I welcome the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources, Deputy Pat Rabbitte, to the House.
Adjournment Matters
Postcode Implementation
I welcome the Minister to the House.
I wish to raise the issue of post codes, a matter I raised on the Order of Business some weeks ago. I understand Ireland is one of the last remaining countries in Europe that does not have post codes in place. The process of introducing post codes was initiated in 2006 and in 2009 the then Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources, Eamon Ryan, said they would be in place by 2011, but nothing has happened to date.
The reason I raise the issue is that I am looking at it from an emergency services point of view more than anything else. I am aware it has other benefits from a postal delivery point of view.
In Dublin, if an ambulance does not arrive within eight minutes, it is almost a crime. Unfortunately, in rural Ireland, if one is lucky, one will have an ambulance in 45 minutes. Recently, I saw an ambulance passing through my town and going out my road. I stayed behind it and was curious as to whether there was an emergency in the area. I noticed the ambulance pull up on two occasions and each time it was seeking directions. On both occasions, the ambulance staff ended up talking to non-national ladies who did not really understand what they were looking for. I followed the ambulance and the staff eventually found our community park where an incident had occurred. This demonstrates the kind of difficulty we have when we do not have postcodes in place. We need them in place so that emergency services can pinpoint their destination accurately. This is a particular problem late at night when there is nobody around to provide directions to the emergency services. I would appreciate a response.
I thank Senator Kelly for raising this issue. I agree entirely with him that this is an important issue, not only for the critical area he has raised in respect of the emergency services. He is also correct in that Ireland is the only country in the European Union and the OECD area that does not have postcodes.
However, the Government is strongly committed to introducing a national postcode system in Ireland. In July 2009, the then Government approved the launch of a procurement process for a national postcode, based on the report of the national postcode project board. In 2010, the Department established a postcode steering group and appointed PA Consulting to assist it in introducing and implementing a national postcode system. During 2010, the Department undertook a wide-ranging consultation on the implementation of a national postcode system, but for some reason thereafter, the subject lost urgency. More that 60 different interested parties were met as part of that process and there was a unanimous welcome for the introduction of a nationwide postcode system. There is continued strong support in the commercial sector in particular for the development of a national postcode model to drive competitiveness in the broader economy and in turn contribute to a better jobs environment. Government Departments and agencies also see the benefit of postcodes in helping them deliver services to the public, especially in these challenging economic times. Senator Kelly has given an example of one such critical service.
The procurement process for postcodes began in January 2011, with the publication of a pre-qualification questionnaire on etenders.gov.ie. for the appointment of a postcode management licence holder. Since then, intensive work has taken place on what is an extremely complex national project with many different interdependent aspects to it.
The key general areas where benefits will be derived from a national postcode system include: improved efficiency and accuracy of internal business processes as a result of improved accuracy and consistency of databases across public and private sectors; delivery of improved efficiencies with regard to logistics, including emergency service response; better planning and analysis capabilities across public and private sectors; providing a stimulus to mail volumes through improved direct marketing capabilities; enabling organisations to improve existing services and-or develop new service offerings; and facilitating improved efficiencies and quality improvements in the mails sector. It is expected that a final tender in the postcode procurement process will be issued to all qualified bidders in the weeks immediately ahead. The proposals in response to that tender will, in turn, be evaluated by the postcode evaluation team, a preferred option will be chosen and a recommendation will be made to Government in September.
The final decision to proceed with the implementation of a national postcode will, of course, be one for Government and will be based on appropriate financial, technical and operational considerations. I cannot give a precise date for when this decision will be made, but I intend that it will be no later than the third quarter of this year.
National Wind Energy Strategy
The issue I am raising today is one that is close to Senator Kelly's heart, namely, wind farms and windmills. However, I am not requesting him to stay for this issue. I know his part of the country well and many of the windmills currently in the Roscommon-Sligo area are much smaller than what is being proposed for the midlands, which apparently include large parts of County Meath.
This issue has come to a head lately because of a number of projects that seem to have full Government approval. This is the perception with regard to massive windmills that will be erected in the midlands to provide power for the United Kingdom. Overall, one can see there are benefits for the country if it can generate electricity and make money from selling it to another country. In principle, this should be beneficial. However, in reality many of these projects are being undertaken by multinational companies with little connection to this country and very little of the benefit seems to come to the country. There is also very little consultation with residents. The situation regarding consultation is so bad that many residents in the areas where wind farms are proposed currently have no idea of what is going on.
