The Order of Business is No. 1, Thirty-second Amendment of the Constitution (Abolition of Seanad Éireann) Bill 2013 - Report Stage (resumed), to be taken at the conclusion of the Order of Business and conclude not later than 4 p.m.; No. 2, motion re statement for information of voters with regard to the Thirty-second Amendment of the Constitution (Abolition of Seanad Éireann) Bill 2013, to be taken without debate at the conclusion of No. 1; No.3, Construction Contracts Bill 2010 [Seanad Bill amended by the Dáil] - Report Stage, to be taken at 4.30 p.m. and conclude not later than 5.30 p.m.; and No. 4, Protection of Life During Pregnancy Bill 2013 - Report Stage (resumed), to be taken at 5.30 p.m. and conclude not later than 8 p.m.
Order of Business
I realise time is short but, in the context of the new session, I call for a series of early debates as the budget preparations are under way. Reports of horse trading have made it into the public domain. Fine Gael is happy to cut child benefit and the Labour Minister, Deputy Burton, is reluctant to do so. On this occasion we might consider adding to the burden of those best placed to take it, those on incomes over €100,000. There were Labour, Sinn Féin and Fianna Fáil proposals to do that in last year's budget preparations rather than hitting the most vulnerable, such as those with a disability or in receipt of mobility grants or child care payments, which are needed for regular life payments. With households feeling the pinch, people are spending up to €67 less per week on groceries for their homes. We must make sure that, in preparing the budget, those best placed to meet the burden are those we ask to do so. Child benefit is not the correct place to start.
I welcome that Permanent TSB is making offers to people on split mortgages. It is many years since we started talking about this and calling for it to happen in a meaningful way. Some evidence indicates it is happening with Permanent TSB. However, the silence from the other four banks is deafening. Ulster Bank has loosely said it has met its target under the conditions set by the Central Bank. Making an offer to someone includes offering the assisted foreclosure of the house. As with other times, I do not trust the banks. They are packed with individuals who are family, friends and neighbours of us all but, collectively, the banks are only interested in the bottom line, not the families of Ireland, which is the responsibility of these Houses.
The Seanad is in its second last day and has a packed schedule but early in the new session perhaps we can have a debate to review progress and see whether banks have engaged in a meaningful way as it appears Permanent TSB has set out to do. The silence of the four banks in the past number of days is deafening and is evidence of the superficiality with which they have engaged heretofore. I fear they will continue to engage with the people of Ireland in that way.
Every Senator shares Senator MacSharry's desire to have a debate on the budget and I am sure the Leader will endeavour to facilitate it as soon as we return. One of the problems with debating the budget is the flying of kites between Government parties. The matter of who is saying what to whom becomes tedious.
I welcome the prompt response of the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources,, Deputy Rabbitte, in respect of the matters raised about pornography on the Internet. It is good to hear him saying he welcomes the remarks made by the ISPCC. We could have a debate about how the Internet has changed our lives, the lives of our children and the vulnerability of those children to things on the Internet.
It is interesting to observe that the Russians have invested thousands of dollars buying typewriters because they have realised the Internet is no longer a safe place to do secret business. They have gone back to the old ways of using typewriters and papers to ensure some level of secrecy is kept. Perhaps there is something in that for the rest of us.
I would like to take the opportunity to welcome the royal baby. It raises a matter discussed here recently, paternity leave. In the modern age, it is important paternity leave is something we discuss again and that we insist on. Under the modern monarchy in the UK, Prince William will have paternity leave from the RAF to spend time with his wife and their son. I am sure we all wish them well.
I welcome Senator Hildegarde Naughton. Most Senators did that yesterday and I personally extend my warm wishes to her. The rules of this classroom are rather different from the ones she is familiar with. She may bring some of her rules and discipline to bear on this House and that would be welcome.
The rules are broken here. That is the only problem.
