Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Wednesday, 25 Nov 2009

Vol. 696 No. 1

Order of Business.

The Taoiseach

It is proposed to take No. 9, motion re leave to introduce Supplementary Estimates [Votes 19, 20, 22, 27, 30, 31, 34, 37 and 40]; No. 10, motion re referral of Supplementary Estimates [Votes 19, 20, 22, 27, 30, 31, 34, 37 and 40] to Select Committee; No. 11, motion re proposed approval by Dáil Éireann of the terms of the Agreement between the Government of Hong Kong Special Administrative Region of the People's Republic of China and the Government of Ireland concerning mutual legal assistance in criminal matters, back from committee; No. 45, Public Transport Regulation Bill 2009 [Seanad] — Order for Report, Report and Final Stages; No. 46, Arbitration Bill 2008 — Order for Report, Report and Final Stages; and No. 44 — statements on farming and the agrifood sector to be taken at 7 p.m. tonight and the order shall not resume thereafter.

It is proposed, notwithstanding anything in Standing Orders, that Nos. 9 and 11, and subject to the agreement of No. 9, No. 10, referral to select committee, shall be decided without debate and any divisions demanded on Nos. 9 and 10 shall be taken forthwith; the Report and Final Stages of No. 45 shall be taken today and the proceedings thereon shall, if not previously concluded, be brought to a conclusion at 7 p.m. by one question which shall be put from the Chair and which shall, in relation to amendments, include only those set down or accepted by the Minister for Transport; Private Members' business shall not be taken tonight; and (4) the proceedings on No. 44 shall, if not previously concluded, be brought to a conclusion at 8.30 p.m. tonight and the following arrangements shall apply: (i) the statements of a Minister or Minister of State and of the main spokespersons for Fine Gael, the Labour Party and Sinn Féin, who shall be called upon in that order, shall not exceed 15 minutes in each case; (ii) the statement of each other Member called upon shall not exceed ten minutes in each case; (iii) Members may share time; and (iv) a Minister or Minister of State shall be called upon to make a statement in reply which shall not exceed five minutes.

An Ceann Comhairle

Is the proposal to deal with Nos. 9, 10 and 11, motions re leave to introduce and referral of Supplementary Estimates and proposed approval by Dáil Éireann of the agreement between the Government and China agreed to? Agreed. Is the proposal to deal with No. 45, Public Transport Regulation Bill 2009, agreed to? Agreed.

Deputy Emmet Stagg

There is no reason for a guillotine on this measure. A number of amendments need to be discussed. The time should be made available in order that this can be dealt with properly.

The Taoiseach

I am grateful for the co-operation of the House thus far but I understand it has been indicated to the spokespersons of the various parties that a timeline of 1 December for introducing the Bill is a major requirement. That has been the understanding all along. I am sorry to hear that continuing co-operation or agreement is not forthcoming on this occasion but we must proceed.

Question, "That the proposal to deal with No. 45, the Public Transport Regulation Bill 2009, be agreed to", put and declared carried.

An Ceann Comhairle

Is the proposal that Private Members' business shall not be taken tonight agreed to? Agreed. Is the proposal to deal with No. 44, statements on farming and the agrifood sector, agreed to? Agreed.

Deputy Enda Kenny

Has the Government laid out a schedule of meetings between now and the weekend with the trades union leaders to discuss the implications of the current position in terms of the Government's view of the public service and the reduction of the public sector pay bill ?

The Taoiseach

The meetings resume this afternoon. Obviously, they will continue to see if agreement can be found. Everyone is aware of the timeframe. They will intensify.

Deputy Enda Kenny

Having met the trades union leaders last week, there is a willingness to engage. I hope that from the Government's perspective, these talks will be meaningful and that a genuine attempt will be made to arrive at a satisfactory conclusion. I do not want to see another strike next week nor do I believe anybody else does either. At least if the talks are meaningful from the Government's perspective, there is some hope for progress to be made.

Deputy Eamon Gilmore

I understand the Government considered the report on the inquiry into sexual abuse in the Dublin archdiocese. Will the Taoiseach confirm that report is to be published tomorrow? When will it be made available to Members of the House? More important, will the Taoiseach give an assurance that it will be made available to the victims of the abuse before it is made available to the media? He will recall that there was considerable distress felt by victims when the Ryan report was published that they did not receive the report before it was made available to the media. Is it being made available to victims before it is made available to the media?