I support the development of wind power and renewable energy, but we must take into account the genuine concerns of residents who have been asked to put up with gigantic wind turbines. One company has told me the turbine will reach 185 m, which is at least twice the height of many of the existing windmills. When Fianna Fáil was in power, it laid the foundations for using clean, renewable, sustainable power sources and that work continues. It is important we continue that work and that we recognise the reality of climate change. The main issue for people is the inexcusable lack of correspondence and consultation with local residents. This is coupled with the perception that the Government is pushing and endorsing wind farms at an early stage. I hope the Minister can contradict that perception. At least, he should set out the Government position on the existing projects.
Another issue is that planning guidelines regarding wind turbines are hopelessly out of date and date from a time when the technology in use now was not available. The technology proposed for these high turbines does not even exist here currently. Residents in the areas of Carlanstown, Oristown, Moynalty, Nobber and Kilbeg parish area have contacted me about their serious concerns, particularly concerns about the Greenwire project. First, there is a lack of information. They are also concerned at the proximity of many of the proposed sites to their homes. Although the proposed sites have not been officially revealed, everybody on the ground seems to know the exact locations.
Another issue the Greenwire and Element Power company must deal with is that this is creating a lack of public confidence in the process. People are also concerned about noise pollution. They want to know what is going on and want to see whether there is a better way of doing this. I understand some counties have, on their own initiative, set out certain areas which are suitable for wind power and I understand those areas are far from population centres and are generally non-controversial. However, in County Meath it is proposed to put many of these wind turbines close to centres of population. I attended a public information meeting hosted by Greenwire in Carlanstown recently and it was clear that most of the people in the area did not even know the meeting was taking place and knew nothing at all about the proposed project.
We must have more consultation. Yesterday, the Fianna Fáil leader, Deputy Martin, raised this issue in the Dáil, but the Taoiseach did not seem to be aware of the lack of consultation. I have written to An Bord Pleanála to ask it to get Element Power to reopen and restart the consultation process so as to inform the public of what is going on. I suggested that a turbine of 185 m be constructed or laid out on the ground to show people what is involved and give them some idea of what is proposed.
I understand it is proposed to locate approximately 50 wind turbines in the general Kilbeg area of County Meath. Pylons are also being routed through the this tiny rural parish, which will become a hub for electricity export and import. That two major projects in one small rural area are going through the strategic infrastructure process should give pause for thought. The current strategy must be reconsidered because the area is not suitable for this purpose. I am aware the process is still at an early stage but the Government must set out its position on the issue. I look forward to the Minister's contribution.
There has been significant development in the wind energy sector in Ireland in recent years. Since 2003, approximately 1,250 turbines in 150 wind farms across 22 counties have been commissioned, with a total capacity of 1,738 MW. Wind energy has been the largest driver of growth in renewable electricity, contributing most towards the achievement of the target for 2020 to deliver 40% of electricity demand from renewable sources. Estimates for 2012 indicate the current level is approaching 20%.
The 2020 target will not be achieved without an increase in wind energy development from an historical average of 180 MW per annum to at least 250 MW per annum. The timely development of a healthy pipeline of potential wind projects is essential if Ireland's 2020 renewable electricity targets are to be achieved. Non-achievement will result in compliance costs and the purchase of emissions permits. The Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland has estimated that compliance costs could amount to between €100 million and €150 million per annum for each percentage point shortfall in renewable energy, with a further €250 million in emissions permit purchases. This could also undermine Ireland's opportunity to potentially export renewable energy to the United Kingdom to assist in meeting its 2020 renewable electricity targets.
Development in the wind energy sector is underpinned by a clear policy framework. The national renewable energy action plan sets out the Government's approach and concrete measures to deliver on Ireland's overall 16% renewables target under Directive 2009/28/EC, to which the 40% renewable electricity target makes an important contribution. My Department's Strategy for Renewable Energy 2012-2020 has the strategic goal of having progressively more renewable electricity from onshore and offshore wind power for domestic and export markets.
