The Order of Business is No. 1, County Enterprise Boards (Dissolution) Bill 2013 [Seanad Bill amended by the Dáil] - Report and Final Stages, to be taken at 11.45 a.m.
Order of Business
The Government's legislative proposals for the spring-summer session this year include No. 23, the consumer protection and competition Bill. That legislative measure has been on the A list for five Oireachtas sessions. One aspect of the Bill is to amalgamate the National Consumer Agency and the Competition Authority. However, a more important aspect of it is to provide for a statutory code of conduct for the grocery goods sector, giving effect to the recommendations of the advisory group on media mergers. As regards that element of it, the Committee on Agriculture, Food and the Marine has reached cross-party agreement on a number of recommendations that would lead in particular to ensuring the proper labelling of Irish produce. In addition, they would ensure a ban on below-cost selling, particularly in the grocery and agriculture sectors.
I attended a meeting last night in Rush with our agriculture spokesperson, Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív, which was attended by over 50 producers of vegetables and other crops. The Christmas period nearly destroyed this sector. Many of the multiples were selling carrots for €0.09 and broccoli for €0.06 - all below cost. This industry is effectively on its knees. We welcome the fact that the Government is moving with the Consumer Protection and Competition Bill but this is the fifth session during which it has been on the A list, which is supposed to be a priority list. The Bill was to have been published this session. I ask the Deputy Leader to make contact with the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation to see if it will be published. To assist her in this, my understanding is that the main problem with the Bill concerns legal elements relating to the merging of the National Consumer Agency and the Competition Authority rather than with the statutory code of practice. If there is an issue with this, I ask that the Minister publish the draft of what is proposed regarding the statutory code of practice. This will give the sector, particularly the agriculture and horticulture sectors, an opportunity to see what the Government is proposing so we can work at this stage to strengthen the Bill and put forward amendments to it. At this stage, it is crucially important. People are losing trust because this has been on the A list five times, but it has yet to be published. I would very much appreciate it if the Deputy Leader could follow up and report back in the next week or so as to when the Government intends to publish what is very important legislation. That would be excellent.
I fully understand the concerns expresseded by Senator Darragh O'Brien and know the Deputy Leader will answer more fully. Below-cost selling has bedevilled the industry not just today or yesterday but for years. We heard from representatives from this industry at a meeting of the former Oireachtas Joint Committee on Enterprise and Small Business. All of the farmers and market gardeners in north Dublin are long suffering, but the Deputy Leader will deal with that issue in a few minutes.
Tourism in Ireland is improving. The hotel survey referred to by our good colleague yesterday might have included five star hotels. I do not know. We have had years of steep decline and need some little lift right across the board. Thankfully, it is happening. Ireland in general and Killarney, in particular, are able to offer exceptional value because we have a range of accommodation, as I discussed with a number of Senators on an individual basis yesterday.
We are having our Ard-Fheis there.
Fianna Fáil is holding its Ard-Fheis in Killarney because of the value it is getting.
It is a work in progress.
We are staying in hostels rather than five star hotels.
Everybody is welcome in Killarney. They should keep visiting. One can stay in a good B&B for as little as €30 per night.
I thought the Senator was going to put us up.
We have the range to accommodate not just Fianna Fáil but everybody - visitors from home and abroad.
(Interruptions).
It is always a pleasure to follow Senator Paul Coghlan. I was interested to read this week our Taoiseach's opinion piece where he said in The Irish Times that "while we are moving in the right direction, too many of our people have yet to feel the recovery in their own lives". He then went to discuss the issue of jobs as that is a critical theme for the Government at this stage. While we have had a debate about jobs, I suggest people want financial justice and jobs. This would mean the lower paid getting a living wage, as the Minister for Social Protection also identified in terms of priorities this week, in oder that at some point we no longer have lower paid jobs but living wage jobs; more middle income jobs which are being hollowed out and jobs at the higher end where there is more income and equality. That would be financial justice.
