I welcome the Minister of State at the Department of Arts, Heritage and Gaeltacht Affairs, Deputy Dinny McGinley.
Adjournment Matters
Private Security Authority Remit
I will be prompt as I am aware that there are urgent and pressing matters awaiting in the form of an imminent announcement in the Dáil about the deal on the Anglo Irish Bank promissory note.
My question to the Minister of State is straightforward. As he is aware, last October the Private Security Authority, PSA, under a ministerial statutory instrument, initiated a new form of licensing regime for people working in the private security sector installing security-related equipment such as CCTV cameras, electronic gates, electronic security barriers and so on. It is important that we have regulation and proper standards and that we do not have rogue operators and cowboy operators such as those who were involved in other sectors of the building industry during the years, much to the detriment of consumers and tradesmen. In this instance, however, the licensing regime is draconian. The licensing fee is far too hefty. It is causing severe hardship in this sector. It is punitive and is putting a lot of pressure on small electrical contractors and small businesses who do not have the resources to meet this level of licensing fee, and it must be renewed biannually. While it is important to have regulation it is also important that it is fair rather than punitive.
I understand the Minister for Justice and Equality has agreed to enter into a review process with the PSA and that process is drawing to a conclusion. What stage is it at and when will the Minister make an announcement that will I hope allay and assuage the fears of people and contractors working in that sector?
I thank the Senator for raising this matter on the Adjournment.
I am speaking on behalf of the Minister for Justice and Equality, Deputy Alan Shatter, who regrets that he is unable to be with us.
In the first instance, I would like to point out that the Private Security Authority, established under the Private Security Services Act 2004, as amended, is the statutory body responsible for the regulation and licensing of the private security industry in the State. The authority is an independent agency under the remit of the Department of Justice and Equality.
The 2004 Act, as amended, sets out the activities in the private security industry which are, or will be, subject to licensing. The licensing of installers of security equipment, encompassing intruder alarms, CCTV and access control systems, is one such activity covered by the 2004 legislation. Last year the Minister consented to the making of regulations, by the PSA, to extend licensing to contractors and private security employers providing security services installing CCTV and access control systems. This completed the authority's licensing of contractors in the electronic security sector with the licensing of contractors involved in installing intruder alarms having commenced back in 2006. In accordance with these regulations, from 1 October 2012, all existing contractors providing licensable CCTV and access control services must be in possession of an appropriate licence or have an application lodged with the authority. The regulations also provide for the licensing of contractors who maintain intruder alarm systems. The Minister is informed by the authority that the extension of its licensing to these particular sectors was in preparation for a considerable time and that it involved two public consultation stages, both of which were notified to industry stakeholders including bodies representing electrical contractors.
As the Senator will be aware, contractors such as those in the CCTV sector, as part of their application, are required to pay a licence fee to the authority. The authority has informed the Minister that the current fee which is for a two year licence was set by the authority in 2005 and has not been increased since. The Senator will no doubt appreciate that the provision of a regulatory environment understandably has cost implications for the industry, but the public and Industry itself both benefit from regulation. The Minister is assured by the authority that it has made every effort to ensure costs are kept to a minimum and has also introduced an instalment payment option to assist contractors with paying for their licence. The authority is aware of the genuine hardship faced, in particular, by small businesses in light of the current economic climate and so continues to seek ways of easing the burden of regulation while at the same time meeting its statutory obligations.
As regards the fees charged by the PSA, notwithstanding the fact that while the current PSA fee structure has remained unchanged since 2005, the Minister has been aware for some time that the fee level has been the subject of much criticism, particularly following the introduction of the newest phase of regulation when the CCTV and access control sectors were brought within its scope. As correctly indicated by the Senator, this phase of regulation brought some elements of the work of electrical contractors within the scope of the PSA for the first time, many of whom are smaller operators with relatively small turnover. The Minister appreciates that the current fee may well be unduly burdensome for such operators. Being mindful of the plight of such contractors, the Department of Justice and Equality and the PSA have been in consultation about a review of the fees in question. Any change in fees requires a new statutory instrument to be drafted and the Department of Justice and Equality is in contact with the Office of the Parliamentary Counsel in that regard. It is expected that the process will be completed in the near future and the Minister will then be in a position to make an announcement on the matter.
