It is proposed to take No. 1, Animal Health and Welfare Bill 2012 — Committee Stage, to be taken at the conclusion of the Order of Business and adjourn not later than 5.45 p.m., if not previously concluded.
Order of Business
I welcome the Leader back to the House and wish him well. Perhaps the Deputy Leader might take a few notes to make it easier for him, if she would not mind.
Last Wednesday on the Order of Business I raised the issue of the mortgage crisis, as I have done consistently since the end of last September. We had a decent debate last week with the Minister of State at the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform when I stated that I, in no way, shape or form, questioned his personal commitment to resolving the issue.
Last week I predicted that the quarter one figures in respect of mortgage arrears and distressed mortgages will be substantially worse than those for the fourth quarter of 2011. Data released by the Central Bank and the Financial Regulator yesterday indicate that 10.5% of mortgages are in arrears of 90 or more days and, which is perhaps worse, that 25% of all mortgages are either restructured or in arrears of 30 days or more. What we are facing here is not a crisis but a catastrophe and one, moreover, that continues to deteriorate. As the Financial Regulator observed, the banks are overwhelmed by it.
The only explanation that comes to mind for the Government's lack of action in this regard is that it has been paralysed into inaction. I was greatly concerned last week when the Minister of State at the Department of Finance, Deputy Brian Hayes, for whom I have immense personal regard, referred to the forthcoming personal insolvency Bill as a game changer for the mortgage crisis. It will be no such thing. As I said, one quarter of households are already in mortgage difficulties and even where their loan is restructured, people continue to fall into arrears. The Family Home Bill 2011, which would at least have afforded protection to family homes, was defeated in this House by three votes. The problem is getting worse because rather than freezing interest payments for mortgage holders in arrears, their interest bills are rising exponentially. I look forward to meeting representatives of Allied Irish Banks at tomorrow's meeting in Buswells Hotel to discuss this matter. However, it is only one element of the catastrophe.
What we need is a mortgage arrears implementation strategy which includes timelines for implementing the necessary actions. It was good to see the Minister of State, Deputy Brian Hayes, in the Chamber last week, but that debate took place only after ten successive weeks of requests by me to that end. The Minister of State — we noted the senior Minister's failure to attend — was apologetic and chastened in response to the serious issues raised by Members on all sides of the House. The Government must delay no longer in seeking to address this issue as best it can. No government can provide a total solution, but there are simple steps which would offer relief to those concerned. These steps must include a suspension of the application of interest where a mortgage holder is in arrears. A policy of extension of mortgage terms would also be helpful for those seeking to free up some cash in the short term. Most of those affected fall into the 25 to 40 age bracket and are struggling to make large mortgage repayments on reduced incomes. The tens of thousands of people affected by this issue are not worried about the fiscal treaty referendum or what is happening in Europe. What chiefly concerns them is putting food on the table and keeping a roof over their head.
In this regard, and with apologies to the Leader, I am obliged to propose an amendment to the Order of Business that the Minister for Finance come to the House today to set forward a timeframe for action by the Government. The personal insolvency Bill is a welcome part of the jigsaw but will not be sufficient to address all of the difficulties. The Minister must outline in detail the Government's response to the catastrophic data on mortgage arrears that were announced to the media yesterday and will be published next week.
I thank colleagues for their courtesy towards me in my role as Deputy Leader during recent Orders of Business. There were requests for debates on several issues which, although not immediately urgent, the Leader might do well to facilitate in the coming weeks. For example, a debate on the rights of children and young people might encompass a range of issues put forward by Senators. In addition, several colleagues called last week for a debate on third level access and youth unemployment, issues which have become particularly topical. For example, there was significant media commentary at the weekend on the comparable rates of youth unemployment in various European countries. A substantial difference in northern countries such as Germany, Sweden and Denmark, where we see lower rates, is the greater emphasis on apprenticeship and vocational training as opposed to focusing solely on university education. This is of particular interest and something to which German policymakers point as a factor in keeping rates of youth unemployment low. Being conscious of our own high rate of youth unemployment, we should look at different ways to tackle it. In that regard, I very much welcome the announcement made by the Minister for Education and Skills yesterday of 6,000 extra places under the Springboard programme because that is the kind of programme which has been successful in other countries in keeping youth unemployment rates down.
