Today's Order of Business is Nos. 1, 2, 3 and 4. No. 1 shall be taken without debate. On No. 2, the Regional Technical Colleges (Amendment) Bill, 1999, all Stages are to be taken today with speeches on Second Stage not to exceed 15 minutes. On No. 3, the Architectural Heritage (National Inventory) and Historic Monuments (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill, 1998, Report and Final Stages are to be taken today. On No. 4, Copyright and Related Rights Bill, Committee Stage is to be taken at the conclusion of all other items, to be suspended between 7 p.m. and 8 p.m. and to be interrupted not later than midnight.
Order of Business.
Our business today is overshadowed by events north of the Border. Nothing can be usefully said on that subject other than that the resolution of the issues lies with the people directly involved. All we can do at this stage is to hope those involved will see their efforts crowned with success, even if from this vantage point the situation looks more dismal and gloomy than at any stage since the signing of the Good Friday Agreement. It is to be hoped that the momentum and atmosphere which made that agreement possible can in some way be rekindled over the next two days. Otherwise we are looking at a very grim scene. I wish those involved well.
On the Order of Business, we are at the usual end of session scenario where Bills are going through all Stages on the same day. I have no great difficulty with all Stages of the Regional Technical Colleges (Amendment) Bill being taken today. Will there be an interval between Second and Committee Stages? I know some amendments have been tabled. That can be discussed between the Whips.
The message from the Leader's office last week on the Copyright and Related Rights Bill made clear it was intended that Committee Stage would be completed today and that Report Stage would be taken and completed tomorrow. As the Acting Leader knows, the Bill has over 300 sections and was initiated in the House. It deserves the fullest possible scrutiny which it has received until now. We were also told the last day the reason no Government amendments had been tabled was because the Minister would address all the issues on Report Stage. I presume the information given by the Leader's office last week would not allow that. If we are to have Report Stage tomorrow, this means there will be a guillotine and that there will be no time to consider any changes on Report Stage. Will the Acting Leader clarify that there will be no guillotine and that, if Committee Stage of the Bill is not completed by midnight, it will continue tomorrow, that there is no question of taking Report Stage tomorrow and that it will be taken next week at the earliest?
I reiterate and reinforce Senator Manning's points. A great deal of business must be done during the week. However, we should not be railroaded because legislation, especially the Copyright and Related Rights Bill, is not allocated sufficient time. Many Members have a significant interest in that Bill and it would leave a very sour taste in the mouth if it were pushed through unnecessarily quickly. I would also like a commitment from the Acting Leader that time will be made available for people to table amendments to the Bill for Report Stage. Similarly, I would like him to ensure that there will be enough time after Second Stage of the Regional Technical Colleges (Amendment) Bill for Members to table amendments for Committee Stage.
Despite the wide range of Bills to be taken during this week, the Government side has not found time to debate the Shannon River Council Bill. If this is not dealt with at some stage during the session, and it looks unlikely that it will be, I intend moving an amendment to the Order of Business every day in the new session and calling a division on it. I know that reflects the views of Members on both sides of the House. Senators Manning and O'Meara and many other Members have raised this as often as I have. It is a view held by us all and we are representing people poorly in not dealing with this legislation.
The final matter to which I will refer involves last week's commitment by the Leader to raise with the Minister for Finance the possibility of his coming before the Seanad to outline his views, thoughts, proposals and policy regarding the redistribution of the extraordinary Exchequer surplus which will accrue to the State this year. At a time when the State is seeking to redistribute up to £4 billion and negotiate a new national agreement, it is crucially important that Members should be given some idea of the Government's policy on redistributing money to those who have been excluded heretofore and its outlook on pay, taxation, infrastructure, etc. It is time the Minister placed his cards on the table.