I propose an amendment to the Order of Business, "That No. 11 be taken before No. 1". I join the congratulations given by the acting leader of the Labour Party in the House, Senator O'Keeffe, to Senator Mary Ann O'Brien on introducing the very important topic of the access of young children to extreme forms of pornography. However, I cannot congratulate the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources, Deputy Rabbitte. I am glad Senator O'Keeffe mentioned it. Despite the fact that this measure originated in the House, in his lengthy discussion the Minister scrupulously avoided any mention of Seanad Éireann or Senator Mary Ann O'Brien.
Hear, hear.
Is that not interesting? It is par for the course. I would love a debate on the budget and I would love to have the budget a few days before the referendum on the Senate. We all know it will be a stinker of a budget and the timing of this is very clearly done. There is a continuing usurpation of democratic forces. The schedule that this must be taken after we conclude the Bill, No. 2 on the Order Paper, purports to be an information service to the people of Ireland but is another example of the usurpation. It is a function of the referendum commission. How dare the Government stick its nose into it. It is grossly partisan and wrong.
I have compared what is going on here to Grattan's Parliament and the way it was suborned. There was bribery and corruption and bullying. I have mentioned, and I believe it to be true, that jobs, promotion and preferment are on offer and that is one of the things that is corrupt in this House. The Government is up to its ears in it. Will the Leader have an investigation into the allegation of Senator Landy? For the first time, money has been specifically mentioned and financial inducements to travel to America. I do not know which side it was but it does not matter to me.
It was not this side.
It was not us.
It is completely wrong. I see lots of smiling in the other side.
Does the Senator have a question for the Leader?
Yes, I have asked the question and I am supporting it. There has been a serious allegation of an attempt to bribe a Member of this House and I would like to know the truth of it. I would like to know the names of the people involved and I would like the investigation also-----
It is not relevant to the Order of Business.
-----to track the preferment, the jobs and other inducements offered to people. It is an exact replica of Grattan's Parliament. The corruption must be exposed and if it was the last thing the House did, it would be a service to the people of Ireland.
A Chathaoirligh, ba mhaith liom buíochas ar leith a ghabháil leat agus le Baill an tSeanaid as ucht an fháilte chroíúil agus an dea-ghuí a tugadh dom. It is a great honour for me to be appointed to the House and I thank the Members for their good wishes and warm welcome. I look forward to working with them in a positive and constructive manner in the national interest and in the interest of the people of Galway West.
I ask the Leader to organise a debate on the Irish overseas and the diaspora.
I spoke on this issue previously and Fianna Fáil has produced a policy paper on it. We seek the appointment of a Minister with responsibility for the Irish overseas and the diaspora. We have the largest diaspora in the world, ahead of India, Poland and Israel, yet we do not have anyone in government specifically in charge of this huge resource for the Irish people. The Irish overseas are immensely proud of their heritage, but we do not seem to be as immensely proud of them as they are of us. I am looking for an early debate on this issue and to see how we can engage in a constructive manner not only on issues of investment but on culture, education and a range of issues. We have 70 million people overseas and the nearly 3 million of those who hold Irish passports and live outside the State should be entitled to vote. We should address that issue also. Any republic that denies any citizen the right to vote cannot truly call itself a republic.
Following up on the point Senator Daly raised, there is good deal of merit in having a Minister of State with responsibility for the Irish overseas. I support the call for a debate not only on the Irish overseas but more specifically on the undocumented Irish in the United States and on what is happening in that respect. There are many positive developments but we have seen many false dawns. I would like the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade to come into the House in early September to update the House on what is being done at Government level and formally and informally to assist our friends on Capitol Hill who are trying to get legislation over the line that will help the 50,000 of our citizens who are undocumented in the United States.