I thank the Leader for facilitating a debate tomorrow on the agreement between the European Union and the United States on the use and transfer of passenger name records. The Joint Committee on Justice, Defence and Equality debated the motion last week and I was one of the members who raised certain issues with the Minister. It will be a short debate, but it should provide enough time for justice spokespersons to put any questions they may have to the Minister.
Yesterday the Irish Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children published the Childline annual statistics for 2011. The importance of listening to children cannot be overstated and in the past 23 years Childline has been providing this invaluable service for children. It is a service which is trusted and recognised by young people. In 2011, for example, it received more than 800,000 calls, including 54,000 relating to some level of emotional abuse and 11,000 relating to bullying. Childline not only listens to and supports young people but it also saves lives. Yesterday I heard a prime example of this from the ISPCC spokesperson who relayed the story of a teenage girl who had taken an overdose, contacted Childline and shared with the operator her feelings of worthlessness and how everyone was right that she was a waste of space. During the 45 minute call she eventually told the Childline operator where she lived and an ambulance was sent to take her to hospital and save her life. I shudder to think what would have happened if her telephone call was one of the 800 telephone calls that go unanswered each day because of insufficient funding and resources. Childline in the United Kingdom, which is run by the NSPCC, receives £11 million for its continued development. The Department of Education in Northern Ireland makes contributions to Childline Northern Ireland. In Ireland Childline operates without Government funding or support. In fact, it raises €4 million thanks to the generosity of the public and Eircom. The lack of funding seriously undermines the capacity of the service to meet the needs of children. Some 38% of calls go unanswered. These are the voices of 800 vulnerable children and young people which are not heard each day. Will the Leader invite the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs to the House to discuss how the Department and the Government can better support the exceptional work being done by Childline to ensure all children are heard and valued?
I support what Senator Jillian van Turnhout said and draw attention to the need to care for another section of the community. It is distressing to note the rise in the number of cases of elder abuse being reported. The HSE attributes the rise in the number of referral of approximately 9% in 2011 as compared to the figure for 2010 to factors such as increased public awareness of the issue and how to report cases of abuse. That may well be true, but I hope we are not at the same time failing to draw attention to the fact that there are pressures in society which may be leading to an increase in cases of psychological and financial abuse. It would be appropriate to have a debate on that issue in early course or incorporate it into one of the debates already planned because it is not one we should ignore.
A number of weeks ago, with other Members of the Houses, I heard a woman by the name of Reggie Littlejohn of Women's Rights without Frontiers speak about her work in exposing forced abortions and sterilisation in China. She mentioned to us the plight of Chen Guangcheng who I have mentioned in the House on a number of occasions in the past year and who has now reached a very high level of prominence in our society because of his recent high profile escape from China. While being rightly supportive of the Government's efforts to promote strong economic ties with China, a number of us in the House are also anxious that we do not overlook the issue of human rights. For his work in exposing forced abortions and sterilisation in China, Mr. Chen and his family were put under house arrest.
He and his wife released a video on the Internet last year about their imprisonment and were then beaten by local officials. There are concerns, even now that he has arrived in the United States, about the fate of his family members, particularly his nephew, Chen Kegui, who is in a prison in Shandong province accused of attempted murder for threatening three government agents who broke into his home after his uncle's escape. I do not want to hear general platitudes about how the Government will find some channel to raise human rights issues with China. What, precisely, is this small country going to do in its conversations with Chinese officials? Are we going to raise issues such as the fate of Chen Guangcheng's family? It would be a shame if we did not.