Since the PSA first began licensing in 2006, there has been a welcome transformation of the private security industry which the Senator will appreciate has had many positive benefits for the industry, the wider business community and the public. The authority has been in successful in combatting what were originally quite low standards in the industry, consumer confidence has improved overall, all contractors are now operating to the same standards, are tax compliant, vetted by the Garda and subject to ongoing monitoring and inspections by the authority. The PSA, through its work has led to significantly improved compliance generally in areas such as taxation and welfare payments.
I thank the Minister of State for attending and answering my question. I also thank him for a thorough and sympathetic response. I detected a chink of light in his response. I am optimistic that the review is meaningful and will recognise the particular hardship imposed on smaller contractors. I hope that when the review reaches its conclusion that it will revise the licensing regime downwards where it applies to smaller contractors who have a small turnover. I urge the Minister to be minded to that effect.
I appreciate the Senator's concerns which were reflected in the Minister's reply that I delivered on his behalf. The Senator's additional comments will be brought to his attention and will be included in his deliberations before orders are made.
Newborn Screening Cards
I thank the Minister of State for attending. It has been a long week. The national blood spot screening programme was rolled out to identify six rare diseases; the screening cards are also known as Guthrie cards. Unfortunately, the cards retained between 1966 and 1984 were destroyed as a result of water contamination.
The Data Protection Commissioner has ruled that the cards for the period 1984 to 2002 must be destroyed. Many people in the medical profession believe such a move would be a retrograde step and that it is a wrong a decision. They believe vital research material has been scheduled for destruction. The material could be used in the future. The cards have already proved very helpful when used for research projects. Is it necessary to destroy the cards? Is there another way around the problem? I ask that the HSE and the Data Protection Commissioner consider the matter further, especially in view of the strong medical lobbying that has taken place. I ask that the decision is reviewed and, if possible, reversed.
I thank the Senator for raising the matter on the Adjournment. I am taking the Adjournment matter on behalf of the Minister for Health, Deputy James Reilly. He would also like to thank the Senator for raising the matter as it provides me with an opportunity to update the House.
In late 2009 the Data Protection Commissioner received a complaint from a member of the public on the retention of newborn screening cards. The basis of the complaint which was upheld by the Data Protection Commissioner was that newborn screening cards should not be retained indefinitely without consent as this breached the Data Protection Acts 1998 and 2003. As the Data Protection Commissioner said "it is important to make clear that the position that developed was unlawful and could not be allowed to continue". There followed a series of meetings between the Deputy Data Protection Commissioner, representatives from the Department, the HSE and the Children's University Hospital, Temple Street. This resulted in a number of changes to the national newborn blood spot screening programme. These changes included obtaining written consent from the mother to have her newborn child screened, retention of the newborn screening card for ten years and retention of information on the result for 25 years. During these ten years the card can only be used for checking the results or for other tests recommended by the child's doctor and for which the parent's or parents' permission will be sought, and quality assurance to develop and improve the screening programme and the health of babies and families in Ireland.
It was also decided to destroy existing cards that were older than ten years. It must be remembered that there is no written consent from parents for the retention or use of these newborn screening cards taken between 1984 and 2002 for research or other purposes.
Following representations from a number of people and organisations that pointed to their potential value for research my colleague, the Minister for Health, Deputy James Reilly, requested the HSE to conduct a review of the decision to destroy these cards. The review examined both the legal and ethical basis for retention of newborn screening cards and the potential use of the existing cards for research purposes. The report and recommendations of the review group were submitted to the Minister in January 2012. The review group supported the decision to destroy cards more than ten years old. Following careful consideration this recommendation was accepted. I must emphasise that this decision was taken to ensure the HSE and the children's university hospital met their ethical and legal obligations under the Data Protection Acts. However, the review group explored how the cards could be made available to the research community in a way which is compatible with ethical and legal obligations. In line with its recommendations, the HSE has begun an information campaign offering people the opportunity to have their screening card returned to them, prior to any cards being destroyed. This will ensure anyone who wishes to donate newborn screening cards for research will be afforded the opportunity to do so. We must ensure continued public trust and support for the national newborn screening programme, a vital public health measure for children and their families.
