Today's Order of Business is items 1, 2, 3 and 6, motion 7. We will take the Report and Final Stages of item 1; item 2 is a procedural motion to be taken without debate at the conclusion of item 1; on item 3 the contributions of spokespersons will not exceed 15 minutes and those of other Senators will not exceed ten minutes. If the item 3 is not concluded at 6 p.m. it will resume at 8 p.m. Item 6, motion 7, will be taken from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m.
Order of Business.
I have some difficulty with the Order of Business in that I cannot agree to a ten minute time limit for speakers on the Second Stage of an important Bill. It is not acceptable. Fifteen minutes is the minimum to which we can agree; spokespersons should have at least 20 minutes. It is an important Bill and, although there are not many speakers offering, confining them to ten minutes is not acceptable.
At what time will the House adjourn this evening? I presume it is intended to conclude Second Stage of the Europol Bill, 1997. I will not be present for the debate but will it be open ended?
That is why the Senator wants the extra time.
With regard to Senator Manning's point there was no Whips' agreement to restrict speakers to ten minutes but it was agreed that all sides would facilitate the passage of the Bill, if necessary by sitting after 8 p.m.
Will the Leader of the House facilitate debate on a motion to discuss the contribution of teachers to the development of society and the economy? Senator Ross raised a matter of great importance last week. The reason I seek a discussion on the matter is that it has come to my attention that, having spent 12 years in school, many people are inclined to talk back to their betters, so to speak. This is a matter of great discomfort to stockbrokers, editors, the landed gentry and the like. It is a matter we should consider seriously. I have sympathy for Senator Ross because it has been noticed that people with country accents are going for jobs in competition with west Brit types. We should examine the impact on society in this regard.
Senator O'Toole overcame his Kerry background very well.
I do not wish to abuse my contribution to the Order of Business but there is a threat to the oligarchy. Pol Pot began by assassinating the teachers, the professionals and the academics and if people such as Senator Ross ever got into power I fear they might begin the same process. We should examine the impact of education on the development of society. I am sorry Senator Ross is not here to contribute.
He is one of the Senator's Independent colleagues.
I propose the following amendment to the Order of Business: "That item 5 on the Order Paper be taken before item 1". The net effect of this would enable the proposed Private Members' Bill dealing with the problem of unfinished estates throughout the country to be printed and debated in Labour Party Private Members' time. Will the Leader agree to this reasonable request to have the Bill printed? If so I will withdraw my proposed amendment.
There is great concern among the TEAM Aer Lingus workers, particularly the Aer Lingus staff working there. Will the Leader contact the Taoiseach on this matter and secure a commitment that the Taoiseach's undertaking given to the workforce before the last general election with regard to the letters of guarantee will be honoured by the Government?
I realise the Leader has a substantial list of business to be taken by the House before Christmas. However, I ask him to arrange a debate on the funding of local authorities and to request the Minister for the Environment and Local Government to attend. Because of the changes taking place in local authorities and the various demands on them, the House should get an update on the position vis-à-vis local government and the national Administration. Such a debate is paramount because the structure on the ground is changing, for example, road workers are no longer employed by local authorities. I seek a debate on the allocation of funding which would be valuable for all local authorities. It is the responsibility of the House to initiate that type of debate and to give leadership to local authorities that Members represent.
I ask the Leader to make time available to discuss the fact that over 500,000 people in Ireland have literacy problems. This is of major concern, particularly to people who provide literacy skills. Will the Leader indicate to the Minister for Education and Science the disappointment of many people that he or the Minister of State at his Department did not attend a conference in the Royal Hospital, Kilmainham last week which discussed responses to this problem. The view at the conference and elsewhere is that there is an anomaly in the funding provided by the Department because £250 million is being spent to make people computer literate but only £250,000 is being provided for literacy programmes. A debate in the House might clarify the agenda and the Minister might respond more positively to those who are endeavouring to promote literacy. I hope the Leader will make time available to discuss this matter in detail.
I agree with Senator O'Toole. I am equally critical of a treble jobbing stock-broker, editor and Senator criticising the tax paying sector of the economy which is well known for its hard work and contribution to society.
I support the amendment moved by my colleague, Senator Seán Ryan, regarding item 5 to ensure the Bill can be printed.
Is the Senator seconding the amendment?
I second the amendment. The substance of the legislation is that developers will be obliged to complete work in housing estates. A raft of estates in Dublin has been left incomplete.
It is not in order to discuss the substance of the Bill.
I mentioned that aspect as an aside. It is important the Leader accepts the amendment. The House constantly discusses giving more power and scope to Senators. One such way is to deal with legislation initiated by individual Members. We should applaud the fact that a Senator has produced this Bill and accept it with open arms.
