Before I call the Leader, I welcome to the Public Gallery Councillor Tom Connolly from Claremorris.
Order of Business
The Order of Business is No. 1, Child Care (Amendment) 2015 - Committee Stage, to be taken at 1.15 p.m. and to be adjourned not later than 3 p.m., if not previously concluded; No. 2, National Cultural Institutions (National Concert Hall) Bill 2015 – Committee Stage, to be taken at 3 p.m. and to be adjourned not later than 4.30 p.m., if not previously concluded; and No. 3, Education (Welfare) (Amendment) Bill 2015 – Second Stage, to be taken at 4.30 p.m., with the time allocated for this debate not to exceed two hours.
Will the Leader make contact with the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine today in the interests of finally arriving at a solution regarding the delay in payments to the many farm families throughout Ireland? I am sure all Senators have received representations at their clinics and advice centres in respect of these delays. The delays in question have occurred at the same time in each of the past several years and are caused by the need to take satellite photographs, to digitise data, etc. I checked the position in Donegal, Sligo and Leitrim just before I came to the House and discovered that some 6,000 farm families are awaiting payments due to them under the areas of natural constraints scheme - previously known as the disadvantaged areas scheme - and also basic payments. This is completely unacceptable. Farm families, like many others in business, are trying to make ends meet. At this time of the year, many of them are obliged to make insurance payments and loan repayments and they need to buy feed and fodder in the normal way. We acknowledge the added financial pressure to which the Christmas season gives rise for all families. It is unacceptable that 6,000 families in Donegal, Sligo, Leitrim and north Roscommon have experienced delays in respect of their payments.
If people are late in making VAT returns, filing accounts with the Companies Office or submitting tax returns to Revenue, penalties and surcharges apply. What is going to be done for the farm families throughout the country to which I refer? Nobody cares about them; they are mere numbers on computer screens as far as Government Departments are concerned. However, these are the families which are funding local economies. The delays they are experiencing with regard to the payments due to them - which, in effect, represent a form of income - are unacceptable. They require the money involved in order to make vital payments or repayments of their own. I request that the Leader make personal contact with the Minister, Deputy Coveney, and ask him to accelerate these payments as a matter of the utmost urgency. I referred to 6,000 families in Donegal, Sligo and Leitrim but I am sure that there are similar numbers of people in the Leader's county of Waterford, in Cork and in other counties who, for no good reason, are also awaiting these vital payments. What will they be given by way compensation for the delays that have occurred? It must be remembered that if the shoe were on the other foot and if they made late returns to Revenue, the State would penalise them.
I request an urgent debate on the shambles relating to rent controls.
I cannot identify anyone in the Department of the Environment, Community and Local Government with a shred of common sense. Yesterday, the Minister announced to landlords that they should put up the rent as quick as they can and that is what all of them will do. There is no emergency legislation, even though the Taoiseach said it was hoped to have it done by the end of the month. On "Six One", the Minister, Deputy Kelly, said he would have it done within the next week but I can assure Senators that most tenants in Ireland have been told this morning that their rent is going up. If these people could not afford the rent yesterday, they will not be able to afford it today.
There is nothing in this for accidental landlords, those people who bought houses which they were forced to rent out because they could not afford to stay in them and had to move into another rented property. We have not put our thinking cap on at all in respect of this issue. This is a supply issue but we have done nothing about it and have not been innovative enough. The compromise that has resulted from the internal parliamentary tiff between the Minister for Finance, Deputy Noonan, and the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government, Deputy Kelly, has produced nothing for the struggling renting population of this country.
Yesterday, I asked for a debate on the new package of measures for the protection of tenants and on stabilising rents and boosting supply. It has received a general, albeit cautious, welcome from those working in the sector but there can be no panacea for the crisis we have in housing and rent. It is, none the less, very welcome to see these very practical measures put forward and I take issue with Senator MacSharry's points, in particular his suggestion that landlords all across the country are raising rents today. I do not think that is the case and it is pointless to scaremonger in this way. A careful, reflective debate on the measures that have been proposed, and which have been generally welcomed, would be worth having.
I welcome the signing, last night in Dublin Castle, of the Marriage Act 2015 regulations by the Minister for Justice and Equality, Deputy Frances Fitzgerald, and of the accompanying regulations by the Tánaiste. They are the last step in ensuring gay couples will be able to enter into civil marriages in very early course.
I commend my Labour Party colleague, Senator Mary Moran, who is bringing forward an Education (Welfare) (Amendment) Bill this evening in Private Members' time. This important Bill seeks to increase the school leaving age from 16 to 17, noting the significant positive benefits for children resulting from that. It would also reflect the increased reality as most children now stay in full-time education to the age of 17. Both the Minister for Education, Deputy Jan O'Sullivan, and the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs, Deputy James Reilly, have approved the Bill.