The people want financial well-being as well and my question to the Deputy Leader relates to this. I want to raise the continuing lack of financial and legal assistance and support to people trying to negotiate with banks in respect of their mortgage debts. Unless people have the assistance of MABS or various not-for-profit advocacy services, there is no assistance available until after the lender has made an offer. At that stage, the lenders fund a service whereby people can get information from an accountant but only on that particular offer and its implications. The Free Legal Advice Centres service has stated for some time that this is an ineffective approach. People need consistent support in respect of their legal and financial situation as they are going through the negotiation process with the lender. The Department of Social Protection set up a working group to assess independent financial advice services and whether they are meeting its objectives. Consultation took place and a report was published. When it was published, stakeholders who had input into the review of the service attended a seminar. The Minister announced important changes at the seminar, which are to be welcomed. Under these changes, people will have access to advice at the beginning of the process when they are filing their financial statement. The Minister also announced that legal and financial advice would be provided to people at risk of losing their homes. I ask the Deputy Leader to ask the Minister about the implementation of these changes. I understand negotiations with the various advisory bodies and lenders are only beginning. What resources are being put into these changes? Are they being given priority?
The European People's Party, EPP, will be in Dublin in the next couple of days. The Taoiseach is in Brussels this morning attending the summit of heads of state discussing the issue of Russia, Ukraine and Crimea. I draw the attention of the House to the danger that we might slip into sanctions and the importance of negotiations before people start to talk of sanctions. I looked at some of the literature in the area. An article in International Organization by Daniel W. Drezner states that:
To analysts, the policymaker's reliance on sanctions is puzzling; the scholarly assessment of sanctions is that they fail to yield significant concessions. There is a long and distinguished line of authors who argue that sanctions do not work. This negative assessment has hardened since the end of the Cold War.
The author must have known that Senator Ivana Bacik would be replying today because his article goes on to state, "Even international lawyers that stress the role of international institutions argue that sanctions are a weak tool of enforcement". Lest we drift into sanctions and adopt a load of policies that do not work, I stress the importance of the negotiations knowing that, based on the record of sanctions they probably will not work, and the importance of agreement. I wish the Taoiseach and the EPP well when they discuss these issues.
I refer to the Paddy Power advertisement relating to betting on the outcome of the trial of Oscar Pistorius. The Advertising Standards Authority in the United Kingdom has asked for the advertisement to be withdrawn, which has been done pending an investigation. I do not know why it was done pending an investigation. There were 124,000 online complaints about the advertisement. Paddy Power is taking bets on the trial of Oscar Pistorius, which is disgraceful. We are concerned here with the death of a woman. It is outrageous that any betting company would do this. I can do no more than ask in Seanad Éireann for Paddy Power to voluntarily remove this campaign in Ireland. As of this morning, betting is still going on. If Paddy Power does not have the decency to act, people in Ireland should do the decent thing and abandon it for this week. It is a good business but taking bets on this is wrong. The Advertising Standards Authority of Ireland has done nothing about it while the authority in the United Kingdom has. The advertisement is not being shown in Ireland, but the betting is happening here online and in bookies. I do not know what we can do about it other than bring it to people's attention. Perhaps this is what Paddy Power wants. It is getting great publicity out of it, but it is bad publicity on the back of a dead woman. If any of us goes into branches of Paddy Power and bets on it, we should hang our heads in shame. People should not go into branches of Paddy Power at all. We should show it what we are made of.
I call Senator Paschal Mooney. I apologise. I call Senator Labhrás Ó Murchú.
Bad week.
The issue I wish to raise is causing grave concern - indeed panic - in a particular community.
