I want to refer to the decision yesterday on the Trinity College Bill. My understanding is that the business we were dealing with yesterday was to be deferred until this morning, that it would be raised on the Order of Business and dealt with in that fashion. The Leader of the House, unfortunately, has chosen not to refer to it on the Order of Business but he should do so in line with what was decided yesterday. Perhaps we should give him the opportunity now to explain to us what he proposes to do. It is my contention—
Order of Business (Resumed).
Senator Costello, the Order of Business will proceed in the normal way. When Senators who are offering on the Order of Business have raised their questions with the Leader of the House, the Leader will be called on to reply.
I am merely referring to the accuracy of what happened yesterday and what should have been on the Order of Business today. In that context and in relation to future legislation, I hope this is the last time private Bills of this or any other nature will come before this House. It is anti-democratic to introduce legislation in respect of which not all Members may contribute. What is the sense in having two Houses if neither can deal with legislation of this sort in a proper fashion?
I support Senator Manning's call for a debate on the economy. Considerable difficulties have arisen as a result of the pressure being placed on the economy due to the housing crisis, the crisis in the health service and, a matter which many Members have highlighted in recent months, the worsening position in respect of inflation. Despite the Minister for Finance's glib remarks, our inflation rate of 5% is two and a half times the European average and the European Central Bank and the European Commission have warned the Government to get its house in order. It is time we considered this issue and investigated the effect the Minister's inflationary budget has had in terms of the low increases provided to widows, low income earners and others and the way it has endangered the Programme for Prosperity and Fairness.
I request an urgent debate on transport, given that the Minister has made proposals to Cabinet in respect of the dismemberment of CIE and Dublin Bus, which has always been deprived of and denied a subsidy. It will now be open to private sector companies to apply for the new improved subsidies which will be supplied by the Government. The Minister's actions represent an attempt to deflect attention from the real transportation crisis which is affecting the city of Dublin. There is a need for an urgent debate on this matter as soon as the House resumes its work after Easter.
Will the Leader arrange a debate on international war crimes? It is numbing when one considers that since 1945 an estimated 170 million people have been killed in armed conflicts and no one has been held criminally accountable for their deaths. There are those who ask how people can perpetrate such atrocities against fellow human beings and how this cycle of cruelty and barbarity can be allowed to continue. The only answer is that people know they will not be held accountable for their actions. I support Amnesty International's call for the establishment of a permanent international criminal court. The setting up of such a court is long overdue.
I wish to object in the strongest way possible to the way we are being treated in respect of the Trinity Bill. I cannot understand the attitude adopted by the Government parties to the Bill. Tony Blair is meeting the Taoiseach in Dublin today. A number of Members represent people who have a vote in Northern Ireland or in other parts of the United Kingdom and I have already received telephone calls from individuals who want to know what the Government is trying to do in respect of Trinity College.
I recall the former Minister of Education, Niamh Bhreathnach, being given a great deal of abuse by some of those who are now on the other side of the House when she introduced this legislation. It was stated that she was trying to interfere with the autonomy of Trinity College. Now, however, the Progressive Democrats have accused the college of malpractice and suggested that the ruling of the visitors is not correct. In 1995, the Progressive Democrats argued that Trinity College should be autonomous and that it should be protected—
It is not in order to make a Second Stage speech on the Order of Business. Do I take it that Senator Henry is making the case that the Trinity College Bill should be taken today?
I would like an explanation as to why the Government parties are treating the Bill in this manner. I do not know if we are in a position to take the Bill today. Is that what the Leader wishes to do?
Perhaps the Leader will deal with that matter when he is replying. The Senator has made the case in favour of the Bill's being taken today.
I seek an explanation regarding the reason the college is being treated in this way. One of the Government parties previously stated that the college should retain its autonomy, particularly in view of the fact that it represents a constituency of people who live outside the State. The college has made a huge effort in terms of what its president has described as "bridge building". What is the Government trying to do to Trinity College?
The Leader will respond to the Senator's points when he is replying.
I realise it would be inappropriate to have a debate on this issue. However, it must be clearly stated that there is no threat whatsoever from any Member of the House, either on this side or the other side, to the autonomy of Trinity College Dublin.
Mr. Ryan
That is the Senator's view.
The Senator should hear me out.
Mr. Ryan
That is what the Senator always says.
There is an entirely separate issue in respect of the Bill, namely, whether it is deficient. That is the point at issue.
Those points were made on Report Stage yesterday. They cannot be repeated on the Order of Business this morning.
I accept that. I will be in possession when the Report Stage debate resumes and this matter can be dealt with at then.
That is correct.
It is important to state that the progress of the Bill depends utterly on the availability of the Leas-Chathaoirleach to be present to conduct the Bill through the House. The Leas-Chathaoirleach, although he does not intervene in the debate, is charged with doing the job which would normally be done by a Minister.