I mention in passing the victory for freedom of religion that occurred at the European Court of Human Rights in the form of its decision in the case of Fernandez-Martínez v. Spain, which has been recently reported. This touches on issues we have discussed in the House with regard to section 37, namely the right of freedom of religion even in State-run and State-funded schools. A helpful decision has come from the European Court of Human Rights, and I urge our Government — and Fianna Fáil, which introduced a Private Members’ Bill on this issue — to take note of this movement in the direction of protecting freedom of religion.
The past weekend has been a momentous and historic one for Irish sports people from different walks of life. I congratulate Katie Taylor on the magnificent achievement of winning her fourth world title in Shanghai and wish her continued success in the forthcoming Olympic Games. I also congratulate my neighbours, Rob and Dave Kearney, who live just a couple of miles away from me and who played their part in the magnificent Heineken Cup final with Leinster. These young people are ambassadors for our country in all corners of the world and should be acknowledged for their achievements.
Is the Senator seeking a debate on sport?
I will mention this again during the debate on sport on Thursday.
I second the Leader's proposal on the Order of Business. I ask the Leader to ask the Minister for Defence, Deputy Shatter, to come to the House to allay the fears expressed to me by a former Minister and Leader of this House, Mary O'Rourke, and Councillor Aengus O'Rourke about the future of Custume Barracks in Athlone, the headquarters of the 4th Western Brigade, incorporating the Engineer Corps, the Ordnance Corps, the Medical Corps and the Military Police Corps. Rumours abound in Athlone that the Government proposes to move these to Cathal Brugha Barracks in Dublin. This would be a major blow to Athlone, especially in view of the transfer of troops from Mullingar and Longford to Athlone. These may be only rumours, but rumours should be allayed as quickly as possible by the Minister.
I welcome yesterday's launch of an air ambulance service for the Athlone region, based in Custume Barracks. However, the Minister vetoed my attendance and that of all other Fianna Fáil and non-Government Deputies, Senators and councillors. It was the first time this has happened in my memory. As a former Minister of State, I invited every Fine Gael and Labour Party member to such events. This is a boycott.
That is disgraceful.
Does the Senator have a question for the Leader?
As the longest serving Member of this House from County Roscommon, I want to lodge a protest about this veto that prevented me from dealing with an issue that affects the people of my area, namely, the launch of an air ambulance service at Custume Barracks. I can now verify the Minister gave instructions to his office to ensure no Fianna Fáil person should attend under any circumstances.
Do you have a question for the Leader?
I am making a protest, a Chathaoirligh.
Senator, do you have a question for the Leader?
I want the Minister hauled in here to answer to me and explain why he established this boycott. The county council members in Athlone, who are elected representatives living in the vicinity of the barracks, were vetoed. I can state for a fact that I was not invited. I do not care how the Minister denies it. I was not invited because he——
The Senator may make that point when the Minister is present.
——is an arrogant Minister.
The Senator may make that point when the Minister is present.
He has become more arrogant in one year than others in ten years.
Is the Senator proposing an amendment to the Order of Business?
I am going to go further. I am submitting a motion for the Adjournment tomorrow evening and I ask the Cathaoirleach to accept it.
I welcome back the Leader, Senator Cummins.
I agree fully with Senator O'Brien on mortgages. I listened this morning to people outlining their difficulties on the Pat Kenny show. It is a nationwide issue, not just one that arises in rural and urban areas. People are affected drastically and suffer at the end of the month.
The one point I heard today that I did not understand is that some financial institutions are refusing to move people's direct debit dates. One individual said his account was debited on the 20th day of the month although he did not receive his pay at that time. The man's bank flatly refused to move the date to the end of the month when he asked it to do so. I cannot understand how an institution should be so defiant and illogical. I ask that the Minister or an official talk to the bank and ask whether individuals such as the man in question could not be accommodated. It is a very simple matter. The mortgage issue is the biggest issue in the country at present. I hope we can have a resolution as quickly as possible.
