The Order of Business is No. 1, motion re the arrangements for the sitting of the House on Friday, 18 July, to be taken without debate at the conclusion of the Order of Business; No. 2, motion re changes to Standing Orders concerning pre-legislative and post-legislative scrutiny, to be taken without debate at the conclusion of No. 1; No. 3, motion re proposed commission of investigation into the fatal shooting of Mr. Ronan MacLochlainn, to be taken without debate at the conclusion of No. 2; No. 4, Electoral (Amendment) (No. 4) Bill 2014 - all Stages, to be taken at the conclusion of No. 3 and conclude not later than 1.30 p.m., with the contributions of group spokespersons on Second Stage not to exceed six minutes in each case, those of all other Senators not to exceed four minutes in each case, the Minister to be given five minutes to reply, and Committee and Remaining Stages to be taken immediately thereafter; No. 5, Strategic Banking Corporation of Ireland Bill 2014 - Committee Stage, to be taken at 1.30 p.m.; and No. 6, National Treasury Management Agency (Amendment) Bill 2014 - Committee Stage, to be taken at the conclusion of No. 5.
Order of Business
I thank the Cathaoirleach, the Ceann Comhairle, the Superintendent, Oireachtas staff and all those involved in facilitating the Irish Sign Language interpreters who are in the Visitors Gallery and the Press Gallery in the Dáil. They are here because of the issues discussed yesterday in the Dáil and the motion we have tabled, No. 63, motion No. 11 regarding the cut in funding for the national advocacy service of the Irish Deaf Society. A range of organisations are affected by the cuts in funding of €1.2 million for voluntary organisations imposed by the Government. A copy of the Proclamation hangs in the main hall of the building, reminding us of the guarantee of equal rights and opportunities for all citizens of the State. While we are all agreed on that principle, we seem to find it very difficult to fulfil.
On the Order of Business yesterday Senator Jillian van Turnhout listed the organisations impacted on by thee cuts: the Alzheimer Society of Ireland; Arthritis Ireland; Aspire; Brí, the acquired brain injury advocacy association; the Centre for Independent Living; Chronic Pain Ireland; the Disability Federation of Ireland; the Dyslexia Association of Ireland; the Genetic and Rare Disorders Organisation; GROW; the Huntington’s Disease Association of Ireland; the Irish National Council of AD/HD Support Groups; Irish Autism Action; the Irish Deaf Society; the Irish Heart Foundation; the Irish Motor Neurone Disease Association, IMNDA; the Irish Stammering Association; the Migraine Association of Ireland; MS Ireland; Muscular Dystrophy Ireland; Spina Bifida Hydrocephalus Ireland; the Neurological Alliance of Ireland; the Post Polio Support Group; the Asthma Society of Ireland; and the Carers Association. In an article in The Irish Times today Professor Orla Hardiman expresses her horror at the impending closure of the Neurological Alliance of Ireland which gives a voice to more than 700,000 people and comprises 30 aligned organisations. A spokesperson for the Neurological Alliance of Ireland states: "The Taoiseach's statement that charities can appeal the decision will be cold comfort to the charities affected as no timeline for the appeals process has been provided and they are left in limbo with no choice but to close their doors."
The members of the Irish Deaf Society who are in the Visitors Gallery have seen their advocacy service wiped out. Who will communicate and interact with the Government on their behalf? The gulf in understanding between the hearing and deaf communities is enormous and was put into stark and almost comical focus by the statement from the Department of the Environment, Community and Local Government that representatives of the Irish Deaf Society should call in to discuss the cut in funding. I propose an amendment to the Order of Business to have the motion we have tabled debated today. We are seeking a reinstatement of funding not only for the Irish Deaf Society but also for all the organisations impacted on. They all rely on this funding to keep going. Staff in these organisations now find themselves unemployed, with no indication as to when their appeal will be heard or whether funding will be reinstated in five, six, ten or 12 months, if at all.
I join Senator Mark Daly in welcoming the group from the Irish Deaf Society to the Visitors Gallery. The issue of funding for voluntary groups, particularly health groups such as the Neurological Alliance of Ireland and the Irish Deaf Society, was raised by colleagues on both sides of the House yesterday. In his response the Leader indicated that an appeals process was under way, overseen by Pobal, and that the deadline for applications was the end of the month. I understand it will take six to eight weeks for appeals to be heard. A large delegation from the Labour Party has met representatives of the Irish Deaf Society to discuss the issue. Everybody is concerned to ensure groups which are providing an excellent service will not have their funding discontinued. There is a bigger picture to consider in that substantial funding has been given to other groups which are also providing excellent services. I very much hope the review process being undertaken by Pobal will be fruitful for all concerned.
I again ask the Leader to invite the Minister for Foreign Affairs, Deputy Charles Flanagan, to come to the House as soon as we return in September for a debate on the situation in the Middle East. We are all horrified and appalled by the heinous killing of four boys yesterday - two ten year olds, a nine year old and an 11 year old, all from the same extended family - who were playing football on a beach in Gaza. To hear Israeli Government spokespersons blaming Hamas for these heartbreaking deaths is very difficult to take. I welcome the ceasefire in place for a few hours today, but it is not enough to alleviate the suffering of the people of Gaza, more than 200 of whom have been killed in the appalling onslaught by Israel. I hope Ireland will be very active in the coming weeks in seeking to achieve a ceasefire on the Gaza Strip and a resolution of the conflict.