I also support the call by Senator MacSharry for a pre-budget debate. To be fair to the Leader, this House has been very active in having pre-budget debates in the past few years. As I have said previously, I would very much subscribe to a process whereby the Budget Statement would be a summing up of our full deliberations that would take place in Parliament in the months prior to the budget. Under the current process the budget is effectively the opening shot. If Parliament is to be properly reformed and to mean something radical, we would have a completely changed structure where all the various committees and interests, whether it be in the area of education, tourism, arts, culture, housing or the environment, would debate the worthwhile budget submissions we receive, recommendations would be made to the Minister on areas where effective cost savings and spending programmes would be initiated and the Minister would sum up that and that would be the end of the process, as opposed to the beginning of it. I appreciate that would constitute radical reform and it may not happen in the lifetime of this Government but we should debate it.
I rise to congratulate Young Fine Gael in Kilkenny on its refusal to support the abolition of this House.
Senators
Hear, hear.
They are an example to old Fine Gael, middle-aged Fine Gael and senile Fine Gael.
Phil Hogan's Fine Gael.
It was done in the Minister, Phil Hogan's, home city at the Garret FitzGerald Summer School. Garret's spirit must have been there. I am sure he would be very proud of those young people.
I remind the Senator that we do not have any political broadcasts in the Chamber.
The Senator is not broadcasting on behalf of Fine Gael, rather he is broadcasting against it.
I would like to echo the words of the Pope and Joe Connolly: "Young people of Ireland, we love you."
Following on from what Senator Barrett said, as a former national chairman - the current title being president - of Young Fine Gael-----
Was it around then?
That is a long time ago.
-----I left the organisation with a degree of independence and there has not been a change in that respect since the day I left it. I am delighted that level of independence has remained.
I wish to raise the report published by the ESRI, Growing Up in Ireland, in terms of the issue of child care. It is an interesting report that comprises a study of more than 11,000 infants. In terms of the level of child care, its findings are interesting in that only one in five child care employees have a HETAC or third level qualification and 50% of child minders and 80% of relatives have no child care related qualification. One of the findings of the study is that while we have the fourth highest rate of child benefit in the 27 member states of the EU, we do not have the same level of affordable and accessible child care. We should have a debate on this issue in the next term because it is an area where much more long-term planning is required and we need to change the policy direction in this area. I ask the Leader to arrange for a debate on this matter for next term.
The Leader will know that last week a few hundred former Waterford Crystal workers protested outside Leinster House for their rights and for their pensions to be paid to them. Unfortunately, despite the best efforts of an all-party Oireachtas group of Senators and Deputies, from all parties and none, to seek meetings with the Taoiseach or with the Minister for Finance or the Minister for Social Protection, no meeting has been arranged and all three have refused to meet the workers.
At the protest last week a briefing was held in the AV room by the legal team and by the trade union representatives. They were very clear in pointing out that unless the Government intervenes and does the right thing, the current court case could be dragged out until as late as 2016. I do not believe it is acceptable that those former Waterford Crystal workers would have to wait that length of time to get what they are due.
Legally under the ruling of the European Court of Justice, they are entitled to at least 50%. At the very least the State should pay the workers the money they are legally due, at least 50%, and then enter into discussions with the trade union to pay them what it should pay them which, in my view, is their full entitlement. It would be unacceptable if we continue to hide behind the courts and if the Government continues to drag its heels. I am sure if that happens those workers will be back up here again protesting outside Leinster House to get what they are due. It is unfortunate that time and again they have to continue to take to the streets to get what they deserve. Surely those Waterford Crystal workers deserve justice. Surely they deserve at least a meeting with a senior Minister to discuss what they are due.
I am glad to note the softer, calmer tones of Senator MacSharry this morning. I want to join him in calling for a debate on a matter early in the next session.
I remember earlier in-----
Earlier in which?
Was the Senator in Young Fine Gael?
Originally, I was one of the so-called young tigers but I will not comment further.
I welcome what Senator MacSharry said in a general sense. It is good to know that PTSB and some of the other financial institutions are at last making more amenable longer-term arrangements for mortgage holders who are in serious distress. I am sure the Leader will oblige in arranging a debate on that matter early in the new session - I think Senator MacSharry said early in the new year but I am sure he meant to say early in the new session.
