The Order of Business is No. 1, Criminal Justice (Temporary Release of Prisoners) Bill 2001 – Committee Stage, to be taken at the conclusion of the Order of Business and to conclude not later than 1 p.m; No. 2, motion relating to the Fifth Report of the Joint Committee on Communications, Marine and Natural Resources – Local Radio: The Licencing Process – a review of the licencing system as experienced by local radio stations in Ireland, to be taken at 2 p.m. and to conclude not later than 4 p.m, with the contributions of spokespersons not to exceed ten minutes and those of all other Senators not to exceed seven minutes, Members may share time and the Minister to be called upon to reply not later than five minutes before the conclusion of statements; No. 3, statements on fishery policy, with particular reference to salmon fish farming, to be taken at 4 p.m. and to conclude not later than 6 p.m, with the contributions of spokespersons not to exceed 15 minutes and those of all other Senators not to exceed ten minutes and the Minister to reply not later than five minutes before the conclusion of statements; and No. 16, motion No. 41, to be taken from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. There will be a sos from 1 p.m. to 2 p.m.
Order of Business.
I congratulate the Labour Party on an excellent Private Members' motion tonight, which my party will support, on public transport in Dublin. The Leader has circulated an amendment to the motion which is interesting. She suggests that she endorses the progress made in providing a light rail system in Dublin, which appears to run counter to her stated views on the subject. I understand the Minister, Deputy Brennan, is currently on something of a work to rule when it comes to the Seanad. Has he been found for tonight's debate and will he be here? Will the Leader put on the record tonight the documentary evidence about which she spoke in the Sunday Independent last week when she stated categorically that any disruption to the Luas has happened over the past 16 months? Will she make the documentary evidence available to the House in the context of the excellent Labour Party Private Members' motion?
Will the Leader make time available this week for a statement from the Government on the ongoing bin protests in Dublin? It is an absolute disgrace that thousands of householders in this city cannot have their waste collected because of a number of jumped up Trotskyites who are standing in the way. I put it to the Leader and the Government that it is time to become tough on this issue. It is time to take action in relation to a very small minority of people who are standing in the way of these bins being collected and of ordinary people going about their business. The Government will have the support of my party if a tough stance is taken on this matter. It is time this small minority of people took their protest to next year's local government elections rather than to the streets of this city.
I am sure the Leader joins me in giving our full support to the Irish troops travelling today under the UN banner to Liberia in western Africa. Many other Irish people are there, including Concern and other NGO organisations. These people have our best wishes and support going to that war torn country. Given the historical context between the United States of America and Liberia, there is an additional responsibility on the current US Administration to support the efforts for peace and reconciliation in Liberia and to bring to an end the appalling civil strife which has taken place in the country over the past 20 years.
Jumped up Trotskyites is not a fair description of many people. While I pay my bin charges, I also support the right to protest. We need to reach a balance in this regard.
Senator O'Toole, without interruption.
There was not balance. As parliamentarians we need to be aware that people are entitled to protest.
Not prevent people going to work.
If the publicans say they will not apply the law, they must listen and deal with the effects of their actions afterwards. The same applies to the bin protesters. It is hugely important to reach a balance in dealing with the issue. We must allow people the right to protest, but people cannot be stopped from doing their work. It is not acceptable to stop ordinary people doing their work. There must be a different way of protesting and we must find that balance.
A serious issue was raised with the Taoiseach yesterday in the other House by the Leader of the Opposition about answering questions in the House. This is an important issue. The reasons the Taoiseach gave were fair. However, I would have been much happier if he said that for reasons of security it was decided not to make the information public. This would have been in order. Governments are allowed to have some unspoken thoughts and we do not need to be told everything that is happening behind the scenes. This, however, has not helped trust and confidence. I do not have any difficulty with the Government or with people meeting the parts of the IRA they need to meet to advance the cause of peace. The Taoiseach should not be required to make that information available at all times. However, it would be better if we were told that was the reason rather than now being told he regrets not informing the Houses. There might have been good reasons for not informing the Houses at the time.
There are still five or six Seanad Bills before the Dáil. We are losing out as a result of that. Many of those Bills were pushed through this House at a rate of knots in order to accommodate the other House, but they seem to have stopped dead on the other side. What is going on in that regard?
I seek an answer to the question raised by Senator Brian Hayes about whether the Minister for Transport will be here tonight. He has a lot to say to everyone else. One cannot turn on the radio without hearing him. I hope he will be here tonight to speak to us.