Will the Leader arrange a debate on third level education generally? This week The Irish Times launched its new online resource, The Student Hub, a general resource aimed at third level students. It is hugely important that this is happening and it is very welcome. I would like such a debate before Christmas, if possible or early in the new year, to look at a number of issues, including accommodation, which is a pressing issue, and funding for the third level sector, which has been a source of frustration for many in universities and colleges.
I welcome the plans for the redevelopment of College Green in Dublin city centre. Will the Leader arrange a debate on national traffic policy, particularly in our urban centres?
Hear, hear.
As a committed cyclist, it is important that measures are in place to support and encourage cycling. I have called for the introduction of a bike-to-school scheme to encourage greater numbers of schoolchildren to engage in cycling. Currently it is very dangerous for cyclists, particularly on Dublin roads but also on urban roads generally. We need to ensure that as part of the College Green development, adequate facilities are in place for bike parking and that there are bike lanes which are safe for adults and children to use. We then need to debate traffic flow in the area and to discuss incentives for people to cycle and to walk.
I would also like a debate on traffic. The traffic management in this city is chaotic and catastrophic. I cannot get from where I live to the House without going all around the world. One cannot go around College Green anymore but must go up to St. Stephen's Green and it is impossible. There is no taking into account at all of the fact that people live in the inner city. They are entitled to have cars. The bicycle is an important part of our society but so too is the motor car, particularly for elderly people, who have been treated with utter contempt. Directions are completely confusing and there are far too many of them. At the back gate of Trinity College, there are spikes in the middle of the road to stop people joining other lanes. There are minor crashes on a regular basis as well as tailbacks. It is an absolute disaster.
Banks are another disaster, another catastrophe. The German people made a profit of €30,000 per citizen out of our catastrophe while each Irish citizen lost €18,000. Germany is winning and I would like a debate on that. I would also like a debate on some of the attendant circumstances. The attitudes of the Irish banks are absolutely disgraceful and senior bankers are recidivists of the worst kind. They have committed crimes against this country and were bought off and pardoned at the expense of every ordinary decent citizen in this country but they are back again, battering their own customers. They do not want the little people whose pennies were essential in freeing the banks and they will not now accept a deposit of less than €3,000. What about the fact that this money belongs to these people? Banks are there to serve people, not just to make money. They will not now give out less than €700. How many people roll into a bank and ask for €700, €800 or €1,000 to go and do their shopping?
Is the Senator calling for a debate on this issue?
I have already done so. Perhaps the Cathaoirleach overlooked it.
Has the Senator another question? We are not having the debate today.
I have an unending supply of questions. Why are the banks trying to force people online? There are many people like myself who do not use computers and elderly people are now made to queue up outside with large sums of cash, advertising themselves as potential victims of crime. It is an absolute disgrace that the banks have turned their backs on those people who rescued them during the crisis. In a debate on banking, we could lay out the complaints of people. Bank of Ireland has done absolutely nothing to ameliorate this situation. It despises its account holders and treats them with utter contempt.
I refer to the progress that has been made in the Stormont House talks. Hopefully, the remaining vestiges of paramilitarism can be removed. There is continuing criminality and large-scale smuggling in the Border areas. Cross-Border smuggling of cigarettes and fuel laundering continue to cause problems, costing both Governments hundreds of millions each year. The south Armagh region has a particularly high concentration of fuel laundering plants and other illegal activity. In fact, policing in south Armagh is so light that the criminals openly demonstrate their existence and carry on with impunity. The operational districts of both the Garda Síochána and the PSNI should be open to one another in a corridor along the Border as further enhancement of the very excellent liaison which exists between them.
In south Armagh criminals seem to operate their own fiefdoms with a proliferation of blue alert sign notices. These unofficial notices have been erected in public areas throughout south Armagh and invite the public to report to them rather than the police. Do they think they are the law in that region? How can this be tolerated in a democratic society? I trust that the talks which are apparently making such good progress at Stormont are dealing with this issue as well.
Will the Leader arrange a debate, if possible before the Christmas break, on the very dangerous and invasive weed known as Japanese knotweed, preferably with the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government?
I know it has been a huge issue in parts of Cork where local authorities have seen roads undermined-----
And indeed in Kerry.
And indeed in Kerry. I saw our good colleague, Councillor Michael Cahill, raise the issue yesterday. The Department and various local authorities are turning a blind eye to this. You cannot burn it. It can grow without light underground undermining the foundations of a house. I know of a house in Bantry where it has actually undermined a gable wall. The people did not know what it was for until they carried out an investigation. It is an issue that will jump up and bite us. It is spreading like wildfire in this country and is a very serious issue. I am not sure what the answers are but in London they brought in experts to see if they could stymie and curtail it. If you burn the weed itself, it will regrow. It does not need light and will grow underground. The roots can grow 30 ft. downwards and outwards. It is a very serious issue and I know that local authorities are concerned about the effect of this weed on motorways and roads. It is so important that we deserve a debate here for possibly an hour or two with the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government. I am not attacking the Minister in any way but I am not sure if he is the answer. It is worthy of a debate and I am calling for this debate to be held as soon as possible.
