The Order of Business is No. 1, Credit Union Bill 2012 - Second Stage, to be taken at the conclusion of the Order of Business and conclude not later than 6 p.m., with the contributions of group spokespersons not to exceed eight minutes and those of all other Senators not to exceed five minutes and the Minister to be called on to reply not later than 5.50 p.m.; and No. 2, Personal Insolvency Bill 2012 - Committee Stage (resumed), to be taken at 6 p.m. and adjourned at 9 p.m.
Order of Business
As the Leader will be aware, over the weekend there were quite a number of reports through the print and broadcast media with regard to commentary that has been associated with the Minister for Education and Skills, Deputy Ruairí Quinn, particularly his view expressed at a private meeting of the Labour Parliamentary Party that the Minister for Health, Deputy James Reilly, was, it seems, "not up to the job". When questioned further on this issue, the Minister, Deputy Ruairí Quinn, apparently said "I'm not going to confirm or deny or in any way change my comment that I've made-----"
I remind the Senator that this is the Order of Business.
I assure the Cathaoirleach it is quite relevant. The Minister is quoted as having said: "I'm not going to confirm or deny or in any way change my comment that I've made repeatedly about Dr. Jim Reilly."
In the first instance, we would like to see the Minister, Deputy Ruairí Quinn, come to the House at the earliest possible date. One cannot be criticised for wondering about the kettle calling the pot black when one considers the particular lack of success with the implementation of the SUSI plan, which was going to be the solution to all of the problems of many students throughout this country. All of us in our clinics, throughout the entirety of the Twenty-six Counties, have come across people who are having to leave college because their funding has not arrived. It seems unusual that the Minister would seek to deflect blame from his own Department onto the Minister for Health.
Having said that, there is clearly serious division in government when the Minister for Health does not have the confidence of his Cabinet colleagues. It is hardly a coincidence that the Minister, Deputy Ruairí Quinn, did not contribute to the debate on the motion of confidence which took place in the Dáil on the issue. While I am conscious that, with the budget tomorrow, we cannot facilitate all debates as quickly as one might like, we should ask the Minister for Health to come to the House by Thursday at the latest. In the other House today, a Supplementary Estimate of €370 million is to be adopted without debate, which shows the absolute incompetence of the Minister in question. This is far from being a surprise. In February last year Members on this side in both the Dáil and the Seanad highlighted the fact that there was not enough money and that the budget was wrong and dishonest. This was borne out by Mr. Cathal Magee, who, as we well know, was then shafted from his position as head of the HSE for speaking the truth.
What we have, in effect, is a lame duck Minister who does not have the confidence of his Cabinet colleagues. As a result of so much kite-flying, plus genuine cuts to home help, acute hospitals and other services throughout the last year, we have a nation terrified that the person who holds the financial reins in the context of the health reforms that are required does not have the confidence of his Cabinet colleagues and, as a result, will not be competent in putting the necessary health budget across the line tomorrow. In that regard, I ask the Leader as a matter of the utmost urgency to arrange that both Ministers make themselves available to Seanad Éireann for some genuine questioning, rather than the kite-flying and rhetoric which is all we have seen in the last months.
Senator MacSharry has sunk to a new low in looking for Ministers to be brought into this House to answer queries about quotes attributed to them in the newspapers in some sort of manufactured rift that certain journalists are seeking to whip up between Cabinet members. As the Senator is well aware, these alleged quotations in the press are really not worthy of comment - not in the House by Senators, certainly not by Ministers.
Someone is leaking them.
It is utter nonsense to seek to bring either Minister into this House to answer this.
The Senator should talk to her own colleagues.
Senator Bacik to continue, without interruption.
I would say to Senator MacSharry that the Minister, Deputy Ruairí Quinn, has been a genuinely reforming Minister-----
The Senator should say it to the Chair, not me.
Does Senator Bacik have a question for the Leader?
-----in terms of many initiatives he has taken, including the literacy programme, the transformation of patronage, reform of the VEC system-----
Some €370 million. That is great reform.
-----and reforming the way student grants are administered, because there were always huge problems and delays-----
SUSI is great. It cannot even tell who has been paid yet.
-----as I know from the many students who have come to me on this issue.
Fianna Fáil has an appalling record of 14 years of economic mismanagement and a failure to reform the education sector. I do not believe, therefore, that we should be taking lectures from Senator Marc MacSharry.
The Minister for Health, Deputy James Reilly, will be in the House on Thursday to deal with the expert group's report.
Is the Senator looking for a debate on the issue?
Senator Ivana Bacik to continue, without interruption, please.
It is welcome that the Leader has set aside time this week for a debate on the report of the expert group on the judgment in the A, B and C case. I am delighted that we will have the opportunity to debate it, having seen the opinion poll in The Sunday Business Post that showed that 85% supported the introduction of legislation to implement the judgment in the X case, as required by the decision of the European Court of Human Rights in the A, B and C case. We do this in the light of the huge change in public opinion on the issue.
