The Order of Business is No. 1, the Appropriation Bill 2007 — all Stages, to be taken at the conclusion of No. 11 and to conclude not later than 12 noon, if not previously concluded, with the contributions of spokespersons only, which are not to exceed seven minutes; No. 2, early signature motion on the Appropriation Bill 2007 — to be taken without debate on the conclusion of No. 1; No. 3, Health (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2007 — Committee and Remaining Stages to be taken at the conclusion of No. 2. ; No. 4, early signature motion on the Health (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2007 — to be taken without debate on the conclusion of No. 3; No. 11, motion re hostages held by illegal armed groups in Colombia — to be taken without debate on the conclusion of the Order of Business.
Order of Business.
I wish to congratulate the Leader, Senator Donie Cassidy for responding to my request for an all-party motion which is also the expressed wish of Members on all sides of the House. Senator Ivana Bacik was the first to raise this matter in the House. I congratulate him because often in politics, no matter how worthy an issue is or how much all-party support exists, it can be quite difficult to get the agreement of a Department such as the Department of Foreign Affairs. I am delighted that the Seanad has tabled this all-party motion on Íngrid Betancourt. Just this week a number of hostages were released. I hope that this motion can be conveyed to the European Parliament and to the relevant presidencies. President Sarkozy of France is working on this issue. I hope we can follow this over the next few weeks and I hope there will be a successful outcome in the not too distant future.
I wish to bring to the attention of the House the urgent need for consistent sentencing for those convicted of rape and sexual assault. Yesterday's appeal in the Court of Criminal Appeal finally saw Mary Shannon receive justice for the horrific ordeal which she endured and I commend her courage in her quest for justice. This issue of consistency of sentencing has been on the agenda for many years. I appeal to the Minister, Deputy Brian Lenihan, to institute debate on this issue.
I also refer to a topic discussed in the House a few weeks ago, the deployment of Irish troops in Chad. I am sure many Members heard former President Mary Robinson speaking on the radio this morning about the lack of security in the camps in Chad, and in particular the lack of safety experienced by many in the camps. I hope the European Ministers will be able to respond with the necessary helicopters and everything else that is needed in order for the Irish mission to be carried out in safety.
I wish to bring to the attention of the House a matter arising from the issue we discussed recently, the schools water charges. The bills are being sent out by well-known companies. I have been a Member of this House for 20 years and I cannot remember the House ever deciding to privatise our water or to give our water away to companies. My colleague, Senator Ross, has referred time and again to the mistakes made more than 20 years ago when control over the toll bridges was handed over to NTR. I have some news for the House; NTR is a 50% owner of the company Celtic Anglian Water, which is supplying water to the Connemara Gaeltacht. Now that NTR has been paid off by an eventual €0.75 billion to allow the traffic to run free in Dublin, it is locking onto the water in Connemara and in other places. In a similar way, companies such as Veolia which run——
Is the Senator seeking a debate?
I am seeking a debate. I am concerned about who controls our water.
Hear, hear.
When did we give it away? These companies are working for large profits and that is really the reason for the large bills. If large profits are being supported by large bills from companies such as the ones which run the Luas, the toll roads or which are now taking control of our water, there is a serious question for every politician of all sides and views to discuss. I do not want us in 20 or 30 years’ time having to buy back control from these contracts that are being given out currently unseen. This is privatisation by stealth and people do not like that aspect of it.
Exactly.
Let us leave the "isms" out of it for a second and ask whether this is a good idea or a bad idea.
It is where privatisation leads.
I was concerned to read this morning that the Economic and Social Research Institute has forecast that growth will slow to its lowest rate in 16 years next year and that unemployment will rise. We live in a global economy where multinational companies can move to other countries to avail of lower wage or tax rates so it is important we try to grow indigenous businesses. I set up my own business years ago and I know how difficult it is. I compliment and congratulate in that respect our fellow Member, Senator Mary White, who took the plunge, started her own business many years ago and this week sold it for the sum of €7 million. She employs 100 people in Navan. She has done tremendously well for the people. Now that she has sold the company I hope she will spend more time in this Chamber and contribute to debates on how we can grow——
She could not do it any more than she does.