I welcome the publication of the report of the interdepartmental working group on mother and baby homes and the appointment of Judge Yvonne Murphy to chair the commission of investigation. She has an excellent track record, having chaired the commission of investigation into sexual abuse in the archdiocese of Dublin and produced a very strong report on that inquiry. She is an ideal choice to chair this commission.
The data we have seen, such as the number of deaths of infants and children in the homes and the number of adoptions carried out, shows we need a more in-depth investigation.
As it is the end of the session I wish everyone well. I know we will sit tomorrow but today we are having our last Order of Business, if the Leader's ordering is accepted. I wish everyone well for the recess ahead and thank the staff in the House, in the Seanad and the ushers. I wish everyone a very peaceful and rejuvenating holiday.
I echo what Senator Bacik has said. This is the last Order of Business in this term. I thank the Leader, the Deputy Leader and leaders of all of the groups for the courtesy, efficiency and thoroughness with which they conducted the business of the House. We are very proud of this House and acknowledge the debt owed to its Leader. I thank the Cathaoirleach, as always, and his staff for the way proceedings have been conducted. Also, in the realm of thanks, I thank Senator Conway for the motion he tabled yesterday and the recent one on the environment. They demonstrated that there is great spirit on the Government benches in terms of raising important issues and adding to the status of the House.
I wish to express concern about the compellability of witnesses. The ruling, I gather, is that the accounts of the body concerned must be audited by the Comptroller and Auditor General. That is a most important post in the Constitution and people like Arthur Griffith and Eamon de Valera saw the necessity to have a watchdog for public expenditure.
My question arises from a matter raised frequently and eloquently by Senator Colm Burke in the House - section 38 bodies. If the Committee of Public Accounts cannot compel these people to appear - which appears to be the ruling - we must adopt as a rule of thumb that they will not receive money if they will not talk. There must be some quid pro quo if one gets public money but decides not to talk about it afterwards before the Oireachtas. I know the Minister for Finance and his new Minister of State, Deputy Harris, will be here later. I suggest we adopt that stance as a working rule. If a body seeks an exemption and is not going to answer for how it spends money then we cannot give out funding. The House must have a Committee of Public Accounts and a Comptroller and Auditor General auditing how we spend money which is a major issue in the country. Go raibh maith agat.
I wish to again raise the issue of the recent revelations about mother and baby homes, in particular the appointment of Judge Yvonne Murphy as Chair of the statutory inquiry. Her appointment by the new Minister for Children and Youth Affairs, Deputy Reilly, is welcome.
Hear, hear.
We are all aware of the judge's sterling work on inquiries into clerical abuse in both the Dublin and Cloyne dioceses. I very much hope and expect that she will command the respect of all involved. She has enviable experience as a lawyer, judge and former employee of what was known as the National Social Services Board and I wish her well. I very much welcome the Minister's decision to leave it to her discretion to decide whether further appointments are required in order to assist her.
I do not wish to prejudice the inquiry that is due to commence after the summer. Yesterday, the interdepartmental committee's report was published and a figure stood out. The committee, through the General Register Office, identified that 1,101 births were recorded during the 36 years that the home operated from 1925 to 1961 and 800 deaths which means 301 children survived the place which is staggering. Without prejudicing the inquiry, let us consider having a constructive debate on the report. I ask the Leader to arrange a debate on the interdepartmental report and invite the new Minister to attend before the summer recess, if possible, or at the earliest point on our return.
I second the amendment to the Order of Business proposed by Senator Mark Daly. I commend him on tabling the amendment.
I welcome the members of the Irish Deaf Society to the Visitors Gallery and thank the sign language expert for being here. This highlights the difficulties faced by deaf people in this country. Their situation has been made more difficult by the harsh decision, or recommendation, to remove funding worth €100,000 from the advocacy service. No organisation deserves funding more than the Irish Deaf Society because it is essential for it to have an advocacy service in order to communicate with Government. The society is not in a position to communicate as directly as they would like or as we are fortunate to be able to do so. It seems very wrong that people with all their faculties, like the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government, deem it appropriate to withdraw a service from an organisation and from people who need an advocate. That is why I am delighted to see that Senator Mark Daly has put so much effort into this matter. He is the Irish Deaf Society's Seanad nominee on the administrative panel. He is a good advocate for it and has shown his commitment to deaf people in this society. That is why I think today is a very special day. It is one of the most significant days in this House and on the Order of the Business because of this debate and for having experts in the House that were facilitated by the Cathaoirleach and the Leader of the House.
I ask the Leader of the House to arrange on our return in September but before the budget for the new Minister for Health to attend and outline his health budget for 2015. I wish Deputy Leo Varadkar well in his Ministry. I know it is a difficult Ministry because I was in Hawkins House for a number of years. I also want him to indicate the exact position regarding the restoration of an accident and emergency service at Roscommon County Hospital. The service was removed by Deputy James Reilly and the Taoiseach prior to the by-election in Roscommon-South Leitrim. In fact, I represented the constituency from 1977 to 1981 along with the late Sean Doherty and Joan Burke, who is in good form. I am one of the last representatives for the constituency, indeed from that era, in the House. It is now an appropriate time for the Government to outline its manifesto for the constituency which has been deprived of a Minister of State by appointing-----
The Senator is way over time.