The Taoiseach

The Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform briefed the Cabinet this week on the matter. The Department will brief victims' group tomorrow morning before publication of the report. The report will be published tomorrow afternoon and being a document of public importance, it will be made available in the normal way thereafter.

Deputy Eamon Gilmore

Did I hear the Taoiseach say "thereafter" in respect of it being made available to Members of the House? It should be made available to Members of the House certainly no later than it is released at a press conference.

The Taoiseach

I will make arrangements for the Minister and the Department to have the report made available to the spokespersons after victims' groups have been briefed and at the time of publication.

Deputy Jim O’Keeffe

In the context of the consumer and competition Bill or otherwise, I wish to raise with the Taoiseach insurance for flood damage and the problems for those who have no insurance, who are underinsured or who will not be able to get insurance in the future. In the context of that Bill or otherwise, is it possible that the Taoiseach could arrange a special investigation into insurance for flood damage, the problems associated with it, the lack of insurance and a possible arrangement for an uninsured risk committee whereby there could be some mediation between those who cannot get insurance and the group of insurers involved in this area? Does he recognise that it is a particular problem now and is likely to be a continuing one?

The Taoiseach

I am aware of Deputy Jim O'Keeffe's keen interest in this matter. The area he represents has been greatly affected. The issue is that there will be a reassessment of risk by insurance companies arising out of the claims experience which will now emerge. As the Deputy knows, the Irish Insurance Federation ensures people are entitled to get quotes for insurance cover and, if not, having a mediating role and finding what a party seeking insurance cover might regard as reasonable in the circumstances. Unfortunately, the experience in the past has been that the reassessment of risk, actuarial risk, by insurance companies means increased premiums being sought where flooding takes place in the same way as having an accident affects one's no claims bonus in vehicle insurance. Unfortunately, this is one of the consequences with which we must contend.

There could be a role for the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment which deals with the insurance industry to see a fair and honest assessment is made and to liaise with the industry to ensure insurance cover is available to people. Affordability will become an issue because of the claims experience which will now arise.

An Ceann Comhairle

The Deputy will have to pursue this with the Department dealing directly with it. It is not really a matter for the——

Deputy Jim O’Keeffe

Is it possible for a meeting to be arranged between the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment and the Irish Insurance Federation to specifically discuss this issue in the context of the current, and likely continuing further, problems?

The Taoiseach

Yes. That is a good idea.

Deputy Ciarán Lynch

Following on from Deputy Jim O'Keeffe's question, has the Taoiseach considered businesses, which have suffered considerable damage, that have not been able to obtain insurance because they are located in recognised flood areas? Is it possible that the funding proposal referred to by the Taoiseach can be extended to businesses?

In terms of Standing Orders, given that we are in the midst of an emergency, can the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government come into the House today to update us on the position by way of a statement regarding particular local authorities? In particular, can he confirm to the House that retained fire fighters in the western region have been precluded from responding to flood-related calls? They are retained fire fighters who have been instructed by the local authorities not to come on duty.

An Ceann Comhairle

I suggest the Deputy table that matter for the Adjournment. That might be the best avenue for him to pursue this matter.

Deputy Ciarán Lynch

There are retained fire fighters in the western region sitting at home watching floods in their local communities——

An Ceann Comhairle

I accept that.

Deputy Ciarán Lynch

——who are not on call.

An Ceann Comhairle

Unfortunately, the Order of Business does not contemplate these types of issues.

Deputy Ciarán Lynch

Can I ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government to come into the House this evening to explain why that is the case?

An Ceann Comhairle

Tabling this matter for the Adjournment or tabling a parliamentary question on it might be the best way for the Deputy to pursue the issue.

Deputy Seymour Crawford

I attended a number of funerals recently at which the abuse of alcohol was freely discussed as the deaths of the people concerned resulted from that problem. Given that there is no backup support to address this issue in the health service——

An Ceann Comhairle

Is the Deputy referring to promised legislation?

Deputy Seymour Crawford

Yes, very much so. When will the sale of alcohol Bill be brought forward to enable us to discuss this issue? As we saw from television broadcasts and pictures in today's newspapers, thousands of people travelled North to buy alcohol yesterday. The abuse of alcohol is a major problem. It is as big a cause of death as the incidence of road accidents.