She is not here at the moment. She can tell us how we can start up and grow new businesses. I was concerned to hear this morning what Forfás had to say about the cost of doing business in Ireland. One of the ways of encouraging start-ups is to ensure our costs are kept down. Electricity costs in Ireland are 20% higher than the European average and the cost of electricity is the second highest in Europe. It is important we try to tackle such issues. Will the Leader ask the relevant Minister to make a statement in the House on what he expects to do in the electricity market and how he intends to reduce the costs so our businesses can compete?
On behalf of my party I thank the Cathaoirleach, his staff and the staff of Leinster House for their support throughout the year. I wish him a very happy and prosperous new year.
I thank the Senator.
I wish to ask the Leader once again about the Clonbrusk primary care unit in Athlone. I have a press release dated 3 December which states that having reconsidered the project, the committee recommended that it be approved to progress through planning and construction in accordance with the capital projects, etc. When I previously asked the Leader about this issue I stated we did not need the Minister to come to the House for a debate, we just needed a start date. I beg the Leader's indulgence because this project has been ongoing since 1999 and we have no health facilities in Athlone which has a population of more than 23,000. I urge the Leader in this season of goodwill to expedite this matter and secure a start date and a completion date for this project.
I offer seasonal greetings to everybody, which I gather is traditional at this time. I thank all those Senators who sent me Christmas cards——
And pens.
——whom I have not yet met.
Senator Ross should confine himself to the Order of Business.
I thank Senator O'Brien for the usual and Senator Mary White for the chocolates.
Chocolates?
We did not get any.
It is a fairly meagre offering considering how much she made in recent weeks.
It is easy to know he is a journalist.
She is no Willie Wonka.
Senators should confine themselves to the Order of Business.
She will not be getting the Order of Business. I do not wish to challenge the Leader of the House because the numbers look rather embarrassing for him as they stand at the moment. We do not want to challenge him to a contest.
A temporary little arrangement.
A rescue.
I wish to ask him a question on a serious point, however. Senator Hannigan touched on this matter. The ESRI report which came out this morning and from which many people can take some political comfort, especially on the Opposition side of the House, is alarming in one way. I do not wish to go into detail now but I seek a debate on the matter. The overall figures that were produced are in marked contrast to the forecast produced by the Government only two weeks ago. In every single case they are more pessimistic than the figures produced by the Government. I do not refer to the growth rate alone but also to employment, housing and many other figures which are benchmarked figures for the economy.
Given that the ESRI has produced figures today which are pessimistic compared with what we received from the political sources, one wonders, not necessarily whether the books have been cooked, but whether they have been pushed in a certain direction for the sake of the budget just two weeks ago and which will have to be revised quickly. That is quite dangerous.
Is the Senator seeking a debate?
I am finishing now. I do not intend to debate the matter. It is dangerous for us because if the Department of Finance is not producing accurate figures, one wonders whether the budget will need to be revised shortly in the Finance Bill. Perhaps the Leader of the House can ask the Minister for Finance to revise his figures early in the new year and inform the House whether he stands by his budget figures which are cast in considerable doubt by the ESRI this morning.
Last week I called for a debate on the national finances and the national debt. This new report from the ESRI highlights the direction in which the Government is bringing us in terms of the economy and the national finances. I reiterate that call for a debate in the new year and that the Tánaiste and Minister for Finance, Deputy Cowen, would be invited to attend.
I wish to raise one other issue which relates to a reference to barristers by Senator O'Toole yesterday in the context of the Health (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2007. It is one thing to criticise barristers about the fees they charge but it is another matter to cast aspersions on their competence, dexterity and intellectual agility.
Senator Regan should speak on the Order of Business.
I am calling for a debate.
We are on the Order of Business.
Dexterity and agility alone would not be called into question.
A debate on this matter may very well be appropriate.
