Today's Order of Business is No. 1, Comhairle Bill, 1999 – Committee and Remaining Stages; and No. 2, statements on Northern Ireland, to be taken from 1.30 p.m. and to conclude not later than 3.30 p.m., with the contributions of spokespersons not to exceed 15 minutes and all other Senators ten minutes. Senators may share time.
Order of Business.
I thank the Leader of the House for organising statements on Northern Ireland so quickly after they were requested. Perhaps he might leave them open-ended so that they do not conclude today at 3.30 p.m. but will be resumed next week. I am sure many Members wish to contribute in a considered way rather than in the space of a few minutes.
I compliment the Leader on the fact that this House debated the proposed new national under standing before the other House and that we were quick off the mark to do so. It still does not obviate the fact that the Houses of the Oireachtas are excluded from this major piece of policy-making. I hope the various committees will address this in the near future.
Will the Leader, who seems to know more about these things than the Taoiseach, explain—
That is possible.
In this case it would not be difficult. Will he explain what is happening about the proposed privatisation of the RTE transmission network? It appears as if this major change is to be made by way of a Committee Stage amendment to a Bill, which is unusual in view of the gravity of what is involved. There appears to be confusion emanating from the other House, with the Taoiseach and the Minister not quite singing from the same hymn sheet. However, given the Leader's special interest in and knowledge of these matters, perhaps he will inform the House of the position.
With regard to Committee Stage of the Shannon River Council Bill, I ask the Leader to grasp the nettle and support his colleagues who want this included on the business of the House as soon as possible. I believe there is all-party agreement here and given that this is a rare occurrence, we should move forward and show ourselves to be progressive and creative in dealing with such issues. Members on this side of the House consider it important that the matter is placed on the Order of Business as soon as possible. We look forward to a positive response from the Leader.
In recent times the Government has made announcements of substance on taxis and housing. There appears to be a back-off on the taxis issue. Perhaps that is incorrect and perhaps the media is being unfair, but people are still waiting for taxis at 3 o'clock in the morning even though Christmas is long gone. We do not want to wait until next Christmas when people will encounter difficulties for the third year in a row. We wish to have a clear understanding of what is to happen and when.
All Members continually receive representations from young people who cannot afford to buy a house. It is Government policy to make more development land available, but what is the Government's plan to have houses built and to enable young people to buy them at a cost they can afford?
I agree with Senator Manning's remarks on the proposal to take statements on Northern Ireland. Given that many Members have sought a debate for a considerable length of time, perhaps the Leader will facilitate the House by making it open-ended.
I also welcome Senator Manning's comments on the Broadcasting Bill. The Minister made an extraordinary statement yesterday that she intended to introduce, totally out of the blue, an amendment on Committee Stage which would have the effect of privatising the transmission network of RTE. It seems extraordinary to introduce such a provision in this manner. Why is the Minister introducing this sudden change in this fashion? It seems to be an attack on public broadcasting and it merits a debate in the House. Before it is dealt with on Committee Stage in the Dáil perhaps the Leader will invite the Minister to the House to outline her views so we can have a full and thorough debate on this matter of national significance.
I wish to ask the Leader for a debate on the appalling record as underlined by recently published figures regarding the usage of seat belts in cars. The statistics are frightening, with 60% of males and 80% of back seat passengers, mainly children, apparently ignoring the use of seat belts. It shows a huge degree of irresponsibility on the part of parents. This is an educational issue and I ask the Leader to bring the Minister for Education and Science to the House to debate it. Civics classes in transition year should include road regulations and rules, as it is a very serious matter. Obviously the fines imposed for speeding and non-use of seat belts have no effect. It is appalling that parents in particular, many of whom are young, allow children to travel in the back of cars without seat belts. This is of grave concern given that we have the worst record for road traffic accidents per capita in Europe.
I was attempting to learn from the Leader about current Government thinking regarding the single regulatory authority for financial institutions. With respect, I did not ask if a committee of both Houses had discussed the McDowell report or other matters regarding the regulation and supervision of financial institutions last year or before then. I asked, very simply, about the current Government thinking or position on that matter. With respect, if the Leader knows the answer he might inform the House, or if he does not we may attempt to find the information in some other way.
Will the Leader consider a debate on the ongoing issue of landfill sites and recycling as much of the material being sent to landfill sites should be recycled? The argument to the contrary is that this involves a serious cost factor, but we should be concerned about the environment and it would be timely if the Minister came to the House for a debate.
Many years ago most of the country was covered by forest. Regrettably, we now have one of the lowest rates of afforestation in Europe. Will the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Rural Development come to the House to debate tree planting, especially in the context of hardwoods?
I wished to raise the issue raised by Senator O'Donovan. Following the debate we had on the matter some time ago, will the Leader ask the Minister for the Environment and Local Government what he is doing about road safety? We were to have new legislation updating all road safety legislation, including enforcement, penalty points etc., but nothing has happened. People are being killed every day on our roads and it is about time the Government introduced legislation.
Last Monday the CSO issued a report on average household incomes throughout the country on a regional and county basis. The Cathaoirleach will be aware that the area we come from fared worst of all. The survey raises fundamental issues about how income is distributed throughout the country. This is something which ought to be debated in the House and I ask the Leader to arrange this.
Has the Government any intention to bring forward the human assisted reproduction Bill? Recent studies show that almost 20% of couples suffer from some form of infertility and the time has come to set out some regulations for the providers of these services.
