The Order of Business is No. 1, Thirty-fourth Amendment of the Constitution (Marriage Equality) Bill 2015 – Second Stage, to be taken at 1.15 p.m., with the contributions of group spokespersons not to exceed 12 minutes and those of all other Senators not to exceed eight minutes; and No, 2, motion re Thirty-fourth Amendment of the Constitution (Marriage Equality) Bill 2015, to be discussed in conjunction with the Second Stage debate but not to be taken until the Report and Final Stages of the Bill have concluded.
Order of Business
I noted with interest yesterday and this morning the remarks of the Minister of State, Deputy Kathleen Lynch, on the Government announcement of free general practitioner care for over 70s. It would be welcome if we knew when it was going to happen and if we did not have a scenario like the free GP care for children aged under six, which was announced over two years ago but which still has not actually materialised. Is this something the Government intends to keep re-announcing? The Minister of State, Deputy Lynch, said this morning that there was no agreement with GPs either on children aged under six or people aged over 70.
I would have thought the priority for the Government was to ensure that those who require medical cards and treatment get them as opposed to promising things that will never happen in future. As the Leas-Chathaoirleach remarked yesterday, there are still people over 70 who are having their medical cards removed. There are still children with serious illnesses who cannot get the treatment they require. There is still a situation in Dublin where there are no early intervention teams for children with special needs who require needs assessment and occupational therapy. Since June 2012, not one child has been added to the waiting list for needs assessment.
What is the position with free GP care for children aged under six? Is there a date for this to start, or are we to have it announced again in the pre-election budget in October with a view to getting it up and running before the general election? What is the position with the over 70s free GP care that the Government is referring to?
This situation needs to be cleared up once and for all. It has been announced on several occasions. With that in mind, I will provide assistance to the relevant Minister, whether the Minister for Health, Deputy Varadkar, or one of his Ministers of State, by proposing that the Minister, Deputy Varadkar, come to the House today and give an update on the position of free GP care for children under six and Government plans for over 70s free GP care. I propose that amendment to the Order of Business and that an hour be set aside for that debate.
I welcome the announcement yesterday by the Minister for Education and Skills, Deputy Jan O'Sullivan, of the provision of 2.5 hours per week for up to 1,000 children who suffer from Down's syndrome. This issue has been going on for many years. I protested with the families of children with Down's syndrome outside this building last summer. I am pleased that the Minister has recognised the situation and provided the necessary hours to help alleviate the difficulties.
Everyone acknowledges that it is not the complete package but it will help to alleviate the issues. It has been broadly welcomed by Down Syndrome Ireland.
I also welcome the Tánaiste's announcement that the Cabinet yesterday approved a settlement for the Waterford Crystal workers who have struggled for eight years to get payment for the pension scheme that went into thin air when the company closed down. The average payment per worker will be a lump sum of €40,000 plus a pension per annum. It is important that the settlement has included the spouses of many of the workers who have died since the company closed eight years ago. After a long and protracted campaign, in which I participated on behalf of the people in my town of Carrick-on-Suir and the surrounding areas of Rathgormack, Tullahought and places like that, the people who worked in Waterford Crystal for many years have at last got a settlement.
I am heartened by comments made by the Minister, Deputy Howlin, a number of weeks ago regarding town councils. He said that the decision which accounted for a significant decrease in the number of councillors is one of the biggest regrets of the coalition's term of office.
Is this the one the Senator voted for?
Senator Landy is going in the right direction and Senators should give him a chance.
If only he voted the way he talks, we would be grand.
Senator Landy, without interruption. He has a minute to finish.
I was very vocal in this Chamber on the matter. I probably spoke longer than other Senators who suddenly got an interest in it when they discovered that some of these people who had been town councillors are now county councillors and have a vote in the next Seanad election.
Did the Senator vote with them? He did.
We will check that.
I was always of the opinion-----
The vote is what counts. Talk is cheap.
Senator Landy, without interruption.
I was always of the opinion and still hold the opinion that town councils should never have been abolished.
Hear, hear. No need to divide on that.
Can Senator Landy point out which way he voted?
Let Senator Landy conclude. We are running out of time and have a very busy day ahead. I have to give the Senator another minute now because he has been interrupted twice.
I refer to people who worked in that service and in particular I want to mention Ms Helen Phelan who will retire from Carrick-on-Suir Town Council after 47 years' service.
Is that the town council that the Senator's Government abolished?
That is the type of person I am talking about.
I am delighted to be the first person in the Seanad today to welcome the retirement of Henry Shefflin, announced at noon. As a Tipperary man, I can say that he was the greatest hurler that ever graced the hurling field. As his former Kilkenny colleague, Michael Kavanagh, said this morning, he was a slow burner and did not get his first medal until playing on the under-21 team and he actually started on the intermediate team. He is a little bit like the Government, a slow burner, burning the dead wood of the previous Administration.
It is burning stuff all right - mostly bridges.
I call Senator van Turnhout. Perhaps we might get back to real issues, notwithstanding the great-----
It is a big issue where I come from.
I concur with Senator Landy on the announcement by the Minister for Education and Skills of the two and a half resource hours for children with Down's syndrome. I question the continuing need for an assessment and I ask the Minister for Education and Skills to reconsider that. Why do we need a child with mild Down's syndrome to go through an assessment procedure? However, it is very welcome. I sincerely congratulate the parents and Down Syndrome Ireland who advocated on behalf of these children. As I so often say, children's rights are parents' rights because it is so often parents who advocate on behalf of their children.