With regard to export markets, the Deputy will be aware that in January of this year the United Kingdom Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change, Mr. Edward Davey, and I signed a memorandum of understanding on energy co-operation. This will result in completion of consideration of how Irish renewable energy resources, onshore and offshore, could be developed to the mutual benefit of Ireland and the United Kingdom, and will determine whether it is beneficial for both countries to enter into an intergovernmental agreement under the renewable energy directive to provide for renewable energy trading. An agreed programme of work is already under way to prepare for the intergovernmental agreement. This work programme includes economic analysis, addressing policy and regulatory questions and dealing with grid issues. While highly complex engineering and market issues need to be teased out, the ambition is to settle on an intergovernmental agreement in early 2014. If such an agreement is entered into, the potential employment opportunities will be significant.
New wind farms, whether for the domestic or export market, will be subject to the Planning and Development Acts, including the requirements for public consultation, irrespective of the source of funding for their construction. Best practice wind energy guidelines were published in 2006. Currently, the Department of the Environment, Community and Local Government, in conjunction with my Department and other stakeholders, is undertaking a targeted review of certain aspects of the 2006 guidelines. This review will examine the manner in which the guidelines address key issues of community concern such as noise, separation distance and shadow flicker, to ensure Ireland continues to meet its renewable energy targets and exploits potential export opportunities while ensuring wind energy does not have a negative impact on local communities. In addition, the 2012 Government policy statement on the strategic importance of transmission and other energy infrastructure emphasises the importance of public and local community acceptance; adherence to national and international standards in designing and constructing energy networks and infrastructure; early consultation and engagement with local communities; and building community gain considerations into energy infrastructure planning and budgeting.
I intend to establish an overarching strategic policy framework, with a spatial dimension, for wind development in Ireland. This will be underpinned by a strategic environmental assessment. Work on this framework will begin in the near future with a view to completion in 2014. There is a clear framework for the development of wind energy, which is to be supplemented in the coming year. This will assist in realising the various goals I have outlined.
To be fair to the Minister, his reply has been helpful. However, he should have a public consultation on the review of the planning guidelines. This is especially important given the significant changes in technology that have taken place in recent years. I ask that the companies in question withdraw their projects from the planning process until the guidelines have been reviewed. It appears they are seeking to have the planning process concluded as quickly as possible using guidelines that have become obsolete. I ask the Minister to take this into account. In County Meath, the area between Kells and Navan to the east of the old N3 is to become a hub for the export of energy. Pylons for a major EirGrid project and wind farms will all be located in one area. It is madness that at a time when the Conservative Party, the dominant partner in the UK's coalition government, is trying to ban the construction of wind farms, we are planning to build wind farms to export energy to Britain.
I ask the Minister to consider the issues I have raised. While his statement is reasonable, much work remains to be done. The companies involved should withdraw their planning applications until the Government has completed this work.
There is a good deal of dúirt bean liom go ndúirt bean léi about this issue, which is surrounded by myths. It is not true, for example, that England - Scotland is a leading player in renewable energy, especially wind - has banned wind farms, although it is true that some Tory backbench MPs representing the shires make a great deal of noise about the issue. Last year alone, more wind turbines were erected in England than have been erected in this country since 2003.
As to the Deputy's request that the planning guidelines be offered for public consultation, the guidelines went out to advertised public consultation and an extensive response was received. My colleague, the Minister of State with responsibility for this matter, Deputy Jan O'Sullivan, is teasing through the responses with the co-operation of officials in my Department. While I do not know how quickly she believes she will complete this work and promulgate the new guidelines, I do not suppose she will hang about on the issue.
The Senator has a point about local communities being surprised by planning applications. There is nothing the Government, and probably the political parties in the House, would want to do about the situation. If someone is minded to visit Moynalty or some other area and make a local farmer or landowner a bid in respect of options to erect a mobile telephone mast or wind turbine, the resulting transaction will be private. It is somewhat unfortunate that people may learn of it only after the event. However, all applications arising from such transactions must go through the planning process.