There are protesters outside the gates of Leinster House today from the area of Lough Muckno who oppose the sale of 600 acres in Castleblayney which is currently being used as a leisure park. They want the Minister for the Marine and Natural Resources to ensure that Coillte retains this land in State ownership so the people of the locality can continue to enjoy it.
What does the Senator have in his green box?
It is the Taxes Consolidation Bill.
Will the Leader ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs about a report published recently about Roisín McAliskey? This report is the result of an inquiry which found that there is no factual basis for the arrest, detention or extradition of this lady, and it has also warned that unless this case is dealt with and she is released, it will have a serious impact on the peace process.
The inquiry was chaired by Mr. Ramsey Clarke, a former Attorney General of the United States. Can the Leader convey to the Minister that Mr. Clarke's report concludes that the case against Ms McAliskey is politically motivated? This is a frightening scenario that suggests Lord Denning's "appalling vista" is being revisited on another Irish citizen, a young mother suffering very severe ill health. The Minister should ask if Britain has forgotten the outrageous miscarriages of justice perpetrated in its name against Irish citizens. The cases of the Birmingham Six and Guildford Four are still alive in the minds of Irish people. Given the concern——
Lengthy contributions are not in order on the Order of Business.
——that Britain shows for its own citizens, as exemplified by the recent Louise Woodward case in Boston, can it not show more sensitivity to other nationals? The Minister could request that Ms McAliskey and her baby be released before Christmas and allowed to return to their family.
Mr. Cregan
Is it possible to get the facts about the oil spillage in Cork harbour last week? We got different information about what was spilt, but nobody seems to be giving all the facts. This is serious, and a reply should have been given before now. The Minister responsible, whether the Minister for the Environment and Local Government or the Minister for Public Enterprise, should inform this House or the Dáil urgently.
I dissociate myself from the manner and tone of the attacks on my colleague, Senator Ross. I did not agree with what he said about the teachers. It was a clever stunt which got him what he wanted — newspaper headlines. However, it is unfortunate that a Senator is attacked in his or her absence, and I think it is against the rules of the House. The Cathaoirleach can guide me in this matter, but it is not done to refer to a Senator's absence, and it was wrong to permit it. The glancing references to landed gentry and "West Brits" are not in tone with the dignity of this House either, and I regret them. I also dissociate myself from Senator Ross's remarks last week.
I am glad that the Children Bill, 1997, is item 4; I assume that indicates it will be taken very soon. Will the Leader indicate whether it will be taken this week or in the next fortnight? I support my Labour Party colleagues' call for the publication of the Local Government Planning and Development (Amendment) Bill and I hope the Leader agrees to this. I also support the comments regarding the development in Lough Muckno. I raised a similar matter on the Adjournment last week regarding the use of EU funding to desecrate Carton House. It seems that here again EU money potentially is being used in a manner that is undemocratic and that it removes the right of free access from citizens to this beautiful part of the country. I strongly support what my colleague, Senator Costello, said about trying to get the Minister for the Environment and Local Government or the Minister for the Marine and Natural Resources involved, particularly since it appears no environmental impact study was carried out.
As Senator Finneran did earlier in the session, I request the Leader to hold a short debate on escalating house prices. Many young couples cannot afford to contemplate buying a house in the private house market in Dublin or the surrounding areas. In many cases, they must go down the country.
I want to protest not about today's Order of Business — I have no problem taking Second Stage of the Europol Bill, 1997 — but about the intention to finish tonight at 10 p.m. and then pass the Remaining Stages of the Bill tomorrow morning. We should have learned that if we rush through legislation, we do not expect the Government to listen to what we have to say. It is only a week since we rushed through an amending Bill on criminal justice after "quickie" legislation was introduced a few months ago. If we do not get our act together, this House will not earn the respect of the nation. We need not look for reform from outside because it is in our hands. When we plan to pass legislation within a week with no time between Second and Subsequent Stages, we do ourselves a disservice. We should not do this in future.
As regards the millennium bomb, I read today that many computers are unable to cater for the changeover from 1999 to the year 2,000. I raised this matter on the Adjournment on 12 March. The then Minister of State at the Department of Enterprise and Employment promised that she would ask Forfás to consider establishing a national task force and an information awareness campaign. I read in the newspapers today that seven out of 16 Departments in Britain have failed to complete the costed action plans to tackled the problem.
The reason it is important is traffic lights and blood transfusion units, for example, which are linked to computers will cause trouble on 1 January 2000. In March the Minister said action was being taken and promised something would happen but I have not heard about anything since. I am worried by what has happened in Britain where seven Departments did not reach their targets. I ask the Leader to draw the Minister's attention to the urgency of this matter. Rather than raise the matter on the Adjournment again, I ask that attention be given to this matter so the nation will be able to respond to this problem.
