The Order of Business is No. 1, address to Seanad Éireann by Mr. Gay Mitchell, MEP, to commence at 11.45 a.m. in accordance with the arrangements set out in the motion passed by the House on Wednesday, 23 January; No. 2, Water Services Bill 2013 - Second Stage (Resumed), to be taken at the conclusion of No. 1 and conclude not later than 2.45 p.m., with the Minister to be called on to reply not later than 2.35 p.m.
Order of Business
We agree to the Order of Business.
Will the Leader ask the Minister of State at the Department of Health, Deputy Kathleen Lynch, to attend the House for a debate on mental health? She has issued a statement on the matter. It is the seventh anniversary of the publication of A Vision for Change, yet there is no current public plan to review its implementation.
The Government and the various agencies acknowledge the slow pace of the implementation of that plan in moving the system away from the institutions to community care. Senator White and others will talk about the national emergency that is our suicide rate and the fact that as a nation we are failing to implement the policies that could have the biggest impact on our effort to deal with that issue. It is important that we deal with that issue as a matter of urgency.
I ask the Leader to arrange for the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht, Deputy Deenihan, to make a statement to both Houses of the Oireachtas on the process followed for the selection of members of the board of the Heritage Council. It appears from recent media reports that following an application process that saw some 76 people apply to become members of the board, the Minister moved to select two individuals who had neither applied for the particular job nor, arguably, had the suitable qualifications necessary for it. In a small country it is probably possible to trace political lineage to any individual but it is ironic that one is a former press officer for the Labour Party and the other was a campaign activist for President Higgins. In the interests and integrity of the people involved and the work of the council, it is important that the process followed is highlighted, particularly for the 76 applicants who were not successful and who I am sure wonder how two people who did not apply and do not appear to have specific qualifications appropriate to that board would be appointed to that position. It would be useful if we could have that clarification.
On a day that our Special Olympians are in Leinster House I am sure everybody in the House wish all our athletes the very best of success as they head off to South Korea on 25 January.
I join Senator MacSharry in wishing our Special Olympics athletes well. That is an important message to send.
It is hard to take lectures from Fianna Fáil on cronyism. On a more collegiate note, I thank colleagues for the positive and thoughtful debate in the House last night on the Labour Private Members' motion on measures to improve quality of life in local communities. While a large part of our motion and the debate was about policing it also contained quite a number of important measures and initiatives and I am grateful to colleagues for taking the time to contribute on all those issues which we will follow up with the Minister for Justice and Equality and the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government.
I ask the Leader for a debate on the patronage of secondary schools. We had a debate in this House in conjunction with the initiative of the Minister for Education and Skills, Deputy Ruairí Quinn, on greater diversity and patronage of primary schools. We also had a very good debate on the report of the National Forum on Pluralism and Patronage in the Primary Sector. That process is ongoing and we hope to see transformation of patronage occurring to reflect the greater diversity of the population in the very near future.
There is another important debate to be had about patronage and ownership of schools at second level. Last night, with many other political representatives and hundreds of people, I attended a public meeting organised in Wynn's Hotel by Educate Together calling for the establishment of a multidenominational, co-educational secondary school in Dublin city centre. There is a huge energy and momentum behind this campaign. Very large numbers of children now graduating from primary schools run by Educate Together throughout the country, and particularly in Dublin, have no equivalent school to attend at second level, the vast majority of second level schools still remaining under religious patronage. There is a real momentum behind this campaign and it would be welcome if we could debate it here. Political representatives from every party and from the Independent groupings attended last night's meeting and spoke in support of the principle of a multidenominational second level school in Dublin. It should be noted also that for the first time Educate Together will open three secondary schools in the State this September but none in Dublin city centre where there is a clear demand for such a school. I ask the Leader that we might have that debate in the very near future.
I join Senator MacSharry in paying tribute to the Special Olympians who will be in the House today. They are being supported by members of the Garda and the Police Service of Northern Ireland. As a member of the British-Irish Parliamentary Assembly, I believe that support is welcome and hope all Members will support them today and all the great work they do, not only during the Olympics but also throughout the year.