My question for the Leader is similar to that of Senator Brennan. I concerns the European championships in two weeks, to which 40,000 Irish fans may travel. I am going myself. I have spoken to many who are going and am told about the roaming charges that will be incurred in Poland and, if the team is successful, the Ukraine. Eircom and O2 should come forward and say that for the first ten days of the championship, Irish supporters travelling to Europe will have free texts. The companies will make a lot of money from fans ringing their wives, whom they will miss, at 10 p.m.
Has the Senator a question for the Leader?
The wives, who will miss their husbands, will be ringing home from Poland also. When the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport is present on Thursday, could he consider calling on Vodafone and O2 to reduce their roaming charges during the championships or eliminate the charge for texts?
I ask for a debate on the economy. This is a war situation. As I predicted, we are experiencing the slow-motion disintegration of capitalism as we know it. I ask the Leader to ask the Government to call for the establishment of the international financial court to try individuals and groups for economic crimes against humanity. This happened after the Nuremberg trials in Germany in the 1940s. I. G. Farben, Krupp and Thyssen, in addition to senior managerial staff from these and other companies, were arraigned, tried, indicted and convicted before the court.
The ratings agencies and groups such as Goldman Sachs have conspired internationally to create, or have created, the circumstances I describe. They are responsible and should be held responsible for the misery that has been inflicted. It has been very widely suggested and academic papers have been written to suggest some of the agencies have deliberately helped to foster circumstances in which famine will become prevalent in order to increase their financial reward. We must take this on, particularly in light of the treaty we are being asked to sign up to. I wonder how many people have read Article 32. Paragraph 3 states, "The ESM, its property, funding and assets, wherever located and by whomsoever held, shall enjoy immunity from every form of judicial process . . ." Paragraph 4 states, "The property, funding and assets of the ESM shall, wherever located and by whomsoever held, be immune from search, requisition, confiscation, expropriation or any other form of seizure, taking or foreclosure by executive, judicial, administrative or legislative action." Paragraph 5 states, "The archives of the ESM and all documents belonging to the ESM or held by it, shall be inviolable." Paragraph 6 states, "The premises of the ESM shall be inviolable." What does that sound like to those present? It sounds very much like dictatorship.
Does the Senator have a question for the Leader?
We know from where it is coming. We know from which part of Europe it is emerging. I am asking for a debate on the economy in order that we can make a small move to correct the disaster facing us which some of us were able to predict, which has not been tackled in a radical fashion and which the signing of the treaty will make worse.
I wholeheartedly share the sentiments expressed by Senators Rónán Mullen and Jillian van Turnhout about human rights and the abuse of both the elderly and young children. It is regrettable that we are looking at a 9% increase in the number of cases reported of abuse against older persons. This House has led the way in the debate on this issue. It is astonishing that Childline does not receive one penny of State support. It is appalling to think that €4 million a year must be raised through the kindness of others in a country which calls itself a democracy and portrays itself as a society that cares about young people and children and that 38% of calls go unanswered because of a lack of resources. It is a disgrace and a shame that 800 calls a day are not answered from children who need help and at least are prepared to make a telephone call to look for help. I ask the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs to come to the House for a debate on the funding of Childline because this is a matter which needs to be addressed urgently. I thank the Cathaoirleach for accepting my matter for discussion on the Adjournment on the missing children's hotline. The Minister has led the way in ensuring all of the stakeholders will be brought together to provide this service and I hope she will have good news for me this evening, but the position on Childline is serious. We need to deal with the matter urgently.
I welcome the Leader back to the House.