I support what Senator O'Donovan has said because I have been pursuing this matter through the Oireachtas Committee on Environment, Heritage and Local Government. Everything Senator O'Donovan has said is correct. They have spent millions of pounds in Great Britain trying to curtail it. It is not possible to burn it out of the ground. The latest treatment is electric shock, believe it or not. It is a very serious problem. It has contaminated a large wild area in my town. If one walks where it is, you will literally bring back the spores on your shoes to your own land and garden. It needs to be addressed.
We have provision in one of the wildlife Acts to deal with this and prevent it moving from A to B but we do not have any provision in law or any other statute to deal with it on-site and eradicate it. Thanks in part to Senator Paul Coghlan, I travelled between Dungarvan and Killarney quite recently for an event. Along the road between Fermoy and Killarney, I saw signs notifying people that Japanese knotweed is on the road and not to touch it. It is that serious and it needs to be addressed. I welcome and support the call for an urgent debate in this House because the weed will destroy lands across the country.
I note the announcement by the speaker of the Northern Ireland Assembly, Mitchel McLaughlin, that he intends to step down at the next election. He is very highly regarded by all parties in the Assembly, as indeed was his predecessor, William Hay. It is a practical example of power sharing, which is to be very much commended. Along with the Ceann Comhairle, Mitchel McLaughlin is also the convenor of the North-South Interparliamentary Association, which will meet here at the end of the month.
I also note the success of 17 year old B.J. Banda, a native of South Africa who is a student at the Royal and Prior School in Raphoe and who scored the winning goal for Finn Harps against Limerick to secure promotion to the first division. His father contested the election to Donegal County Council last year so it remains to be seen whether this will become a political football.
I wish to raise the issue of prostitution, particularly in light of new research by the Immigrant Council of Ireland. Its research indicates that Galway is still an attractive destination for prostitution and the associated criminal human trafficking, and has the third highest level of online prostitution after Dublin and Cork. Brian Killoran, chief executive of the Immigrant Council of Ireland, said that some of the 60 victims of sex trafficking the council has supported speak of being abused and moved there to meet the demands of buyers looking for new women and girls. The Immigrant Council of Ireland has stated that the introduction of tough laws in Northern Ireland is the cause of the spike in prostitution south of the Border. It is, therefore, vital that the Criminal Law (Sexual Offences) Bill 2015, which was recently commenced and discussed in this House, completes its passage through the Houses of the Oireachtas as soon as possible as an all-island approach is needed to deal with this issue.
Tomorrow, the Galway 2020 team will travel to Dublin Castle to present its bid book to a panel of European adjudicators. I think I speak on behalf of everyone in Galway and the west in wishing it well with regard to its bid for Galway to become the Capital of Culture.
Tagaim leis an méid atá ráite ag an Seanadóir Naughton maidir le Gaillimh 2020.
I also commend the members of Pavee Point who have been outside the gates this morning. We have seen a lot of tea and sympathy about Traveller accommodation and it is now time for action. It is important that they have been outside Leinster House today and have brought a petition signed by over 5,000 people asking for action. I know we have asked for a debate on Traveller accommodation and I hope we can have it sooner rather than later because I am dealing with issues in Galway and we are seeing desperate situations on halting sites and unofficial hard stands which must be dealt with immediately. We need the Minister's support on that.
I also note that the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine said he will go to Brussels next month to negotiate fishing quotas and I hope he gets a very good deal there for Irish fishermen. It seems ironic then that while that is happening, we have the second largest supertrawler in the world fishing off the Irish coast. It is called the FV Margiris and it drags a net bigger than a football field. I am told that this gigantic vessel can process over 250 tonnes of fish per day and if it was stood on its end, it would be almost twice the height of Ireland's tallest building so one can imagine what damage is being done to our fishing stock. I understand that the vessel was banned in Australia after a huge people power movement forced the Government to ban it from its seas. Is the Minister in charge?
We will be calling for a debate with him on this type of fishing that is taking place in our waters. We see fishermen around our coasts living hand to mouth and fighting for crumbs from the EU table when it comes to fishing quotas yet we see these supertrawlers coming in and hoovering up all around them. It is a matter of serious concern. It has been a while since we had a debate on fisheries issues and it would be better if we had that debate before the Minister goes to Brussels so we can discuss some of the options that are available to him before he goes over to negotiate the fisheries quotas. It would be important to get some kind of indication from him as to what type of inspections are taking place on these supertrawlers that are fishing off the west of Ireland because they are certainly of huge concern to the fishing and rural communities along the west coast of Ireland.