I will leave it to my colleague, Senator McDowell, to deal with the issues relating to our motion tonight. I know he will encourage the Leader to be—
It is not necessary to tell Senator McDowell what to do or say. Senator Ryan should speak on the Order of Business.
I anticipate that people might comment on my not mentioning it.
Nobody has the right to break the law. If I sat on the streets in my youth, the gardaí were entitled to move me, which they did with considerable vigour. I might have complained about their vigour, but I would not have complained about their right to do so. We want to be clear about the fact that the non-collection of domestic waste poses an enormous public health threat. If I was to consider an issue, I would invite public opinion in Ireland to first observe the law and then to insist that everyone is equal before the law. If a rich man is sentenced to a week in prison for contempt of a tribunal, then putting a poor woman in prison for two weeks for a lesser offence suggests we are not all equal before the law. However, it is a separate issue. The law will be respected if people believe we are equal before it. If some people are smuggled in and out of prison to avoid an embarrassing photograph being taken of them walking in or out, that suggests we are not all equal before the law. That is the fundamental issue. I believe in the law. We are obliged to obey laws even if we disagree with them. However, we are entitled to a court and prison system which reflects that fundamental principle. Otherwise, it is not fair.
I notice that colleagues regularly raise the issue of delays on the Order of Business. I looked at the Order Paper for this House for this week and last week. Last week we had the accounts of the Higher Education Authority for the year ending 2001. Is that the best the Higher Education Authority can do? This week we have the accounts for the Dublin Institute of Technology and the Institute of Technology, Tralee for 2001, which is two years ago. If public bodies have that attitude to legal obligations, how can we expect them to take seriously their obligations to citizens who want a means test for a grant processed in a reasonable time? There is an organisational issue about the proper delivery by management of public services. These are management responsibilities. It would be useful to debate the management of the public services. There has been much talk about the workers in the public service and their benchmarking award. It is about time we looked at those who get paid large salaries to manage those services because they do not seem to do a good job.
Last night another motion on Palestine was vetoed at the United Nations by the United States. That motion was on the building of the infamous wall which is essentially a land grab by Israel to take over yet more land. Given what is happening there and the ongoing chaos in Iraq, it is more than time we had a debate in this House on the Middle East generally, and I ask the Leader to consider that.
My colleague, Senator O'Meara, is the author of the report we will be debating later this morning. I suggest to the Leader that the ten minutes allotted to her is a little brief.
Yes, I thought that.
Perhaps the Leader could extend it to everybody, or perhaps my colleague, who is after all the author of the report, could be allowed perhaps 20 minutes to explain the background to it.
It would be appropriate for this House to pass a vote of congratulations to the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources, Deputy Dermot Ahern, on his tremendous success at the European fisheries meeting on Monday. We have had discussions on this matter before and we all realise the devastation it would have caused if the concept of the Irish Box had been removed completely, which was suggested. The Minister played a good tactical game, however. When one hears the fisheries organisations saying he has done a reasonably good job, one knows he must have done a hell of a good job.
It is good to see everybody on the other side back and refreshed from their glorious Stateside—
On the Order of Business, Senator Coghlan.
Certainly – I am always in your hands.
We will have to make him an honorary member.
I do not like time wasting, and there are many other Senators who want to speak.
You know I am always very quick, a Chathaoirligh. In light of recent developments – I read the pronouncements from the Leader with great interest – I invite the Leader, in the interest of transparency, to consider circulating her "Dear Seamus" letter. We might find it instructive in understanding the grey area of the overlap between the Ministries—
I do not think that asking for circulation of a letter from the Leader is a matter for the Order of Business.
—not to mention effective in the matter of getting the finger out.
Last week I raised a matter concerning the comments of the Director of Corporate Enforcement regarding people appointed by the State who are operating at sub-optimal level in protecting the interests of taxpayers, which is something we do not condone. I have since read of the initiative of the Minister, Deputy Dermot Ahern, with regard to the duties and obligations of State appointees to boards. Indeed, letter writing seems to be catching on; the Minister stated that he had written to the Minister for Finance, Deputy McCreevy, and I would be interested to see that letter too. Can we expect to have a uniform approach throughout the State system? This would be worthy of a debate if the Leader could arrange it.
Is it in the matter of a State body?
It is about the whole question of State bodies.
I acknowledge the exceptional contribution that Senator Mansergh has made to the peace process on this island. There is always the danger of misrepresentation but, importantly, he approached his work in an astute, sensitive and humane manner, and he also won the trust and confidence of all traditions. The success that he and others have had in the peace process is evident.
