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Seanad Éireann díospóireacht -
Wednesday, 28 Sep 2011

Vol. 210 No. 7

Order of Business

The Order of Business is No. 1, an address to Seanad Éireann by Dr. Maurice Manning, president of the Irish Human Rights Commission and chair of the European group of national human rights institutions, with the address to commence at 11.45 a.m., to be followed by contributions by spokespersons not exceeding five minutes and one question from all other Senators who will be called in turn by the Cathaoirleach - to facilitate a prompt start, Senators are requested to remain in their seats following the Order of Business - and No. 2, Private Members' business, motion re company closures, to commence at 3 p.m. and conclude not later than 5 p.m. Business will be interrupted for a sos from 1.45 p.m. to 3 p.m.

Will the Deputy Leader take account of the report released by Safe Ireland on the plight of women who are victims of domestic violence? The figures are frightening, with a 40% increase between 2009 and 2010. Record numbers of women are seeking refuge but, unfortunately, a substantial proportion are being sent back to the homes where the abuse was initiated. This is an appalling vista because Safe Ireland believes these figures are merely the tip of the iceberg. Yesterday several Senators praised the role of women in sport, which is laudable. In order that we can deal with this issue of domestic violence as a matter of grave urgency, I propose an amendment to the Order of Business that the Minister for Justice and Equality, whose responsibility this is, should come to the House to offer an explanation and some solace to the victims, primarily women, who are suffering in this most distressing situation, and to stem this problem which is spiralling out of control. It is a serious issue and I hope the House would acknowledge the plight of these women and endorse my demand for the Minister to come to the House as a matter of urgency.

Will the Deputy Leader find out what the Government has decided regarding the proposed constitutional convention? When Garret FitzGerald became Taoiseach, he initiated a constitutional crusade, so to speak, and John Bruton established the all-party committee on the Constitution. There was also a constitutional review group. A great deal of work has been done in this regard and I would not like to see the Government renege on its commitment. I recognise there is a difference of opinion between Fine Gael and the Labour Party but I am sure they can be married to proceed with the proposal. It is ironic that we will hold a referendum on judges' pay on the same day as the presidential election. I accept it is a somewhat important issue and that it catches the eye of the public but 80% of judges have already agreed to cuts. The promised referendum on children's rights is much more important. If the general election had not taken place earlier this year, a referendum on this issue would have been held last spring. We face the prospect of holding a referendum on the abolition of the Seanad next year and there is talk of further referendums on bail rights and reducing the presidential term from seven to five years. I urge the Government not to put the cart before the horse. It should hold this constitutional convention as a priority and then hold the referendum on what may be recommended.

I congratulate our colleague Senator Norris on being nominated to run for the Presidency. It is a great honour for this House. I am delighted he is on the field. I congratulate all those, including Dana Rosemary Scallon, who came through the local authority system yesterday. I hope it is a clean campaign and that the Government parties, in particular, will take their beating and——

That is not relevant to today's Order of Business.

——in the line of protecting its own candidate, Mr. Gay Mitchell MEP, the Government would ensure that it is a clean campaign.

Mr. Mitchell is not my candidate.

Not to join the sentiments expressed by Senator O'Donovan in the last part of his speech, I wish our colleague Senator Norris all the best and congratulate him on getting on the ticket and wish the other six candidates the best of luck in the presidential election.

Will the Deputy Leader ask the Minister of State, Deputy Penrose, to come to this House to discuss the housing situation? I would ask that the Minister of State would prepare a report of the figures on each county and put them before this House. In the current economic situation, the Part V provision is not coming on stream, we have no money to purchase or build houses, the rent to lease scheme is not working in certain counties and Dublin City Council cut its housing list by half to 12,500 because people did not reply to correspondence. We cannot rely on the fact that people did not reply to correspondence as a means of removing them from the housing list because some of these people would not reply to any letter. This is an important matter. In Kilkenny, there are 2,500 people on a waiting list for housing. It is important we get the proper figures, have them debated in this House and try to come up with some solution. It will take much deep thinking to decide how we will solve the housing crisis. There are ghost estates and unfinished estates, but the problem is they are all in the wrong places. There is differing information, with the Royal Institute of the Architects of Ireland stating we need 100,000 new houses. We must try to solve this. With people in negative equity and losing their homes, there will be more pressure on local authorities. It is important the true figures are put before this House and we have a proper debate on the housing situation.

