The Order of Business today is Nos. 1 and 2. No. 1, motion re Diseases of Animals Act 1966, was referred to the Joint Committee on Agriculture and Food, which has completed its deliberations. The legislation amends and extends the Diseases of Animals Acts 1966 to 2001 and its provisions enhance the Minister's ability to deal with all animal disease circumstances, and also with criminal activity in respect of animal health. The motion is to be taken without debate. No. 2, thePlanning and Development (Strategic Infrastructure) Bill 2006 — Order for Second Stage and Second Stage — is to be taken at the conclusion of the Order of Business until 6.30 p.m., with the contributions of spokespersons not to exceed 15 minutes and those of other Senators not to exceed ten minutes. The Minister will be called on to reply not later than ten minutes before the conclusion of Second Stage. No. 2 will not conclude today.
Order of Business.
Last Saturday evening a young mother was brutally murdered as she attended a birthday on the north side of this city. This case highlights again the control gun culture has over this country. It is the responsibility of the Government to ensure security for all our citizens and that the legislation it deems appropriate is in place and effective. The Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform stated this morning that it takes time to bring in legislation. Why has the Criminal Justice Bill, which was first published in July 2004, not yet reached Committee Stage in the other House? Why has the Government not even published the promised amendments to the Bill, which would outlaw gang membership and allow for an amnesty in respect of firearms, despite a commitment by the Minister that this would be done last year? This is a case of Parliament falling behind the times, not doing its job and not implementing laws that need to be made to track down and prevent the activities of those who are high on a cocktail of drugs and guns. The Government, which produced this measure nearly a year and a half ago, has responsibility to pass it in the Houses and implement it.
My colleague Senator Feighan spoke regularly over the past three months about the rise of cocaine use throughout the country. The well-to-do coke-snorting set should realise that their use of this new drug over the past five years — their double life — is ensuring that gun crime is spiralling out of control. We have a responsibility to say this is unacceptable to all sections of society. Last night, gardaí caught a driver on the South Circular Road with €500,000 worth of cocaine and a young girl was in the car at the time. This seizure shows the epidemic nature of the problem we face. The Government has a responsibility to introduce the Bill it promised a year and a half ago, to stop lecturing the judges and the Garda and to do its job in both Houses.
Senators
Hear, hear.
My point is related and similar to that made by Senator Brian Hayes on the eruption or great expansion in the use of cocaine in the better-off areas of Dublin and, consequently, in other parts of the country. We should discuss this problem, and I have asked that we do so on previous occasions. Others share the Senator's views on it. Although we may not be able to circulate our message to all the people all the time, we certainly want to make it absolutely clear to the so-called sophisticates who are using cocaine at the weekend that they are paying for a racket and system that maintains the gun culture. We know for a fact and have evidence that some of the cocaine being sent to Ireland comes with a number of unasked for guns thrown in. It is normal that guns, as well as drugs, are given to gangs to be used in continuing their reign of terror. It is absolutely a fact. We may have lost some of the battles in this regard, but we should not tolerate the activities of those who think it is smart or sophisticated to use guns.
I asked the Leader last week to arrange a debate on the problems at Marino Institute of Education. The report on the matter that has been published rubbishes the college's staff, anyone who has tried to sort out the difficulties and the Department of Education and Science. It seems that everyone is wrong except for the trustees of the college. It is time to consider this matter. The consultants were directed not to talk to the person with the main grievance, who was the main source of evidence, or to other people who had resigned for the same reason. The consultants found no evidence because they did not talk to the people who made the complaints. There is a reign of terror at the college. I would like a debate so that we can talk about what is in the report and deal with the political issues. The Minister for Education and Science recently said that the college's hard-working staff are producing teachers of a quality that is unmatched in half of Europe, despite all the pressures on them. The staff of the college need the support of the House and a vote of confidence. I would like a debate on the matter to be arranged at an early stage.
I support the calls that have been made by Senators Brian Hayes and O'Toole for a debate on gun culture, in light of the murder of a young mother on Saturday night. It is obvious that we need to consider, as part of that debate, the introduction of an amnesty for illegally held weapons which have not been used to commit crimes. We should then discuss the introduction of harsh penalties for people who are illegally in possession of guns. We also need to reflect on the question of legally held guns. Are the systems which are in place in that regard being monitored properly, etc.?