Will the Leader convey to the Minister for Health and Children our concerns in relation to the lack of implementation of agreements reached with certain nursing grades? These agreements have not been honoured and this has caused a certain amount of stress. Will he also ask the Minister to settle, as soon as possible, the impending dispute by junior doctors in respect of the long hours they are obliged to work? These matters must be dealt with before industrial action is taken.
I wish to call again for a debate on the provision of bilingual signs by local authorities and developers. There seems to be a practice, particularly on the part of developers, to provide signs which only give the English version of the names of housing estates. There is a need to regulate this area and introduce a policy in respect of the provision of bilingual signs.
On a previous occasion I called for a debate on the implementation of the Noxious Weeds Act. Will the Leader invite the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Rural Development to come before the House to debate the application and enforcement of the Act? There was a time when the Act was rigidly enforced but it appears to have fallen by the wayside. Some farmers are good at cutting back noxious weeds and there is no need to remind them of the dangers of ragwort.
I support Senator Manning's request for a debate on the economy. It is frightening to realise that Ireland is top of the European inflation league table with a rate of 4.6% and climbing. This has completely eroded the position in society of the elderly, the people to whom we owe a great deal. These individuals are already badly treated and the ESRI recently reported that six out of ten elderly people live on £100 or less per week.
We cannot debate that matter in detail now. A debate has already been requested by the Leader of the Opposition on this matter. Do I take it the Senator is supporting that request?
Yes. The Government must address this issue.
I support Senator Glynn's request for debates on the provision of bilingual signs and the implementation of the Noxious Weeds Act. I also wish to place on record my disgust and abhorrence at the attitude of the Senators who represent the Universities Panel. We witnessed verbal violence at its best last night and this morning.
Senator, that is not in order.
Is it any wonder there is road rage and violence in the streets when the very people who should give good example—
Senator Farrell must resume his seat.
They should give good example by showing respect for this House.
Senator Farrell must resume his seat.
They had advisers in the Public Gallery yesterday evening.
(Interruptions).
Their behaviour is disgusting.
The Chair is responsible for order in the House and Senator Farrell is out of order.
Mr. Ryan
What is happening to the telecommunications infrastructure Bill? The Minister indicated that she was not aware of any sense of urgency about it, even though the Leader assured me on numerous occasions that he would ask her about it. Perhaps there is a breakdown in communication.
Without being disorderly, I compliment the Government on a successful feat of persuasion. It has succeeded in making me feel sorry for Trinity College for the first time in my political career and that is some achievement.
The debate about Trinity has generated an enormous amount of acrimony in the House which is most unusual. Part of the problem is that the Government side has imposed a whip. Is it not unprecedented that a whip should be imposed in relation to a private Bill?
I support Senator Ó Murchú's call for an international criminal court. He does not appear to realise that almost two years ago the Government signed a treaty in Rome providing for the establishment of the court. However, in order to participate in the court it will be necessary for Ireland to ratify the treaty in domestic law. Whenever I have asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform why he has not prepared the relevant legislation he has shown a complete disinterest in, almost contempt for, the question.
He is busy with other matters.
I ask the Leader to organise, at an early date, a debate on the international criminal court and why this Government refuses to bring forward legislation to ratify it in domestic law. Until then we cannot make statements criticising what is happening in conflicts worldwide and people, some of whom are leaders of countries, carrying out mass murder with impunity.
I support Senator Manning's call for a debate on the economy, a debate I have sought previously. It is not all bad news. Inflation is a matter of concern but a report published yesterday by a neutral organisation in Switzerland showed that Ireland is now the seventh most competitive nation in the world. That is a huge improvement on the 22nd place we held some time ago. Let us not look on this debate solely as a threat but as an opportunity to expand on some of the good news.
With regard to the Trinity Bill, it should not be taken today in the absence of two Trinity College Senators. It would be the wrong time.
Do not tempt us.
Maybe it is the best time. However, I support the Leader's suggestion that it should not be taken today.
Will the Leader give a definitive date for the introduction of the Local Govern ment (No. 2) Bill? He told us many times that it would be before the House prior to the Easter recess. He misled the House. If the delay is caused by the fact that the Minister for the Environment and Local Government is dealing with Committee Stage of the Planning and Development Bill, there are two Ministers of State who are capable of bringing the Bill to the House, thus allowing us to proceed with legislation that has been due for over a year.
I am glad a number of colleagues have raised human rights issues. The House has a proud tradition of making the public aware of human rights abuses throughout the world and I support the calls by Senator Ó Murchú and Senator Connor, the latter being my colleague on the foreign affairs committee. This is the week in which a new Chinese ambassador presented her credentials to the President, the UN withdrew its opposition to a US resolution condemning human rights abuses in China and it follows last week's meeting of the foreign affairs committee which heard a catalogue of horrendous oppression, torture and abuse of Chinese and non-Chinese citizens. Three students failed to return to an educational institution in this country after Christmas because they have been prevented from doing so. China needs the world more than the world needs China. What is the Irish position on Irish-Chinese relations?
The Senator is supporting the call for a debate.