Time has been provided for statements on the budget tomorrow evening. An issue worthy of debate in this House, either as part of the debate tomorrow evening or at a later date, is the nature and focus of the taxation system. I welcome the anticipated move from a tax on income to a tax on property. The current system is overly reliant on taxation on income. We have not moved in the way that other European countries have to have a tax on property. As pointed out by economists, this is a wealth tax. It is important that those who own houses worth more pay more. I note that the Commission on Taxation has pointed out that there are 3,000 houses in Ireland worth more than €1 million and that €500 million would be generated in a full year from a new property tax. It is important this change be made and that it be made on an equitable basis. It is important that we debate the difference between property values in Dublin and the rest of the country in this regard because property prices in Dublin rose higher for a longer period and have remained higher. There is an element of concern that people living in Dublin may be disadvantaged in some way, depending on how the tax is formulated.
In due course we might also have to debate the difference between south Dublin and the rest of the country on other issues.
Putting Labour first.
Reports of disquiet and disunity within the Government aside, I welcome the report that social protection rates, as part of the ongoing discussions between the parties in government, have been ringfenced. There is great fear among the working poor about a property tax which some might find unmanageable. There is also fear about the impact of further cuts in social protection rates. It is hoped the budget, while being tough, will be as merciful and as fair as possible.
Also on weekend reports, Senator Ivana Bacik mentioned an opinion poll. It is clear from that opinion poll that there is a great deal of confusion. While many indicated that they would favour legislation to implement the judgment in the X case, two thirds, approximately 63%, indicated they would favour the removal of suicide as a ground for abortion because, as we know, medically speaking, it is a dubious base on which to provide for abortion.
That is not the issue on which they were polled.
Many are terrified that it would lead to abortion on demand. For this reason, I welcome the Unite for Life rally today. There are people who want to show solidarity in providing the best medical care for women during pregnancy and the unborn child and who wish to protect the two patient model which has served the country so well. I ask the Leader to convey to the Government that it would be wrong and manipulative to rush the debate on what needs to be done in response to the judgment of the European Court of Human Rights. Worryingly, it has been reported that what happened in Galway is a lot less clear than it was made out to be. It has also been reported that the The Irish Times never suggested a termination might have saved the life of Savita Halappanavar, yet everywhere this tragic story is being co-opted in a campaign to have abortion legislation rushed through and frighten Fine Gael Deputies and Senators, in particular.
After 20 years, it is not rushing.
Contrary to what the Senator says-----
Does the Senator have a question for the Leader?
I hope there will be openness to rolling on the debate on the expert group's report into the new year, if necessary. There are questions about the way in which the tragedy in Galway is being used. There is also great concern among the public about legislating on bogus medical grounds for what would, in effect, be an abortion on demand regime.
There are also concerns about the expert group and how it interpreted its remit. According to its terms of reference it does not seem to have had a duty to exclude-----
The Senator is over time.
Senator Bacik suggested we must legislate in order to comply with the European Court of Human Rights. That is factually wrong. We remain free in Ireland to decide our law on abortion. I hope-----
The Senator is over time.
The word coming from some members of the Government is that we should move to give clarity on necessary interventions in respect of any physical conditions but need to have a more careful conversation about legislating for abortion on grounds of mental health, because 95% of abortions in Britain take place on those grounds. It is clear where we are going with this and what those who are seeking to rush it wish to achieve.
In response to Senator MacSharry, it is important to point out that the Minister for Health has implemented a good deal of change within a very short period, taking into account the considerable demands on the medical service. For example, the number of medical cards has increased from 1.145 million to 1.85 million. During Deputy James Reilly's reign as Minister, the number of outpatient appointments and surgical procedures has increased dramatically in all hospitals throughout the country. Therefore, to suggest the health service is in chaos under his jurisdiction is totally inaccurate and incorrect.
I refer to an entirely different issue. We are now heading into the Christmas period where there is a great deal of emphasis on the sale of toys. It is important that the relevant Department should run an advertising campaign on safety issues. In Europe more than 180,000 children are admitted to emergency departments in hospitals during the Christmas period because of accidents arising from defective toys or toys not being used correctly. There is an EU toys directive and also a system, Rapex, whereby if a defective item is identified in one country that country must notify the other 26 about the defective item. It is important to focus on safety at this time, especially with young children. The relevant Department, which I believe is within the remit of the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation, Deputy Bruton, should carry out an advertising campaign during the coming four weeks, emphasising safety issues and the potential dangers of counterfeit toys. There are a number of fake toys on the market and this should be highlighted, as well as the need for people to purchase from reputable shops and suppliers.
Will the Leader arrange a debate with the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport, Deputy Leo Varadkar, on the decoupling of Shannon Airport from the DAA? I take no position on the issue other than to point out there is an amount of concern among the workforce in the Shannon area about the security of current jobs. The Government has indicated that a sizeable number of jobs will be created. We would like to have that teased out and firmed up, which might mollify those concerns to some extent.