I draw attention to the heartwarming news of the opening yesterday of the State's first hospice for children. The LauraLynn Hospice Foundation is doing great work and deserves the support of everyone. I note that it is something that is coming from the people and the community. To my knowledge, it has not received grant aid from any Government agency. In particular, I read about the story of young Grace Akognon, who was born at 33 weeks in the National Maternity Hospital in Holles Street. She has many challenges as a result of being born premature but also, because she is the daughter of an asylum seeker, it is an even more challenging situation, with minimal resources being made available to that family in the Balseskin reception centre. The Laura Lynn foundation is a godsend to that little family unit because of the respite care it offers. It is a real sign of hope in our times that people come together to do this kind of thing in our community.

It contrasts as well with what can happen in other countries. It is not that long ago since a Dutch health researcher recommended to that country's Government that it would allow physicians to euthanise newborn children, not merely based on their actual suffering but on foreseen suffering. That strikes me as a much more despairing approach to the challenges that can face human beings. I hope we in this country will always adopt the hopeful approach of helping people to address their challenges and help them to an improved quality of life.

It would be appropriate for us to wish all the candidates in the presidential election a fair wind. I want to make two points which can fit in to a discussion that perhaps we should have in the Seanad at some stage in the near future. First, the Presidency, despite its denigration by some in recent weeks, is an important office and is more than merely symbolic. The President of Ireland represents the country to itself and abroad. There is a major dignity attaching to that office. For that reason, it is right and proper, and to be expected, that there will be hard questions asked of each candidate in the coming weeks. We have a right to expect that those hard questions would be asked and that they would be answered, which is not the same as negative campaigning.

Second, the nominating procedure has been a subject for discussion. If we are to discuss this, it is better that we discuss it soon because if we start it at some time in the term of the new President, it could be seen as a reflection on him or her. I would offer this advice to myself, to colleagues and to present and future politicians, that we should not be ashamed of doing our constitutional duty, exercising our judgment in favour of candidates whom we would like to see in that most high and important office and not nominating persons whom we do not want to see in that office. Looking over our shoulder to find out what public opinion or the dominant media are saying is not the way to go. It is not a good future for Irish politics if that is all that we ever end up doing when we have important decisions to make. Let us not be ashamed of carrying out our constitutional functions. I would ask for that particular point of view to be taken forward into a debate, which I hope we will have soon and which I hope the Deputy Leader can facilitate, about the way in which candidates for the Presidency are nominated.

Perhaps the Cathaoirleach will let me clarify something that was raised in my absence yesterday by Senator Byrne, who himself is absent today, in relation to what I gather were comments about information that I received from——

We are not discussing yesterday's Order of Business today.

I did not get a chance to reply. It is a matter of public record.

Does Senator Harte have a question for the Deputy Leader?

Would the Deputy Leader allow me to make a statement on this to clarify the accusations Senator Byrne made yesterday? It is in the interests of clarity.

Senator Harte should get it off his chest.

Senator Harte should take advice from Senator Leyden.

Does Senator Harte have a question for the Deputy Leader?

The question is whether the Deputy Leader is happy that Senator Byrne would make accusations in the House in relation to information which I received from an individual who is not a member of any party and who is not giving that information to the Labour Party? That information was given to me in a casual conversation and was clarified subsequently.

Senator Byrne raised the issue yesterday because it was in the national newspapers. What is Senator Harte's question to the Deputy Leader?

I want a mechanism to investigate and clarify what Senator Byrne was getting at. For the Senator to raise the issue of where the information came from is typical. I want an investigation.

It was a legitimate point.

That is not relevant to the Order of Business.

It may not be, but it is relevant to my statement.

I ruled on that matter yesterday. Unless Senator Harte has another question for the Deputy Leader——

Let Senator Harte clarify the situation.

Senator Harte to continue, without interruption, please. I inform the Senator that we ruled on that issue yesterday.

When can I raise this?

The Senator has.

I have, but I am not doing it in the proper forum according to the Cathaoirleach.

I do not really know what Senator Harte's problem is. If he has a question for the Deputy Leader, the Order of Business is about the ordering of business for the day. Unless Senator Harte is proposing an amendment to the Order of Business or he has a question for the Deputy Leader——

Senator Harte wants to respond to the allegations yesterday.

Can the Deputy Leader arrange an investigation into the comments Senator Byrne made towards me?

I suggest Senator Harte make a personal statement if he wants to.

Senator Byrne made accusations and Senator Harte is entitled to clarify.

