The Order of Business is No 1, Knowledge Development Box (Certification of Inventions) Bill 2016 - Report Stage (Resumed) and Final Stage, to be taken at 1.30 p.m. and brought to a conclusion not later than 2 p.m., if not previously concluded, by putting one question from the Chair which shall, in relation to amendments, include only those set down by the Government; and No. 2, statements on the Irish language, to be taken at 2 p.m., with the contributions of group spokespersons not to exceed eight minutes each and those of all other Senators not to exceed five minutes each.
Order of Business
I wish to raise two matters, the of which first relates to Brexit. Last week I raised serious concerns about the threat of a hard Brexit and the serious effect it would have on the economy. Yesterday MPs at Westminster voted to invoke Article 50. A hard Brexit is no longer a threat but a reality. To compound the severity of this development, earlier in the week the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, Mr. James Brokenshire, stated there would be no special status for Northern Ireland. This means that the likelihood of a hard border on this island has become far more plausible. Mr. Brokenshire's comments are of particular concern owing to the unique position of Northern Ireland. It is the only part of the United Kingdom that has a land border with the European Union. This, with the fact that the region voted strongly to remain part of the European Union, means that special arrangements must be put in place. Even the UK Prime Minister, Mrs. Theresa May, when in Dublin last week, acknowledged Northern Ireland's special position and pledged that there would be no return to the borders of the past. Having said that, the lack of any plan for how this would be achieved is a serious concern. That the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland appears to be echoing the language of the DUP is frustrating. Adding to the difficulty is the cynical manoeuvring of Sinn Féin in the context of Brexit and the instability brought to Northern Ireland by the collapsing of the Northern Ireland Executive. Our focus should be on dealing with the real and serious risks facing Northern Ireland, rather than seeking to use the issue to advance other larger constitutional arguments. Brexit is going to take a greater social and economic toll on Northern Ireland than on anywhere else in the United Kingdom. Given that it is taking place against the express wishes of the people of Northern Ireland, we need to see a far more constructive approach from the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland.
The second issue I wish to raise relates to the challenges facing the capital in terms of transport and infrastructure and the resulting daily ordeal many of us face in getting to and from our place of work. Unfortunately, since the economic downturn many of the capital's projects have been delayed or shelved – the same applies to projects throughout the country. In the capital metro north has been delayed, while the DART underground project appears to be rather uncertain. I welcome the continuing development of the Luas cross-city line. I hope that, when completed, it will be a convenient addition to the transport services for those living in Dublin. Yesterday, however, I read with concern an article in The Irish Times which stated the future of the DART underground project was in serious jeopardy as a result of the Government failing to provide funding for Iarnród Éireann for the rail line and a critical site for the development of the project on Pearse Street. As many in the House will know, the proposed 7.5 km line would link the northern line with the Heuston main line, with new underground stations at the docklands, Pearse Street, St. Stephen's Green and Christchurch, as well as a surface station in Inchicore. The business case put forward by Iarnród Éireann outlined how the project would provide an efficient and environmentally sustainable alternative to road transport. Moreover, it would provide the capacity to enable growth within an otherwise constrained city centre. The cost benefit analysis arising from the report indicated that the project also offered high value for money. When I read that a project of this importance was in jeopardy, it reinforced my belief in the need to have one person with responsibility for Dublin. Again, I reiterate the calls made by my party colleague, Deputy John Lahart, and others for the establishment of an office of Dublin mayor. We have to look to the future and at the quality of life for citizens living in a badly congested city. Where is the Government's vision for the capital? How bad will traffic congestion have to become before the Government realises it must work to deliver capital investment projects such as the DART underground project, metro north and the underground expansion of the Luas? I call on the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport to clarify the Government's position on the DART underground project and publish five, ten and 20-year plans for the infrastructure of the capital.
I want to raise two issues. First, I welcome the ruling of the Supreme Court in the United Kingdom on the flag protests that continued for months and that affected people living on the Short Strand. Unfortunately, the PSNI chose not to stop the protest marches passing through. I am pleased that the Supreme Court in the United Kingdom found that the police service had the power to stop them and that it should have done so. I commend the residents of the Short Strand in Belfast. They courageously pursued the case through the courts, all the way to the Supreme Court in the United Kingdom, to win the particular battle. I hope this will marks a step change because we need such a change. Everyone in the Chamber wants to see fair policing in the North. The Supreme Court in the United Kingdom has found that fair policing did not apply. As a result, people suffered for months. I hope this is a sign of a step change in policing within the Six Counties.