I would also like the Minister to outline who will be responsible for the work done previously by Shannon Development in promoting major development in the Clare and Kerry regions, especially on the Shannon Estuary because a lacuna has appeared in this regard. It is tough enough trying to attract people to peripheral regions such as the one where I live, without being unsure which agency is in charge there.
I refer briefly to the threatened emigration by a large number of junior doctors, which came to light last week. That is a very serious matter. I compliment Senator Colm Burke. I listened to an excellent interview he gave on radio last Friday during which he was clearly on top of the brief. Can we have an emergency debate on this issue?
I am amused that Senator MacSharry castigated the Minister for Education and Skills, Deputy Ruairí Quinn, in the Chamber. When the Minister was a member of Cabinet in a previous Administration, university fees were abolished. Perhaps the Senator might explain how the registration fee rose from €200 to €2,000 during the economic boom.
Does the Senator have a question for the Leader?
I understand that tomorrow's budget will include a property tax, which is unavoidable.
I remind Fianna Fáil Senators that their party also signed up to the introduction of such a tax. The House should engage in a debate on how the relevant legislation will be presented to the people. I suggest that when citizens have paid their property tax, they should receive a breakdown from their local authority which shows the services on which their money is being spent. If someone pays €200, for example, his or her local authority should indicate how much is being spent on water, sewerage and other services. Following the budget, the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government should come before the House to discuss how the property tax is going to be implemented and how it is going to benefit local communities.
Given that this is the first occasion on which the House has met since the Leveson inquiry published its report and in view of the fact that certain personnel who work on Irish editions of English newspapers indicated to the inquiry that similar practices existed here, will the Leader indicate whether the House is likely to discuss some of these matters?
At this time of the year, we always receive a large number of budget submissions. I have never previously experienced anything like the number of submissions being made or briefing sessions being held as have been made and held this year. This shows the great concern among people. We are now going to be presented with a property tax, a matter to which the Deputy Leader referred. I find it extraordinary that anybody in the Labour Party would propose this, particularly as it is going to make no money. It is a completely cosmetic exercise. Earlier today I heard someone state on radio that it would make no difference as to whether the tax is €300 or €5,000 because they did not have the money to pay.
We are going back in time. Last week I referred to evictions and soup kitchens. James Fintan Lalor may as well have never existed because we are punishing people for improving their properties. Citizens are not even safe when they are dead. It used to be stated that death and taxes are the only certainties but now one is not even secure in one's grave because the grave-robbers will be after one in respect of payments that have been deferred. This is absolutely obscene. Why is this happening? It is because the Finance Ministers of France and Germany, whose banks we bailed out - we did not have to do so but we did - by stupidly paying the debts they had ignorantly and foolishly run up by pouring money into this country, have said "No, no, no". They are being aided and abetted in this regard by the appropriately named Herr Juncker. We are due to pay €3.5 billion to the Central Bank early next year and then this money will be technically destroyed. It will be as if it never existed. Why not cease making such payments and staunch the flow of moneys out of the Exchequer? While we are at it, what is the point in celebrating the 1916 Rising? We are obviously travelling backwards rather than forwards. Let us celebrate 1816 and hedge schools, famine, evictions, etc.
I would welcome the opportunity to debate the abortion issue in the House. It is a pity Members come to the House for the Order of Business each day for no other reason other than to raise the issue of abortion in a controversial manner. I would welcome the opportunity to record the facts regarding the obscene situation relating to women with anencephalic pregnancies. In such pregnancies, the foetuses have absolutely no chance of surviving.
We are not having a debate on that matter now.
There are people who have the moral impertinence to try to force such women to carry these foetuses to term. That is disgusting and I would like the opportunity to outline some of the facts.
I take issue with the comments made by Senator MacSharry. It is very difficult to take the Senator seriously, particularly in light of the appalling situation the Government inherited from the Administration which preceded it. The current Government has introduced more reforms in the past 18 months than were introduced in the previous 15 years. I agree with much of what Senator Norris stated. We are in an appalling situation. However, we are about to turn the corner. The budget to be introduced tomorrow will I hope be the last of the severe budgets to be brought forward.
It will not be the last unless we hit those in Europe a good smack.
The Government is working hard to obtain a deal on our bank debt. I have no doubt that as matters are dealt with during 2013-----
I am sure we will have a special debate on that issue.
-----and when the German elections have been held, we will obtain a favourable outcome.
Will the Senator's party be running candidates in the German elections?
I certainly hope the Senator is right.
Senator Mullins to continue, without interruption. Does he have a question for the Leader?