The Order of Business is agreeable with the exception of the arrangements for taking the Regional Technical Colleges Bill. Those arrangements breach the principle which Members believed had been laid down once and for all, namely, that all Stages of legislation would not be taken on the same day and that a suitable period would be provided to allow us to draft amendments and reflect on matters raised on Second Stage. That principle is particularly relevant to the debate on an education Bill which places a new institute of technology on a statutory footing. It is not every day that a new institute of technology is established. If the Bill referred to the Tallaght Institute or a new university, would all Stages be taken on the same day? Will the Leader reconsider the decision to take all Stages today? Will he give a commitment to take only Second Stage today and take the remaining Stages tomorrow? It should be possible to do this, given that the House will sit from now until Friday.
I echo Senator Manning's expression of support for the vitally important talks taking place in Northern Ireland in the next two days which will overshadow all of our business. I extend my party's best wishes to everyone involved, including the British Prime Minister and the Taoiseach. I welcome the strong concerns expressed by President Clinton that the talks should be brought to a satisfactory conclusion. This is a time fraught with danger, particularly in view of the long march from Belfast, the re-routing of another march from Armagh to Portadown and the discovery of a quantity of explosives. We have reached a critical stage, we extend our best wishes to all the participants and we hope their deliberations will reach a satisfactory conclusion.
Will the Leader indicate if the arguments of the Minister for Public Enterprise or those of the Minister for Finance won out at Cabinet in terms of fixing the price at which Telecom Éireann shares will be sold?
That is inside information. Is that a form of lobbying?
It is wishful thinking.
We will leave a note in the Senator's pigeonhole.
Senator Costello without interruption and on the Order of Business.
On a more serious note, I wish to express my concern about the Minister for Public Enterprise's statement regarding the complete privatisation of Telecom Éireann at a time when the Government has not developed a national plan for the investment of money for infrastructural purposes. As Senator O'Toole stated, the Exchequer is awash with money – there will be a £4 billion surplus this year – and the Government is running hell for leather towards privatising State bodies. It is clear that the Ministers for Finance and Public Enterprise should come before the House to discuss what they intend to do with the vast amounts of money flowing into the State coffers.
I would welcome a debate on Eureka, the development and research body of which Ireland is a member.
We have participated in several joint industrial projects. I understand that recently it has been going through a rather rocky period. We are told that is because of lack of personnel and funding provided by national Governments. It has an uncertain future. Not only does it consist of members of the European Community, it also has many potential members of that Community. Given that it is being debated at the present, it would worthwhile if the House had an opportunity to participate in that debate.
Mr. Ryan
I cannot help wondering whether, if the Regional Technical College Bill was the universities Bill, Senator Manning would be so enthusiastic about all Stages being taken together, but that is a minor matter.
It is also very inaccurate.
Mr. Ryan
How can I wonder inaccurately?
Has the Senator a question for the Leader of the House?
Mr. Ryan
On a point of order, since the Cathaoirleach has agreed to designate 16 June as Bloomsday, are we required to give the feast day of every saint when we seek to raise a matter on the Adjournment or are we simply required to give obedience to secular saints? I am astonished that the Government is determined to finish the Copyright Bill in this House before the summer recess. I presume we reluctantly agreed to its request.
I am intrigued by the fact that we have sat here for months waiting for Government amendments to the Report Stage of the United Nations convention against torture Bill. This party tabled Report Stage amendments to that Bill the best part of three months ago. The Government has not tabled any Report Stage amendment to that Bill.
Am I to take it, therefore, that copyright is more important than torture or is it the case that the business of this House is being dictated by the Government of the United States, which has threatened us with all sorts of mayhem if we do not get this Bill through? We could comfortably deal with this Bill at our leisure in September in time for it to be received by the other House. I am astonished that it will be dealt with before the summer recess, but I am glad that we, on this side of the House, have achieved one miraculous change. Given that we have managed to get the Government to think seriously about this Bill, at last we have Government amendments to a Bill, which the Minister implied a fortnight ago was so perfect that he could not imagine that it would need any amendments. Since he now accepts that Government amendments to it are necessary, I trust that his attitude to Opposition amendments will also have changed.
