The Order of Business for today is No. 1, Wildlife (Amendment) Bill, 1999 – Second Stage. The contributions of spokespersons shall not exceed 20 minutes and those of other Senators shall not exceed ten minutes. Business will be interrupted from 1.30 p.m. to 2.30 p.m.
Order of Business.
Given that so many people throughout the country are discussing the report on abortion produced by Deputy Brian Lenihan's committee, would it be possible for the House to discuss it also?
I support Senator Henry's call for a debate on report produced by the All-Party Committee on the Constitution. The report has appeared at a time when statistics have emerged to indicate the one in ten Irish women terminate their pregnancies in Britain. In that context, there is a need to consider the issue of crisis pregnancies and the support mechanisms on offer in this country. We must also look carefully at the report and at the options we have in terms of how we proceed. This is a worthy subject and we should spend a considerable period discussing it.
I wish to request a debate on Northern Ireland. Given that the Northern Ireland police Bill was passed by the House of Lords last night, in my opinion it would be timely to have a debate on Northern Ireland and to discuss the impasse which exists in terms of the North-South Ministerial Council. Such a debate, which has been delayed, could be held in the next week or two.
I read with interest that Fianna Fáil backbenchers were revolting yesterday.
That is not relevant to the Order of Business.
On this occasion they were not merely revolting, they were revolting about a particular matter, namely, the ending of the dual mandate. Before the Local Government Bill is introduced in the House and in view of the fact that Senators are, by and large, elected by councillors throughout the country, will the Leader arrange for a debate on the provision in the Bill which advocates the abolition of the dual mandate? It seems strange that the link between this House and local government will be ended under the terms of the Bill and there should be a debate on the matter.
Most Members will be aware of the atrocious attack on a Pakistani doctor in Tipperary in recent days. It now transpires that this attack was racially motivated, which is a frightening development. There have been a number of similar cases throughout the country. Everyone is aware that only a tiny minority of people in this country harbour racist views, particularly in view of the fact that Irish people benefited by emigrating to other countries in the past.
It is important for all public representatives to ensure that they do not, in any way, contribute to an atmosphere of racism. At times words are spoken which are not particularly helpful. Perhaps the Leader could arrange a debate, not so much on racism but on how we can make people feel more welcome when they come to Ireland and how we can interact with them and benefit from learning about their cultures.
Will the Cromien report on the Department of Education and Science be circulated to Members? I raised this matter last week and it is particularly topical in light of the ongoing teachers' strike, etc. To inform any debate in the House, Members must be provided with copies of the report.
I support calls for a debate on the report of the All-Party Committee on the Constitution on abortion. The tone of the debate on abortion has improved and has become much more reasoned. The committee's report is good, particularly in terms of its acknowledgement of the difficulties which arise for women as a result of crisis preg nancies. This matter should be debated by the House.
I support Senator Ó Murchú's call for a debate on how we might be more friendly to people who visit this country or come here to live. This country is no longer the Ireland of the welcomes and it is time we returned to our roots, particularly in the interest of promoting tourism, etc.
I wish to call for a debate on alcohol abuse among teenagers which is the gravest problem faced by this country. A teacher representative stated at a conference and on the national airwaves that the worst problem with which members of the teaching profession must deal on Friday and Monday mornings, following discos on Thursday nights and at the weekends, is that of children attending school with hangovers. It is one thing for an adult to come into work with a hangover, but it is quite another for a child to enter school in the same state.
Alcohol is a legal drug and it does more damage than illegal drugs. It is time to have a serious debate on this matter to ensure action is taken to curb the problem of teenage drinking, which is the root of many of the problems faced by society, such as abortion and others.
As we enter the second day of the teachers' dispute, I am extremely concerned that little or nothing has happened in terms of overtures being made by the Minister or the Government. This dispute should not be allowed to worsen.
Given that I am speaking on education and in light of the calls for a debate on the problem of racism, the civic, social and political education programme is an ideal vehicle whereby young people are encouraged to accept our emerging multicultural society, be tolerant and come to terms with the fact that there will be an influx of people from abroad in the future. Those who come here must be treated in a civil and Christian way.
The education system should have a proper programme on this issue ideally suited to young people. If they are not educated on the problems and ways and means of dealing with them, there will continue to be racism. This issue does not relate to a small number of people, rather it involves a sizeable group.