As regards Senator Norris's charge about a bribe or inducement to a Senator, I am sure that if that were ever such a thing in respect of that Senator or any Senator, it would be correctly reported to the proper authorities.
I hope so, and I will not mention private conversations.
I congratulate Senator Norris on another sterling performance on the "Today with Pat Kenny" show on RTE Radio 1 this morning. I am sure many of the Members heard it. I have no doubt that if that man gets enough access to the airwaves, I would be very sanguine about the outcome of any referendum on the abolition of the Seanad.
Hear, hear.
I would not hold my breath waiting for the Taoiseach, or the Führer, Enda Kenny, to take him up on his offer of a debate. I think that is highly unlikely.
On a more serious matter and referring to what Senator Coghlan said, I do not think we can pass too lightly over the allegations made about bribery in the Chamber. It is too serious a matter for that. In my Second Stage speech-----
I was not being flippant. Senator Norris raised it.
-----I referred to Grattan's Parliament and what the old Gaelic writers said about it at the time was mealladh breabadh agus bagairt, which means persuasion, bribery and threats. That is how that Parliament was suppressed.
Hear, hear.
At the time I made a point to making sure that I was not making any allegation of bribery. I said certainly there were threats and we know that and a lot of persuasion was going on but I am not so sure about the bribery aspect now.
However, I am not so sure about the bribery aspect now. We must examine this, even if we are in the dying days of the session. The idea that anyone's vote or silence could be bought is a very serious issue and it must referred to the Committee on Procedure and Privileges.
I support the issue raised by Senator Burke, which I raised yesterday. He emphasised the need for the child care debate. Again I would like to talk about children, although I do so in an indirect way. A survey was carried out in the US which showed that a healthy breakfast prevents heart disease. The survey was carried out on 27,000 men over a 20 year period, and it has shown that men who skip breakfast may face a higher risk of heart attack. I presume the same would hold true for women if the survey was carried out on them. There is no sexism here and I would presume it would be the case for both. Everybody should be made aware of the importance of breakfast. However, the issue I raise today is the importance of breakfast for schoolchildren.
It has been known over the years that children who eat a good breakfast perform better in school, concentrate better in school and have better outcomes, but the sad part is that we do not have any surveys in Ireland. The Minister for Social Protection launched a pilot project with six schools in association with a commercial company. If we are to get serious about best outcomes in education, particularly for disadvantaged children, then we should ensure that we start where it matters, at breakfast time. There are now children who are part of the new poor and cannot afford breakfast, as their parents spend all their money on mortgages and so on. This is not confined to DEIS areas, it is happening all over Ireland. Fair play to the Minister for starting the pilot project. We have an old urban scheme in Dublin and Cork and administered by councils, VECs and so on, but this should be put on national basis. The Minister for Social Protection has initiated this pilot project in conjunction with the private sector, even if the Minister for Education and Skills should be doing it. We need to proceed with this in whatever way we go about it. The figures are there to show that it is a false economy not to do it. If we are serious about education, we should feed the child and the child will do the rest.
That is a well made point by Senator Keane. The outcomes for children when they have a good breakfast are well documented.
Senator Landy's allegations are very serious. If someone attempted to bribe him to absent himself from votes in this House last week, then that is very serious. I call on the Labour Party to substantiate that. I would also call on the Leader to ensure there is an inquiry into that very serious allegation-----
This is not relevant to the Order of Business.
It is very relevant
He reported it.
I welcome that if he has, but we do not have that information. The reputation of this House is being affected by that type of behaviour. To be fair to Senator Landy, he has gone a long way towards explaining it. He needs to go another little way and give us the truth on this.