Our history and heritage are important to us all. In the next few days the Dáil will discuss a motion seeking to protect the national monument at 14-17 Moore Street. The motion has been supported by 50 Members of the Dáil and was part-crafted by the families of the signatories to the 1916 Proclamation. It would be appropriate and worthwhile for this House to have a debate on national monuments and areas of historical significance. The signing of the 1916 Proclamation was a seminal moment in the creation of the State. How ironic would it be, when one would considers it was the relationship between politicians, developers and bankers that destroyed the economy and caused us to lose our sovereignty for which the people mentioned died, if a development on this historical site damaged the ability of Dublin City Council to turn the area into a 1916 historical quarter, which is what it should be? These are not unimportant issues. It is important that we remember and protect our history and heritage as much as possible. I, therefore, ask the Leader to arrange a debate on the broader issue of protecting national monuments and areas of historical significance in such a way that we can use them to attract visitors and tourists to the country. Many of those who come to Dublin and travel to various parts of the country visit historical sites which we should preserve and protect. I ask all parties in the House to support the motion that will be debated in the Dáil in the next few days, but we could also play our part by having a debate on this important issue.
I am disgusted to read in the newspapers today that the former Minister of State, Mr. Ivor Callely, is unlikely to be pursued for the sum over €6,000 that he was paid in expenses.
I inform the Senator that the former Senator mentioned is now a private individual.
The point I am coming to is that officials in the Department have been advised that they had no legal basis on which to pursue him for the money because the error was made by the Department. I raise this issue because day in, day out I deal with claimants who have been overpaid by the Department of Social Protection and are pursued by it for every last penny. Why is there one law for one Department and one law for another?
I just do not accept that. If people are pursued in respect of social welfare overpayments, then the same should happen in this case. Why is it not possible to take the money from the former Senator's pension? I want someone to come before the House to explain why people on social welfare are obliged to repay moneys they have been overpaid while others do not have to do this. It is no wonder that people have lost faith in politicians, particularly when they read about cases of this nature in the newspapers.
Well said. The Senator is quite entitled to ask that question.
I support Senator Moloney in her request. It is important that justice should be seen to apply right across the board.
I wish to voice my concerns regarding a matter that arose while I was out canvassing in favour of the treaty. History shows that many crises which are not resolved end in wars. It has come to my attention that many social welfare recipients intend to vote "No". This gives rise to a major concern on my part, especially in light of these people's needs, the size of the social welfare budget —€20 billion or two thirds of all moneys we take in — and the fact that we are not exactly sure how we will fund our country into the future. It is quite reckless and irresponsible of certain politicians to advise social welfare recipients to vote "No" on the basis that we may not need the ESM or access thereto. I am of the view that at this point it would be safer to proceed on the basis that we will need access to a second bailout. If we do not——
And a third, a fourth and a fifth and they will have to be accounted for.
——need a second bailout, then it will be a bonus.
And the ESM is inviolable.
Senator Healy Eames, without interruption.
I ask that the Minister for Finance, Deputy Noonan, make a statement on the likelihood of the need for a second bailout.
He stated a few weeks ago that such an eventuality was ludicrous.
The second issue about which I am concerned, and to which several previous speakers referred, is the crisis relating to mortgage debt. Last week, Senators indicated that there is a need for urgency to find a resolution in respect of this matter. I am of the opinion that there is one great possibility for families and individuals who are in trouble. I refer to one of the solutions to which the Keane report refers, namely, the split-mortgage model. The latter would allow families or individuals to requalify——
Does the Senator have a question for the Leader?
——in the context of the amounts they can afford to repay. I am concerned about reports this morning to the effect that the Central Bank is exerting pressure on lenders to resolve this matter.
Is the Senator supporting the calls for a debate on mortgage debt?
Yes. It is important that the Minister for Finance should clarify how lenders can resolve this matter — they will obviously pass the pressure on to homeowners — until the necessary solutions are put in place. Both of my questions are for the Minister and I request that he offer clarification in respect of both the ESM and mortgage debt.
I support Senator Darragh O'Brien's comments on the situation with regard to mortgage debt. This is going to be one of the great sources of division in our society going forward. I am not completely ad idem with the Senator in respect of the insolvency legislation because I am of the view that the latter will make a significant difference. However, I am concerned that there is currently a campaign to subvert the inclusion of mortgage debt under that legislation. We have all read newspaper reports to the effect that 25% of people who are in mortgage arrears are deliberately withholding their repayments. The Central Bank recently stated that this is absolutely incorrect and untrue. However, it is symptomatic of a campaign being conducted in the media and in the wider economic sphere to ensure that mortgage debt will not be covered under the insolvency legislation. If such debt is not covered, it will be an absolute disaster.
