The Order of Business is No. 1, Education (Admission to Schools) Bill 2016 - Committee Stage, to be taken at 12.45 p.m. and to be adjourned no later than 3 p.m. if not previously concluded; No. 2, Judicial Appointments Commission Bill 2017 - Second Stage, to be taken at 3 p.m. and to be adjourned no later than 5.50 p.m., if not previously concluded, with contributions of group spokespersons not to exceed 12 minutes and all other Senators not to exceed six minutes; No. 3, Private Members' business, Short-term Lettings Bill 2018 - Second Stage, to be taken at 6 p.m. with the time allocated to the debate not to exceed two hours; and No. 4, statements on mental health care provision in the south-east region, to be taken on the conclusion of No. 3 and to conclude within 45 minutes, with the time allocated to group spokespersons not to exceed six minutes; Members may share time and the Minister to be given less than three minutes to reply to the debate.
Order of Business
Today I wish to raise two items. The first relates to the commentary that homeless families may be moved out of emergency accommodation given the increased volume of tourists in Dublin city during the papal visit in August. This report is very worrying. Despite reports to the contrary, Fr. Peter McVerry commented today that this will affect families currently living in hotels. He understands that they will be told that rooms will be pre-booked for the visit and they will have to move out. There are 1,712 homeless families living in emergency accommodation in Dublin. Some 110 people sleep rough each night. The idea of homeless families having to leave emergency accommodation goes very much against the spirit of Christianity and what the Pope is trying to achieve.
I understand President Trump's zero tolerance policy in regard to the separation of children from their parents on the Mexican border may have been raised yesterday. I condemn this policy in the fullest possible way. We have been presented with nightmare scenes where families have been separated from their children. It is heartbreaking and terrifying for any family to even contemplate such a separation. To think this is happening in a so-called modern democracy is unbelievable. I concur with and commend the Taoiseach on his comments today. He called it a mistake for President Trump to leave the UN Human Rights Council on foot of world and UN criticism. I call for a debate in the House on the matter. I am glad to hear that eight states have recalled their National Guard troops from the border. A shocking statistic which I learned was that to date in April and May of this year, 1,995 children have been separated from their parents who are facing prosecution for crossing the border unlawfully. It is unbelievable that this is happening in a modern democracy and country we call a friend. I want to put that on the record.
I take this opportunity to raise some concerns which were brought to my attention. An "In the Balance" programme for the BBC World Service in Newry interviewed business leaders, those involved in industry and students in the Border area seeking their opinion on what the implications of Brexit would be for them. Many students raised concerns about education, in particular further education, in a post-Brexit situation. I draw the attention of the House to statistics from the Royal Irish Academy. Currently, more than 12,500 students move between Ireland and the UK for higher education, study and training in 2015 -2016. In addition, 3,000 to 4,000 students move between Northern Ireland and Ireland each year to access higher education and professional training. Furthermore, Ireland currently has 1,157 partners and links with UK partners in academia and research. Some 63% of successful Horizon 2020 applications for Northern Ireland involved a partner from Ireland. More than 12,900 research projects were produced through collaboration between Irish and UK researchers between 2012 and 2016. The startling fact is that this is more than all of the publications of Germany and France combined. There are significant concerns about the implications of a post-Brexit scenario.
My concerns and those of the students to whom I spoke last week were about the lack of clarity at this point in time about the situation post-Brexit. Let us consider the financial situation. In England and Wales students from Northern Ireland and Ireland pay the same fees as residents of those countries. Those in England pay €10,512, those in Wales pay €10,227 and those in Northern Ireland pay around €4,728. Until the end of the academic year 2019-2020, in Scotland Irish and EU students will pay the same education levy as Scottish students, which is currently around €2,068.
There is currently no clarity about what this will look like after Brexit. There is no clarity on what an Irish student will pay but it is thought that Irish and EU students will pay international fees. Those international fees currently range from €11,366 for lecture-based courses to a staggering €43,183 for clinical-based degrees in the UK and Northern Ireland. We must remember that these are all subject to the fluctuation of exchange rates, which will impact on the numbers. There was a statement from Europe in March 2018 on the status of EU and EEA students. It said:
As we know, after Brexit there will be no change to the tuition fee status of EU/EEA students currently attending UK universities or those applying for courses starting in 201819.
The fees that EU/EEA students are required to pay after the UK has formally left the EU [...] will depend on what is agreed as part of the UK’s exit negotiations. Recently, the Scottish Government extended its pledge of free university tuition for European Union students to the cohort arriving in 2019-2020, covering the period immediately after the UK’s exit from the bloc.
This announcement gives some clarity and assurance to universities in Scotland, but most importantly demonstrates to EU students that they continue to have full residency rights and to be welcome in Scotland. Unfortunately, there is no such clarity about the implications for EU students during the post-Brexit transition period in England, Northern Ireland and Wales.
Another concern for this House today is that capacity within Ireland is under pressure. Some 15,000 extra students were absorbed into the higher education institutes between 2013 and 2016. There has been a 17% rise in international applications for these courses. In addition, the links and close affiliations with UK universities in respect of research and development is a concern. In conclusion, I would like to draw the Leader's attention to a statement made by the UK Minister of State with responsibility for higher education in May. He said:
That is why we are committed to maintaining rights of Irish nationals to access higher and further education courses on a reciprocal basis. This includes rights to qualify for home fee status, student loans and other support, subject to meeting the same eligibility criteria as UK nationals.
I am concerned about terms such as "committed to", "hope to", "keen to" and "working towards". They do not fill me with confidence. I ask that the Minister or a representative address the House on these concerns.
I again have to raise the issue of the water supply in the village of Murrisk, which is near Westport, and the surrounding areas. I know I have raised this before. I have submitted several Commencement matters on the issue which have all been refused. It really is a serious problem and it is escalating.
Before somebody says that if we had water charges we would have a water supply there, the connection between Westport and Louisburgh was agreed as far back as 2007, when the plans were drawn up. We also have to remember that putting money in a rainy day fund when people do not have a proper water supply is just not acceptable.
