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Seanad Éireann díospóireacht -
Thursday, 16 Jan 2014

Order of Business

The Order of Business is No. 1, address to Seanad Éireann by Mr. Tom Arnold, chairperson of the Convention on the Constitution, to be taken at 11.45 a.m. in accordance with the arrangements set out in the motion passed by the House yesterday, 15 January 2014; and No. 2, Private Members' business, Valuation (Amendment) Bill 2013 - Second Stage, to be taken at the conclusion of No. 1 - the time provided for this debate shall not exceed two hours.

While the Fianna Fáil Party will not oppose the Order of Business, we propose to raise a number of issues. The Deputy Leader and those Senators who have served on local authorities will be aware of the minor works scheme, under which funding is provided annually to address flood and storm damage such as that experienced this year. It is worth noting that while a number of high profile cases of storm damage occurred, notably in counties Galway, Clare and Kerry, many other areas also suffered damage. In counties Donegal and Sligo, for example, the estimated cost of the damage was in excess of €1.5 million and between €500,000 and €1 million, respectively. County Leitrim experienced significant road damage which will cost approximately €500,000 to repair. I hope the Deputy Leader will raise with the Minister of State, Deputy Brian Hayes, the requirement to make funds available to counties which may have a lower profile in terms of news coverage of the disaster, but nonetheless experienced suffering, damage and difficulties that are worthy of being addressed through the minor works scheme.

Irish Water is the main issue I wish to discuss. While I will not propose an amendment to the Order of Business to have the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government, Deputy Phil Hogan, come before the House to discuss the issue, it is essential that he appear before us next week. The Minister spoke of making omelettes and breaking eggs. As this story has evolved, the eggs have become scrambled. The Minister for Social Protection, Deputy Joan Burton, stated she does not want a return to the gold standard, bonus culture, a view echoed by the Minister of State, Deputy Brian Hayes, when he commented on Irish Water.

We have the legacy issue of the Government choosing, in spite of a recommendation in a report costing €180,000 that it should not do so, to use the expertise of Bord Gáis when establishing Irish Water. Some €86 million has since been spent on securing expertise from outside Bord Gáis. That company's bonus culture has sneaked into Irish Water where staff are set to receive bonuses of up to 10% of salary. Like I am sure many other Senators, I received an e-mail this morning containing choice language which stated it was typical that Irish Water staff are receiving bonuses even though the company has not begun to trade yet. For what are they receiving bonuses?

That is a legitimate question.

Towards the end of last night's briefing of the Committee of Public Accounts, we learned about a €5 million sum for county and city managers. For what purpose has this money been provided? Is it for additional consultancy for these managers who may have knowledge of local authorities?

I also have a legitimate question which I ask the Deputy Leader to raise with the Minister. How many former local authority staff who have been in receipt of lump sums on retirement are working for Irish Water and in receipt of a State salary from the company? This very important question must be answered. The backdrop to this issue is medical card applications being refused, cutbacks to respite grants and, as we heard last week, cuts to disability grants and grants for the elderly. People who were bred in a culture of spending other people's money are continuing to do so. I ask that an appropriate time be made available for a debate next week and that the specific questions I have raised be put to the Minister on behalf of all Senators.

Like everyone else, I share the natural concern that has been expressed about the Liebherr plant in Killarney. Some 160 of its 670 employees voted in a ballot to reject a recommendation of the Labour Court. This is a serious matter. The company which has been operating in Killarney since 1958 has been a kind and generous benefactor to Killarney and the wider region and continues to provide tremendous jobs, as it has done for many years. It would be more than a shame if anything untoward were to happen at this stage. There must be a mechanism available to resolve the issue. I appeal to everyone involved, especially the 160 workers who voted against the recommendation, to step back from the brink.

Many former employees of Liebherr subsequently created other major industries, including Munster Glass.

Apart from the hotel, some of them were extremely industrious and created other great companies. The company employs 670 people and 20 new trainees were due to start in the plant. This is a difficult problem and I do not have the solution. As was noted yesterday, the machinery of the State is available and the Minister has made a statement on the matter. In fairness to the SIPTU trade union, it issued a statement indicating it wished to engage in dialogue. I hope an individual or expert such as Mr. Kieran Mulvey will quickly become involved.