I wish to bring to the attention of the House the fact that the Central Bank will not publish figures for arrears relating to buy-to-let mortgages until later in the year. The position in this regard is much worse than that which obtains in respect of residential mortgages. One of the difficulties we face is that all buy-to-let mortgages are ultimately secured on family homes. If we do not know the very significant extent of the arrears relating to such mortgages, then we have no idea with regard to the scale of this entire problem. I support the call to the effect that the Minister for Finance, Deputy Noonan, should come before the House. On a previous occasion I requested that he do so. It is time the Minister explained to the Seanad where we stand in respect of mortgage debt.
And the ESM.
I am deeply unhappy that we do not know the extent of the buy-to-let mortgage debt in this country. We must find that out as a matter of urgency.
Senator Conway referred to statistics on the abuse of older people. It is horrifying that the figures have increased by 9%. I put it to the Leader that we should have a further debate on the situation of older people. I was shocked to hear recently that there is some mention of the fact that social workers are being diverted away from care of the elderly and into children's services. While I imagine as a group of Senators we would support every care for children, it cannot be at the expense of older people in our society. We must put in place on a statutory basis legislation to protect older people. As in the case of Childline, we must have a fully funded 24 hour call service for children and vulnerable older people.
I enjoin the comments of previous speakers. The figures in respect of elder abuse are astonishing. There were 2,302 allegations of abuse made to the HSE last year according to the figures published today. As other speakers have noted, this represents a 9% increase. God only knows how many cases have occurred which have gone unreported, which is usually the case with these statistics. This is one frightening aspect of the figures.
Alleged perpetrators of abuse tend to be related to the abused and this makes it all the more easy for it to be concealed. Some 44% of all cases reported were sons or daughters, and a further 18% were partners. This makes it difficult for the abused person to report. We need to work to remove the stigma that older people may feel in reporting these serous matters. I agree with Senator Hayden. Not only do we need a fully funded Childline service in the country but something similar for older people, especially given the economic environment in which we are living today. It may not seem like a substantial expense to make a telephone call but it should be made as easy as possible for people to report these hideous happenings.
I enjoin other speakers in calling for the Minister for Finance to come to the House to discuss the plan of action to deal with the potential lost generation in the country with mortgages, the whole mortgage area, those with mortgage arrears and those in negative equity. Everyone is discussing it. There are many ideas but we must hear exactly what the Government, as our stakeholder in the banks, will tell them about what needs to be done with mortgage arrears and the effects this is having on our citizens. I call on the Leader to ask the Minister of Finance to come to the House as a matter of urgency.
I support my colleagues who raised the issue of elder abuse. As an addendum I am keen for the Minister of State with responsibility for older people to be brought before the House to discuss the issue of ageism and elder discrimination. Recently, I was contacted by a constituent who works as a private contractor and who has a contract with Bus Éireann. The fact he is 70 years of age means he can no longer collect children and bring them to school. He has a private indemnity arrangement and public liability insurance but because he is 70 years of age, he cannot drive the school bus. Nevertheless, he can sit into a 53 seater coach and drive it to Dublin. He spends one hour in the morning collecting children, as he has done for the past 50 years without any tarnish on his licence or otherwise. I believe this is ageism of the worst type and, coming from a semi-State body, it is wrong, incorrect and should be rectified. If this is a matter of policy, we need to change it. The person in question provides his own indemnity and public liability arrangements. This is a matter of elder discrimination. I call for the Minister of State responsible to be brought before the House to have a debate on ageism and elder discrimination.
As ever, I note with interest Senator Darragh O'Brien's comments. We should have a little patience in this matter because we are aware of the plans the Central Bank is devising to deal the with the issue of mortgages which——
The Leader is back.