Will the Leader facilitate me and other Members by asking the relevant Minister when the task force recommendations on the travelling community will be implemented? This also ties in with previous remarks on unfinished estates with which I would like to be associated. Those of us who represent greater Dublin areas, in particular, badly need a debate on the travelling community and, in some cases, the settled community. The situation is desperate. The task force report has been gathering dust for two years. My esteemed colleague, Senator Quinn, spoke about task forces, which I often think are a waste of time as they sometimes take three years to complete a report with no results. In this case, it is crucial that we do something about this escalating problem.
I observe with some amusement that the by-election in Dublin North has truly begun given the intention of my colleague across the floor to move a Private Members' Bill. I am sure this is one of the first salvos to be fired.
The first of many.
I agree with Senator Ó Murchú's comments about Roisín McAliskey. His call is justified and should be addressed by the Minister for Foreign Affairs.
I recently read of the reported confession of a former member of the Algerian secret police regarding atrocities committed. I ask the Leader to bring this matter to the attention of the Minister for Foreign Affairs. The man's evidence is disturbing because it seems that some of the worst atrocities committed against a civilian population in any country in recent times may have been perpetrated by Government forces. This merits a question from the Minister at international level. If it is proven, there should be a debate and a decision should be made at international level.
I support Senator O'Toole's call for a debate on education. Two of the most maligned groups in Irish society are politicians and teachers and I know what it is like when one happens to be both. We do not have an education Act because we rarely debate education. In my previous years in the Seanad, there was little or no debate, except by way of Private Members' business. I ask the Minister to come to the House to outline his views on the education Bill which has been around for a long time. I still do not know his vision of Irish education in the millennium.
Structural funding in its present form will expire in 1999. Will the Leader invite the Minister for Finance to the House to outline the Government's proposals for structural funding post-1999?
Will the Leader ask the Government to outline its progress on western and rural development? What cohesive planning does it intend to implement? There is a need for long-term, cohesive planning rather than State objectives of one agency undoing the work of another. How will the Government address this in future budgets?
The western development plan Bill is at an advanced stage and will come before the House soon.
In reply to Senator Manning, there is no difficulty extending the contributions of the principal spokespersons to 20 minutes and 15 minutes for all other speakers. I presume time can be shared if required, particularly for the evening that is in it. I wish the Leader of the Opposition well in his endeavours later on. Hopefully we will add to the success of his mission.
On the points raised by Senator O'Toole and Senator Jackman, there is no difficulty having a debate on the work of teachers. Lough Muckno was raised by Senator Costello and Senator Norris. This matter could be dealt with in Private Members' business or on the Adjournment. I assure the House that the Minister will contribute to whichever is convenient. There is a substantial amount of legislation coming before the House between now and Christmas and this should be borne in mind when Members call for various debates on the Order of Business. If the House wishes, I can set aside a special day for debates.
I have considered Senator Seán Ryan's request in relation to item 5 and I have no objection to it. I am only too pleased to accede to Senator McGowan's request for a debate on local authority funding, which will take place before the Christmas recess.
Senator McDonagh called for a debate on literacy. The Labour Party has a motion on the Order Paper that "Seanad Éireann expresses its deep concern at the findings of an OECD report which reveals that 25% of Irish adults have serious literacy difficulties; and calls on the Government to take urgent action to improve the situation". Perhaps the Opposition could table a joint motion for Private Members' Time for which I will ensure the Minister is available.
Senator Ó Murchú and Senator Finneran expressed concern about Róisín McAliskey's situation and asked me to bring it to the attention of the Minister for Foreign Affairs. I will do so immediately after the Order of Business and I will then contact the Senators.
Senator Cregan mentioned the serious oil spillage in Cork harbour. I will relay the Senator's deep concern to the Minister this afternoon. The Children Bill, which Senator Norris mentioned, will be before the House next Wednesday. I know many Senators wish to contribute and I will allow as much time as they require.
Senator Liam Fitzgerald called for a debate on house prices. This is a serious matter because houses are too expensive. Perhaps we could discuss it during Private Members' Time so that it is taken before the Christmas recess.
Senator Quinn expressed serious concern that a time limit would be placed on the final stages of the Europol Bill, 1997, tomorrow. However, that will not happen. I will be faced with similar difficulties every week from now to Christmas. Perhaps the Whips might discuss this matter after the Order of Business to see how we can facilitate Senator Quinn's request.
Senator Ridge asked for a debate on the report of the task force on the travelling community. Perhaps that could be taken in Private Members' Time. I will be only too pleased to pass on Senator Finneran's concerns about the activities of the Government forces in Algeria to the Minister for Foreign Affairs.
I am pleased with the Leader's response in allowing the Bill to be printed.
Amendment agreed to.
Order of Business, as amended, agreed to.