The Order of Business is No. 1, a motion regarding a sessional order as agreed by the Committee on Procedure and Privileges, to be taken without debate; No. 2, a referral motion whereby the subject matter of motion No. 15 on today's Order Paper is being referred to the Joint Committee on the Environment and Local Government for consideration — the proposed new regulations will amend the exempted development provisions of the planning and development regulations 2001 to encourage the uptake of cleaner and cheaper energy from small scale renewable sources in the home, and these proposed changes to the planning and development regulations will facilitate a significant increase in the contribution of renewable energy technologies to meeting Ireland's energy needs and in renewable electricity generating capacity — to be taken without debate; No. 3, a referral motion whereby the subject matter of motion No. 16 on today's Order Paper is being referred to the Joint Committee on Justice, Equality, Defence and Women's Rights for consideration — the purpose of the proposal is to strengthen the capacity of the Union and the member states to combat transnational organised crime — to be taken without debate; No. 4, the Broadcasting (Amendment) Bill 2006 — Order for Second Stage and Second Stage, to be taken on the conclusion of the Order of Business until 5 p.m. with the contributions of spokespersons not to exceed 15 minutes each and those of other Senators not to exceed ten minutes each; No. 23, motion No. 36 to be taken from 5 p.m. until 7 p.m.
Order of Business.
I move amendment No. 1 to the Order of Business:
"That following the conclusion of the Order of Business a period of one hour shall be set aside for statements on health".
The Seanad has not met for approximately eight weeks. The important issue throughout the country is the chronic problems in the health service as highlighted yesterday in St. James's Hospital, where 20 surgical operations had to be cancelled due to the lack of bed and theatre space. Last Sunday the Tánaiste said, with his chest puffed out, that the Government would not be mud wrestled on the issue of negotiating the contract with consultants. By 5 p.m. the next day the only person who was mud-wrestling was the Taoiseach by his evasive and less than supportive comments on the Minister for Health and Children.
It is important that we debate this issue today, in the context of the three solemn commitments given by the Government four and a half years ago. It promised 200,000 additional medical cards, which have not been delivered, 2,000 hospital beds, which also have not been delivered, and no waiting lists for elective surgery by 2004, also not delivered. Given the circumstances in St. James's Hospital yesterday and the continued speculation and controversy about the site for a national children's hospital, we must debate these matters today.
I second the proposed amendment to the Order of Business. As somebody who attended the Irish Hospital Consultants Association's meeting after the Tánaiste's mud-wrestling speech, I must say he is a great man with words and has a great deal of influence on people.
Could the Leader arrange a debate, as soon as possible, on the reports of the inspector of prisons and those of the visiting committees for the various prisons? The Leader and the House have attempted to have them debated in the past but the Tánaiste has little enthusiasm for debating them. He said in the House that we cannot debate all the reports. However, we are spending hundreds of millions of euro on reports and, as the Leader has agreed, reports are of little value if we do not examine their content and consider what we can learn from them.
There is much debate on the airways at present about sentencing policy, prison reform and restorative justice. I am delighted the pilot studies in Nenagh and Tallaght were successful and that the Tánaiste has set up a committee to examine the possibility of expanding restorative justice in place of prison sentences. These issues need to be debated in the House. We are the people who will be required to introduce the legislation on restorative justice and prison reform. We need to consider the advice and information we are being given.
I fully support Senator Brian Hayes's proposal which has been seconded. I would love an hour in which to explain how two parties can put together a collection of intelligent and simple proposals, none of which requires rocket science, to reform the health service. This is something the Government has failed to do for ten years.
Hear, hear.
It is a simple set of proposals put forward by our two parties which has a very simple start by which a plan is made and the resources are then allocated. What the present Government did was to first allocate lots of resources only to discover later that a plan was needed. It is now trying to retrofit a plan to resources. One must think before one starts. It is terrible that so much has been wasted and that the people of this country are confused as to how the richest or one of the richest countries in Europe or in the world can have one of the worst health services. This House needs to repeatedly debate the issue of health because otherwise the Government will forget about it. The Government would prefer to have the Tánaiste marching up and down a few hills to proclaim some law and order speech. The health of our citizens is the main concern of our citizens and it ought to be the main concern of this House.