Many are saying it is a matter of life or death. I refer to the emergency ambulance service and, in particular, the service in the Cashel-Tipperary area. Two ambulances currently provide this service and it is planned to remove one of these ambulances. The area in question is exceptionally expansive. Most people have had experience of this ambulance service and they know how necessary it is for prompt action; very often it is a matter of life or death. I can understand where rationalisation is necessary from time to time but sometimes it becomes a statistical issue of just deciding that Cashel-Tipperary will have one emergency ambulance. The people who are saying this is a life or death situation are not exaggerating. There is panic in that community and I would not like to think, having brought it to the notice of the House, considering the public meetings taking place and the correspondence exchanged, that if there is not a positive responsible response to this we may be asking later how did we allow this to happen. I ask the Deputy Leader to bring it to the notice of both the HSE and the Minister for Health. The clock is ticking on this issue. I would appreciate an urgent response within the next 24 hours, if possible.
I raise the matter of the EU study of domestic violence which is incredibly difficult to read. It is shocking. It is more shocking when on last night's 9 o'clock news it merited a line in the middle of several other news items, including an argument about whether Garth Brooks should play five concerts at Croke Park. This is when, in the course of that study, 62 million women reported having been raped, burned, beaten, bullied or abused or have been subjected to violence in some form. The figures are one in three women in Europe, one in four women in Ireland, yet it merits about one minute on the main evening news and today's newspapers have not highlighted the report because it is no longer regarded as an item of news. We no longer care because either the figures are too shocking or we have heard them too many times. We do not seem to know what to do about this issue. I do not even want to think what the response would be if it were 62 million men who were the subject of such abuse. We have become inured. There is probably no point in asking a question nor any point in asking for a debate because we do not seem to be making any progress. The figures seem to be going up. We may hang our heads in shame - as might Senator Cáit Keane - about Paddy Power's betting antics, but surely we should have our heads completely hung in shame over these figures. We do not seem to be making any progress. Perhaps there is a point at which we just give up, go home and say we do not care about the women of our own country and across the European Union who are being treated in this manner.
I had no intention of raising this issue, but I support Senator Cáit Keane's comments on Paddy Power. It is despicable that any bookmaker would take bets on the outcome of any trial, not least a murder trial. It is very insensitive and should not be happening. I hope the company learns from this and that it does the right thing. It is intolerable and deplorable and it should be condemned.
I raise an issue from my own home city and county of Waterford where yesterday in Dungarvan, 32 jobs losses were announced in Young Microbrush Limited, which is based in Dungarvan town. I offer my sympathies and support to those 32 workers who will lose their jobs. The House had a very good debate yesterday on An Action Plan for Jobs. The Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation, was present for the debate. I raised with him a number of concerns about the unemployment figures. While there are some encouraging signs there seems to be a polarisation of growth, in that some parts of the country are not experiencing the levels of growth that they should have, the south east being one of those areas. The city and county of Waterford have very high levels of unemployment, in fact, the highest in the State and the same is true for the south-east region. Waterford merits particular attention. I continue to raise this matter in the House at every opportunity. It is crucial that when creating jobs it is done equally across the State and the island. Only a number of weeks ago, Honeywell Process Solutions in Waterford announced its closure with more job losses. The situation of continuous jobs losses is very difficult for the people of Waterford city and county. We seem to have the highest levels of unemployment in the State, yet we are not getting the support from the Government, despite the promises.
I remind the Deputy Leader that the Joint Committee on Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation published a report on the south east which made a series of recommendations. Ten priority recommendations were listed by the committee, most of which have not been implemented. If these were implemented it would create a level playing field and would support job creation and job retention in Waterford city and county and across the south east. While I welcome the creation of jobs in any part of the State, I am sure the Deputy Leader will agree that we must ensure that all cities and counties in all parts of the State benefit from An Action Plan for Jobs.
We are all familiar with the damage done by the storms in the west, south west, south east and the north east. Many scenic areas popular with tourists suffered damage. I had occasion to visit an area where the road had disappeared and people's homes were cut off. In conjunction with restoration work, I ask that local authorities consider installing footpaths at little extra cost. I visited one of the most scenic areas in the country, the Ballagan shore and Whitestown shore in north County Louth. In the interest of tourists and locals alike local authorities should consider installing footpaths.