I would like a related issue to be debated in that context. I have examined the statistics for headline offences in recent years. I noted that in 2005, there was a significant increase in the number of murders in my local area. While there were just one or two murders in previous years, the number of murders in my local area increased to five in 2005. I have also examined the national figures, which indicate that the number of murders in the country as a whole increased by approximately 50% last year, from 37 in 2004 to 54 in 2005. It is too early to tell whether last year's increase constitutes a trend, but it is obvious that there was a substantial increase in the number of murders in 2005. If things continue as they are at present, there may well be similar figures for 2006.
When the House debates this issue, it should consider the measures which are in place. We need to examine the issue of sentencing, which has been raised by the Taoiseach. We need an audit of the sentences which are being given, the proportion of those sentences which are being served and the extent to which the people in question get involved in repeat offences. The worrying thing about crime statistics is that just one third of the crimes which are committed are detected. The rate of detection of crimes, including murders, is approximately 30%. Perhaps I am being controversial when I suggest that we should undertake an analysis of the Criminal Assets Bureau legislation, which has been quite successful. It is obvious that it is right that ill-gotten gains should be seized by the State. However, many of the criminals from whom we are seizing assets are still on the streets, controlling their drug empires in local communities. We need to consider whether the Criminal Assets Bureau legislation is working. Do gaps need to be filled in that regard? Do we need to introduce further legislation to ensure that we are detecting crimes, convicting offenders and punishing them appropriately?
I would like the House to debate the horrific murder that took place on Saturday night. We need to consider where society is going. While we might be looking for more legislation, we should bear in mind that legislation cannot reverse what happened on Saturday night, which was the straw that broke the camel's back. I am calling for the involvement of the community and the education system. This is an issue for the whole of society. If we do not address the issue, it will crumble around us and no legislation will bring it back. While I congratulate the Garda for doing everything in its power and for bringing in a haul last night on the South Circular Road it must be asked where will this stop. We need an urgent debate on the issue.
I support Senator O'Toole's call for an early debate on the breakdown of communications between the staff and the trustees of the Marino Institute of Education. Having listened to the debate this morning, I feel there is still an authoritarian aspect to the report that was published. It seems from the report that everyone is out of step except one group. It is very important that this issue does not go away and it requires a full debate. Why are so many lecturers and members of staff resigning from their positions? They do not resign that easily so they must have a reason for doing so. That must be brought out into the open. I do not care what the trustees say, because there is more to this than what has been revealed in the report.
I support the statements made by Senator Brian Hayes. I listened to the Minister yesterday and I thought he was in Opposition because a year ago he stated he was going to introduce much longer sentences. The recent callous murder of an innocent person has again brought the issue sharply into focus. It is easy to criticise the Judiciary, but legislation is passed in both Houses. While the 1999 Act provided for ten-year sentences it also gave judges latitude in exceptional circumstances to impose lesser sentences. The legislation we enacted has given them the latitude which seems to dominate their thinking when imposing sentences, because sentences seem to be for five to six years, rather than the ten year maximum.
The Government stated last November that it had approved the strengthening of the Act. It should get on with it and implement the legislation. We can see the reality on the ground with the break-up in law and order. Objectively, it would appear we are losing this battle. The Minister seems to be engaging in the politics of the last soundbite.
Hear, hear.
This issue requires prompt action on the part of the Minister, with less megaphone action so that he can do the practical work.
I condemn the horrific killing on Saturday and I commend the work of the Garda, especially in the area of drug confiscation. I hope that the Garda also acts on the gun culture, which is linked to drugs culture. I welcome the suggested amnesty on guns.
With an election due next year, it is important that we compile the register of electors accurately. I have been told by local authority staff that it is difficult to call on people when they are at home, due to the amount of people working nowadays. We should have a debate on this. Just like the census of population, staff should leave a form in every household so that the names of those in the house can be recorded. The form could be collected within a couple of weeks and could provide information on those who are aged over 18 and eligible to vote. There are many suggestions on this and a debate would give us an idea on how to tackle what the Minister called an accurate recording of the register.
We are approaching yet another anniversary of the invasion and occupation of Iraq by American, British and other forces. According to Amnesty International, the human rights situation is worse than it was under Saddam Hussein, with thousands of people being incarcerated in prison, tortured and murdered. The Leader has organised debates on this before and I ask her for another one in the near future. Apparently, near Basra, about which we hear nothing, the situation is so serious with the infiltration of the police by Shi'ite militia that there is an operation called "white duck" whereby cars drive around in the evening and citizens are murdered if they have objected in any way to anything the police are doing. I, and I am sure other Members, would be grateful if the Leader could organise a debate on this issue in the next few weeks.