On the possibility of reviewing our decision on the moment of reflection, I very much appreciate this moment of silence. It is a wonderful way to start proceedings.

I support the eloquent appeal made by Senator Paul Coghlan.

I have a request for the Deputy Leader arising from recent studies undertaken by the Immigrant Council of Ireland. In the light of the council's findings, the Government must reassess the supports it offers to victims of racism. The council has confirmed that, following an extensive awareness campaign it conducted, it recorded an 85% increase in incidents of racism. However, the total number of reported cases of racism in 2013 was still only 144. As we are aware from recent media reports, it was also confirmed that the number of reports of racism to the PSNI is 700% higher than the number of such reports to the Garda. Even if one allows for the possible differences in legal definitions and laws, this is a substantial gap. It is clear, therefore, that victims of racism in this jurisdiction do not have the same level of confidence in our reporting system as their counterparts in the North. The findings of the Immigrant Council of Ireland are a wake-up call that we cannot ignore. I ask the Deputy Leader to arrange a debate with the Minister for Justice and Equality on the supports offered to victims of racism and taking into account what steps will be taken to assure victims that they have nothing to fear in coming forward. I ask that the Minister consider introducing an independent reporting system for victims of racism, similar to that offered by the PSNI which is accessible 24 hours a day. I also ask that he review current legislation to ensure it is sufficiently robust to respond to racism in all its forms.

I echo the comments of Senator Marc MacSharry on Irish Water. Following 18 hours of debate in the Seanad, we have had two days of hearings on the issue. I compliment Deputies Michael McCarthy and John McGuinness on chairing the two committee meetings in question. After 30 hours of parliamentary time, we still do not know what will be the price of water or the generous free allowance. A culture has developed of ignoring what the Seanad says. Civil servants were seated behind the Minister during the 18 hours of debate in the House. They ignored what we said and do not want to answer parliamentary questions. They appear to be coached in avoiding answers when they appear before committees.

It seems that the electricity regulator is not the appropriate person to regulate a completely different sector, namely, water. Members ought to be aware that this week the water regulator in the United Kingdom has pointed out that the combination of high spending engineers and irresponsible bankers who will lend on the ability to tax people because everyone needs water has led to massive over-investment and serious financial difficulties in the water sector in the United Kingdom. I attended the first day of hearings and watched them on television last night and it is essential that Senators on the Government side seek the necessary intervention of the Comptroller and Auditor General in this area, that is, in the affairs of Irish Water and the manner in which the Department of the Environment, Community and Local Government has been conducting itself in respect of both this and the other House. Old-fashioned public finances must be restored and Government Senators should pursue this because hauling in people at regular intervals and listening to deliberately obfuscatory answers from those concerned is not good enough. This organisation, the manner in which the Department has conducted itself, as well as the secret funds for county managers that emerged yesterday and were mentioned by Senator Marc MacSharry should all be placed under the control of the Comptroller and Auditor General because this, in turn, makes it responsible to the Committee of Public Accounts. Ever since it was set up, this has been an area in which there has been gross irresponsibility, as well as the manner in which Parliament is being treated. Members' electorates will not thank them unless they move on this issue now and I suggest it is time to bring in the Comptroller and Auditor General. Should such a move be made by the Government, I certainly would support it from these benches.

I welcome the announcement made yesterday by the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht, Deputy Jimmy Deenihan, on the turf cutting issue. Because of the great work the Minister has done, the number of planned designated natural heritage area, NHA, bogs has been reduced from 3,000 to 500. In other words, 2,500 bogs have been de-designated. In my native county of Roscommon 435 plots were to be designated as NHAs; turf cutting will now be allowed on 376 of them. Another point on NHAs is that those who had been affected by a special area of conservation, SAC, designation and could no longer cut turf can also transfer to an NHA bog, if it is suitable. Alternatively, they can continue to claim compensation. In addition, the Minister also announced that in the event of someone not being able to cut turf in an SAC and for whom an NHA is not available and no alternative is available but who wishes to cut turf, the Minister can revert to the European Union and present a case to the authorities there on such person's behalf. He is quite prepared to do this.