I refer to the memorandum of understanding signed today by the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources, Deputy Pat Rabbitte, and his counterpart in England to allow the export of wind energy to England. This is an important day for the industry here because the signing of this memorandum of understanding will allow surplus energy to be exported from Ireland. We are all in favour of renewable and sustainable energy and as the Irish Wind Energy Association stated, the Minister has stayed true to his word and finalised the terms of the memorandum of understanding as promised by both Governments. This demonstrates an unwavering commitment and the faith both parties have in the renewable energy sector to deliver jobs to the economy. When delivered, this will create up to 30,000 indigenous jobs and, in addition, will boost the rate base of local authorities in the area coupled with investment of over €18 billion by 2020. That is quite an investment.
I ask the Leader to ask the Minister to come into the House to discuss this issue. The Irish Wind Energy Association has asked for the establishment of a Government and industry implementation group. The Irish Wind Energy Association states it would ideally consist of the relevant experienced parties, public stakeholders and agencies, as well as private capital investors, and maximise the opportunities available in Ireland. I support that call. We spoke here about the Government, agencies, communities groups and everybody working together and it is only when we get the industry, the Government and all the parties on the same stage that progress will be made. In that regard Senator Maurice Cummins and I are helping to organise a conference on renewable energy that will be held here on 21 and 22 June which all the European MEPs will attend. When we have all the details we will circulate them, but I ask the Leader to ask the Minister to come into the House to discuss establishing that group as soon as possible because it is important that the same stakeholders are singing from the same hymn sheet. I would add one more stakeholder to that list, namely, the energy regulator which I acknowledge is an independent body, but we must ensure we are all singing from the same hymn sheet. As the Minister said this morning, we do not want to see wind turbines in every corner of Ireland because we have a beautiful landscape, but if they are well placed, it will be welcome in terms of 40% of our energy being generated by renewable energy sources by 2020.
The Senator's point is well made.
I agree with Senator Keane. I ask the Leader to invite the Minister, Deputy Rabbitte, to address the House on these issues in his erudite way with which we are all familiar. However, some economic concerns have been expressed by the National Competitiveness Council and the Irish Academy of Engineering, while Senator Clune stated that this was an expensive form of energy. Currently, it is subsidised on one's electricity bills from other sources. We need to discuss the economic aspects of it and also the environmental aspects as expressed by Senator Kelly; I refer to No. 11 on the Order Paper. We need to know the full implications of the memorandum of understanding lest Ireland ends up paying more for its electricity and having the type of environmental costs about which Senator Keane expressed fears.
I avail of the opportunity to thank the Leader for his exquisite sense of timing in having a debate on the future of the European Union after the Order of Business. I look forward to further deliberations from the Leader, our MEP and the Prime Minister of the United Kingdom. This is a very appropriate time to have that debate.
In the light of the continuing bad news about suicide, I welcome in advance the working group on bullying set up by the Minister for Education and Skills, Deputy Quinn, which I understand will report this afternoon. We have had debates on bullying already and I am sure the Minister would be pleased to come to the House after the working group has reported to allow us to discuss its findings, the bigger picture in terms of bullying and, specifically, how it relates to suicide.
I ask the Leader if we could organise a group of Senators to meet Fiona Doyle, the woman who was raped by her father, as a gesture of support from the Seanad. I ask the Leader to consider the issue and how that might be done.
Yesterday I called for the Minister for Health to come to the House to tell us why appointments had not been made to the board of the Food Safety Authority of Ireland. I continue to ask that he come to the House. Even though the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine has done all it can in respect of the presence of horse DNA in beef burgers, the time has come for the companies to say what has happened. In the absence of their comment and information and explanation, I call on the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine to come to the House and update us on what is happening as there is more uncertainty now than a week ago.