I do have a question. As yesterday was the International Day of Persons with Disabilities, I ask the Leader to invite the Minister to the House to advise us as to when the Lunacy Regulation (Ireland) Act 1871 will be repealed and when we will see new legislation. People with intellectual disabilities, mental health problems and older people with dementia are termed "lunatics" under Irish law, which is absolutely intolerable and outrageous. The aforementioned Act allows for the ward of court system, which means the court makes all decisions about such people's lives, including decisions on medical and financial matters. We are behind every other European country in this regard. The Government has said that it cannot ratify the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities without our laws being updated. In that context, I call on the Government to adhere to the commitment that was given in the programme for Government that new legislation would be introduced and I ask that it be given priority in early 2013.
I welcome to the Visitors Gallery members of the Committee for the Forgotten who attended a presentation in the House earlier today. The committee is a support organisation for missing persons and has a number of very simple demands. The committee asks that a DNA database be put in place for all missing persons and also that proper DNA and forensic testing be carried out on all human remains that are found so that families can get closure. I support the committee in its demands and thank all of the Senators, from all political parties, who showed their support today.
Twice last week I raised the issue of the position of the Minister for Health and called for his resignation. On both occasions I was attacked by members of Fine Gael and the Labour Party in this House. I have since found out that members of the Labour Party, including a serving Minister, also support my party's view that the Minister for Health is not up to the job.
The Senator should not believe everything he reads in the newspapers.
It is nothing but rumours and gossip.
Does the Senator have a question for the Leader?
I do. My question relates to the Minister for Health's plans to break up the south-east hospital network. A report was published yesterday by Mr. Jim Power, economist, which details the number of jobs which will be lost if the plan goes ahead. Almost 1,000 jobs will be lost and services such as oncology, trauma medicine, cardiology and neurology could be lost to Waterford Regional Hospital, which will have a negative impact on patients across the south east. I ask the Leader to ascertain whether the Higgins report been presented to the Minister and to ensure that when the report is presented that it is also published without delay. In that way all public representatives, the South East Hospital Action Group and the people of the Waterford and the south east will have an opportunity to study what is being recommended and to influence the decision which will be made. As the Leader knows, at the end of the day the decision will be a political one and it will have profound consequences for the people of Waterford and the south east if it is the wrong one. I am calling on the Leader to make sure that when the Higgins report is given to the Minister, it is published as soon as possible thereafter.
I am very pleased to see that the debate on the report of the expert group is scheduled for this Thursday. However, in light of the amount of genuine concern on both sides of the House on this issue, I ask the Leader to arrange for the debate to continue into next week. It is absolutely critical that we give ample time to this debate. In that way, when we decide what we are going to do, we will know that we have been thorough, have given the issue sufficient attention and have not panicked. I would be happy to see this debate continue into January. I also ask the Leader to consider whether this issue merits a public consultation phase, such as that given to other important topics. I look forward to the Leader's response in that regard.
Tomorrow we will have a very tough budget and it brings me no pleasure to say that. In that context, I appeal to our very wise Minister for Finance to bring us some good news concerning the pension industry. Irish private sector pension funds are estimated to be worth €80 billion, most of which is invested overseas.
I ask the Minister for Finance, Deputy Noonan, to provide an incentive for a percentage of these funds to return to be invested in Ireland. We could invest in much needed infrastructure, such as finishing off the Luas, funding the Galway city outer bypass, water services and so on. People who have invested in private pensions may be more motivated to continue investing in their pensions when they see their money coming back and having a real impact on the economy. It is really important to look at ways to stimulate the domestic economy.
We know exports are thriving. I was in China last week and addressed the Chinese and Irish alumni of Irish universities. It is no wonder exports are thriving. The place is buzzing. There is positive emigration to China but I want to see positivity in the domestic market and that is the reason for my proposal. I ask the Minister for Finance to make it attractive for some of the Irish private pension funds that are invested abroad to return to Ireland.
In spring 2009 I informed the House of the situation of a young man who had become unemployed due to the closure of a local building firm. Two years prior to 2009, he had purchased a new truck to carry out his business. The truck cost him in excess of €120,000 and he signed a contract with a finance agency in the car park of a public house. He made his payments and paid back every penny up until he was laid off, when the balance remaining was €60,000. He was negotiating payment with the financial institution but while he was away on a medical appointment, thugs from the financial institution arrived at his mother's house and intimidated her into giving them the keys of the lorry. They stole it from him. I have pursued that case for that man since that day but to no avail.
The Senator certainly has.
I am shocked and horrified to learn today that the same financial institution attempted at 5.30 a.m. to steal a farmer's tractor for which he was paying.
Well said.
He may have been paying off only €60 a month, but that was all he could afford to pay. It is a disgrace that this financial institution Friends First, which was sponsoring programmes on RTE up until a couple of months ago, should be allowed to engage in thuggery and theft on people who are attempting to pay their loans, which were in illegal loans in a lot of cases.
It is 1816 here we come. Let us celebrate.