In respect of the discussions that have grown up around the development of an export sector in this country, I have been engaged with my opposite number in Westminster in putting in place the basis of a framework that can facilitate trade between the two countries. The relevant European directive requires there be an intergovernmental agreement in place. We have signed a memorandum of understanding and our respective officials are hammering away at the nuts and bolts of changing that into an intergovernmental agreement. The economics of it must stack up but it would appear that because we have a wealth of such resources, we have a capacity to generate more electricity than we need. We can only generate more electricity than we need if we can export it because broadly speaking it cannot be stored. We are in the fortuitous situation that we have the capacity to generate more than we need and Britain has a need for green energy to help it to meet its renewable targets and its appetite for energy. It is a win-win situation for both countries.
There is a lot of work to do with the nitty gritty of striking a bargain and Senators have been more moderate in their criticisms than some of the noise I heard in the other House, including one party that deplores my giving away natural resources, especially, as one Deputy put it at the last Question Time, "to the Brits". If I was in London selling beef, no one would complain in Meath. Similarly this is a commodity that it would be economic to trade. If it is, it will create jobs and wealth on this island and meet a demand on the other island. In the meantime, all projects must go through the planning process.
I am moderate about this because we only found out about it about three weeks ago in County Meath so we are still getting to grips with it. That is the position for the public and I would be grateful if the Government would consider that when thinking about the issue.
Acht na dTeangacha Oifigiúla
Táim thar a bheith buíoch den Aire Stáit as ucht teacht isteach ar an gceist thábhachtach seo tráthnóna. Tá Acht na dTeangacha Oifigiúla againn le riar maith blianta agus tá an Coimisinéir Teanga i bhfeidhm sa Stát agus ag déanamh togha na hoibre, agus na daoine atá ag obair san oifig leis. Tá dul chun cinn suntasach déanta ó tugadh an t-aitheantas oifigiúil sin don teanga ó thaobh reachtaíocht Stáit de. Tá sé fógartha ag an Aire Stáit go bhfuil sé chun athbhreithniú a dhéanamh ar an Acht, agus táimid ag fanacht tréimhse fhada anois i ndáiríre leis an athbhreithniú céanna - mí Eanáir 2012 a cuireadh deireadh leis an bpróiseas comhairliúcháin a bhí ann maidir leis an Acht. Tuigtear dom go bhfuair an Roinn thart ar 1,400 suirbhé isteach mar chuid den phróiseas sin agus riar maith aighneachtaí a bhaineann leis an bpróiseas comhairliúcháin. Táim ag déanamh fíor-iontais. Ní dóigh liom go raibh a leithéid de chomhairliúchán poiblí ann nuair nár foilsíodh na torthaí chomh fada seo tar éis don chomhairliúchán a bheith thart. Cén fáth nach bhfuil sin tarlaithe?
Tá sé fíor-thábhachtach sula gcuirfear reachtaíocht nua i bhfeidhm go dtógfar tuairimí an phobail ar bord mar ní fiú bheith ag iarraidh tuairimí an phobail mura bhfuil an tAire Stáit chun aird a thabhairt orthu. Shílfeadh duine go bhfoilseodh an Rialtas na torthaí sa phróiseas comhairliúcháin sin, na haighneachtaí a bhfuarthas agus an scag a rinne an Roinn mar bhunús don reachtaíocht nua seo atá le cur i bhfeidhm.
Tá daoine eile amuigh ansin atá níos ciniciúla ná mé féin a déarfadh gurb é an fáth nach bhfuil an Rialtas ag foilsiú na dtorthaí ná nach maith leis na torthaí sin a tháinig isteach. Daoine eile a bheadh ciniciúil a déarfadh gur mí-éifeacht atá sa Roinn. Ní déarfainn féin sin ach sin an rud atá daoine a rá liom amuigh i measc phobal na Gaeilge, go bhfuil fíor-iontas orthu nach bhfuil na rudaí seo tagtha chun cinn. Is dócha go bhfuil míshástacht orthu chomh maith céanna maidir leis an gcaoi go bhfuil an Roinn faoi láthair ag feidhmiú Acht na dTeangacha Oifigiúla. Tá a fhios againn go maith go gcuireann Acht na dTeangacha Oifigiúla dualgas ar gach Roinn Stáit, eagras Stáit agus comhlacht poiblí scéim teanga a chur i bhfeidhm a chuireann in iúl cad a dhéanfaidh siad maidir le cur chun cinn na Gaeilge de réir forálacha an Achta.