I also addressed the Minister yesterday on the issue of contractors, who have a large investment in this business and are affected as a result of it. He stated he was offering them an olive branch, in that there would be a job of work to be done in repairing the damage done to SACs and NHAs, and that they could play their part in that regard. I hope people can recall the major row that took place over this issue, involving confrontation and stand-offs. One should be mindful of the fact that this issue is very similar to those in respect of pylons and wind turbines. I hope the Government has learned from this and that we need never go down this road again or spend years arguing and fighting before it eventually is obliged to row back. I certainly welcome newspaper reports today to the effect that the Taoiseach somehow is rowing back from this issue. I hope this is not a stunt to get MEPs elected and that the initiative is real and that people are taking this issue seriously.

I will not repeat what has been stated about the water issue. In the debate promised for next week, apart from the security of supply of water which is of critical importance to all citizens, the quality of the water coming through taps is an issue that has not been addressed fully. During the Second Stage debate in this Chamber I raised the issue of the fluoridation of water, which is endemic in Ireland. I understand we have the worst record in Europe. This issue should not be dropped. The answer provided at the time - that it was a matter for the Minister for Health - is not satisfactory.

I will outline my primary purpose in speaking today and note I do not intend to seek a vote on the subject of CAP reform and single farm payments. As Members seldom have a full and proper debate on the subject of farming and CAP reform and as the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Deputy Simon Coveney, is due to come to the House next week, I ask the Deputy Leader to ensure this debate will be sufficiently long to enable Senators to speak in it. I accept that probably only 20% of Members from all sides have a particular interest in farming or its future. I ask, for example, that Opposition spokespeople be given at least 15 minutes to outline their case. This will not happen each month, as Members rarely have a proper and full debate on farming in this House. This proposal, with which the Minister has agreed in the European Union, will affect farming until 2020 and possibly beyond. Consequently, those Members who wish to contribute to the debate should be given full time. My suggestion to the Deputy Leader is that spokespersons be given 15 minutes and anyone else who wishes to speak be given ten minutes, if he or she so requires, and that the sharing of time be allowed. I do not want to have an hour and a half long debate, half of which will be taken up by the Minister. Many Members wish to contribute and have an interest in farming, rural Ireland and its protection and they should receive fair play in this regard.

I refer to the matter I raised yesterday and on which I forced a vote, namely, the single farm payment debacle and crisis that has been hitting rural Ireland. It has been affecting counties Cork and Kerry, in particular, and I am sure it will affect other parts. That is a separate issue and people should understand the reason I pushed it to a vote yesterday. The cuts with which these farmers have been hit for the past three or four months are a completely separate issue. In the course of the debate next week I hope the Minister can address it and will see to it that the farmers concerned will receive their payments and that some moratorium will be put in place in order that they will be able to get their farms and houses in order in the next 12 months. It is a disgrace. However, it is a different issue from that of CAP reform.

Much has been said in the past 48 hours about Irish Water and so on. I remind Members that taxpayers spend €1.2 billion on water, of which, unfortunately, €600 million is wasted. One litre of water out of every two that is purified in Ireland is wasted. The concept behind charging for water is to create an incentive to ensure people will conserve water and treat it with the respect it deserves.

The money should be spent on repairing the pipes instead of installing meters.

What about leakages?

As an entity, Irish Water is a creation that will work. However, the bonuses being paid to approximately 299 of its staff are inappropriate and unacceptable. It smacks of the carry-on that took place during the Celtic tiger years. I call on the chief executive of Irish Water to reassure immediately the people that these bonuses will not be paid. He has a duty of care to the reputation of Irish Water and this country to ensure the carry-on that took place in the past will not be repeated in the future. Not alone must one ensure water is not wasted but one must also ensure taxpayers' money is not wasted either.

It must be 20 years since I referred to the plight of single fathers for the first time in this House. I wish to do so again today, albeit in particularly tragic circumstances, that is, of a woman who was brought to hospital - I believe she was 39 weeks pregnant - in a state of cardiac arrest. Her baby daughter was delivered by Caesarean section but was severely brain-damaged and could not possibly survive without life support. Her mother had been nominated as the baby's next of kin and the family, including the biological father, agreed and were content that life support should be withdrawn to end the suffering of this poor unfortunate infant, yet the hospital was obliged to go before the High Court to get a judgment from Mr. Justice Nicholas Kearns. While it was a highly compassionate judgment, it indicates that the biological father had absolutely no rights when it came to the welfare of his own daughter. This is not acceptable and it is time that this House addressed the issue of the continuing and remaining discriminations against single fathers, in particular.