I thank the Minister of State for the information on this matter. I do not agree with the decision, although I realise it was taken some time ago.
With regard to the information programme, perhaps the Minister for Health will communicate to me what format it will take and when it will start. I understand the deadline for the destruction of these cards is 31 March; therefore, it is a very short time period for rolling out the information campaign. I have already posted the information on Facebook and found that a number of people were not aware that this was going to happen. They wanted to know whom they should contact to stop their children's cards being destroyed.
I appreciate the urgency the Senator attaches to this matter, particularly given that it is being implemented in March, which is next month. I will convey this to the Minister and his officials and I hope they will communicate with the Senator in due course.
Údarás na Gaeltachta Issues
Cuirim céad fáilte roimh an Aire Stáit tar éis oíche fhada, laethanta suimiúla agus neart díospóireachtaí suimiúla atá ag tarlú sa Teach eile faoi láthair. Táim an-bhuíoch dó as ucht na díospóireachta seo a ghlacadh.
Ar ndóigh, ní hé seo an chéad uair againn an t-ábhar seo a plé, ábhar atá gar do chroí na beirte againn - Arramara Teoranta, comhlacht feamainne a bhí faoi úinéireacht Stáit atá i láthair na huaire faoi Údarás na Gaeltachta. Siar sna caogaidí bhí sé faoi úinéireacht Stáit. Bhí cúpla monarcha acu go dtí le roinnt blianta anuas, ach tá an phríomh monarcha fós acu, i gCill Chiaráin. Tá riar mhaith daoine sa cheantar sin ag brath ar an fhostaíocht sin, idir na daoine atá ag obair sa mhonarcha, na daoine atá ag iompar feamainne agus na bainteoirí feamainne atá ag cur ábhair ar fáil don mhonarcha sin. Tá na céadta díobh ar fud chósta an iarthair, agus iad ag saothrú go crua agus go dícheallach.
In aimsir na géarchéime eacnamaíochta agus nuair a bhí cúrsaí go maith bhí daoine ag baint feamainne, ach tá tuairimíocht an-láidir ann nach bhfuil muid ag baint an leasa is fearr as an tionscal sin. Sílim go bhfuil an bheirt againn aontaithe go bh'féadfaí toradh i bhfad níos fearr a bhaint as an amhábhar feamainne atá ar chósta an iarthair agus go bhféadfaí ábhair bhreisluacha a dhéanamh a chuirfeadh táirgí breise ar fáil go bh'féadfaí a dhíol ar fud an domhain. Tá cósta álainn glan againn agus feamainn den chéad scoth againn agus mar sin de.
De réir mar a thuigim, chuaigh an comhlacht a bhí faoi úinéireacht na Roinne Mara isteach faoi scáth Údarás na Gaeltachta roinnt blianta ó shin, ach tá neamhchinnteacht ó shin faoi chén todhchaí atá i ndán don chomhlacht. Bhí imní ann ar feadh tamaill go raibh sé le dúnadh. Is cosúil go bhfuil roinnt forbartha déanta le roinnt blianta anuas ag Údarás na Gaeltachta, agus is maith sin. Ach, le go mbeidh todhchaí geal ag Arramara Teo., ag lucht bainte feamainne agus ag an tionscal, tá gá le infheistíocht nua. Tuigtear dom go bhfuil comhráite ar bun le fada ag an údarás le páirtnéirí éagsúla ar fud an domhain a mbeadh spéis acu ina leithéid de thionscal, b'fhéidir len é a thógáil ar lámh nó le infheistíocht a dhéanamh ann. De réir mar a thuig mé an t-am deireanach a raibh muid ag plé seo, bhí i gceist go dtiocfadh comhlacht ón Fhrainc isteach agus tar éis idirbheartaíocht leis an údarás go raibh próiseas tairisceana ann. Thuig mé go raibh siad chun infheistíocht a dhéanamh sa chomhlacht len é a mhéadú agus a fhorbairt, ach gur theip ar na h-iarrachtaí sin agus go ndeachaigh an údarás amach arís ag lorg páirtnéireachta eile.
