The Order of Business is item 2 until 1 p.m and item 3, statements on disability. We had intended allowing an hour for that matter but there is a considerable volume of interest in it and I am willing to extend that debate to 3 p.m. I know there is great interest in the subject and many of the people from the Centre for Independent Living are coming to listen to the debate. I hope the media will also give this debate the fullest possible coverage. If item 2 has not finished by 1 p.m., we will continue with all Stages of it after 3 p.m. and we will take all Stages of item 4 at the conclusion of item 2.
Order of Business.
The Order of Business is agreed to.
This House has not had a debate on vandalism and crime for a while. I take this opportunity to ask the Leader of the House to convey our congratulations to three gardaí, Donncha O'Sullivan, John Talbot and Séamus McGirl, who saved many old people in the Malpas Court flats on Lower Clanbrassil Street last Monday night. Vandals sank to an all time low in putting petrol and firelighters into the letter-boxes of the flats of old persons, many of whom are in wheelchairs. If those gardaí had not seen the smoke and raised the alarm, we would be burying many of these old people today. I appeal to the Leader to ask the Minister for Justice to come to the House so that we can talk about it. We have been mollycoddling these people, sending them to psychologists and psychiatrists and carrying out assessments for far too long. Many innocent people are killed or their lives put in danger and it is about time that positive action was taken to put an end to this.
I am not asking the Leader to find time for a debate on crime and drugs. However, will he stress the urgency of the matter to the Minister for Justice, particularly with regard to the release after a short period of time of those who have been accused? I mention this because I know the Minister has declared her intention of looking at bail laws and a possible referendum. I understand a method of holding the accused for longer than the six hours they are now entitled to be held is being put to the Cabinet today.
This House has stressed to the Minister the importance of dealing with these offences, and not only in the drugs area, on a number of occasions in the last session. It is important the Minister understands that if we are to maintain some control on crime not unlike that which Senator Farrell referred to, we need some urgency in this matter. Suggestions have been made but there is likely to be a delay. I wish the Leader would stress to the Minister the urgency of taking action in regard to the release of those accused after a short period of time, which is shorter than any other state in Europe.
The Leader has spoken to us about item 3, statements on disability, and indicated he is prepared to be flexible in terms of the time allocated. Many people will want to speak on this matter and he should organise some way of restricting the time per speaker so that as many people as possible can contribute.
Item 5 is an Order concerning the An Bord Bia Act. When does the Leader intend to move that Order which is of some significance to pig farmers? It was laid before the Seanad on 16 March so it has been there for a long time. I suggest that he moves it as quickly as possible as it will not be a matter of contention or debate.
Will the Leader organise a debate on county enterprise boards in the next session? They are an innovation and we can now make a judgment on their effectiveness.
Since the Higher Education Authority report on the future of higher education has just been published, will the Leader organise an early debate on that matter, obviously not in this session, but at one of the earliest sittings next term? Could he also ask the Minister for Education to ensure that Members have access to that report well in advance of such a debate?
Could I take advantage of your sense of humour which was referred to earlier, a Chathaoirligh? Yesterday, the Clare Senators were disappointed that nobody congratulated the Clare team on winning the Munster hurling final for the first time in 63 years. In the absence of anybody else, I take the opportunity to do so.
That is not fair to Senator Kiely.
Last night Senator Honan raised the issue of regulations relative to the Health Insurance Act, 1994, which are being prepared by the Minister for Health. We have been informed that these regulations will have serious implications for the psychiatric services, especially for institutions such as St. Patrick's and St. John of God's. Will the Leader say if we will have an opportunity to discuss and make a decision on these regulations before they are finally made? In the absence of that opportunity, perhaps the Leader could ascertain from the Minister for Health what the situation is, if he is fully aware of the serious implications these regulations will have for people seriously affected in the psychiatric services and perhaps he can give us some indication before the regulations are made of what the situation will be.
I support Senator Honan and Senator Daly in this matter. Will the Leader tell the Minister for Health that there is discrimination against psychiatric patients and ask him to do something about it. I worked in a psychiatric hospital for 25 years and I know that such hospitals are non-profit making organisations. The same cover is not being given to psychiatric patients as is given to those who are physically ill. That is discrimination against vulnerable people and we should not tolerate that.
I congratulate Clare on its victory last Sunday. Deputy Bhamjee and Biddy Earley were a great combination. I hope the team takes the McCarthy Cup back to Clare.
We are not discussing Munster hurling now.
I congratulate Clare which defeated my home county on Sunday in the Munster championship. It was a great victory after 63 years.
As regards item 3, I suggest a time limit of 12 minutes per spokesperson and six minutes thereafter.
I support what Senator Daly said about the psychiatric services. I raised this matter on the Adjournment last night, but the reply was not satisfactory. Unfortunately, the Minister will be able to sign these regulations into law while the House is in recess and we will not have another opportunity to raise it. Will the Leader request the Minister to meet the representatives of these hospitals and the patients so they can explain their difficulties? I cannot understand why he would refuse to meet them if he is confident of his position.
I thank Senator Mullooly for reminding me about the time limits which I forgot to indicate. I suggest 12 minutes per spokesperson and six minutes thereafter on item 3. On item 2, the Local Government (Delimitation of Water Supply Disconnection Powers) Bill, 1995, I suggest 15 minutes for the first speaker and ten minutes thereafter.
I will convey Senator Quinn's views, which I also share, to the Minister. The item Senator Dardis mentioned will be taken at the start of business tomorrow. As regards Senator Kelly's point, we will not have a debate on county enterprise partnership boards this session, but we will have one early in the next session. As regards Senator Lanigan's point, I will ask the Minister to ensure that copies of the report are distributed to Members, subject to copyright, and we will have a debate on it in the autumn. We should have congratulated Clare yesterday. I do so now and I wish the team well.
Health regulations were raised by a number of Senators. I will convey the views expressed to the Minister and it might be possible to make time available next Wednesday for a short discussion on this issue.
Is there a time limit on item 4, the Electoral (Amendment) Bill, 1995?
I suggest 15 minutes per spokesperson and ten minutes thereafter.
Order of Business agreed to.