I agree with the sentiments expressed by Senator Norris regarding the banks. It seems quite obvious that the banks are steering people away from their doors. They are striving to get everybody, including the elderly, to use machines. We saw what happened last week and they had to row back on another effort to keep people away from their doors. I do not blame the staff of the banks but this seems to be policy coming from the highest levels of the banking sector.
Last week, my assistant tried to buy a bank draft in a bank in Dublin. First, he could not pay for it in cash. Second, he had to give a reason he wanted the bank draft, which in this case was for a wedding. Third, he could not make it payable to the happy couple because he had to know whether they had a joint account. After 20 minutes of frustration, he went across the road to the post office and got a post office draft in 45 seconds with no questions asked. If one rings one's local bank, and everyone has their local bank number, one will get through to Dublin so the banks are doing everything in their power to frustrate people. A lady from Elphin who wanted to get Australian dollars when she went into the bank was told that it did not have them but to ring back later. She rang back later and got through to Dublin. What are they going to do for her if she wants Australian dollars?
What appears to be happening here is that the banks are trying to move to staffless and machine-led operations. Down the road, they will then turn around to the people and say "Because you didn't use us, you're going to lose us." These are the facts of the matter. I believe that people should move to their local credit unions and post offices. These outfits view them as customers while the banks view them as a nuisance. We should remember that during the crash, the credit unions got into difficulty to the tune of €25 million. The banks got into difficulty to the tune of €64 billion yet the same heavy-handed regulations now apply to the credit unions as to the banks. A debate on this issue at some point would be worthy and warranted.
I want to continue on the theme of the banks' disdain and contempt for ordinary customers, as reflected in the contributions of previous speakers. I am particularly pleased to note from today's newspapers that An Post is in the process of rolling out a banking system. Perhaps the Leader will indicate whether - given that it has already frustrated the credit unions, by way of restrictive legislation, from providing business loans - the Government is on the side of the banks. According to newspaper reports, the Government is delaying the roll-out of the banking service by the post office system across the country. According to those reports - I am sure the Leader will clarify the position in respect of them - the Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources is delaying the proposed roll-out by An Post of its banking service. Is that true? If so, is it doing it in order to defend the banks again? I find it somewhat ironic that at a time when Bank of Ireland is proposing to limit the access of customers to banking services, it is also rolling out a business enterprise concept countrywide in an effort, in my opinion, to portray itself as one of the good guys. As already indicated in various earlier contributions, Bank of Ireland is attempting to stop individual customers going into its branches. That bank is doing everything in its power to encourage people to bank online rather than visit its premises.
I am not trying to score a political point. Whatever about the merits or otherwise of the credit union legislation, if An Post is advanced in its plans to roll-out a banking service, including credit cards, online banking, debit and credit facilities, current account facilities and so on, in its 1,000 plus outlets across the country, I am sure Members on all sides of this House would welcome that as a third banking service. I will nail my colours to the mast and say that if a full banking service is going to be provided through the post office system, I would find it an attractive alternative. Perhaps for the first time, the pillar banks, particularly Bank of Ireland in the context of its launch in the past week of a particularly terrible initiative, will be hurt financially by the rolling out of the An Post service. There is a moral obligation on the Government, apart from a practical one, to ensure that people are given an alternative as Bank of Ireland withdraws its public service banking system, which has been the mainstay of banking in this country since banking became a reality.
I am requesting a debate on the banking system in the context of the roll-out of a third service and that said debate be taken by the relevant Minister, be it the Minister for Social Protection or the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources. I ask that the Leader communicate with both Ministers' Departments in regard to whether either is delaying the roll-out of the postal banking service and, if so, to explain and justify their reason for same.
I welcome the announcement this morning by Apple that it proposes to create up to 1,000 new jobs at its plant in Hollyhill, Cork, which is in my local authority area of the north west ward. It is a welcome development that will bring the total number of jobs there to over 5,000. I also thank Apple for its contribution to the area, Cork city and this country over the last 30 years. Many spin-off industries are likely to be created as a result of the proposed additional 1,000 jobs to be created. Reference was also made in the announcement to the construction of a new facility on the campus, which it is hoped will be completed by mid-2017. In the context of our discussions on jobs, it is important that we comment on promises which have been delivered on. Time and again, people speak about promises made and not delivered on. This is the one area in respect of which this Government has delivered very effectively.
The jobs about which the Senator is speaking are in the private sector.