The Order of Business is not the appropriate place for raising the issue Senator Harte raised and I ruled on that yesterday, but if he wishes to speak to me afterwards in my office, I would have no problem with that.

Senator Harte can make a personal statement if he wants to.

I can make a personal statement.

I have said to Senator Harte that if he wishes to speak to me afterwards, I have no problem with that.

I am trying to be helpful.

Does Senator Harte have a question for the Deputy Leader?

I want an investigation into comments made by Senator Byrne in my absence.

I have said to Senator Harte that we are not dealing with yesterday's Order of Business today but if he has a problem, I am quite prepared to meet him in my office afterwards.

I thank the Cathaoirleach.

I second the proposal by Senator Denis O'Donovan for an amendment to the Order of Business concerning the Minister, Deputy Shatter. I share with other Senators our best wishes to the seven nominated candidates. Though I could not assist our colleague, Senator Norris, I wish him well, as I wish Ms Dana Rosemary Scallon well. I am reminded very much of the Seanad campaign, given all the moving from council to council. It gave councillors a great sense of purpose, although they never expected when they were elected to the councils that they would have a say in the nomination of candidates.

I make the point that we will not now have the question for the next ten years of "what if" or "if only" which we would have had if they had not got on the panel. They are now candidates; let them go out there and let the people decide. That is the great thing. They would be cribbing for years and we would never hear the end of it. The talk of "what", "only" and "if" is now over.

Is the Senator looking for a debate on the presidential election?

I just want to share the point.

He feels a little lonesome.

I ask the Deputy Leader if she would arrange an ongoing debate on the creation of jobs, which is the priority of this Government, as it was of the previous Government. To this end, I request that we would have regular short debates in which we would meet Ministers from different Departments to put forward suggestions or ideas from the very experienced Members of this House.

I will start the ball rolling by noting the reconstruction and refurbishment of pre-1970 houses is vital — for example, the replacement of windows with double and treble glazing, and the rewiring of houses which may have been built long before 1970 and may not be in great condition, and some of which may be fire hazards. This would be a totally self-financing exercise given the reduction in unemployment and the PRSI and VAT returns. We need a grant system similar to the insulation grants which were brought in by the former Minister, Mr. Eamon Ryan, and the last Government.

I make the point to the Deputy Leader, with her colleague, that she would consider having short debates, perhaps every month, with different Departments to find how we could have a constructive input, with the Government, to put forward suggestions. The Departments would then come back with a financial package, as it is very difficult for us to have that information at our disposal. This would be very helpful.

I wish to raise an issue first raised by my colleague from the Cork North-Central constituency, Deputy Dara Murphy, which concerns the Hibernian Express cable that is being laid between the UK and the US. There is an opportunity for a connection to be made into Cork which could service not only that county but Kerry, Limerick, Galway and all of the west coast. It is a great opportunity to improve connectivity and bring it up to tier 1 standard.

At present, the cost per month for this type of connection to a company in Dublin is approximately €3,000, whereas it is approximately €10,000 per month in Cork, Limerick or Galway. As this cable is being laid between the UK and the US, there is a great opportunity to connect to it off the Cork coast and bring that connectivity to Cork and other areas. We have until the end of this month to make a decision on the matter.

I ask that the Deputy Leader would bring this to the attention of the Government and that a decision would be made. This is about the creation of jobs. Once the standard is brought up to tier 1 level, this improves the attractiveness of the area in terms of creating jobs as industry can access a worldwide market at a far lower cost, which is important. This matter should be brought to the attention of the relevant Department and Ministers in order that a decision can be made at an early date.

I travelled to Athens in Greece on Sunday for a meeting on Monday. The flight was delayed by two or three hours and I did not arrive there until early Monday because the air traffic controllers in Greece went on strike. On Monday the underground metro went on strike in protest against the austerity measures, on Tuesday the buses went on strike and today the taxis are going on strike. I mention this because I was very impressed by those in Greece who were talking about what Ireland was doing and then comparing this to those in Greece who believe the way to solve these problems is to go on strike, which does not seem logical.

I read today that a group of nurses in one of our hospitals is going on strike in protest at the number of patients on trolleys outside the wards. While the frustration, hurt and concern is understandable, the belief that the way to solve this is by going on strike is something we must examine very carefully.

Senator Burke spoke about the urgency of job creation. I was very impressed reading The Times of London as I returned to Ireland late last night to see the headline ‘Ireland is trending as Twitter joins the growing digital cluster in Dublin”. The newspaper article congratulated the Irish Government, stating:

Twitter appears to have spurned the advances of David Cameron and Boris Johnson by establishing an international foothold in Ireland. It will join a growing raft of technology companies that have set up shop in the Republic to take advantage of lower corporation tax.