I want to read an extract from one of the notes I got from people living in the area. It is from a man whose wife is expecting a baby in the near future. He says, "I personally store my water in a settlement tank in our garden, pump it into our house through an expensive treatment system", and that, "we buy bottled water". He goes on to say, "The pipe moves when the torrent is fast due to heavy rain, or if it hasn’t rained water does not get into the pipe." It is a pipe coming out of a stream. He says, "I have spent hours on winter nights up the mountain sometimes knee deep in freezing cold water, trying to get our water back by removing airlocks etc." It is not acceptable that we have people living in conditions like this in 2018 just because they are living in the west of Ireland.
It does not only affect the residents living in that area between Westport and Louisburgh, but the thousands upon thousands of people who visit Croagh Patrick every year. In a couple of weeks' time we will have thousands climbing the Reek. Something absolutely has to be done. I ask the Leader to ask the Minister, Deputy Eoghan Murphy, to come to the House to discuss this and other areas in the country that do not have a proper water supply. We really need to get some water to these people. As I said, a rainy day fund is not an option when we have whole areas such as this one without a proper water supply.
Last year I brought a Bill to the House called the Controlled Drugs and Harm Reduction Bill 2017. At the time there was a lot of commentary on it from Senators, which was fairly positive. Obviously, some Senators asked very legitimate questions and raised concerns. I have not pushed that Bill back onto the agenda because the Minister of State carried out the national drugs strategy and then published her report. She also then committed to setting up a consultation process, which is currently under way.
The area of addiction and trying to move it out of the justice system and towards the health system is something that is very close to my heart both for personal and professional reasons. The closing date for that consultation is 30 June and I encourage Senators to take part in that consultation process and add their voices to it, and to encourage their constituents and fellow party members to do the same. One does not have to do a huge amount of work. There is a simple survey which Senators may want to fill out. The questions and how they have been worded on behalf of that consultation group are very positive. I was really happy to see how it had been laid out and the options that were given. I ask Senators, who at some stage will come back to talk about decriminalisation of addiction and about marginalisation, to take the time ahead of that debate to also have their say and be part of that consultation process.
This morning we woke up to news on "Morning Ireland" of possible changes to the MetroLink. They may be welcome, as they are for those GAA clubs which were to be inconvenienced temporarily, even if that temporary inconvenience was to last six years. I ask the Leader to ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport to come to the House to explain what precisely is going on in respect of transport in the city of Dublin. We are constantly waking up to announcements from Fine Gael backbenchers in respect of BusConnects and the MetroLink, but we do not hear a word from the Minister.
In case the Minister is not aware, the proposal on the southside is to erect a Berlin Wall-like structure right across the southside running from Ranelagh to Milltown, yet we have not heard a word from the National Transport Authority in this regard. We have seen how the Minister for Finance lobbied for changes on the northside, as did the Taoiseach. Outside of the public consultation period, we are now hearing news that there will be changes on the northside. That may be very welcome for the people of the northside but what is proposed for the southside is a permanent structure. It involves the demolition of homes and houses and erecting a barrier between communities, yet the residents of that area have had no opportunity to make submissions to the Joint Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport, as was allowed for those on the northside. We have had silence from Deputy Eoghan Murphy with respect to this issue and how it affects Dublin Bay South, especially the Ranelagh area.
There is an onus on the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport to outline his plans - not the plans of Fine Gael, Deputy Noel Rock or Deputy Paschal Donohoe - for proper infrastructure for this city. Are we making it up on the back of an envelope again?
Yes.
Out goes any consideration. We drive bulldozers through the communities and villages of this city without proper consultation. I want to see the Minister in here as soon as humanly possible. I am not calling for him today because I know the Leader may have a problem getting him in here today, but I will certainly be raising the issue of one section of the city being treated differently from another over and over again in this House. It is grossly unfair, unequal and it is now time for the political representatives in those areas to stand up and give their communities a clear voice, as the Minister for Finance and the Taoiseach have done for theirs. Unfortunately, there is silence on the southside. Who is now running the transport plans for this city?
Is it Deputy Rock or is it the Minister, Deputy Ross?
I congratulate the Minister for Justice and Equality on his marking of the 25th anniversary of Máire Geoghegan-Quinn's legislation to decriminalise homosexuality with an apology to the victims of that criminalisation. It was a landmark human rights legislation and it represented the evolution of our society and civilization. In that regard I congratulate Senator Norris for the lone pioneering work he did in the area when it was not a publicly popular cause. I also will briefly reference something else from yesterday before making the substantive point I wish to make today. I concur with remarks made yesterday about the separation of children on the Mexican border. It is a horror. As foreign affairs spokesman for our party, I am in total agreement with those comments. It is a shocking and horrendous case, particularly from the beacon of the free world, the United States.
There are reports this morning that we could be heading for a crash-out Brexit and please God that will not happen. In the event of this happening, it is vital that we have a package of support, particularly for businesses along the Border corridor. It will have to include tax concessions and other positive support from the Government. It will have to be real and take account of a fall in sterling and its impact along the Border. It will be incumbent on the Taoiseach and the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine to fight vehemently to maintain the Common Agricultural Policy at its current level. There is a proposed 5% reduction unless we get five remaining countries to agree to increase their contribution to the budget and that must happen. I ask the Minister and the Taoiseach to make very strong efforts in that respect.
I ask the Leader to bring in the relevant Ministers to this House for a very serious discussion on what we will do in that doomsday scenario. How will we support tourism, small business, food processing and manufacturing in the Border counties? What practical aid will be given to the people in Cavan, Monaghan and right along the Border to deal with what will be a frightening position if it arises?