It would be appropriate that the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation come before the House to discuss his plans for the next two to five years in the context of job creation and the retention of young people in this country. That would be an important debate. Negative issues are constantly spoken about in this House. Let us talk about the positive issues, including the creation of jobs, approximately 1,300 of which are being created per week. That will continue. We all have a part to play in that regard. It is important that we have a debate in this House during which we can identify the issues that are affecting the creation of jobs, be that in relation to small businesses or multinational companies, and try to bring about the change that is necessary to assist everybody wishing to create jobs.
It pains me to raise the issue to which I propose to refer given the excellent news adverted to by Senator Colm Burke in the context of the up to 1,000 new jobs to be created in Cork, which heralds a great success for the Government. However, I rise to speak about the practice that led to the closure of Clerys department store in O'Connell Street. My colleague, Senator Norris, addressed this issue yesterday. The Irish Congress of Trade Unions, ICTU, is extremely disturbed by the fact that anybody can walk into an organisation as large as Clerys and close it in 30 minutes. That is outrageous. I ask the Leader to organise a debate on the merits of the ICTU proposal that a minimum of 30 days notice be issued before redundancy can be imposed on workers. The latter is not an unreasonable request. We cannot allow major vulture organisations to close down businesses overnight.
On the banks, I have a mortgage with Permanent TSB. The other day I received a letter from the bank offering me a reduction of 0.75% on my mortgage interest rate. However, in order to avail of this reduction I would first have to get my house valued, which will be paid for by the bank. I cannot understand why it cannot just apply the lower rate to the loan. What is this all about? What are the banks doing? I agree with what has been said with regard to the banks' attempts to automate banking services while the charges they levy remain in place. The installation of a computerised service does not cost a fortune. The main cost in that regard is around the development of software and the price of electricity. The banks are taking us to the cleaners. We bailed them out and they are still taking us to the cleaners. They will continue to do so. It is the old and the vulnerable that will suffer most at the hands of these capitalists.
I agree with Senator Craughwell's remarks in respect of the practice around closure of businesses, as in the case of Clerys, a debate on which practice was also called for yesterday by Senator Norris.
On the proposed debate on housing, it is important to reference some of the positive initiatives announced yesterday in the context of housing. Unlike in every other country in Europe our rental sector has been neglected for a long time and we are starting from a low base. In terms of the announcement made yesterday, there has been little mention today of the many positive steps taken with regard to rent reviews, longer notice periods, tenancy terminations and security and, particularly, the deposit retention scheme and measures to increase housing supply, including by way of changes to the development levy and tax incentives to encourage landlords to accept tenants on the housing assistance payment or rent supplement. These will all be very beneficial. I would go a step further and incentivise landlords who are in mortgage distress to take on tenants of the housing assistance payment, HAP, and the rental accommodation scheme, RAS, schemes. While a lot has been done, there is much more to do.
I ask that the Leader make provision for a debate on gender equality in the Irish media. A recently published report on the Irish media indicates that Irish radio in particular is male dominated. Some 82% of Newstalk staff are male and 18% are female. Staff at Today FM are 70% male and 30% female. The RTE Radio 1 programme "This Week" fared worst in that 99.5% of its staff are male. It is not that women have nothing to say - they have a great deal to say.
The female was always accused of being the chatterbox. What is wrong with the media in Ireland that it has neglected the female voice in favour of the male voice? We have different things to say as well and that should be taken into account. I compliment Sarah Carey whose programme has the highest number of female voices and that is because it is led by a female. Could we have a debate on gender specific media performances?
They have too much to say. That is the trouble.
It is only appropriate that anybody in the House would welcome the announcement of new jobs but it is disingenuous to claim that jobs in the private sector are in some way the creation of the Government and I am surprised to hear it from somebody as experienced as Senator Burke. Governments do not create jobs.
Of course they are.
The best governments can do-----
Incentivisation of the market.
-----is create the climate in which jobs can occur. This Government is a master of the broken promises that Senator Burke referred to, and of spin. People need and are entitled to more, particularly in respect of housing. We have heard a great deal recently about the controversy within the Government about one small segment of housing provision, important as it is but we have not seen real commitment. Waking up almost five years into its term of office to a crisis in housing provision is not good enough. We urgently need the commitment of capital expenditure to building council houses. That needs to be done immediately and as a matter of urgency.
We may have to streamline the regulations and the costs. I left local government ten years ago. At that time the county had practically no waiting list. It was not an issue. Now, people in Wexford must wait ten years before they have a hope of getting a council house or being seriously considered for one. That is not good enough. Belatedly, I appeal to the Government to make every effort to tackle this issue.
