Seanad Éireann díospóireacht -
Thursday, 18 Nov 1993

Vol. 138 No. 6

Order of Business.

Mr. Wright

Before I give the Order of Business, I wish to remind Senators that at 1 o'clock today this House will have a one minute's silence for peace. I hope we will have a full attendance.

I am sure the House will want to be associated with congratulating the Republic of Ireland soccer team. Perhaps you would send a letter of congratulations to the team, through the FAI, and state what a great night it was for this island. The Tanáiste deserves great credit for the work he has done to ensure that certain personnel will be in place to look after those who intend to travel to the US.

An Cathaoirleach

I am sure Senator Wilson will forgive me, but the fact that Ireland qualified for the World Cup is occupying the minds of everybody in this country. May I ask Senators to break with tradition by applauding a great feat and a great morale boost for the people and the economy.

Applause.

Mr. Dardis

May we now chant?

An Cathaoirleach

Mexican waves are not allowed.

Mr. Wright

On today's Order of Business we will take Item 1, all Stages; and Item 2. I suggest that 20 minutes should be allowed for spokespersons and 15 minutes thereafter and the Minister would reply not later than 3.45 p.m. As I mentioned, there will be a one minute's silence for peace at 1 p.m., after which there will be a sos until 2 p.m.

Mr. Cosgrave

May I ask the Leader of the House if it is intended to have a debate on Northern Ireland next week? I support the one minute's silence at 1p.m. I join with him in congratulating the Irish soccer team who have qualified for America. I congratulate both teams for playing in a sporting manner last night. We should also praise the Spanish for not letting us down.

An Cathaoirleach

We may confer the Freedom of the City on the player who scored the Spanish goal.

Mr. O'Toole

It was the first time I saw public representatives in the Dáil Bar cheering the Spanish team. I thought we had returned to the Spanish Civil War.

Mr. Magner

It was all right to be in the bar last night.

Mr. O'Toole

I am glad the Tanáiste has made moves in certain directions to accommodate people travelling to the US. Will the Tanáiste be here next week for a discussion on Northern Ireland? It is the only sad note that I touch on and it is not a day for sad notes but if people listened and watched closely last night they will have noted that there is a huge amount of bridge building to be done on this island. Many people will have learned much last night about the division between the communities on this island and the need to bridge it. Discussion to addressing those issues is the first step, and that is why such a debate is overdue.

Mr. Lanigan

May I ask the Leader of the House for a discussion on the implications of the take-over of Cooley Distillery by IDG? This has serious implications for any company which tries to get involved in international trading. Cooley Distillery produced a product which could be sold internationally but because Irish Distillers is an international trading group, it would not allow Cooley Distillery to sell their product. It took over the company and in doing so potential jobs and a huge potential for an increase in the sales of an indigenous whiskey have been lost.

An Cathaoirleach

A question to the Leader.

Mr. Lanigan

The Minister and the Tánaiste should take cognisance of the fact that this is what could happen. There is a niche market for Irish whiskeys.

An Cathaoirleach

Would you ask a question?

Mr. Lanigan

There is a niche market for small——

Mr. O'Toole

Classic Fianna Fáil. State intervention today, market forces tomorrow.

Mr. Lanigan

I beg your pardon. The Senator works in cloud cuckoo land where his members are never under pressure——

An Cathaoirleach

Senator Lanigan, please.

Mr. Lanigan

They have never been under pressure. Unlike people in industry they get their salary cheques at the end of every——

(Interruptions.)

An Cathaoirleach

Senator Lanigan, address the Chair please. Have you a question for the Leader of the House?

Mr. Lanigan

May I ask the Leader of the House for a debate on this important matter? The match last night proved that there is a competitive element on this island which, if brought together, could produce jobs. Northern Ireland and Ireland——

An Cathaoirleach

The Senator is making a speech.

Mr. Cosgrave

On what item are we?

An Cathaoirleach

We are not having a rerun of the match.

Mr. Lanigan

I ask the Leader of the House to ask Mr. Tom Humphries of The Irish Times where he gets the impression that——

An Cathaoirleach

Senator Lanigan, you have gone overboard.

Mr. Lanigan

The national team——

An Cathaoirleach

The Leader of the House is not responsible for what appears in the newspapers.

Mr. Lanigan

We are not a bedraggled nation even though Tom Humphries might say it.

An Cathaoirleach

Senator Lanigan, you are flouting every rule in the book.

Mr. Farrelly

Red card.

An Cathaoirleach

Senator Lanigan, please. I want a Turkish referee.

Mr. Lanigan

I ask the Cathaoirleach, in the words of Tom Humphries, to give the kiss of life to democracy.

An Cathaoirleach

Senator Lanigan, please resume your seat. I am calling Senator Norris.

Mr. Norris

I agree with Senator Lanigan on the subject of the Cooley Distillery. I realise we cannot talk about it today. I would have like to have said a few words about it last night but because of the queue of speakers I was not able. May I make a point which could be transmitted to the Committee on Procedure and Privileges? We have spoken about the machinery of the Seanad and facilitating people as much as possible to speak, particularly when they have prepared material. We suggested a number of times that perhaps the ministerial contribution in a two hour debate could be taken outside that time.

An Cathaoirleach

It is a matter for the Committee on Procedure and Privileges. You have an excellent representative in Senator O'Toole and I am sure he will bring forward that suggestion.

Mr. Norris

I just wanted to back him up. Regarding the Northern Ireland match, I listened to the radio this morning and I was horrified by the comments of a man who was there as he spoke about the absolute blast of hatred that came from the people next to him and the obscenities. There is much bridge building to done, and it has not even begun.

Since we are reprimanding the media, may I make a point to RTE? There are two Chambers in the Oireachtas. They refer consistently to the Dáil. They publish an election report which talks about the election and deals only with Dáil Éireann. They appear to be unaware that this House exists and this morning they referred, on a number of occasions, to the fact that Dáil Éireann would observe a minute's silence at 1 p.m. I would like RTE to take note of the fact that there are two Houses of the Oireachtas.

Finally, has the Leader any further news about the debate on drugs in the inner cities? I know that he is trying to get a date for us.

Mr. Magner

First, may I say to Senator Gordon Wilson that the Northern Ireland team frightened the life out of us and were of no help whatsoever last night. In relation to Cooley whiskey, there was a bigger contribution made to Irish Distillers last night than there has been for many years.

I ask the Leader to convey to the Taoiseach and the Tánaiste the appreciation of the House regarding the successful implementation of the Programme for a Partnership Government in Windsor Park last night. We got money from Europe and we are now in the World Cup. Things are progressing very well.

Mr. Wilson

A Chathaoirligh, you do not owe me any apology and if you want my forgiveness, my middle name is forgiveness.

Mr. Magner

We wanted a hand.

An Cathaoirleach

We thought you would speak to Billy Bingham for us.

Mr. Wilson

You would not believe, Sir, how many people asked me yesterday where my loyalties lay. Let me just say that I slept last night more happily and peacefully than I have done for a long time.

Mr. Wright

Regarding the debate on Northern Ireland, as I mentioned yesterday, we will have it as soon as possible. Depending on the availability of the Tanaiste next week, hopefully we will debate it then.

Senator Norris mentioned Private Members' Business. My understanding is that there may be a proposal to extend Private Members' time by an extra half hour and, by agreement of the Whips, I hope that will be soon.

Finally Senators will note this morning that another piece of legislation has been initiated in the House. We may take that next week or if other Bills are available, it will be the week after.

Order of Business agreed to.