Before I call the Leader, I wish to inform Members that the soundproofing work which I outlined in my correspondence to Members last week has commenced. Phase one of the work on the windows adjacent to the work site has been completed since we last sat. Roller blinds have still to be installed on those five windows and the other windows must be further soundproofed. The remaining work will be completed during the week of the elections.
Order of Business.
The Order of Business is No. a1 on the supplementary Order Paper, No. 1 and No. 23, motion 31. All Stages of No. a1 are to be taken today. On Second Stage the contributions of spokespersons shall not exceed 15 minutes and those of all other Senators shall not exceed ten minutes. No. 1, statements on the 100 year contribution of the Pioneer Total Abstinence Association and its members to Irish life, will be taken at the conclusion of Private Members' Business. The contributions of spokespersons shall not exceed ten minutes while those of all other Senators shall not exceed eight minutes.
The Order of Business is agreed. I wish to raise a number of issues with the Leader. I refer to the current controversy about the effects of mobile telephones on people's health. It is an issue with which we should concern ourselves following the publication of two major reports. The Department of Health and Children is involved in ongoing monitoring of this problem with the World Health Organisation. Perhaps, following the elections, the Minister for Health and Children will come into the House and address us on current research on the issue. If there are to be serious problems as a result of mobile telephone usage, it is better that the matter be addressed now.
All Members will be dismayed by the recent European decision on the working hours of junior doctors. It is bizarre that the worst decision is taken at European level and we seem to have little discretion. There is great public sympathy for the doctors and great public concern that, because they work 70 to 75 hours per week under pressured conditions, they could inadvertently through tiredness put their patients at risk. There is a sense of urgency about this issue and I wish to have it discussed following the elections or before then, if possible.
I also note the publication of a book today by Ms Bernadette Fahey about her experiences in Goldenbridge. It again brings our attention to the issue of industrial schools following the ominous headlines about prosecutions arising from the Artane school. This issue should be urgently addressed following the "States of Fear" programme, the publication of Ms Fahey's book and the newspaper headlines.
I refer to the proposed merger of the Bank of Ireland and Alliance & Leicester. I do not raise this in any hostile sense since the Bank of Ireland has done a great deal which is praiseworthy and I do not wish to knock the proposed merger. However, it has enormous implications for our economy, the future of banking and competition in the future. It is an issue upon which I am sure the Government must have a view and it would be worthwhile if the Minister for Finance shared the official view on this merger with the House and listened to the views of Members.
I strongly support Senator Manning's call for the Minster for Health and Children to come to the House. I particularly support his points about junior hospital doctors, although some of those so-called junior doctors have been working as full doctors for a number of years on year to year contracts. Many of these doctors work well in excess of 100 hours per week and they are a danger to themselves and to patients. The extraordinary thing is that they are paid half the rate or not at all for overtime. Workers like gardaí, prison officers and building workers get time and a half, double and treble time for working overtime while we penalise these doctors for working overtime. Many young doctors are leaving their jobs, which is very worrying.
I ask the Leader to ascertain the Government's position from the Minister, even if he does not come to the House. There are suggestions today that the Government will not support the demand for shorter working hours for junior doctors, though our European Commissioner is strongly in support of that demand. The House should know the relative positions of the Government and the Commissioner as soon as possible. Speaking of matters continental, I also note concerns that Alliance & Leicester may merge with Bank of Ireland but at least it is comforting to note that the bonk of Ireland has merged with The Times. The Irish Times carries a serious report today to the effect that Dublin Corporation proposes to allow those who come into Dublin city centre to get drunk to park their cars overnight and collect them in the morning. That is fine as far as drunken driving and accidents are concerned but what about the unfortunate people who have these cars parked outside their houses all weekend or all night? I would like those cars to be clamped. If people want to booze, they should come in by taxi.
Will the Leader consider a debate on the VTOS system, which plays a valuable role in our education system? FÁS students have been given a £25 increase while the VTOS participants have not and they feel they are being placed on a second tier. VTOS offers many students courses that suit their needs and which they cannot get from FÁS.
I disagree with Senator Norris on Dublin Corporation's proposals to allow people to park. I think it is responsible to allow those who have brought cars into the city but feel they may be over the limit to park.
Why can they not be put in car parks?
The cultural facilities and pubs are in the centre of the city. Many people from the North of Ireland and Britain park outside bed and breakfasts and find their cars are towed away or clamped, so this is a sensible and welcome arrangement.
Dublin Corporation should provide car parks.
When we talk about local government, this is an area that local councillors should address and are doing so.