It was recently announced in the media that the original copy of Amhrán na bhFiann, our national anthem, is for sale. It is feared that it might end up in a private collection outside the country. This document is an important part of our heritage and history. In the past, we have purchased such items to ensure they remain in this country, for example, the Joyce manuscripts. It is important that the State consider purchasing this document. However, perhaps we could recommend that a wealthy benefactor who has benefited from Ireland as a tax haven might consider purchasing it and presenting it to the nation.
The leader of the SDLP, Mr. Mark Durkan, suggested to the Government and the political parties over the past few days that the Forum for Peace and Reconciliation should meet to discuss a number of issues, including reconciliation, the concept of justice and the ongoing difficulties in the peace process. Mr. Durkan's suggestion should be taken on board. Over the past 12 to 15 months in this House a number of speakers have suggested that the resumption of the Forum for Peace and Reconciliation would provide a vehicle to debate current issues in the peace process. Of all the groups, bodies and associations with which I have been involved politically over the past 20 years, the Forum for Peace and Reconciliation stood out as a forum where real progress was made and all sides listened with respect to different arguments. This vehicle is again required so the issues of the day, be they difficult or easy, can be addressed and, hopefully, progressed. The House should call on the Government and all political parties to support Mr. Durkan's fine initiative.
In view of the comments that have been made about the current crime situation, I seek a debate on the criminal justice system. I do not fully subscribe to the suggestion that more legislation is required, although specific Bills might be desirable. In general, however, there is sufficient legislation in place to bring many of these people to justice. It is interesting, with regard to the case under discussion, that the alleged perpetrator was accused anecdotally of various other serious crimes but because these cases were not pursued by the Director of Public Prosecutions, the person was still at large.
There have been other such instances. We need to debate the evidential thresholds that have been set because they are undoubtedly leading to a situation where serious criminals are walking the streets without fear of prosecution or incarceration. This must be examined with a view to getting the balance right.
We should also discuss the implementation of legislation. The legislation providing for mandatory sentences for those in possession of drugs, for example, is now being interpreted by the Judiciary as providing for maximum sentences, not mandatory sentences. This has led to a situation where sentences are now lower and of less significance than they were previously. There is a need to examine this issue and a debate in this House could be most helpful.
I support Senator Ó Murchú's suggestion that the original copy of the national anthem be purchased. It would also be good if, to celebrate 1916, we put it to one side and commissioned somebody such as Seamus Heaney to write an anthem that would be less revoltingly bloodthirsty. It would be more appropriate for the 21st century. While it is a very important historic document, we have moved on and it would be very good to have a less gruesome song to sing. I strongly support the call for a debate on Iraq, but I will not go into the matter. While we have talked about it many times, it is important.
I wish to speak about a matter which I have raised before. I ask the Leader to discuss with the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform or perhaps arrange a debate about the publication of the names, addresses, occupations and photographs of accused persons before the courts. Such publication constitutes an immediate punishment before a case is heard. In cases where the person is found innocent he or she can never recover. Such people are punished in the wrong and I do not believe that is right. Their right to a good name, which is supposed to be constitutionally guaranteed, is undermined, as is the right to integrity of their families and the right to be presumed innocent. This was highlighted by last week's case of a solicitor who had been charged with having child pornography. He was not only acquitted — he was found not guilty — but his business is ruined and his family needed to be educated abroad, which represents injustice.
I wish to comment on the Donna Cleary murder. I agree it is appalling that life is so cheap now. We are into an age of contract killing — it is possible to have somebody bumped off for €2,000 or €3,000. However, I believe that pious exhortations to the middle class to stop taking cocaine will have no effect. I would support them and a war on drugs, and all such other rubbish, if it ever in any country showed the slightest chance of success. It never has and it never will. It will not do so until we get a realistic drugs policy to include destroying the financial base by licensing drugs and making them available. I have heard that suggestion not only from this side of the House, but also from a former Minister for Health on the other side. While it is the only way to go, we cannot do it alone. If pious exhortations would work, I would favour them all the time. They do not work.