This has been ongoing for far too long and it should be addressed by law. It is a matter of human rights.

Much has been said about Irish Water, some of it a little hysterical. I agree with Senator Martin Conway that Irish Water as an entity will work. It is a whole new structure and utility being established. However, there are serious questions to be asked. We need to tease out the issue of bonuses which are obscene. Having said that, if the employees of Irish Water exceed the significant savings to the Exchequer in the region of €2 billion we are being told will be made, which is another issue we need to examine to see whether that figure is for real, I would not have an issue with a bonus system. That would form the basis of a significant debate in the House. I support the call for a debate on all aspects of Irish Water next week.

Another issue on which I seek a debate in this House in the coming weeks with the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport, Deputy Leo Varadkar, is the increase in the number of road deaths in 2013, the first increase since 2005. The figures are still well below the peak of 1997, but the graph is going in the wrong direction. It is worrying that a significant number of the road deaths involved motorcyclists, an increase of almost 70% on the 2012 figure. Of drivers killed, 80% were male and half of them were aged between 16 and 35 years. Over half of the driver deaths were single vehicle collisions. Obviously, complacency has got into the system. We are beginning to take it for granted that the graph is going in the right direction, as it had been for the past few years. We need to refocus on highlighting the issue of road safety. Vehicular condition and drivers possibly not maintaining their vehicles to the standards that they would have in the past because of the economic situation may be an issue and we need to look at the drink-driving and drug-driving issues. A debate in this House on road safety would be appropriate as we start the new year because we want to get back to a position where we start to reduce such deaths significantly again. Any death is a death too many but 190 is an unacceptably high figure.

Ba mhaith liom aird a tharraingt ar dhá cheist an-tábhachtach ar maidin.

I am sure the Leader will be aware of the detention yesterday of Ms Margaretta D'Arcy who is a member of Aosdána. She is a well known film maker and a peace activist. She was arrested a number of months ago in an incident at a protest at Shannon Airport on the use of the airport for stopovers by rendition flights. I believe she was taken from her home yesterday on foot of that because she refused to sign a bond to keep the peace and she has been put into Limerick Prison. The reason I raise the issue is a serious one. Ms D'Arcy is a well-known peace activist. She is 79 years old. She has a serious ongoing health condition and her friends and supporters are concerned about the conditions around her incarceration. I appreciate there is a separation between the Government and the gardaí. I have discussed this and have got the facts. The issue I raise is around her health and welfare. Perhaps the Minister could clarify the position, that her health and welfare are being properly attended to, because people are gravely concerned as she has been somebody over the years who has drawn attention to what she sees as violations of human rights regulations internationally.

The other issue is that there is impending industrial action in the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine, which is to start on Monday. Yesterday I met members of IMPACT who told me that they were concerned about the lack of negotiation between the officials in the Department and themselves over job grades being changed, etc., in the Department where there was a competition where staff in the technical grades were not allowed to apply for certain positions. Potentially, this has a significant impact in that it would affect farmers who were receiving payments. The technical grade officers would be the ones who visit the farms and work with farmers on much of the paperwork, and they are disgruntled. The issue is not money. They are not looking for more money. They are merely looking to sit down, to be able to negotiate with the Department. The Department has stood off on the issue, it tells us, up to now. I call on the Deputy Leader under the auspices of the Leader's office to intervene with the Minister, Deputy Simon Coveney, and, perhaps, the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform, Deputy Brendan Howlin, to have this issue resolved in order that there is not industrial action by 600 agriculture officers in the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine starting on Monday next.