Hear, hear.
As a barrister, I must declare my interest.
And a very good one.
Let us look at the Bar in Ireland and its contribution to society. From Daniel O'Connell and Wolfe Tone to Mary Robinson and Peter Sutherland today, the contribution of the Bar to Irish society, nationally and internationally, should not be underestimated. There is a serious point. We have an independent Bar. We have 200 barristers a year entering——
It is not exactly a free bar, is it?
After the tribunals they should support us.
Senator Regan should be allowed to speak without interruption. We are on the Order of Business.
Two hundred barristers enter the profession every year and there is increased competition, as anyone practising or entering the profession knows. It is a close as one gets to the model of perfect competition with many buyers and many sellers. Another aspect of the independent Bar is that it gives access to the smallest rural solicitors' firm and to the top solicitors' firms in the cities. That is very important. In regard to the individual——
If the Leader agrees to have a debate, we can discuss all these matters.
I am just explaining why a debate is needed.
What point is the Senator making?
At this stage we fully understand why it is required.
Senator Regan is upsetting Senator Ormonde.
Many issues that barristers have raised in the courts are sensitive ones on which the Houses of the Oireachtas have been afraid to legislate and debate for years, such as contraception, civil partnership, the right to life.
That is despite all the barristers in Leinster House.
It is barristers who have done this on a pro bono basis.
Why is he leaving it?
I seek a debate on these issues because there have been various remarks made about the profession. We should not underestimate the value of an independent Bar to Irish society.
As in most walks of life.
I endorse Senator Fitzgerald's comments on the sentencing yesterday of the rapist of Ms Mary Shannon from County Clare. That she had to go public in such a manner to get justice is an indictment, not only of the inconsistency of sentencing of the courts, but in many ways of us as a society as well. One can only imagine the trauma that she and her family have gone through in recent months. She demonstrated exceptionally strong character in the dignified response she gave to the sentence.
It is important that we have a debate on sentencing in this House. There is confusion among the public in regard to the sentences being handed down. Sometimes — I do not mean in this particular case — we wonder exactly what is the basis of a sentence. We have repeated debates, both in this House and in the Dáil and we, as legislators, must engage in this type of debate. On one occasion I had reason to make reference in the House to a sentence which I thought was not correct and I understand queries were made outside of the House subsequently as to what right I had to criticise a judge. That is worrying in a democracy. I have been proved right because the appeal was successful in that case.
We should not feel intimidated. Even though we respect the Judiciary and no doubt the legal profession, and I certainly would agree with many of the comments made by Senator Regan regarding the legal profession, at the same time it is vital that we feel free to come into this House and make known our views. Yesterday's case should be a watershed in that regard.
I wish all my fellow Senators the best of goodwill for the season.
I repeat my call for a debate on the public service. I do so for a number of reasons. There are two matters to which I draw the House's attention, one of which is the review of the labour market which was brought forward by FÁS. The statements made by FÁS should concern all Members, particularly having regard to the comments being made by the ESRI, namely, that the minimum wage of €8.65 should be examined. It is a matter of concern that an agency which is meant to promote jobs and innovation is so bereft of ideas that it should say something like this. It is ridiculous, concerning and preposterous.
While I know it is the season of goodwill, I note that the Taoiseach has had his annual dinner in the premises of the National Tourism Development Authority. I wonder is this appropriate. If so, is it appropriate for the rest of us to ask the chief executive and chairperson of that authority, Fáilte Ireland, if we could have our dinners there? Who is paying for these dinners and how appropriate is it that this goes on every year?
There are no free lunches.
Will the Leader earmark for the new year a debate on the issue of supports in place for older people. I raise this in light of a number of cases that have been brought to my attention where pressure is being brought to bear on families to take their loved ones out of hospital beds because of bed closures in the season that is in it. One can understand that it is probably an opportunity to carry out certain works in hospitals and so on, but I understand there is an extraordinary number of bed closures this Christmas and new year——
It is the cutbacks.
Senator Callely without interruption.