Although it was before my time, there is a song "If you knew Susie like I know Susie" but I do know this SUSI, Student Universal Support Ireland, and I do not want to know her. I do not want to hear about it again.
Does the Senator have a question?
I have. Some weeks ago I raised in this House the delay in the payment of third level student grants. What percentage of students have been paid their grants, to which they are entitled since that date? I know of two students, a young man who has pulled out of third level education, having had to apply twice for the third level grant as his original application was lost, the young girl hopes to hold on in college until the Christmas break. Both intend to emigrate early in the new year. They have not been served well as they have not received their rightful entitlements.
This is a matter for debate on the Adjournment.
We cannot wait to raise the matter on the Adjournment. It is totally unacceptable that grants have not been paid. I ask the Leader to find out the increase in the percentage of students who have been paid their grants to date. How many students are still waiting to hear if their applications have been accepted?
Taking up from the previous speaker, we are about to invent a twin for SUSI this afternoon, called ReBo. I hope the two of them get on well and perhaps they could make one another more efficient than they are now.
I welcome the Government's announcement yesterday of the separation of Shannon Airport from the Dublin Airport Authority. Passenger numbers at Shannon Airport have dropped by 61% from a peak of 3.6 million. It is necessary for it to become a low cost airport to attract low cost airlines in order to develop the region and Irish tourism in general. The future of Cork Airport should be examined in the same context. The 41% increase in airport charges at Dublin Airport ordered on completion of Terminal 2 has been bad for tourism and for access to Ireland. We need to rebrand all the airports so that airlines will want to use them to bring more visitors into the country. The 41% increase in charges should not have been allowed to stand. The Minister, Deputy Varadkar, has said he does not want to repeal it. In my view, it has to be undone in order to make Ireland an attractive place once again for tourism and tourists.
I welcome the Government's announcement yesterday. It is very heartening to hear the comments of Senator Barrett, one of the most eminent transport economists in the country. He spoke of the benefit of this separation for the aviation industry and also for the mid-west region. I note the almost unanimous support for the announcement. That Shannon Airport will be independent of Dublin Airport and in a position to negotiate with airlines across Europe and the Atlantic to bring tourists into this country, is welcome. Deputy Dooley's response was the notable exception to the welcome but we will leave that where it is.
The announcement that heads of an agreement and memorandums of understanding have been signed with at least two companies planning to create 850 to 1,000 jobs in the next couple of years is very welcome news for County Clare. The potential for between 3,000 and 5,000 jobs will definitely revitalise the economy of County Clare and the economy of the mid-west region. Shannon Airport has a tremendous future. In the decades from the 1960s to the 1990s it served as an engine for economic development throughout the mid-west region. I am confident that in the next 30 or 40 years, Shannon Airport will again drive the economy of the west, not just County Clare but up as far as County Mayo and down as far as County Cork.
I would be reluctant to go up as far as Mayo because we have our international airport at Knock. I have every intention of supporting all efforts to ensure that Knock Airport is developed and that it does not suffer in any way as a result of the decision to decouple Shannon Airport. Deputy Dooley may not be alone in his views. I am sure Senator Conway will be aware of the vociferous criticism voiced by one of the leading airlines in the world - through Michael O'Leary - at the aviation conference on Monday. There is more to this story than meets the eye. It will be interesting to see how it develops. Nobody in this House or outside would do anything other than to wish the mid-west region every success with this venture.
I wish to add to Senator Norris's comments about a debate on abortion. I appreciate the House will debate the expert group's report this Thursday. However, quite frankly I do not think that will be enough. This is my personal view because my party has yet to formulate a policy on this. Ultimately, it will need to be brought before the people. We have gone to the people on two occasions in the past. It is the people who are sovereign, not the Parliament. We are not Britain which does not have a written constitution and where Parliament is sovereign. The people are sovereign in this republic. I cannot see any way out of the dilemma now facing the Government. It can legislate until the cows come home.
The Government of the day has to deal with it but it will not be done through legislation. There are Members who have a diametrically opposed view from mine on where this debate will go and if they believe that the people will stand by and allow the legislators to decide, we will end up with abortion on demand because that is what has happened in both Britain and America where the argument moved from the physical to the psychological. Once that happened, it opened the floodgates.
Will the Leader ask the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government to come to the House early in the new year to discuss his proposals for the abolition of local development companies throughout the State? In theory it sounds great to merge services locally. I have become a convert to the concept of partnership development companies over the past decade. I started off, like many of us who served on local authorities, believing that they were shadow local authorities that had no public mandate but the volume of work they do on social inclusion and on worthy projects in every county will be lost, as will the expertise and architecture that has been built in the past decade, if they are merged with local authorities. This is a significant Government decision that cannot be allowed to be handled in the wider context of legislation.
The Senator is way over time.
It needs to be debated as a specific issue to give Members on both sides of the House an opportunity to give their opinion on it. We are being lobbied on it and if colleagues have not been, they will be. Will the Leader consider requesting the Minister to come before the House?
