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Seanad Éireann díospóireacht -
Wednesday, 9 Dec 1998

Vol. 157 No. 13

Order of Business.

Today's Order of Business is items 2, 3, 6, 4, 5 and item 20, motion 32. Item 2 will be taken without debate. Item 3, Committee and Remaining Stages to be taken today. Item 6, Report and Final Stages to be taken at 12.15 p.m., and item 3 to resume thereafter, if not previously concluded. Item 4, statements on under-age drinking, to be taken at 2 p.m., with the contributions of spokespersons not to exceed ten minutes, and all other Senators seven minutes. Senators may share their time. Item 5, statements on 1798, to be taken from 4 p.m. to 5 p.m., with the contributions of spokespersons and all other Senators not to exceed eight minutes. Item 4 to resume thereafter if not previously concluded. Item 20, motion 32, to be taken from 6 to 8 p.m.

I would like to raise a number of queries on the Order of Business before any agreement is reached. Why is item 2, Regional Fisheries Boards (Postponement of Elections) Order, 1998, being taken without debate? Why are these elections being postponed? We cannot agree to that unless we have an adequate explanation from the Leader.

As regards item 5, the amount of time allowed, particularly for spokespersons, is not adequate so we ask the Leader to consider increasing it to at least ten, if not 15 minutes.

There is a major crisis in the clothing industry. In the past few days over 1,000 jobs have been lost in County Longford, with which I am sure you, a Chathaoirligh, are familiar, and in County Donegal in what was a main industry not only in that county but in the region. This serves as a warning of a serious crisis in the industry which still employs thousands of people. I ask the Leader to arrange for the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment to come into the House to discuss this before Christmas. We do not know what announcements may come next week about other operators in the apparel industry which could have serious consequences similar to those in County Longford and County Donegal.

In the absence of Senator O'Toole, who is recovering from his exertions on behalf of his constituents yesterday, we accept the Order of Business.

I seek clarification why elections to the regional fisheries boards have been postponed. We do not object to passing the Regional Fisheries Boards (Postponement of Elections) Order, 1998, provided we understand the reason for doing so.

I ask the Leader to arrange a debate tomorrow on the 50th anniversary of the UN Declaration of Human Rights. It was a milestone that both sides got together after the Second World War and made such a declaration on human rights. However, human rights are still flouted in many corners of the world. It is important for us — particularly as a former President of Ireland is the UN High Commissioner for Human Right — to express our determination that human rights are respected everywhere. The 50th anniversary is on 10 December, but on 11 December the United States will execute its 500th person since it restored the death penalty in 1976. It is as though it is snubbing the UN Declaration of Human Rights. It is important that we have an opportunity to put on record our position on human rights.

Will the Leader ask the Minister for Social, Community and Family Affairs to come into the House to clarify the position on Christmas bonuses for a vulnerable section of our community? The Minister denied any responsibility for the circular issued by a civil servant. He responded with a press statement which further muddied the waters. Nobody seems to know what is the position at present. It is important that the Minister comes into the House to assure the 5,000 to 10,000 people they will not be affected by this backward decision and that they will benefit from the Christmas bonus scheme.

I ask the Leader to bring to the attention of the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the request by a former Tánaiste and the Chairman of the Victims Commission, Mr. John Wilson, to release the Garda files on the Monaghan and Dublin bombings in 1974 to the families of the victims. The people in Monaghan and Dublin feel they were ignored when we discussed victims in recent years. It is important that these people are recognised.

I join with Senator Costello in asking the Minister for Social, Community and Family Affairs to come to the House to explain the confusion and mess caused by contradictory remarks from his Department about circulars, press releases, etc., on the Christmas bonus scheme.

I also ask the Leader to schedule a debate in the new year, if not before Christmas, on child care in light of the Government's inaction in the budget last week and the imminent publication of the report of the expert working group on child care which was set up under Partnership 2000.

I ask the Leader to ask the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform to come to the House to discuss the recent horrific murders in County Tipperary, where a young man was brutally beaten and in the Galway area where a teenager's body was found. We are concerned about the number of unresolved murders and the list of missing women. There is no doubt that women are afraid. This type of news seems to make the headlines one day but is forgotten the next. I hope the Minister comes to the House to tell us what he is doing to ensure there is a sufficient Garda presence in all areas so that people are not afraid on dark nights.

I support the call by Senator Costello for a debate tomorrow on human rights as this is an important 50th anniversary. This country has played a significant role in framing these various conventions and administering human rights worldwide. Since the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights is a former President and Member of this House, it would be appropriate to have this debate.