There is a famous ballad from my county entitled, Shanagolden. The Cathaoirleach may know it. I will not sing it-----
Most Senators know every town in the country.
I will give the Senator a bar of the song later:
The cold wind from the mountains comes calling soft to me,
The smell of scented heather brings bitter memories,
The wild and lonely eagle all in the summer sky,
Flies high o'er Shanagolden where my young Willie lies.
The song is a romantic ballad about a lad who died for Irish freedom and is buried in Shanagolden. The eagle in the sky is one of the strongest and potent symbols of freedom, strength and of romance to some extent. We are very proud in my neck of the woods of the very fine work of Dr. Allan Mee from Ballyorgan who reintroduced the species to our skies. Senator Paul Coghlan from Killarney knows it well. Dr. Mee deserves great praise for this achievement. However, Dr. Mee has been frequently in the news because of what can only be described as an atrocity against this fantastic species. Yesterday and today these pictures graced the pages of the newspapers-----
Displaying photographs in the House is not permitted.
One of these fantastic white-tailed eagles, a fledgling, was brutally shot down by senseless idiots.
Once, there were no eagles in County Tipperary.
If we are trying our best and spending a great deal of taxpayers' money trying to reintroduce endangered species to our skies and countryside, there must be a deterrent for any fool who would harm a fantastic species in this way.
Does the Senator have a question for the Leader?
Could we ascertain if people can be sentenced for this? I would be prepared - the Government should consider doing this - to offer a substantial reward for any information leading to the capture of the perpetrators of this stupid and mindless act.
I welcome the fact that the European People's Party, EPP, started our conference in the conference centre today. It is the largest political grouping in Europe and Fine Gael is one of its founding members.
Fantastic.
This is a major boost for Dublin and was quite a coup for the Taoiseach. I am happy that we will all attend the conference to welcome our counterparts to Dublin.
Does the Senator have a question for the Leader?
Be sure to enjoy it.
The Deputy Leader will not be attending-----
Why not?
-----but she would be welcome. I do not have a question.
(Interruptions).
Is Silvio Berlusconi still allowed to attend?
Following yesterday's comments on the tourism industry and the pricing regime that seems to be developing, I was not surprised that Senator Paul Coghlan rose to defend the honour and integrity of the industry in Killarney. He did so again this morning. However, the published survey was not kind to Killarney. That saddens me because it is a premier tourism area.
We do not know how-----
The Senator has already made his contribution.
Of more concern are the reports that have emanated in recent weeks and been highlighted in today's newspapers that despite a reduction in the unemployment rate, 11.9% of our people are still unemployed. There are 3,000 vacancies in the hospitality sector. The Irish Hotels Federation and others have called for the Government, through the new post-FÁS training organisation SOLAS, to set up apprenticeships in the hospitality sector. Unquestionably, such jobs would have substantial advantages, but those who are interested in the sector seem to be emigrating. The hotel sector which is about to experience a significant increase in tourist numbers this year may need to look to eastern Europe and elsewhere for people to fill these jobs. This is a pity, given the fact that so many young people in Ireland are unemployed. Will the Deputy Leader respond to the suggestion that SOLAS could be prompted to set up a number of apprenticeships, which would encourage young people to become involved in the hospitality sector?
I raise the issue of the number of people and, in particular, properties affected by the construction of wind farms. I am speaking as an ardent supporter of the renewable energy sector, particularly wind energy. I have knowledge of this issue from people who did not object to the farms' construction. They are honourable, good and decent people. That said, their properties have been adversely affected. Sometimes, the noise is much worse than anyone anticipated. The turbines have been constructed, but what can be done now? A portion of the renewable energy feed in tariff, REFIT, that is paid to the renewable energy sector should be set aside for properties that have been adversely affected. They could be retrofitted to tackle sound issues and so on. People who have not objected to these farms and others who have and whose properties are adversely affected should not need to put their hands in their pockets to pay for these works. We should consider this suggestion, as it is a legitimate case, and debate the matter. I find it difficult to continue supporting wind energy when people are being more badly affected than any of us expected.