Ba mhaith liom gach deaghuí a ghuí ar na hiomaitheoirí ar fad a bhéas ag glacadh páirte sna Cluichí Oilimpeacha Speisialta, grúpa iontach de lúthchleasaithe. Déanann siad sár jab dúinn agus is iontach an grúpa daoine iad. Ba mhaith liom tacú freisin leis an moladh atá déanta go dtiocfadh an tAire Cumarsáide, Fuinnimh agus Acmhainní Nádúrtha, an Teachta Rabbitte, os comhair an tSeanaid le plé a dhéanamh ar ghnóthaí éagsúla. I note this morning that the exploration company, Providence Resources, has stated tests show that there is a significant oil potential at its Rathlin Basin prospect off the coast of Northern Ireland. There are suggestions it could contain more than 500 million barrels of recoverable oil. This is the third needle in the haystack that has been found in the past couple of months. We were told by the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources, Deputy Pat Rabbitte, only a couple of months ago that prospecting for oil off the coast of Ireland was like finding a needle in a haystack. They must be very lucky as they have found three in recent months and there is a substantial amount of oil there.
It is important that we have a debate on the way in which we are handling our natural resources, one of which is wind. I would be concerned about the privatisation of wind energy and the fact that the State is not getting the best return from the potential wind energy, wave energy and tidal energy. We have had a joint committee report on the licensing regime for the oil and gas industry but I am concerned that we have not seen legislation to amend the legislation which regulates this area. According to those who are knowledgeable in this area, the legislation which regulates this issue is extremely favourable to the oil companies. The Government's role in this issue is to represent the needs of citizens and of the State and at times of economic crisis, such as this, many people consider that we could get a much better return from our oil and gas resources. A serious debate is needed to ensure new legislation is introduced to ensure that these oil finds reap the benefits for the people.
The wind energy issue is also important. I note we do not yet have a national strategy on wind energy. I am concerned that we are giving away licences in the wind energy area in the same way as we give away the oil licences. As it will be too late to regulate the industry when all the licences are given away, we certainly need a debate on the issue as soon as possible to ensure the best return for the State on all these assets.
I welcome the return to State care of the paintings which were stolen from somewhere in storage in the State, particularly that of Valentine Browne, the first Earl of Kenmare. These paintings which hung in Killarney House, not Muckross House as was inaccurately reported, have been recovered, having been offered for auction at Adams. They were stolen and sold in London at Bonhams. It is thanks to the Brownes that we have today the full 26,000 acre Killarney National Park, our foremost national park. Major reconstruction work is taking place at Killarney House. The Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht, Deputy Jimmy Deenihan, intends that a room in that house will be dedicated to the memory of the Brownes, the Earls of Kenmare. That is part of our history. That is where some of the paintings hung and I hope they will be returned to the house with some of the other furniture which belonged in that house when it is reopened, I hope, in 2014. I commend everyone involved in the recovery of the paintings. I do not know when or from where they were stolen but they have been recovered, thanks to good detective work on the part of some good State servants whom I commend because the paintings are an important part of our treasure.
One of the most important challenges facing us, as legislators, and all people is to create an environment where armed hostility is not seen as a solution to any problem. When we have to reflect on armed hostility in any part of the world, we realise how difficult it is to stop once it has started. With that in mind, we sometimes forget what the European project was all about. Of course, it had economic elements to it but it was also to ensure that we would never return to a war situation between nations in Europe. Therefore, in any debate on that issue we will all be disappointed by the statement by Prime Minister David Cameron that it is his intention to hold a referendum on the future of Britain within the European Union. As he does not intend to hold it until after the next election, he may be pushing out the boat a little for comfort. It is a pity he made the announcement at a time when we are celebrating and embracing the European Presidency here.
I do not think any of us could imagine a European Union without Britain. It plays an integral role and has done this at all times. At times it seeks better conditions for itself; so do we all, but we do not threaten to consider leaving the European Union if we do not get our way. My hope is that during the next six month we will use every opportunity with Prime Minister Cameron to ensure he reflects and considers what has been done by his statement. Unfortunately, the fact that he has made the statement, it is no longer his call to withdraw it. He has started a momentum which he will not be able to control. Looking at the polls in Britain, we should also realise that it is possible that such a referendum would decide to withdraw. The environment has to be created in the coming six months to get a message across to the people of Britain that without Britain in the European Union it will not be effective. As it is our nearest neighbour, we have a particular vested interest in Britain remaining within the European Union to ensure there will never again be a need for hostilities to solve any problem with which we may be faced.