De réir mar a thuigim, tá 75% de na scéimeanna sin in éag faoi láthair. Tá os cionn 100 de na scéimeanna suite ar deasc sa Roinn ag fanacht le daingniú. Ní léiríonn sin dom go bhfuil an tAire Stáit chomh diongbháilte sin ó thaobh chur i bhfeidhm an Achta. Tá múinín á dháileadh ag daoine san Aire Stáit mar Aire Stáit ó thaobh chur i bhfeidhm Acht na dTeangacha Oifigiúla agus go bhfuil an-mhíshástacht ann faoi sin. Sin an fáth gur chuir mé an cheist seo síos. Bliain ó mhí Eanáir seo caite, bhí deireadh leis an bpróiseas comhairliúcháin, fuair an tAire Stáit na haighneachtaí, dúirt sé sna Tithe seo níos túisce i mbliana go raibh sé i gceist aige cinn Bhille a fhoilsiú i mbliana agus roimh go bhfoilseofaí an t-athbhreithniú sin. Tá sé thar am go dtiocfaidh sin chun cinn, tá sé thar am go mbeadh plé iomlán sna Tithe seo ar chur i bhfeidhm an Achta. Bheinn ag súil, agus cuireadh cuid mhaith aighneachtaí isteach ón phobal, daoine a bhí ag iarraidh go láidreofaí an tAcht agus go gcuirfí leis seachas lagú a dhéanamh ar na forálacha.
Tá súil agam go bhfuil dea-scéala ag an Aire Stáit dúinn anocht agus go gcuirfidh sé in iúl dúinn faoi dheireadh thiar thall cathain go bhfuil sé i gceist aige na torthaí seo a fhoilsiú bliain go leith tar éis don obair a bheith faighte aige. Is féidir linn ansin dul i mbun díospóireachta agus an tAcht a athdhréachtú i gcomhair lena chéile go ndéanfar cinnte go gcuirfear an Ghaeilge san áit a ba cheart di bheith ann sa reachtaíocht.
Fáiltím roimh an deis labhairt sa Teach inniu maidir leis an athbhreithniú ar Acht na dTeangacha Oifigiúla 2003. Ba mhaith liom an deis seo a thapú chun mo bhuíochas a chur in iúl do Bhaill an Tí seo mar gheall ar an spéis atá léirithe acu san ábhar seo.
Síníodh Acht na dTeangacha Oifigiúla 2003 ina dhlí ar 14 Iúil 2003. Is é príomhaidhm an Achta a chinntiú go gcuirtear feabhas ar sholáthar seirbhísí poiblí trí Ghaeilge. Ainneoin stádas bhunreachtúil na Gaeilge mar phríomhtheanga oifigiúil an Stáit, cuireann an tAcht creat reachtúil ar fáil den chéad uair do sholáthar seirbhísí i nGaeilge ag comhlachtaí poiblí.
Déantar foráil san Acht do sholáthar seirbhísí poiblí trí Ghaeilge ar thrí bhealach: trí fhorálacha an Achta atá infheidhme maidir le gach comhlacht poiblí faoin Acht; trí rialacháin a dhéanann an tAire Ealaíon, Oidhreachta agus Gaeltachta atá infheidhme freisin maidir le gach comhlacht poiblí faoin Acht; agus trí scéimeanna teanga, a aontaítear le gach comhlacht poiblí ar leith agus a fhorálann do mhéadú de réir a chéile ar líon agus ar chaighdeán na seirbhísí a chuireann an comhlacht poiblí sin ar fáil trí Ghaeilge.
Cinntíonn an tAcht freisin go gcuirtear ar fáil bunchearta tábhachtacha teanga maidir le húsáid na Gaeilge agus an Bhéarla sna cúirteanna agus i dTithe an Oireachtais. Tugann sé bunús reachtúil do logainmneacha oifigiúla an Stáit agus cuireann sé córas i bhfeidhm le monatóireacht a dhéanamh ar ghéilliúlacht na n-eagras Stáit don reachtaíocht agus córas le gearáin faoi sháruithe ar dhualgais reachtúla teanga a fhiosrú agus a réiteach.