I might be remiss, as my question may have been asked in the past day or two. Might the House consider replicating the positive debate in the Lower House on the next two years of the programme for Government? I am surprised that people have been critical of the Dáil for spending two or three days discussing the political and policy options that can be considered prior to the next general election.
Red shirts and left-wingers.
It would be appropriate to hold a similar debate in this House. It is something for which I asked previously. At various times, each Senator has asked that a Minister attend the House to address one subject or another. It could be helpful to set aside a number of days, not necessarily consecutively, in the next month or so to debate the progress on the programme for Government so far and what remains to be done.
I also welcome the EPP congress in Dublin. It will be a positive meeting.
The Senator will be there, please God.
My information on the instigation of the conference differs somewhat from Senator Catherine Noone's, but I wish all of the delegates well and hope they will reflect on the EPP's values and principles, in particular those set out in the document it published in October.
I support the comments made by Senator Susan O'Keeffe. We should invite the Minister for Justice and Equality to take this afternoon out of his schedule and hold a debate on domestic physical assault and violence. He should be present. The draft Bill is before the committee, but I would like to hear his opinion on where we should go this year and whether we will pass legislation before next year. Senator Susan O'Keeffe is right, in that we can no longer accept the current situation. Unfortunately, since I spoke at the justice committee a number of weeks ago, a further 1,000 or 1,500 assaults have probably been committed but will not result in convictions. It is critical that we ask the Minister to attend and provide an overview of where he views this legislation going. Why should we not hold a public debate on this matter? Domestic violence has been the scourge of society since time began. Let us hold a public debate on it. Will the Deputy Leader formally invite the Minister to attend the House? We can raise the bar. We must go some way towards solving this problem in 2014.
Will the Deputy Leader arrange for a debate on the Commission for Energy Regulation, CER, in the light of its decision to permit Bord Gáis to increase gas prices next year by an average of €13 per household? My worst fears are not being allayed. Irish Water is only consulting the CER on the prices that consumers will pay for water. Year on year, the CER has allowed electricity and gas prices to increase substantially. The House must debate the role of the CER, its functions and powers and why it appears to be above questioning by the Oireachtas. I ask that such a debate be organised as quickly as possible, given the new water charges being placed on households.
I refer to the major difficulties being faced by individuals with the Department of Social Protection, a Department headed up by a Labour Party Minister. Individuals who have been in receipt of disability payments, invalidity pension payments and other illness-related payments for many years are now being reviewed and even though their medical circumstances have deteriorated, the payments are being withdrawn. This is a cosy little arrangement by the Minister for Social Protection who is not changing the goalposts and not cutting the schemes but the officials in the Department will tell one unofficially that they have been told to cut back and they are cutting back on the sick, the disabled and the elderly. It is a disgrace. The Minister for Social Protection must come to this House and explain to us the reason that is happening. I will give the Leader concrete evidence of cases where it is happening. I ask that the Deputy Leader liaise with her colleague, the Minister for Social Protection, and arrange for her to come to the House for a wide-ranging debate on the goings-on in her Department.
I join colleagues in welcoming our visitors from the European People's Party, EPP, throughout Europe. Sixteen Heads of State, 2,000 delegates and 500 members of the press will attend, which will give a significant boost to the economy of Dublin. I have no doubt they will be well looked after and I hope they will bring back a positive message of Ireland on their return home.
I share Senator Paschal Mooney's concerns about sections of the hospitality industry that tend to hike prices when they have a captive audience. If we want to grow and expand our tourist numbers, the hospital industry must be central to that and ensure it gives good value for money to visitors to the country.