An cheist atá agam inniu ná an bhfuil an tAire Stáit in ann soiléiriú a thabhairt dúinn agus ráiteas a dhéanamh faoi thodhcaí Arramara Teo.? An bhfuil sé chun fanacht go hiomlán in úinéireacht an Stáit agus an mbeidh sé ag fanacht faoi scáth Údarás na Gaeltachta? Má tá, an mbeidh Údarás na Gaeltachta ag déanamh athchóirithe nó infheistióchta breise sa mhonarcha? An mbeidh siad ag iarraidh fostaíochta breise a chruthú sa cheantar Gaeltachta, ceantar Chill Chiaráin, áit a dteastaíonn poist go géar ann? Má tá, céard iad na socraithe a bheidh ann maidir le lucht bainte feamainne agus mar sin de?
Cén comhráití atá ar bun le páirtnéirí idirnáisiúnta? An bhfuil páirtnéirí idirnáisiúnta fós ar na bocáin agus má tá, cé chomh fada chun cinn agus atá na comhráití sin? Cé chomh fada chun cinn a mbeidh sé go dtí go mbeidh a fhios againn go cinnte cén todhchaí atá ag an gcomhlacht? Is ábhar spéise don bheirt againn é seo. Táim cinnte go bhfuil an croí san áit chéanna ag an mbeirt againn ar seo. Cé go mbíonn muid ag speáráil go minic, táim cinnte gur bhreá linn an tionscal seo a fheiceáil ag forbairt, b'fhéidir fiú sna ceantair Ghaeltachta eile agus sna ceantair tuaithe eile ar fud chósta an iarthair.
Táim an-bhuíoch den Aire Stáit agus táim ag súil go mór leis an bhfreagra a bheidh aige.
Cuirim fáilte roimh an rún atá curtha síos ar an Athló ag an Seanadóir Ó Clochartaigh mar tugann sé deis dúinn an cheist seo a phlé. Chomh fada agus a bhaineann sé leis an Seanadóir agus liom féin, tá tábhacht ar leith ag an ábhar seo do na daoine atá ina gcónaí sa cheantar sin.
Mar is eol don Seanadóir, tá an comhlacht Arramara Teo. ag plé le tionscal na feamainne le blianta fada. Bunaíodh an comhlacht i 1947 agus ó shin i leith tá feamainn á próiseáil aige i gCill Chiaráin, Conamara agus, go dtí 2001, ar an Mhín Mhór, ar an Chlochán Liath i Dún na nGall i mo dháilcheantar féin. Ón bhliain 1947 go dtí an bhliain 2006, ba le Ranna Stáit difriúla an tromlach de scairshealbhaíocht an chomhlachta agus ba le húinéirí príobháideacha an fuílleach.
Tá Arramara Teo. faoi lán-úinéireacht Údarás na Gaeltachta ó mhí Dheireadh Fómhair 2006 nuair a díoladh scairshealbhaíocht an Stáit sa chomhlacht le hÚdarás na Gaeltachta ar luach ainmniúil. Ba é an bunús a bhí leis an chinneadh seo ná go raibh freagracht ar an údarás maidir le forbairt eacnamaíoch sa Ghaeltacht, gur luigh gnó feamainne Arramara Teo. go maith le fócas an údaráis ar fhorbairt acmhainní nádúrtha na Gaeltachta i gcoitinne agus go raibh saineolas agus taithí shainiúil ag an údarás ó bheith ag plé le comhlachtaí trádála sa Ghaeltacht le blianta fada.
Ó tharla an comhlacht a bheith faoi lán-úinéireacht Údarás na Gaeltachta, ní mór dom a shoiléiriú nach bhfuil aon ról agamsa mar Aire Stáit i mbainistiú an chomhlachta. Aithním ar ndóigh gur foinse tábhachtach fostaíochta é gnó na feamainne agus go bhfuil fostaíocht fhiúntach curtha ar fáil sa Ghaeltacht ag Arramara Teo. thar na blianta. I láthair na huaire, tuigim go bhfuil 250 bainteoirí feamainne ag soláthar feamainne d'Arramara Teo. Anuas ar sin, tá 21 duine fostaithe sa mhonarcha agus tá seisear eile fostaithe san oifig ag an gcomhlacht. Ar ndóigh, is acmhainn nádúrtha luachmhar é gnó na feamainne agus tairgeann Arramara Teo. feamainn thriomaithe don earnáil talmhaíochta, don earnáil chosmaidí, don earnáil mhuirshaothraithe agus don earnáil ghairneoireachta. Díoltar an fheamainn faoi bhranda Arramara Teo. agus faoi bhrandaí a chuid custaiméirí.