I welcome an article in The Irish Times yesterday, which I hope signals a more balanced and nuanced approach with regard to the protection of life. The article was written by people who dealt with the Gosnell case in the United States. It was an appalling case. People who are pro-life and pro-choice could do nothing other than condemn it. It starkly sets out what abortion is. Many people are talking now about the repeal of the Eighth amendment of the Constitution but what they are really talking about is abortion. What is abortion about? Abortion is the sundering of the bodies of unborn babies. I would recommend that article to anybody here, whichever side he or she is on, who may have to face this topic in the future. It is enlightening. That needs to be central in the focus of the debate we will have. I hope The Irish Times will continue to be much more balanced because it has been little less than a pro-abortion publication for many years. I would very much like RTE to follow that initiative. It is essential that we have that debate. I ask the Leader to consider having a debate in this House on the topic.
Senator Walsh knows well that governments create the environment for investment and companies invest because they have confidence in a particular location. This Government has turned our economy around in the past four and a half years-----
By following the Fianna Fáil plan that was in place when it came in.
The investment we see in Cork follows on the very significant investment of €750 million that will come to Athenry, County Galway, over the next few years.
I support the call for a debate on the banking sector. Senator Norris and others have hit the nail firmly on the head on many issues related to banking. The Oireachtas Joint Committee on Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation yesterday decided to call the pillar banks, which have been bailed out by the taxpayer, to a future meeting to account for the appalling way they have treated small businesses over the past few years. We need a forthright debate on this area.
I also support the call for an update from the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine on the delay in farm payments. Much of the delay has been caused by the digitising work which the Department has contracted out. There are significant delays in that information being supplied to the Department. It is not good enough. Farmers are under severe pressure at this time of year to pay contractors and to meet various bills and it is important that the logjam be freed up urgently.
I welcome the Government’s announcement last week that €28.5 million is being made available for the payment of minor works grants to primary schools around the country. Schools can use this funding to improve their physical infrastructure, to purchase furniture and physical education and information technology equipment. This funding will be greatly appreciated by boards of management and school principals and will be paid at the rate of €5,500 per school plus €18.50 per mainstream pupil and €74 per special needs pupil. I encourage all schools, particularly those around County Galway, to apply for this funding so that our children can be educated in the best possible facilities.
I join colleagues who have raised the issue of farm payments. We have all received calls over recent weeks from farmers who are waiting patiently for this payment. It would appear that the problems are the same as those we had last year. The Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine should move to resolve those problems finally and not be holding up the payments. The problem could be resolved if the Department paid out 70% of the payments to all farmers, regardless of whether they had a problem. It would have 30% held back and if there was a difficulty it could recoup any re-claims made.
This is a very difficult time of year for farmers because contractors who do work over the summer are paid now and the farmers must make provision for the winter. It is vitally important to make sure they get their payments. Young farmers who started off in 2015 are due a payment now and would have made quite an investment in leasing land and setting up in their farming enterprise. It is unfair to leave them hanging out, waiting for a payment, coming up to Christmas.
The landlord regulation is one prong of a housing solution. When is the Government going to start building houses? When will it start a social housing building programme? When will it release National Asset Management Agency, NAMA, lands that are held by the State to enable building to start? We need a multi-pronged approach to get at this crisis.
Everybody in this House must be having the same experience as me. One or two families a week come to me because they are homeless. I do not have houses to give. I then put pressure on Galway City Council, which sees 20 families a week presenting as homeless. Galway County Council is experiencing the same problem. At some level we have to move on. We know there were problems with the lack of regulation and with developers but now there is a human crisis of mammoth proportions. Can the Leader imagine anything less dignified than not having a roof over his head? I know a family with five children in Claregalway which has got a notice from the landlord for January. The five children are under seven and the baby, who is under eight weeks of age, is sick. The father is asking me to help him find a house. Galway County Council cannot provide a house. The family was already on the city list for nine and a half years. It moved into the county and does not get credit for the time it was on the city council’s list.
The entire housing situation is a mess.
Hear, hear.
We need a multi-pronged approach to this problem. The landlord aspect is but a drop in the ocean although it is welcome.
I welcome the announcement today of 300 new jobs in Dublin at the recruitment website, Indeed.com. I also welcome the 1,000 new jobs for Cork. It is ridiculous to suggest the Government has not had some role to play in the creation of these jobs. If we were not creating jobs and were still haemorrhaging jobs at the rate which applied when we took over, we would be facing criticism for that. Credit must be given where it is due. We may not be physically putting people into jobs - we do not do what Fianna Fáil did and put people into the Civil Service - but we are creating the environment in which to create jobs. I do not often have to retaliate in this way. We are not haemorrhaging jobs but are at the other end of the scale and are creating jobs at a very significant rate. Unemployment is down to approximately 9% and while that is still not a welcome figure-----
That is a high figure, twice what it was. Fianna Fáil had it down to 4.5%.
-----it is a hell of an improvement on where we were when we took over and it is an own goal for Fianna Fáil to make statements like that.
The Dublin City Development Plan-----
Fianna Fáil had it down to 4.5%.