I support the comments of Senator Kitt on the register of electors. Despite the best efforts of my local authority, Westmeath County Council, to compile the register of electors in an accurate way, many people deliberately avoid going on the register. I believe they should have a legal obligation to be on the register.
I strongly support Senator Ó Murchú's proposal that the original document on which Amhrán na bhFiann is written should be purchased by the State. This should not require debate and should be done as a matter of urgency.
Almost two years ago I asked the Leader of the House to organise a debate on diabetes, which has been recently described in a national newspaper as the silent epidemic. Recent figures published clearly indicate that 250,000 people suffer from diabetes of whom 90% suffer from type 2 diabetes. A further 25% of those are unaware they have the disease. It is time we had the debate and I ask the Leader whether she has recently requested the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children to come to the House for such a debate, which should be held as a matter of urgency.
I suggest that the register of electors should be put on-line to allow people to check whether they are on the register. People often think they are registered and discover afterwards they are not. If the register were on-line, it might help resolve the problem. We should also have an on-line application facility to allow those discovering they are not on the register to apply.
At lunchtime I listened to a Senator explaining the new Fianna Fáil and Progressive Democrats website on GP-only medical cards. We have discovered that only 5% of people have received such cards. The Government parties have now launched a website encouraging people to apply for those medical cards, about which I have grave reservations. I regret that the Government parties omitted to mention on their website that they have broken a promise to grant an additional 200,000 medical cards in the period.
Senators
Hear, hear.
Some 100,000 fewer people have medical cards now than in 1997, a fact that is also omitted from the website. It would be far better if the Government parties were honest with the electorate, reminding it of broken promises in the area and carrying out genuine work in allocating medical cards for longer than the six months for which some people are getting them. Those with long-term illnesses must reapply consistently every six months, a ridiculous practice that is both time consuming for the patient and a waste of officials' time. This website is a very worrying development. No doubt, in the run-up to the election, we will see many more joint efforts from members of the Government to camouflage the truth.
I ask the Leader urgently to raise the matter of incineration, particularly the plans for an imposed incinerator on the Poolbeg peninsula in Dublin.
It is obviously not over yet.
Senator White without interruption, please.
I travelled the roads in the Sandymount, Merrion and Irishtown area for 15 years, morning, noon and night, on my way to our company on the East Wall Road. I therefore know the area extremely well. There is no way that those roads can take 400 extra trucks a week on their way to the new incinerator on the Poolbeg peninsula. The peninsula is a cul-de-sac.
That is why it is called a peninsula.
It is a bizarre example of planning. Since the Dublin eastern bypass is not yet in place, with no plans to build it in the Government's ten-year road strategy, it is foolish to build an incinerator in the area. I have told the constituents of Dublin South-East that, regardless of whether I am on the ticket——
Is the Senator talking about a DART ticket?
——I will passionately support them in their efforts to stop the incinerator. I am a politician of principle.
There is a natural outcry from all sides today against the outrage that happened in Coolock the other night. However, I am concerned that I hear calls for mandatory sentencing for firearms offences. People appear to be blaming the Judiciary for the fact that sentencing has in many cases been lenient. However, I understand that we have had mandatory sentencing for murder for several years. It is not the judges' decision whether to release people; I understand it to be a Government decision. If we are to take steps, let us not blame the Judiciary and call for mandatory sentencing as a solution. The Government must grab hold of this issue and say that when we mean mandatory sentencing, we will not relax our guard and take things easy. Instead, we should say that we mean it and are determined.
I ask the Leader to facilitate a debate on the medical card system. Perhaps Fine Gael might use its Private Members' time to table a motion to that effect. Senator Browne referred to a Senator from this House, whom I take to be me. As usual, he is misinformed, has not carried out any research, and is out of touch regarding the electorate and the system. That much was proven at the last election.
Come off it.
I make no apologies——
The Senator is defending the Minister for trolleys.
——for the fact that the Government has provided for 200,000 medical cards and found that the public has not taken them up. The two Government parties took an initiative today to communicate with the electorate.
I meant full medical cards.
Just because Fine Gael is incapable of communicating with the electorate does not mean that we should stop doing so. Fine Gael might profitably use its Private Members' time by coming to the House properly informed to debate the issue.
I do not want to get bogged down on the last issue, but Senator Minihan has completely misrepresented my colleague, Senator Browne. It is quite clear that the Government made a commitment——
Does the Senator seek a debate on the issue?
——before the last election to have 200,000 additional full medical cards.