I ask the Leader to ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs to come to the House and update us on the current status of Irish immigrants in the USA. Speaking in New York recently, he outlined the difficulties for undocumented immigrants that have resulted from the tragedy of 11 September 2001. I know that many of them find themselves in a very uncomfortable and traumatic situation. Perhaps the Minister could update us on the manner in which the good relations between the USA and Ireland are being used in this regard.
It would be appropriate for us to bring the relevant Minister to the House to explain the relationship between Government and the organisation One in Four, which deals with survivors of sexual abuse. I understand Mr. O'Gorman was invited by the Government to establish a branch of the organisation here. He feels, because of his adverse comments on Government activities and policy, that the organisation is being marginalised and sidelined. That is clear to me from the comments emerging from the Department, that there is no obligation to fund the organisation. Why did the Department invite in the organisation? That is a question to which the House is entitled to an answer.
With regard to the matter in the other House, what concerns me is the fact that there were meetings with the so-called Real IRA. Subsequently, there was the Omagh bombing, but after that the meetings resumed. With reference to this, the Taoiseach said something in the other House that was deliberately untrue. That erodes confidence. It is a very dangerous thing to do, but I will leave it at that.
With regard to the bins campaign, people have a right to protest but they do not have a right to place the welfare of other citizens at risk. There is a serious health issue involved. There is the proliferation of rats carrying disease and a lack of civic responsibility. I am prepared to pay for the services provided and we should pay for our water. The European Union will make us pay for our water. We should pay for the bins because that develops a sense of civic responsibility. Citizens should not expect the State to clean and tidy up after them all the time, free of charge. One of the reasons we are so cavalier about litter is that we expect the nanny State to come in and do this work. There should be a reasonable fee, one that would not cripple people on small incomes in working class districts. As responsible citizens, we should pay and expect to pay for the services we receive from the State. That is the only way we will respect them. Surprisingly, 73% or 74% of the telepoll of 14,000 people on the "Marian Finucane" programme this morning took that line.
I join the call for a debate on the Middle East as someone who would have freely voted for George Bush – I would be in a minority in the House in that regard – if given the opportunity. It is disquieting, having accepted the view that there were weapons of mass destruction in Iraq, to find there are apparently no such weapons. This leads to a situation where we should debate Ireland's role in a UN force. I recollect wise heads in this House counselling against war and giving good reasons against it. In my case, I accepted that there were weapons of mass destruction.
On the Palestinian and Israeli question, it is also disquieting that the situation appears to be intractable. No serious efforts are being made, other than tit for tat violence which is having a terrible effect on that region.
The Senator has made his point adequately.
The people of Israel have known such oppression and should show compassion to their neighbours.
I share Senator Ó Murchú's view and I take pride in the fact that Senator Mansergh is a Tipperary man. I would expect also that the Government would have parameters and different feelers going out to different organisations at times without making decisions. Do we seriously think the British Government does not have 50 different parameter options available to it?
They should not lie about it in Parliament. That is the point.
Order, please.
Do we seriously expect that the British Government or the American Government—
I have given the Senator enough latitude.
I ask the Leader to request the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform to come to the House for a debate on crime and the proposal to sell off 200 Garda stations throughout the country and to close rural Garda stations between 10 p.m. and 6 a.m. That policy is ludicrous and is an invitation to criminals to operate at night. We have a dreadful situation in the midlands where Dublin gangs hit rural areas on a nightly basis and terrorise elderly people in isolated rural areas. This must stop. The presence of the Garda in rural areas is vital for the safety of our people.
I thank the Senator. That is a matter for a debate.
I congratulate the Leader of our party, Deputy Kenny, for milking the truth out of the Taoiseach in the Dáil yesterday.
I too would like to join with previous speakers in calling for a debate on the Middle East. I suggest that two debates are warranted. To include the entire question of Iraq, Israel and Palestine in one debate is far too wide and encompasses too many disparate issues. Given our upcoming Presidency of the EU there is much service to be done here to the Government by having such a frank debate because the position in the Middle East is volatile and we may well have a leadership role to play in the months ahead. Would the Leader consider separating both debates?
I would also like to join previous speakers in congratulating Senator Mansergh on the role he has played in the peace process. What goes on behind the scenes is very important as that is where results are normally achieved. People should not get confused with the type of comments now being made about the involvement of people like Senator Mansergh. He had a huge role to play and we should congratulate anyone who has a role in bringing peace to this island.