I agree wholeheartedly with Senator Manning's invitation to the Minister for Health and Children to come to the House. We have raised the matter of the extraordinary amount of hours worked by junior doctors on a number of occasions and described it as absolutely outrageous. Yet, we find that our Minister for Health and Children has gone along with the other Ministers of the European Union to agree on a 13 year delay in the introduction of a 48 hour week and that our Minister was prepared to support a 15 year delay. We need the Minister to explain that to us. Whose interest is that in? It is not in the interest of the patient, good practice or regulation of the medical profession. This is long overdue and the Minister should explain his decision to the House.
Non-Government motion No. 16 on the Order Paper states:
That Seanad Éireann calls on the Minister for the Environment and Local Government to obtain an independent assessment of the health effects of microwave transmitters being erected on masts throughout the country.
That motion was put down on 3 November 1998.
I raise this matter in the light of two surveys which have been widely commented upon in the media and which show that mobile phones have a negative effect on the health of users. No independent research into this matter has been conducted in Ireland. In other countries, governments have demanded funding for research from companies which have been awarded mobile phone licences. Is there any reason why the Government could not do likewise?
Will the Leader raise the matter of housing costs with the Minister of State at the Department of the Environment and Local Government, Deputy Molloy, who has responsibility for housing? Two weeks ago he told the House that the matter was under control. Despite this, house prices in Dublin increased by 6 per cent in the first four months of this year. It is clear that the Minister of State has not been able to address this problem. He told the House that there is no housing crisis, yet we expect to see a 20 per cent increase in house prices this year. This follows a 25 per cent increase last year. I ask the Leader to ensure that the Minister of State comes to the House before the summer recess to account for his stewardship.
I have asked on numerous occasions for a debate on planning, particularly the operation of An Bord Pleanála. There is grave concern about its operation. Decisions taken by senior inspectors of the board have been reversed by board members. This practice is causing great problems throughout the country. It is necessary to have a debate on this matter. Legal costs can be paid to citizens who take electoral or other matters to the Supreme Court. The only method of appealing a decision of An Bord Pleanála is to request a judicial review. This is an extremely costly process which must be paid for by the person seeking the judicial review. It should not be necessary to pay in order to appeal a questionable decision by An Bord Pleanála.
There is a very disturbing report in one of this morning's newspapers about overspending on various projects for which the National Roads Authority has responsibility. Judging by the differences between initial prices and outcomes, it appears that a large number of major projects could have been finished if other contracts had been completed within their initial budgets. It is time to have a debate on the National Roads Authority.
The world is becoming a more dangerous place. Yesterday, the President of the United States announced that measures have been put in place to protect the American nuclear weapons industry and to ensure that China steals no more of its secrets. The United States does not seem to abide by the nuclear non-proliferation treaties and its President complains that China has acquired some information regarding American nuclear weapons. It is just as dangerous for the United States to have nuclear weapons as for China to have them.
Senator Lanigan, it is not in order to range over the broad spectrum of world affairs on the Order of Business.
It is very informative. We can learn a lot.
I request a debate on the operations of NATO.
There could be collateral damage.
I wish to read the following to the House:
We hope by the use of terror to awaken an interest in domestic politics among the masses. The people are forming combat groups of their own to fight this or that body of oppressors, and gradually all of them will merge in a general uprising. Once it comes we shall try as far as possible to limit the number of casualties and the violence.
That is not about Kosovo or NATO or Jamie Shea's daily bumf—
Tell us who it is.
It is Vasili Osipanov who was executed in 1867 with Lenin's brother. Jamie Shea is saying the same thing today. It is time we stopped listening to him.
I do not wish to get involved in a debate but women and children are dying in Kosovo and if Senator Lanigan and others have a better alternative to offer, I would like to hear what it is.
In light of the reported comments of the head of the Yugoslav football association who visited this country a few days ago that politics and sport do not mix in Yugoslavia, there should be a debate on Kosovo to allow Senators express their views and concerns about the holding of the Ireland-Yugoslavia football game next month. Events have moved on since the matter was raised by my colleague, Senator Finneran, a few weeks ago. I commend an article by Tom Humphries in a recent Saturday edition of The Irish Times in which he made it clear that sport and politics are inextricably linked in Yugoslavia and that members of the Government and the armed forces not only finance but control and run club football, including such famous clubs as Hadjuk Split and Paritzan Belgrade. In that context, it would be useful to have before 5 June, the proposed date of the match between Ireland and Yugoslavia in Dublin, a debate on Kosovo to allow Senators express their views on the matter.
It is incredible that UEFA, the governing body, has not taken a firm stand on the issue. It has passed the buck and put the Football Association of Ireland in a difficult position. If the game is not played, it will forfeit the points and perhaps have other sanctions imposed on it. It is the innocent victim in this matter.