Senator Catherine Ardagh made certain remarks about Sinn Féin. We are proud of our record in the North where we stand for election. Ours is a 32-county party and we welcome competition at any stage. We want to talk about a united Ireland, for which we will never apologise.
The next point I want to raise relates to the US President, Mr. Trump, about whom I know a good deal has been said. One aspect of particular concern relates to Palestine. President Trump has signalled strongly that he intends to move the US embassy to Jerusalem. That is particularly concerning. We now have people high up in the Israeli Government saying there is no longer any need to even talk about the need for a Palestinian state. This has serious repercussions for the people of Palestine and is yet another reason to be concerned.
As a party, we recognise that we should not be breaking the links built by all parties in America. We understand the relationship is important. However, I have concerns about the optics of the Taoiseach potentially fawning over President Trump with a bowl of shamrock. It is up to the Taoiseach to make it clear that he is entirely opposed to the horrendous, racist and misogynist policies of President Trump. We can do something on the topic in the Chamber this evening. A protest will take place at 6 p.m. in Shannon organised by Shannonwatch.
I invite any of our colleagues close by to come down and join me at 6 p.m. To be frank, it is one thing to talk about President Trump, but we will have an opportunity at Shannon Airport at 6 p.m. today to stand for equality and with our Muslim brothers and sisters. I hope we will have a good turnout.
I propose an amendment to the Order of Business, that No. 8, Derelict and Vacant Sites Bill 2017 - First Stage, be taken before No. 1.
I want to raise two issues, the first of which is the proposed picket at Shelbourne Park by the Dublin Greyhound Owners and Breeders Association on Saturday night, 4 February. The picket stems from the frustration felt within the industry across the country but most particularly in Dublin because of the total inaction of the Irish Greyhound Board on the issue of the future of the Harold's Cross track. The Indecon report published in 2014 showed that, under the board, the Irish greyhound industry was in debt to the tune of €21 million. It found that the board was challenged and flawed on a number of fronts, including financial governance, doping and performance procedures. It also found that the financial system in place was flawed. For that reason, it came up with a number of proposals, one of which was that the Harold's Cross track be sold in anticipation of the zoning being changed from amenity to development land in the Dublin development plan. Local councillors, some from within the Labour Party, I am glad to say, saw off this proposal and the Harold's Cross track was retained as an amenity, thereby reducing the value of the land. Despite this, the only action the Irish Greyhound Board has come up with to date to address its €21 million debt involves the selling of the Harold's Cross track. The board has squandered and wasted money for the past 20 years. In one instance, it spent millions in developing a new track in Limerick, but it failed to sell the old track. It has also failed dismally to grow the industry because it has not dealt with the problem of doping. I congratulate everyone who was in Clonmel for the coursing meetings on Saturday, Sunday and Monday. There is horse racing meeting there today. The people I met had lost faith in the industry. I ask that the legislation promised since 2015 to deal with the recommendations made in the Indecon report be brought forward and also that the new interim CEO, Dr. Seán Brady, meet the Irish Greyhound Owners and Breeders Association, something he has refused to do to date. In addition, will the Leader find out how long the interim period will be and when a new CEO will be put in place? The last CEO left overnight. It is very important for a State board that a CEO be appointed properly.
I want to raise one other brief issue.
The Senator is in injury time.
Before Christmas Deputy Gino Kenny introduced a Bill dealing with the legalisation of medicinal cannabis. In the Dáil the Minister said he welcomed the Bill in which he saw merit. Unfortunately, the people who suffer from epilepsy, Parkinson's disease, multiple sclerosis, arthritis and fibromyalgia, of which I have been a sufferer for 20 years, have seen no progress made on the Bill. Some 1.6 million people in this country suffer from chronic pain. From a survey taken in the last week, it has now been accepted by GPs across the country that medicinal cannabis, properly dispensed with a prescription, properly controlled and produced in synthetic form to remove its damaging properties, would be good for patients and help to reduce the numbers of painkillers, sleeping tablets, antidepressants and morphine patches those suffering from these ailments have to endure every day. I ask the Minister to bring forward the legislation as soon as possible. I thank the Leas-Chathaoirleach for his tolerance.