It was very interesting to see that positive things are possible and happening. The article finished with the following words, which I cannot resist reading:

With low corporation tax and lax controls over the transfer of profits, Ireland has attractions yet these companies create jobs and satellite industries in their wake, and a [British] government still struggling for a growth strategy must ask itself why, with all their talk of enterprise zones, another technology company is taking the Emerald option. There was a Scotsman, an Englishman and an Irishman, and only one of them is laughing.

I like that last part.

I want to raise the important issue of Safe Ireland and domestic violence, to which a previous speaker referred. I also want to ask the Deputy Leader to ask the Minister of State with responsibility for housing, Deputy Penrose, to contact NAMA. We have heard from Safe Ireland that refuges are full to capacity and 3,000 people have been turned away. In addition, people in many areas cannot access refuges as they are not available. At the same time, there are many buildings, including houses, which would be suitable and people would be much better served by NAMA releasing some of these.

Volunteer Ireland does great work. There are many volunteers who could work in conjunction with the Minister of State and NAMA to ensure those buildings are put on stream rather than the current proposal from NAMA, which is to reduce equity by 25% and thereby distort and do a disservice to the housing market. We saw the previous interference in housing by Governments and State agencies which totally distorted the market. NAMA would serve the people of Ireland better in this way, in particular the women and the 2,500 children who are in refuges at various times.

We are talking about regard for children and children's rights. There are many women who cannot get out of their houses because many men are now at home through unemployment and the women cannot even access the telephone. There needs to be an increase in the number of telephone calls dealt with by Safe Ireland. Men should not think I am speaking only for women as I am talking about all violence in the home. This issue should be addressed.

There was a question regarding an amendment to the Order of Business. We need straight access to the Minister for Justice and Law Reform and I am not sure changing the Order of Business is the way to achieve this. The Minister must listen to the Seanad and the people who have spoken for the children and the women of Ireland as well as for the men of Ireland who are suffering violence. I congratulate Safe Ireland, which is doing that work. It should be helped in any way possible. The Deputy Leader should ask the Minister of State, Deputy Penrose, to contact NAMA with regard to the buildings it controls, which should be put to good use given the people who need shelter. As I said, many people would be willing to volunteer to help the situation, as they are doing.

I join other speakers in commending all of those candidates who are now on the ballot paper for the presidential election. I wish them all the best of luck, not of course in equal measure, but I wish them all luck nonetheless. It should be a good and a clean campaign.

However, as Senator Mullen stated, it also must be a robust campaign in which all the candidates and what they have to offer are scrutinised, hopefully in a constructive fashion. In addition, the nomination process must be examined in the future and two issues arise in this regard. First, the political reforms that have been promised include fewer Deputies, this House potentially getting the chop, merged councils and fewer councillors. This means there will be fewer representatives available to nominate potential candidates or enable them to reach the magic number of 20 Oireachtas Members. Moreover, there will be fewer councils available for those candidates seeking four council nominations and in this context, there is a need for reform. Second, it is wrong that young people and those under the age of 35 are not in a position to contest the election. Both these issues should be discussed and perhaps there is a need for Members in the short term to have a debate on the kind of constitutional change in the round that many people in this State consider to be necessary in the context of the constitutional convention that was promised by the Government.

Last week, I again raised the issue of the fire sale of performing assets in the State. However, the Government response in this regard has been typical and I have been getting it repeatedly. It comprised raising issues regarding the North and Sinn Féin's performance in the North and in the Assembly in the North, as well as being confused about what is happening. To clarify, an asset realisation group was established in the North. Its purpose is to consider under-performing assets with the intention of realising the value of those assets and to retain them in public ownership where possible. However, in the case of some assets that are not being used, there may be abandoned properties that are a cost to the State, such assets may then be sold to reduce the burden on the State. This is what is happening in the North but what is happening here in the South is we are fire-selling strategic valuable State assets. There is a world of difference between the two and this is the reason it is important to have a debate in this regard.

A number of calls were made for the Deputy First Minister and the First Minister to come before this House. I ask the Leader to hold off on this proposal until a new Deputy First Minister is in place. Perhaps some time in November might be an appropriate time to have both the new Deputy First Minister and the First Minister come before the House, at which time there can be a debate on what is and what is not happening in the North of Ireland.