——which is putting pressure on families to take older relatives, in particular, who need long-stay accommodation and care, into their family homes.
I would also ask that if we were to have a debate on this issue, we would look at the entire support services that are in place, particularly what are often referred to as home care packages or personal care packages. I detest the term with which families are often confronted, namely, that their father, mother, aunt or uncle is bed-blocking. It should be removed from the vocabulary of those involved in the services. If people are being asked to take their elderly relatives home over Christmas it should be done only on the understanding that there is a full home care or personal care package in place for that individual.
I welcome the fact that the motion on Ingrid Betancourt would be passed unanimously and I congratulate those who have persisted in pushing this matter. I gather the motion is in the name of all of us. It is a matter I raised some years ago, but others have brought it to this successful conclusion and I congratulate and compliment them.
In the light of this agreement and the easy passage of this motion, I ask the Leader to consider, not of course today but at the opening of the next session, the similar passage of No. 11, motion 8, which is a motion about the production, stockpiling and use of cluster munitions.
Hear, hear.
This should have an easy passage because yesterday at the Joint Committee on Foreign Affairs this was tabled in the names of Deputy M. Higgins and myself and it was passed unanimously. It is an important matter on which Ireland should take a stance. We will be holding a conference on this subject in Ireland and in advance of this conference it would be useful if we passed this motion and assisted the Government in the production of legislation.
Hear, hear.
The other matter I want to raise was also generated by the Joint Committee on Foreign Affairs. Yesterday we had a meeting with a former distinguished Member of this House, Dr. Maurice Manning, who is now the head of the Irish Human Rights Commission. He presented to us the views of the Human Rights commission on the question of rendition and, in particular, the involvement of Shannon Airport. There was a robust exchange of views between a small number of us who supported the commission and others who tended to waffle a bit.
It is an important matter. The 22nd Seanad examined the matter in considerable detail and was well on the way to establishing a special committee of Seanad Éireann to investigate it. Regrettably, that was aborted but we now have this useful report. We should examine this, particularly in light of the fact that I was able yesterday to put on record the registration numbers of two CIA aircraft still using Irish air space which landed and were refuelled at Shannon Airport in the past six weeks and which have been known to be involved in rendition. Despite the protestations of the Government and despite the fact that they routinely answer questions that are not asked, this practice is continuing.
Nobody I know has asserted that we know that people were dragged through Shannon Airport. It may have happened — we do not know. However, I managed to get the Government to accept yesterday that we know that in the unbroken circuit of rendition, in which civilians were kidnapped and taken to places of torture, this country assisted by refuelling those planes. That is a blot on the name of Ireland.
To take up the point raised by Senator Norris, I, too, discussed the matter of extraordinary rendition at length yesterday at the Joint Committee on Foreign Affairs. The Government is so emphatic that it has assurances from the United States Administration——
Not worth a damn and not legally binding.
Senator Ormonde without interruption.
——that none of the aircraft has passed through Shannon with prisoners being subjected at the other side to ill-treatment and degradation and I see no purpose whatsoever in setting up another committee to prove alleged matters on which Senator Norris is making suggestions.
I never suggested that. I suggested we have a debate.
We can have a debate by all means.
I thank Senator Ormonde. That is great. Will she let the Chair know?
I would welcome a debate. Previously we were trying to form a sub-committee. I see no reason for it as we received assurances yesterday from the Government. We also had a fine debate with the Irish Human Rights Commission led by Dr. Maurice Manning. I am surprised that following that debate the Senator wants to take the issue further. I would love debate in the House on it but we would get the very same answers we received yesterday at the detailed discussion at the Oireachtas Joint Committee on Foreign Affairs.
With respect to Senator Ormonde, the assurances of the Government or others with regard to rendition flights are not worth the paper on which they are written.
Why does the Senator say that?
We are on the Order of Business.
Given the gargantuan U-turns of the Government — Senator Boyle's tie this morning makes me think he is going stag hunting — and the welcome U-turn by the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government yesterday, will the Leader ——
Look at the lights.