I ask the Leader to request the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade, Deputy Coveney, to come to the House as soon as possible to explain the extraordinarily long delays in obtaining passports. It really has got out of control and it sometimes takes up to 35 days to either obtain or renew a passport. It is causing major distress in families, particularly if they are outside the Dublin urban area. Most public representatives are talking about this. It is practically impossible to get through to the Passport Office by phone. On Thursday I got through after 25 minutes and after giving information about a really distressed young lady who wants to go on holidays, I was told by a staff member that under data protection regulations, the case could not be discussed with me. This is totally untrue. We were advised by a senior legal firm in Dublin - the parliamentary party had a seminar this morning - that under section 40(3) of the Data Protection Act 2018, public representatives such as Senators, Deputies and councillors are entitled to discuss a case with any State office. Somebody needs to tell somebody somewhere that this is happening.
I rang the Minister's office yesterday and told him about this and I was told it had never heard the story before. It is a concern because if we are dealing with Brexit but cannot sort out the Passport Office in Ireland, where are we going? We know there is a rush on. Applications are coming in for joint passports from Northern Ireland or Britain and there should be a priority system to take this into account as most of those people have passports anyway. Such applications for a joint passport could be done during a lull. Representatives of the Passport Office will appear before the Committee of Public Accounts tomorrow and our colleague, Deputy Fleming, made that request. I hope they will give good answers to the questions put to them by public representatives.
Data protection regulations are being used and abused by the public service to prevent us as Senators, as well as Deputies and councillors, getting information regarding constituents. We are legally entitled to discuss a case with any public official because constituents have instructed us to act on their behalf. We should be clear about that. I ask the Leader to tell the Government to get the house in order. The Tánaiste, Deputy Coveney, should get the instruction to the Passport Office to answer the telephone and inform the staff accordingly. They should be able to tell us the passport will be available for collection or posting.
Today is World Refugee Day, which honours the strength and courage of refugees and encourages public awareness and support of refugees and people who have had to flee their homeland because of conflict and natural disaster. It is a good reason to have a World Refugee Day and stand in solidarity with such people. Today we received a report from Mr. Brian Dawson, the communications manager of the Irish Human Rights and Equality Commission. I had a look at it this morning and there were three matters that jumped off the page. There was mention of how the International Protection Act 2015 should be amended, as well as the definition of family members in a way that complies with international human rights obligations. The report suggests we should amend the 12-month limit on applications for family reunification and it suggests that we should clarify in law the rights and programmes for refugees with respect to reunification, as well as the rights of refugees who require Irish citizenship. The report challenges us as legislators to introduce legislation and I suggest Members might look at that at some point. It is important to acknowledge that today is World Refugee Day.
We received the summer economic statement for 2018 after it was published by the Minister for Finance, Deputy Donohoe. I welcome it. In the report it is striking that the Minister speaks of maintaining a broad tax base that generates sustainable revenue necessary to fund public services. It is a very reasonable and pragmatic approach. We cannot spend money that we simply do not have and we must have sustainable revenue. It is a really positive and strong message. The statement argues we should continue to be prudent in the management of our public finances, which is positive. It is a really positive document overall. I suggest, if it is appropriate, that we have a debate or presentation on this important statement.
I raise the matter of student accommodation. I met representatives of the Union of Students in Ireland and it is interesting that top of their list was the matter of student accommodation. There is an increasing number of students leading to increased demand for student accommodation. However, there has been a decrease in the mount of available accommodation. I ask the Leader to ask the relevant Minister - whether it is the Minister for Education and Skills or the Minister for Housing, Environment and Local Government - about this. I was under the impression there was an expanding pipeline of student accommodation being made available but it appears that is not the case. In Galway, there was a rent increase of 18% announced during college examinations for the official student accommodation there. It is in a rent pressure zone and I thought legislation would only allow for a 4% increase but it appears this does not apply to student accommodation. I would like that point to be clarified. The announcement during examinations meant that students were limited in what they could do but I understand the case is heading to the courts now.
Students are commuting long distances in trying to get around these problems. They are sleeping on sofas and all the rest of it. It is a major issue and it is raising its head as students finalise exams, get results and seek accommodation.
I ask that we find out exactly what the situation is and what is being done about it.
I thank the Senator for his brevity.
I will begin by asking that we take No. 11 of the non-Government motions on today's Order Paper without debate. It is a very simple motion on the issue to which I referred yesterday, namely, the ongoing dispute at LloydsPharmacy. It calls on LloydsPharmacy to respect the Labour Court recommendation. It would send a very strong signal if all of us could unite on that topic today.
I wish to raise another issue relating to workers' rights.
I have no problem with the Senator raising the matter but the rules restrict me from allowing him to formally amend the Order of Business to deal with that matter today. The Senator must give four days' notice. He can raise the issue but it is not appropriate to formally move the amendment. My hands are tied.
If the Cathaoirleach's hands are tied, I fully respect that. I thank him for the advice.
I want to raise another issue relating to workers' rights in the hotel sector. It is an issue that interests all of us because a number of us stay in hotels. Many Senators pay an awful lot of money to do so. There are major problems in the sector. I will be away next week at the Council of Europe so I want to highlight now that I will have representatives of those working in the sector and their union, SIPTU, coming in to tell us about what is happening in the hotel sector at 1 p.m. on Tuesday, 3 July, in the AV room. They will talk about rates of pay, the prevalence of zero-hour and low-hour contracts, issues regarding health and safety, reduced VAT rates and the industrial relations climate. Unfortunately, the Irish Hotels Federation has given a clear instruction to all hotel members not to deal with unions. That is absolutely unacceptable. I know the Leader will agree with me in that respect. It is particularly unacceptable when our Government is giving a massive subsidy to these hotels. We can debate the merits of the subsidy but surely we can all agree on the fact that if hotels are getting it, the very least we should expect them to do is to talk to their workers and their representatives.
There are major issues involved. I am aware of a man who has been working in a major hotel in Kerry for 30 years and who is still on €10 an hour. The same man was terrified that his car might be seen outside the SIPTU office in Kerry. These are the conditions of fear, loathing and poor pay that are prevalent in the hotel sector. I urge all Members who are available on the Tuesday after next to come along and hear directly from the workers involved. I am also calling for a debate on this issue.