I join Senator Terry Brennan in welcoming that significant work has commenced on repairing damage cause by the recent floods. In my county of Galway almost €10 million has been allocated for work on roads, piers and cemeteries. That will give a boost to the construction sector but I ask the Leader if we could invite the Minister of State with responsibility for the Office of Public Works, Deputy Brian Hayes, back to the House to discuss and review how we will tackle some of the long-term issues that have arisen as a result of the recent floods. I refer, in particular, to difficulties in Ardrahan and Gort, in south Galway, and in the Shannon Callows. People are still marooned in their houses in south Galway. There is a long-term problem in south Galway that must be addressed. A significant number of State agencies should be brought together as a matter of urgency and we need to begin to address that in the very near future as soon as the flood waters have receded. Very significant tracks of agricultural land will be out of commission for a protracted period and there are issues in the area that must be urgently addressed. I would appreciate it if the Leader could organise that debate with the Minister of State, Deputy Brian Hayes, as a matter of urgency.
Senator Darragh O'Brien referred to an item of legislation that had been on the A list for some time. He will appreciate that quite a number of items on the A list were not reached over a period owing to the necessity to bring forward emergency legislation, troika related legislation and so on, but I am happy to report to him that the consumer protection and competition Bill is close to completion and should be published in April. I have made inquiries and established this. We all agree with him on the importance of the legislation. As he stated, there have been difficulties with the merger, in particular, and in framing the provisions on it. We all appreciate the difficulties being faced in the sector, particularly by market gardeners and those involved in the retail sector. It is important legislation.
Senator Paul Coghlan spoke about the issue of tourism and reminded us of the exceptional value to be had in Killarney, a theme to which he often returns. We held the Labour Party annual conference there in December and were very impressed by the hospitality on offer.
Please God, Fianna Fáil will be impressed also.
Senator Paschal Mooney also raised this issue. I must report to him that I had some cake in the café of the National Library of Ireland on Tuesday of this week and found it to be excellent value and excellent cake. It was probably unfortunate to pick one particular venue.
The Deputy Leader will have us all eating cake.
We all appreciate the need to ensure good value.
The Deputy Leader must be easily satisfied.
I am always satisfied by good cake.
There was nothing wrong with its quality; it was the quantity that was at issue.
The Deputy Leader to continue, without interruption.
There is excellent cake to be had in the café of the National Library of Ireland.
The Deputy Leader could not stand over it.
Please, Senator.
The Deputy Leader could not stand over the quantity.
Senator Katherine Zappone raised the issue of the lack of financial assistance for persons facing arrears on their mortgage. This is an issue on which everybody shares concern. As the Senator knows, the Government has engaged in the biggest shake-up of personal insolvency law in a century. Part of the difficulty has been, until now, our archaic and difficult law on bankruptcy, leaving people with a real problem in terms of the ultimate sanction for banks. We have conducted the biggest shake-up of personal insolvency law through the personal insolvency legislation. Mortgage interest relief has been given to those who bought their first home during the bubble and the Central Bank has set targets for banks in resolving mortgage arrears cases. There are sanctions for banks which fail to meet these targets and we are starting to see signs that these policies are working. We have seen a modest decline in the number falling into arrears each month since August and a decline in the number of primary home mortgages in arrears for more than 90 days. That is not in any way to belittle the real difficulties still facing many people in repaying their mortgage. Already, over 70,000 mortgage holders have had their mortgage restructured and, under the personal insolvency legislation, we now have a framework, whereby people can reach debt settlement and personal insolvency arrangements through the modernised and updated bankruptcy procedure. I am told the new personal insolvency service will open its doors by the summer and although the banks are already engaging to try to seek restructuring and solutions for mortgage holders, there will be a new service in place shortly.
Senator Sean D. Barrett referred to the EPP conference, an issue raised by a number of colleagues. We all welcome any large gathering in Dublin. A significant number of conferences have been held since the Convention Centre was completed which has undoubtedly given a huge boost to tourism, in Dublin in particular.