The Senator is staring at the headlights.
Senator Buttimer on the Order of Business or I shall call the next speaker.
Given the U-turn on child care and the fact the situation has changed drastically since the Minister for Health and Children spoke on the issue in the House, will the Leader arrange for further debate on the issue? There is uncertainty on the issue and we need clarity on who will benefit from the funding arrangements. I have received four phone calls on the issue since the Minister's announcement. We need clarity on the situation with regard to parents on low incomes who are not on social welfare payments. We need further debate on this.
In support of the comments made by Senator Ross, we need debate on how Government budgetary forecasts are formulated, especially in light of this morning's ESRI report.
I support the calls for a debate on the use of Shannon. We have spoken on the issue before, but we have never been provided with firm proof. The difficulty I have with the issue concerns whether we are dealing with shadow or fact. I am concerned that some people accept the shadows as facts. Until we have real proof, there is little point in us setting up a committee——
We have proof from the Council of Europe, the European Parliament and several jurisdictions and courts in Europe.
Senator Hanafin, without interruption.
I have great concern with regard to setting up a committee because some Members champion the cause of those against the use of Shannon by America and would not be objective or fair. They have never been realistic and fair in the House with regard to how the American Administration has operated. As a result, we have not had objective debate in the House on the issue.
I, too, would welcome debate on rendition flights and the use of Irish air space to accommodate this atrocious practice. The issue is not as straightforward as Members on the Government side suggest. When this debate was running in Donegal during the general election, two former Ministers of State in the Department of Transport, one with responsibility in the area of aviation, supported rendition flights in Ireland and called for regional airports to accommodate such flights. We need debate on the issue and we need to clear up whether their expressed opinions were just slips of the tongue, they did not understand what was happening or they knew more than they were letting on.
Does the Senator support the call for a debate on the issue?
Yes. I also call on the Leader to arrange for a debate in the new year on the decline and depopulation of rural Ireland. Within the next week, in the parish of Gweedore in Donegal the second post office in the space of three years will close down. This may seem insignificant, but when coupled with loss of jobs, the withdrawal of transport services etc., we are seeing the death of rural Ireland by a thousand cuts. We need serious debate on the issue to get the Government to consider seriously how to address the depopulation and decline of rural Ireland.
We should also have a debate on the issue of Irish language immersion in primary education. I note that Údarás na Gaeltachta, right across the political divide, supported unanimously a call for the Minister to withdraw her circular. I call for the Seanad to have that debate and echo the call of all the Gaeltacht members on the board of Údarás na Gaeltachta. It is a shame the Minister made the decision she did. She should take a leaf from her Northern counterpart and echo her decision. The Irish language is not protected constitutionally in Northern Ireland but the Minister there intends to continue to afford Irish language immersion in primary education.
I support the call for a debate on the use of Shannon and share the concerns about the use of Irish air space by aeroplanes that have been involved in extraordinary rendition. There are serious concerns with regard to the use of Shannon Airport by aeroplanes involved in extraordinary rendition and while we have the assurance of the American Government that this is not the case, there is no system of regular inspection or monitoring at the airport. Some people in the area monitor the airport and they have identified aeroplanes they claim have been used in extraordinary renditions.
Does the Senator believe the assurances?
There are sufficient public concerns to justify our seeking a strong response from the Minister for Foreign Affairs. I call for him to come to the House in the new year and for further debate. We must ensure systems are put in place that will reassure people the practice does not continue and that Shannon Airport is not used for this purpose.
There are concerns among non-governmental organisations and other groups working in the health area that insufficient funding is available for the coming year to ensure the proper implementation of the recommendations of A Vision For Change. Mental health services have been the poor cousin of the health services for many years, but there is a growing awareness of the prevalence of mental health problems and the need for proper community-based responses. Will the Leader invite the Minister for Health and Children to the House in the new year to discuss in detail the issue of the funding of the strategy document, A Vision For Change?