I welcome the announcement that Diageo is stepping down from the Stop Out-of-Control Drinking campaign. It is an overdue announcement. I do not think it had a role on the board of the campaign. I have remaining questions over the secretariat and the names collected to date. Who owns those names? That may be a question for the Data Protection Commissioner. I concur with the Minister, Deputy Varadkar, who on the announcement of Diageo's withdrawal said, "I don't think it's appropriate that the drinks industry should be actively involved in campaigns around public health for the obvious reason". I agree with him on this point. Alcohol Focus Scotland has stated: "The industry uses partnership working to gain public support and credibility for ineffective policy measures, whilst at the same time misrepresenting and distorting evidence on effective regulatory interventions."
An advertisement has recently been placed by Drinkaware. It is hiring a small team for its ambitious strategic plan. Critical to that is its new focus on education. One of the roles advertised is an education programme manager for developing Drinkaware's education programme targeted at young people, parents and teachers. It wants to work and develop an education programme for delivery as part of the SPHE curriculum in secondary schools. This curriculum has recently been revised and the HSE has given input on alcohol related harm. There is no role for the drinks industry in our schools. Drinkaware is funded by the drinks industry. It is reprehensible that it even considers going into our schools to educate our young people on drink. Would we allow representatives of manufacturers of other products to go into schools and educate them on why they should have less of the product? I find it reprehensible.
I ask the Leader to ask the Minister for Education and Skills if she or her officials have been approached by Drinkaware. I hope we get a categorical "No" that Drinkaware has no role in our schools.
I call Senator Naughton.
I wish to raise-----
I accept your ruling, a Leas Chathaoirligh.
Even though she is seated on this side-----
She is seated on the side of God.
-----she is seen as in opposition.
Really? She is in opposition? My God almighty.
That is the grouping system.
I wish to raise some positive news on the jobs front for Galway and the west. This comes soon after Apple's major jobs announcement for Athenry. IDT911, a data protection company, will establish its European headquarters in Galway, creating 60 jobs in the area. This company credited its move to the very good pool of talented graduates available locally and also due to the support it got from State agencies, such as IDA Ireland. This new jobs announcement comes as a Deloitte report stated that 7,000 ICT jobs in Ireland remain open. Its study, Tech Trends 2015: The fusion of business and IT, stated that an absence of skilled individuals was of significant concern in the tech sector. That such a large number of jobs remain available is of some concern. I ask the Leader to arrange a debate on the matter with the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation, Deputy Bruton.
I think I have heard everything now after this ruling that a Member from Fine Gael, the main Government party, is a member of the Opposition. "Ha, ha, ha" is all I can say.
Senator van Turnhout was-----
A Fine Gael Member is not a member of the Opposition until and unless he or she applies to be and leaves Fine Gael. It is complete nonsense-----
Senator, you are-----
-----to say that Fine Gael is the Opposition - that the bloody Government-----
Senator Norris is misunderstanding me. The Opposition speaker was Senator van Turnhout, who is in a grouping that has been there for four years.
But you said that Senator Naughton was. Anyway I forgave the Leas-Chathaoirleach. It does not matter a damn.
No. I said I could not call two Opposition-----
It just highlights that the Order of Business is becoming increasingly a nonsense. Look at us here. There are half a dozen Fine Gael and Labour Senators, an Independent and two Opposition Members. It is a complete nonsense. We experimented with it, but the time has come to review the matter again.
I strongly welcome the announcement by the Association of Catholic Priests that it will not take a position on the referendum. This is a mature, balanced and humane approach and one I wish the hierarchy would also adopt. On the other hand, they are a great advantage to the "Yes" campaign because they appear more and more like episodes of "Fr. Ted" every time they open their mouths.
I agree with what has been said about Down's syndrome. It has always seemed to me obscene that there should be a test for mild Down's syndrome and then children who are not as disadvantaged are punished for having greater talent. This is utterly wrong, undemocratic and discriminatory.
Finally, with regard to Waterford Crystal, like Senator Landy I was one of those who brought this matter up regularly and I welcome what has happened, but it shows an extraordinary contrast between the way in which Waterford Glass workers are rightly treated in a situation where both the company and the pension fund went bust and Aer Lingus-----
Hear, hear.
-----where the company is thriving-----
Hear, hear.
-----and should sustain a situation where people are properly compensated by their pensions. To hack off 60% of someone's pension when they reach their declining years is an obscenity. I do not think the State should stand over this. We have a 25% holding in Aer Lingus and we should step up to the mark and look after those people. If not, I hope the case goes to the European Court of Human Rights.
Well said.
I, too, welcome the announcement yesterday by the Minister for Education and Skills, Deputy Jan O'Sullivan, on children with Down's syndrome. It is something that is long overdue. It is a matter on which the association has canvassed and lobbied over a number of years. It is money that will be well spent in catering for those children.
In the context of children, I am somewhat concerned about the HIQA report on access to social workers by children who are at risk in the Cork region. HIQA issued a report that was carried out last October which revealed that approximately 1,000 referrals are waiting for a social worker to be assigned. I am involved in a facility which has 45 children who have dropped out of the education system and we only receive a total of €47,500 from the Department of Education and Skills. We fall between two stools where, on the one hand, the Department of Children and Youth Affairs states it is not its responsibility but, on the other, the Department of Education and Skills states it is not its responsibility. We must deal with the situation. The response from Tusla this morning was to the effect that it is currently recruiting an extra 193 social workers.
That is nonsense.
That is something which must be expedited and addressed.
The Government should be ashamed of itself.
We cannot ignore the HIQA report. I would welcome a statement from the Minister in that regard and to ensure that a timeline is put in place for when the recruitment will be completed in order that the existing 1,000 referrals can be addressed.
