On behalf of the House, I thank Senator Howard for agreeing so readily to act as our Chairman today. The Order of Business is items 1 and 2. Item 1 will be taken until 1 p.m. It is proposed that the first speaker from each side will have 15 minutes, each subsequent speaker will have ten minutes and speakers may share their time. Speakers will be called in party order as in a debate on Northern Ireland, if that is agreeable. The Minister will take questions and give answers not later than 12.40 p.m. There will be a sos and item 2 will be taken at 2 p.m.
Order of Business.
I thank Senator Howard for taking the Chair for today's business. I congratulate the Minister for Defence and the Marine, Deputy Barrett, on his appointment and wish him well in his office. As regards next week's business — the Finance Bill, 1995 — will the Leader state the days and times the Bill will be dealt with so that we can prepare.
I express my appreciation to the Leader for organising statements this morning and for allowing questions to be taken at the conclusion. This meets many of our demands. I have often been critical about these issues and badgered the Leader for a debate on them. I appreciate this progressive and effective way of dealing with business.
I extend my congratulations to Deputy Barrett on his appointment and I thank Senator Howard for taking the Chair today. I hope the Cathaoirleach and the Leas-Chathaoirleach will soon be back among us.
I join in the congratulations to Deputy Barrett on his appointment. When does the Leader intend to take Committee Stage of the Occupiers' Liability Bill, 1995?
I join with the other Members in congratulating the newly appointed Minister for Defence and the Marine, Deputy Barrett. As a fellow Cork man, I pay tribute to the manner in which Deputy Coveney discharged his duties as Minister. Many tributes were paid to him, particularly by Opposition Members, which were well merited and displayed a generosity that we all like to see in this House from time to time, a practice which marks this House from another place. I want to place on the record the view of many colleagues in the House about the calibre and stature of Deputy Coveney. I wish him well in his new post, which is very important, given the debate we had here last week on arterial drainage; it will keep him busy in the future.
I join with colleagues in congratulating Deputy Barrett on his appointment to the Government. I endorse the views expressed by Senator Magner about my long time friend, Deputy Coveney, who is an example of the standard we would like to see in public life.
As the Fianna Fáil spokesman on Northern Ireland, I welcome the fact that the long expected and overdue talks between the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, Mr. Mayhew, and the representative of Sinn Féin, Mr. Gerry Adams, have taken place in America. It is significant that they have taken place when a representative gathering of all political parties on these islands are in attendance. I hope it is the beginning of a further move towards peace and harmony which people on all parts of this island are entitled to expect.
I join in the welcome to the Namibian parliamentarians, particularly Mr. Lazarus Kairabeb, whom I have known for many years. I am glad they have come to visit us.
I ask the Leader if the Seanad could meet in another location, perhaps in the Border areas. I am not sure about Standing Orders or procedure or if it has ever met outside Leinster House, but I am sure such a proposal would have the support of all Members of the House. We should meet the elected people of three local authorities in the North and one in the South with whom I have worked in harmony for 18 years. Senator Magner met this group and he can vouch for their credibility. I ask the Leader to seriously consider and favourably respond to this request because it would contribute to the peace process and it would help the momentum in that area.
I congratulate Deputy Barrett on his appointment as Minister for Defence and the Marine. I pay tribute to the former Minister, Deputy Coveney, and sympathise with him on his demotion in such circumstances. He did not deserve such treatment.
I was at a Munster senior hurling championship game in Cork last Sunday and I was disappointed to hear yesterday that one of the players, who was due to pass out in Templemore today, was disciplined.
Acting Chairman
What is your question to the Leader?
Perhaps the Leader could ask the Minister for Justice to intervene because this player was harshly treated and this will have serious consequences for the game.
Acting Chairman
You are stretching the point.
I do not think I am. A headline in the Irish Independent today states: “Gardaí Ditch Hurling Star Recruit”.
Acting Chairman
You have raised the issue and addressed a question to the Leader and I am sure he will consider it.
They must be careful before they start playing games because the sport will suffer. This is a serious matter for a young Garda recruit or young players in other professions.
Acting Chairman
This is a matter for the Adjournment.
I ask the Leader to raise this matter with the Minister for Justice.
Under fair procedures and due process.
It was a trial by television which is unfair to the player. I was at the game and there was no misdemeanour.
I join in the welcome to the Namibian delegation. We had a useful and informative exchange of views yesterday at the Joint Committee on Foreign Affairs. On the subject of foreign affairs — this is not a specific question because I know I will get the answer that these issues will be discussed in the monthly foreign affairs debate — since there is an item on the Order Paper on Sarajevo, the House might like to note that the savagery there stopped temporarily this morning because the United Nations authorities threatened air strikes against the warring partners.
As regards what Senator O'Kennedy said, we should keep the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland's handshake with Gerry Adams in context and try to remember that this is an economic conference where serious business will be done. We should not blow out of proportion this handshake and conversation.
Although I accept Senator McGowan's point about co-operation between the Border counties, I ask the Leader to seriously consider the wisdom of the Seanad meeting in that region.
I thank those who sent genuine good wishes to Deputy Barrett, who is, without doubt, one of the most popular Members of the other House and I will convey them to him. I will also convey to Deputy Coveney the genuine good wishes expressed to him by all sides of the House.
I join with Senator Norris and Senator Neville in welcoming the group from Namibia. I had the pleasure and honour of going to that country last year to advise its newly constituted Senate. For the interest and information of Members, one of the main functions of its Senate is to stay close to the people because the other House does not do so.
Just like here.
Its Upper House has a lot to learn from ours, as we have from it.
As regards the Finance Bill, 1995, it is proposed to take Second Stage on Tuesday — the debate will be open-ended — and Committee Stage on Wednesday. If that is not adequate — it should be — the Whips may discuss the matter further. On the Order of Business I said "each side" as far as speaking order was concerned, but I meant "each group".
As regards Senator Dardis's point, Second Stage of the Occupiers' Liability Bill, 1995, will be taken today, but Committee Stage will not be taken for two or three weeks, although I will try to have it taken as quickly as possible.
I share Senator O'Kennedy's good wishes for the talks and the happenings in Washington. All of us wish both the economic talks and the other talks every success.
Senator McGowan raised the question of meetings of the Seanad outside Leinster House. It is my understanding of the Constitution that the Dáil and the Seanad must meet in Dublin city. On the other hand, when the Dáil and Seanad moved to Leinster House in 1923 or thereabouts it was on a temporary basis and permanency has never been established. At the time, President Cosgrave considered that the Royal Hospital would have been a far better venue for the Houses of Parliament; but in its wisdom the committee, some of whose members belonged to clubs in the adjacency, decided on Leinster House. I do not believe it is possible for the Seanad to meet in the Border regions or outside Leinster House, but I will inquire on the matter.
I will convey Senator Rory Kiely's concerns to the Minister.
With regard to the matter raised by Senator Norris, next week's Private Members' Business will be decided by the Independent group. I welcome motions on foreign affairs or on the ecology in Private Members' Business. It is good for the House.
I will be attending a conference on East Timor.
Order of Business agreed to.