Will the Leader of the House bring to the attention of the Minister for the Environment and Local Government a serious shortcoming in the Waste Management Act, 1996? Given the major concern associated with dioxin emissions among others, which according to the experts are associated with birth defects, cancer and various congenital illnesses, there is no provision in the Act to prevent the building of toxic waste incinerators in built up areas. This issue arises particularly because of a proposal to locate such an incinerator in Kilcock. Will the Leader call on the Minister for the Environment and Local Government to introduce amending legislation immediately to remedy this shortcoming in the Act?
I support a call in today's papers to request the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform to do something nationally to address the number of offensive weapons being carried by citizens within the State, given the major increase in murders by the use of knives and other implements. It is time the Government and the Minister seriously considered introducing legislation to prevent the carrying of these implements, which is considered cool in certain sectors. To protect our citizens, we should support a call for the Minister to introduce legislation to prevent citizens carrying such weapons and to begin an educational process to prevent serious personal injury, with all the tragedy and sadness associated with that. A structural measure should be introduced to address this phenomenon that is on the increase.
Will the Leader of the House bring to the attention of the Minister for Agriculture and Food the imminent problems in relation to the live cattle trade, particularly young cattle, in the Spanish market? There is a 30 day retention clause which will have a huge effect on this trade. It is a matter of urgency which the Minister for Agriculture and Food should take in hand because it will have severe repercussions for the trade, particularly at the end of the year.
I have raised the issue of planning permission on numerous occasions in the House. There is a huge backlog of planning applications in local authorities throughout the country. Will the Leader ask the Minister for the Environment and Local Government to provide extra funding to local authorities so they can employ extra staff to deal with the huge number of planning applications? In some cases, people are waiting up to 12 months for planning permission because the local authorities cannot deal with the backlog of applications, which is due to the Celtic tiger.
Will the Leader ask the Minister for Health and Children to provide extra funding for orthodontic treatment for children? There is a long waiting list and some children are waiting up to six years for treatment. It is a disgrace that young people whose families cannot afford orthodontic treatment are on waiting lists and that the Government, which is flush with money, cannot provide the necessary funding.
There is an air of unreality in the House this morning. I agree the Copyright Bill and other legislation is of utmost importance to this House and the citizens of the State. However, we should acknowledge the fact that various people are working extremely hard to stop the headlong dash by some people in the North to re-engage in violence, despite the trauma many people have suffered in the past. I appeal to any Members with contacts in the North to try to stop this headlong gallop. This might be more worthwhile than the worries we have about matters which are important but not as much as the lives of those in the North. I hope we will not return to violence.
I congratulate TV3 on this morning's announcement that it is to broadcast a morning TV show which will start at 5.30 a.m. and will be a mixture of news, current affairs and information. It has stolen a march on RTE which has much greater resources. I am glad TV3 has stated it will be a public service programme, not the rubbish broadcast on certain TV stations.
An Leas-Chathaoirleach
That is not appropriate to the Order of Business.
Will the Leader convey our congratulations to TV3?
In the last session I called for a debate on Planning for the Future in the Psychiatric Services, a policy document which was introduced some time ago. A debate on this document and how it is operating is timely, with the possibility of reviewing its success or lack of it. It has been successful in the main, but nothing is so good that it cannot be improved upon.
Is it possible to have a debate on the disturbing suicide figures which were released last week?
The rate of suicide among males is now eight times that of females. Such disproportionate figures are very disquieting. The publication of these statistics might be an opportunity for the House to discuss the matter, particularly in light of the informed debate we had as a result of the measures introduced by Deputy Neville, who took an interest in this matter, when he was a Senator.
Senators Lanigan, Manning and Costello raised the issue of the talks in Northern Ireland. I agree with Senator Lanigan that this is by far the most important issue confronting us, not just at the moment but for some considerable time. I agree with Senator Manning that nothing needs to be said; the less we say about the matter, the better, other than to commend the work of the Taoiseach, the British Prime Minister and the other participants and to say our thoughts and prayers are with them in trying to reach a satisfactory resolution. As I have said previously about this matter, if they continue to keep the possible alternative to the forefront of their minds it will spur them to reach a satisfactory conclusion. It is the hope of every Member of the House that there will be a good outcome to the talks.