I noticed an article in The Irish Times today which stated that women in Ireland face extra burdens going to the UK for abortions. That is true, because we are not addressing the real problems and pressures here. We are not finding out what would have helped them not to have made that decision. What shocked me is that at the bottom of the article, they presume that the only way forward for women in difficulty is abortion, and they provide a website, abortionsupport.org.uk.
Have you a question for the Leader?
Yes. Why is it that the only type of support which some in this House feel is needed for women in difficulty is abortion? What we are not having positive discussions about-----
You can ask those questions to the Minister for Health today.
Why are we not having positive discussions about sex education, adoption and non-directive counselling, which we know is not happening in the Irish Family Planning Association?
You are way over time.
That is a very serious allegation. The Minister for Health promised an inquiry on this, and it has still not been delivered.
You are way over time.
I am grateful for your time, but I am looking for a response.
I join with colleagues who called for a debate on the forthcoming budget in the House when we return. We all want to see an expansionary budget that will help grow our economy, start getting people back to work and help small businesses in particular. Many Members of this House will have a valuable input to make into the budgetary process, and I hope the Leader will facilitate that.
I would like to support the community of Kiltullagh near Athenry this morning, who are calling on the thieves who stole some valuable art from the Catholic church in Kiltullagh a few weeks ago to return them, or to give information to the Garda that would help their early recovery. The paintings of the stations of the cross by the renowned Dublin-born painter and stained glass artist, Evie Hone, are valuable, but they are priceless to the people of Kiltullagh and surrounding areas. This artist is particularly well known. Her painting entitled "My Four Green Fields" hangs in Government Buildings, so there is a connection between the Houses of the Oireachtas and the theft in Kiltullagh, near Athenry. I appeal to the thieves who took six of those paintings. They are invaluable to the people of Kiltullagh. I hope that somebody would respond to the offer being made by Crimestoppers, who are offering a reward for their safe return. I hope that the criminals responsible would be brought to justice, and that anybody trying to pass those paintings off overseas would be apprehended in due course.
I second the amendment on the Order of Business by Senator Norris. I also want to be associated with the words of other Members in respect of the claims of bribery, which have been exposed by Senator Landy. It is of the most serious nature. It affects parliamentary democracy in the Oireachtas, because if a vote can be bought or swayed in any way by the inducement of money or a trip as in this case, then it is a most serious matter. The Leader needs to be establish an investigation into this matter, and I would like to hear what he has to say about it.
I also agree with Senator MacSharry's calls for a pre-budget debate. Let us have a sensible pre-budget debate and let us not criticise simply to be critical, but to be constructive as well. If the Leader could facilitate such a debate as soon as possible with each of the main Ministers, we will not be found wanting in coming forward with specific proposals on where we believe money could be saved. I appeal to the Leader to facilitate that. It will mean Ministers being available.
I call on the Leader to have a debate on the serious issue which I recently raised on the Order of Business in respect of waiting lists in our public hospitals. The Leader indicated at the time that there was no issue, but I now have the facts to confirm to the contrary. The number of people waiting over six months has almost doubled in the last six months. The total number of patients waiting over six months for in-patient treatment and day treatment has doubled from 6,038 in December to 11,985 in June. The figures for those waiting more than nine months show an extraordinary increase of 3,621%, from 107 in December to 3,982 at the end of June. That is alarming. We were promised before the last general election a new way of providing health for the citizens of our nation. That is not what is happening. It is a very serious situation. Politicians should not have to represent people who are looking for what they should get on entitlement. We should not have to assist people in scheduling appointments.
It is an emergency situation. I call on the Leader to facilitate a debate as soon as we come back in September on the issue of waiting lists in all our public hospitals.
At the outset I thank my colleague Senator Keane for her advice this morning that people who are less likely to take their breakfast in the morning are more likely to have a heart attack. As one who does that regularly I must thank her and assure her-----
I am minding Senator Brennan.
-----that it is not going to happen in the future.
