ago in regard to our Family Home Bill, which would have given very specific support to families in respect of the family home, the decision was made to leave the banks in absolute control. The secret stairs to which Senator Sean D. Barrett often refers that allows access for bankers and developers to the Department of Finance seems to be there, no matter who is in government.
The reality is that the Government is taking a hands-off approach to this issue. Pointing out this inaction is not to absolve previous Governments any more than it is to absolve the current Government but inaction it is. Being placated with assurances that we have brought forward a worthwhile proposal is not good enough. Having a Private Members' Bill accepted on Second Stage is merely an empty victory if the Government is simply going to push the issue onto the never-never. It is not good enough. Principles and talk are cheap; what we need is action to protect family homes. Where are the 1,000 families whose homes have been repossessed? We know nothing about them. As Senator Aideen Hayden rightly observed, the number of repossessions will only increase. We had a very respectful debate with the Minister yesterday, but it is worth nothing.
There were not many Members in the Chamber.
I was here and spoke very respectfully while making my political points. While I appreciate having the Minister here, five minutes is worth nothing. As finance spokesman on the other side of the House, I recall speakers being allowed 20 minutes each in certain debates on finance and the economy. Yesterday, I had hardly started my contribution when it was time to finish.
Will the Senator clarify the amendment he is proposing?
I am proposing that the Minister come to the House to indicate specifically what the Government's plans are to follow up on the issue of mortgage arrears, particularly in respect of mortgages taken out with the Irish Nationwide Building Society.
Ba mhaith liom aontú leis an Seanadóir Ó Clochartaigh i dtaobh an dualgais atá orainn an Ghaeilge a chur chun cinn anseo, go mórmhór i rith Sheachtain na Gaeilge. Is mór an náire é nach bhfuil suim níos láidre ag an Rialtas seo inár dteanga dúchais a phlé agus a chur chun cinn.
I second the amendment proposed by Senator Marc MacSharry on the IBRC loan book. I fully concur with Senator Aideen Hayden's comments in this regard. It is, as I stated last week, an abrogation of our duty, obligation and mandate as elected representatives to abandon the people we are supposed to represent, many of whom are in a highly vulnerable position. I refer specifically to mortgage holders, some of whom are in arrears and experiencing great difficulty meeting their repayments and keeping a roof over their heads. It is appalling that the Government has suggested deferring addressing this matter until 2015. A number of mortgage books could be sold in the meantime, which would place tens of thousands of people at risk of losing their homes. I remember the House sitting through the night in recent years to rescue the banking system. Could we not do the same for citizens who have suffered as a consequence of the lack of prudential banking and the irresponsibility shown by the banks, the Department of Finance and the regulatory authorities?
I support the call for a debate on the situation in Ukraine; it is a serious issue with many ramifications and implications. I would like Europe to follow the approach taken by Chancellor Merkel who has engaged directly with the Russian President to resolve the matter amicably through a de-escalation of the situation. The Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade appeared before the Joint Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade yesterday. He should come before the House for a full debate on this important European topic.
I support the call for the Minister for Finance, Deputy Michael Noonan, to come before the House again. While his visit yesterday evening was very useful, I was only allowed to speak on the issue of economic recovery and job creation for one minute. I would like the Minister to return to the House to discuss the issue of mortgage arrears. I have noticed a conflict between the position on the ground on mortgage arrears and the position suggested in media reports. Last Monday week I was at a meeting in Oranmore with 90 people who were experiencing difficulties with debt. They included people who had been in arrears for five years and were deeply worried they would lose their homes. Two people have disclosed at private meetings that they plan to take their lives as a result of mortgage arrears. There is not a more important issue. I concur with Senator Jim Walsh on this occasion.
Only on this occasion.
If we must sit through the night to help people in mortgage arrears, as we did in the case of banks and the public finances, let us do so.
I invite all Senators to visit the Members' private dining room where we are hosting Hand in Hand, the only dedicated childhood cancer charity in the country.
That matter is not relevant to the Order of Business.
It is relevant.
The Senator has other means available to her to send that message.
I beg the Cathaoirleach's indulgence. Hand in Hand operates in eight counties in the west and north west and is expanding nationally. It requires assistance to survive.
The matter is not relevant to the Order of Business.
Senator Denis O'Donovan, acting Leader of the Opposition, inquired about the Legal Services Regulation Bill. I understand the legislation was referred to the committee on 12 February. As the Senator is aware, it is a lengthy Bill and it will take some time to dispose of it in committee. Report Stage must also be taken in the Dáil before it is introduced in the Seanad. As such, it will be some time before it is brought before this House.
