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Seanad Éireann díospóireacht -
Tuesday, 16 Jun 1998

Vol. 155 No. 24

Order of Business.

Today's Order of Business is items 1 and 2. Committee and Remaining Stages of item 1 are to be taken today. Committee and Remaining Stages of item 2 are also to be taken today but are not to commence before 5 p.m.

The Order of Business is agreed. Does the Leader propose to have a debate between now and the recess on the future role of the Seanad? Will he leave it over until the autumn? Will he arrange a debate for the next session on the recent report of the Oireachtas review group on the electoral system? It is interesting that the report has become available and it is worth discussing. A debate would provide an opportunity to review some aspects of the Seanad electoral system and the way it works. There were a number of problems in the last elections. The system takes a great length of time and there may be ways of streamlining the process, something which the Leader might examine.

I have had almost a lifetime's experience of examinations and students. At present in a number of instances students are experiencing great difficulties. The horrendous tragedy in Laois has, among other things, put enormous stress on the students involved. Our sympathy goes to the families. It is difficult to imagine the stress the students are facing as they sit the examinations. There is another problem in Cork. I appeal to the Minister and his Department to be as flexible as possible. It is possible to be flexible and fair and people will understand in these cases if the normally rigid procedures are departed from in an effort to prevent the students having to resit the examination thereby losing a year or having to do them in the autumn. The Minister should have an open mind and will have the support of all fair minded people if he exercises flexibility in these matters.

The Order of Business is agreed.

The loss of low skilled jobs in different parts of the country, for example, at Apple in Cork, through their transfer elsewhere has recently been making the headlines. This is relevant to a recent request made in the House for a discussion on literacy and numeracy at primary and postprimary school level. This is a very important issue which could be dealt with in the context of item 14 on the Order Paper which concerns the report of the Joint Committee on Education and Science on literacy levels. The Leader previously indicated he was prepared to examine the issue. I would like this to be tied in with the commitment he gave last week for a discussion on educational resources and their application. The Minister is currently examining these issues. We cannot get jobs for people who are not qualified and there will be an absence of qualified people if support is not provided in the schools. It is a vicious circle and the issues must be considered together in the context of employment. I ask the Leader to ensure a debate takes place before the end of session as he promised last week.

I fully support what Senator Manning said about the tragedy in Laois and ask that the Leader bring to the attention of the Minister our concern that flexibility be exercised in the context of examinations where it is impossible for students to continue. Some alternative procedure must be put in place to ensure those young people doing their leaving certificate do not lose out because of the huge personal tragedy they have experienced.

Today is Bloomsday and the House should mark it in some fashion. Unfortunately, the famous Senator Norris is not present.

That is our contribution.

Perhaps we should join him for breakfast in North Great George's Street or go to the Martello Tower in Sandycove.

Davy Byrnes would be much better.

We might head in that direction later. This is the most cultural and literary of days. Following on what Senator O'Toole said, there are a large number of people who will never have the opportunity of reading the works of James Joyce. They will understand the language in which Ulysses is written but will never understand the work itself. In this context I refer to motions 5 and 15 on the Order Paper. Motion 5 states: “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.”. If we could fulfil that one project I am sure we could deal with the literacy levels. That would be the best way to mark Bloomsday.

Apparently the Government proposes to bring in emergency legislation on illegal immigrants and penalties for those who employ them. Before we discuss this legislation, will the Leader organise a debate on the treatment of illegal emigrants to the United States of America over the past 20 to 30 years and the penalties imposed on those who employed them? I am thinking in particular of those who went to America as economic emigrants because I am sure we would not want to treat anyone who enters this country illegally in a manner worse than the Irish population were treated in the United States.

I wish to raise a point similar to that raised by Senator Henry. I asked before for a debate on immigration which is an escalating problem and I was concerned by reports on the radio this morning. I believe accounts suggesting a degree of Mafia control in bringing illegal immigrants to this country are truthful. I am concerned about this important issue and escalating problem which we have not had the opportunity to address. I am sure the Leader will oblige because he has voiced his concerns as well.

Will the Leader arrange for the Minister for the Environment and Local Government to come to the House to discuss a problem facing the farming community which is almost being forced to work at night transporting silage, etc. ? Will the Minister ensure all farm vehicles and farm machinery using the roads during darkness are equipped with a flashing light, which is essential? As somebody with a hands on knowledge of farming, I appreciate the difficulty facing farmers and I am not inferring or implying responsibility for the serious accident in County Laois. It is part of an ongoing problem facing the farming community which is forced to work and have vehicles on the road at night. Will the Minister consider imposing a condition that all farm vehicles must have a flashing light when travelling on roads and will he impose stiff penalties if they are found without them? Perhaps the Leader will arrange for the Minister to come to the House to consider this serious matter.

In view of the ongoing Garda dispute and the serious concerns citizens, particularly old people, have about it, it is time for leadership. Will the Leader convey that point not only to the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform but also the Taoiseach? Some of the tutors or lecturers from the Garda training college in Templemore are outside the House today.

We cannot debate this matter now. I have ruled on it on a number of occasions on the Order of Business.

I want to bring it to the attention of the House that the lecturers and tutors from the college in Templemore are outside the gates of Leinster House today.

Will the Leader draw the attention of the Minister for Finance to a concern of the EBU, the European Blind Union, which represents 7.5 million people who are partially sighted or blind? The organisation is concerned about the design of the new euro 20 and 50 cent coins. Will the Leader ask the Minister to take these concerns into account when decisions are being made at European level?

I congratulate the National College of Ireland, formerly the National College of Industrial Relations, which has reopened with a bright new college and logo. I wish it well.

Senator Manning inquired about a debate on the future role of the Seanad. I am pleased to inform the House that Seanad review statements are listed for Wednesday, 24 June. I will be flexible in regard to time limits and Members will be facilitated in contributing for as long as they wish in the afternoon and evening. Senators Manning and Costello called on the Minister for Education and Science to display some flexibility in light of the horrific tragedy which occurred in County Laois. I join in the sentiments expressed by the Senators and, on behalf of the House, offer our condolences to those who have been bereaved. This was a horrific and terrible accident and I know the Government, the Minister and the Taoiseach would concur with the request for flexibility.

Senators O'Toole and Costello asked that the Minister for Education and Science come into the House for a debate on literacy. I have agreed to such a debate taking place prior to the end of this session and will discuss it at the weekly meeting of the Leaders and Whips immediately after the Order of Business.

Senators Henry and Ridge requested a further debate on illegal immigrants. Senator Keogh raised this matter in an Adjournment debate last week. It is expected that the Illegal Immigrants (Trafficking and Employment) Bill will come before the House in the next session. The Bill would serve to criminalise trafficking in illegal immigrants. The Government is treating this serious matter as one of urgency.

Senator McGowan called on the Minister for the Environment and Local Government to come into the House to discuss problems facing the farming community. I will pass on the Senator's concerns to the Minister and I will afford him time to highlight these issues in the last Fianna Fáil Private Members' time in the last week of the session should he so wish.

Senator Tom Hayes expressed concern about the GRA dispute. I welcome the Taoiseach's intervention in the dispute, particularly as he is known for his negotiating skills. I look forward to a speedy conclusion to the dispute and I join in the concerns expressed by the Senator. The entire country would like to see the matter brought to a conclusion at an early date.

Senator Quinn raised a very valuable point in regard to the new euro coins. There is a great deal of merit in the Senator's comments and I will pass on his concerns to the Minister for Finance later today.

Order of Business agreed to.
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