In fairness to Tusla, it has outlined that priority cases are being addressed, in the sense that the children most at risk are dealt with immediately, but that does not deal with the backlog of referrals that need to be urgently reviewed. It is important that a timeline is put in place for the appointment of social workers and that an adequate number is recruited especially in the Cork region. I would welcome a statement from the Minister on the matter.
I second the amendment to the Order of Business proposed by my leader, Senator Darragh O'Brien. I concur with my colleague, Senator Denis Landy, who quoted what the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform, Deputy Brendan Howlin, stated recently on town councils. I welcome the conversion of the Minister, Deputy Howlin, and the Labour Party, although not all members of the Labour Party, because Senator Landy was an advocate for the retention of town councils in this Chamber, as were many colleagues on this side of the House also. I would like to see those comments put into legislation for the next local government elections. People are only now beginning to realise the result of the loss of town councillors to their towns as they have nobody to make representations on their behalf. That has imposed a heavy workload on the reduced number of county councillors who have been elected to represent towns in addition to the wider catchment areas. I very much welcome the Minister's comments, even though it is a case of closing the stable door after the horse has bolted.
I wish to briefly comment on and commend the Seanad Public Consultation Committee on its hearing last Monday on farm safety.
Hear, hear.
I was present for the entire four and a half hours, as were many Members on the other side of the House, and indeed the Leader. It was an excellent opportunity for 14 different organisations to outline the concerns and proposals they have on farm safety. I wish to mention one young man in particular from County Monaghan, a neighbouring county of my own, Patrick Duffy, who made an excellent presentation and has proposals for the education sector by way of a board game he has developed. It was an excellent opportunity for the general public to come to their Chamber and outline to their representatives in this House concerns on farm safety.
I add my voice to those who have welcomed the announcement by the Minister for Education and Skills, Deputy Jan O'Sullivan, yesterday on people with Down's syndrome. That is something I never agreed with from the very beginning and many of my colleagues felt the same. We always felt what happened was unjust and wrong. That is the reason we have continually lobbied the Minister to make provision in schools for children with Down's syndrome. Thankfully, she has listened and moved in the right direction. We could do with some more hours but it is a step in the right direction.
Another issue that has come to my attention is a funding scheme under the community and voluntary support section of the Department of the Environment, Community and Local Government, which is administered by Pobal. Last year, the support scheme for national organisations omitted 23 health and disability organisations from funding under the scheme. Bridging funding was put in place but it will expire in June of this year. At present, the organisations do not know where they stand and if they will receive funding for the coming year. Could the Leader organise a debate in the House with the Minister so that we can get clarification for the organisations in order that they will know where they stand?
I echo the comments made by Senator Landy. Today, we have witnessed the retirement of one of the greats of Irish sport. Nobody in any code will match the feats of Henry Shefflin. It is incumbent on the State to devise an honours system for people who have represented their counties or country at the highest level of sport. Henry Shefflin is a legendary figure. He won the player of the year award three times. He has ten all-star awards and all-Ireland medals to beat the band. I do not think he will be matched. While he was a fantastically gifted and skilful player, he did break a few hurleys along the way.
That leads me to calling for a debate on the situation regarding the ash dieback disease, which is a matter I raised in the Seanad many moons ago with a previous Minister. Neither the Government nor clubs and county organisations grasp the scale of the ash dieback disease and the potential it has for hurleys, hurley makers and the native ash species. I am aware of some hurley makers who are importing ash from Scandinavia. Ash dieback has become a major problem across Europe. I know of other hurley makers as well who manufacture hurleys in Poland. I congratulate the Minister of State, Deputy Aodhán Ó Ríordáin, on organising the PolskaÉire festival this week, which was a tremendous success in showing solidarity and celebrating the positive impact Polish people have had on Irish society. Last night, I was very happy to take part in a football match involving an Oireachtas selection against a Polish selection.
I am sure the Senator was. Senator Gilroy also played.
We heard Senator Heffernan did it.
It was not me.
A group from St. Patrick's De La Salle school in Kilkenny is in the Gallery. The school principal, Brian Cody, was to be here today but is unavailable for obvious reasons. I will let Senator O'Neill explain why and make a comment.
I would like to be associated with the Leas-Chathaoirleach's remarks welcoming St. Patrick's De La Salle. I thank Senators Landy and Heffernan for their kind comments about Henry Shefflin. It is great to see a Tipperary man acknowledging a Kilkenny man at last. Well done.
Absolutely - 100%.
Hopefully, some of these young people will don the black and amber at a future date. Henry Shefflin is a role model for any young person in Ireland through his longevity and example. Any person should model himself or herself on what he has achieved in sport. It is not about whether one is good at sport but dedication in one's life to one's work and interests. I encourage everybody to do as much as possible and I congratulate Henry Shefflin on what has been a magnificent career in the GAA.
Although the newspapers have reported that the price of crude oil had decreased to $50 per barrel, the oil companies said they could not reduce prices because they had forward bought. However, in the past three weeks, the price of petrol and diesel has increased by almost 20 cent per litre because the euro has weakened against the dollar. This is a consumer affairs issue and I do not know what Department it comes under, but I would like a debate on how consumers are being affected by this and other consumer issues. What is happening in the oil industry is a rip-off.
As a proud Cork man, I confess that while Henry Shefflin often broke our hearts, he is probably one of the finest sports people the country has ever seen. I wish him luck in retirement.