I appreciate that and I join my colleagues in welcoming him back.
He should watch his back.
The Leader knows that he is very safe with me standing behind him. The issue of mortgages is serious, as attested to by all Senators, but the banks are being flexible with those who are up front with them. I make a distinction in that regard. We have compassion and sympathy for those who got themselves into an intolerable position and are now unable to meet their repayments, but buy-to-let merchants are in a different category. I agree with the Central Bank that the banks are not doing enough in this regard.
I never mentioned those who bought to let.
They should be appointing receivers and collecting rents because the people concerned obtained money, perhaps under false pretences, for buy-to-let properties.
I am glad the Senator is not running one of the banks. He would have half of the number of people out on the road.
I am talking about buy-to-let merchants. I am making that distinction. I agree, as my colleague stated, that we need to see the figures for all categories. This is an important matter which I am sure the Leader will address.
People on social welfare benefits who intend to vote "No" in the referendum are disregarding the need for that insurance policy. We are very dependent on the funding provided and will be for the years of the programme in which we are involved. It is what we will pay those on social welfare benefits, pensions and working in the Civil Service with. That will be the position for years, regardless of who is in government.
The Senator should not single people out.
The Senator knows all about it because it was his party which signed up to it in the first instance. The Government is honouring the agreement made with thetroika.
Do social welfare recipients not have the right to take part in a free ballot?
Senator Paul Coghlan is over time.
Of course, they have a right to take part in a free ballot. I acknowledge their right to do wrong, if that is their wish. I am just talking about the stupidity of it, as I see it.
Why would the Senator single out social welfare recipients?
There are others, too.
The Leader of the Opposition, Senator Darragh O'Brien, as well as Senators Fidelma Healy Eames, Aideen Hayden, Catherine Noone, Paul Coghlan and others raised the question of mortgage arrears. As Senator Darragh O'Brien mentioned, the Minister of State, Deputy Brian Hayes, was in the House last week. There is no doubt that rising mortgage arrears present the biggest challenge to the Government and Ireland and that we must put in place a new framework of laws and banking practices to give as many families as possible the opportunity and the incentive to work their way out of their debt difficulties while staying in their homes. That is what everybody in the House wants. With that in mind, the Government has taken a number of actions to help families. It has increased mortgage interest relief for those who bought their first home at the height of the boom and are, therefore, most vulnerable to mortgage debt distress. It has increased the budget for mortgage interest supplement to help those who have lost their jobs with their mortgage repayments. The Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government and the Housing Agency have been working with the banks to roll out the mortgage-to-rent initiative which is under way, but I agree that much more needs to be done. The Taoiseach and the Tánaiste have stated there has not been as much progress as they would have liked. As a result and as I informed the House previously, the Taoiseach has set up a Cabinet sub-committee on mortgage arrears to bring a new focus to the issue and drive further action on it. The Cabinet sub-committee has met four times to date to oversee implementation of a series of additional measures. The Personal Insolvency Bill to encourage banks to give borrowers a real chance to work their way out of their debt problems will be published by the end of June. The Minister for Justice and Equality has also indicated that he intends to commence Second Stage of the Bill before the summer recess. The Government will ensure the banks introduce, with Central Bank oversight, a range of new solutions, including split mortgages, to deal with genuinely distressed mortgage holders, with a determined distinction between those who cannot pay and those will not pay, as Senator Hayden mentioned. These will be set out in the new mortgage arrears resolution strategies that are being finalised with each mortgage lender. The Central Bank is engaging with these new banks. The Government is not standing idly by on this issue. The Government is acting firmly, and I will inquire whether the Minister for Finance is able to come to the House at a later stage to discuss the issue. We had a discussion on it only last week, but I will inquire whether the Minister will come in personally to deal with the same subject.
Senator Bacik called for a debate on the rights of children and young people, as well as a debate on third level education and youth unemployment. Senator van Turnhout and others spoke about the lack of government support for Childline, which carries out such important work in Ireland. We will invite the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs in here to address these issues. She has been to the House on several occasions and I am sure she will accede to that request in early course.