I am aware that the Minister for Tourism, Sport and Recreation has made representations to the European Commission. The European Union should adopt the position that it took in 1992 and issue a statement asking member states to sever sporting links with Yugoslavia which was dumped out of the European Championships of that year. It should now be dumped out of Euro 2000.
This is the only EU member state to meet Yugoslavia in a sporting fixture since the start of the current conflict. We should take the opportunity to express the moral view that most people hold. I feel strongly but helpless about what is happening in Kosovo.
I support Senator Mooney's call for a debate on Kosovo. I welcome the statement in the newspapers today in relation to the Government's blueprint for post offices and the contract for the distribution of social welfare payments. I am glad that the Government is dealing with the issue in an effective and positive way. It highlights the need for a White Paper on rural development and the support structures of rural communities.
Concerns have been expressed in publications today in relation to the cost of national roads. It is important, given that we are in the second tran che of Structural and Cohesion Funding and that we have a National Roads Authority, that there is a planned approach to our national roads infrastructure. We must address the serious question of over-spending and value for money. I ask that the Minister for the Environment and Local Government come to the House to discuss how we as county councillors and Senators can deal with this issue through the local authorities. There must be some yardstick for obtaining value for money within the national finances.
I support Senator Mooney's statement regarding the Ireland-Yugoslavia match. I raised the matter some weeks ago and I have had no reason to change my mind since. It is appropriate that this country should express its opposition to this match, on which there should be a European consensus.
I welcome the positive statement from the Government regarding post offices. This is in line with the commitment in the programme for Government to the continued operations of post offices throughout rural Ireland. This commitment is reiterated in today's statement and I am pleased that it will prevent the post offices issue being turned into a political football in the next two weeks.
I support Senator Lanigan's remarks regarding An Bord Pleanála. It has come to my attention that senior engineers in An Bord Pleanála give advice and make recommendations regarding planning applications and that the board overturns these recommendations. This is very disturbing and has only recently come to our notice as a result of the Freedom of Information Act. The matter merits a debate in this House because if technical advice at senior level is being ignored by board members, there must be some explanation given.
In the past I raised the issue of interest rates and I again ask the Leader to allow a debate on this subject. I raise the matter in the context of the proposed merger between the Bank of Ireland and Alliance & Leicester which has brought to light another serious anomaly. We always knew that people taking out term loans and overdrafts were being fleeced but we know now that this is happening also to mortgage holders. There could be a differential of between 1 per cent and 1.5 per cent for a mortgage holder obtaining a mortgage here and someone arranging a similar deal with Alliance & Leicester in England.
I agree there should be a debate regarding the long hours worked by junior doctors. I am perplexed at the decision taken by the Council of Ministers on the matter. The present Minister for Health and Children is the only Minister for Health ever to set up a health forum to deal with the issue. This is an ongoing forum and I con gratulate the Minister on setting it up. His predecessor in the last Government did nothing about this issue.
I join with Senator Manning in seeking an early debate on recent reports regarding the health risks involved in using mobile phones. I would like the debate to take place during this session. It is disturbing that the Swedish report illustrated that the risk of contracting brain tumours is 2.5 times greater among people who use mobile phones. A report was circulated recently which indicated the health risks attached to smoking. This report illustrated clearly that 20 per cent of the population die as a consequence of smoking. This is even more disturbing given what we are hearing about the use of mobile phones. I ask the Leader for an early debate on the matter.
I wish to raise the issue of the McKenna judgment and its effects on referenda. Those in the House campaigning at present will detect an information deficit on what exactly the referendum is about. I understand the judgment in that we must have a balanced approach and that money must be made available in a democracy to those making a counter argument on the amendment of the Constitution, but in an instance such as this it hamstrings the debate. Something must be done to change the position. I ask the Leader to talk to the Minister with a view to bringing forward amending legislation which will meet the requirements of the judgment while at the same time ensuring the public is well informed. I cannot imagine that anybody would want to oppose the recognition of local government in the proposed amendment to the Constitution.
I support the calls for a debate on the planning process, although perhaps we could widen it a little. People, particularly as we canvass for the local elections, are complaining about the lack of transparency in the planning process. If we could make that process more transparent and if people could be informed about the reasons planning permission is given as well as the reasons it is not, we could address that issue. If the Minister for the Environment and Local Government came to the House, we could address these issues and could look at the question of city architects and whether we should have them in some of our larger centres. It is important we address this issue soon because the Government is in the process of redrafting the planning legislation. I look forward to an early debate on that matter.