This is a very important matter.
It probably is very important but he is over time.
I regret very much that Deputy Frank Feighan was not appointed a Minister of State.
Look who is running in the by-election.
It was an extraordinary move considering a by-election is looming that the Government is guaranteed to lose. They have no opportunity-----
I ask the Senator not to make political statements today.
I do not have the time as I am too busy. This recess is a happier one than last year's when we were faced with annihilation due to the proposed abolition of the Seanad. Last year Members thought it was the last time they would leave the House and the Seanad would be abolished.
The Senator is way over time and is completely out of order. I call Senator Conway.
I am trying to make a state of the nation speech. I ask the Cathaoirleach to give me some latitude due to the fact that I am the longest serving Member of the House and the Oireachtas.
I thank all Members for speaking on the Fine Gael Private Members' motion yesterday. In areas where it is appropriate and right the Seanad always comes together which sometimes makes it unpopular with the other House. Thankfully, we have the capability and ability to do so.
I commend the Oireachtas Joint Committee on Transport and Communications on trying to get to the bottom of the Croke Park fiasco. I watched the evidence given by representatives of the GAA and Aiken Promotions. It has become clear what happened and why the country has found itself in this position. Let us wait and see what happens but I hope the people who were responsible for it take the appropriate action.
Like other Members, I wish everyone a most enjoyable summer period. As I said last year, everyone is welcome to come to County Clare. It is one of the most beautiful counties in Ireland and there is lots to do in the county over the next number of weeks. In conclusion, I thank the Cathaoirleach and all his colleagues for their assistance in the past term.
I join other Senators in looking forward to the summer break and thank everybody who has been involved in the past term.
The debate yesterday on blindness was a reminder to all of us with good health of the benefits of that good health. The presence today of visitors who are suffering from deafness is a second occasion to remind us of the responsibilities we have in the House. I thank Senator Conway and Senator Daly for reminding us yesterday and today, respectively, of those.
There is good news about the economy in the newspapers today. We have an increasing capacity to spend, but we must be very careful because there is other news that indicates that competitiveness is being damaged. There are things we can do about that and we must ensure we do them during the recess period.
There is one other piece of news. I had not realised that 2014 is the European year against food waste. This is a topic I have discussed many times previously but it is interesting to see how some other countries have responded to food waste. Approximately 300 million tonnes of food waste is thrown out in Europe because people simply are not careful when purchasing their food. One of the developments in France relates to what is called "inglorious" food. It is a very interesting development. A huge amount of food never reaches the grocery shops because it is misshapen - it could be misshapen carrots, onions, potatoes - and the shops do not wish to sell it. I can understand that. The movement reduces prices by 30% and people are buying and eating the food. It is just as good, but simply misshapen. It is something we should consider in this country. If we are throwing out food at a time when people are going hungry, we can do something about it. I call on the grocery trade in particular, but also the suppliers and the farmers, to get together and help to feed people with food that would otherwise be thrown out.
I congratulate you, a Chathaoirligh, and your team for your work in the past year. I hope we return invigorated at the end of the summer.
I join in welcoming the people from the Irish Deaf Society in the Visitors' Gallery this morning. While this side of the House will probably not support the proposed amendment to the Order of Business, I assure them that we are doing everything possible to see if funding can be restored to the advocacy group. It is critical to the organisation. All Members on this side of the House are doing everything possible to correct that wrong.
I join Senator Bacik in condemning the appalling killing of four children on the beach in Gaza yesterday. I hope the short window of opportunity presented by the ceasefire today will be used productively by all sides to bring an end to the appalling killings we have witnessed in recent weeks. It beggars belief that so many lives are being put at risk and that people will not get around a table and discuss the problems. We will urge the new Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade to put pressure on both sides to get on with the peace talks and bring about a lasting solution for the people of Gaza and Israel.
Like other speakers, I thank the Leader, the Cathaoirleach and all the staff in the House for their courtesy and support. Everybody is looking forward to a break, but we must be very conscious of safety this summer, including safety on the roads, safety on farms, where too many lives are lost through accidents, and safety on the water. If we keep those issues in mind, everybody will have an enjoyable summer and return refreshed for a busy autumn political session.
Like Senators Bacik and Mullins, I wish to refer to the Gaza issue and move an amendment to the Order of Business, that either today or tomorrow we invite either the Taoiseach, the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade or the Minister of State with responsibility for European affairs to the House to discuss the issue. There was a special meeting of the European Council yesterday and it discussed Gaza in its conclusions. It is important that we discuss it. We can convene a committee to discuss Garth Brooks but we cannot get a Minister to the House to discuss this issue.
Hear, hear.
I realise Garth Brooks's heart might be breaking currently, but it is not a life-or-death situation. Given that Gaza was so important that it had to be discussed at the European Council yesterday, we should discuss it here. As has been mentioned, there is a five-hour ceasefire from 10 a.m. today during which Gazans will be racing to markets, shops and banks in an effort to rescue some semblance of normality after the vicious onslaught of attacks on them. The European Council states in its conclusions that it condemns the firing of rockets from Gaza into Israel and the indiscriminate targeting of civilians. It goes on to say that Israel has the right to protect its population from these types of attack and that in doing so it must act proportionately and ensure the protection of civilians at all times. Members have already mentioned the loss of the four children who were targeted and killed on a beach yesterday. That was an indiscriminate targeting of civilians. If that were to happen in Bundoran, Skerries, Tramore, Inchydoney or Kilkee, we would be dragging Ministers across hot coals to discuss it.