There is a report highlighted in Ms Mary Regan's article in the Irish Examiner today, where a letter from the HSE to the Committee of Public Accounts shows that the administrator appointed by the executive has found significant issues related to the final salary payment and retirement packages approved for the former executive of the CRC. No doubt further issues will arise today at the committee with regard to the former chief's appearance there. The furthering of the scandal continues to erode the people's confidence in the charity sector. We need something to bolster this confidence and call for the establishment of a charity quality standard to help restore confidence in the sector. A mark such as this could be awarded to charities that adhere to certain standards such as publishing annual accounts and using a fixed amount of donations to pay for administration. No doubt we need the Charities Bill to be implemented but in the interim, a measure such as this would go a long way towards bolstering the damaged reputation of charities. Charitable donations have slumped over the Christmas and have continued to be below expectation. In fact, the Society of St. Vincent de Paul has suffered a massive 25% drop in donations and there is little doubt that other voluntary organisations are experiencing a similar drop-off in charitable giving. Public confidence in the charity sector is understandably shaken and we need to conduct an urgent reappraisal of how we can benchmark and grade the charities. Establishing a quality standard for charities would help people to donate with confidence, safe in the knowledge that their money would be spent on services for the vulnerable or needy. I urge the Deputy Leader to arrange a debate with the Minister for Justice and Equality, Deputy Alan Shatter, on the charities sector in general and the Bill, in particular. It would afford me the opportunity to raise with him the possibility of an interim measure such as a quality standard mark for charities.

I ask the Deputy Leader to clarify to the House the position on the human tissue Bill. She might recall that during the summer we sat for a day to debate the issue of organ donation and in the course of that debate, a number of statements were made, including the following - by the acting Minister of Health because, apparently, the Minister was on holidays - that the heads of the human tissue Bill were being drafted by the Department and that, in addition to the area of organ donation and transplantation, the Bill will cover a large range of issues. I believe Members made these statements in good faith because they were told that the human tissue Bill was due to come before the Oireachtas in the following parliamentary session, that is, the one just gone. That statement was made by a Senator on the opposite side of the House. It was stated the Minister, Deputy James Reilly, and the Minister of State, Deputy Alex White, were working on the human tissue Bill that was out for public consultation. Another Member opposite stated that the human tissue Bill would continue the Government's work in this area in the autumn. What is happening with the human tissue Bill? According to the legislative programme for the coming session, as to the status of the Bill, the date on which publication is expected cannot be indicated at this stage. Those are only some of the statements made by Members opposite in the debate on organ transplantation and donation held in August last. Perhaps the Whip of the Fine Gael Party could get clarification as to why his members were misled. They did not mislead the House; they were given information that the human tissue Bill would be published in the autumn session last year and that did not happen.

One would expect the Whip to demand that the human tissue Bill be dealt with in this session, yet the legislative programme shows that the heads of the Bill have yet to be approved despite the fact that the Minister of State stated the legislation would be ready last session. Will the Whip or acting Whip let us know when the Bill will arrive in this House? Perhaps he will seek clarification as to why the members of Fine Gael and the Labour Party were misled and given information that the Bill, which according to the Minister of State was to solve all the organ donation and transplantation problems, did not appear when they were told it would appear. It is not going to appear this session either.

I think the Senator has hit another wide.

The Senator should keep looking after NAMA.

We will have no Kerry chitchat.

The Senator for NAMA speaks.

I have two issues to raise with the Deputy Leader. When can we expect the Coroners Bill in the House?

I understood the two pillar banks were instructed to, and indicated that they would, lend €3 billion each to the business community. Could we have the Minister for Finance in the House to debate that issue and determine what the two pillar banks loaned to small businesses last year and the likely position in the future?

We are soon to have legislation that will have the effect of introducing plain packaging and other restrictions on the tobacco industry. I hope it will be passed and put into law expeditiously. I greatly regret the fact that tobacco control legislation that I introduced and which would have barred the lobbying by tobacco companies was defeated. The second of my Bills, co-sponsored by my good colleagues Senators Jillian van Turnhout and Mark Daly and which is to ban the practice of smoking in cars when children are present, seems to be terminally glued up. I ask the Leader and the Deputy Leader to use their good offices to ensure this Bill proceeds expeditiously, as promised when we had a discussion on the previous Stage.

I am sorry if I seem to be perseverating on this issue. On 19 December, a statement was issued on behalf of the St. Vincent's hospital group concerning matters that had arisen in respect of an episode in which it dishonestly billed VHI and other insurers for a large amount of money in respect of drugs that had been provided for free. The statement was made by an official of the hospital on 19 December and it was widely disseminated that what occurred was a genuine error. I need to bring to the attention of anyone who is interested that there is an ample number of documents that show it was not an error but known at multiple levels through the administration of the private hospital at the time. While it can be argued that 2002 was a different time, that standards then were different and more lax and that there was, perhaps, a cowboy mentality at play in various parts of the public service, the administrative reaction to the occurrence then and since has been extremely unsatisfactory and constitutes a cover-up. In this regard, I would like to clarify a speech I made on Thursday, 18 December before Christmas. I should have been more precise when I dissociated myself and my activities from the board of St. Vincent's University Hospital, not from the hospital. I have nothing but respect for the sterling work done by my nursing and medical colleagues in St. Vincent's University Hospital. However, one realises there has not been since the First World War a better example of lions led by donkeys than the situation that applied in this case. I have no problem whatsoever with the activities of St. Vincent's Foundation. My problems are specifically with the board structures of the various organisations in St. Vincent's University Hospital and other voluntary hospitals, structures that have faultlines across them that are causing major problems and need to be addressed.