The very decisive vote in the House of Commons yesterday has brought into focus the real risk of a hard Brexit if we are not extraordinarily vigilant and hard-working to prevent it from happening. We need a solution for Ireland that is unique. We need a solution that will allow an all-Ireland customs union. That would effectively mean that there would not be a hard border and that we would need controls at ports rather than along the Border with Northern Ireland. We need a special and unique solution. Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland have to be treated within the negotiations as very special territory. I ask the Leader to express that view, given that we are in a very difficult situation.
I also ask the Leader to arrange a debate in the interim, as Brexit moves closer to become a reality, given the huge threat to the agriculture sector, particularly those engaged in intensive farming. In counties such as Cavan and Monaghan and other areas along the Border employment in the industry, particularly in the mushroom sector, is at huge risk. A system of supports will have to introduced, including tax incentives. I, therefore, ask the Leader to arrange a debate on this issue.
I support Senator Catherine Ardagh who raised the issue at the outset in order for it to be given high priority. Brexit is the big matter today and the Leader should respond accordingly. While it is admirable to engage in constant review and debate in the House, I agree with Senator Catherine Ardagh that a special and serious debate is required, with particular reference to the impact of a hard Brexit along the Border. I appreciate the indulgence of the House as this is an extremely serious issue for the constituency I represent.
On Brexit, I agree with previous speakers that it is important that we try to work out the issues involved. It is going to be a long-term problem for Ireland.
While travelling here in my car this morning, the Minister for Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government, Deputy Simon Coveney, was on RTE radio speaking about rural Ireland and his Ireland 2040 plan. In the past few months many Senators have mentioned that we have a two-tier recovery. Dublin is glowing. There seems to be a lot of employment and, as Senator Catherine Ardagh said, there is massive traffic congestion. However, rural Ireland has been forgotten. When one looks at health services, schools, shops and post offices or at main streets and town centres, it is clear that it is very difficult for them to remain attractive for businesses. It is also difficult for people to live and work in rural Ireland. It is a 23-year plan and the Minister said this morning that public meetings would be held in various areas to discuss it. If people want to know something these days, they turn on RTE radio and they will hear all of the information the Minister and the Taoiseach are launching. In 2002 - 15 years ago - there was a national spatial strategy which I am sure some Members will remember.
It was a sham.
It destroyed the country.
Order, please. Senator Jennifer Murnane O'Connor is not addressing the people across the road. She should not invite debate.
I am not; I am being honest. I was not in the Dáil or the Seanad at the time.
The Senator's time is running out.
What I am saying is that lessons have to be learned-----
Please, Senator.
No, hang on-----
The Senator is not allowed to address Members across the floor.
It is crucial and very important that the Minister include all parties and that public meetings be held.
I am afraid the Senator's time is up.
As spokesperson for Fianna Fáil on housing, I have major concerns. I have met Minister for Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government, Deputy Simon Coveney, on several occasions. We have our meetings on housing every Wednesday morning.
Good.
I have to say this.
The Senator cannot. She has gone over time.
We have been promoting Dublin. The Minister has brought forward a rapid build programme which, again, is promoting Dublin. If he is serious about rural counties, he needs to put a proper action plan in place and come in and talk to us all.
I was pleased to see this week, as the previous spokesperson on European affairs in the House, that the European Union had agreed a deal to cap the price telecom operators paid for using each other's networks and that by 15 June 2017, this agreement would come into place. We are a far cry from where we were ten, 15 or 20 years ago, when if we went abroad, we were afraid to even look at a phone, never mind use it for fear of incurring charges running into hundreds of euro. It is one very positive thing the European Union has delivered. By 15 June an SMS will cost 1 cent and people will be able to use their phones as though they were in Ireland.