On a few occasions both Senator Ross and I have mentioned in this House the submission on the national development plan made to the Government by the US Chambers of Commerce in Ireland whose members employ more than 100,000 people in this country. One issue mentioned in the submission which should have transfixed Government, but obviously did not, was that close to 50% of the companies reported that their US-based executives were now asking them not to hold meetings in Ireland because of the state of our transport system. According to the submission to Government by the US Chambers of Commerce in Ireland, this was reported by a total of 43% of the companies, not far off half the total number. After what has happened to Motorola in Cork, it is easy to imagine a US senior executive being persuaded that this place — which is impossible to get into and to get around — would not be the place they would want to sustain. The Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment, has stated that there is nothing wrong with our competitiveness but that we must be vigilant.
Everybody wants to beat the drum about wages but I refer to all the other issues, such as the broadband debacle which is getting worse, not better. The rural broadband scheme has been abandoned. Eircom is now reverting to the old days of the Department of Posts and Telegraphs. Rather than trying to get prisoners out of jail, many politicians will be writing letters on behalf of people trying to get telephone lines or have their telephones repaired. We thought those days were behind us. Our technological, telecommunications, information technology and transport infrastructure is crumbling. This is the reason multinationals under pressure will not choose to stay here nor will they choose to come here. Parts of the country have not seen even a visit by a prospective investor in years because those investors cannot get to those places. It is a fact that one developer drove 20 miles outside Cork city and decided not to go any further because he regarded the transport system as being too bad to consider investing in the area.
We need a proper debate on this country's attractiveness to investment. Ireland is in decline as an attractive location for investment and this is not to do with wage levels. The debate on this issue should centre on the 350 well-paid, knowledge-based jobs in Cork which are about to disappear.
The Senator's case is very eloquently made.
I wish to bring to the attention of the House that if Senators were listening to "Morning Ireland" this morning they would be excused for thinking the Seanad was not returning today——
The House will not debate what was said on "Morning Ireland". Has the Senator a question on the Order of Business?
I was listening to the leader of the Labour Party.
In my view the House was slighted by the journalists on "Morning Ireland". They should know that this is an equal Chamber and the second Chamber of the Oireachtas. RTE broadcasters should be aware we are returning today and that the Broadcasting (Amendment) Bill 2006 is on the Order Paper for today.
This House is given excellent coverage by "Oireachtas Report", by Jimmy Walsh of The Irish Times and on local radio. I thank God for local radio because they give us tremendous coverage. I hope RTE is listening and that the journalists involved will be aware in future that the second Chamber exists and that we have returned today after the Christmas recess.
Here endeth the broadcast.
As we face a general election it is interesting to note we will be back to using the old pencils again. The Taoiseach said we wanted to get rid of those old pencils. I was surprised to read in the Official Journal of the European Union an advertisement for extra polling booths for the country.
That is good. I love polling booths.
Having seen polling booths in operation and the structures involved, I would have thought local authorities and returning officers could examine the logic of the requirement for extra polling booths to cope with the extra population without resorting to putting an advertisement in the Official Journal of the European Union. This is ridiculous.
I ask for a debate on the national development plan which is an excellent and ambitious programme for progress over the next ten years——
It is a rehash.
I would have thought Senator Ryan, like myself ——
Senator Mansergh——
I am entitled to ask for a debate.
Yes. I am not denying the Senator that request.
I thought Senator Ryan, like myself, would be availing of the important and excellent improvements in communications from the south of this country, both by road and by rail but he is not here to confirm this.
It is reheated porridge.
The second point on which it would be good to have a debate is the subject of developments in Northern Ireland. We all welcome the decision of Sinn Féin to participate in and support——
I wish to inform Senator Mansergh that I have returned to the Chamber.
——policing, both from the point of view that it removes an obstacle to the operation of democracy, the rule of law and power-sharing devolution in the immediate future, but also because it helps to level the playing field as and between the different communities in Northern Ireland so that policing is no longer mainly the preserve of one community vis-à-vis the other.
A debate to clarify in our own minds and in the minds of others the significance of and reasons for what has happened would be also welcome. There is inevitably a lot of hype and partisan argument on different sides. This is a good Chamber in which to coolly analyse both the significance of what has happened and where it is hoped to go in the near future.
I understand Senator Brian Hayes raised the question of the urgent situation in St. James's Hospital and I wish to support what I understand he said. The situation is extremely serious. It would be wise if the Minister were able to come into the House to explain how this was arrived at and how it can be resolved. I have never attacked the Minister for Health and Children, Deputy Harney. She has shown great courage in taking this job and I always believed she should be given time for the policies to take effect. However, this is critical and urgent. The ICU is full. Serious operations which are necessary and vital are being cancelled as we speak.