Bunaíodh Oifig an Choimisinéara Teanga faoin Acht sa bhliain 2004. Is iad príomhfheidhmeanna na hoifige sin ná monatóireacht a dhéanamh ar an gcaoi a bhfuil forálacha an Achta á gcomhlíonadh ag comhlachtaí poiblí, agus bearta riachtanacha a dhéanamh chun a chinntiú go gcomhlíonfaidh comhlachtaí poiblí a ndualgais faoin Acht. Tá ról tábhachtach ag Oifig an Choimisinéara Teanga maidir le comhairle agus cúnamh a sholáthar do chomhlachtaí poiblí agus don phobal i gcoitinne maidir le feidhmiú fhorálacha éagsúla an Achta.
Ar ndóigh, tá an Coimisinéir Teanga neamhspleách i gcomhlíonadh a chuid feidhmeanna. Mar atá a fhios ag an Teach, thóg an Rialtas cinneadh Oifig an Choimisinéara Teanga a chónascadh le hOifig an Ombudsman, mar chuid de réimse gníomhartha athchóirithe faoi phlean athchóirithe an Rialtais don tseirbhís phoiblí a foilsíodh i mí na Samhna 2011. Déanfar an cinneadh sin a chur i gcrích i gcomhthéacs na leasuithe reachtúla ar an Acht atá á mbeartú. Sa chomhthéacs seo, ní miste dom a threisiú arís go leanfaidh Coimisinéir Teanga, a bheidh ceaptha go reachtúil agus a bheidh lonnaithe sa Ghaeltacht, ag feidhmiú cumhachtaí reatha an Choimisinéara Teanga go neamhspleách faoi Acht na dTeangacha Oifigiúla 2003. D'eascair an t-athbhreithniú ar an Acht as an ngealltanas seo a leanas a tugadh i gclár an Rialtais:
Déanfaimid athbhreithniú ar Acht na dTeangacha Oifigiúla chun a chinntiú go mbainfear an leas is fearr as caiteachas ar an teanga chun an teanga a fhorbairt agus chun a chinntiú go bhforchuirtear dualgais go cuí de réir éilimh ó shaoránaigh.
Ba iad aidhmeanna an athbhreithnithe dá réir, a chinntiú gur meicníocht éifeachtach é an tAcht a thacaíonn le forbairt na Gaeilge ar bhealach atá éifeachtach agus éifeachtúil ó thaobh costais de agus go bhfuil na dualgais a eascraíonn ón Acht cuí chun soláthar sásúil seirbhísí trí Ghaeilge ag comhlachtaí poiblí a chinntiú, de réir an éilimh atá orthu ón bpobal. Mar chuid den athbhreithniú, glacadh comhairle le príomhpháirtithe leasmhara éagsúla lena n-áirítear Oifig an Choimisinéara Teanga, Ranna Rialtais, eagraíochtaí Gaeilge agus Gaeltachta agus an pobal i gcoitinne. Mar atá curtha in iúl agam cheana don Oireachtas, fuarthas os cionn 1,400 freagra ar shuirbhé agus 262 aighneacht le linn an phróisis chomhairligh.
Beidh a fhios ag an Seanadóir ó chlár reachtaíochta an Rialtais, go bhfuil sé beartaithe Bille a fhoilsiú i mbliana ina ndéanfar foráil do na leasuithe ar Acht na dTeangacha Oifigiúla 2003. Tá na céimeanna cuí idir lámha ag mo Roinn faoi láthair chun cinn an Bhille seo a dhréachtú. Táthar ag súil na dréacht-chinn a chur faoi bhráid an Rialtais a luaithe agus is féidir. Tá na moltaí éagsúla a fuarthas i dtaca leis an athbhreithniú ar an Acht curtha san áireamh mar chuid de phróiseas ullmhúcháin na reachtaíochta seo. Déanfar ábhar cuí ón phróiseas comhairligh poiblí a fhoilsiú ar shuíomh gréasáin mo Roinne in am trátha i dteannta le cinn an Bhille. Níl amhras ar bith orm go n-aontaíonn gach duine liom nuair a deirim go bhfuil tábhacht agus fiúntas ag baint le hAcht na dTeangacha Oifigiúla, 2003. Ag an am céanna, ní miste a aithint go bhfuil an tAcht sin i bhfeidhm le deich mbliana anuas. Is iomaí cor atá tagtha inár gcinniúint ó shin i leith. Tá sé tráthúil go ndéanfaimis athbhreithniú ar an Acht dá réir. Tá mé sásta go gcuideoidh an t-athbhreithniú atá déanta go mór le héifeachtacht an Achta sa todhchaí. Tá mé ag súil mar sin le teacht ar ais os comhair an Tí seo chomh luath agus atá na céimeanna ullmhúcháin cuí go léir curtha i gcrích, le Bille chun an Acht a leasú a chur faoi bhur mbráid.
