The Order of Business is Nos. 1 and 2. No. 1 is a motion regarding the Official Languages Act 2003 (Public Bodies) Regulations 2006. The purpose of the regulations is to keep the First Schedule to the Official Languages Act 2003 up to date by deleting references to public bodies that have ceased to exist or have become defunct since the Act was passed and by bringing in new public bodies. In many cases these are bodies that have replaced previously existing public bodies within the scope of the Act. This item will be taken without debate. No. 2, statements on social partnership, is to be taken on the conclusion of the Order of Business and to conclude not later than 6.30 p.m. Spokespersons will have 15 minutes each to contribute and other Senators will have ten minutes. The Minister shall be called upon to reply not later than ten minutes before the conclusion of the statements.
Order of Business.
The cartoon in a Danish newspaper which satirised the prophet and upset the Muslim community has galvanised the world. The sad aspect is that Denmark is possibly one of the most peace-loving countries in the world. It has a population of 300,000 Muslims and embraces many people who came from Bosnia and Afghanistan after the turbulence in those countries, and from Turkey.
It is ironic that the Muslim community is setting fire to embassies around the world because in Europe freedom of expression has always been valued. That freedom of expression led many European countries to condemn the war in Iraq. Christians and Christian symbols have been lampooned and satirised over many years yet there has been no similar reaction from the Christian community. If anything, such attacks have enhanced the value of our religion.
We would have a viewpoint on whether the cartoons should be published if they are inflammatory, but our way of expressing it should be contrasted with the activities of those within the Muslim community who have been involved in the beheading of people who were kidnapped and the suicide bombing of innocent people in the name of Islam. I find such activities difficult to reconcile with what is happening in Denmark and to Danish embassies.
Palestine is respected in this House and we have supported the position of the Palestinians. Palestine is bankrolled by most European countries and if that bankrolling stopped, Palestine would be in a serious financial situation. Many of the people who are protesting in those communities may not have seen the cartoon. There has been a balanced contribution from the Muslim community in this country but the way others have reacted is unnecessary and it behoves us to condemn what is happening.
The issue raised by Senator Finucane is an important one that could bear discussion but I take issue with one point he made. I question whether Denmark embraces the Muslim community in its country. The problems in Denmark began with the election of a hard, right-wing Government in recent years on a strong anti-immigration card. There is a substantial amount of what may be termed "Islamaphobia" in that country and I believe the two issues are not unrelated. Having said that, the reaction to the cartoon is utterly unacceptable. It is also unacceptable from people who have had no difficulty in supporting suicide bombings and many other atrocities. Rather than look at one issue at a time — we have seen this for the past 30 years in the North — what we are seeing is a reverberation of intolerance and hatred throughout the world. Some people in Denmark do not like Muslims. Many parts of the Islamic community have a total fear and revulsion towards the western world and this is reciprocated in the West. This week, in our own country, we have seen the leader of the DUP using the words "hate" and "hatred" and attributing them to our President. Whatever one's views, this type of incitement from political leaders will always raise problems somewhere along the line. It brings us back to the one issue which should be the guiding light in education, politics and leadership in general, namely, tolerance, which is the most important of virtues. There is a lack of tolerance, but there are always ways to foster it. We must find ways of dealing with matters around the table and speaking clearly.
In that regard I want to congratulate the Minister for Foreign Affairs, Deputy Ahern, on making it clear to Dr. Paisley that his language, on this occasion, was unacceptable. At the same time, having made the point, the Minister still has to do business with Dr. Paisley. That is what grown-up politics is about. Dr. Paisley is entitled to his views, but he has to hear the other side as well. That type of engagement is not taking place between the Muslim and western worlds, but it is the key.
The issue raised by Senator O'Toole is of great importance. The primary message that should be sent from this House is one of understanding and solidarity with the people of Denmark and the Danish Government. This is an issue that requires sensitivity and cool heads as well as tolerance. It would be stupid of us as Europeans to suggest that Europe has always been a model of tolerance as regards freedom of expression in matters of religion. On the contrary, over hundreds of years we tore ourselves apart on matters of religion. By no means do we possess the wisdom of Solomon when it comes to this particular issue.