I read a report in the Irish Examiner this morning in relation to a housing estate, which is on the market in a midlands town. One of the main selling points of that development was a big sign which said, “No social and affordable housing”. That speaks volumes about the mindset of the individual responsible for the advertisement. Could the Leader say what the Government, and in particular, the relevant Minister, is going to do about this type of unwelcome development which is appalling in any context?
Will the Leader be naming her forthcoming memoirs, as was suggested on television last Monday night?
I thank Senators from my side, and also Senator O'Toole, for their understanding and supportive comments. I would like to make three general observations. Everything that Fr. Alex Reid or myself and others did from the months following the Enniskillen bomb to the months following the Omagh bomb had one purpose only, to establish a lasting peace in Ireland that would be an alternative to violent conflict and to the type of atrocities of which I have spoken. There are, of course, moral questions which can legitimately be raised about such contacts, but as the Taoiseach said last year, if it were wrong for governments even to countenance such communications, there would be very little prospect of securing peace and it is highly unlikely that there would have been any peace process. In conclusion, I ask those inside the House and outside it to see any meetings that took place – they were very few – in the context of the Government's absolute determination to bring all paramilitary activity to an end, by persuasion if possible and by other means if necessary.
The question was that the Taoiseach incorrectly informed the House that meetings did not take place—
That is not in order.
It was not about the nature of the meetings, but about misinformation to the other House, that is very dangerous and damaging to the parliamentary institution.
The Senator cannot speak a second time on the Order of Business.
Will the Leader make time available as a matter of urgency to debate the Hanly report in the House, which we believe is to be made public today and for which we have waited so long? Many hospital management groups throughout the country are in a state of shock about the future of their hospitals. It is important that we debate the Hanly report and its consequences for hospitals at the earliest opportunity, either this afternoon or tomorrow. Portiuncula Hospital managers in Ballinasloe are fretting about to the contents of the report despite the fact that the Minister may have withdrawn some of the proposals.
I support the request of Senator Norris that we have the Minister in the House to explain why he has withdrawn funding for the One in Four group offering counselling for abuse. It is a most unusual response by a Minister and is vindictive in the extreme.
That is a matter for the Adjournment.
I would prefer to have spoken before Senator Mansergh. As one from the North, I have been watching these processes for a number of years – of course the hurler on the ditch always knows more than the people in the field. There can be no question in anybody's mind of the contribution that Senator Mansergh has made over the years. He is a man of almost frightening integrity. The peace process would not have been what it was were it not for him and Fr. Alex Reid, as he mentioned. I have no difficulty about people speaking with people here and there. If someone is trying to end a conflict there is no point talking to people who are not actually fighting. It is not unreasonable in these rather murky circumstances for a government to have a certain reticence about to whom they are talking. We should not blow this issue up into a mountain.
I feel quite sure that Senator Mansergh was working towards peace on this island in all he tried to do. There is no question about that in anybody's mind.
The Crisis Pregnancy Agency was set up at considerable public expense and has been running for some time. I wish it well. However, at the same time we find that the northern area section of the Eastern Regional Health Authority has not got enough money to pay for medical card holders to go to family planning clinics. These are people who were referred by their medical practitioners in most cases. This seems counterproductive. Will the Leader ask the Minister for Health and Children to come into the House to tell us what co-operation, if any, there is between the Crisis Pregnancy Agency and the health boards?
I ask Senator Finucane to be brief as there is a time constraint.
As we are talking about the North there must be concerns in regard to the statements made by SDLP representatives this morning. As people who were involved in the peace process over many years – people like John Hume initiated much of this – they, particularly Mr. Gerry Adams and Mr. David Trimble, have been totally sidelined by the Taoiseach and Mr. Blair in discussions that have been evolving over a period of time. They made that point, not I.
The discussions held by Senator Mansergh will surprise many of the public. They were held after the Omagh bombing which struck a resonance with everybody round the country. People will be surprised they took place. The meetings were held in secret and it was only when the information went into the public domain that the Taoiseach responded, in the Dáil yesterday, that the meeting had taken place. That is the issue. The Taoiseach during a process of questioning over past years did not release that information in replies in the Dáil. It is regrettable that it took the public process to elicit the response of the Taoiseach.
I asked the Senator to be brief. The time is almost up and other Senators wish to speak.
I too compliment Senator Mansergh and the others who contributed to the peace process. Some things occurred during that period which should not be swept under the carpet. That would compound the tragedies particularly for those who have been bereaved. I ask the Leader to arrange an appropriate debate in this House as soon as the Government releases the Cory report. I understand the report of the Barron Inquiry may be published soon. The events shown on the television recently reminded us all of the tragedy of the Dublin and Monaghan bombings. The culprits involved in all those instances need to be brought to account and I ask that we have a full debate on both reports as soon as they are published.