I again raise the issue of child care. We had a debate on this issue in December and it is time to revisit it. Fianna Fáil is particularly committed to solving this problem. We need to widen the debate to ensure people from the employer and community sectors are aware of their responsibilities in this area. Perhaps we could encourage the Minister for the Environment and Local Government to draft guidelines which could be used by local authorities in granting planning permission for facilities prepared to provide child care.
I endorse Senator Manning's call for a debate on the health hazards relating to mobile telephones. Will the Leader widen the debate on local government reform? Now that we are canvassing at the coalface, we are beginning to ask about the executive and reserve functions of the manager. The people do not understand that.
Often when I am asked to express a point of view on an issue, I find I do not have the power to do so and that it is an executive function. I am then asked about the power of a county councillor or the role I have as regards a particular issue. After the local government elections, it would be timely to have a debate on where our power lies. There is no better place than the Seanad to bring this matter into the open in user friendly language so that people understand what is going on. When council officials talk about Part X of the planning Act, people do not know what they are talking about, although I do. We must not confuse matters for people who want to know what is going on.
Senators Manning, Costello, Walsh and Ormonde expressed concerns about mobile telephones. Senator Manning called for a debate on the two new reports as did Senator Costello in No. 23, motion 16. I have no problem allowing time to discuss this matter. From time to time, alarming statements are made on various reports which come before us.
Senators Manning, Costello, Norris and Finneran expressed their concerns on the proposed working regulations or suggestions from the EU regarding junior hospital doctors. Like Senator Finneran I welcome the establishment of the new health forum by the Minister for Health and Children, Deputy Cowen. The proposals before us are alarming to say the least. The new European Parliament to be elected on 11 June will debate them. Prior to this I will allow time for a debate in the House to enable all Senators to make their views known. They can be conveyed to the MEPs elected to represent Ireland after 11 June.
Senators Manning, Costello and Finneran spoke regarding the proposals for Bank of Ireland's alliance with its new partner and regarding the future of banking and the economy. This is the first of perhaps two or three major mergers of financial institutions in this country. I will allow time to discuss this, hopefully before the end of the current session.
I will also convey Senators' views to the Minister regarding the VTOS system and non-inclusion for funding. During the past few days I have been inundated with correspondence from constituents regarding this problem.
Senators Norris and Costello called on the Garda Síochána and others involved for stricter car parking regulations in the north inner city, particularly at weekends. I agree with that. As someone who knows the area particularly well, I believe it is time a major car park was built in the Dorset Street and Parnell Square area. That part of Dublin is being rapidly updated. Over £230 million is being invested in this area for millennium projects. It is only right the Taoiseach should look after his constituency but it needs much attention and I welcome the allocation of £230 million to O'Connell Street, Summerhill, Gardiner Road, Gardiner Street and all the area with which Senators Norris and Costello are familiar.
Senator Costello also called for another debate on housing costs. Only three weeks ago we had a great debate in the House on this. I will allow time for this to take place.
Senators Lanigan, Finneran and Cox expressed very serious views regarding An Bord Pleanála and planning in general. As I stated last week on the Order of Business, I will allow one half day for a debate on this before the end of this session. I will also pass on the views of Senators Norris and Lanigan regarding the operations of NATO. Senators Mooney, Lanigan, Chambers and Finneran called for a debate on Kosovo and the involvement of sport in politics in this regard. I will allow time for this.
Senators Chambers and Finneran welcomed the Government's announcement in today's newspapers regarding the function and future of our post offices. Every Senator will wholeheartedly welcome the good news about plans for the post offices to be used for motor licences and a range of services. Those of us canvassing in local elections know only too well the great concerns of communities, particularly in rural Ireland, and the importance of post offices in rural life. I am delighted about and wholeheartedly welcome this good news today.
Senator Finneran called for a debate on interest rates. As I stated, I will allow time for a debate on all banking and financial matters in the near future.
Senator Walsh expressed a view regarding the McKenna judgment and the requirement to allocate money for a counter debate where it may not be possible to justify it. The last referendum cost the State £2 million, and this one will cost £0.75 million. I listened attentively to the Minister discussing this on radio as I travelled here by car and I note that he is looking at the possibility of amending legislation.
Senator Cox called for a debate on child care. I will allow time for such a debate because, in the light of alarming allegations against well-known industrial schools and institutions, this must be debated and people must be allowed to express their views and their outrage.
Senator Ormonde called for a debate on local government reform. I will allow time for this. It is the Government's intention that the new local government reform Bill will be published before the end of this session. It would be timely to have it published and to have the Minister come to the House for the debate.
Order of Business agreed to.