Senator Noone, without interruption.
The Dublin City Development Plan 2016-2022 is currently being prepared. I know I will get feedback on this but I will be calling on Dublin City Council and the other three Dublin authorities to consider the implementation of a no-fry zone. Chip shops near schools are targeting children with value deals after school or during the school lunch break. We have a serious obesity crisis. Although I would not suggest businesses which already exist in such locations should have to close, ideally, when we are planning, we should plan that there would be no chip shops close to schools. Some 25% of 11 year olds are obese. While I do not claim that this measure would solve the problem, it would go some way to help. If we do not implement things like a sugar tax and if we do not take these small measures, which added together would improve this situation, then we are not taking the problem seriously enough.
I support the call by my colleague, Senator Michael Mullins, to bring the financial institutions and the main banks before the Joint Committee on Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation. During that process Bank of Ireland's proposal to refuse to deal with any cash transactions up to certain figure should be discussed. This proposal would severely impact older people.
It will still happen.
The banks got away with a lot that they should not have got away with. They have been able, at breakneck speed, to automate most of their branches. They should not have been allowed to do this. The process should have been done in a very slow, methodical and incremental way. Some of these branches in rural Ireland have been automated literally overnight. The banks have very reluctantly made staff available to assist people in dealing with the automation. What Bank of Ireland was proposing last week was a step too far. I acknowledge the fact it abandoned the proposal but some form of legislation is required to ensure banks provide a basic level of service, which they are providing at the moment. However, I fear that once they get the opportunity, they will remove that basic level of service. We need to consider legislation to enforce and ensure the provision of a basic level of service to older people and to people who are disabled and unable to use the automated technology. There is a responsibility to the citizens of the State to provide them with the opportunities to perform small financial transactions in those financial institutions which, ultimately, were saved and bailed out by the taxpayer.
I pay tribute to Mr. Pat Eddery, a natural genius in the saddle, who has sadly passed away after a long illness. We sometimes talk about horse racing in the House and, as it is the time of the year, we will be talking about it again in the next few weeks. If horse racing was an Olympic sport, then Mr. Eddery would have won multiple gold medals. Horses loved to win for him and he rode 4,600 winners. Sir Gordon Richards was the only other jockey with a bigger record.
I was lucky enough to know Pat personally. He was a man who was devoid of ego, very self effacing and humble. He was always beautifully dressed when off the saddle but he was happiest when in the saddle. We have 25,000 people who are employed in the racing industry and Pat helped the State to become the greatest in the world at producing thoroughbreds. He won numerous derbies, 14 British classics, the Japan Cup, the first Breeder's Cup in the US and the Arlington Million in Chicago. He won the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe at Longchamp in Paris with a draw that was impossible, yet he managed to win it. I hope the House will join me in paying tribute to Pat and in extending our sympathies to his family.
Hear, hear.
I acknowledge the comments made by Senators MacSharry, Comiskey and Michael Mullins regarding the delay in farm payments. It has been suggested that this is due to the digitising of information but I will clarify the situation with the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine and, hopefully, the matter will be addressed in early course. I appreciate the problems facing farmers and delays such as this should not be happening.
A number of Senators referred to rent controls and housing matters. All the proposals announced this week by the Minister will be contained in the residential tenancies Bill which will be brought before the House next Tuesday. If we do not complete Second and Committee Stages on Tuesday, we will complete Committee Stage on Wednesday and proceed to Report Stage the following week. It is intended to move immediately on the proposals that were announced and that this legislation will pass through both Houses as soon as is practicable. I assure the House that sufficient time will be allowed next Tuesday for Second and Committee Stages and if Committee Stage has not concluded on Tuesday, it will conclude on Wednesday.
Senator Bacik called for a debate on third level education and we will try to facilitate that. However, I cannot guarantee that the debate will be held before Christmas because we have quite an amount of legislation due before us. On the point made by Senators Bacik and Norris on national and Dublin traffic flows, I would not like to usurp the powers of the local authorities as they are responsible for the traffic flows within their areas and it is a matter for the city councils to deal with traffic management plans. They are the appropriate bodies in which to debate that topic.
Senators Norris, Kelly, Mooney, Craughwell, Conway and others referred to banking practices. Banking practices are changing and this is creating difficulties for people. The matter was raised last week. The banks do not realise that some people, old and young, just do not have computers or iPhones and that some customers prefer to go into a bank and be dealt with courteously by real people, but that is all changing.
As has been pointed out by Senator Mooney, we may have a new banking system in post offices. I am not aware that any government is holding up plans by An Post to extend banking services but I will certainly inquire about the matter. People have choices in respect of banks. I know people do not like changing banks if they are with one for 20, 30 or 40 years but they may have to in order to get the proper customer service that they need and should get. I would be in full agreement with Senator Norris and the other Senators in their sentiments regarding banks.