I would like the Leader to invite the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform to come into the House to outline how he is going to counter the gangland warfare that is operating in Dublin and Limerick and other parts of the country at the moment. Recently there was a sixth murder in as many months in Finglas in Dublin. Residents in that area live in fear. The investigations of these murders are being carried out in Blanchardstown because the Garda station in Finglas is not suitable for this type of investigation. It is time the Minister came in here and explained how he is going to rid our society of this gangland warfare, which is quite unacceptable. The Commissioner of An Garda Síochána told the Oireachtas Joint Committee on Justice, Equality, Defence and Women's Rights he does not have the resources he would like to deal with this.
Could the Leader ask the Minister for Health and Children to come into the House as soon as possible to discuss the Hanly report and his plans for the recommendations in it? I looked for a copy of that report this morning as I thought it would have been circulated to us but it has not been. Is it the case that the Minister intends to release it to the media at 2.30 p.m. but that we will receive it later or tomorrow? If so, that is unacceptable and very disrespectful to the Members of this House.
The report of the expert group on radiation oncology services was eventually published last week. During the last general election the Fianna Fáil and PD candidates in Waterford and the south-east promised that if they were returned we would have a radiotherapy unit in Waterford Regional Hospital. Having regard to that and the publication of the report, could the Leader call on the Minister for Health and Children to come in here and engage in a debate about the development of the radiation oncology services? There are some glaring inaccuracies in the report.
I am sorry that because of time constraints I cannot allow Senator Maurice Hayes to speak.
Senator Brian Hayes asked would the Minister for Transport, Deputy Brennan, be here this evening. I understand that his Minister of State, Deputy McDaid, will be here.
He is on a work to rule.
Will I put my answer on record?
Allow the Leader to speak without interruption.
He is worried about benchmarking.
I am entitled to answer.
Senators have asked the Leader questions and she will reply to them. Please have the courtesy to listen to her.
I apologise.
I was asked if I would speak on the protest against the bin tax. If I am available I will speak but I may not be.
Is the Chamber big enough for both speakers?
Order.
I could think of plenty of answers to that. We welcome the Leader of the Opposition's strong statement here to the effect that the law should be enforced. Those of us who live in rural areas cannot understand the protest. We pay bin charges and have done so for years. In a wider sense, if people pay their charges they are entitled to have their bins taken and not to have the collection thwarted by those who seek to block it for their own ends. It is a clearcut case and it is appalling that people are being held to ransom and that there are widespread disturbances.
Senator Brian Hayes also wished good luck to the Irish troops going to Liberia. We had a very good meeting of the Oireachtas Joint Committee on Foreign Affairs yesterday with representatives from the Army, the Department of Defence and the Department of Foreign Affairs during which this was discussed. We all wished them good luck but I remind the House that this action must be formally passed by the Dáil. A reconnaissance group has gone first. That will be followed by the full complement when approved by the Dáil. We heard the Minister of State at the Department of Foreign Affairs on the radio this morning describing the elections in Liberia.
Senator O'Toole referred to the need for balance in the whole debate on the issue of bin charges, while expressing the clear view that people have a right to have their refuse collected when they have paid for that service. Senator Mansergh has already responded to Senator O'Toole's comments on the Taoiseach's reply to a question in the Dáil. On the question of Seanad Bills currently before the Dáil, there is what one might describe as a pile-up of Bills which have left this House and are awaiting attention or being dealt with in the Dáil. My office has had meetings with the Whips in the Dáil and it is up to them to clear the backlog. Next week, we hope to have the Bill dealing with provisions in relation to pregnant workers, involving the addition of a new section. I mention that by way of general comment.
Senator Ryan also referred to the non-collection of refuse and the need for observance of the law. He said the public would have a better regard for the law if it was seen to be applied equally. I assume his concern relates to people being treated equally in terms of whatever punishment is meted out. However, the absence of standardisation is a feature of the law, in the sense that it is a matter for each individual judge to decide in each case.
With regard to the management of public bodies, some of which are now almost two years behind time with their annual accounts despite legally specified deadlines, I agree that would be a useful subject for a debate, as also would a motion on Palestine and the Middle East.
On the question of allocating more time for a debate on local radio, Senator O'Meara must be congratulated on bringing forward the report on that topic. However, the time factor is relevant. If the debate has not concluded, we can allocate time on another day. I understand it can remain on the Order Paper pending further debate.