Senator Marc MacSharry raised the issue of storm damage, particularly in counties in which the damage was not as severe as in others. I agree with him that it is important that this matter be tackled wherever there was storm damage. People were enduring terrible conditions as a result of the damage caused in the severe weather between 13 December and 6 January. The initial estimate of the cost of cleaning up and restoring pubilc infrastructure damaged by the storms nationally is €65 million. Almost two thirds of this figure pertains to counties Clare and Galway. As the Senator said, other counties may not have reported the same amount of damage. Clearly, however, there was damage caused elsewhere. I will certainly apprise the Minister of State, Deputy Brian Hayes, of the need to ensure the minor works scheme applies wherever damage was caused.

Senator Marc MacSharry also raised the issue of Irish Water, an issue that was raised by the majority of Senators. I remind colleagues that the Leader said yesterday that he had arranged a debate on Irish Water next week. I pointed out yesterday that it would be useful for us to have that debate when we had heard all of the responses from both management of Irish Water and the Minister having appeared before the Committee of Public Accounts and the Joint Committee on the Environment, Culture and the Gaeltacht. We are now in possession of more information. The Senator asked a very pertinent question on how many former local authority staff in receipt of lump sums were employed by Irish Water. I have not gone through the transcripts for the meetings yesterday; I have just looked at the reports to see whether the question was asked. One would have expected it to have been asked at the meeting of the Committee of Public Accounts, but I do not see a response in that regard. I do see a response in which management of Irish Water states all those in senior management positions were appointed following an open competition. Irish Water told the Minister this and he accepted it. It is certainly one of the issues that may be raised in the debate in the House next week.

Senator Paul Coghlan raised the issue of the Liebherr plant in Killarney. We all share his concern about the news of difficulties at the plant and sympathise with those whose jobs are uncertain. We all agree with the Senator on the need to ensure a solution is found and his suggestion that the Labour Relations Commission be involved.

Senator Katherine Zappone spoke in appreciation of the moment of silence. I share her view. I find having a moment of silence to be a very good way to start a day in the Legislature. I hope other Houses, including the Dáil, will follow suit. It was a good compromise that we had reached at the Committee on Procedure and Privileges to allow for a moment of silence before the prayer to reflect the fact that not everyone here was a practising Christian.

Senator Katherine Zappone also raised the issue of the Immigrant Council of Ireland and referred to its report on racism. I saw the report and agree that it is a matter of real concern to see the rise in the number of reported incidents of racism. It would be good to have the Minister for Justice and Equality present in the House to have a debate on the supports available for victims of racism. I will ask the Leader to arrange such a debate. A particular issue we might all pursue with the Minister is the need to have legislation introduced to provide for aggravated sentencing for crimes motivated by racism which are often referred to as hate crimes. We have seen such legislation enacted in other jurisdictions. It has a powerful deterrent and symbolic effect, as well as a practical effect.

Senator Sean D. Barrett raised the issue of Irish Water and pointed out that, between debates in the Houses and at committees, 30 hours of parliamentary time had been devoted to it. We all agree that it would certainly have been helpful if the relevant information had been furnished in the first instance. There are matters that we still do not know about, but there is more information available following very detailed and forensic questioning at meetings of the Committee of Public Accounts and the Joint Committee on the Environment, Culture and the Gaeltacht. The point the Senator made on the role of the Comptroller and Auditor General is one that I am sure will be made to the Minister during next week's debate, including by the Senator in a very eloquent manner. We all like the fact that the Freedom of Information Act will be extended to Irish Water. This is an important and positive development arising from the controversy.