It is difficult, nonetheless, to take lectures from those in Beirut, Damascus and Tehran who have been rampaging for the past few days. It is particularly difficult to take it from PresidentAhmadinejad of Iran, when he demands tolerance on the one hand, while feeling free to preach anti-Semitism and intolerance of Christianity, on the other. While cool heads are now required, there is also a need for frankness. We come from different cultures and have different values. There is a need for frankness between us which, hopefully, will lead to understanding and the tolerance we all seek, in time.
On another issue, I want to refer to the reports published in the last few days on the various tax breaks. These reports are enormously interesting and deserve full debate. They confirm what many of us have suspected for a long time, namely, that we have been making tax-based subsidies available in huge measure to people who do not need them in order to do things that would have happened anyway. That merits debate, perhaps in the context of the Finance Bill. However, if the Leader intends that the House should debate the pensions review in the meantime, perhaps that would also be a good time to have it.
Will the Leader say what is the position on the Registration of Wills Bill 2005? I am anxious that all Stages be taken and the Bill passed by this House as quickly as possible. I have been in touch with the Department of Health and Children to request that it should move this forward. In the circumstances, it is necessary and appropriate for me to raise this matter on the Order of Business. The Bill went through its Second Stage in the House last session and it would be nice to have it passed by the Oireachtas before the Easter recess. It is an important Bill and I want to see it enacted.
I ask the Leader to consider a debate on the situation in Palestine. Hamas won the election fair and square and has a right to take up its position in government. In doing so, it must accept the right of the Israeli nation to exist. That is a fundamental right. If it accepts this, it should be welcomed in government, because I believe that will bring peace to the region.
As regards such a debate I sympathise very much with the feelings of the Muslim people on the blasphemous cartoon depicted in the Danish newspapers. It was outrageous, to say the least. They might have a right to print, but they have no licence to publish blasphemous material against any religion. That is a step too far. On the call by John Waters, my fellow Roscommon man, for all newspapers to print this, I would strongly object to the media publishing blasphemous material about Mohammed. It is very wrong to publish such material. People should understand that the depth of feeling in Muslim countries about this issue is similar to what we in Ireland had in regard to our religion when, for example, Paddy Powers bookmakers used a depiction of the last supper.
We all need to be careful — I thank the Cathaoirleach for his indulgence — as this serious issue is dividing the world and is one of the most divisive issues to have arisen for some time between the East and the West. We should be very sensitive. We should ask the Danish Government to offer an immediate apology to the Muslim world for the insult printed in one of the Danish media. That would help to calm a dangerous situation that has enflamed the world. We need to understand the feelings in the Middle East about this issue.
I too support my colleague Senator Finucane and other Senators in their remarks on the unfortunate developments that have taken place following the publication of the material in Danish newspapers. It is good to realise that we in Ireland are fortunate that our Muslim brethren are so balanced and understanding. We seem to be capable of developing a proper and correct multicultural society in this country, but it is a pity that others have not been as calm and tolerant about the situation.
Allied to that, I very much support Senator O'Toole's remarks on the unfortunate and unacceptable language of Dr. Paisley — perhaps better known as "Dr. No" because "No" is his favourite word — about the actions of our President. She has always shown appreciation and love for the part of the country that is Northern Ireland. Dr. Paisley's remarks show just how difficult it is, and how tenacious we must be in sticking at it, to make progress in the North. That man seems to have a wish to ensure that, as long as he is around, progress will not be made or at least that progress will be extremely difficult.
We lost a great opportunity to create dialogue with people in the Muslim world when it was realised that they perceived that offence had been given. Instead of meeting and discussing the issue, people allowed attitudes to harden as further newspapers reprinted the cartoon. Evidently, some took the attitude that they did not want to engage with those who felt they had been offended. Like others who have referred to the situation of the Christian religion, I have often felt that many of us have been similarly offended by sections of the media but it seems to be no longer politically correct to question that.
It is also wrong to think that the media are necessarily 100% neutral in all these issues. Most sections of the media are owned by individual investors who have agendas of their own. Anyone who attempts to respond to those agendas and reports will quickly find that column inches will not be provided for a response. The media need to look at what freedom of expression means. I had always understood that down through the years freedom of expression has been practised in a positive way here in Ireland, with people recognising sensitivities. However, since the world and the media in Ireland have become very competitive, the boundaries and frontiers seem to have been continuously pushed, with less concern for the views of others. In that context it is now time to cry halt because the dangerous situation, which existed prior to recent events, has now been ignited and will be ignited further. As bad as it appears now, it has the potential to be far worse.