We are well aware of the recent difficulties in the transport system, particularly in Dublin city. Reference has been made to overcrowding on the suburban rail service, while the old cliché that it is a case of an accident waiting to happen has been used more than once. Unfortunately, one of my worst fears came to pass when a 12 year old girl was assaulted on her way to school purely as a result of overcrowding on a train. Will the Leader of the House arrange for the Minister for Public Enterprise to discuss with us not only the transport situation in Dublin generally but specifically the policy of Iarnród Éireann on overcrowding on suburban trains?
I support Senator Glennon's call for the Minister to discuss the issue of transport in the House. There is much interesting material she could share with us. There are other problems in addition to the ones mentioned by Senator Glennon, for example, the case where a woman in a wheelchair was put into the luggage section of a train. This is not acceptable.
I support Senator Costello's call for a debate on the proposed local government Bill for the precise reasons he indicated. It is important that we make our voice heard on this issue. Unlike him, I believe there should be a full separation of powers. I tabled a motion to this effect some years ago. I understand the Minister is back-tracking because of outside pressure. However, the pressure should come from inside the House. There should be direct elections for mayors and there should not be a closed shop where under the counter deals are done among political parties with no reference to the general population of the cities where the mayors are elected.
We cannot pre-empt the debate on Second Stage of the local government Bill or the other debate sought by Senator Costello.
I sit rebuked.
I support Senator Ó Murchú's call for a debate on the manner in which a greater degree of social integration can be achieved for non-nationals who are on holidays or are working and living in the State. It is most appropriate that time be provided to debate this issue.
Will the Leader of the House provide time during this session for a debate on defence related issues? I raise this point in the context of Ireland's recent enormously enhanced role in the UN and the statement this week by the Chief of Staff of the Defence Forces that we are at a watershed in the evolution of the Defence Forces where there will be a move away from a garrison-based organisation which provides security duties and back-up to the Garda to a situation where they will play a much greater role in the proposed European rapid response unit. A debate on these matters would be appropriate at this time.
In celebration of its 40th anniversary, the ESRI published a very interesting report entitled Bust to Boom which deals with our economic history and economic projections for the future. I read about this report in the media but have not yet received a copy of it. It has been a tradition in this House that copies of such reports are made available to Members. This position has changed in recent times and I ask the Leader of the House to rectify this.
Senators Henry and Costello called for a debate on yesterday's all-party publication on abortion. I intend to provide time for a full day's debate on this very important and timely publication. I will bring it before the House for approval within the next two or three weeks. Senator Costello referred to a report in a Sunday newspaper which stated that a very high percentage of young girls travel abroad to have their pregnancies terminated. I understand this report is inaccurate and I was only too pleased to hear Deputy Brian Lenihan, chairman of the all-party committee, say this yesterday. I know that Senator Costello will also be pleased to hear this. It was an alarming article which was obviously meant for a certain reason given that the report was being published this week. Parents and others were alarmed by the article, but I believe they now see through it and realise what it was trying to achieve.
I compliment the all-party committee on the hard work it put into this lengthy and detailed report, copies of which we received yesterday. Senators Keogh and Doyle highlighted other cases in which they did not receive copies of reports. I will request copies of those reports for them following the Order of Business. I compliment the all-party committee on acknowledging the importance of the Seanad by providing us with copies of the report yesterday.
Senators Costello and Norris called for a debate on the proposed abolition of the dual mandate under the local government Bill. I will allow time for this debate and will discuss with the Whips when it can be taken.
Senators Ó Murchú, Farrelly and Ó Fearghail expressed their abhorrence at the incident in County Tipperary last weekend where a non-EU doctor was assaulted. This morning on a radio programme the owner of the licensed premises apologised on behalf of the people of Nenagh and the surrounding areas. We have always had good relations with, and respect for, the foreign doctors who assist our health services. Such attacks are not a part of our culture or tradition and there is no place for them. I know I speak for all Senators when I say that we are absolutely appalled by this incident.
Senators Keogh and Jackman called for a debate on education. I said this will take place and I will liaise with the Whips to see when time can be allocated for it.
Senators Glennon and Norris called for a debate on the Government's policy on rail transport. I will allocate time for this debate. It is shameful that anyone, not to mention a 12 year old girl, would be assaulted on a train. We all regret this incident.
Senator Ó Fearghail called for a debate on the future of the Defence Forces. I will allocate time for this debate. I will endeavour to give Senator Joe Doyle a copy of the ESRI report before the adjournment of the Seanad today.
Order of Business agreed to.