I join previous speakers in congratulating Senator Norris on achieving a nomination. I believe democracy is best served by all the candidates being nominated and as other Members have stated, I wish them all well, even if, as Senator Cullinane noted, not in equal measure. All Members will have their favourites but I hope there will be a good, clean and robust campaign.

Naturally, there is concern at NAMA's proposal and one is led to believe there also is concern in Government circles in this regard. Perhaps the Deputy Leader could arrange for the Minister of State, Deputy Penrose, to come into the House. If it is allowed or comes into being, NAMA's proposal to encourage the purchase of thousands of homes could artificially inflate the market. Up to 5,000 residential properties on NAMA's books could be involved, on which it could waive 20% of the value, were prices to fall over five years. However, the important point is the Government and the agency must be at one. As the Government's concerns are now in the public domain, I ask the Deputy Leader to arrange in early course to have in the House the Minister of State with responsibility for housing. There are so many important ramifications, some of which have been touched on by others this morning. However, the central point is one cannot have such an important agency in conflict with Government policy on such an important matter as housing.

I join other Members in congratulating our colleague, Senator Norris, on his nomination to stand for the presidency. He fought an heroic battle to achieve it, his wanderings around the country were appropriately Ulyssean and I wish him the very best in his task. I also wish the best to all the other candidates. Members on this side are somewhat dizzy at the prospect of going into a ballot booth and putting a number one in front of someone who does not have the Fianna Fáil logo beside him or her. I am afraid I may go mad and vote for the Fine Gael candidate myself.

The Senator will not do that. Things are not that bad yet.

Senator O'Donovan referred to the constitutional convention and I agree the Deputy Leader should report back to Members on progress in this regard. I believe I detect more mature and more enlightened thinking coming from the Government side with regard to the Seanad and I welcome some of the voices I have been hearing off-stage. The Seanad certainly must be reformed and all Members have bought into that. However, I for one do not believe there will not be a Seanad in the future.

This should be the mindframe with which Members approach the issue to prove the Seanad should continue.

I refer to a matter in which the Leader, Senator Cummins, as well as Senator Leyden and others have an interest, namely, voting rights for Garda personnel who are on duty abroad. The Cathaoirleach is aware that Defence Forces personnel can get a postal vote in national elections when serving abroad but gardaí cannot. It is unlikely this can be rectified before the presidential election takes place but this anomaly should be examined and I may refer to it at a later time.

Like previous speakers, I congratulate Senator Norris on winning the nomination and I wish all seven candidates the best of luck. The Fine Gael candidate undoubtedly would be delighted, were Senator O'Sullivan able to see his way to supporting him this time. It obviously will be an intriguing election and the printing industry, which has been going through a tough time, certainly will benefit significantly therefrom and certainly will welcome the added boost to business. I am delighted Senator Leyden has been highly positive in recent days and support his call to the Leader to establish whether a forum could operate in the Seanad in which positive ideas could be fed to the economic ministries with particular reference to job creation. I believe such an initiative would be welcomed by all Members.

On a further positive note, all Members must welcome the recently published CSO figures for tourism traffic in Ireland this year. In the period from May to July 2011, the total number of overseas trips to Ireland increased by 9.4%, to just under 2 million, which was an overall increase of 167,000 when compared with the period from May to July 2010. Moreover, for the first seven months of 2011, trips to Ireland increased by 11.8% and there were 3,696,000 overseas visitors to Ireland. The numbers of visitors from mainland Europe and North America increased by 13.7% and 13%, respectively, which is highly significant and is greatly to be welcomed. The reduction in the level of VAT applied to a range of labour-intensive tourism services certainly has been of significant benefit and the introduction of a tourist visa waiver scheme for people in possession of a valid United Kingdom visa obviously has made it much easier for people to access our country.

Does the Senator seek a debate on this issue?

I want the Deputy Leader to ask the Minister to reconsider one element, namely, the abolition of the €3 travel tax, which was suspended until such time as a greater commitment could be received from the airlines that they could increase passenger numbers. We are going in the right direction and if progress could be made with the tour operators and airlines, the €3 tax issue should be revisited. It would be a further positive element that could contribute significantly to increasing numbers even further in 2012. However, I welcome the highly significant increase that has been evident in 2011.