The ideology behind all these private hospitals and the invocation of competition should be examined. The rubbish we repeatedly hear about competition has damaged the interests of ordinary people. I am not an ideologue but if I were offered a choice between competition and proper treatment in hospital, like everybody else with his or her head screwed on the right way, I would choose the latter. I am not attacking the Minister for Health and Children, Deputy Harney. I would like her to come to the House because citizens are entitled to know the reasons they are not receiving proper treatment. Let us have a proper national health service in which everybody in the country is covered and let the Government pay for those who cannot afford cover.
I propose a conditional amendment to the Order of Business. The Leader is a remarkable, fine and honourable woman. For this reason, I am very sorry to see the amendment submitted in her name and written not by her but the Department of Foreign Affairs. It is a tissue of lies, evasions and hypocrisy and unless it is withdrawn, I will propose an amendment to the Order of Business that the House instead discuss No. 34 in the name of the Independents which deals with the issue addressed in the amendment.
I will substantiate my description of the amendment as a tissue of lies. It states that the Government "responded urgently from the outset to allegations of extraordinary rendition" and co-operated to the fullest extent with the investigation carried out by a committee of the European Parliament. That is not true.
The Senator's amendment is not in order.
Why not?
The matter will be discussed when the House deals with the business in question.
In that case, as I anticipate that the Leader will not be able to withdraw the amendment, I propose that the House deals with No. 34 first. Is that in order?
That would be in order.
I will make such a proposal which I encourage Senators to support. The Government states it co-operated with the European Parliament's investigation to the fullest possible extent. It did not do so.
The Senator may not make a speech on the Order of Business.
Co-operation is not a one-way street. If the other party clearly and publicly states the Government did not co-operate and refused to answer questions, the Government's approach cannot be described as one of co-operation. The amendment states the TDIP committee is under the impression that the Government directs the work of the Oireachtas.
A Senator
That is not true.
The amendment refers to the Government having offered full co-operation. That is a downright lie. It commends the Government on its policy of early and proactive engagement with the US authorities. It did not pursue such a policy.
The Senator must conclude. The House cannot debate an individual item on the Order of Business.
My final point is that it is perfectly clear——
The Senator may not make a final point. I call Senator Dooley.
——that, to the shame of the Government, aircraft engaged in rendition flights were fuelled when returning through Shannon Airport.
Will the Leader request information from the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government on proposals by the heritage section of his Department to restrict extensions of certain graveyards which are considered by the Department or deemed to be of archaeological, ecclesiastical or monastic significance? There is an age old practice in rural areas of burying families together. Unfortunately, guidelines emanating from the Department are making it impossible for local graveyard committees to extend older graveyards in line with expectations. This has created considerable annoyance among elderly people who had intended to be buried on the grounds in which their forebears were buried. People are concerned that regulations are off-the-wall. These kinds of restrictive practices should not be allowed to continue. Will the Leader invite the Minister to the House to discuss this important matter?
The proposal by the Department of Education and Science to transfer responsibility for dealing with under-performance by teachers at primary and secondary level from school inspectors to boards of management is a mistake. Boards of management at primary, vocational educational committee and voluntary secondary school level have different responsibilities.
School inspectors' involvement in schools is greater than ever. The number of inspectors has increased and whole school evaluations are being carried out. The inspectorate also carries out more subject examinations in schools than in the past.
Devolving responsibility for addressing teacher under-performance to boards of management at local level will have serious consequences, especially given that members of boards are essentially volunteers. Placing the onerous responsibility for removing a teacher from a school on members of boards is wrong. It could cause the individuals in question embarrassment and create unnecessary dissension in small communities.
The Department has paid scant regard to supporting teachers who experience difficulties. They are not given sufficient time off to engage in in-service training or retraining or to allow them to reinvigorate their enthusiasm in subject areas. The Minister should drop her proposal and have her Department devise a fair mechanism for dealing with this issue. Will the Leader request the Minister to address this issue as a matter of urgency?
The Leader will be aware that substantial funding has been promised to increase significantly subvention payments for patients and elderly people in nursing homes and hospitals. It is proposed that the enhanced subvention will be paid from the beginning of this year. The House should ask the Department to indicate how quickly the new system will be introduced and how it proposes to proceed.
Many individuals and families are under severe financial pressure owing to the current low rate of subvention. It is important, therefore, that the payment is enhanced and the increase backdated as soon as possible. A way must be found to prevent institutions from increasing charges in anticipation of the increased subvention. I ask that the House discuss this matter as soon as possible.