The House should show a sense of tolerance and understanding and ask people to pull back from the barricades, engage with each other, respect each other's views and religion and, above all, not feel that the media should have a sacrosanct right on these issues. Many Members of the House have criticised the media in the past. This is one case that is too serious and important and it must be challenged by every right thinking person. Otherwise, a serious world problem lies ahead of us.
I agree with Senator Ó Murchú. It is a serious situation. This started in September and was a slow burning fuse. It would have been helpful if there had been a positive intervention, the type of dialogue Senator Ó Murchú mentioned, at an earlier stage. I doubt that the editor of the small provincial newspaper thought that a couple of lines of ink on a piece of paper would lead to destruction and the death, so far, of at least seven people. I do not believe this couple of squiggles is worth the death of a human.
Unfortunately, the activities of certain sections of Muslim society, particularly in the Middle East, have tended to confirm some of the message in the cartoon. In other words, there can be a relationship between this cultural system and violence, a tendency that must be countered. However, it is understandable. The West has rained bombs down on the unfortunate people of Iraq. These people have been given no voice and they and their religious views have been treated with contempt. They simply have not been heard, even in newspapers in this country.
I have read some very inflammatory articles that simply put all Muslims in the same situation. When people are squeezed and oppressed in that way, this is just a catalyst. It lets out an energy that already existed. It started in a very out-of-the-way place but I could not help thinking of an obscure incident in Sarajevo in 1914 which led to events nobody could stop. It did not seem possible that the world would be convulsed. This could happen again but I hope it does not. The Danes will see their dairy industry in considerable financial difficulty.
We must also be aware that our values should not be compromised. It is not tolerable that people such as Theo van Gogh or Salman Rushdie should be subject to threat. Freedom of expression is an important value. Again, however, we must understand how people are pressurised. Western values have been represented by big firms such as Coca Cola, Pepsi, McDonald's and so forth and the materialism of the West is eating into a very spiritual side of oriental culture. Naturally, the people are discomfited by it.
Can a debate be arranged on the licensing laws? I have been concerned about this issue for some time, particularly the licensing of small shops, petrol stations and so forth. Members will be aware of the report in The Sunday Tribune last Sunday where 20 of these outlets were investigated by an under-age female reporter. In 18 of the 20 outlets she was served without question. She bought wine, whiskey, beer and whatever she wanted. This is a serious issue. It would be wrong and dangerous to blame the Judiciary for this but we, as legislators, should examine the situation to ascertain the best way to regulate the licensing of the drinks industry in this city.
I believe there are two wrongs in the situation we have been discussing. Freedom of expression, like all privileges, brings responsibilities with it and to gratuitously insult anybody's religion is, and should be, unacceptable. Second, the response of the Muslim community has been totally disproportionate to the offence caused in the cartoons. That raises a serious question. The so-called moderate Islamic leadership in Denmark first engaged with the Danish Government and when it got what it regarded as a unsatisfactory response, it brought the issue to the wider Muslim community throughout the world. The moderate and reasonable leadership within the Islamic community needs to assert itself and show real leadership. It is not good enough to say that the issue has been highjacked by right-wing fundamentalists who are using it for their own purpose.
A debate was held previously in this House about certain advertisements which were extremely offensive to many Christians. Senator Leyden may have alluded to this in his speech. I refrained from speaking about or condemning these advertisements at the time because I thought it would only garner further publicity for the companies, which they probably sought. We should consider a debate about the Advertising Standards Authority of Ireland so that it can be empowered to apply fairly severe financial sanctions in such circumstances. Such sanctions are, ultimately, the only way to make those behind these advertisements respect the religious beliefs of others. Our Constitution guarantees the right of every person to practise his or her religion. Religious beliefs of all hues must be respected.
Will the Leader invite the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children to participate in a debate in this House on the proposals for a new children's hospital to replace Temple Street Children's University Hospital, Our Lady's Hospital for Sick Children in Crumlin and the children's hospital in the Adelaide and Meath Hospital, now situated in Tallaght Hospital? It may be a good proposal but its details must be clarified as soon as possible in the interests of the doctors and nurses working in the hospitals and, most important, the parents and children attending them. They need to know where the new hospital will be sited, when it will be built, how quickly it will be built and what will happen to the existing hospitals in the meantime. Will these hospitals be assisted as far as possible in carrying out their functions in the meantime? Many people have invested in the proposals for the redevelopment of Temple Street Children's University Hospital and Our Lady's Hospital for Sick Children. These people were forced to endure impediments like unsuitable buildings for many years but were beginning to see the light at the end of the tunnel. They now find that these plans are no longer on the table. Therefore, it is extremely important that we discover exactly what is proposed and that all necessary measures are carried out quickly and efficiently.