I will also outline my sentiments regarding the actions of the USA in respect of the American-Mexican border. To hear the recording of small children crying and looking for their parents was horrific. I would like the House to write to the American Embassy and say this is not good enough and that we will not accept it. It was horrendous to hear the recording on ITV last night of little children crying looking for their parents.
On budget 2019, I welcome that the Minister has an extra €850 million spend next year. One issue that is raised with me on a regular basis is the complete removal of the bereavement grant. It is time to bring back the grant if we have a budget surplus. Some families struggle to pay funeral fees, with the average funeral now costing between €5,000 and €6,000. The grant to some people meant recognition by the State of a loved one. The grant was €800. If we cannot afford to bring it back in its entirety, €500 would be a start. We have a system in place at the moment which is being abused. The old way was fairer because everybody was recognised by the State. If people cannot pay in its entirety we will help them through the community welfare office and the social welfare office. We will be meeting the Minister this evening and I will be seeking to raise this issue. I do not see any reason that the bereavement grant cannot be restored in budget 2019.
I draw the attention of the House to the withdrawal of the United States from the United Nations Human Rights Council. The United States has a point when it suggests that many of those on the council, including its chair, are from countries that are notorious human rights abusers. It would be much better if the United States remained on the council and tried to reform from the inside. It is not unrelated that this comes at a time when the United States is barbarously mistreating parents and children along the Mexican border. The latter is extremely regrettable. It is notable that four First Ladies, including President Trump's wife, have criticised this measure. It is also significant that the US cites criticism of Israel as one of the reasons for its withdrawal. Criticism of Israel is perfectly appropriate. More sinisterly, the Israeli Minister for Strategic Affairs and Public Diplomacy has issued a report that attacks organisations in this country such as Trócaire and suggests that they have ties to terror and to boycotts against Israel. The report says that directly and, indirectly, that said organisations are misusing money. Clearly, the Israeli Government is involved in a very aggressive policy to try to discredit NGOs who stand up for the human rights of the Palestinian people. It must be fought back against and denounced. This is all very much in step with the American Administration's decision to withhold funding from United Nations Relief and Works Agency, UNRWA, earlier this year. It is all part of a diplomatic attempt by the Israelis to divert attention from the gross human rights abuses in which they are involved in Gaza.
The Minister of State, Deputy Jim Daly, will be in the House this evening to discuss mental health issues and the provision of care in the south-east region. I ask that the Minister for Health be brought before us in the near future to discuss the inexcusable waiting lists for patients in the south-east. I have a letter that was sent to a woman in County Waterford. It is marked "urgent" and states that the patient should expect to be seen in 65 months, which is over five years. I thought it was a misprint so I rang the HSE and it informed me it is not. People can wait up to nine years for non-urgent appointments. The definition of "urgent" refers to something that is top priority, important or vital. It is very difficult. What does one tell a person who is in pain on a daily basis when the person has to wait five years for a urology appointment? The urology service in Waterford hospital is being provided by two consultants, three registrars, one SHO, one intern and one clinical nurse manager. These eight people cover a population of 510,000. They receive an average of 182 new referrals per month. They are doing their very best. There are 160 new patients and 198 review patients being seen in the outpatient department every month. I understand the pressures on the system. I work in the system. In this particular case, with urgent urology appointments stretching over five years, I would be grateful if we could have the Minister in at some stage in the future to discuss it because it needs particular attention.
This morning, the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment, Deputy Naughten, announced that he is speeding up the roll-out of power points for electric cars nationwide in line with Government policy to the effect that all fossil fuel cars will be eliminated by 2030. This is a very ambitious plan. The target date is 12 years away. I ask that the Minister be brought before the House to discuss the plan. I have raised this matter on numerous occasions. For a person travelling from Limerick to Dublin in an electric car, there is only one point at which to recharge the vehicle.
It is very difficult for people to go the full distance. We have three or four points in Limerick and we need to consider this in depth.
We are all dealing with passport issues. The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade's web page on passports needs to be updated regularly. It states that if people use Passport Express, they should allow six weeks. That should be at least eight or nine weeks. People should then be directed to make an appointment with the Passport Office. Someone 18 years of age or older can renew a passport online and have it issued within in two weeks. If people are under pressure having lost their passport, they can use the rapid renewal service online and make an appointment. While I take on board what was said previously about passports, the information on the website is out of date. It needs to be updated daily because getting a passport depends on which option a person takes. Most of the difficulties arise with Passport Express. People apply and are told it will take six weeks and panic in week seven if they do not have it. They call us and we then call the Passport Office. If they knew how long it would take, they would go online to renew or use the rapid renewal service. The process exists but people are being put through hell unnecessarily. If they knew the best way to go, they would use that. Passport Express does not take only six weeks currently. The Department needs to update the website daily and give people information on the various ways to getting a passport. They just need to know the one that will guarantee their passport on time.
Based on my own and my family's experience, it would be prudent and wise if, before they booked a flight, travel agencies would ensure the person's passport was up to date.
Sin scéal eile.
I propose an amendment to the Order of Business to request that the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment comes to the House to explain what is going on with the Sparkasse community bank because a report states that the Government has decided not to pursue that model. It affects every town and rural locale in Ireland. I will not take "No" for an answer. I want to know what is going on and why the Government made that decision.
That needs to be seconded.
I will second that.
I also want to give two pieces of advice to the Government. The Cabinet needs to sit down and decide about homelessness in a co-ordinated and communicative way. Most of us do not know what is going on, where, how and on behalf of whom. The information is completely dissipated.