All Stages of the Regional Technical Colleges (Amendment) Bill will be taken today but I accept there should be a break between Committee and Report Stages. There can be a short break if the House considers that necessary at the time.
It is not my intention or that of the Leader to have a guillotine on the Copyright and Related Rights Bill – it has not been the practice of the House for some considerable time to guillotine Bills. I propose we look at progress at 12 midnight and if we have not concluded Committee Stage by then we will come back to it tomorrow. We will take Report Stage next week if that is necessary and if it is agreeable. I ask for co-operation from both sides of the House in progressing the Bill as, due to the number of amendments, it will obviously take some time. I accept Committee Stage should continue tomorrow if it is not concluded at 12 midnight.
Senator O'Toole's comments on the Shannon River Council Bill are noted.
The Senator may pass them up the line.
Senators Costello and O'Toole raised the issue of the distribution of the surplus which will accrue from the disposal of Telecom Éireann and the budget surplus. This was referred to last week. My view is that money from the disposal of assets should be used for infrastructural investment or, as Senator Ross would remind us if he were here, for the reduction of debt and that the budget surplus should be used for current spending. However, I agree it would be useful for the Minister for Finance to enunciate his views on the matter to the House. That may have to be left until the next session, but the House should debate it in advance of the next budget.
Having a vested interest in the price of the Telecom Éireann shares, as I am sure many Members do, I could not presume to put forward an opinion on the level at which they should be pitched. I am sure that will be resolved by the Ministers for Finance and Public Enterprise. However, I am glad it looks as if the float will be very successful and that up to one million people will participate in the privatisation.
Senator Ó Murchú raised the issue of the debate on Eureka. If we had time we would try to fit it in but it may have to be left until the next session.
Senator Brendan Ryan is correct. The Copyright and Related Rights Bill is not more important than torture.
Mr. Ryan
Really?
It could not be presumed to be more important. I do not know what feast day it is today, I bow to the Senator on that matter.
Saints Peter and Paul.
I am glad there are some people who are still aware of the feast days.
Senator Liam Fitzgerald referred to a possible amendment to the Waste Management Bill. I will bring that to the Minister's attention. The proposal, however, is not to build a toxic waste incinerator but a waste incinerator. There is a difference.
Senator Chambers raised the issue of offensive weapons. That issue is generally covered by legislation and it is an operational matter for the Garda Síochána in which we would not intervene. If there is a need to improve the legislation, that will be looked at. I agree there is an educational aspect which requires attention.
I remind Senator Tom Hayes who mentioned the shipment of live cattle to Spain that it was the then Minister for Agriculture, Food and Forestry, Deputy Yates, who, on the day of the general election, told the State that many of the markets were open when they subsequently proved not to be.
Check the records.
I will, however, bring the matter to the attention of the Minister.
Senator Burke is right about the unacceptable delays with planning permission. We had an opportunity to debate this issue last week when we discussed the membership of An Bord Pleanála. It is the case that in areas such as Kildare, where there has been a huge population growth, that the staff numbers dealing with planning applications have remained the same. I have asked the Minister for Finance about this on budget debates. We can also ask the Minister for the Environment and Local Government to ensure that applications for planning permissions are dealt with more speedily. It takes far too long. I will raise Senator Burke's point on orthodontic treatment with the Minister for Health and Children.
Senator Lanigan mentioned TV3 and TV-AM. I look forward to his appearances on the early morning shows. I join in the congratulations to TV3. I notice the viewing figures for its main news bulletins have increased substantially.
Planning for the future of the psychiatric services was raised by Senator Glynn and that can be debated at some point in the future. Senator Norris also raised the issue of suicide, a very serious matter which is creating much disquiet. There is anxiety that the number of suicides among the younger male population is increasing. Deputy Neville was very active on this issue and there were some very good debates on the topic in his time as a Senator. We should return to the issue.
Order of Business agreed to.