A number of Senators raised the issue of mortgage arrears and referred to a Bill introduced in the other House last evening. As Senator Denis O'Donovan stated, the Government agreed in principle to expedite legislation. However, the wheels of government grind slowly where legislation is concerned. I will raise with the Minister the concerns expressed by Senators with a view to having the legislation expedited. I will also inquire on behalf of Senator Denis O'Donovan about the position on rural water services and the water services Bill.
Senator Ivana Bacik, among other Senators, referred to the situation in Ukraine, an issue on which I provided a comprehensive report yesterday. I have invited the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade to come before the Seanad, even though he addressed the Joint Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade on this matter yesterday.
Senator Ivana Bacik also referred to a report published yesterday by the National Women's Council. I agreed to ask the Minister of State at the Department of Health, Deputy Kathleen Lynch, to come to the House for a discussion on the report.
Senator Feargal Quinn referred to the dearth of legislation before the Seanad. It is regrettable that there is so little legislation before us. We have recourse to the Committee on Procedure and Privileges which I hope will hold a lengthy meeting next week. The Government has made proposals to change the procedures of the Houses.
Senator Feargal Quinn also referred to the possibility of the Seanad examining the European work programme. There is no European legislation as such, although there are EU directives. We could certainly move on the issue of the European work programme as soon as possible. I presume a Minister would have to be present if we were to perform that role.
I note the strong points made by Senator Aideen Hayden on the issue of mortgage holders.
Senator Paschal Mooney referred to the hospitality sector, an issue that was also raised by Senator Paul Coghlan. It is important that the sector remain competitive. I will ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport, Deputy Leo Varadkar, or the Minister of State, Deputy Michael Ring, to come to the House to outline tourism policy. We have been highly successful in this area, with tourist numbers increasing in the past year or two.
Senator Sean D. Barrett expressed concern that the United States had still not appointed an ambassador. I hope the matter will be addressed in the next week or two, perhaps on St. Patrick's Day. I also note the Senator's comment on the ESB building on Fitzwilliam Street, a matter which was also raised by Senator David Norris yesterday.
Senator Denis Landy called for a review of the current position on driving licences to assess the possibility of using post offices for driving licence renewals. I will bring the matter to the attention of the relevant Minister.
Senator Trevor Ó Clochartaigh referred to the impact of troika economics on Ireland and the rest of Europe and called for a debate on same.
Senator Miohael Mullins raised the issue of alcohol and substance abuse. The all-party group on alcohol abuse met yesterday and Senator Catherine Noone provided a report for the House on the Order of Business yesterday. I agree that a debate is needed because alcohol abuse is a scourge, on which action must be taken. The Minister of State, Deputy Alex White, has been asked to come to the House to debate the issue.
I note the points made by Senator Terry Leyden on the current situation in Ukraine. I am sure he will raise at the Committee on Procedure and Privileges the possibility of inviting the President of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe to address the House.
On the Irish language, an issue raised by Senator Jim Walsh, the Government is committed to its promotion and use. The Minister of State, Deputy Dinny McGinley, will come to the House on Wednesday next to discuss the 20 year strategy for the language.
I do not propose to accept Senator Marc MacSharry's amendment.
Senator Marc MacSharry has proposed an amendment to the Order of Business: "That a debate with the Minister for Finance on the steps the Government proposes to take to protect mortgage holders, including those with Irish Nationwide Building Society and those in arrears, be taken today." Is the amendment being pressed?
Tá
- Barrett, Sean D.
- Byrne, Thomas.
- Crown, John.
- Cullinane, David.
- Daly, Mark.
- Leyden, Terry.
- MacSharry, Marc.
- O'Donovan, Denis.
- O'Sullivan, Ned.
- Power, Averil.
- Quinn, Feargal.
- Reilly, Kathryn.
- Walsh, Jim.
- Wilson, Diarmuid.
Níl
- Bacik, Ivana.
- Brennan, Terry.
- Burke, Colm.
- Clune, Deirdre.
- Coghlan, Eamonn.
- Coghlan, Paul.
- Comiskey, Michael.
- Cummins, Maurice.
- D'Arcy, Jim.
- Hayden, Aideen.
- Higgins, Lorraine.
- Keane, Cáit.
- Kelly, John.
- Moloney, Marie.
- Moran, Mary.
- Mulcahy, Tony.
- Mullins, Michael.
- O'Keeffe, Susan.
- O'Neill, Pat.
- Sheahan, Tom.