On a point of order, I seek guidance. With due deference to my colleague, Senator Mooney, is it appropriate or in order for a Member to question the judgment of the Supreme Court? I would have thought the separation of powers intervened in that regard.
I call Senator Ó Murchú.
I did not hear a ruling.
I call Senator Ó Murchú.
We all notice today a sense of calm before the storm of tomorrow's budget. I do not believe it is a question of calm because hundreds of thousands of people are frozen by fear and hopelessness. They have no idea what they can do for the future. The more I listen to discussions on radio, as I did on my way to the House, the more I hear people saying they do not even have the will to get out of bed in the morning. We hear of people going to bed at 6 p.m. or 7 p.m. because they have no heating in the house. Parents are sickened at the sight of their children not having sufficient food. As Senator Norris correctly said, it is a reflection of what we went through in the 1950s and not just the 1800s. There is no point in our making suggestions regarding the budget but I have one hope, which is the Government will live up to its promise that those who can pay the most will do so. In addition, those who have no money should not be pursued, coerced and terrified by the fact that they cannot pay a household charge or whatever other charge may come down the line. They have enough to suffer without doing that. I get the feeling at times coming from official circles that they will be pursued and that cannot be justified under any circumstance.
I am disappointed at the manner in which the abortion campaign has been dealt with up to now. At the beginning, I suggested the issue was important enough for us all, whatever views we hold, to deal with it in a proper manner by analysing and assessing the options and giving that time. This has not happened because it is clear there is huge confusion.
This was borne out in the recent opinion poll. I was listening to late night radio while I was travelling last Saturday night and a speaker referred to one figure from the recent poll. The figure fitted a particular agenda. It was 24 hours later before the second figure, which is contradictory of the earlier figure, was brought into the public domain. That is not the way for a public broadcasting service or anybody who is genuine about this case to behave. The psychological and mental health issue is important. Let us inform ourselves about it. I am delighted that Dr. Patricia Casey and Paul Brady will be in the AV room today to discuss the mental health aspect of this issue. Members who have time and an interest in it should, as legislators, go to the AV room at 4.30 p.m. to inform themselves.
Would it be in order to welcome the return of Senator Healy Eames from China?
That is completely out of order. Does the Senator have a question for the Leader?
I compliment her on her successful visit to China.
That is not the purpose of the Order of Business.
It is important because she received very negative media coverage. It is only fair that her work should be recognised in this House.
That is not relevant to the Order of Business. Does the Senator have a question for the Leader?
I have. Will the Leader arrange for a debate on the position of Shannon Airport and the agreement to write off the €100 million debt, which is very welcome in the region, and to decouple the airport from the Dublin Airport Authority, which might not be the best decision in the long term? Fianna Fáil has an enormous record with Shannon Airport. It is the party that built, developed, maintained and retained the airport. For that reason, when Deputy Dooley spoke out he did so from a strong background, given where we stand on that airport.
Our position on Ireland West Airport Knock is that it is vital to retain that airport and, indeed, to give it similar support to that given to Shannon. Ireland West Airport is very important. It was built by Monsignor Horan and the people of Connacht and was supported by former Taoiseach, Charles J. Haughey, and a Fianna Fáil Government. The late Deputy Jim Mitchell described it as the foggy, boggy site. He was proved wrong.
That was Barry Desmond.
No, it was Jim Mitchell. I was there.
The Senators cannot even agree on that one.
Regardless of who said it, the point is that there was never a great tradition of support from the coalition Government for the Ireland West Airport, or Knock Airport as it was then. In the circumstances, there should be a discussion about this. Liam Scollan has expressed his view, and presumably to the Cathaoirleach and others. Given that the Taoiseach is from Castlebar, it is time to ensure there is a level playing pitch with Shannon and every other airport. Ireland West Airport is absolutely essential for the development of the west and it must be supported and developed by the Government. There must be a level playing pitch. I have no wish to see Shannon Airport being in a position to offer cheaper landing rates for airlines at the cost of the diminution of Ireland West Airport in Knock, County Mayo.
I agree with my colleague, Senator Wilson, on the issue of the banks and financial institutions terrorising people throughout the country. In the case in Wexford, the individuals employed by Friends First entered a farmyard by cutting a gate open at 5.30 a.m. and, effectively, stole a tractor from the yard. Friends First issued a statement this afternoon justifying its actions on the basis that they were within the law. If they are within the law, it is time the Government changed the law to protect the citizens of this country. People are at breaking point. How can financial institutions employ gangsters to remove property from people's private dwellings and farmyards? It is a disgrace. That is just one case, and there are hundreds of other cases throughout the country where bank personnel are arriving at doors and asking individuals to pay money which they simply cannot afford to pay. It is time the Government stopped the play-acting and messing around with the banks.