I attended a packed conference this morning on positive aging in age-friendly cities and counties. The stories on the health service would make one's hair stand on end. Senator Swanick said the same thing earlier. This is a good Government but it has lost focus and is all over the place. The two biggest problems are homelessness and the health service. The Cabinet should be in a room to co-ordinate these two problems, especially the health service. Young nurses, radiographers, occupational therapists, physiotherapists and interns are running out of the country because nobody who earns between €44,000 and €60,000 a year has any chance of ever being able to make a home here. That is a serious problem in respect of health services and homelessness. That is what the entire Cabinet should be considering, and not dispersing around the country on different issues and congratulating itself and others.
I join Senator Boyhan in recognising World Refugee Day. It is important to continue to highlight the atrocities occurring around the world but also to give support to the many agencies helping those in refugee camps. I visited a refugee camp on the Sudanese border some years ago and they are difficult to manage. There were more than 570,000 people from four countries living in the camp I visited. Protection and food must be provided. At times it is difficult to get food into those areas. I was there in March and the camp needed to bring in 58,000 tonnes of food by June, otherwise it would not have been able to get it in during the rainy season. The nearest port was 2,500 km away. That is the challenge in dealing with refugees and we need to be conscious of that. While the economy here is doing well, it is important that we do not forget that there are major challenges in other jurisdictions, which we need to support.
One of the big problems for those on the housing waiting list is that with the economic upturn, people are receiving increased salaries and, as a result, are above the earning limit to remain on the list. The qualifying criterion to be on the waiting list is €39,325 in joint income. I was contacted by a family last week, comprising a couple with three children, who are now earning €39,900 and have been advised that they no longer qualify to be on the housing waiting list. That is a serious issue. People should not be penalised because there is an upturn in the economy. There is no way on earth that a couple earning €40,000 can secure and pay a mortgage on a house.
Hear, hear.
It is a huge challenge facing us.
It is a joke.
We need to review this and change the qualifying criteria but we also need to deliver houses. We need to do much more in that area.
I also wish to raise the United States withdrawal from the UN Human Rights Council, perhaps as a kick back in respect of the separation policy it is attempting to apply at its borders. It is like the response of a petulant child who does not get his or her own way - "Nyah, nyah, nyah, nyah, nyah".
I commend RTÉ on the wonderful documentary last night, "No Country for Women". It was extremely powerful. It reminded me of the journey we have made and I have been involved in some of its latter stages. It showed how women have been incarcerated in this country for a long time. I am grateful the women who were in the programme, and I offer a special "Thank you" to one of the secretarial assistant staff in the Seanad, Samantha Long, who conducted a wonderful investigation into the life of her grandmother who was incarcerated in Grangegorman. It was an emotional roller coaster. I urge everybody to watch the second part tonight.
I thank the Senator for her brevity.
Senator Marie Louise O'Donnell has been critical of my use of my phone in this Chamber so I want to make sure I build bridges by seconding her amendment to the Order of Business, like a good student.
When there is peace on the Korean peninsula there are all sorts of possibilities.
Building bridges.
I hope that is done now.
On the question of housing another debate with the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government would be beneficial and important.
Senator Humphreys and I have discussed the importance of reinstating the rent-to-buy scheme. It was available ten years ago and allowed people to raise enough money for a deposit while still renting. I refer to that stuck generation who still live at home even though they are in their 20s, 30s and 40s. The scheme allowed for the entire rent paid for the previous three years to go towards a deposit. It meant one did not have a situation where people who were renting had to try to save for a deposit at the same time. Before the economic crash, the rent-to-buy scheme worked for quite a number of people and I believe the scheme should be reintroduced. The Labour Party will include such a proposal as part of its pre-budget submission. We should proactively work with city and county councils to reintroduce the scheme.
I want to refer to US border policy and the current practice of separating families at the southern border of the United States. A number of years ago I called Donald Trump a fascist. One thing that clearly identifies a person as being fascist is to pick on a very vulnerable group, dehumanise them, blame them for everything and treat them in the most appalling manner. Sadly, such disgusting political behaviour has begun to spread because recently, the Italian Government issued statements about the Roma community who live in Italy. We should not be surprised about what has happened at the southern border of the US because it follows a travel ban, loads of rhetoric and the fact that Donald Trump has called illegal immigrants animals.
I have to hand the invitation that all Members of the Oireachtas received by post from the chargé d'affaires of the United States Embassy. Of course there is no US ambassador to Ireland because that country has not bothered to give us one. The chargé d'affaires has invited us all to drink - I assume champagne - and to eat sausage rolls on 3 July to celebrate US Independence Day on 4 July. Bizarrely, the event is entitled "United We Rock".
Earlier we had a briefing with an American immigration lawyer, Ms Fiona McEntee, as well as Senator Lawless, who obviously also feels passionately about this issue. Earlier, there was representation from every political party in the House, which I was delighted to see. I am very taken by the strong statement made by the Tánaiste and by the motion tabled in this House by Fianna Fáil. I believe it is time for us to collectively and with one voice, given what is happening on the southern border of the United States, to refuse point blank to attend the reception and tell the chargé d'affaires the reasons we are not attending it.
Hear, hear.
Well done.
It would be a small gesture in response to a big issue. We can all see what is happening with Brexit, which has anti-immigration sentiments. We also have Trump and we have seen what has happened in Italy. In addition, after what has happened recently with our referendum and the referendum that took place a number of years ago, people look to us to stand for something better. Let us consider our history of coffin ships and Irish people being forced to emigrate to places all around the world, we must tell the chargé d'affaires in the American Embassy that no Member of the Oireachtas will attend his reception for 4 July.