The Senator should read the programme for Government.
Order.
This is another broken promise.
I want some order on the Order of Business please.
I wish to express my agreement with Members from the other side of the House who have raised the issue of the register of electors. There were some revelations last week and the system of compilation of the register of electors needs complete revision. While many rate collectors around the country do a fine job in keeping the register of electors up to date, for many others it is next to impossible, particularly in ever-expanding urban areas throughout the country. The Minister should come before the House to express his views on this topic as soon as possible and well in advance of any future election.
I also ask the Leader to arrange, if possible, for the Minister for Agriculture and Food to come before the House to discuss the sugar beet sector again. It is unclear at present whether producers will be asked to grow the crop for another year and what the subsequent implications might be with regard to compensation. As the Cathaoirleach is aware, this is a serious issue for farmers. While the sugar beet crop does not require sowing for another couple of weeks, those farmers who do not intend to sow sugar beet need to begin sowing other crops now. It is not good enough that the Minister signed up to an agreement in Brussels last year. She does not appear to be able to inform either House, farming organisations or farmers in general about what she actually signed up to. She should come before this House to clear this matter up as soon as possible.
I support my colleague, Senator Minihan, and agree with everything he said in respect of the medical card issue. I am sure the Opposition will agree that the fact there are fewer medical cards in the system today results from, and is an indicator of, the wealth and affluence experienced at present.
That is rubbish. It is a reflection on the guidelines.
It would greatly hurt Senator Browne to acknowledge these facts. However, perhaps it is now time——
The problem is with 200,000 full cards.
On the Order of Business, please.
Perhaps it is time that Senator Browne induced the parties to the Mullingar accord to knock their heads together and perhaps come up with something a little more constructive.
The Government has broken a promise.
On another matter, I agree with Senator Bradford regarding Mark Durkan's comments last weekend. I agree with the Senator's call for a recall of the Forum for Peace and Reconciliation to debate the fallout arising from the protest march on 25 February last. Much hurt and confusion, as well as misinterpretation of the facts, are in evidence. At this time, a debate held under the auspices of the Forum for Peace and Reconciliation would be apt.
I wish to amend the Order of Business. Following the conclusion of No. 2 on the Order Paper, namely, the Second Stage debate on the Planning and Development (Strategic Infrastructure) Bill, I seek an emergency debate for one hour. I want the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government, who will be present in the House until 6.30 p.m., to remain in the House for an additional hour. I refer to the barriers to proper development put in place by his Department. I also want to put on record that a small cabal of maverick civil servants within his Department are preventing the provision of, as well as investment and job opportunities in, leisure facilities in the west of Ireland. This has been evident in Lough Key forest park and many other projects in the west. This small group in his Department are now out of control and its actions run directly counter to Government policy. Finally, I have raised this matter on the Order of Business on numerous occasions, as well as on Adjournment debates. A full and frank debate is now required on the goings-on within this Department. The Minister is directly responsible for failing to stop this small group of misguided public officials.
On a point of order, is it in order to attack civil servants or public servants? I do not believe it is. This is a disgraceful attack as Ministers are responsible for their Departments.
I have asked the Minister to intervene. This is clearly an embarrassment to the Government. When will the Government act?
That was a reply rather than a point of order.
On a point of order, as Senator Mansergh should know, points of order are directed towards the Cathaoirleach rather than the Opposition.
I addressed the Cathaoirleach.
Order, please.
I ask that the Order of Business be amended. This is an extremely serious situation. This sinister development must be dealt with by the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government sooner or later.
The Senator has proposed an amendment to the Order of Business, to the effect that an item be taken after No. 2. Is that correct?
On a point of order, how can this matter be in order if the House is debating Second Stage of the Planning and Development (Strategic Infrastructure) Bill? Surely it comes within the Bill's ambit?
That is the business of today.
What I am referring to is that there is a small cabal of maverick civil servants acting out of control and I have asked the Minister to investigate this matter immediately.
Order, please.
That is on the public record.
That is a disgraceful charge. Senator Feighan should withdraw it.
A Chathaoirligh, may I help you on this? On a point of order, my colleague has raised this issue on numerous occasions. He wants a specific emergency debate on this issue concerning Lough Key. That is the point, which is totally separate to No. 2.