Hear, hear.
To put matters into context, 227 Gazans have been killed since the military operation was launched by Israel and the UN has stated that the majority have been civilians. The blanket attacks that have been carried out in recent days have not been in any way proportionate. Gaza is a fenced-in prison with no escape from the firing and bombing. All attacks on human life are to be deplored. It important that we discuss the European Council's recommendations in detail and the Irish response. We all know the song, "Do They Know it's Christmas?" As we meet here today and talk about our summer recess we should spare a thought for the children and people in Gaza. It is important that we discuss this issue either today or tomorrow as a matter of priority and that a Minister be invited to the House for it.
Hear, hear.
Senator, we can deal with your proposed amendment for today, but you will have to talk to the Leader regarding tomorrow. The Government has tabled a motion regarding tomorrow's business.
I welcome the members of the Irish Deaf Society to the Visitors' Gallery. They have my wholehearted support. I will never stop supporting the Irish Deaf Society, but I must do so within what is reasonable. This is the Order of Business and it is important that we explain how that is dealt with. When one tables unrealistic and unachievable motions, one cannot expect either the Taoiseach or a Minister to come here at the drop of a hat. The diary for the day is set. It is unfair to people to give them unrealistic expectations that we can do this and order a Taoiseach or a Minister to come to the House.
This is the Parliament.
Senator Keane without interruption.
It is the Order of Business for today.
I am talking about doing something for the Irish Deaf Society. It was the first motion I tabled. Senator Daly had plenty of time to speak-----
The Senator did not oppose the cuts in the budget.
Senator Keane without interruption.
I compliment Senator Daly because he is nominated by the Irish Deaf Society in the Seanad and he is doing his job. However, before I was a Member of the House and when I came to the Houses when there was plenty of money, I did not get much satisfaction. Senator Ann Ormonde and I came to see Senator Mark Daly and others, but we could not get a penny. That was in the good times.
Do you have a question for the Leader?
It was the first motion I tabled for the Adjournment debate and I will put it down again. Will the Leader arrange to have an urgent debate on this when we resume our business? The Irish Deaf Society-----
We are not asking for a Minister to come to the House. We are seeking support for a motion.
Every Member on this side of the House is making representations to Pobal. There is an appeal process which must be followed. What has been done is unrealistic and not justifiable. In my capacity as a Senator I will do everything in my power to ensure that the advocacy service is restored to the deaf. Who else do they have to speak for them if they do not have an advocacy service? That is the point. That is what we should be seeking, not putting forward unrealistic and unachievable motions. Tell the people the truth.
The celebrated American humorist Robert Benchley wrote a hilarious essay called "Down With Pigeons" in which he imagines that the pigeon population has an attitude towards him and is always out to get him.
When he goes to Trafalgar Square or St. Mark's Square, he imagines that all the pigeons have gathered there on purpose just to do him in. Where is this leading? I have nothing against pigeons - I can take or leave pigeons - but I am very much against seagulls. I think something needs to be done to address the seagull problem in this city. People may have been listening to Joe Duffy on the radio last week. It seems that the seagulls have lost the run of themselves completely. In the apartment block I live in, it is impossible to get a night's sleep.
The Senator is losing the run of himself.
It is the last day. Give me wings. They are very raucous and are keeping people awake. They are getting so cheeky now that they attack young children and dispossess them of their lollipops and stuff like that. It might be funny to many people but it is a serious issue in the city. They really are vermin. They are scavenger gulls and dump gulls. They do not look for fish anymore; they want to eat human waste. I am saying that the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government should look at that issue in a serious manner. It might be funny but if one listens to the details on the radio show, one will learn that it is anything but.
I concur with Senator Keane in respect of the withdrawal of funding from the Irish Deaf Society. I have no doubt that it will be dealt with in the very near future. I wish to raise the issue of discretionary medical cards that the Taoiseach announced would be restored to people from whom they were withdrawn. From what I can see so far, thousands of those medical cards have not been restored to the people. We are going into recess for two months and the fear is that nothing might happen in that period because there will be nobody to raise it on the agenda. I call on the Leader to bring it to the attention of the Taoiseach and to make sure we do not have to come back in September and talk about discretionary medical cards that were unfairly taken away from people.
I dtosach báire, ba mhaith liom fáilte a chur roimh an dream atá anseo i nGailearaí na gCuairteoirí ó Chumann Náisiúnta na mBodhar. I would like to say hello to the people from the Irish Deaf Society who are in the Public Gallery. I wholeheartedly support the call for the debate. It is absolutely essential that this funding be restored. I think I mentioned yesterday that on the one hand, we have Pobal taking an average of €43,000 from these organisations while on the other, €250,000 was being spent on preschool inspections not so long ago. It shows where the priorities have gone wrong.
I also stand to support the amendment to the Order of Business. On the scale of human tragedy, some of the issues today, although they may be important, are in no way close to the issue raised by Senator Reilly. I wholeheartedly agree with her. I sincerely ask the Leader to arrange by whatever means he has available to him a debate today or tomorrow so that we are seen as a Parliament that takes a stand on the Palestinian crisis.