It appears the Government is in bed with the banks at the expense of the people.
That is not true.
Who passed the bank guarantee?
The Government extended it.
And the Labour Party.
Senator Ó Domhnaill to continue, without interruption. Does the Senator have a question for the Leader?
I do. For some time we have requested a specific debate on the messing in which the banks are engaged and the role of the public interest directors, although Friends First is not included, and why they cannot come before the House and explain their actions on behalf of taxpayers. It is time we heard from those individuals.
The family unit will be attacked in tomorrow's budget, child benefit is due to be cut. The Labour Party is standing over the least well-off workers, anyone who is earning-----
Can the Senator wait until the budget is over?
The Senator's time has expired.
The PRSI contribution will be charged on the first €127. It is an absolute disgrace.
Does the Senator have a question for the Leader?
Fianna Fáil has put forward an alternative proposal. The Labour Party-----
(Interruptions).
Fianna Fáil put us in this mess.
It is time to attack the cronies who are the high earners.
The developers.
You are the developer Jimmy, you are the auctioneer.
I raise the matter of the repossession of property. I have just left the family home of the people concerned. It is terrible to see people trading on the fringes of the law - I would go so far as to say trading on criminality - breaking into somebody's property, stealing property, with no paperwork whatsoever, and threatening family members, including a 16 year old boy, that if he made a telephone call, he would be killed. I disagree with Senator Ó Domhnaill. I raised this matter exactly 12 months ago but nothing has been done.
The Government voted against the Family Home Bill by three votes.
Senator Michael D'Arcy to continue, without interruption, please.
Nothing has been done in this area. It is not the Government that exclusively makes laws in this or the other House, it is us.
It is the banks.
The issue is not that difficult to deal with. The law is quite clear on how to repossess property. The only person who has the legal authority to enter a person's property is a representative of the county sheriff, following a court order, and following a second order, that order has to be implemented and then the county sheriff has the legal right to enter a person's property. The difficulty is that the banks say they are operating within the law. That is an interpretation of the law. Our role is to change the law and that can be easily done.
There are three items that can be put in place either by ministerial order or a simple Private Members' Bill, to which we can all be party. First, a representative of the county sheriff must be present on every occasion when property is being repossessed. Second, it must be done by appointment and, third, it must be done during working hours. No more should people have to jump out of their beds, believing somebody is breaking into their property and stealing property that belongs to them. It is easy to stand up and parade everybody but I would like to see an all-party motion come from the Seanad. Too often we say the House is irrelevant. Let us be relevant on this issue. I am sure, with the Leader's consent, that with whoever is next up for Private Members' business we could draft a simple Bill if this cannot be done by ministerial order. That would end the practice of the banks issuing a statement to the effect that they are acting within the law. If we change the law, we have a result for the people of the country.
Good man. Let us unite behind the Senator's proposal.
I support Senator Leyden's comments on Ireland West Airport Knock. I have had reason to go there a number of times recently. What impresses me is that this is not an area that said "The Government should do it for us". The people got up and did it themselves. There is a levy for every customer leaving and they have managed to succeed.
However, they have put it to the Government that there must be a level playing field. One cannot give an advantage to one airport over another. If we are going to succeed, let us continue on a level playing field. I was impressed by the enthusiasm of those involved in Ireland West Airport Knock compared to some of the activity throughout the country associated with the view that the Government should solve everything for us.
Senator Labhrás Ó Murchú referred to the debate and presentation due to take place at 4.30 p.m. in the audio-visual room. The Senator suggested the debate on this topic should be moderate and that we should be careful in the language we used. It would be worthwhile for everyone who gets a chance to drop into the audio-visual room at 4.30 p.m.
The acting Leader of the Opposition, Senator Marc MacSharry, believes everything he reads in the newspapers, which is a dangerous thing to do.
Hear, hear.
I am glad Senator David Norris agrees with me. The Minister for Education and Skills, Deputy Ruairí Quinn, stated yesterday that he had full confidence in the Minister for Health, Deputy James Reilly. Those are the Minister's own words. Senator Marc MacSharry need not go to the newspapers to find out anything. The Minister will tell him straight out.
Many soccer managers receive the same vote of confidence.
He said the same about Harry Whelehan at one time.
Both Fine Gael and the Labour Party view the coalition Government as more than a temporary little agreement or arrangement. We debate things rationally in government and make decisions. We do not think of it as a temporary arrangement before we start.
The Leader should tell that to Deputy Róisín Shortall.
What about Deputy Willie Penrose?
Senator Ivana Bacik called for a debate on the focus of the taxation system. Perhaps we might do this early in the new year.
Senator Rónán Mullen commented on the debate on the report of the expert group, to which several Senators have alluded. We will have a two and a half hour debate on the issue this week and if further Senators are offering, we will make more time available at a later stage to continue the debate on the matter. Senator Rónán Mullen commented on the Galway case and the unfortunate death of Ms Savita Halappanavar, but I would prefer to await the results of the investigation before making any comment on it.