The debate is a little wider than just the international court of justice. Senator Connor will agree that until the United States gives legitimacy to an international court of justice there will not be effective action in that regard. I repeat a plea I made some weeks ago to the Leader in the context of the continuing sanctions against and bombing of Iraq. It is time the Minister for Foreign Affairs came to this House and explained Ireland's relationships with these countries and its policy in that regard. The Leader should request the Minister to come to the Seanad so Members can address not just the issues I have raised but also those raised by my colleagues.
On many occasions in recent months I have asked about the progress of the teaching council Bill. I wish to put on record my welcome for the publication of the Bill today. It will be initiated in the Dáil and will come before the Seanad in due course. I also welcome the input of a succession of Ministers into the Bill, including Niamh Bhreathnach, Deputy Martin and the current Minister. It is a significant step forward and it is something the INTO and other teaching unions have sought for almost a quarter of a century. It will restore trust and confidence in the system.
With regard to the Trinity Bill, I am not sure about the process for dealing with private Bills. It appears that a minor point is causing the row, at least it is a minor point to Members who are not involved. I am not attempting to demean the argument. Is it possible or is there a precedent for the House seeking independent legal advice on the point of law being argued? I do not expect the Chair to give me an immediate answer but perhaps the Committee on Procedure and Privileges might examine it. If there is a genuine legal problem, we could get our own legal advice and Members who are disinterested, as such, could look forward to its being resolved. I find myself rushing to Senator Ryan's side in this matter. I, too, never thought that after 13 years in the House I would feel the need to support Trinity College, but that is the case at present.
With regard to inflation, wages and the economy, it should be stressed that the national agreement is predicated on low inflation, as are the arrangements on wages and the reviews. It is crucial that we discuss it and I appeal to the Leader to arrange such a debate. There is a great deal of misinformation but we need to look at annual inflation rather than monthly inflation. I listened to my colleague, Senator Quinn, refer to the importance of competitiveness. I agree, as anybody would, that we must remain competitive and productive. Irish workers are the most—
We cannot have the debate now.
They are the most productive in Europe but if productivity is maintained on the basis of reduced wages, we are not prepared to be competitive at that cost. Irish workers are entitled to share in the wealth of the nation and that is why the inflation debate is crucial.
I support Senator Manning's call for a debate on the high inflation rate. It is a most important debate. As Senator O'Toole pointed out, the economy is based on competitiveness. The Government has lost the run of itself. It is stockpiling money from the taxpayer and not providing services despite the huge amount of surplus funds.
These points can be made in the debate that has been sought.
I support the call for a debate and it should be held at the earliest opportunity. I also support Senator Coogan's call for a debate on the local government Bill promised by the Leader. While I do not blame the Leader for the Bill not appearing in this session, the Minister for the Environment and Local Government misled the House with regard to its publication date. Is he serious about publishing the Bill which has been promised on numerous occasions? Members of local authorities and others are awaiting its publication. I ask the Leader of the House to indicate clearly the position in relation to this important Bill.
Senator Manning inquired about changing the libel laws. I will come back to the Senator in the morning on the matter. Senators Manning, Ross, Dardis, Quinn, Costello, O'Toole, Burke and Coghlan called for a debate on the economy. Many Senators referred to the 4.6% inflation rate. While the inflation rate may be above European levels at present, we also have twice the growth rate of other European countries. It will be a pleasure for Members on the Government side to allow time for this debate and to discuss the achievements of the Government and the programme for Government in the coming years, particularly from 2000-06. It is a good time to be a Member of this House or the Dáil and to debate this issue. Senator O'Toole rightly pointed out the new agreement, which was signed by all parties a few weeks ago, is tied to low inflation.
Mr. Ryan
Is the Senator a member of Fianna Fáil?
Senator Ryan was born into that family.
Mr. Ryan
I am not responsible for that.
Senator Cassidy, without interruption.
I suggest we debate the issue the second week after the Easter recess.
Senators Ó Murchú, Connor and Mooney called for a debate on international war crimes and the international criminal courts. I will allow time for this debate. Senator Jackman expressed concern about the nursing profession and the junior doctors dispute. I will pass on her views to the Minister and allow time for a debate on the matter.
Senators Glynn and Farrell called for a debate on bilingual signs and a Government policy on the issue. I will pass on their views and allow time for a debate on the issue. The Senators also called for a debate on the Noxious Weeds Act. I will allow time for this debate.
Senator Ryan inquired about the telecommunications Bill. I spoke to my constituency colleague, the Minister for Public Enterprise, this morning on the matter and I understand the Bill will be introduced in the next session. The Minister will be in the House following the Order of Business if the Senator wishes to make further inquiries on the matter.
Senators Coogan and Burke inquired about the local government Bill. I understand this was approved in Cabinet yesterday and will come to the House early in the next session. I hope the Bill will be initiated in the Seanad.
Senator Mooney called for a debate on foreign affairs issues. I have no difficulty making time available for this debate.
Order of Business agreed to.