Dunleer railway station in County Louth is on the main commuter belt running from Dublin to Dundalk and Belfast. It has been closed for several years. In mid-Louth the towns of Dunleer and Ardee and the area in general have developed significantly over the past 15 or 20 years. I appeal to the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport to reopen the station.
That is more appropriate to an Adjournment debate.
Perhaps. The station should be opened for the benefit of people working in Dublin and students who travel to and from Dublin daily who now have to travel to Drogheda and Dundalk. It should be reconsidered as the town and the area have developed significantly in recent years. Will the Leader ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport, Deputy Varadkar, if he will do this?
I echo Senator Keane's comments on breakfast. It may seem like a frivolous matter on the face of it in the context of economic and other such matters but I have been calling for a debate on nutrition generally for some time. On the other side of the equation, going without breakfast is a difficulty for some children. There are also some children who, through no fault of their own and perhaps because of the society in which we live and the lack of education on nutrition, are eating far too much, and there is a huge obesity crisis. I reiterate my call for a debate on nutrition generally. There was a healthy eating week in the Houses of the Oireachtas the week before last. Advertising calorie content is very helpful in highlighting nutrition, which is so fundamental for every human being.
I also echo Senator Mullins' contribution about the paintings stolen in a village near Athenry. Evie Hone was one of a few female Cubist artists. She is well recognised but was not very prolific. The fact that these few paintings have gone missing is significant for that reason. To reassure Senator Mullins, in my view there would be a very limited market for these paintings abroad simply because most Irish art abroad is sold within a fairly confined market. Her paintings would be fairly obvious. I do not see where these thieves will go with these paintings but this is a very important issue in respect of that particular artist.
We are all well aware of the really good weather we have been having over the past two weeks or thereabouts, although today is not the most spectacular day. It came to my attention recently that Bord Gáis, among other providers, is dealing with a much higher level of arrears this year than in previous years due to the fact that we have had an unprecedented series of bad winters. Indeed, this year's winter went on significantly longer than normal. This has left many of the poorest people in Ireland living in fuel poverty and dealing with serious arrears in essential services. In that context I congratulate the Minister of State at the Department of Environment, Community and Local Government with responsibility for housing and planning, Deputy Jan O'Sullivan, on her announcement of the first tranche of funding for an energy efficiency programme for local authority houses. Some local authority houses are among the worst constructed in the country. This is a very important measure to deal with the fuel poverty experienced by some of the poorest people in Irish society. I would like a debate early in our new session, in September, on the matter of the budget, to include further fiscal measures that can be taken to retrofit and improve the heat and fuel efficiency of the Irish housing stock generally. This issue is not going to go away. There have been unprecedented rises in fuel prices and there is no indication that these prices will come down at any time in the future.
We should be directing our attention towards the upcoming budget. To that end I have written this morning to the Minister for Finance, Deputy Noonan, asking that we give austerity a break, following the words of Mr. Mody, formerly of the IMF. I believe he is right. The working people are suffering. They are finding life very difficult and we cannot hit them again in this budget. This year's budget will not take the promissory note of €1 billion into account. It was asked how could we raise the funds so that we would not have to increase taxes in the forthcoming budget. I suggest now, as I did this morning to the Minister, that the country needs a transfusion of funds. During the banking debacle endless billions of Irish money left the State and I believe, although this might not go down too well in some sectors, that now would be an appropriate time for a tax amnesty. We could repatriate that money and get it working for the economy. Aside from the immorality of tax avoidance, we need an injection so that the Government will not raise taxes on working people. An amnesty would be a windfall for the Exchequer. It will put capital back into the economy. It will recapitalise the banks and will get the economy working. As soon as possible we should start a debate on this in the House because on all sides there are some very good minds and they could be of assistance to the Minister.
I support Senator Keane’s reference to nutrition and healthy eating. We had a very interesting debate and passed Second Stage of the Food Provenance Bill. This is something the Government can actually do. The Bill has passed Second Stage. It can be created and passed and it will give all citizens an opportunity to know where their food comes from and what is in it.