I wish to speak about the child benefit scheme. This week, a man contacted my office to say he will lose a child benefit payment because his child, who attends a secondary school, will reach his 18th birthday before undertaking his leaving certificate examination. He is not working and has no income. In the UK, once a child remains in secondary education, the parent is entitled to receive child benefit, sometimes up to the age of 20. Sadly, that is not the case in this country. Although children are encouraged to undertake transition year to enhance their education, the cut-off age of 18 means many students will be affected because their 18th birthday falls before their leaving certificate examinations. It may even happen earlier if they avail of transition year. These students are still dependent on their parents in almost all cases because - perhaps nobody has noticed - it is almost impossible for young people to secure a part-time job. They still need to be clothed and they need books, stationery and food. They are definitely not self-sufficient. Unfortunately, it is a fact that child benefit is not paid for 18 year olds after the month of their birthday, even if they remain in education or training. As a result, this Government has placed an unnecessary financial burden on hard-pressed families. We need to consider extending the child benefit scheme to include children whose families need a bit of help once they remain in education. Households that are close to the poverty line rely on child benefit to pay for necessities. The money is not used to pay for foreign holidays. One hears claims that recipients of child benefit keep the money to pay for foreign holidays. I know of many hard-pressed families and the Leader should believe me when I say there is no such thing as free education. We need to consider the system and analyse what does and does not work. It is expensive to keep 18 year olds in secondary education because they still need a lot of clothing, help, etc. Therefore, we must ensure that we look after them. Child benefit is the only source of income for many women for their incredibly hard work over many years on which we do not put a value at present. I will ask the relevant Minister about the provision. Many parents have contacted me because they feel that such children are entitled to receive child benefit once they remain in secondary school and until they do their leaving certificate examination. It is crucial that the current provision is changed.
I do not know if the Leader has had an opportunity to watch the "RTÉ Investigates" programme that was broadcast last Monday evening. The programme dealt with the crisis of dumping in the countryside and the pathetic court sanctions imposed. In one case, the National Parks and Wildlife Service stated it had discovered the worst dumping incident its staff had ever seen. The court imposed a fine of €2,500.
Appalling.
Apparently, the perpetrators had to clean up their rubbish but that was only because they were forced to do so.
There is a real crisis in County Donegal. We had the incidence of Ferry's Refuse, which was extensively reported and which demonstrated the lack of power enjoyed by our courts and enforcement systems. "RTÉ Investigates" revealed there are tens of thousands of tonnes of illegal household waste dumped at a huge dump at a location in the hills in the Inishowen Peninsula and near Moville. If that was not bad enough, on Tuesday morning a constituent brought a recent report published by Village magazine to my attention. I warn Senators that I may cite its figures twice because they are so shocking. In 2011, the Sunday Life newspaper brought to the attention of Donegal County Council that up to 10 million tyres were buried in the hills above Carndonagh on the Inishowen Peninsula. It has been alleged that as many as 10 million tyres have been illegally buried in those hills by an operation from Derry working in conjunction with a landowner. Seven years later, Village magazine alleges that not only have the 10 million tyres not been removed but that as many as 6 million more tyres have been buried there subsequently, using a permit for land reclamation. I have talked about County Donegal but instances of dumping have occurred throughout western rural counties. In those counties, as one works one's way inland, there have been many instances of illegal waste being buried and each time, the perpetrators only get a slap on the wrist.
The Leader, who acts on behalf of the Government, must accept that the laws are not working. We have very good people who work as part of Tidy Towns groups. The volunteers work long hours to keep communities tidy, paint derelict buildings and so on. Schools proudly display their green flags and blue flags as part of an environmental scheme that teaches young people the value of the motto to reduce, reuse and recycle. Yet criminals or criminal gangs operate together throughout this country and make their fortunes while giving two fingers to the people. After lengthy prosecutions instigated by local authorities or the Environmental Protection Agency, EPA, which are very technical difficult cases to bring to court, the perpetrators just get a slap on the wrist. The legal system is a disaster and has failed. I ask the Government to learn from the fantastic investigative work done by "RTÉ Investigates". I urge the Government to urgently review the laws and improve resources. I believe we need one agency to tackle the issue and that we should not leave it to local authorities. One agency should be made responsible for making sure that waste is properly disposed of. It also must ensure that those who are involved in criminality are sent to jail rather than given a slap on the wrist.
Hear, hear.
Well done.
I watched the programme, Senator Mac Lochlainn. I was puzzled how such a substantial amount of illegal dumping could take place without somebody knowing somewhere. Many questions need to be answered, including the enforcement of the law raised by the Senator.
I call the next two speakers, who are Senator Ó Donnghaile and Senator Noone. I suggest that Senator Noone speaks first, to bring balance to the discussion.
I wholeheartedly agree with what Senator Mac Lochlainn has said about the dumping issue. We need to adopt a cross-party view on the environment as a whole.
Notwithstanding the issue pointed out by the Senator earlier, we have an uneducated population when it comes to the environment. That is reflected in how we are performing internationally on the environment. So much more needs to be done. I have been requesting a debate for some time just on the environment. We need a lengthy debate on it.
At local level, if one deposits something in a refuse bin on the street, there is no recycling at that level. Across the board, we are performing poorly on the environment. Every day it becomes more obvious, once one takes a keen interest in it. I support the Senator on that and anything that can be done to improve our laws in this area. In general, when it comes to the environment, our behaviour is way below par. Clearly, all sides of the House need to take a keener interest in the environment.
On the issue of the Mexican-US border, Senator Marie-Louise O’Donnell is correct. I do not know that the US President, Donald Trump, will give a damn if we do not turn up for a Fourth of July party which has been organised. However, it is something we can do to show what we think of his latest policy when it comes to the more vulnerable members of society. It is inhumane and horrific. The scenes and descriptions of how families are being treated would draw tears from anyone. Acts like this are happening in the US, a country that was seen in the past by Irish people and by many other nationalities as the land of hope and opportunity. This is how it is conducting itself now. It is a small gesture we could make on this and I support Senator Ó Ríordáin on this. The Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade, Deputy Coveney, has been vocal in his disgust at how these families are being treated on the Mexican-US border. Clearly, anything that can be done at an Irish level should be done.
Ba mhaith liom ábhar a ardú atá luaite agam roinnt mhaith uaireanta roimhe seo sa Seanad.