While I did not hear Senator Landy's observation on town councils and local government, I heard Senator Wilson's intervention. Following reported comments at the Labour Party conference, or perhaps on the margins of the conference, by the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform, Deputy Brendan Howlin, and the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government, Deputy Alan Kelly, that there was a possibility that town councils would be reintroduced, I had a Commencement debate here on 5 March. Although the Minister, Deputy Alan Kelly, was unable to attend, the Minister of State, Deputy Tom Hayes, who replied on his behalf, made it very clear that there are no plans in place to reverse the decision to abolish town councils. His script indicated that a review might be put in place, and I would welcome such a review. However, we would not want to put the cart before the horse. All of those here who have worked very closely with local authorities at county and sub-county level recognise that the new structures are posing major challenges, some of which cannot be met, because some of the areas are so big that the concept of "local" has been removed from local government. I ask the Minister to establish the review at the earliest possible date. No Minister or Government should be afraid to concede that it probably was a mistake to abolish the town councils in the format in which it happened.
The Leader might facilitate a debate here on local government structures. While local government can very much be the driving force in the regeneration of our towns and villages in rural Ireland, the structures, as newly constituted, may not be ideal. While I hear from some councils that the municipal districts are working, other councillors are serving municipal districts 40 to 80 miles long, and the concept of local representation has disappeared. The Leas-Chathaoirleach knows this from his area, west Cork. I would like to discuss local government structures and see if they need tweaking. They will need major reform. In towns where urban councils had worked well, the local population is already beginning to notice the difference. Although some of the town councils did not cover themselves in glory, others worked very effectively and the baby has been thrown out with the bath water. Although we are only 12 months from the local elections, it is time to examine how we can plan for the best future for local government.
I welcome yesterday evening's announcement by the Minister for Education and Skills, Deputy Jan O'Sullivan, that the Government has agreed to allocate additional resources to schools to support children with Down's syndrome who are not already being supported through the National Council for Special Education, NCSE, annual allocation process. I was delighted with yesterday's announcement. Like many of my colleagues, I have long pushed for support to be available to children who are not provided for. These interim allocations will provide an additional 2.5 hours per week, pending the introduction of the new allocation model for children with special educational needs. I hope the interim measures and the introduction of the new allocation model will provide the necessary support and assistance more fairly for children with Down's syndrome. I regret that they have had to go through so many hoops to reach the decision. I hope the new model will be announced very soon. It is going through a pilot scheme. I hope clarity will be brought on further additional hours for children with Down's syndrome.
I would like to highlight the Hope Foundation's SHE IS campaign, which was launched earlier this month. The campaign aims to fight gender discrimination and demonstrate solidarity on a global basis. Powerful women across Ireland have lent their voices to the campaign to highlight the gender imbalance in India and around the world. We have progressed by leaps and bounds in recent decades to rectify the gender imbalances that existed in many countries. Unfortunately, this task will require our vigilance and attention for some time to come. Countries such as India remain dangerous places in the 21st century. In 2012, the United Nations cited India as the most dangerous place in the world in which to be born a girl. It is upsetting to hear that 47% of girls in India are married before they reach the age of 18. More than 75,000 people have engaged with the Hope Foundation's SHE IS campaign and I urge my Oireachtas colleagues to support the campaign and bring further awareness to the serious gender inequality in developing countries. We have an opportunity and a platform to generate a discussion and highlight these important issues.
I raise the issue of water charges and Irish Water. Over recent days, we found out that very important meetings took place between very senior Irish Water staff and the then Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government, former Deputy Phil Hogan, at which no minutes were taken, which seems incredible given the major issues that were being discussed. Sinn Féin has called for an Oireachtas inquiry into the fact that these minutes were not taken. For many people, Irish Water has become synonymous with everything that is wrong with the Government. It has involved cronyism, political manipulation of State boards and threats against people who cannot afford to pay. It is another charge and tax on struggling families. Over the weekend, we heard that there were no records or minutes of a meeting that took place between the former Minister and the chairman of Bord Gáis, at which very important issues were discussed.
How many meetings has Sinn Féin held?
Many people would be very surprised at this and given the level of crisis the Government has got itself into as a result of the introduction of water charges and the establishment of Irish Water, I am very surprised that the minutes of those meetings were not taken or that they are not available to the public and public representatives.
Again, this is another reason to scrap Irish Water in its current form, to scrap water charges and to go back to the drawing board. I do not think the Government has the confidence and support of the majority of citizens in this State. Yesterday, it seemed to be stumbling from one crisis to the next on this issue. Given the revelation that no records of certain meetings exist, the matter merits statements in this House on Irish Water and water services and I again call for this debate in the near future.
I agree wholeheartedly with the comments of Senator Wilson regarding the meeting of the Seanad Public Consultation Committee that was held on Monday under the chairmanship of the Leas-Chathaoirleach. It was most useful, timely and comprehensive. All the submissions were extremely worthwhile and the contributions on the day were excellent. I agree with the Leas-Chathaoirleach in singling out the young man from Ballybay who was brilliant. I am very hopeful for the future. Many very useful proposals came forward that day which, no doubt, will be incorporated in the report. I believe it is the Leader's intention that we will have the opportunity for a debate in this House when the report is published. The Leader might indicate when it is hoped this will be available.
I support Senator van Turnhout's welcome of the announcement by the director of Diageo, David Smith, that he will be stepping down from the board of the Stop Out-of-Control Drinking campaign. I mirror the Senator's words. The drinks industry has no place in effecting attitudes in schools or public attitudes on alcohol. This applies overall not just to the Stop Out-of-Control Drinking campaign but any future work we do around this area. We will be working on this area shortly.
I mirror the previous comments of Senators in respect of the welcome announcement by the Minister for Education and Skills this morning that 2.5 hours will be given to children with Down's syndrome. Again, I struggle with the thought of children with Down's syndrome being assessed or doing examinations to be accepted, because a child either has it or not. I know there are different levels of it. I look forward to 2.5 hours becoming four or 4.5 hours, which are the sort of hours we should be looking at. We have achieved the minimum at the moment.