I express my support for the Minister of State, Deputy Penrose, on the NAMA matter that has been raised by Senators Keane and Paul Coghlan. The last thing this country needs is for a State agency to start pumping up house prices, while suggesting there will be a few euro in it for the Department of Finance in the form of VAT receipts. That is what got us into this mess and one should note the statement of the Nobel prizewinner, Professor Stiglitz, that the Irish real estate frenzy increased the problems of moral hazard as developers raced to build and flip properties in the absence of adequate bank supervision. This leads me to a point raised at a recent meeting of the Joint Committee on Finance, Public Expenditure and Reform, which is that NAMA is not supervised by the Central Bank. At a time when we are trying to get sense into a ridiculous property market, a State agency is trying to pump up the price again. I ask the Deputy Leader to ask the Minister for Finance to include the activities of NAMA in the supervisory role of the Central Bank.

This Thursday night and Friday morning is the third anniversary of what happened on 29 and 30 September 2008, when the financial and property sectors combined to bring the country to its knees. NAMA has become a Frankenstein monster. It is formidable to the persons who created it, namely, the Parliament. It has to be brought back under control.

It is distressing that the same property developers, bankers, accountants, builders and lawyers are on its payroll while bankers come here to demand salaries of €690,000 a year, or 3.5 times what the Taoiseach earns. They have not realised the damage they have done to the country. The activities of NAMA have to be properly regulated and its abolition should be on the agenda.

I support Senator Cullinane in his call to examine the system of government and how we seem to be heading towards a democratic deficit. The local government efficiency implementation body met on 9 September and will meet again on 17 October. It sends reports to the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government without scrutiny by this House or the Dáil. It is changing the way local government is run in a radical way. Over 100 proposals are being implemented, including the merger of city and county councils and areas of responsibility, yet there is no scrutiny or oversight.

The Lisbon treaty afforded parliaments the opportunity to scrutinise draft legislation. There have been 132 pieces of draft legislation proposed by the Parliament and 428 submissions by other European countries on amendments to the proposed legislation. Ireland has submitted zero amendments. In three or four years' time, when those pieces of legislation are enforced in Ireland, we will wonder how that happened.

Local democracy is being changed and the European Parliament is proposing changes to the way we run our affairs in this country with no amendment to legislation made by this House or Government. There is something deeply wrong with the way we are doing our business. If we do not change it we will be defunct.

Senator Cullinane referred to getting rid of the Seanad and reducing the number of Deputies and councillors. Not only is the EU running the show but it is introducing laws and we are not bothering to submit amendments which are important to the people of Ireland. We have tabled a valid motion about TalkTalk today, which is valid but its impact is zero.

I ask the Deputy Leader to bring the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government to the House to talk to us about the effects of the local government agency review implementation body, what it is doing and why it is making changes at local level without any scrutiny by any public representative. No public representative sits on it and there is no scrutiny of it by this House or any Oireachtas committee.

Does the Senator have a question for the Deputy Leader?

I ask her to ask the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government to come to the House and explain why we have a democratic deficit in this country which the Government proposes, not to bridge, but to widen.

I draw the attention of my colleagues to the fact that we are in the middle of Positive Ageing Week 2011 and highlight once again the age discrimination against older women in the health service.

Between the ages of 50 and 65 a woman is called every 24 months for a free mammogram. Over the age of 65 a woman ceases to be called every two years, even though she is seven times more likely to develop breast cancer. If a woman aged over 65 can afford it, she can go to her GP, pay €55 or €60 and then pay over €200 for a private mammogram within two days. If a woman cannot afford to pay she has to visit a GP to be put on a waiting list. A woman attending a public hospital for a mammogram has to wait 12 weeks for it after receiving a letter from a GP. I call on the Minister for Health, Deputy Reilly, to tell us when he intends to fulfil his promise in the programme for Government to extend the age for free mammograms for women to 70.

I join the Acting Leader in seconding the amendment to the Order of Business to call on the Minister, Deputy Shatter, to come to the House and address the situation regarding domestic violence against women throughout the country. Some 3,000 or more were refused access to a refuge last year.

I have personal experience of the issue as I chair a group in the north west to advance the establishment of a refuge for Sligo, Leitrim and Cavan where there is currently none. While we in this House are always appreciative of the fact that resources are scarce and a loaves and fishes exercise takes place, clearly common sense would demand that adequate resources be diverted to domestic violence advocacy services throughout the country. The Deputy Leader has done work in this area.