I want to raise an issue and use the Seanad as a platform to give some focus to its resolution. I accept we are limited in what we can do because I have sought to have the Minister in to speak on this issue previously but he says it is not his kick. It relates to the geo-blocking of sports programmes by satellite television providers, meaning RTÉ is blocked for viewers resident in the Six Counties. We used to be able to get RTÉ in the North by shifting our analogue aerials a certain way or adding on a box. This meant we could feel a degree of connection with news, events, sports and everything else happening across the rest of the island.
With the ending of analogue TV, satellite is the only option for us to get RTÉ. This is complex in that it involves negotiating licensing agreements and broadcasting rights. For a long time, RTÉ, Sky, Virgin and other providers acknowledged this was a problem. However, it made the front page of yesterday’s Irish News because of the sheer frustration the issue is causing This was an acknowledgment of the latest incident, namely the blocking of live coverage of "The Sunday Game" on RTÉ for viewers in the North.
It is a complex issue. However, at the heart of it, there has to be an acceptance and an acknowledgement by sporting organisations, such as the GAA and the FAI, that when they sell the rights to broadcast, arrangements are made for a bespoke set of circumstances which will allow someone in the Creggan to watch James McClean do the business for Ireland on the international stage rather than having to watch a blank screen stating the programme is not available in the country. RTÉ’s charter states it will provide services to have the character of a public service universally available to the whole community on the island of Ireland. That is currently not the case, however.
I accept we are limited in what we can do in that regard because, primarily, it is a private enterprise and exercise. However, borders has been the word of contention over the past 18 months to two years. There should be no digital partition of Ireland and no digital border. Whether it is our boxing, soccer or GAA heroes, we should have the universal ability to watch, follow and feel connected to their achievements.
Hear, hear.
Well said.
I thank the 22 Senators for their contributions to the Order of Business.
Senator Ardagh raised the issue of homeless families being moved out of emergency accommodation during the Pope’s visit in August. That would be contradictory if it was true and I hope that will not be the case.
Senators Ardagh, Butler, Norris, Devine, Noone and Ó Ríordáin raised the issue of the United States Government’s policy regarding the separation of families on the Mexican border. We had this discussion yesterday on the Order of Business. Today, there was the further announcement that the US will withdraw from the UN Human Rights Council, the first voluntary departure by a country. All of us stand united in condemnation of the policy of the separation of children from their parents and of the decision to withdraw from the UN Human Rights Council. It is an America alone and isolationist policy. However, we should not be surprised given the rhetoric emanating from the US President and those around him since he was elected, which is wrong. We stand in solidarity to ensure an end to the policy.
I welcome the attempts by the Democrats and Republicans in the US House of Representatives and the Senate to put forward some type of legislation to end this policy. There is merit in the suggestion by Senators Ó Ríordáin and Noone to boycott or absent ourselves from the Fourth of July independence celebrations in the US embassy. To be fair to the US chargé d'affaires in Dublin, he is not a politician; he is a civil servant who is simply doing his job. I do not necessarily agree with boycotts. I did not agree with Sinn Féin looking to boycott the Eurovision. I do not believe we should boycott sports. On this occasion, however, there is merit in our standing in solidarity as a country with those affected by the policies in question. As Senator Noone said, the US has been a beacon across the world. Many of our ancestors travelled there in pursuit of the American dream. I stand with the Taoiseach and the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade in condemning this policy.
Senator Marshall raised the issue of higher education students being affected by Brexit. It is a significant concern for those in further education. The Senator’s points require clarity and need to be addressed, especially when one considers higher education institutions have reached full capacity. Tomorrow is an important day in the Houses of the Oireachtas with the address by the European Commission President. It is important to recognise that the Government, on foot of the EU summit, is continuing to pursue the matter.
Senator Conway-Walsh raised the issue of the Murrisk to Louisburgh water supply, which needs to be addressed. One suggestion, which has not received universal approval, was consideration of a group water scheme. Irish Water needs to consider investment in the capital plan for the Westport area, along with Mayo County Council. I am sure the Minister for Rural and Community Development, Deputy Ring, who is from the area will work to bring about a resolution to this important matter. Senator Conway-Walsh might be judicious in resubmitting a request for this to be taken as a Commencement matter.
Senator Ruane raised her very important harm reduction Bill. I certainly support her view that drugs, their supply and reduction of harm are matters not just for the Department of Justice and Equality, but also for the Department of Health. I would be happy to have the Minister of State, Deputy Catherine Byrne, come before the House again to discuss the matter.
Senator Humphreys has elevated Deputy Noel Rock to the position of Minister of State at the Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport. I am sure Deputy Rock will be very happy with the elevation. Some in this House have a preoccupation with the Minister, Deputy Ross, in respect of his position as Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport. To be fair to the Minister, Deputy Ross, he has always been willing to come before the House. We should all welcome any amelioration that will benefit residents in respect of MetroLink. I would be happy to accede to the request of the former Minister of State, now Senator Humphreys, to have his good friend, Deputy Ross, who has become the bogeyman for many in this House, invited before the House to discuss transport. There is a need for a joined-up conversation about transport, not just in the capital city, but across the country, not least in respect of how we use the car, as referred to earlier, and investment in public transport. I think all of us will welcome the announcement by the Minister-to-be, Deputy Rock, on the solving of the problem between MetroLink and Na Fianna, but it is a matter we need to see resolved again. I will have the Minister come to the House at the earliest opportunity.
Senator O'Reilly raised decriminalisation of homosexuality. I again commend, as I did yesterday, Senator Nash on his work on the motion and our good friend, Senator Norris, on his wonderful efforts and his bravery. I will not go back over the debate again.
Senator O'Reilly also raised Brexit in the context of small and medium-sized enterprises. While the Minister, Deputy Humphreys, has a scheme available to businesses, Senator O'Reilly is correct: it is the business community around the Border region that will be affected the most. It is important to have that ongoing debate on Brexit and I would be happy to have the Minister come to the House to discuss the matter.