Will the Leader arrange a debate with the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government, Deputy Roche, on the definition of the phrase "affordable house"? The Minister was quoted the other day indicating that an affordable house is one which costs approximately 80% of its market value. The figure has varied, increasing from 50% to 60%, then to75%, and more recently to 80%. Slapping on a label of "affordable house" has created a new way for developers to make a mint on the backs of home buyers. The House must discuss this issue as a matter of urgency.
Will the Leader arrange a debate on the environment? As Senators will be aware, the United Nations will launch an important report on global warming later this week. Even President Bush is beginning to acknowledge that this is the greatest single issue facing the world.
Ireland needs to play its part in tackling global warming and the Houses of the Oireachtas could lead by example. A phenomenal amount of paper is wasted in the Houses every day. The large number of reports, agendas and information supplied in paper format and unsolicited could be provided via e-mail. Senators are sufficiently literate in information technology to be able to use e-mail. Instead of filling bags and bins with unsolicited reports, few of which we will read beyond the executive summary, an e-mail facility would allow us to view reports once alerted that they have become available and, if necessary, print them out. We could begin to lead by example by having a general debate on the report which will be launched later this week.
I concur fully with Senator MacSharry's last point. Reports are available for Members in hard-copy format in the Oireachtas Library, but there is a scandalous waste of paper in that regard. I also agree with previous speakers who have sought a debate on the health service. I hope the Government will accede to the request for an hour to discuss it today, with particular emphasis on the siting of the new national children's hospital. The issue was raised before Christmas by a number of Senators, including myself. We should have a full discussion on the reasons behind the decision that was taken. People should be allowed to express their views on the matter in the Chamber.
Senator Ryan requested a debate on the national development plan, with particular emphasis on infrastructure and broadband. Last week, we saw that the Government has abandoned the rural broadband scheme, so it would be opportune to know what its future plans are in this regard. What has been promised up to now has not been delivered upon by the Government. Many Senators in rural areas are in a similar position to me and know that businesses cannot get broadband connections. Last week, I was alarmed to learn that the port of Waterford — a few miles from where I live in Kilkenny — does not have broadband connectivity. That is a shocking situation. If that is the case in south County Kilkenny, I am sure a similar situation exists across the country.
The Leader should ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government to attend the House to explain his recent announcement on funding for local roads. He has announced a 6% or 7% increase in funding for local authorities for local roads. On the face of it, that would be welcome were it not for the fact that last year the cost of road-building materials increased 40%. In real terms therefore it is a huge decrease in terms of what work will be carried out on local roads around the country, despite the razzmatazz surrounding the Minister's recent announcement. He should attend the House to discuss that issue.
I support Senator Daly's call for a debate on nursing home subventions. A number of families have contacted me, particularly since the start of the year, when the cost of nursing home care increased substantially in some cases. There does not seem to have been an increase in the subvention paid to such families, however.
In recent days, I came across an anomaly whereby an elderly person living alone in receipt of a social welfare pension is entitled to the living alone allowance. However, elderly people living alone on a pension for which they have worked and contributed all their lives, but which is not a social welfare payment, are not entitled to a living alone allowance. We should examine that matter because such a person has the same financial needs as someone on a social welfare pension. Sometimes there is not much difference between both pensions.
I formally second Senator Norris's amendment to the Order of Business. The fact that there will be two votes on the Order of Business, and several more, is indicative of the fact that peace is not breaking out in this House. I endorse the calls by Senator John Paul Phelan and Ryan for a debate on infrastructure. Senator Mansergh also touched on it when he sought a debate on the national development plan. As Senator Ryan rightly said, we will not have much of a national development plan if we do not have broadband. There is a motion on the Order Paper in the names of all the Independent Senators calling for a far more robust and committed attitude to broadband.
Senator Ryan and I may approach this matter from different angles, but I agree with virtually everything he said. Ireland is becoming a dangerous place for foreign investment. If the word goes out that we have abandoned our broadband programme, which is true, foreign investment will cease to come here with the same enthusiasm as before. It is a cause of immense embarrassment to many people in the IDA and elsewhere when they must explain to multinational organisations that they will give them the 12.5% corporation tax but cannot give them any communication facilities with their home bases around the world.
Broadband is an essential weapon in anybody's armoury when it comes to marketing Ireland. We should have it in every household. The smugness with which we accept the investment of American multinationals is being wiped off our faces by the loss of 350 jobs in Motorola, the possible loss of jobs in Vodafone, and the loss of BUPA. We are in danger of losing other multinationals.