I had not intended to speak about wind energy until Senator Cáit Keane raised the issue. I would welcome any discussion with the Irish Wind Energy Association on how it will move forward with the delivery of wind energy here as it appears to be all hot air rather than wind. When the project in the midlands was first announced - I have the newspaper clippings to prove it - Eddie O'Connor announced 66,000 jobs. When the sod was turned two weeks ago the number of jobs was reduced to 55,000 and today I note the number is down to 30,000. I doubt very much if 10,000 jobs will be created through this project. I would welcome an explanation from the Irish Wind Energy Association on how the proposed number of jobs has decreased from 66,000 jobs down to 30,000 shortly after turning the sod on the project. The Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources, Deputy Pat Rabbitte, told me and said on "Morning Ireland" that he does not envisage the wind turbines being at every crossroads in the country. However, unless minimum distances are introduced by way of a Bill that I have brought forward or a Bill that Deputy Willie Penrose has brought forward in the other House, they will be located at all crossroads throughout the country. As we speak the minimum distance that applies is 500 m.
The Irish Wind Energy Association is saying that if there are any changes, it will be possible to produce only 4% of the target. It is a clear indication that we will see windmills at every crossroads in the country. The United Kingdom is moving away from wind energy because electricity bills have increased with its introduction. They will turn to this country and ask us to destroy our landscape to provide electricity for them at cheaper prices. We need a substantial debate on wind energy before the entire landscape is destroyed.
I raise again a matter about which we spoke yesterday, which is suicide among young men. In 2011, 525 people died from suicide. I ask the Leader to think of the reaction if an airplane crashed in Ireland with 525 people on board. What would be the Government's reaction? It would wipe out a village. This is happening on an annual basis and my research indicates that the figure is higher than 525. The Minister of State at the Department of Health, Deputy Kathleen Lynch, failed to hold on to the €35 million she was allocated to deal with mental health last year. I was very disappointed. I am a fan of hers, but I was shocked that the money was not retained. It was allocated but not spent.
It is being rolled out.
Make no mistake, there is a national crisis of suicide. The rate of suicide has increased due to a lack of employment for young men and others. Mental stress has increased substantially because of the economic situation and particularly because young people do not have jobs. When I co-founded Lír Chocolates in 1987, I saw the transformation in a person who got a job. The person's self-confidence changed completely. The increasing rate of unemployment is breaking the hearts and souls of young and middle-aged Irish men who cannot find a job. The Government must stop merely writing reports and spend the €35 million it said it would last year. Stop writing action plans for jobs and create more jobs.
I make a plea for real patriotism in the context of the rightful public outrage at the size of the pensions being enjoyed by some retired Members of the Houses of the Oireachtas at a time when people are trying to recover from the wreckage of the so-called Celtic tiger. The people who were central to the crash rode into the sunset with enormous pensions and severance packages. I call on those people to reflect, in the context of the times in which we are living and borrowing to pay their pensions, on whether the size of those pensions is justified. I call for a real act of patriotism whereby they gift part of their pensions back to the State, perhaps not permanently, but for a number of years until such time as the finances of the State improve. They should reflect on what the founding fathers of the State would do in similar circumstances. There is only one answer. They would gift part of those enormous State pensions back to the State. I ask every retired Member of the Houses of the Oireachtas who is on a very large pension to consider doing that in the national interest.
I raise the issue of food labelling. I do not want to get caught up in the issue of horsemeat which has been raised recently; I want to make a general point. Food labelling must be addressed. We can have chicken product from Thailand, for example, which can be labelled as "Irish" if it is processed in some form in this country. It is a significant problem. We all wish to buy Irish and to know that the produce itself is Irish rather than merely produced here. It would be useful to have a meaningful debate in the House with the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine or whoever the Leader can find. It is unacceptable that I can buy a product in a supermarket which is labelled as Irish but which actually had to travel for two or three days to get here. At a time when producers like other businesses find it difficult to survive, this could be one way to ensure that people are buying Irish and know what is in their food.
I join Senator Michael Mullins in raising the issue of retired Members' very large pensions. To say it gets on everyone's nerves is to put it mildly. That retired Members of whatever political party, but especially those who had a hand in the downfall of the country, have such large pensions, is wrong. They are on three and four times the average industrial wage. It is completely unacceptable. I find it frustrating that we cannot do something about it. The Attorney General should examine whether there is a way to row back or make adjustments to provide that those involved in the downfall of the country do not swan around on three to four times the average wage.