I also have another very serious issue to raise with the Leader. It has been brought to my attention that a HIQA inquiry is ongoing into a nursing home in Connemara called Aras Chois Fharraige. I have been told that two whistleblowers have been suspended because they drew attention to what they saw as misconduct within that nursing home. They are concerned about the treatment of the patients within the nursing home. I would have raised this issue on the Adjournment but we obviously do not have that capacity available because the House is going into recess. It is a very serious issue that needs to be brought to the attention of the Minister for Health. Obviously, the first issue is the welfare of the patients and the need for any allegations to be thoroughly investigated. Perhaps the Minister can check what the scope of the ongoing investigation is. Is he absolutely sure that the patients are being dealt with properly? The second issue is that the whistleblower legislation came into effect this week. People find it strange that the whistleblowers - the people who drew attention to it - are the ones who have been suspended in this case, which seems to be the wrong course of action. It is a very serious issue and perhaps the Leader through his good offices could follow up with the Minister and revert to me on this issue so that we can make sure that the best is done for everyone involved.
Following on from what Senator Barrett said about the Committee of Public Accounts, I think the CPP made an important decision in that for the past eight months, the Oireachtas Committee on Health and Children has been denied the right to cross-examine the 2,600 organisations that get funding from the HSE and the Department of Health. The money they are getting amounts to €3.27 billion. The Committee of Public Accounts told the Committee on Health and Children that we could not bring any of those organisations in to cross-examine them about how that money was being spent and to find out whether we were getting value for money. I am delighted that the Committee on Health and Children can now do the job it was appointed to do, which is making sure the health budget allocated by the Department of Health to the HSE is used properly and that there is proper scrutiny of the organisations that are getting funding. It is wrong that it took eight months for the CPP to make a decision on this matter so that the Committee on Health and Children can proceed with its job.
I know people are probably tired of hearing me talk about the issue of junior doctors. Unfortunately, we have now gone to the other extreme with regard to junior doctors. The working time directive is now being put in place and we have a problem in that we do not have enough junior doctors to fill all of the posts. The other problem is that junior doctors who are in post are not getting proper training. There has been no proper restructuring by the HSE. It has got to a point where junior doctors are resigning their posts within the HSE and working for agencies. I spoke to one junior doctor recently who told me that he is now getting €52 per hour working as a senior house officer because he is employed by an agency. That is €2,000 for a 40-hour week. It goes to show the lack of planning and structural reform that is required in respect of how we have managed this area over the past number of years. It is something I flagged three years ago and something that I will continue to raise. There is a major crisis in some hospitals because we cannot get the people we need and we are now dependent on agencies. Agencies are abusing what they are employed to do. They are designating doctors as having a qualification or experience which they do not have. These doctors are being put into positions for which they are unsuitable. It is time we had a major debate on long-term planning relating to our hospital services and making sure that we do not end up in the same position in three or four years time. I ask that this debate be held here with the Minister for Health and Children early in the next term.
I would also like to wish everybody on all sides of the House a happy summer and a well-deserved break. I look forward to coming back here in the autumn. I really believe that this House, which is a House of Parliament, should be shaping the Ireland we want. We are the voices that have been elected to give guidance to Government and to inform Government choices. Government actions speak far louder than words. Of course, I want to see an advocacy service for the deaf and I think it is only right and proper that we would have a debate on what is happening between Israel and Palestine because lives are being needlessly lost. If the Leader could address that tomorrow - I understand that it might be very short notice today - it would be worthwhile.
My reason for standing today is because we see actions speaking louder than words in the Government reshuffle. Three "G's" have lost out. One of them is geography. I mentioned Galway and the entire western region yesterday. Gaeilge and the Gaeltacht lost out because we must lead by example. Above all, gender has lost out. If we want change in this country in the area of gender, we must lead by example. Of 15 junior Minister promotions, we have one female. Is that leading by example? Is that saying women are important in politics? I do not think so. In the case of Fine Gael, of nine women, zero were promoted to the junior ministerial ranks. It makes that very worthwhile promotion-----
Does the Senator have a question for the Leader?
I am coming to a question. It makes that very worthwhile promotion in the senior ranks by Fine Gael look like mere tokenism for women. If we are serious about organisational change, our leaders must lead by example. When we come back in the autumn, I am looking for a debate about gender in politics and whether having women leading in politics means anything at all.
Does it mean anything to have women in senior and junior Cabinet positions in order that they can be at the table? After all, 51% of the population are women and surely we need to have their perspective reflected in our decision making. I, therefore, ask the Leader to table a motion on this matter in the autumn. It matters to all of the men here, too, as they have wives or partners and daughters. It is about the Ireland we want to have and that is what this Parliament is about.