I would like us to think about having a debate on vending machines in schools. Most Senators might have read an article by Kevin Dundon, the celebrity chef, in last week's edition of the Sunday Independent. I am talking about secondary schools, the education of our young people and their health and well-being, both mental and physical. We are talking about obesity and the future health of our youth. The HSE said it would welcome a ban on junk food in schools. However, a spokesperson for the HSE said it was a matter for the Department of Education and Skills. In the article, Mr. Dundon said:
Every school is almost a culprit of vending machines but I think there are other ways that schools can acquire revenue. It's not only causing overweight and obesity problems but it's giving hardship to teachers because sugar makes children hyper, more aggressive, lessens their ability to concentrate and makes them more disruptive in class.
When I was thinking about speaking this morning, I smiled to myself and thought that Senators should see how they would get on if they tried attending a committee meeting for three hours and then debating here for four hours after having a bottle of Coca-Cola and a couple of sugary bars. They would have a headache, their blood sugar levels would be on the ground and they would be cross and useless because their brains would be run down. That is what we are doing to our people. This is about education. It is not about a lot of money because it is far easier to make a child a healthier lunch than to give them money to go to the local delicatessen or, worse, stick it in a vending machine. We need the Minister for Education and Skills to come to the House to talk about this because it is small beer and a no-brainer. We are allowing our young people to get into terrible habits early on.
I call Senator Kelly. My apologies as he should have been called earlier but he was hiding down there so I did not spot him.
I support Senator Heffernan's point about the sustainability of rural post offices. I come from a family of three generations that have run a small post office in rural Ireland. I have also seen the letters that are being sent out by the Department of Social Protection encouraging people to move their pensions and social welfare payments from the post office to the banks for the purposes of so-called convenience when the reality is that it is only in order that it can get greater access to people's bank accounts.
We talk a lot in this House about the decline in rural Ireland and tend continually to blame the Government. Rural Ireland to some degree is in the hands of the people living there. Where there is a small post office, there is invariably a small shop. The postmaster-cum-shopkeeper depends on the people of rural Ireland using their shop for convenience purposes such as getting a loaf of bread, the pint of milk and a few groceries. I know it is very difficult to expect people not to go to Aldi, Tesco and Lidl but if they only contributed a small bit to the rural shop with the rural post office, they would be more viable. People should not be threatened by letters that come from the Department of Social Protection telling them to do what I have just described, and they should support the local post office. That will ensure its viability in the future.
The announcement by the Minister for Education and Skills of extra resources for children with so-called mild Down's syndrome is very welcome, as others have said. There are many situations where children have disabilities that call on our special care and attention. It is fair to say that children with Down's syndrome in particular have a very special place in the hearts of Irish people and this country given the great memories we have of the Special Olympics. In respect of the ongoing debate about the needs of children with disabilities, people in Ireland want this country to set a standard in the resources it provides. Like others, I note that what has been offered is also mild in that it is just 2.5 hours of resource teaching per week per child. The chief executive of Down Syndrome Ireland, Pat Clarke, said that regardless of the level of severity of Down's syndrome, what is needed is between five and eight resource hours. I hope that this does not act as a delaying tactic in respect of the introduction of a new teaching resource model. There is concern as people know about the need for a medical diagnosis before resources can be allocated. I hope this bit of good news does not delay the greater amount of good news that is needed in terms of the provision made not just for children with Down's syndrome but others.
I note the announcement this morning from the Broadcasting Authority of Ireland, BAI, that its new guidelines on the coverage of the forthcoming referenda are in force as of today. Along with a number of colleagues from the Houses of the Oireachtas, I attended a very good briefing by the authority this morning. It is clear that it is very intent on encouraging the broadcast media to ensure a fair playing field in the forthcoming referenda debates. Much more credit is due to the former MEP, Patricia McKenna, and Anthony Coughlan for bringing their court cases which more than anything else have brought a measure of respect for balance into the way the media deal with referenda and elections. From my engagement with the BAI this morning and in respect of broadcasters who up to now have been involved in some very soft-focus presentations of lifestyle issues in a way that really is intended to generate public sympathy for one side of the argument, it is not clear whether the BAI has the teeth to deal with that kind of subtle bias that continues to be a part of our media's coverage of various social issues.
It is incumbent on all of us in the Oireachtas to ensure that the debate will be fair. We must call out anyone in the media, particularly tax-funded broadcasters, who in any way abuse their position so as to advance one side or the other in the forthcoming referendum. It is really important that issues are not pushed down people's throats. It is really important that every voter is equally respected and that people are well served by their broadcast and print media in reaching an informed decision. We must have a debate in which all sides of the argument are properly ventilated and there is equal respect for all views. Plus, there must be no subtle or unsubtle pushing of agendas by journalists.
As a proud Galway hurling supporter, I join with colleagues here in congratulating and wishing every good luck and success to Henry Shefflin, who has announced his retirement. He broke our hearts on many occasions and we have all marvelled at his amazing skills. We should thank him for the amount of enjoyment that he brought to so many people during his long and illustrious sporting career.
I welcome the announcement made yesterday by the Minister for Education and Skills of additional resource teacher support for children with Down's syndrome. The economy is beginning to pick up and more resources are becoming available. I hope that those resources will be targeted at children with special needs and people with disabilities. It is wrong that parents and service providers have had so little certainty down through the years and have had to constantly fight for the minimum resources. I urge the Government to ensure that as resources become available they are targeted at people with special needs.