We also had a very good debate last year on food wastage. There is a huge amount of wasted food in the hands of retailers and suppliers and very much in the hands of individual citizens who buy more food than they need. There are very simple solutions to this. One is to do away with "best before" stamps in order to have only "use by". That is just one little example.
The other matter on which we had a good debate some time ago was the use of salt and the amount of salt in food. I do not believe we should pass a law saying that people should not use a certain amount of salt. It is up to the citizens themselves. The debate is educational. Maybe we can manage to encourage people to consider the amount of salt they use. Salt intake is a huge killer in ways that we have discussed.
This is a reminder of some very good debates that we have had in this House and that I hope we will continue to have. It is a reminder of the value of the Seanad, not just in passing legislation but also in being able to debate very topical issues that are very serious. I urge us to consider recognising the benefit of this House, particularly in such areas that do not depend only on passing legislation but also on informing our citizens of things they need to know about themselves.
We have waited many years for a good spell of weather but unfortunately it has brought the drowning tragedies of the past few weeks.
In my own county a number of young people lost their lives in drowning tragedies. A campaign is needed to warn people to take care when swimming in lakes and rivers because these waters do not have the buoyancy of the sea because of the lack of salt and there is also the risk of the body becoming too cold in them.
The Cabinet is meeting as we speak. I presume it will be dealing with the Walsh report, the details of which will be published after the meeting. We have waited a long time for this report and it is unfortunate that it will be published just as the two Houses go into recess and there will be no time for an immediate debate. I ask the Leader to put the debate of the Walsh report's findings and recommendations on the agenda for the first week of the next term. It is a very important issue for victims of symphysiotomy.
I join with other colleagues who welcomed Senator Naughton to the House. I wish her well in the next two and a half years or so that remain in this Seanad. I commend Senator David Norris on his excellent contribution on "Today with Pat Kenny" this morning. I encourage him to keep going throughout the summer until we have well and truly won this proposed referendum. I am conscious of the fact that the legislation has not passed through the House yet.
I support Senator Fidelma Healy Eames's comments with regard to the article in today's edition of The Irish Times about pregnant women in crisis. There is a tendency in this country to make them think that abortion is the only option open to them, to culturalise them into this way of thinking, so to speak. I agree with the Senator that the other options should be clearly identified and put forward as solutions so that abortion is not the only solution to a crisis pregnancy.
I congratulate my near neighbour, County Monaghan, on its first Ulster senior football title in 25 years and the first minor title in over 60 years. I point out to the Cathaoirleach that not only is Mayo still in the all-Ireland but that-----
Cavan is still there.
-----Cavan, Monaghan, Donegal and Tyrone, four proud Ulster counties, are still there, with each and every one of them capable of taking on whatever-----
I do not think this is relevant to the Order of Business.
Bravo.
I might as well start with Senator Wilson and remind him that the Kerry and Cork people are still there as well.
I forgot about that.
I suggest that Senator MacSharry should not believe everything he reads in the newspaper. There will be much speculation about the budget-----
I have managed to think of that point all by myself.
-----between now and budget time. There will be plenty of such speculation. Senator MacSharry also asked for a debate on the progress of the banks on mortgage arrears. He welcomed the fact that Permanent TSB is moving in the right direction at least. We hope that all the other banks will follow. I agree with him that the House should debate that matter in September or October.
Senator Susan O'Keeffe welcomed the statement from the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources, Deputy Pat Rabbitte, on pornography on the Internet. This matter was raised by Senator Mary Ann O'Brien yesterday and hopefully the Minister will attend in the autumn to discuss safeguards on the Internet. Senator Susan O'Keeffe also welcomed the birth of the royal baby on which she congratulated Kate and William.
Senator David Norris proposed an amendment to the Order of Business: "That No. 11 be taken before No. 1." I accept that amendment to the Order of Business.