I support the remarks made by Senator Callely that we do not adequately use home help and home care facilities. There is potential in those services to do more good and it is madness not to use them more to make our services more cost effective and bring savings rather than further expenditure.
This is the season when we remember people living alone and call on people to visit them. During the recent general election I came across many people who live in isolation and who need people to visit them. I urge people, especially at this time, to visit people who are lonely and isolated. I call on the Leader to arrange for a debate on this issue and ask him to bring my suggestions to the Minister. We should put a visiting service in place to visit lonely people. The service could be funded at home help rates at local level. Such a service could do immense good and perhaps keep people out of institutional care. The traditional public health nurse role in this area has been diminished. We should also put in place a special grant scheme for voluntary organisations that provide evidence of visiting older people. I commend this practice to the Leader and ask him to bring it to the attention of the relevant Minister.
Despite the fact that Senator O'Toole upset Senator Regan today, I must agree with him with regard to water services.
That was discussed earlier.
I agree with him that it is criminal to hand over such a vital resource to private companies. I agree with his remarks on Veolia, but will leave debate on that for another day.
The Senator's time has concluded.
I will conclude by wishing colleagues a good Christmas. We can be collectively and individually proud that we have had an exceptionally good Seanad term and that the quality of debate has been excellent.
There are still a number of Members offering.
There was a clear understanding among the leaders that the Minister of State would be here to take the first Bill at 11.15 a.m.
The Minister of State is paid well to be here.
There is a time limit in place and I will work to ensure adherence to it. While Members are still offering, however, I cannot refuse to allow them to contribute.
On a point of information, does the 40-minute time limit apply from the time the Leader concludes introducing the Order of Business?
Yes.
I will try to adhere to the time limit in a peaceful manner.
The issue of imposing water charges on schools was mentioned yesterday and again today. However, reference was not made to how the shortfall incurred by local authorities will be made up. Will these authorities be left in the lurch? Will they be obliged to decide on whom they should impose additional charges in order to make up the shortfall? Does the Government plan to increase the level of funding provided to local authorities from the central Exchequer. I strongly agree with Senator O'Toole's remarks on Celtic Anglian Water in Connemara. The point he raised represents another angle to this extremely serious matter. I look forward to the Leader's reply.
I am conscious of the time constraints but I wish, particularly in light of the season that is in it, to make a few brief comments. As a fresher Senator, I wish to thank my colleagues for their great courtesy during the year. I am sure I speak for the other new Senators when I say we have all been made to feel very welcome. There is a great spirit of camaraderie around the House which we greatly appreciate.
This is the time of year when at least some of us reflect on the plight of a family travelling to the taking of a census and the implications thereof for the world. In that context, I wish to engage in a few reflections. I am glad the Garda has withdrawn a threat to deport an American student who was recently informed that she would be sent home unless she removed her son from a Galway national school. Over the Christmas period, some of us might ponder how we welcome immigrants to our society and reflect on the way in which we treat people.
Hear, hear.
While it is important to have rules and regulations in respect of the entry of people to our country, we should never forget the human dignity of those with whom we are dealing. A failure to recognise the latter sometimes marks our immigration procedures.
Figures provided by the Central Statistics Office indicate that the number of female lone parents with children under 20 years of age almost doubled, from 65,000 to approximately 122,000, over a ten-year period. At the same time, the number of lone male parents increased from 8,100 to 9,700.
Is the Senator seeking a debate on that matter? I intend to call on the Leader to reply when the official time limit has been reached.
I am seeking a debate on this matter because we must find a way to discuss how we cherish all the children of the nation equally while simultaneously promoting the culture — that based on marriage — which best favours their happy upbringing. We must be able to consider this issue in a consistent and generous way.
Concerns have arisen regarding an increase in the number of people dying from heart disease. Dr. Brian Maurer has recommended that people should not engage in overeating this Christmas. This is a matter we should take seriously.
Is the Senator seeking a debate?
We should not overdose on political correctness either.
The Senator should ask a question relevant to the Order of Business.