Senator Kenneally congratulated the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources, Deputy Dermot Ahern, on the outcome of the EU negotiations in relation to the Irish box. I agree the Minister has done really well on what is one of the most difficult subjects any Minister has to deal with in Brussels.
With regard to Senator Coghlan's comments, we were glad to see him in Killarney. Perhaps he is an associate member of our party.
The Leader's party met in one of my hotels.
The Senator referred to the Director of Corporate Enforcement and the guidelines issued by the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources to State bodies and members thereof. I regard that as a very good move.
Senator Ó Murchú praised Senator Mansergh's work. I believe he echoed the views of many Senators in that regard. At that time, the Senator was Mr. Martin Mansergh and he did some fine work. Senator Ó Murchú also sought a debate, involving the Minister for Foreign Affairs, on US immigration issues.
Senator Norris referred to Mr. Colm O'Gorman and the position of the One in Four organisation. I understand the Minister for Health and Children will meet Mr. O'Gorman tomorrow and, no doubt, some statement will follow that meeting. The Senator also referred to the Taoiseach's replies in the Dáil. In relation to the refuse collection issue, the Senator drew attention to the health implications. It is noteworthy that, in a recent opinion poll, 73% of people agreed that people who have paid their refuse collection charges should have their bins collected. There is a very lopsided and wrong-headed debate on this issue. Those who pay their money are entitled to have the collection service provided. The point of the whole campaign rather escapes me.
Senator Hanafin joined in the call for a debate on the Middle East and also expressed pride in Senator Mansergh's work in relation to the Northern Ireland peace process. Senator Bannon called for a debate on crime and the situation in relation to Garda stations. He also praised his party leader. Senator Minihan suggested there is a need for two debates, one on the situation involving Palestine and Israel and another on the wider Middle East situation. I agree with the Senator in that regard. The requests have been submitted and I anticipate a positive response.
Senator McCarthy spoke of a housing estate at which a huge notice is being displayed stating: "No social and affordable housing here". That deplorable statement had been brought to my attention already.
It is racism at its very worst because they are saying that if they live there they will have nice neighbours, though that may not happen as they might turn out to be the worst kind of neighbours.
The Senator asked me about my memoirs and I will tell him all about them in time.
What are they called?
That is irrelevant on the Order of Business.
Mother Teresa, the musical.
The Senator might yet have a star part in it. Would he like that?
The Leader to continue to reply on the Order of Business.
That is a very good idea. I could have him playing some part.
Senator Mansergh made a very proper statement which will appear in the Official Report but I would like to add to it. Senator Mansergh has a long record of public service to this country, particularly in the cause of peace. When a country is trying to move from a violent to a peaceful situation there are bound to be times when things are said and people are met but there is no need to blazon that to the wider public. It is necessary that hearts and minds meet to try to move the process forward. I remember the outcry when John Hume started to meet with Gerry Adams but we should consider where that led us. I fully support the role Senator Mansergh played and continues to play with his advice on Northern Ireland matters. I repeat that it is necessary for people to meet and talk, regardless of their background, and that it is done privately. The desired effect is peace, which we all voted for, and we hope to continue to pursue it.
Senator Burke asked me about the Hanly report. The report will be published at 2.30 p.m. today. We have asked if the Minister for Health and Children can come to the House next week to debate the report but I do not yet know if he will be here. In regard to the One in Four organisation, he is meeting Mr. O'Gorman today.
I thank Senator Maurice Hayes for what he said about Senator Mansergh. There is a need for a certain amount of reticence from time to time in matters such as that.
Senator Henry talked about working towards peace, and I thank her for those comments. The Senator asked about the shortage of cash for medical card holders for family planning clinics and the relationship between the family planning clinics and the health boards. We can ask the Minister for Health and Children about that.
Senator Finucane referred to the comments by John Hume this morning on the SDLP. Again, we do not know the intervening matters which might exist. The Taoiseach has been very assiduous in meeting everybody who needed to be met and he continues to do so.
Senator Jim Walsh also praised Senator Mansergh. He called for a debate on the Cory and Barron reports when they are issued. I agree with that.
Senator Terry asked that the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform be invited to the House, particularly because of the gangland problem in Finglas and other areas.
Senator O'Meara referred to the Hanly report. As I understand it, it will be delivered to everybody today at the same time.
Senator Cummins called for a debate on the oncology report which has been published. I believe everybody has received a copy of it.