Senator Sean D. Barrett also spoke about the danger in drifting into sanctions and kindly supplied me with the article by Mr. Daniel Drezner, which is most interesting, on the danger of sanctions as a weak tool of enforcement in international law. That is well known. Financial sanctions have been suffered by Russia as a result of its actions in Crimea and we see the loss in the value of the rouble and the losses Russian shares have suffered. That may act as an inhibitor; we all very much hope it will. We join the Senator in wishing the Taoiseach and other European leaders well at the summit today. It seems that the Ukrainian Government has been admirably restrained in its response to Russian provocation and has made clear its desire to allow for disengagement by Russia without the need for the imposition of sanctions and, certainly, without the need for an escalation. We all hope the crisis can be de-escalated without the need for the imposition of sanctions, but they must be maintained as a possible route.
Senator Cáit Keane referred to the Paddy Power issue and the Oscar Pistorius trial bets. Senator David Cullinane put it correctly when he said it was despicable for any bookie to take bets on the outcome of a murder trial, with which no one would disagree.
Senator Cáit Keane also raised the relevant issue of the powers of the Advertising Standards Authority of Ireland which she contrasted with the British Advertising Standards Authority which was asked to withdraw the advertisement. I had issues with the inability of the Advertising Standards Authority of Ireland to take action on different types of advertising, particularly online, but the Senator is right that we should ask consumers to express their disapproval by not giving more business to Paddy Power while the advertisements are displayed.
Senator Labhrás Ó Murchú spoke about delays in the emergency ambulance service. We all read with alarm about delays in specific cases recently. The Senator asked that I bring the matter to the notice of the Health Service Executive and the Minister for Health. I can certainly write to the Minister, but it might be worth the Senator's while raising it on the Adjournment, particularly if there are specific instances of concern to which we can refer.
Senator Susan O'Keeffe commented on the European-wide study of domestic violence. I attended in the Mansion House yesterday the launch of the survey by the European Union Agency for Fundamental Rights, FRA, in conjunction with Safe Ireland and Rape Crisis Network Ireland. I agree with the Senator that the study shows shocking statistics of domestic and sexual violence against women. The Joint Committee on Justice, Defence and Equality is engaging in hearings on the issue and we will be making recommendations on how to improve the effectiveness of the legal response to domestic violence. We have already heard some clear recommendations for reform, for example, the introduction of a specific offence of domestic violence which, as Senator Marie Moloney reminded me, was the subject of a Labour Party motion in the House. Following Senator Tony Mulcahy's eloquent contribution to the joint committee, for which I was present - it was very powerful - we are all conscious of the need to ensure a clearer pro-arrest strategy is adopted by An Garda Síochána when dealing with specific instances of domestic violence. We also heard some encouraging reports from organisations dealing with the perpetrators and seeking to address the behaviour of the male perpetrators of domestic violence - for the most part the perpetrators are male - something that has, perhaps, been neglected in the past. I share Senator Susan O'Keeffe's concern about how long this has been ongoing. I believe the Minister is keen to introduce reforms and domestic violence legislation is promised. The Joint Committee on Justice, Defence and Equality will be feeding into it; therefore, we can debate the issue in the House.
Senator David Cullinane commented on the Paddy Power issue, one with which I have dealt, as well as the jobs issue. He pointed to the unfortunate job losses in Dungarvan yesterday. We all share and extend our sympathy and support to the individual workers affected and their families. I imagine that during the debate on jobs yesterday the Senator referred to the position in the south east, in particular. The Minister for Education and Skills, Deputy Ruairí Quinn, is opening a new premises in Waterford today at the NebLabs building, the headquarters of the Telecommunications, Software and Systems Group, TSSG. The Government is well aware of the difficulties, in particular those faced in the south east. As colleagues will be aware, some 5,000 new jobs are being created nationally every month, but there are areas which, even during the boom times, did not receive the same benefits in terms of job creation and they need to be targeted now.