Gabhaim buíochas leis an Aire Stáit ach, i ndáiríre, tá sé ar nós a bheith ag éisteacht le sean-cheirnín atá casta arís agis arís eile. Níl tada nua sa bhfreagra. Tá an Rialtas ag tarraingt na gcos. Tá sé cruthaithe arís anocht go bhfuil sé seo curtha ar an méar fhada. Iarraim ar an Aire Stáit an 1,400 freagra agus an 262 aighneacht a bhaineann le Acht na dTeangacha Oifigiúla a fhoilsiú roimh dheireadh na míosa seo chugainn, sula scoireann an Dáil agus an Seanad. Níl aon athrú chun teacht orthu. D'fhéadfadh muid scagadh agus plé a dhéanamh orthu. Iarraim ar an Aire Stáit iad a fhoilsiú seachas teacht isteach chun an seanphort céanna a insint dúinn an t-am ar fad. De réir an fhreagra seo, níl aon dul chun cinn déanta seachas na rudaí atá cloiste againn sna meáin agus sna Tithe seo le sé mhí anuas.
Ní aontaím ar chor ar bith leis an Seanadóir. Tá sé ar sodar mar a bheadh capall ar mire. Caithfidh an Seanadóir a thuiscint go mbaineann próiséas an-tábhachtach le reachtaíocht a thabhairt isteach sa Teach. Nuair a bheidh sé anseo tamall eile, is dócha go mbeidh níos mó eolais aige ar chúrsaí Rialtais. Téann na rudaí seo ar aghaidh céim ar chéim - go mall righin réidh - cosúil le muilte Dé, a meileann go mall ach go mín ag an am céanna. Tá an reachtaíocht ag teacht isteach. Tá sé ar chlár an Rialtais. Tá na haighneachtaí againn. Tá sé ráite agam go ndéanfaimid iad a fhoilsiú nuair a bheidh cinn an Bhille á fhoilsiú againn. Ní fíor a rá ar chor ar bith nár ghlac muid comhairle agus é seo á ullmhú againn. Thugamar cuireadh don phobal mór Gaelach a gcuid aighneachtaí a chur isteach. Fuarthas 1,400 freagra agus 262 aighneacht.
Cén fáth nach bhfuil siad á bhfoilsiú ag an Aire Stáit?
Is é an t-aon ghearán atá ag an Seanadóir ná nach bhfuil siad aige.
Is mian liom iad a fheiceáil.
Caithfidh an Seanadóir foighne a bheith aige agus fanacht go dtí go dtiocfaidh an reachtaíocht tríd de réir mar a luíonn sé le clár reachtaíochta an Rialtais. Ní ghlacaim ar fad go bhfuil-----
Mair, a chapaill, agus gheobhair féar.
Tá an seanphort céanna ag an Seanadóir i gcónaí.
Mair, a chapaill, agus gheobhair féar.
Deireann sé nach bhfuil aon rud ceart anseo agus go bhfuil gach rud mícheart. Ní dóigh leis go mbeidh aon rud ceart sa Teach seo go dtí go mbeidh sé ina shuí sa chathaoir seo.
Beidh an Seanad scortha faoin am sin.
Caithfidh mé a rá go bhfuil cúpla Becher's Brook le déanamh aige roimhe sin.
Gan dabht.
Tá cúpla rud lé déanamh aige sula dtarlóidh sé sin.
We must move on to the next matter, which is in the name of Senator Higgins.
Gabh mo leithscéal, a Chathaoirligh. Tá mé ag iarraidh ceacht a mhúineadh don Seanadóir maidir le cúrsaí reachtaíochta in Oireachtas Éireann.