Senator Mullen and other Members spoke about elder abuse and called for a debate on the issue. We have a debate programmed for 13 June, when the Minister of State, Deputy Lynch, will come to the House to discuss the public consultation report which we embarked upon. It was a very fine report and Members will have an opportunity to address this report and to deal with elder abuse and the issue of ageism, which was raised by Senator Sheahan. There will be an opportunity on 13 June to discuss all these items with the Minister of State, who has agreed to come into the House.
Senator Brennan congratulated our sporting heroes, Katie Taylor and Rob Kearney. I am sure we would all like to congratulate them.
Senator Leyden spoke about Custume Barracks in Athlone and welcomed the launch of the air ambulance service for the west at the barracks. As he a motion on the Adjournment on the subject, I do not propose to respond further on the matter.
Senator Harte raised the issue of mobile phone roaming charges during the European championships. The Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport will be here on Thursday to deal with the capital programme, but I am sure the Senator will get the opportunity to raise that issue as well. Senator Norris called for a debate on the economy. We will try to get the Minister for Finance in soon to discuss that.
A general debate.
Yes. Senator Conway spoke about children's rights and Childline, which I have already addressed. Senator Cullinane spoke about a Dáil motion on the development of a historical quarter in Moore Street. The Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht will be in the House on 7 June to discuss the decade of commemorations, so the Senator will have an opportunity to raise those points with him.
In respect of the issue raised by Senator Moloney, I would be very surprised if the Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport would forgo any moneys owed to it. I empathise with the issue raised by the Senator regarding social welfare claimants in receipt of overpayments. The money should be deducted over a period. I do not expect social welfare recipients to be treated differently from anybody else. I will relay her comments to the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport.
Senator Healy Eames also asked for the Minister for Finance to come to the House and I will endeavour to arrange that.
I have addressed the issues raised by Senators Hayden, Noone, Sheahan and Coghlan.
Senator Darragh O'Brien has proposed an amendment to the Order of Business, "That a debate with the Minister for Finance on the worsening situation in the mortgage arrears crisis be taken today." Is the amendment being pressed?
It is.
Amendment put.
The Seanad divided: Tá, 13; Níl, 32.
Tá
- Cullinane, David.
- Daly, Mark.
- Leyden, Terry.
- Mooney, Paschal.
- Mullen, Rónán.
- Norris, David.
- Ó Domhnaill, Brian.
- O’Brien, Darragh.
- O’Donovan, Denis.
- O’Sullivan, Ned.
- Walsh, Jim.
- White, Mary M.
- Wilson, Diarmuid.
Níl
- Bacik, Ivana.
- Bradford, Paul.
- Brennan, Terry.
- Burke, Colm.
- Clune, Deirdre.
- Coghlan, Eamonn.
- Coghlan, Paul.
- Comiskey, Michael.
- Conway, Martin.
- Cummins, Maurice.
- D’Arcy, Jim.
- D’Arcy, Michael.
- Gilroy, John.
- Harte, Jimmy.
- Hayden, Aideen.
- Healy Eames, Fidelma.
- Henry, Imelda.
- Higgins, Lorraine.
- Keane, Cáit.
- Kelly, John.
- Landy, Denis.
- Mac Conghail, Fiach.
- Moloney, Marie.
- Moran, Mary.
- Mulcahy, Tony.
- Mullins, Michael.
- Noone, Catherine.
- O’Keeffe, Susan.
- O’Neill, Pat.
- Sheahan, Tom.
- van Turnhout, Jillian.
- Zappone, Katherine.
Tellers: Tá, Senators Ned O’Sullivan and Diarmuid Wilson; Níl, Senators Paul Coghlan and Susan O’Keeffe.
Amendment declared lost.
Question, "That the Order of Business be agreed to," put and declared carried.
Sitting suspended at 3.35 p.m. and resumed at 3.45 p.m.