I ask the Leader to organise a debate in the near future on the excessive variable mortgage rates charged by Irish banks. The matter has been mentioned in this House before. We should invite the Minister of State or Minister for Finance here to discuss the matter. It is one of the biggest issues facing Irish consumers, particularly young people trying to organise a mortgage to buy their first home. Variable interest rates are 1.79% higher than the eurozone average, which means Irish consumers are paying €1.2 billion more than they should, representing an overpayment of €3,300 per annum or €275 per month. We must ask ourselves why a Belgian or German borrower can get a long-term fixed-rate mortgage at 3% while an Irish person trying to organise a variable-rate mortgage must pay 4.5%. As we know, all eurozone banks are subject to the same refinancing rate of 0.55%. This matter needs to be inquired about. Mr. Brian Hayes, MEP, has highlighted the fact that the Competition and Consumer Protection Commission has refused to investigate the matter. What more significant issue faces Irish consumers than the cost of banking? I call on the agency to reconsider its position and ask it to investigate why Irish banks charge so much more than their eurozone counterparts. We should also have a full, frank and open discussion with the Minister for Finance on the matter in this House.
I want to raise the issue of the dramatic cuts being made to Leader funding. When the European multi-annual financial framework and CAP reform package were passed, the Taoiseach and the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine could not wait to tell us that it was a great deal for Ireland and Europe at the time. The fruits of that rotten, disastrous deal that this Government negotiated with Europe are now apparent. It is proposed to cut Leader funding for County Meath by 46%. Leader money was used to fund festivals and many community halls and centres throughout my county, but that funding has been cut in half, which is disastrous. Shame on Government representatives who have issued press releases the length and breadth of this country welcoming this funding. The announcement about Leader funding means devastation for many rural groups, communities, festivals, parish centres and community halls that depend on this money. They depend very badly on Leader funding, and many groups had hoped to avail of it. This rotten deal was signed by the Taoiseach and the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Deputy Simon Coveney. They could not wait to have tea in the parlour in Germany and in the offices in Brussels. Their view was that any deal would do. They did not fight for us hard enough and the cut in funding is the result. My county will now receive only half the money, and in some counties like Cork there has been a cut of 72%. That is the reality. That is the result of the disastrous, polite and too-respectful negotiations that took place in Europe. When this Government came to power it was mostly concerned about pleasing Angela Merkel and its European counterparts instead of fighting hard for this country. It has failed to fight hard, and the result is now to be seen.
I wholeheartedly support Senator Mary Ann O'Brien's call to ban vending machines. I have highlighted the matter on numerous occasions in the past. I find it hard to believe, in a country in which one in four children is either overweight or obese, that the status quo is that we have vending machines laden with sweets in schools. They have the potential to create bad habits for children at an early age which they will continue throughout their lives. It is refreshing to hear statements on the matter from a woman who owns a chocolate company. In a way she is down on sugar, but she appreciates that vending machines in schools are totally unacceptable. I join her in her call for the Minister to come here to debate the issue. What is the Government doing to alleviate childhood obesity if we are willing to leave vending machines laden with sweets in schools? It beggars belief.
On a more positive note, I strongly welcome the new ESRI report that predicts a growth in GNP of 4.1% in 2015 and 3.5% in 2016. According to the report, the increased level of economic activity should see unemployment rates falling to less than 10% by the end of 2015, for the first time since 2008. The unemployment rate is envisaged to drop even further, to 8.4%, in 2016, which is 1.5% less than at the end of last month. Moreover, it is predicted that public finances will be boosted by exports and investment, particularly on the consumer spending front. As a result, the budget deficit should decline to 2.3% of GDP this year, with a further reduction to 0.3% in 2016.
The report also states that an estimated 16,000 new housing units will be built this year, an increase of 5,000 from 2014. While the report paints an overall positive economic picture for the coming years, it also puts on record concerns about the mortgage lending restrictions introduced by the Central Bank. I have previously voiced my concern about these restrictions and welcomed the subsequent amendment to the restrictions for first-time buyers. Nevertheless, today's ESRI report warns that these restrictions may depress housing prices, which it has reported are undervalued by 10%. Potentially, this means less incentive to construct houses and, therefore, fewer properties and rising rental rates.
The Senator should table a Commencement matter on the subject.
The report continued:
The research concludes that the impact of the measures will be contractionary suggesting that, while house price inflation may be reduced due to these new measures, this reduction may come at the expense of fewer houses being supplied and fewer mortgage loans being extended.
I support my colleague Senator Darragh O'Brien in his views on the issue of medical cards. I also share his view on the Government's continued perverse policy of withdrawing medical cards from the elderly and children who are in need of assistance but who happen to be over the age of six years while giving them to the sons and daughters of millionaires who are under the age of six. It is probably the most disgraceful policy to ever be pursued by a government. I support the call for a debate in that regard.
I seek a debate on medicine. I also seek a debate on the alleged draft report on Portlaoise hospital and the attempt by the HSE to silence critics in the report and to have it edited and changed. The matter deserves the attention of this House and probably the Oireachtas Joint Committee on Health and Children.
The failures happened when the Senator's party was in office.
Senator Daly, please, without interruption.
Senator Burke told us HIQA had published a report, instead of saying he was disappointed. He is like an observer.
If Senator Burke thinks it is okay for the HSE-----
Senator Burke can see that he has set off a bomb again.
If Senator Colm Burke thinks it is okay for the HSE to attempt to silence HIQA, which is critical-----
I urge Senator Daly to address the Chair.
If the Government is only looking for praise, then it should look to its own press department, because that is the only place it will get praised.
I advise the Senator that it is inappropriate to talk to another Senator across the floor.
If the Government wants critical analysis and wants HIQA to do its job, which it is doing-----
From 2002 to 2010, Fianna Fáil did nothing. Absolutely nothing.