Suicide Prevention
I thank the Minister of State for coming to the House to discuss the possibility of implementing a policy that would undoubtedly assist the safety and well-being of Irish teenagers. I raised this issue in the Seanad a number of months ago. As we know, the issues of bullying and suicide are persisting right across the country and, unfortunately, are remaining prevalent among teenagers. I feel that every channel of communication must be examined to raise awareness of these problems, which are reaching unacceptable levels in our society. Information on helplines needs to be easily accessible to those who need such services most. It is vital for this critical information, which could save the life of a teenager or anybody else, to be readily available to such people. Therefore, I ask the Minister of State to indicate whether he agrees that information on suicide prevention and anti-bullying helplines should be printed on the back covers of all secondary school books. This information should contain the telephone numbers and website details of all relevant bodies and organisations that provide anti-bullying and suicide prevention measures. I would like the Minister of State to indicate whether he is amenable to the implementation of an initiative that would ensure helpline information is printed on all secondary school books and manuals used for present and future curriculums for secondary school students.
I thank Senator Higgins for raising this matter in the House. I am responding on behalf of my colleague, the Minister for Education and Skills. I am conscious that youth suicide is a serious issue. I accept that schools can play a role in suicide prevention. There is a need to ensure the education system is more responsive to those with emotional or mental health difficulties. The Senator may be familiar with the guidelines entitled Well-Being in Post-Primary Schools: Guidelines for Mental Health Promotion and Suicide Prevention that were launched by the Minister, Deputy Quinn, last January. The guidelines, which were developed by the Department of Education and Skills in conjunction with the Department of Health, are informed by consultation with key education partners and the findings of recent research. They provide practical guidance to post-primary schools on how they can promote mental health and well-being in an integrated way. They also provide evidence-based advice on how to support young people who may be at risk of suicidal behaviour.
The guidelines have been developed to bring coherence to and build on the multitude of practices that are already in place in schools to promote well-being. They emphasise the need to integrate all elements by taking a co-ordinated, whole-school approach to the promotion of positive mental health. This involves building and integrating school self-evaluation processes, implementing the social, personal and health education curriculum, developing whole-school guidance plans, adopting the National Educational Psychological Service continuum of support and building effective inter-agency relationships. Support for schools will be integrated into existing continuing professional development work plans for the social, personal and health education support service. It will be co-ordinated nationally in collaboration with the National Educational Psychological Service and the HSE to ensure there is a streamlined approach.
Copies of the guidelines have been circulated to school authorities. In addition, the Minister for Education and Skills, together with the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs, Deputy Fitzgerald, launched an action plan on bullying in January of this year. Work has commenced in consultation with the education partners and is progressing well on the 12 actions outlined in the plan. Implementation will continue in the coming months.
I can inform the Senator that the Department of Education and Skills, with the active participation of the Irish Educational Publishers' Association, IEPA, has developed a number of notices for students focusing on well-being, suicide prevention and anti-bullying supports available to them and highlighting information sources or contacts for general and crisis support. The IEPA has agreed with its members to include these notices as appropriate in the broad range of student publications produced by its members annually. The full effect of this co-operative venture will be seen in 2014 and 2015, with the notices being placed in up to 1,000 mainstream publications used by primary and post-primary students. I would like to place on record the thanks of the Minister for Education and Skills to the IEPA for its support in this venture.
I thank the Minister of State for his response. I am delighted to learn of this latest initiative to deal with an issue I raised some months ago as a result of lobbying from people in my area. It was great to be able to bring it to the floor of the House and now to see that something so positive is being enacted as a consequence.
Teenagers are our future. I was one, as indeed was the Minister of State, which means we know exactly how important they are in shaping our future. To be fair to the Ministers for Education and Skills and Children and Youth Affairs, the Department has followed several great initiatives. This is one of its best. I am delighted to learn that this matter has been followed right through. I also commend the IEPA on what it is doing in this regard because one life lost is one too many, so well done to all involved.
I thank the Senator for her supportive remarks, which will be brought to the Minister's attention. It is good to see that there is co-operation among several Departments in dealing with this very serious problem. There is a recognition that there is a serious problem and there is a co-ordinated approach among several Departments to get to grips with the serious situation that has brought tragedy to so many lives and families. I thank the Senator for giving us the opportunity to debate this problem here this afternoon.
The Seanad adjourned at 3.54 p.m. until 2.30 p.m. on Tuesday, 25 June 2013.