Senator Colm Burke raised the question of the focus on safety. He has noted that defective toys are being sold in some outlets and said we should buy from reputable retail outlets. He has pointed to EU law on defective toys.
Senators Ned O'Sullivan, Sean D. Barrett, Martin Conway, Terry Leyden and Feargal Quinn spoke about the restructuring of Shannon Airport. The decision will grant the airport long-awaited freedom to determine its future in its best interests and those of the Shannon region. The decision is to separate the airport from the Dublin Airport Authority, merge it with a new entity which will also include a restructured Shannon Development and its extensive landbank. It represents a new beginning for the Shannon region and involves a drive to develop a world class aviation industry and a restructuring of the tourism and enterprise support agencies in the region to support this goal. Shannon Airport will be made independent of the Dublin Airport Authority and merged with Shannon Development. With the support of the national enterprise, investment and tourism agencies and a new focus on the development of aviation services, it will have a long overdue new beginning. The decision has been welcomed by many. There is no question of not having a level playing field for Ireland West Airport Knock. It is recognised that the decision will result in increased competition among Irish airports, including Knock. However, the aim is to increase the overall number of passengers into the country through increased efficiencies and the attraction of new aviation business which could have a beneficial impact nationally. The decoupling of Shannon Airport from the Dublin Airport Authority will be the subject of a motion in the House next week, most likely on Wednesday.
There will be an opportunity to discuss the matter at that point.
Senator Harte referred to the property tax and the need for a breakdown of where the tax was going and where the money was spent. I imagine that is being examined by local authorities throughout the country. Certainly, I know it is being examined in Waterford.
Senator Norris commented on the Leveson inquiry. We have held debates on the media in the House but perhaps in the new year, as a result of the Leveson inquiry, we could have a further debate on their role. The Senator also made several other points which can be raised in the statements on the budget tomorrow evening. There will be a two hour debate on the issue.
What about the 1816 commemoration?
Anything the Senator wants to say, he can say it then.
Senator Mullins sought an update on the Lunacy Regulation (Ireland) Act 1871. Every Member agrees that this is something which should be updated and that legislation should be introduced to update that Bill as soon as possible. I will make representations to the Government Chief Whip on the matter.
Senator Cullinane raised the concerns of the Committee for the Forgotten. We all support its efforts. I understand it is meeting a representative of the Minister for Justice and Equality, Deputy Shatter, later today to discuss the matter.
Senator Cullinane also referred to Mr. Jim Power's report on the economic consequences of the break-up of the south-east hospital network. I have read the report, which is excellent. I hope we will not be discussing a break-up of the south-east hospital network and that it will remain intact.
Senator Healy Eames called for a further debate on the expert group's report. As I stated, two and a half hours have been allocated on Thursday and I will provide further time if more speakers are offering. The Joint Committee on Health and Children will meet on 8, 9 and 10 January to accept submissions on the expert group's report. There will be no rushing or lack of debate; there will be plenty of debate in the House. The Joint Committee on Health and Children will debate the issue and action will be taken by the Government as soon as we have all the information before us.
Senator Healy Eames also spoke about the use of pension funds invested abroad. That is another matter which she could raise with the Minister during statements on the budget tomorrow evening.
Senators Wilson, Michael D'Arcy, Ó Domhnaill and others raised the difficulties of constituents with regard to financial institutions. One Member highlighted that there was damage to property in order to gain access. If there was damage to property, that is an offence and it should be investigated by the Garda, but I do not have full knowledge of it. Senator Michael D'Arcy also spoke about introducing legislation in the House. It is the prerogative of any Member to introduce legislation and we must examine any legislation based on its content. I can understand the anger of Members with regard to the activities of some financial institutions and the manner in which they are trying to get money back. I fully understand the feelings of Members. Banks say they are operating within the law. That has to be challenged and if they are operating within the law, obviously, by doing what they are purported to have done in Wexford and Cavan, we will have to do something to address it.
Senator Barrett raised the issue of Shannon Airport, on which I have already commented. We will have the opportunity to discuss it again next week.
Senator Mooney raised the possible need for a referendum on abortion. We will debate the expert group's report first. The Senator suggested the Supreme Court's judgment was flawed.
I question the making of such statements in the House.
On development companies operating under the umbrella of local authorities, for many years people have been calling for a one-stop shop. The Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government is due to come to the House on 22 January to discuss the issue of local government reform, as requested by Senator Diarmuid Wilson and others, and the matter can be raised during that discussion.
In response to the point made by Senator Labhrás Ó Murchú, the budget will be announced tomorrow and whether it is fair will be up for discussion. Some will probably think it is, while others will have a different opinion, as is the case with all budgets.
I have addressed the matters raised by Senators Brian Ó Domhnaill and Michael D'Arcy.
Order of Business agreed to.