-----then it should look at the report and have it published unedited.
Senator Burke should not draw problems onto me.
If the report is true he does not want to hear it.
The Government did not promise censorship, but rather openness and transparency, which it is not providing. This report is a crystallisation of that policy.
Is the Senator looking for a debate?
I am looking for a debate on that. Senator Burke would like to show up and defend his-----
Senator Daly, you are here a long time. It is inappropriate to address another Senator. You speak through the Chair or not.
Will the Leas-Chathaoirleach ask Senator Burke-----
I chastised Senator Burke for interrupting you. You do not have to engage for two minutes with the other Senator. If you have an issue for the Leader, please address it.
Perhaps the Leader would ask, when the debate is held on the report that is being suppressed by the HSE, that the Minister would attend the House in order that we can have a full, open and transparent debate on the contents of the unedited report.
I pay tribute to Henry Shefflin on his retirement. I am from a county which has not fallen to his masterful skills and can praise him fulsomely and wholly. We never lost an all-Ireland hurling final and have a clear track record of winning one out of one. We then retired and concentrated on football. Maybe some counties should do the same.
I appreciate those comments.
We have won the Christy Ring cup and other competitions. It will come as news to the Government that I want to thank and praise it and I ask the Leader to give me some indulgence in this regard.
The Leader has no say in it at all.
The Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport, Deputy Paschal Donohoe, who is a former Senator, will come to Kerry tomorrow and we will give him a full welcome. He will visit the Valentia marine rescue co-ordination centre. The Members opposite-----
That is not a matter for the Order of Business.
It was a matter that was raised here many times on the Order of Business. There were attempts by both Governments to close it. A previous Fianna Fáil Minister attempted to have it shut down and the local community and a national campaign, in which Mick O'Connell was involved-----
The Senator is well over the time.
We managed to keep it open. I praise all involved.
I assure Senator O'Brien that the system for those aged under six and over 70 will be up and running before the end of the year. The Senator referred to fampridine yesterday. The HSE received an application for the inclusion of fampridine in the General Medical Services and community drugs schemes. The application was considered in line with the procedures and timescales agreed by the Department of Health and the HSE with the Irish Pharmaceutical Healthcare Association for the assessment of new medicines. In accordance with these procedures, the National Centre for Pharmacoeconomics conducted an evaluation of fampridine and concluded that the manufacturer was unable to demonstrate sufficient effectiveness and a fair price for fampridine in the Irish health care setting. It was unable to recommend the reimbursement of the product. On foot of this the HSE decided that it was not in a position to add the drug to the list of reimbursable items supplied under the GMS and other community drug systems and schemes.
It was open to the supplier to submit a new application to the HSE for the inclusion of fampridine in the community drugs schemes, incorporating new evidence which would demonstrate the cost-effectiveness of the drug by offering it at a reduced price, or both. The revised application was received by the HSE in July 2014. It has since engaged with the company, seeking an improved commercial offering. These engagements have been completed and the HSE is now considering their outcome. The HSE has also had discussions with clinical experts on this drug, the outcome of which is also being considered.
I thank the Leader.
Senator Landy and many others welcomed the extra 2.5 hours for children with Down's syndrome. It is a step in the right direction, as many stated. It is a first step and it is to be hoped the hours will be increased.
Senator Landy also welcomed the agreement at Cabinet on the situation of Waterford Crystal workers. As he correctly pointed out, it has been an anxious six-year wait for them in Waterford and the south east for the €180 million pension package agreed by the Cabinet and introduced by the Minister, Deputy Burton. A key part of the package will see lump sum payments based on time served with the company, as opposed to being linked to the Waterford Crystal staff and factory pension scheme. This increases the lump sum costs by €4 million to €45 million. Workers will get €1,200 per year in pensionable company service on top of their pensions.
As was signalled, there will also be provision for the next-of-kin of deceased workers who were originally denied entitlements when the firm and its pension fund became insolvent. The total cost of the package will be funded through the Department of Social Protection. The deal was hammered out after talks began in December between the trade union Unite, Government officials and the consultants Mercer, under the Labour Relations Commission chairman, Kieran Mulvey. The settlement will bring long overdue peace of mind to the workers and their families. It is to be hoped that the payments will begin in very early course.
Senators Landy, Bradford and Wilson referred to town councils. As Senator Bradford pointed out, it was stated in a reply to him a couple of weeks ago that there are no plans in place to restore town councils at this stage, but there was a possibility that a review could be initiated. We will have to wait.
Senators van Turnhout and Mary Ann O'Brien referred to Diageo stepping down from the Stop Out-of-Control Drinking campaign, something which was welcomed by quite a number of Members. They also highlighted that there should be no role for drinks companies in public health matters and schools.
Senator Naughton welcomed the recent job announcements from Apple and IDT in Galway, but also pointed out the skills deficit in some areas and the need to address that. I will bring the matter to the attention of the Minister, Deputy Bruton, and it is to be hoped he can address it. I also welcome the 50 Sun Life jobs announced in my city today, which will be welcomed by everybody in Waterford.
Senator Norris raised the question of Commencement debates and the changes we have initiated. They have been working quite well but I see his point. We needed 12 for a quorum, which reduced to six after a short period. Twenty-three people spoke. People are coming in at the end of debates when they are practically over, and they drag on. We will have to examine the situation. We had Commencement debates and the Order of Business changed to allow people to be present for the Order of Business. People contribute but do not remain in the Chamber. A number of people who raise matters on the Order of Business do not have the courtesy to wait for a reply. We have to look at ourselves when we talk about Seanad reform and the system within the House. Senator Norris also referred to Waterford Crystal workers and made comparisons with Aer Lingus. They are two very different matters.