Senators Leyden and Kieran O'Donnell raised the issue of passports, which is gaining notoriety in the media. I wish to make the point to the House that in the past two years, passport applications have increased by 25%. We are now seeing approximately 80,000 passports applications per year. I had a Commencement matter on the issue last week. It is critical that people's information is up to date. Notwithstanding that, the Passport Office accepts - and we must understand this - that for first-time applications and other complex applications, the vetting takes a little longer. I am informed that 50% of adults receive their passport in less than a week with the remainder in under two weeks. The Passport Office has employed 220 extra staff, and the application for renewal of a passport through Passport Express takes approximately 16 days. Senator Kieran O'Donnell's comments on the need to have the website updated daily are important. Equally, it is critical that people engage in the application process early. I also make the point again today that we should have a printing machine or printing press in Cork, which could benefit the south west, the west and the Munster region overall. Linked to that, there could be less pressure on the Dublin offices as well. It is an issue we need to keep on the political landscape.
Senators Boyhan and Colm Burke raised World Refugee Day, and both Senators deserve to be commended on referring to the importance of the day and on standing with people who have been displaced and have had to flee their homelands for a variety of reasons. Senator Boyhan made reference to Brian Dawson's excellent report, which we all received, and I would be happy to have a debate on it in due course.
The other point Senator Boyhan made concerned the summer economic statement. It is my intention as Leader to have that debate in the House next week. We should take Senator Boyhan's two very sensible comments this morning about prudence and how one cannot spend money when one does not have it and put them in front of nearly every Senator's desk in the House because if we were to listen to some Members of the House, we would spend everything we had. I heard Senator Conway-Walsh talk about our rainy day fund. If we did not have a rainy day fund, we would be in a very bad way as a country in future and it is important we do not go back to the old days.
We are in a bad way now.
I know the Sinn Féin Party is transitioning from the far left to somewhere near the left of centre. I welcome its new-found interest in being in government.
We will meet the Leader in the good place.
When one occupies the benches of Government, which Sinn Féin probably will some day, although I hope it will not-----
I hope it will not but I think it will. Senator Gavan will have no hair left by the time he is in government, I assure him.
I am ahead of myself, then, am I?
We will have that debate at a later date.
The Senators are getting unusually close together.
The independence of the Chair should not be confined to comedy, but I take the Cathaoirleach's point. I am sure there are some on his former benches who would love to be in with Sinn Féin.
It is a republican party.
It is a republican party. The phrase, "republican party" has many different attributes, and I think we all share-----
And definitions.
And definitions. I thank the Senator.
Senator O'Mahony referred to student accommodation. The USI is holding a briefing today, and I apologise that I have not been able to make it. This issue was raised yesterday by Senator Gallagher as well. May I refer the House to a number of figures? In Dublin we now have 6,180 accommodation spaces specifically for students under construction; in Cork we have 603; in Galway we have 429. In Cork, Galway, Limerick and Kildare, 2,904 bed spaces are being constructed. The important point is that the Higher Education Authority, HEA, commissioned a report on student accommodation in 2017, and we must recognise and accept that there has been a huge rise in the number of students participating in further education and it will increase. The other point that Members should recognise is that students now prefer to reside in on-campus accommodation. This is part of the mistakes we made in the past whereby we did not build student accommodation and we are now playing catch-up. Many of us benefitted from going to college, and I would thoroughly recommend going to college to all students, if they can, and certainly living away from home.
I think the Senator protests too much about that. It is an experience. I accept that there is a difficulty in sourcing accommodation but, to put it in context, we have 31,296 beds, 11,114 public and 20,182 private, so there is an imbalance in that respect that needs to fixed.
The Cathaoirleach has ruled on Senator Gavan's motion and I would be happy to have that debate. I believe Senator Gavan seeks that it be taken without debate next week. We will discuss the matter on Tuesday, perhaps, or maybe Wednesday. I welcome the Senator's advocacy on behalf of hotel workers, especially now that it is summer, which is the peak tourist season. It is incumbent on those in the hospitality and service industry and sector to treat their workers with respect and dignity. While the majority of people who work are treated fairly but there is a minority who are not, whether in respect of their rates of pay, the way in which they are called in to work in terms of rostering, the issue of tips or the hours they are allocated. The hospitality sector has certainly benefitted hugely from the Government decision on the VAT rate, and I hope the workers in the sector will be treated in a similar manner. I would be happy to support this debate when it comes back before the House.
Senator Butler raised the budget and the bereavement grant. We will have that debate with the Minister, Deputy Donohoe, as part of the debate on the summer economic statement next week.
Senator Norris raised the United Nations Human Rights Council.
Senator Swanick raised the issue of waiting lists. I do not have information on the issue to hand but I think we will have the Minister for Health before the House in the coming weeks.
In response to Senator Marie-Louise O'Donnell, I would be happy to try to have the Minister, Deputy Naughten, come to the House. He was here-----
I know.
-----at the Senator's request last week, I think. I would be very happy to accede to her request and I will endeavour to have him in next week. The point she makes about homelessness, communication and the strategy as to who does what is a very valid and pertinent one. I believe we have many different organisations and entities, all wanting the same outcome, but there is perhaps no meeting of minds in the middle and no communication of an outcome. I think the Senator is right about that and I commend her on her work on positive ageing and the issue of death and dying. We had the Irish Hospice Foundation's pre-budget briefing today, and I commend the work it does, but I also commend in particular Senator Marie-Louise O'Donnell on the work she has done. I hope her report is gaining traction as we proceed.
I will endeavour to provide for that debate before the recess.
Senator Colm Burke also raised the issue of social housing and the eligibility criteria in the regard. I am happy to ask the Minister, Deputy Murphy, to come to the House to discuss the matter.
I join with Senator Devine in commending all involved in the RTE documentary. It was harrowing to hear many of the stories and to view the programme per se and imagine that we lived in that world not too long ago. In recognising that we have made significant progress I commend all those involved in advocacy on behalf of women and human rights in our country. It was an important documentary. The second part of the programme, which will be aired tonight will, I am sure, be equally compelling. It is important to acknowledge that we have made progress but Senator Devine's point is well made.