I add my support to Senator Glynn's call for a debate on diabetes. As a diabetic, I think there is much rubbish spoken about diabetes. The matter needs attention and needs to be debated urgently in this House. As my colleague stated, many diabetics do not even know they have the problem. I would welcome such a debate at the earliest convenience. I also support Senator Minihan on the medical cards issue.
I second my colleague's amendment to the Order of Business.
I ask the Leader to invite the Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism into the House to debate the Government's regional tourism plan because revenue and occupancy rates declined for many bed and breakfast accommodation and hotel owners throughout the country in the past 12 months. A hotel owner told me she had an 84% occupancy rate in June last year and a 90% occupancy rate in the previous year, and the occupancy rate is down considerably.
There is also less business travel from the Continent. We have failed to attract major conferences from the USA. Hotels are cutting costs by relying increasingly on part-time staff, a matter which needs to be addressed. More tourists are going to central and eastern Europe and there is a significant decline in the number of tourists coming from the USA. As we speak, the entire tourism industry is struggling. We must market the regions and our country better and there is an obligation on Government to do this.
The Leader might throw light on why the Ringsend incinerator was excluded from the fast-track plan. Was it due to the intervention of Senator White or the Minister, Deputy McDowell?
It was the subject of an application.
The problem with the register of electors is the insufficient level of staff in local authorities. I spoke with local authority officers who are responsible for the register of electors and they have claimed there is a significant shortage of staff to deal properly with the register. This issue must be addressed. It is a staffing problem in most local authorities.
I am quite happy to support the call by Senator John Paul Phelan for a debate on agriculture and for the Minister to come to the House to discuss the issue of sugar beet. However, it is important that we understand what is happening.
The Minister, Deputy Coughlan, does not know what is happening.
We should know that the Council of Ministers has agreed that the reconstruction fund would not be paid this year. We should know, and I would expect somebody from the other side to know, that the Commission has yet to finalise the related document. Members on the other side should also know that Commissioner Boel has gone off to bloody New Zealand and left the document unfinished.
Could I further state——
It depends on what Senator Callanan will say.
Will Senator Callanan run that by us again?
I also support Senator Ó Murchú's call for the State to acquire the original document of the national anthem. On behalf of the people, I reject Senator Norris's approach to it. It is he who is offensive and insulting to the people.
I thought it was a bloodthirsty ditty and if Senator Callanan knew it, he would know that I was right.
I am grateful to the Cathaoirleach for considering my request for an Adjournment debate.
I have ruled on that.
I know. The Cathaoirleach knows me well and he knows how much I respect his ruling.
Has the Senator a question?
I have a pertinent point.
Senators
The Senator is impertinent.
I am never impertinent. I do not question the Chair's ruling but I would appreciate a discussion with the Cathaoirleach following the Order of Business.
There will be no discussion now. Has the Senator a question relevant to the Order of Business?
The Minister replied to a question in the other House and, because of that, I request a discussion with the Cathaoirleach in this regard.
That is no problem at all. I said that earlier.
I thank the Cathaoirleach. Will the Leader arrange a debate with the Minister because he must be concerned about the ongoing discrimination against many people as a result of the lack of telephonic capacity?
That has been ruled on.
I appreciate that.
Senator Brian Hayes raised the issue of our disgraceful gun culture and, in particular, the sad murder of Donna Cleary. He asked where is the Criminal Justice Bill, which, as far as I can ascertain, is on Committee Stage in the Lower House. He also referred to the increase in cocaine use and stated everyone in authority should stop lecturing people and do something about it.
Senator O'Toole referred to the explosion in the use of cocaine and the so-called smart people who smoke it at weekends. The Senators seem to know quite a bit about that but I am not aware of it, although I read about these matters. Senator O'Toole also raised the Marino College of Education issue. It is like a comic opera and I cannot understand it. This is a teacher training college in receipt of significant funding from the State to train teachers but we have heard different versions of stories about it. A debate on the matter would be very useful.
Senator Tuffy also called for a debate on gun culture. She referred to the huge upward trend in the number of murders and she cited statistics regarding the murder rate in different areas and sentencing. She also stated an investigation should be conducted into the outcome of the activities of the Criminal Assets Bureau, which she praised. I do not talk about judges and what they do because that is their job whereas ours is to enact legislation. It is unhelpful to debate sentencing matters.
I agree with Senator Ormonde that we should have an urgent rounded debate on gun culture and murder. We have become almost numbed to the increase in the number of murders. When they occur, one says it is part and parcel of something and one does not become alarmed or shocked. When we lose the ability to be shocked about something, it is getting bad.