I will conclude by thanking people for the many Christmas cards I have received this year.
That is not relevant to the Order of Business.
I hope people will not take it badly when I say——
Christmas cards are not relevant to the Order of Business.
——that I would have appreciated it if the stable at Bethlehem, and not that at Leinster House, had been depicted on a few more of them.
I wish to flag an issue I hope we will be able to debate at some length in the early part of the new year. In one sense, this matter stems from Senator Doherty's concern about rural areas. The production of food is the main work carried out in rural areas in Ireland and throughout Europe. Some extremely scary statistics relating to world food supplies are doing the rounds at present. For each of the past six years, the world has consistently consumed significantly more food than has been produced. One does not need to be a rocket scientist to realise this cannot continue.
We are facing a situation where food supplies in Europe and across the world are in deficit. This development is going to change our view of agriculture and it will alter the nature of the debate on the future of agriculture and farming, both here and in Europe. I would like the Leader to place this matter on the agenda for a debate with the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food at the earliest possible date. Problems in this area are going to be of enormous significance in the short term and we must start to address them. We will ensure a future for farming on this island if we can assist in responding to the growing crisis to which I refer.
Before calling on the Leader, I wish Members a safe, happy and holy Christmas and a prosperous new year. I also wish to express my sincere thanks to the staff and the ushers, who look after us so well.
Senators Fitzgerald and Norris expressed their gratitude on my responding to their request for an all-party motion regarding Ingrid Betancourt, a former member of the National Senate of Colombia and a candidate for that country's Presidency. I thank the other leaders and the Minister for Foreign Affairs and his Department for their co-operation in respect of this matter.
Senators Fitzgerald and Ó Murchú referred to sentencing and the inconsistencies that arise in some cases. I agree with the sentiments expressed and we will examine this matter in the context of a debate on justice in the early part of the new year.
Senator Fitzgerald also expressed concerns regarding the sending of Irish troops to Chad, particularly in the context of their safety. The situation in that country is changing on a daily basis. I will pass on the Senator's concerns to the Minister.
Senators O'Toole, Coghlan and O'Reilly referred to water charges, the control of water supplies and the costs relating thereto and requested a debate on these various issues. I have no difficulty in arranging time for such a debate.
Senators Hannigan, Ross, Regan, Kelly and Buttimer expressed their views on the report published by the ESRI. Senator Hannigan congratulated Senator Mary White on the success she has had in business and the fact that she employs 100 people in Navan in the constituency of Meath West. I fully agree with the Senator's sentiments in that regard. Several Members also referred to observations from FÁS on competitiveness, people remaining in business, the retention of jobs and the plight of low income earners. An individual interviewed on RTE radio this morning in respect of the ESRI's report expressed concern that jobs might be lost on foot of increases in the rate of low incomes. We all support the concept of a decent wage for a decent job. We will have a lengthy debate on this matter early in the new year and I hope the Minister for Finance will be present for it.
Senator McFadden inquired about the primary care unit for Athlone. I will try to obtain an update on that matter from the Minister. I am sure the Senator will join me in congratulating Trevor O'Callaghan and the staff at Mullingar Regional Hospital on the announcement yesterday that their facility is the most cost-efficient hospital in Ireland. That is a wonderful achievement and I congratulate everyone involved.
It would be a great place for a centre of excellence.
There was a great deal of correspondence from Senator McFadden in our local media this week, particularly in the context of all the questions she put to the Leader of the Seanad. However, she did not mention the generous responses she received to queries she tabled this session.
And responses I received in respect of questions I did not even pose.
The Leader, without interruption.
I will have to bear that in mind in the future. I await forthcoming local dispatches with baited breath.
I will do better on the next occasion.
Senators Kelly, O'Reilly and Callely referred to supports for older people, particularly in the context of the festive season. Senator Callely has a great deal of experience in this area and I compliment him on raising the matter.
Senator Norris referred to No. 8 on the Order Paper. I will examine the matter and bring it to the attention of the other leaders at our next meeting.