A refuge is due to open in Kildare but there is no money to run it. There is no money to ensure the speedy opening of a refuge for Sligo, Cavan and Leitrim. Funds should be immediately diverted from less critical areas to ensure refuges can be opened as a matter of utmost urgency. There is no more important issue than the protection of women in society. It is shocking in the extreme that almost 35% of those who presented to refuges last year had to be turned away. It does not take from the good work that was done for the 7,300 who were accepted. We must prioritise these areas.

On the wider issue of resources, I ask for a series of debates in October on the budget preparations in order that ideas in this House can be brought to bear in the formation of the budget. Clearly resources are an issue but I would like to see them diverted to areas that will have maximum impact for the protection of the vulnerable and job creation.

I fully support Senator Daly. It is shocking in the extreme that Ireland is the laughing stock of Europe for not having taken a view on the 428 submissions made on proposed legislation under the Lisbon treaty. How dare the Taoiseach use as an electoral ploy the proposed abolition of this House? We yearn for the ability and option to contribute to draft EU legislation. One day per week, such as a Monday or Friday when we are not sitting, should be set aside for us to put forward meaningful amendments to proposed draft EU legislation. That is what we are here for and prepared to do.

The Taoiseach, instead of standing over cheap political shots to try to gain votes, should give us the opportunity for the Seanad to be what people say it can be and put forward meaningful suggestions on draft EU legislation, rather than the rubber-stamping exercise the Government has proved itself to be exceptionally good at.

I thank Senators for their contributions. A number of common themes emerged. I will depart slightly from tradition before responding individually to them.

A number of colleagues called for two debates and it is my intention to ask the Leader to arrange them as soon as possible. One is a debate on domestic violence, for which Senators O'Donovan, Keane, MacSharry and Leyden called. Senator O'Donovan proposed an amendment to the Order of Business. Unfortunately I cannot accept it today but, as Senator MacSharry said, I am deeply concerned about the Safe Ireland report. The Senators who called for an urgent debate on the issue are right but we cannot have it today. We cannot have it today because Dr. Maurice Manning is coming in and we have our programme set. The Minister for Justice and Equality, Deputy Shatter, has been a very regular and frequent visitor to this House — he spent most of last week here. I do not believe there would be any difficulty in getting him in as a matter of urgency to discuss the responses of the State regarding domestic violence. I will personally ensure we have that debate. During the last Seanad we had an excellent debate on domestic violence responses, in which Senator White and others were very active, but we are due to have another one given the figures published today. I thank Senator Keane for a very constructive contribution on the matter in which she spoke about the need to link the refuges which are full with empty NAMA buildings.

Senators Keane, Paul Coghlan and Barrett called for a debate with the Minister of State with responsibility for housing, Deputy Penrose, on NAMA, which is one we should have as a matter of urgency. Senator O'Neill called for a debate on the housing situation more generally, which can be linked with a debate on NAMA, which would be a very useful debate to have.

Senator O'Donovan asked for an update on the constitutional convention, a matter in which I am personally very interested and on which I have been pressing the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform, Deputy Howlin. He recently established the Department that will be overseeing this and it is hoped that the convention will be established within the next couple of months. I would like it to be sooner and I will continue to press for that as, I know, will others. The Senator also spoke about the children's rights referendum. As he knows, there has been a difficulty with the wording, but it is a priority for the Government and the Minister, Deputy Fitzgerald, as she has made clear.

Senators O'Donovan, Mullen, O'Neill, Leyden, Cullinane, Paul Coghlan and Mullins all congratulated our colleague, Senator Norris, on achieving a nomination to contest the presidential election. On behalf of all Members of the Seanad, I offer congratulations to Senator Norris and good wishes to all seven candidates for the presidency although, as Senator Cullinane said, not in equal measure. For my part, I am backing Mr. Michael D. Higgins. We wish that it will be a very constructive and positive campaign.

As I said, Senator O'Neill called for a debate on the housing situation. We debated a Labour Party Private Members' motion on mortgage arrears in June, but we are due to have another debate on the issue.

Senator Mullen spoke about the opening of the LauraLynn hospice, which deserves the support of us all. I had the privilege of attending a fund-raising dinner for the hospice some time ago and heard the parents, who had established the foundation, recount the tragic story of the loss of both their daughters. That hospice for very sick children is worthy of the support of us all. The Senator also called for a debate on the procedure by which presidential candidates are nominated, which would be a useful debate for us to have in this House. A number of other Senators backed his call.

Senator Harte raised the allegations made by Senator Byrne yesterday and I believe he clarified the source of the information he received, which was covered in the newspapers yesterday and today. Senator Harte has indicated he will speak to the Cathaoirleach about how to address the matter.