Senator Terry Brennan commented on the issue of flood damage and called on local authorities to consider installing footpaths in north County Louth along the Ballagan shore. The issue might be raised through the councils because it seems sensible that the opportunity be taken to improve and enhance public facilities while the restoration work is being undertaken in the aftermath of the floods. There would be an obvious benefit to the construction industry locally also.
Senator James Heffernan referred to a ballad which I did not know before. He also mentioned the white-tailed eagles. I heard the report on "Morning Ireland" on the shocking and senseless shooting of a particular white-tailed eagle in County Tipperary. It is important that anyone who knows anything about it bring the information to the Garda. It was a criminal offence. As the Senator said, it is senseless and outrageous to do this to such an endangered species. Senator Paul Coghlan reminds me that the bird was reared in Killarney and that there is a Killarney connection.
They were Norwegian chicks brought up in Killarney.
I imagine that the Garda is investigating the matter. The point was made this morning that the issue should be publicised. It is important that it be publicised and that anyone with information bring it to the Garda.
Senator Catherine Noone adverted to the conference of the European People's Party. She welcomed the thousands of delegates and 500 journalists attending. While I am fond of my colleagues in Fine Gael, I will pass on the kind invitation to attend the conference, although I thank her for it.
Senator Paschal Mooney commented on the pricing regime in tourism, an issue with which I have dealt, and the issue of apprenticeships in the hospitality sector. It is a positive suggestion which I imagine the Senator made yesterday morning during our debate on the reform of the further education and training and apprenticeship systems. It seems far more sensible, particularly if recruitment is being carried out abroad, at a time when we have large numbers on the unemployment register, particularly young people, to offer apprenticeships here. I heard one young woman speak about her experience in the catering and hospitality industry and in becoming a general manager at the age of 24 years. There is an immense opportunity at a young age for those involved in the sector.
Senator Michael D'Arcy commented on the subject of wind farms. Like him, I am a strong supporter of renewable energy projects, but I agree with him on issues concerning sound, light and so on. We debated the matter in the House during the debate on Senator John Kelly's Bill which was passed on Second Stage. We are seeking to pursue the issue. I have asked before for the Minister to come to the House to deal with it and we can renew that request.
Senator Paul Bradford called for a debate on the programme for Government similar to the debate in the Dáil this week. It is a good idea. This week we had the focus on job creation in our debates in the Seanad, but I will put it to the Leader that we might also debate the setting of priorities for the remainder of the term of office of the Government. I realise there was some negative feedback, but it is important that a Government take stock half way through or three years into its term to consider the priorities to be set for the remaining two years.
Senator Tony Mulcahy supported Senator Susan O'Keeffe on the issue of domestic violence and asked for the Minister for Justice and Equality to come to the Seanad to debate the proposals for reform of the Joint Committee on Justice, Defence and Equality. I will ask the Leader whether we might have such a debate. It is useful to have the report of the Joint Committee on Justice, Defence and Equality and that we have concrete proposals before us which we can feed into the legislation the Minister is preparing on the issue.
Senator Brian Ó Domhnaill called for a debate on the Commission for Energy Regulation. I will certainly ask for such a debate to be arranged. The Senator also asked for the Minister for Social Protection to come to the House. She has been here many times and I imagine she would be willing to come again. A wide-ranging debate was sought on social protection payments.
Senator Michael Mullins welcomed the EPP to Dublin. He referred to 16 Heads of Government and the boost the conference would provide for Dublin's economy. He also referred to the hospitality industry and Senator Terry Brennan's comments on flood damage. We can seek to have the Minister of State, Deputy Brian Hayes, return to the House in due course to update us on the long-term issues arising. We are all aware that there are places, including south Galway, where people are still suffering the immediate effects of flood damage, but other long-term issues arise from the restoration and repair works, on which I will ask for a debate after the St. Patrick's Day break.
Order of Business agreed to.
Sitting suspended at 11.25 a.m. and resumed at 11.50 a.m.