The construction industry, which is the second pillar of the national development plan, is booming but it is feeding off these multinationals that are paying so much money to those people who can afford the houses that are being built. We must provide that infrastructure otherwise the economy will be in for a difficult time in the years ahead.
I join with Senator Brian Hayes in calling for a debate on health. We should focus on filling vacancies. Clearly, patients are not the centre of attention when it comes to staff on sick leave, retiring or on extended maternity leave. There seems to be no regard for patients within the HSE. I came across two cases recently arising from the fact that the orthodontist in Carlow-Kilkenny was out. We have been told that it could be two or three years before people can obtain appointments again. This is crazy. In every other walk of life in the private sector, when a temporary or permanent vacancy arises it is filled far more quickly. It should not take that long in the public sector. I asked the HSE how many vacancies currently exist but God knows when I will receive a reply.
ADHD assessments must be undertaken by an educational psychologist. Students cannot get special needs assistance unless they have this assessment, yet there is a major shortfall of educational psychologists. We have a crazy scenario whereby the HSE will pay exam fees of clinical psychologists to go abroad, to England for example, to do a doctorate, yet it will not pay for an educational psychologist to study abroad for a doctorate. Meanwhile, there is a major shortfall in this area which is crying out to be filled. The Minister for Education and Science and the Minister for Health and Children should examine the issue. Why are the fees of clinical psychologists paid, but not those of educational psychologists? I am sure educational psychologists will gladly work in the Irish educational system for a few years afterwards in return for their fees. One lady in Carlow is facing a bill of £12,000 sterling per year to study for a doctorate in England. If she did it in Ireland it would take three years, whereas it takes only a year in England. If the overseas fees were reimbursed, we could have educational psychologists two years earlier in our own system, which we badly need.
I support the motion for a debate on health this afternoon. This critical issue has become worse over the Christmas recess. The public cannot understand why, after almost ten years in office, the Government has failed to solve the accident and emergency crisis, which has worsened. The situation in St. James's Hospital is a classic example. Only last week, Limerick Regional Hospital ran out of trolleys and people had to be treated in ambulances in the car park. That indicates how the system is failing. There is, however, total resistance in Government circles to the idea that the system needs more beds and better management. There is also the debacle over the children's hospital in Crumlin. In addition, fewer and fewer people now qualify for much needed medical cards. These are only some examples of how the Government is completely failing in the health sector.
We also need a debate on jobs and the economy, which should be organised as soon as possible. I do not mind if the debate focuses on the national development plan. However, there is major concern about the future of multinationals in this country and how the IDA is operating. North Tipperary has been abandoned by the IDA and there have been no site visits for more than two years. It is simply not interested in north Tipperary. I would like to know the view of the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment in this regard. What is the policy on foreign direct investment and what is the responsibility of the IDA with regard to all, not just some, of the counties of Ireland?
That might be a matter for the Adjournment.
That is why I put it down as a matter for the Adjournment.
It is a different story in south Tipperary, as the Senator knows.
It connects with the wider issue raised by Members of the House. It is an example of the concerns in one part of the country. It is urgent that we would have a debate on the matter of jobs and future investment in infrastructure and broadband, which particularly affects rural areas, and in particular where that investment is going.
With so many items of serious concern, it seems wrong at this stage to raise an issue like banking, but there is a great need to have a debate on banking. The Polish competition authority last week banned the use of what we call interchange fees for the issuing of credit cards. I am sure interchange fees exist in many European countries although not in others. I understand the Polish Government accused the banks of acting as a cartel in this area. If it happens in Poland, I assume it happens in Ireland also.
I raise this issue because of the major increase in credit card usage which was outlined in a publication today but even more so because the European Commission today issued a report which suggested inquiries should take place because it would appear a cartel exists among banks with regard to the issuing of credit cards. Not necessarily this week but in the coming months we should have a debate in the House on the issuing of credit cards by banks. Much information will become available to us in the coming weeks and a decision will be reached by the Commission in June.
Senator Brian Hayes put forward an amendment to the Order of Business which was seconded by Senator Henry. This amendment will be put to the House in due course. As I said, while I cannot pluck the Minister from where she is at present, the Senator is entitled to put down an amendment and it will be voted on.
Senator Henry also called for a debate on the report of the inspector of prisons, which we are trying to obtain. The Senator welcomed the moves made with regard to restorative justice.