I support Senator Tuffy's call for a debate on proposals for a new children's hospital to replace Temple Street Children's University Hospital, Our Lady's Hospital for Sick Children in Crumlin and the children's hospital in the Adelaide and Meath Hospital, Dublin, in Tallaght. I will wait until the debate before I comment on the proposals. However, the measure announced last Friday is wonderful news. Ireland has been waiting for a national children's tertiary hospital since the foundation of the State. Everyone involved, from the medical and nursing personnel and administrators in the three hospitals involved to the parents of children who will attend these hospitals, are all singing from the same hymn sheet when they state that the announcement is good news and what they have been waiting for.
There is nothing to be gained by damning the proposals without knowing all the facts. None of the three hospitals will lose out. We must bear in mind that this will be a national children's tertiary hospital, rather than a Dublin hospital. We have been told that a decision will be made within the next two months. I look forward to a debate on the proposal.
The withdrawal by the Minister for Finance in the Finance Bill of all the incentives for urban and rural renewal must be regarded as a response to the inefficiencies, incompetence and bad financial management associated with the schemes. We should note an editorial on the issue in a national newspaper today and the Government-commissioned report which detailed the poor information available about the costing of the schemes. We should be saddened that the Minister, in rescinding all but three of these schemes, is abolishing the rural renewal scheme. The people who benefited from this in rural Ireland were not the fat cats who benefited in urban areas, particularly those associated with the building industry.
If, as is stated, 43% of building inflation in the country is associated with these schemes——
Westport has some of those schemes.
——it is important we realise that the Minister's decision is welcome in that it may provide an opportunity for a decline in building inflation. I ask the Leader for a debate on this issue to highlight the BMW region. I give credit to a former Minister for Finance who initiated a pilot rural renewal scheme for the upper Shannon. Anybody who has seen the benefits of this in an area that had been declining, particularly County Leitrim, would have to say that the scheme was a great benefit to rural Ireland. Its loss is a pity.
We will have a debate on this matter.
I will finish on this. I am asking for a prompt debate on the BMW region, where clear imbalance is evident. Money arising from incentives is dragged mainly into urban areas, and there has been less of a response in rural areas.
A school bus went on fire yesterday in County Limerick, and we were again on the verge of a serious tragedy. We are told the bus was 19 years old and had recently passed a test for roadworthiness. I am asking, along with others, for an audit on the school bus fleet. Will we have to suffer another major tragedy before a response emerges? The Minister for Education and Science, Deputy Hanafin, has indicated she is not responsible for what occurred yesterday, and nobody is blaming her. However, the onus is on her to carry out an audit on the buses that provide transport for students into our schools.
I agree with Senator Norris's comments regarding a debate on our licensing laws. On the report in the weekend's newspapers, it is disgraceful that approximately 80% of off-licences and licensed premises are not obeying the law. Urgent action must be taken and a debate in this Chamber might highlight the current problems in the licensing laws.
While anomalies and difficulties may have existed in urban and rural renewal schemes, some of them brought about good development in many rural towns. This was true especially in areas of such towns that were falling into disrepair, where people came forward and put up money for development. There was good development and employment in many parts of the country as a result, particularly the upper Shannon region mentioned by Senator Burke. These schemes should be considered again. If the first phase is concluded, other rural areas should be examined for the possibility of development, such as the lower Shannon area.
No. 1, the motion on the Official Languages Act 2003 (Public Bodies) Regulations 2006, which requires public bodies to have an Irish language translation of reports, should be debated. The cost of translating these reports is far greater than the cost of printing in some instances. This money would be better spent on promoting the Irish language and helping organisations and communities which promote it.
Last week I asked about the delay in producing Garda identity cards. If a person who might be under 18 were required to produce a card on entering an off-licence the problem might be solved. People who manage off-licences have a responsibility to ensure they only serve over 18s, so that what we have read of in Dublin this week is not repeated.