Senator Burke referred to waiting list backlogs and the need to recruit social workers. He said a timeline should be put in place.
I agree with him and will endeavour to have the Minister come to the House to address that matter.
Senator Diarmuid Wilson raised the matter of town councils, which I have addressed. There is no doubt the workload of county councillors has increased significantly since the abolition of the town councils.
True.
That additional work is being carried out without additional resources and additional allowances for councillors. That issue should be taken into consideration. If it was any other walk of life there would be uproar in respect of the increased workload for councillors. It is practically a full-time job at present. I note the Senator's points in respect of the Seanad Public Consultation Committee and thank him for his presence. Like some other Members, he was in attendance for the entire session. Senator Paul Coghlan also asked a question in respect of that issue. We would hope to have the report published within a number of weeks and to have the Minister come in for a debate on its contents and recommendations.
Senator Marie Moloney mentioned the community and voluntary support scheme and the 23 organisations excluded last year. I suggest she table that issue for a Commencement debate with a view to getting answers from the relevant Minister.
Yesterday, Senator James Heffernan raised the matter of rural post offices and the letter that issued to a customer from the Department of Social Protection. I have secured a debate, as requested by the Senator, for Thursday, 2 April 2015, immediately following the Order of Business, where we can discuss the letter that issued in respect of paying people's pensions into banks and so on. The Senator also raised the issue of ash dieback disease. We had a debate on the issue about two years ago but I will investigate the possibility of having another debate on that matter. The Senator welcomed the PolskaÉire festival which was held on Sunday last and was a great success. I think solidarity will be suspended on Sunday next when we play Poland in the European Cup game.
Senator Pat O'Neill and other Senators mentioned Henry Shefflin's retirement. Being from Mullinavat, which is close to my own city, he was certainly a thorn in our side for many years. We all wish him well in his retirement. He is a wonderful sportsman.
Senator O'Neill expressed concern at the price of petrol and diesel and asked that the issue be examined by consumer affairs and that the Minister be invited here to discuss the matter. I will try to arrange that debate.
Senator Paul Bradford raised the issue of town councils and local government structures. I am sure we will have further debates on that issue.
Senator Mary Moran highlighted the Hope Foundation's campaign on gender equality, called SHE IS. It is to be recommended.
Senator David Cullinane raised the matter of Irish Water and Bord Gáis. That matter was raised by Senator Gerard P. Craughwell yesterday and responded to. On the issue of whether the Government has the confidence and support of the majority of citizens in the State, that issue will be decided by the people of the State next year in a general election, a State which the party of which the Senator is a member refused to recognise for many years until recently.
Senator Paul Coghlan raised the issue of farm safety. I have outlined when that report will come before the House.
Senators Mary Ann O'Brien and Catherine Noone raised the matter of vending machines and the whole question of overweight and obesity. I hope Members will not take up Senator Mary Ann O'Brien's suggestion of a sugar fix before the Order of Business; they are bad enough already. I take the point in respect of vending machines.
Senator John Kelly raised the issue of rural post offices. As I have said, the letter from the Department of Social Protection will be dealt with on 2 April 2015.
Senator Rónán Mullen raised the issue of balance during the referendum campaign. I can assure him there will be fairness and balance in this House and that is all I can answer for.
Senator Michael Mullins highlighted the variable mortgage rates being charged by Irish banks and the excessive charges at the expense of the consumer. I will endeavour to have the Minister for Finance come to the House to address that matter and the whole area of banking. A debate on that matter is overdue.
Senator Thomas Byrne mentioned the cuts to Leader funding. I accept there have been cuts to Leader funding but increased funding has been provided for the LEOs throughout the length and breadth of the country and much more money will be coming through local authorities.
Senator Catherine Noone raised the ESRI report and the good news on employment and the economy.
Senator Mark Daly raised the issue of medical cards, and called for a debate on the HIQA report which he said is being suppressed by the HSE. The latter matter was raised by Senator Whelan yesterday to which I gave a comprehensive reply.
Senator Darragh O'Brien has proposed an amendment to the Order of Business: "That a one hour debate with the Minister for Health to update the House on the proposals to provide free GP care to those under six years and over 70 years of age be taken today." Is the amendment being pressed?
Amendment put:
The Seanad divided: Tá, 13; Níl, 24.
Tá
- Byrne, Thomas.
- Craughwell, Gerard P.
- Crown, John.
- Daly, Mark.
- Leyden, Terry.
- Mooney, Paschal.
- Mullen, Rónán.
- Norris, David.
- Ó Murchú, Labhrás.
- O'Brien, Darragh.
- Power, Averil.
- Walsh, Jim.
- Wilson, Diarmuid.
Níl
- Bacik, Ivana.
- Burke, Colm.
- Coghlan, Eamonn.
- Coghlan, Paul.
- Comiskey, Michael.
- Conway, Martin.
- Cummins, Maurice.
- D'Arcy, Jim.
- Hayden, Aideen.
- Higgins, Lorraine.
- Kelly, John.
- Landy, Denis.
- Moloney, Marie.
- Moran, Mary.
- Mulcahy, Tony.
- Mullins, Michael.
- Naughton, Hildegarde.
- Noone, Catherine.
- O'Brien, Mary Ann.
- O'Neill, Pat.
- Sheahan, Tom.
- van Turnhout, Jillian.
- Whelan, John.
- Zappone, Katherine.
Tellers: Tá, Senators Paschal Mooney and Diarmuid Wilson; Níl, Senators Paul Coghlan and Aideen Hayden.
Amendment declared lost.
Order of Business agreed to.