Senator Paul Coghlan called for a debate on the Stormont House talks when they have been concluded. It is hoped that they will be concluded this week. The Senator also mentioned cross-Border smuggling, fuel laundering and those blue alert signs on roads, which are put up by paramilitaries and criminals and ask that any problems would be reported to them. That type of system will certainly have to stop as will the lawlessness that is going on in that part of the country. It is totally unacceptable and needs to be addressed by both Governments.
Senators O'Donovan and Landy raised the problems with the spread of Japanese knotweed, which is undermining foundations, roads, etc. I will try to arrange a debate but am sure it will be raised at the appropriate joint committee. It is a very serious problem.
Senator Barrett made a very good point about the 17 year old gentleman who scored for Finn Harps in the recent game. It was a very good comment about a political football, considering that his father had stood for elections last year. I note the Senator's point in that regard.
Senator Naughton discussed the report of the Immigrant Council of Ireland on prostitution and the need for the Criminal Law (Sexual Offences) Bill to be progressed and I take the Senator's point. The Bill was initiated in this House. The Senator also raised Galway's application for the capital of culture 2020. We wish Galway well but I also wish the Three Sisters 2020 presentation from Kilkenny, Wexford and Waterford well. I can assure colleagues that will be a very strong presentation.
We will have the results on Thursday.
May the best region or city jump the fence. I am certainly hoping that it will be the Three Sisters 2020 project.
We will invite Senator Cummins to Galway.
Senator Ó Clochartaigh spoke on Traveller accommodation and I note his points. I am sure the matter is being addressed by the joint committee. On the Senator's call for a further debate on fishing, I will try to get the Minister to come to the House on that matter. I note the Senator's points about the huge trawler that is fishing off the west coast and about inquiring as to what inspections are taking place. I do not think inspections are announced. The inspectors just appear, as the Senator knows, and I am sure that may happen at some stage for trawlers of this size also.
Senator Colm Burke welcomed the excellent news of the creation of 1,000 extra jobs in Cork by Apple. He also made a very valid point that the spin-offs from the creation of these jobs are significant for other small and medium-sized enterprises.
Senator Craughwell raised the point which Senator Norris raised previously about the Clerys workers. As I mentioned to Senator Norris yesterday, I would be in full agreement that there should be a cooling-off period and people should not be notified within hours that their jobs are gone. That type of thing should be banned, there is no question about it. The Workplace Relations Bill passed through the House not so long ago. I do not know whether those points were made at that time. I agree with the Senators' sentiments and am sure there will be a mechanism so that this type of situation does not happen again.
Senator Keane called for a debate on housing and the housing assistance payment, HAP, and rental accommodation, RAS, schemes. I am sure that can be encompassed by our debate on the national tenancies Bill next week. I note the Senator's comments on the male domination of the airwaves and can tell her that is certainly not the case in this House.
Senator Walsh spoke on new jobs. As he knows, governments create the climate in which jobs are created. The high tax policies of Fianna Fáil and Sinn Féin will do nothing to attract such jobs to this country. That is why when people are voting-----
There was unprecedented growth during the Fianna Fáil era. Senator Cummins knows that. We had 7%, 8% and 9% growth.
When people are voting, they will consider the type of policies enunciated by people.
There was full employment.
On the issue of housing raised by Senator Healy Eames, we will have the debate on the tenancies Bill and €3.5 billion has been set aside for housing. Several projects are already up and running but, unfortunately, one cannot say, "Gillie, gillie, here is a house". They have to be built and it takes time.
When will they be built?
It will take another five years to do that.
They are being built already.
When will they be ready?
Houses are being built already, as I said, in many places. It is a bit rich coming from Senator Walsh-----
We should not forget the prefabs.
It is a bit rich for Senator Walsh to say that when he was on the council, they were building council houses by the dozen. When he went off the council, his Government stopped building local authority houses so maybe he should go back on it again.
I note Senator Comiskey's points about farm payments. Senator Noone welcomed another 300 jobs in Dublin. I note her points on the Dublin city development plan. I do not know whether that no-fry zone will fly but am sure the Senator will raise it with our council colleagues in those areas.
Senator Conway spoke on the banks and Senator Mary Ann O'Brien commented on the sad passing of Pat Eddery, one of the greatest jockeys Ireland has ever produced and winner of 14 classics. I remember vividly many moons ago his ride on Grundy to win the Derby. He rode Pebbles to win the Breeders' Cup, as the Senator mentioned. More than 4,600 wins was an extraordinary feat indeed and we sympathise with his family and the entire racing industry, which will mourn his passing.
Order of Business agreed to.
Sitting suspended at 12.38 p.m. and resumed at 1.45 p.m.