The Acting Leader of the Opposition, Senator Finucane, referred to the reports over the weekend concerning the cartoons which caused such offence to Muslims and the resultant spate of violence towards Danish embassies and their staff. The cartoons were injurious to people as was the action that was taken in response. A balanced debate is required and the Islamic community here has displayed such an approach, if interviews I heard on television and radio are any indication. No matter what the sense of outrage, it does not justify outrageous actions in response. The Senator also raised the situation in Palestine.
Senator O'Toole said there was a hard right Government in Denmark and that the cartoon was a product of that. I do not know if that is the correct assumption. He also urged tolerance in public utterances from all sides, and I agree with him. We were all repulsed by what Dr. Paisley said in Belfast yesterday. His accusation that the President hated Ulster was silly because she hails from that province. Dr. Paisley seems, however, to have a new lease of life and strides about with great gusto.
Like the Chinese leaders.
Senator McDowell urged solidarity with the people of Denmark. It is difficult, as he said, to take lectures from Tehran but wise and cool heads are needed, as is frankness. He also asked for a debate on the three reports on the tax reliefs that have been in place for a number of years. The Minister for Finance is to be commended because he said he would undertake a study into the reliefs and has done so. We can all read the reports.
Senator Leyden asked when the Registration of Wills Bill 2005 will reach Committee Stage. I wish I knew but I am worn out going down to the office of the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children to ask that question. I will go down again today but I have been given very short shrift so far.
Senator Leyden also asked for a debate on Palestine. He said the cartoons depicting the prophet Mohammed were blasphemous and a step too far, as has been the response. As far as I know the Danish newspapers offered an apology.
Belatedly, three months after the event.
I do not know what else they can do but I hope the controversy dies down.
Senator Coghlan agreed with his acting leader that a balanced understanding of the Muslim community here was necessary. He also criticised Dr. Paisley.
Senator Ó Murchú was a well of common sense, as always. He asked what the media means by freedom of expression and said we often have to engage and then pull back from the barricades. Senator Norris claimed that the matter arose in September and that the cartoons were catalysts. We all agree with freedom of expression but a balance must be found.
Senator Norris also raised the issue of licensing laws and the article in The Sunday Tribune concerning an underage reporter who was served in various off-licenses, which made for salutary reading. Senator Jim Walsh noted that moderate Muslim leaders should be praised and called for a debate on the Advertising Standards Authority for Ireland.
Senator Tuffy called for a debate on a new children's hospital. Senator Feeney correctly claimed that one state-of-the-art hospital for sick children is good news. Children and parents rather than issues of injured pride or geographical dislocation must take precedence in the debate. When Professor Drumm spoke on the matter on Friday, he said that two months will be needed before arriving at a decision. A debate on the matter may be useful but I fear we will all hold partisan viewpoints. As Senator Feeney noted, the hospital is for the entire country, not only for Dublin. The Senator also commended everyone who raised funds for hospitals over the years. We have all attended events and given money where it was needed.
Senator Ulick Burke raised the issue of the withdrawal of all taxation incentives and mentioned the rural renewal scheme. He wants a debate to be held on the Border, midlands and western region. I read the editorial in question and felt like saying that one cannot have it every way. I do not say this with the Senator in mind but with regard to the way in which the editorial was couched.
By having reports compiled on all the renewal schemes in order to determine whether they are fulfilling the aims for which they were introduced, the Minister for Finance, Deputy Cowen, is doing as he promised. Those of us who come from rural Ireland believe they have brought employment and revitalisation. There is a good guide in the newspaper in question describing the schemes that best achieved their purposes. The Senator discussed the scheme for the upper River Shannon region, which should be renewed and I concur with Senator Moylan's comments on the lower River Shannon.
Senator Moylan called for an audit of the school bus fleet. We all had a shock when we learned of the young girl who was lucky to escape from a fire in time. The Senator also sought a debate on the licensing laws.
Senator Cummins said that rather than spending money on translations into Irish of huge annual reports, funds would be better directed at promoting the language. He also described the need for a close examination of the tax schemes, a need which the Minister, Deputy Cowen, is addressing. That is not to say, however, that every scheme was unnecessary or did not fulfil its purpose.
The Minister has conducted three reviews, which are available for reading, and we can see which areas received the greatest benefits. When many of the schemes were introduced, Ireland was a different and more depressed country, with high levels of unemployment in the regions. We are living in a different era now, which is to be greatly welcomed.