Senator Leyden called for ongoing debates on job creation which is a constructive proposal. The Labour Party Private Members' motion to be taken today at 3 p.m. can be regarded as a start of that. I am glad to say that the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation, Deputy Bruton, will be in the House for that debate. Any Senator who has constructive job creation proposals of the sort Senator Leyden made should be able to raise them in this afternoon's debate. The debate primarily addresses the situation in TalkTalk and the tragic loss of more than 500 jobs in the Waterford area, but it also raises questions about job creation. We deliberately drafted the motion in such a way that it would not only encompass collective redundancy protection for workers but also job creation strategies. Any colleagues with constructive ideas should be able to put them to the Minister today.

Senator Quinn spoke about strikes in Greece. I am grateful for the Senator's very positive message despite the description of the strikes. He is right to point out it is worth celebrating the establishment of a digital cluster in Ireland, the good news on Twitter and the fact that there is still some positivity despite the economic crisis.

Senator Cullinane called for a debate on the sale of State assets. No assets have yet been sold. There is an ongoing debate at the Cabinet and we should have a debate in this House when we understand more clearly what is being envisaged. I take his point that we might hold off on invitations to Northern Ireland's First Minister and Deputy First Minister. In any case I do not believe that invitation could have been issued this term. He also called for a debate on the nomination process for President. With fewer Deputies and reform or abolition of the Seanad envisaged, we will in any case need to consider how we deal with nominations for the presidency.

Senator O'Sullivan called for clarification on the constitutional convention and it is hoped it will be established shortly under the Minister, Deputy Howlin. The Senator also spoke about voting rights for people living abroad, an issue which might be raised with the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government or which could even be raised today during the question and answer session we will have with Dr. Maurice Manning, president of the Irish Human Rights Commission, given that the right to vote is a matter of human rights.

Senator Mullins spoke about the need to revisit the tourism tax in light of the positive figures for visitors to Ireland and increased tourism traffic. That would be a useful debate to have with the Minister and could also form part a more general job creation debate and might be worth raising in this afternoon's Private Members' debate.

Senator Barrett suggested that the Minister for Finance include the supervision of NAMA within the supervisory role of the Central Bank. This is a constructive suggestion that could be made in the course of a debate with the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation, Deputy Bruton. I will speak with the Leader to confirm that the Minister for Finance will be in the Seanad some time this term as it might be more appropriate to raise it with him. The Senator also pointed out that this is the third anniversary of the ill-fated bank guarantee, which brought the country to its knees. The Labour Party was the only party to oppose that guarantee.

Senator Daly wanted to invite the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government to the House. I will ask the Leader if this is envisaged — I am sure we will be able to get him in at some point this term. It is not fair for the Senator to suggest there will be no impact from this afternoon's motion on TalkTalk. I have already said the Minister, Deputy Bruton, has indicated he will attend for that debate. It represents a good opportunity for all of us to make suggestions on job creation and how best to protect workers in collective redundancies. As we will have the ear of the Minister, it will not have zero impact — far from it.

Senator White spoke about Positive Ageing Week and the issue of access to mammograms for women over 65. I am grateful to the Senator for raising the matter. As the Leader indicated yesterday, the Minister for Health will come to the House some time in the coming weeks and the issue should be raised directly with him at that time.

Senator MacSharry spoke about domestic violence, an issue on which I have responded. He also supported Senator Daly. The Oireachtas Joint Committee on Justice, Defence and Equality, of which I am a member, has a very active input on EU legislation and I know the same is true of other committees. It is not just about what happens on the floor of the Dáil and the Seanad but also about the committees having a role in the preparation of EU legislation.

I wrongly said we were dealing with No. 2 in Private Members' business. That should have been No. 12, motion No. 7, to be taken from 3 p.m. until 5 p.m.

I am delighted that is the case.

I thank the Senator; it is always nice to hear he is delighted.

No. 2 is my Bill.

We are not debating the Senator's Bill but No. 12, motion No. 7.

I will ask the Leader about having those debates on housing and NAMA with the Minister of State, Deputy Penrose, and on domestic violence with the Minister, Deputy Shatter. However, regretfully, I cannot accept the amendment to the Order of Business today, given the business before the House today.

I accept the bona fides of the Deputy Leader. In view of her commitment to arrange a debate on domestic violence, I withdraw my amendment to the Order of Business.

Order of Business agreed to.
Sitting suspended at 11.30 a.m. and resumed at 11.45 a.m.
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