As a member of the Joint Committee on Public Service Oversight and Petitions committee, I welcome the work done by the Office of the Ombudsman on the recent report entitled, A Good Death. The Ombudsman took the view that, on foot of the complaints his office had received from families concerning events that had occurred in hospitals at the time of the deaths of patients and so on, that while, in the first instance, his office had dealt with these complaints, that he would write a report examining the broader elements of what might be improved as regards end-of-life care in hospitals, particularly acute hospitals. When he appeared before the joint committee yesterday, he said he wants in the future to use his office as an educational tool, not only as a place where complaints were received. This is a good example of how his office takes on board the experiences, stories and pain of those who come to share what has happened to them and, in his own words, say to him: "We do not want this to happen to other people; we want you to sort it out." I commend him for his work. Given that a report has also been completed by the Joint Committee on Health and Children on end-of-life care, I ask the Leader if we could have a debate to press the Department of Health to draw up some of the guidelines that are and should be urgently required by hospitals to give greater support and encouragement to those dealing with end-of-life cases in hospitals when it can be very difficult for hard-pressed staff to know what is the right thing to do.
I say "Hello" to our guests in the Visitors Gallery and that they have our full support. Like Senator Cáit Keane, I assure them that we will do our bit to make sure they wil continue to be supported in the way they ought to be.
I also warmly welcome the members of the Irish Deaf Society to the Visitors Gallery and concur with the remarks made by Members on both sides of House about being properly supportive of them.
As Senator Quinn reminded us, thankfully, we have had some good news about the economy. In that connection, I greatly welcome publication of the review of the National Asset Management Agency by the Minister for Finance, Deputy Michael Noonan, and his officials of its very successful activities to date, of which I note my friend, Senator Mark Daly, studiously avoided to make any mention, which is understandable, given his erroneous and false criticism of the agency's good work in the past.
We all know about NAMA and the lack of transparency in that regard.
It is meeting its objectives fully.
It is not transparent.
Senator Paul Coghlan to continue, without interruption.
It is responsible for about 15,000 jobs; it is supporting greatly the building industry and more is happening in that regard.
There is more, but most of it is happening behind the scenes without transparency.
Senator Paul Coghlan to continue, without interruption.
It will have redeemed more than 80% of senior debt by 2016, two years ahead of schedule.
There are plenty of properties for sale, but people are not being made aware that they are for sale.
Does Senator Paul Coghlan have a question for the Leader?
We should remember there has been €3 billion worth development in the Dublin docklands, including residential housing, which is so important for the capital and the country. I commend it for its great work and will not say long may it last, but it will be wound up ahead of schedule.
There would be no problem if it was open and transparent.
Remember that 80% of senior debt will be redeemed by 2016.
I support my colleague, Senator Cáit Keane, who highlighted the practice of tabling unrealistic motions and demanding Ministers come to the House at the drop of a hat that are designed more for show than for effect. We have all received numerous representations from a wide range of groups which have had their funding cut in the last while. We all agree that this funding should not have been cut and that it seems a little mean-spirit, given the amount of money being saved compared to the value being achieved. Instead of tabling show-boating motions, Senator John Kelly and I went to see the Minister, Deputy Alan Kelly, who was not unaware of the concern expressed and the hardship caused. He said he was open to receiving representations not only from Government Members but from all Oireachtas Members. We left the meeting feeling rather confident that in due course there would be a positive outcome on all of the cuts made.
I ask the Leader if will be possible to have a discussion on Seanad reform early in the new term after the recess. We have talked a good deal about Seanad reform which we have achieved to a small degree. Much of it has been internal and not received the attention it deserves from the wider public. I would like us to have a discussion on the loosening the Whip system in the Seanad. The Whip system is the single biggest obstacle that prevents real reform taking place. I have supported measures that I might not ordinarily have supported but not doing so would have automatically meant losing the party Whip. I have spoken several times about this. I have to balance whether it would be worth losing the party Whip on something that might not be a core issue for me if it would remove any influence I have in areas in which I could make a real difference. Mental health is a particular interest of mine. When we return after the recess, perhaps we might schedule a substantial and comprehensive debate on how we could go about reforming the House without having to resort to constitutional or statutory change or even changes to Standing Orders. They are plenty of things we could do ourselves.
I support other colleagues, in particular Senator Cáit Keane who was responsible for setting up the model school for the deaf with Mr. Brian Crean who is currently with the Irish Deaf Society. She was modest in her comments about her involvement. I am encouraged to hear what Senator John Gilroy has had to say was about his meeting with the Minister yesterday; just because Ministers do not drop the work they are doing to come to the House to debate an issue with us does not mean that they are not actively working on it. I have every confidence that advocacy services will be reinstated, as they should be, in the near future.
I mention an issue I have mentioned on numerous occasions, that of roaming charges in the European Union. In recent months we have seen such charges across Europe fall as a consequence of work being done by the European Commission. Only two weeks ago a cap was put on data roaming charges across Europe, which would see the charge for browsing the web while abroad capped at 20 cent per megabyte. That charge is still too high, but it represents serious progress, as the charge has been reduced from approximately 80 cent per megabyte about one year ago. I am disappointed that the telecommunications companies - this should not come as a big surprise - are looking for every loophole possible in the legislation and do not seem keen to embrace, even though they say they are, the pro-consumer, pro-business and pro-tourism moves of the European Union on this front. There are many instances of where people tether - I did not know what this was until I read more about it - or use their mobile phone to allow use of iPads in browsing the Internet, for which they are charged about €5 a day. Without going into the details, it seems that loopholes are being used by the telecommunications companies. I am supportive of the European Commission's continued push in this area to quash roaming fees and ensure a pro-consumer and pro-business regime is fully implemented. That is the intention of the policy and legislation being produced by the European Union.