Tuigtear dom go bhfuil feabhas mór tagtha ar ghnó Arramara Teo. ón uair gur ghlac an t-údarás lánúinéireacht ar an chomhlacht i 2006. Tá an comhlacht ag trádáil go brabúsach le roinnt blianta anuas agus tá forbairt agus athchóiriú shuntasach déanta sa mhonarcha ón uair gur ghlac an t-údarás úinéireacht iomlán ar an chomhlacht. Tá táirgíocht an chomhlachta feabhsaithe ó shin i leith. Tá bunphraghas na feamainne ardaithe agus tá cuid mhaith de na fadhbanna a bhí ag an chomhlacht ag deireadh 2006 réitithe. Tuigtear dom ón údarás go bhfuil an comhlacht ag breithníú speiceas eile d'fheamainn mar bhunábhar agus go bhfuil tuilleadh forbartha le déanamh air sin chun margaí nua a aimsiú.
Chuige sin, tá roinnt oibre déanta i gcomhar le hinstitiúidí tríú leibhéal, Ollscoil na hÉireann, Gaillimh agus Institiúid Teicneolaíochta Thrá Lí san áireamh.
Ní miste dom béim a leagan ar na fíricí seo a leanas sa mhéid is go dtuigtear dom go bhfuil Arramara Teo. brabúsach, go bhfuil sé á bhainistiú go sásúil, go bhfuil an t-éileamh ar a chuid táirgí ag méadú bliain i ndiaidh bliana agus go bhfuil dóthain feamainne ar fáil don chomhlacht i gcónaí. Tuigim go raibh sé soiléir don údarás nuair a glacadh le lán-úinéireacht ar an chomhlacht nach raibh an acmhainn nó an bunús saineolais eolaíochta ag Arramara Teo. chun leanúint ar aghaidh ar bhonn inmharthana sa mhargadh. Dá bhrí sin, cuireadh tús le próiseas sa bhliain 2007 chun comhghuaillíocht straitéiseach a aimsiú chun Arramara Teo. a fhorbairt don todhchaí. Bhí an t-údarás agus bord Arramara Teo. sásta gurb í sin an straitéis ab fhearr don chomhlacht. Bhí sé mar bhun-riachtanas go mbeadh saineolas ag aon pháirtí a roghnófaí a bheadh mar bhunchloch forbartha don chomhlacht chun forbairt a dhéanamh ar tháirgí breisluacha a chuirfeadh leis an tairbhe a bheadh sa chomhlacht don phobal ina bhfuil sé lonnaithe i gCill Chiaráin. Ceapadh comhairleoirí i mí lúil 2010 chun comhghuaillíocht straitéiseach a aimsiú a bheadh in ann an comhlacht a fhás agus a fhorbairt amach anseo. Tuigtear dom ón údarás go bhfuil an próiseas sin fós ar siúl agus go bhfuil spéis léirithe ag comhlachtaí Éireannacha agus idirnáisiúnta in Arramara Teo. Tuigim ón údarás fosta gur glacadh le moladh ag deireadh 2012 tréimhse de thrí mhí a thabhairt do bhord stiúrtha Arramara Teo. chun plean gnó cuimsitheach trí bliana a ullmhú agus a thástáil sula ndéanfaí cinneadh críochnúil faoi thodhchaí an chomhlachta i gcomhthéacs páirtí nó úinéir nua a aimsiú.
Mar fhocal scoir, tá mé thar a bheith dóchasach go rachaidh an próiseas atá idir lámha ag Údarás na Gaeltachta chun leasa an chomhlachta Arrramara Teo., a chuid fostaithe, lucht bainte feamainne agus na hearnála i gcoitinne. Aithníonn an t-údarás an poitéinseal fáis agus forbartha atá ag an earnáil nádúrtha seo agus is chuige sin atáthar ag féachaint chun bonn láidir a chur faoin chomhlacht don am amach romhainn.