Senators Ormonde, Hanafin, Doherty and Bacik expressed their concerns about rendition, which was debated by the Joint Committee on Foreign Affairs yesterday. As Senators are aware, the fastest way of getting answers to difficult questions is often to use the committee system. A witness can be called to a joint committee at a week's notice, with the permission of the Chairman of the committee. I will try to facilitate a discussion of the matter. If I cannot arrange such a debate, perhaps one of the Opposition parties will consider devoting their Private Members' time to the matter. It can be discussed at the next meeting of the leaders of the groups.
Senators Doherty and Bradford called for a debate on life on rural Ireland to be arranged as a matter of urgency, in the context of the closure of post offices. Some village post offices are closing because nobody in the area is willing to take over the business. An Post has a duty to put post boxes in place, at least, when post offices close.
Hear, hear.
I have some experience of problems in this regard next door to my home. Yesterday, a court in the midlands gave a lengthy and heavy sentence to a person who committed an offence. It is a difficult situation. We will do whatever we can. We will set time aside for a debate.
Senator Doherty called for a discussion on the Irish language. In fairness, I have already agreed to a request made by his colleague and close friend, Senator Ó Domhnaill, for such a debate. I have no difficulty with setting time aside for the debate in the next session.
Senator de Búrca called for a debate on mental health. I agreed over recent days to give time to Senator Corrigan to raise the matter.
I wish the Cathaoirleach and the Leas-Chathaoirleach a happy and holy Christmas. I thank the clerks of the House and their staff for their kindness, courtesy and efficiency during this session. I wish Senator Fitzgerald a happy Christmas and ask her to pass on the compliments of the season to her colleagues in the Fine Gael group in the Seanad. I wish the Labour Party group in the House a happy and holy Christmas. I am sure Senator Hannigan, who is deputising today for the leader of that group, Senator Alex White, will pass that message on. Similarly, I wish Senator O'Toole, who is the leader of the Independent group——
No, he is not.
He is leading the Independent group very efficiently, as always. I also wish his great colleagues and friends——
We are colleagues anyway.
——the compliments of the season.
We are his equals.
I wish the Deputy Leader of the House, Senator Boyle, and the rest of our new partners in Government——
They have pride of place.
Our colleagues in the Green Party——
The honour is all theirs.
Giddyup.
They have been extraordinarily rendered into government.
I also wish Senator O'Malley and our longstanding colleagues in Government, the Progressive Democrats, a happy and holy Christmas. I thank my colleagues in Fianna Fáil, which is the majority party in the House, for their co-operation, understanding and assistance. I would like to mention the Government Whip, Senator Wilson, and his assistant, Senator Glynn, in particular. It is great that we are here, in this position, in the week before Christmas. I thank the superintendent of the Houses, the Captain of the Guard, John Flaherty, and the rest of the staff of the Oireachtas for the kindness, courtesy and hospitality they have shown us at all times. I am sure the new Members of the House, in particular, appreciate the great co-operation they have received and the open-door facility that has been made available to them.
I thank Michael Conway and the rest of the staff of "Oireachtas Report", who ensure that the people of Ireland know about the great work that is taking place here. I thank Jimmy Walsh, whose great coverage of this House features in The Irish Times after each sitting day.
Hear, hear.
I look forward to being back early in the new year, when we will be even more productive. We look forward to serving the people of Ireland, which we have had the privilege of being elected to do.
I join the Leader of House in wishing everyone a happy Christmas. I thank the Cathaoirleach and all the staff of the Houses for their help during the year. I think I can speak for all my colleagues who are serving in this House for the first time when I say we are delighted to be here. On behalf of the Senators on this side of the House, I pay tribute to the Fine Gael team throughout the country. I thank those who have worked hard and supported us. As there is such a focus on consumer spending at this time of the year, we should bear in mind the importance of setting time aside for friendship. Perhaps we need to focus a little more on that. I thank Senators and the staff of the Oireachtasfor their courtesy and help. I wish everyone involved with the work of the Houses a happy Christmas.