Senator Finucane referred to criminal activity, judges, law and order and the politics of the last soundbite. He commended the Garda on its mammoth work in dealing with drugs offences. I agree with the Senator's comments on the inaccuracies in the register of electors. Anybody going forward for election will be alarmed because the votes one cannot get are always those one would have got if the people were on the register. Senator Dardis is correct that a national body should take command of the registers of electors and put a shape on them, as they are completely out of kilter.
Absolutely.
Politicians try to update the registers. They give copies of the register to their cumann and when they know people are turning 18, they are put on it. However, it is chaotic, hit and miss, unstructured and it is not done correctly. The register will be updated once more following the recent update and that will be our last opportunity. A shape would need to be put on the registers over the coming months following the publication of the most recent version, which is the second last before the election.
Senator Henry referred to another anniversary of the invasion of Iraq and she called for a debate on this. We sought a debate this week.
Senator Ó Murchú suggested we should purchase the original copy of Amhrán na bhFiann immediately and that perhaps a wealthy benefactor who has benefited from business here would purchase it for the State.
Senator Bradford agreed with the suggestion of the leader of the SDLP that the Forum for Peace and Reconciliation should be reconvened. It was an excellent discussion forum. Perhaps it could discuss issues like the FAIR march that did not happen two weeks ago.
Senator Jim Walsh asked for a debate on serious crime and sentencing. I would not like to become involved in a debate on sentencing, but I agree we should debate the issue of serious crime.
Senator Norris suggested we should commission Seamus Heaney to write a new anthem for us. I am quite happy with the one we have.
Senators
Hear, hear.
Old bullets have been allowed, le gunna scréach faoi lámhach na bpiléar.
The Leader, without interruption.
I suppose the Senator would like us to change the Marseillaise as well.
I particularly like the beginning of the anthem, "Sinne Fianna Fáil".
Senator Norris also pointed out that people are innocent until proven guilty, and I sympathise with that view. Publishing pictures of people before a trial is wrong. The Senator also seeks a debate on Iraq.
Senator Glynn requested a debate on diabetes and asked whether we had invited the Tánaiste to the House. We send a request to the Tánaiste's office every week to discuss some issue, but she has been extraordinarily busy recently. If the Senator would like to take on the job of asking her, that is fair enough. Senator Glynn also raised the matters of the register of electors and the national anthem.
Senator Browne suggested electoral registers should be on-line. Some county councils have their registers on-line, but perhaps there is not uniformity in this regard. The Senator suggested that applications to the register should also be made on-line.
Senator Browne also spoke about a Fianna Fáil-Progressive Democrats website with information on GP-only medical cards. I do not know about that website as all I have seen are advertisements suggesting people should apply and pointing out that mortgage and child care payments and travel costs would be taken into account. Senator Minihan was in feisty form and told us that he has spoken on the matter. He said 30,000 new medical cards were provided for, but only 15,000 were applied for. He also informed us that 200,000 GP-only cards were allowed for, but only 10,000 had applied for them. We thank him for that information. It tells its own story.
People cannot hear the whole time.
The story is the same with regard to the family income supplement, which provides a top-up to low income families. However, when one asks people whether they have applied for FIS, they do not know what it is. It is good that the Department is conducting an extensive media campaign to inform families of the availability of the FIS. I am amazed at the low numbers applying for the medical and GP-only cards.
The Department is promoting them.
The Leader, without interruption.
I am amazed that only 15,000 have applied for the 30,000 available and that only 10,000 have applied for the GP-only cards.
The Government did away with so many of the offices of the Citizens Advice Bureau.
This is about the fourth time Senator Norris has contributed to the Order of Business despite being permitted to contribute only once in accordance with Standing Orders.
I would approve of websites or advertising which would empower people to know their rights and apply for them. It is proper to provide the information.
The Government abandoned the 200,000 full medical cards.
The Leader without interruption. Senator Browne should allow the Leader to reply.
Senator Feeney pointed out that there are more people in work. If there are, many of these would now be outside the exempted guidelines for cards.
Senator White asked for debate on the proposed incinerator on the Poolbeg peninsula. I suggest she should put that matter down for an Adjournment debate where it might flush out some interesting facts. I wish the Senator good luck with her add-on.