The Taoiseach

This Bill seeks to consolidate, in many respects, the legal position regarding the sale of alcohol. It contains some modernising amendments. It is likely to be the first half of next year before it will come to the floor of the House.

Deputy Jan O’Sullivan

I got a text message about a half an hour ago from my colleague, Alan Kelly, MEP, to advise me that the European Parliament has now passed the EU globalisation fund for Dell workers and other ancillary companies. Approximately €22 million will be available under that fund. This money must be spent within 18 months. I raise the issue with the Taoiseach because it is imperative that the Government set up the procedures in this country to ensure that those people get the funding to which they are entitled for retraining, re-education and setting up their own businesses. It will be ironic if the Ceann Comhairle rules me out of order for raising this matter given that the European Parliament was able to discuss it this morning.

Deputy Eamon Gilmore

Hear, hear.

An Ceann Comhairle

I am giving Deputy O'Sullivan some latitude on this.

Deputy Jan O’Sullivan

I call for a debate on this matter. It is vital that we get this fund up and running. I commend our MEPs, led by my colleague, Alan Kelly, on getting the matter to this point in the European Parliament, but we now need to do the necessary work in our Parliament to ensure that those workers who lost their jobs can benefit from this fund. I would appreciate a reply from the Taoiseach on this matter.

The Taoiseach

I understand Mr. Kelly, MEP, spoke about this matter on radio this morning. Contrary to remarks made by him recently, considerable work has already been done and structures are in place to ensure that this fund, when received by Ireland, can and will be effectively and efficiently spent on retraining, upskilling——

Deputy Jan O’Sullivan

We have not yet seen any structures.

The Taoiseach

——and providing educational and entrepreneurial supports for almost 2,500 redundant workers in the mid-west. It has included close co-operation and consultation with the European Commission by the Government, culminating in President Barroso's announcement made in Limerick in September of Commission approval of the application. All relevant State agencies and educational institutions in the mid-west have been involved with the Tánaiste's Department in designing tailored programmes in their areas of expertise. Supports are currently being provided by FÁS, Enterprise Ireland, city and county enterprise boards and local vocational education committees. A number of additional measures are being considered in the areas of entrepreneurial supports and work placement schemes. It is correct that we would get all new measures right before rolling them out. This will be the largest such fund application to be supported with significant co-financing being provided by Government. It is evidence of the emphasis given to providing relevant supports for those made redundant due to the adverse effects of globalisation and of significant work undertaken to ensure the most appropriate range of measures, as provided through this fund by co-financing. We have made a further application on behalf of redundant workers at Waterford Crystal and we are finalising a provisional application in regard to redundancies at SR Technics in Dublin Airport.

While I have no problem with any of our Members of the European Parliament seeking to associate themselves with this——

Deputy Jan O’Sullivan

It is more than that, it is about getting action on this.

The Taoiseach

Perhaps the Deputy's colleague will acknowledge the involvement of everybody else along with himself in trying to make this possible.

Deputy Jan O’Sullivan

I have not seen the involvement of everybody else.

An Ceann Comhairle

We have given this matter a good airing.

Deputy Dermot Ahern

Just because the Deputy got a text message.

Deputy Jan O’Sullivan

People have called to meet me who cannot find out how they can access this fund.

Deputy Brian Lenihan

This is political dynamics.

Deputy Jan O’Sullivan

What we do not want is educational organisations and so on——

Deputy Dermot Ahern

This is political spin.

Deputy Jan O’Sullivan

——setting up programmes that do not suit the individuals concerned.

An Ceann Comhairle

I advise the Deputy that we must move on. She had a good innings on the issue. I call Deputy Naughten.

Deputy Denis Naughten

Four out of every ten migrant children who are placed in the care of the HSE by the Department of Justice, Equality and Law Reform have disappeared since the beginning of January this year. The Ombudsman for Children published a detailed report on this issue last Thursday. Given her statutory remit in this area, will time be set aside to enable us to debate that damning report in this House and to put proper measures in place to address this issue once and for all? I am aware the Minister, Deputy Lenihan, examined this issue in the past. I, and I am sure everyone in this House, would like this issue to be addressed once and for all? Can time be set aside for that?

The Taoiseach

This is a matter for the Whips.