I welcome our guests in the Visitors Gallery. I wish good luck to the Irish powerchair soccer team who are taking part in the European championships being held in the University of Limerick starting tonight. It is a minority sport and the issue of funding for minority sports needs to be examined.
I attended a fantastic event near Dublin Castle last night when Alex Baburin, Ireland's Russian born resident chess grand master, tried to emulate a record set in 1879 by another grand master, Johannes Zukertort, by playing 16 games of chess simultaneously while blindfolded.
It was amazing to see how he could remember every move on every board as he moved around the hall. While he did not match the record, he had won six of the games, drawn two and lost two by the time it was called off. He had played from 5 p.m. until 11.30 p.m. The Irish Chess Union is to be congratulated for organising such an event. It informed me last night that it did not receive one bean of funding from any Department. I do not know if chess is a sport recognised by the Irish Sports Council, but if it is not receive any funding to keep this fantastic game going and that should change. We should support the union to include chess in the schools curriculum, particularly when we are in the era of iPads, iPhones, i-this, i-that and i-the-other. Our concentration spans have suffered a great deal as a result. The teaching and coaching of chess in schools would impart valuable lessons to children about the consequences of actions, strategic thinking and being rewarded for doing the right thing. Chess or ficheall boards have been found in archaeological digs throughout the country. It is part of what we are and it would be sad if chess skills were lost owing to a lack of support. I will be calling on the responsible Minister, whether it be the Minister for Education and Skills or the the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport, to provide some funding for the Irish Chess Union.
I raised yesterday with the Leader the issue of price increases for student accommodation in the various campuses around the country. Another issue of great importance to many students is the number of student deposits retained at the end of the academic year by on-campus accommodation providers. At one stage, almost two out of every three students had had a deposit unjustifiably retained according to the evidence of the Union of Students in Ireland. With this in mind, I ask the Leader to provide the House with a progress report on the Residential Tenancies (No. 2) (Amendment) Bill which is to introduce a deposit protection scheme. Aside from the impact on students, the illegal and unlawful retention of deposits is one of the main issues leading to homelessness in Ireland.
I call on the Leader to reply to the issues raised, ranging from pigeons to chess.
I assure you it will be a very hard thing to do.
I do not propose to accept the amendment to the Order of Business proposed by Senator Mark Daly. I gave a very comprehensive report yesterday on funding to support national organisations in the community and voluntary sector. I outlined that the overall budget for the scheme was €8 million and went through the details of the scheme. I said there was an appeals process, of which I am sure the organisations refused funding will avail. No later than last evening, the Minister of State at the Department of the Environment, Community and Local Government, Deputy Paudie Coffey, stated in the Adjournment debate that he and the line Minister, Deputy Alan Kelly, had discussed the issue of funding for community and voluntary organisations and decided that where an organisation was providing assistance for people with medical conditions, the review under way would give it special consideration. There is light at the end of the tunnel in relation to that funding. This issue is connected to matters Senator Feargal Quinn raised in respect of competitiveness and the need to stick within budgets. One of the main issues of concern of the National Competitiveness Council was the need for Ireland to maintain its fiscal probity. Stable and healthy public finances are a prerequisite for growth. The Government must maintain a balance in all of these areas. I am sure the review of the matters referred to by Senator Mark Daly will, as the Minister of State said, bear fruit for the organisations concerned.
Senators Ivana Bacik, Michael Mullins, Kathryn Reilly, Trevor Ó Clochartaigh and others referred to the situation in the Middle East. The deaths of four young children were appalling. There is a temporary ceasefire in place for a number of hours, which is little consolation to everybody involved in Gaza. I hope the international community and the European Union will ensure the ceasefire will become permanent to allow these unfortunate people to get their lives back. There has been a need for many years to settle the issue in the Middle East. The Government and the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade, Deputy Charles Flanagan, will do everything possible, in particular, on the humanitarian side, as well as on the political side, to obtain an agreement in the Middle East to deal with the Israeli-Palestinian conflict which has been ongoing for far too long. Many innocent people have suffered and lost their lives during the years. I will certainly ask if we can have a Minister come to the House today. There is a motion before the House on tomorrow's business; therefore, it will be out of the question tomorrow. While I will try to have a Minister to attend, Ministers have their diary events for the day and will be otherwise engaged in many instances.
Senators Ivana Bacik and Hildegarde Naughton welcomed the appointment of Judge Yvonne Murphy to the commission of investigation into mother and baby homes. We all wish her well in her deliberations.
Senator Hildegarde Naughton also called for a debate on the interdepartmental report before the summer recess. That will not be possible.
Senator Terry Leyden raised health matters, with particular reference to Roscommon hospital. He should ask the consultants in the hospital whether it is much safer than it was a number of years ago.
It is safe because nobody is going into it. That is one way to solve the problem.
The Senator should also ask the consultants and users whether the hospital is providing a much greater suite of services for the people of County Roscommon. That is only a suggestion and I am sure the Senator will not take it up.
It is a very interesting suggestion.
I commend Senator Martin Conway for the item discussed during Private Members' business yesterday. It has been commented on by a number of Members.