Will the Leader consider having a debate on the continuing increase in house prices which is one of the major causes of rising inflation with the possibility of the economy overheating? It has been recognised that a major element in rising inflation is the increase in house prices in Dublin and throughout the country. While price rises might be bottoming out to a degree, even if they levelled off they would still fuel inflation. We debated this issue to some degree some time ago, but nothing has happened and there has been no response from the Government, with house prices remaining out of the reach of most young people.
I ask the Leader to anticipate publication of the White Paper on Defence and make provision for discussion of it when it is published, hopefully within the next week or so. I congratulate and commend the Minister, the senior military authorities and the representative associations in reaching a compromise in respect of the future of the Defence Forces. I hope what has been worked out will lead to an efficient, well equipped and effective Defence Forces which can contribute internationally to peacekeeping and peace enforcement and also look after the security of the State. It is an important issue which should be flagged at this stage so that time can be made available for a debate on the White Paper when it is published.
I was interested in what Senator Manning said about the Programme for Prosperity and Fairness. I discussed this matter with my distinguished colleague, Senator O'Toole, and agree with his suggestion that in the same way the agreement is returned to trade union membership for ratification, perhaps it should come before both Houses of the Oireachtas for approval after negotiation, given that the Government thinks the Houses should not be involved during negotiation.
Mr. Ryan
In light of the extraordinary proposal, in principle and in practice, to privatise RTE's transmission service, will the Leader find out if there is a connection between this and stalling of the Telecommunications (Infrastructure) Bill? There is a suspicion that one of the motives of privatisation is to allow what we thought were going to be broadcasting facilities to be used for telephone and other transmissions. Is there a link? When will the Bill, which has been on the Order Paper for almost a year, be taken, or will its provisions become a mere amendment to the broadcasting legislation currently before the Dáil?
Will the Leader ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Rural Development to come to the House to discuss the White Paper on Rural Development, given that we are currently formulating the new Leader and partnership programmes and new county development boards? It should also be discussed against the background of the significant withdrawal of services by financial institutions, such as banks, from communities and small rural areas.
I agree with Senator Leonard. There was an attempt – dare I say an abortive attempt – to discuss assisted human reproduction in the House. Such a debate is essential.
I also support Senator Dardis's call for a debate, although from a different perspective, on the debacle involving the Minister and the Defence Forces. I do not know whether there has been a debate in the House on the future of the Defence Forces. I am happy that a compromise was arrived at last night, but while the Minister might be happy with it, members of the Defence Forces are not particularly so.
I support Senator Leonard's query on the assisted human reproduction Bill. When I introduced my Bill last July I was assured that there would be legislation before Christmas. As usual I should have asked which Christmas. More clinics are opening up throughout Ireland and there are absolutely no regulations. In addition, there is a problem regarding children born to surrogate mothers abroad who return to Ireland as there is no legislation to cover such children. I urge the Leader to schedule a debate so that our interest can be shown. If it will help, I will introduce a second version of my Bill.
I thank Senator Manning for his support regarding last week's debates. There is no difficulty with allowing contributions on statements on Northern Ireland to be open ended. Fine Gael has Private Members' time next week and it could avail of that to raise the RTE transmission network issue. It should be debated in the House at the earliest opportunity and that is way to do it.
Senator O'Toole referred to the Shannon River Council Bill, 1998. I stated my position on that yesterday and I will do everything I can to bring it before the House. I will pass on his views on taxis to the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment. Senators Coogan, Costello and O'Toole called for a debate on house prices. All of us should welcome the Minister for the Environment and Local Government's ten year plan and his recent announcement that last year the biggest number of houses ever was built in Ireland.
Why are prices so high?
A total of 500,000 houses will be built. That must put Ireland at number one in the world, no matter what statistics one uses.
There is no public housing. It is a disgrace.
Senator O'Dowd, in particular, would appreciate that as he comes from the Labour benches of old.
The Government is not building enough houses for people on local authority waiting lists.
The Leader must be allowed to reply without interruption.
He is inviting interruptions.
We welcome the plan to build 500,000 houses over the next ten years and I congratulate the Minister on his great work.
What about prices?
Senator Coghlan sought clarification on the single regulatory authority for financial institutions. I will be in touch with the Minister for Finance later and will come back to the Senator before he departs for Killarney, if possible.
That is more like it.
Senator Glynn called for a debate on landfill sites, recycling and tree planting and I will facilitate that. I will pass on Senator Connor's comments to the Minister. I will also pass on the views of Senators Henry, Leonard and Ridge on assisted human reproduction to the Minister for Health and Children. I will facilitate their request if a debate is required on this issue.
Senator O'Donovan called for a debate on road safety and I will allocate time for that. The latest statistics to be published on the non-use of safety belts are quite alarming given that it is seven years since the regulation on the use of safety belts was introduced. We must do everything we can because the use of safety belts helps to avoid serious injuries and death. With so many vehicles on the road, those who do not use a safety belt are taking their life in their hands.
Senators Dardis and Ridge referred to the successful negotiations that the Minister for Defence, his officials and the Defence Forces conducted yesterday. Everyone is proud of the great work of the Defence Forces but they must be given the best opportunity to stand shoulder to shoulder with bigger countries. Whenever Irish people were given an opportunity throughout the world, they emerged at the top of their fields. Why should the Army not be given the same opportunity? I congratulate everyone concerned and I will schedule a debate on the White Paper.
Fianna Fáil is in favour of keeping barracks open.
Senator Costello has reminded me that the Minister has given an assurance that during the remaining life of this Government, no other barracks will be closed. I am pleased that includes Mullingar and Athlone.
And Magee.
And Letterkenny.
Senator Chambers called for a debate on rural development and that will be scheduled.
Order of Business agreed to.