I join in the calls for further information to be made available about the Dublin and Monaghan bombings. I welcome the initiative of the former Tánaiste, Mr. John Wilson, but I would like to see him becoming involved in something else on behalf of other relatives. I am talking about the relatives of those who have disappeared, such as the family of Mrs. Jean McConville who was brutally murdered by the IRA. I find it sickening to discover that representatives of the IRA say they are appealing for information about it. These are the people who tortured and murdered her and who know where the bodies are. Mr. Adams and his colleagues should be given a clear and specific instruction that the least we require in terms of basic human rights and decency is that they get off the fence and tell the unfortunate families where these corpses are so they can be given a decent Christian burial.

Yet another damning report on the widespread litter problem on our beaches was published by the European Union today. Given that we rely on tourist revenue, it is appalling that another report condemns this country. We are at the bottom of the league yet again. I suggest that the Leader makes time available in the new session for a debate on waste disposal. This would give Members on all sides of the House the opportunity to make a contribution on an extremely serious matter as we go into the new millennium.

This is also a problem in small towns and villages. We have become an increasingly dirty race. Recently I was told about an incident in County Leitrim where someone who is very well off was observed taking their personal rubbish out and putting it beside a public bin in a main street. I am sure this is happening across the country. It is long past time that we addressed this problem. It would be opportune to debate this issue with the Minister for the Environment and Local Government because the necessary resources must be provided. For example, there is only one litter warden for County Leitrim and she is doing the best she can.

I support the request by my colleagues for a statement by way of clarification from the Minister for Social, Community and Family Affairs, Deputy Dermot Ahern. Yesterday, I visited a health centre and utter confusion reigned among staff and claimants about the situation. It would be helpful if the Minister could come here and tell us what will happen as regards the payment of Christmas bonuses.

Following a request I made last week, can the Leader clarify what is the Government's intention regarding the promised legislation from the Minister for the Environment and Local Government on planning? This time last year we introduced a Bill to allow for the record of developers who had not completed works properly to be taken into account when deciding future planning permissions. The Minister opposed the Bill on the grounds that he was fundamentally reforming the planning legislation himself, the results of which are not yet before us. This is a matter of great urgency and I would like the Leader's assurance that legislation will be forthcoming as soon as possible.

I join with Senator Mooney in calling for a debate on waste but I would extend it by calling for a debate on pollution of rivers and our shoreline. A fortnight ago we had a debate on the Shannon river and it highlighted pollution and the importance of testing. Will the Leader ask the Minister for the Environment and Local Government to come here for a full discussion on waste, waste management and the pollution of our rivers and coastline?

Senator Connor referred to item 2. Arrangements are not ready for an election. However, if the House will agree I will allow time for it to be discussed further at a later stage rather than putting it through this morning.

In relation to item 5, there is only one hour allocated to take statements on 1798 but I am prepared to extend the contributions of Members to ten minutes. If there are Senators still offering we will allocate extra time for this item next week.

I share Senator Connor's sentiments and his great concerns regarding the clothing industry and its future. I will try to get the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment, Deputy Harney, to come to this House to hear the concerns of Members and brief the House on the current state of the industry at the earliest opportunity.

Senators Costello, O'Meara, Norris and Gallagher expressed a wish that we would have statements to coincide with the 50th anniversary of the Declaration of Human Rights tomorrow. I will see if we can have time for this debate and I will discuss it with the leaders of the various groups after the Order of Business. Those Senators also want the Minister for Social, Family and Community Affairs to clarify the position with regard Christmas bonuses. The Minister clarified the situation in the Dáil last night and I heard his statement on radio. He said that anyone who received their Christmas bonus in previous years will be receiving it this year. However, I will seek further clarification and I will inform Members about the current position.

Senators Leonard and Norris called for Garda files on the Dublin and Monaghan bombings to be released to the families concerned. We would all like to see this happening and I will pass on the wishes of the Senators to the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform.

Senator O'Meara requested a debate on the work report. I will allocate time for it at the earliest opportunity.

Senator Jackman requested that the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform come here to discuss and debate the serious increase in crime and those dreadful murders. I could not agree more and I will see if the Minister can facilitate a debate at the earliest opportunity.

Senators Mooney and Cooney requested a debate on waste disposal and pollution. I agree with this request and I will facilitate a debate on it in the first three to four weeks of the next session.

Senator Gallagher called for a debate on planning and he urged the Minister for the Environment and Local Government to bring forward the necessary legislation. I will pass on the Senator's wishes to the Minister.

Can the Leader clarify the position in relation to item 2? Is it being taken today?

Yes. Order of Business agreed to.

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