Senator Norris and several other Senators have raised a very important matter about allegations of bribery and corruption and that a Member of this House was offered money to miss a particular vote last week. I view that matter as being very serious. I hope that the Senator involved - Senator Landy - has already reported this matter to the Garda Síochána. It is of such importance to this House and to the Houses of the Oireachtas that any such inducement by any person should be dealt with by the Garda Síochána, the relevant authority. I hope this matter, if not already reported, will be reported immediately by Senator Landy.
We welcome Senator Naughton on the occasion of her maiden speech. We hope she will have a very good stay here. I am sure her contribution to this House will be excellent.
Senator Daly asked for a debate about the Irish diaspora overseas. Senator Conway spoke about the undocumented Irish in the United States. The Tánaiste visited the US recently and he lobbied politicians on this matter. It is hoped his efforts will prove fruitful. I note Senator Conway's points about budget submissions.
Senator Sean D. Barrett welcomed the Young Fine Gael decision to have freedom to canvass on whichever side they wish on the referendum for the abolition of the Seanad. It seems the vote was tied and they decided to give that freedom. Senator Burke raised the same issue about the ESRI report as Senator Keane raised yesterday. Senator Cullinane raised the matter of the Waterford Crystal workers which he has raised on a number of occasions on the Order of Business. In my view the workers should be paid 50% at least, up front and immediately. However, the Government takes its advice from the Attorney General which is that the court case must take precedence. While we may not agree with that decision, the Government must adhere to it. I hope that matter will be concluded in a timely manner and that it will not drag on. Many of these workers are waiting up to ten or 15 years for pension entitlements. It is neither fair nor just.
Senator Paul Coghlan asked for a debate on mortgage-holders in distress to be held early in the new term. Senators Keane, Quinn and Noone, referred to the importance of a good breakfast for schoolchildren. I note Senator Quinn's reference to the excellent debate on the Food Provenance Bill. It is proven that a good breakfast results in good outcomes for schoolchildren. The public consultation committee debated nutrition and healthy lifestyles. We will have a debate in September on that report.
Senator Healy Eames referred to an article in The Irish Times and which Senator Wilson also raised. Of course, abortion is not the only option for women in crisis pregnancies. I am sure that matter will be debated at length in the future.
Senator Mullins asked for a debate on jobs. Senator Noone raised the matter of the robbery of valuable paintings from Killtullagh church. We all call for a safe return of those paintings. Senator Ó Domhnaill asked for a debate on waiting lists. I am not quite sure to which waiting lists he refers. If he provides me with the details I can find out the situation for him.
Senator Terry Brennan referred to Dunleer railway station. He might take the Cathaoirleach's advice and submit that matter for debate on the Adjournment.
Senator Aideen Hayden spoke about the number of Bord Gáis customers who are in arrears, which is a matter for concern. She also welcomed the initiative by the Minister of State at the Department of the Environment, Community and Local Government, Deputy Jan O'Sullivan, on the retrofitting of local authority housing. These are issues we will discuss in the future.
Senator Tom Sheahan acknowledged that there would most likely be significant opposition to his call for a tax amnesty. The Senator has brought the matter to the attention of the Minister for Finance and it will be interesting to hear what the latter has to say.
Senator Marie Moloney referred to the tragic drowning deaths in recent days and conveyed her condolences to the families involved. She also joined with Senator Mary Moran and others in recent weeks in calling for a debate on the report on symphysiotomy. I will try to accommodate that debate in the next session.
I wish to clarify the Order of Business for today. Instead of referring to Report Stage of Nos. 1, 3 and 4, I should have indicated that Report and Final Stages will be taken in each case.
Senator David Norris has moved an amendment to the Order of Business, "That No. 11 on the Order Paper be taken before No. 1." The Leader has indicated his willingness to accept the proposal.
I thank the Leader for his graciousness.
Amendment agreed to.
Order of Business, as amended, agreed to.