Senator John Kelly welcomed the announcements by the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht on turf cutting and the redesignation of bogs, with which we all agree.

Senator Denis O'Donovan referred to Irish Water and mentioned the slightly different issue of fluoridation. Senator David Norris organised a debate on that matter, during which the Minister of State, Deputy Alex White, spoke. I am sure it will arise in the House again.

Senator Denis O'Donovan also referred to the debate on rural development, an issue on which the Leader promised to arrange a debate next week with the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine. I will certainly request an extension of speaking time for that debate.

Senator Martin Conway referred to Irish Water and expressed concern about bonuses. We have addressed that issue. The debate will be held next week.

Senator David Norris referred to the plight of single fathers. He raised the issue based on the very tragic circumstances of the case reported in today's newspapers arising from the judgment of Mr. Justice Nicholas Kearns in the High Court on a Dublin maternity hospital's application.

It is an utterly tragic case and none of us knows the full circumstances, but I think everyone will want to join in offering sympathy to the grandmother and the father, in particular, and the family of the young woman and the baby who lost their lives. It is utterly tragic.

And for lots of single fathers.

I will come to that point. The law has been changed to enable single fathers to obtain guardianship in a much easier way, which is welcome. It is a point we might well raise during the debate on the children and family relationships Bill which the Minister for Justice and Equality and the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs have promised and which I hope will be brought before the House during this term. It is a debate which will cover a whole range of issues that hitherto have been neglected in Irish law, including rights in respect of assisted human reproduction, issues around surrogacy, parentage and so on. We would all welcome the introduction of that Bill.

Senator Michael Mullins raised the issue of Irish Water, on which there will be a debate next week. He also sought a debate with the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport, Deputy Leo Varadkar, on road safety. The Road Traffic (No. 2) Bill will be brought before the House next week or the following week. There may be some reference to the increasing number of road deaths during that debate, but it would be good to have a full debate on road safety. I will raise the issue with the Leader.

Senator Trevor Ó Clochartaigh referred to the detention of Margaretta D'Arcy, about which I read in the newspapers. There is an issue of the separation of powers and it is a matter for the prison governor to look at the welfare of prisoners. That a person should be detained for three months at the age of 79 years for a refusal to sign a bond is clearly a matter of concern.

Senator Trevor Ó Clochartaigh also raised the issue of potential industrial action at the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine. As with Senator Paul Coghlan's point, that is a source of concern and an issue one hopes will be resolved.

Senator Catherine Noone mentioned the Central Remedial Clinic and the effect the revelations about salaries had had on the amounts paid in charitable donations and called for a debate on the regulation of charities. We have debated the issue and called on the Minister many times to implement the Charities Act to ensure there is adequate regulation of the charities sector, which was the big issue underlying many of the controversies that arose before Christmas. Certainly, the Labour Party group set aside Private Members' time to debate the issue. We did receive certain promises from the Minister, but we might well ask him to come to the House during this term to revisit the issue and ask about progress in implementation of the Act, which would be welcome.

Senator Jim Daly raised the issue of organ donation and called on Senator Paul Coghlan to inform him of what progress had been made on the human tissue Bill.

We have not been in touch with the Leader.

I know the Government Whip has many powers, but I do not think he has the power to expedite legislation. I will certainly make inquiries as to the projected date for publication of the Bill. It appears in the Government's legislative programme, but there is no publication date for it. As with much other legislation, publication is being pushed forward. Any pressure we can put on the Departments would be welcome in trying to expedite the introduction of Bills such as this.

Senator Tom Sheahan sought information on the Coroners Bill. As I did not look at the legislative programme, I am not sure if it appears in it. Given that it is on the Order Paper, we should be able to get a date. The Senator also called for a debate with the Minister for Finance, Deputy Michael Noonan, on pillar banks and their lending levels to SMEs. My colleague, Senator Aideen Hayden, has called for a similar debate on banking. We might try to arrange that debate during this term.

Senator John Crown referred to the plain packaging of tobacco legislation to ensure its speedy passage. I am sure the legislation will have cross-party support. He has also raised some more matters in respect of St. Vincent's University Hospital which have been highlighted by him on a number of occasions in the House.

I think I have responded to all of the questions raised by Senators.

Order of Business agreed to.
Sitting suspended at 11.25 a.m. and resumed at 11.45 a.m.
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