Senator Quinn referred to mandatory sentencing and not blaming the Judiciary. I agree with him. We allow for the Judiciary to look at exceptional circumstances and take their decisions. Whatever else I engaged in throughout my life, I never engaged in judge bashing. I think it is a foolish thing to do. The Judiciary is properly set up and is separate from us.
Senator Minihan spoke about the medical card system. Senator John Paul Phelan raised the matter of the register of electors and it is interesting that those who are talking about the register of electors are those who are hoping to be voted for by the electorate. He also wants the Minister for Agriculture and Food to come to the House to discuss the sugar beet situation.
Senator Feeney spoke about the medical cards and the Forum for Peace and Reconciliation. Senator Feighan proposed an amendment to the Order of Business and was seconded by Senator Bannon. The former spoke, although I shall not repeat his exact words, about a small group of people. I understand he raised the matter on the Adjournment previously but now he is proposing a more urgent debate. Senator Kate Walsh called for a debate on diabetes and if she, with her undoubted influence, can persuade the Tánaiste to participate, that would be very good.
Senator Bannon seconded Senator Feighan in calling for an emergency debate. He asked for a debate on regional tourism and also raised the matter of the register of electors, with which I agree. They will be my voters, though, not his, if we put them on the register.
There is a debate about that going on in the constituency too.
Senator Callanan said that the European Commission document is not finalised yet and we should debate it when it is completed. He rather likes our current national anthem. Senator Coghlan was very exercised ——
It was completely irrelevant.
I am not permitted to talk about that.
It was completely irrelevant and a ruling was made on it earlier.
Senator Feighan proposed the following amendment to the Order of Business: "That a one-hour debate be taken from 6.30 p.m. on the obstacles to development being put in place by the Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government." Is the amendment being pressed?
Yes.
Tá
- Bannon, James.
- Bradford, Paul.
- Browne, Fergal.
- Burke, Paddy.
- Coghlan, Paul.
- Coonan, Noel.
- Feighan, Frank.
- Finucane, Michael.
- Hayes, Brian.
- Henry, Mary.
- McDowell, Derek.
- Norris, David.
- O’Toole, Joe.
- Phelan, John.
- Terry, Sheila.
- Tuffy, Joanna.
Níl
- Bohan, Eddie.
- Brady, Cyprian.
- Brennan, Michael.
- Callanan, Peter.
- Cox, Margaret.
- Daly, Brendan.
- Dardis, John.
- Feeney, Geraldine.
- Fitzgerald, Liam.
- Glynn, Camillus.
- Hanafin, John.
- Hayes, Maurice.
- Kett, Tony.
- Kitt, Michael P.
- Leyden, Terry.
- Lydon, Donal J.
- MacSharry, Marc.
- Mansergh, Martin.
- Minihan, John.
- Moylan, Pat.
- Ó Murchú, Labhrás.
- O’Brien, Francis.
- O’Rourke, Mary.
- Ormonde, Ann.
- Phelan, Kieran.
- Quinn, Feargal.
- Walsh, Jim.
- Walsh, Kate.
- White, Mary M.
- Wilson, Diarmuid.
Tá
- Bohan, Eddie.
- Brady, Cyprian.
- Brennan, Michael.
- Callanan, Peter.
- Cox, Margaret.
- Daly, Brendan.
- Dardis, John.
- Feeney, Geraldine.
- Fitzgerald, Liam.
- Glynn, Camillus.
- Hanafin, John.
- Hayes, Maurice.
- Kett, Tony.
- Kitt, Michael P.
- Leyden, Terry.
- Lydon, Donal J.
- MacSharry, Marc.
- Mansergh, Martin.
- Minihan, John.
- Moylan, Pat.
- Norris, David.
- Ó Murchú, Labhrás.
- O’Brien, Francis.
- O’Rourke, Mary.
- Ormonde, Ann.
- Phelan, Kieran.
- Quinn, Feargal.
- Walsh, Jim.
- Walsh, Kate.
- White, Mary M.
- Wilson, Diarmuid.
Níl
- Bannon, James.
- Bradford, Paul.
- Browne, Fergal.
- Burke, Paddy.
- Coghlan, Paul.
- Coonan, Noel.
- Feighan, Frank.
- Finucane, Michael.
- Hayes, Brian.
- Henry, Mary.
- McDowell, Derek.
- O’Toole, Joe.
- Phelan, John.
- Terry, Sheila.
- Tuffy, Joanna.