Senator Feargal Quinn raised the issue of competitiveness and referred to very interesting findings. We have a great deal of work to do in that regard. I have mentioned one of the key areas of concern which requires policy attention - stable and healthy public finances. Another is the need to support productivity-enhancing investment action which is required to enhance credit flows for enterprise. The Strategic Banking Corporation of Ireland Bill which will be before the House today will address that issue. The Minister for Finance said on Second Stage in the House that the Bill represented one of the most significant developments in the area since the foundation of the IDA. The Government is certainly addressing the concerns of the National Competitiveness Council in that regard. Other concerns have also been addressed.
I note Senator Quinn has raised on a number of occasions the question of food waste, which should be addressed by all the parties involved in that sector. I raised Senator O'Sullivan's concerns with the relevant Minister, and I can do no more than that.
Senator Kelly raised the question of discretionary medical cards. I am sure this will continue be addressed. Many of those cards have been restored to people who appealed at the time. I am sure, if there are any difficulties, they can and will be sorted out.
Senator Ó Clochartaigh referred to a HIQA report on a nursing home. I would urge the Senator to give any information he may have on that issue to the Minister, who I am sure will be very interested. I can assure him any HIQA report will be followed through comprehensively by the Department.
Senator Colm Burke noted the health committee will now be allowed to proceed with its work in investigating how the €3.72 billion for the 2,600 organisations is spent. He also highlighted once again the plight of junior doctors and the need for greater reform of the system. I was concerned at Senator Burke's statement in regard to agencies that people may not have the qualifications listed in job applications. That is a very serious charge and it should certainly be investigated, not alone by the health agencies but by the Garda, if wrong descriptions are being given. People's lives could be put at risk if that is the situation.
With regard to Senator Healy Eames's point, as I said yesterday, we in this House have no say on who should or should not be a Minister. I am sure the Taoiseach had a very difficult job because there are so many talented people from both parties. However, in regard to gender equality, this Government has introduced legislation whereby a 30% quota will now be in place for the next general election. That is action rather than words.
Senator Gilroy mentioned Seanad reform. We have a comprehensive suite of proposals to put forward. One of the proposals which I certainly will be trying to have is that when people on the Order of Business raise a subject, they would at least have the courtesy to wait for a reply rather than moving out of the House. I have tried to do that but I would be unfair to people on the other side of the House because I can see who is gone on the other side but I cannot see who is gone behind me. I will have to curb that in the future. I would hope that Members who raise their relevant points on the Order of Business would at least stay for a response, be they satisfied or not with that response.
Senator O'Keeffe spoke on the question of end-of-life care and the report of the health committee and the Ombudsman on that matter. I would like to point out to the Senator that we had a Private Members' motion from Senator Marie Louise O'Donnell on this matter in April. The Minister of State, Deputy Kathleen Lynch, gave a very comprehensive outline of the Government supports in this regard but I will certainly see if we can have a further debate on it in the context of the reports which have come out recently.
Senator Paul Coghlan commented on and commended the work of NAMA in certain areas. Senator Noone raised the work of the European Commission on roaming charges and the improvement in the situation, while stressing there is a need for further improvement in that area. She pointed to the fact telecoms are dragging their heels and looking for loopholes, although it should not be news to us that they are doing that at every possible opportunity. The work of the European Commission in this regard is certainly to be commended from a consumer point of view.
Senator Heffernan complimented the work of the Irish Chess Union. I do not know where I can turn the Senator to in regard to funding but I am sure the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport will certainly listen to what he has to say.
Senator Hayden raised the issue of student deposits being retained by various groups. I will find out for her the current status of the Residential Tenancies (No. 2) (Amendment) Bill to which she referred.
In conclusion, I thank the Cathaoirleach, the Seanad staff, the ushers and all the staff of the House for their courtesy during this term. I wish everybody a very relaxing number of weeks before we are back in mid-September.
Senator Mark Daly has moved an amendment to the Order of Business, "That No. 63, motion No. 11, be taken today". Is the amendment being pressed?
Yes. For the benefit of the House, we are not asking for the Minister to come in. We are just asking for the motion to be accepted.
Tá
- Barrett, Sean D.
- Byrne, Thomas.
- Cullinane, David.
- Daly, Mark.
- Healy Eames, Fidelma.
- Heffernan, James.
- Leyden, Terry.
- Mooney, Paschal.
- O'Sullivan, Ned.
- Power, Averil.
- Quinn, Feargal.
- Reilly, Kathryn.
- van Turnhout, Jillian.
- Wilson, Diarmuid.
- Zappone, Katherine.
Níl
- Bacik, Ivana.
- Brennan, Terry.
- Burke, Colm.
- Coghlan, Paul.
- Comiskey, Michael.
- Conway, Martin.
- Cummins, Maurice.
- D'Arcy, Jim.
- D'Arcy, Michael.
- Gilroy, John.
- Hayden, Aideen.
- Henry, Imelda.
- Higgins, Lorraine.
- Keane, Cáit.
- Kelly, John.
- Landy, Denis.
- Moloney, Marie.
- Moran, Mary.
- Mulcahy, Tony.
- Mullins, Michael.
- Naughton, Hildegarde.
- Noone, Catherine.
- O'Keeffe, Susan.
- O'Neill, Pat.
- Sheahan, Tom.
Senator Reilly has proposed an amendment to the Order of Business: "That a debate on the situation in Gaza be taken today." Is the amendment being pressed?
The Leader has given his commitment to endeavour to bring the Minister to the House, so I will not press the amendment.