The acting Leader of the Opposition, Senator Marc MacSharry, raised the question of mental health and asked about progress on A Vision for Change. It is regrettable, as Senator Mary White said, that the €35 million allocated last year was not spent. I understand there is a roll-over of the money and that €70 million will be spent this year, which will certainly help to address mental health issues. We cannot dismiss the effect of the economic downturn. There is, however, no quick fix solution to tackling this extensive and complex problem. The National Office of Suicide Prevention has developed a range of initiatives aimed specifically at supporting young people who are suicidal and assisting their peers to recognise and respond appropriately to signs of emotional distress and suicidal thoughts. The annual budget for suicide prevention measures has increased this year to more than €13 million, of which €8.1 million is administered by the National Office of Suicide Prevention to fund voluntary and statutory agencies to deliver prevention, intervention and research services. The balance of €5 million is available regionally to fund resource offices for suicide prevention services. Action is being taken and I assure Members that it will continue to address this most serious national problem.
Senator Marc MacSharry also asked about the membership of the Heritage Council. We will certainly raise the matter with the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht, Deputy Jimmy Deenihan. I join the Senator in welcoming our special Olympians to the House. All Members wish them well and success for the future.
Senator Ivana Bacik raised the matter of the patronage of secondary schools. We will certainly arrange for the Minister for Education and Skills, Deputy Ruairí Quinn, to come to the House to discuss the topic. I note the points the Senator raised.
Senators Cáit Keane, Sean D. Barrett, Trevor Ó Clochartaigh and John Kelly referred to the memorandum of understanding between Ireland and the United Kingdom on wind energy and the prospect of assembling all stakeholders.
I am sure the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources, Deputy Pat Rabbitte, will be quite willing to come to the House to discuss the matter at the earliest possible opportunity. In that regard, Senator Sean D. Barrett expressed concerns about various bodies, in respect of which a cost benefit analysis should be undertaken.
Senator Susan O’Keeffe raised the question of bullying and asked the Minister for Education and Skills, Deputy Ruairí Quinn, to come to the House to discuss it. We will certainly invite him to do so. The Senator also asked that we invite, or get a group to meet, Ms Fiona Doyle. The Taoiseach is meeting her and if we can be of any assistance, I will have no objection to representatives of the House also meeting her. I assure the Senator that the positions on the Food Safety Board will be filled very soon. I note her points on the contamination of burgers and we will invite the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine to come to the House to outline the exact position.
Senator Trevor Ó Clochartaigh raised the question of commercial quantities of oil being found and mentioned the needle in the haystack. We have found some, but whether it is in commercial quantities and can be brought ashore is another problem. I assure the Senator that the Government will at all times represent the interests of citizens in this matter.
Senator Paul Coghlan spoke about the return of valuable paintings that had been stolen and told us about their historical significance and the Earls of Kenmare and so on. We welcome their return and I am sure the Senator will be to the fore in ensuring they are hung again in Killarney House.
I will ensure they are hung properly in the right place.
I have no doubt that the Senator will do so.
Senator Labhrás Ó Murchú spoke about the British Prime Minister’s intention to hold a referendum on EU membership. As Senator Sean D. Barrett mentioned, Gay Mitchell, MEP, is to come to the House and I am sure that question will be put to him and that we will have a lively exchange of views. During the Irish Presidency the Government will have many discussions with the Prime Minister. Like the Senator, I believe it is in our interests, as well as those of the United Kingdom and the rest of Europe, that Britain is actively involved in a strong European Union.
I have addressed the question raised by Senator Mary White about suicide.
Senators Michael Mullins and Catherine Noone spoke about pensions for former Ministers. Senator Michael Mullins called on some of them to gift part of their pensions to the State. We await their response.
Senator Catherine Noone also spoke about food labelling and said it was unacceptable for goods to be marked as Irish which had not originated but had only been produced here. That is a problem and we will try to bring the relevant Minister to the House in early course to discuss it.
Order of Business agreed to.
Sitting suspended at 11.15 a.m. and resumed at 11.45 a.m.