Senator Ryan called for a debate on the submission by the US Chambers of Commerce in Ireland on the national development plan. He also referred to Motorola. We are all sad about the situation at Motorola but it had nothing to do with infrastructure or anything of that nature.
How does the Leader know that?
I read what the chairman of Motorola said.
The Leader should not mind the press release.
Order, please. The Leader to reply without interruption.
He said it was a change of strategy on the part of the company. I read this in a newspaper.
The strategy is to get out of Ireland.
The Senator sought a debate on declining investment in Ireland. The last report of the IDA showed an increase in investment in Ireland. I do not know why Members are trying to downplay our country. It is serious that Members are in that mode but I suppose they must do something.
That is just spin.
Senator Leyden raised a matter which I thought was ironic. I will not mention the programme involved because the Cathaoirleach does not want me to do so. The programme told how the other House was coming back and would debate legislation on prisons. This House is back in session and will debate the Broadcasting (Amendment) Bill. I thought it was ironic the programme did not mention this, as the debate will affect journalism.
Hear, hear.
I found it quite annoying.
Senator Finucane stated that we need more polling booths, which we do, as well as more people going to them. However, if one seeks that type of material, there are procurement laws in place and it is necessary to put an advertisement in the Official Journal of the European Union. That is why it exists. I am sure the Senators would welcome new polling booths and many people going to them.
We will welcome new voters.
Senator Mansergh praised the excellent road and rail connections between Cork and Dublin and the improvements to them. He also welcomed Sinn Féin's commitment on policing, which this House should affirm. What has happened is quite stunning. I am struck by the generosity of the concept and its execution. The potential is huge. Nobody wants to paint anyone else into a corner but I hope the myriad of voices on the DUP side will eventually become one voice of acceptance, and soon, not in years, as a man stated this morning. We have got this far. It is a stunning development in its generosity and we should pay due regard to it and hold a debate on Northern Ireland, as Senator Mansergh stated.
Senator Norris referred to the situation at St. James's Hospital. He proposed that the Government amendment be replaced by No. 34, which was seconded by Senator Ross.
Senator Dooley raised the matter of the extension of graveyards and sought information from the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government. The Senator stated that there are often archaeological objections to such extensions. It would be a suitable matter for the Adjournment, if the Senator would put it down as such.
Senator Ulick Burke stated it is now the responsibility of boards of management to judge the competence or incompetence of serving teachers in their particular schools, and that the inspectors who were in charge of that matter are no longer so. The shape of boards of management has changed and the Teaching Council has been established, which is an excellent method of adjudging proficiency.
Senator Daly raised the enhanced subvention which is to be paid to people in nursing homes. He hopes nursing home charges will not increase.
Senator Tuffy referred to affordable housing. I agree with the Senator that the definition of affordable housing is very loose and hard to pin down.
Senator MacSharry warned about global warming. He stated the Oireachtas could set an example by not producing so much waste paper every day when the information is available in the Oireachtas Library and on e-mail. It is not necessary that the information be printed in such vast quantities.
Senator John Paul Phelan referred to the national children's hospital. Many Members have referred to a "debacle" in this regard. There is no debacle. The site has been chosen and we will move ahead with the project.
There is significant controversy.
Tell that to the Taoiseach.
Order, please.
They talk about politics——
The Leader should not undermine doctors like this.
If we are in favour of children getting the very best of care, we should move ahead with building the hospital.
There is a different view.
There are mixed signals. The Leader should tell this to the Taoiseach.
Why? The Senator wants us to keep jumping from one site to another.
The Taoiseach is confused.
Order, please. The Leader without interruption.
Senator Scanlon raised the issue of nursing homes. He stated that if a person is in receipt of a private pension and is living alone, he or she should be just as eligible for the living alone allowance as those on social welfare. I agree.
Senator Ross seconded Senator Norris's proposal. He also called for a debate on broadband. He stated Ireland is becoming a dangerous place for foreign investment. That is not the case. The figures are available but people do not want to believe them.
Senator Browne referred to the filling of vacancies in the health services, particularly with regard to ADHD and the length of the waiting period to be seen by an educational psychologist, who can do a course in the UK in one year that would take three years here. Perhaps the course here is better but it is a very serious matter.
Senator O'Meara called for a debate on the health services. She stated that a hospital in Limerick ran out of trolleys and that the system needs more beds. The Senator also spoke about the future of multinationals in Ireland.
Senator Quinn called for a debate on banking, particularly the cartel which seems to appertain with regard to credit cards. We will endeavour to have that debate.