I want to mention a recent documentary broadcast on RTE which many of us will have seen about the use of drugs, prescription drugs in particular but also other drugs with codeine. I felt the documentary, while it was very enlightening and interesting, was slightly anecdotal and lacked a little balance when it came to mental illness, in particular. There are over 450,000 people in Ireland who are on anti-depressants and we cannot underestimate how vital and perhaps life changing these drugs are in many instances. It must be said a review of the issue would be very useful for the Minister for Health, Deputy Simon Harris, to implement. If the figures are as stark and worrying as was highlighted in the documentary, we need to be implementing a more structured counselling service in order that general practitioners and other medical professionals can safely recommend and prescribe counselling in certain instances. That is not to take from - I cannot stress this enough and I am repeating it - how important and vital these drugs are for some people who have mental illnesses. I do not think that balance came across in the documentary. I call on the Minister for Health to investigate the use of prescription medications in addressing mental health issues nationwide to avoid over and erroneous prescription.
Pre-exposure prophylaxis, PrEP, is a prevention option for persons at substantial risk of contracting HIV. It has been approved by the World Health Organization. Currently, only one medication has been approved for use as PrEP which is marketed under the name of Truvada and is a combination of two antiretroviral drugs. It is also used for HIV treatment in combination with other antiretroviral drugs. Taken daily, PrEP reduces a person's risk of contracting HIV by more than 99%. In the light of the permanent ban on gay men donating blood, in a questionnaire from the Irish Blood Transfusion Service, IBTS, for those who wish to donate blood, question No. 52 asks whether the individual has taken PrEP in the past five years. The HSE is engaged in a process to make PrEP available in Ireland, but there is no indication as to how long that will take. We know that people in Ireland are taking PrEP, accessed perhaps via the Six Counties or elsewhere in Europe. When Sinn Féin asked the Minister for Health, Deputy Simon Harris, for the reasoning behind question No. 52, he said in a reply I received this morning, "Question 52 was added to the IBTS Donor Health & Lifestyle Questionnaire on 16 January this year when the permanent deferral of men who have sex with men ... from donating blood was changed from a lifetime ban to a 12 month deferral from the most recent sexual contact with another man". Essentially, with any other man who has sex with a man, I will have to wait 12 months to donate blood. That is not in line with international best practice of a period of three months. I am informed by the Minister that the reason question No. 52 is in the questionnaire is, "Persons who have taken medication to prevent HIV infection, i.e. ... PrEP ... are [now] deferred for a 5 year period". This is a massive U-turn in terms of LGBT rights and the commitment in respect of gay men donating blood. While I will admit it is possible after a 12-month period, we are increasing the period fivefold for those who have taken PrEP. I want the Minister to come into the House to address the matter.
On the issue of cannabis, I know that the Minister has been working on legislation to make it available to certain people. I support his endeavours in that regard because it would be a very useful adjunct in treating people with various ailments.
I return to the issue of Brexit and the Leader of the Opposition's comments on traffic congestion in Dublin. She is quite right to say that, with the economy returning to strength in Dublin and the efforts to make that happen throughout the country, this is going to be an issue. Brexit will provide many challenges, of which we are aware, but it will also provide many opportunities in the Irish Financial Services Centre and other centres. We hear unofficially that many companies have already decided to come here without making much of a brouhaha about it because of other sensitivities. Hundreds of jobs are coming our way and thousands may do so into the future. The challenges that will present are in the areas of housing and the provision of office accommodation and, as has been mentioned, transport. Ireland has made a special case, which is accepted, and using the precedent of the reunification of West Germany and East Germany, we have an opportunity through the European Investment Bank to avail of moneys off book to allow us to expedite the provision of infrastructure that we need. In particular, I am talking about the metro which is now more important than ever. Dublin Airport's stunning performance in dealing with additional visitors to the country will be undermined if we cannot address the infrastructural deficit, not just with the metro which is critical and which will have the capacity to produce its own fare income to repay loans but also road projects, the absence of which havs restricted development. A major development at Belcamp was recently refused permission by Fingal County Council which had no other option because of the lack of road access. These issues need to be addressed urgently because there is no better place for the supply of housing. The land is available in Fingal. Some 75 acres have been rezoned for office development at Dublin Airport which has not yet been put to full use. The original Dublin Airport plan which provides for the creation of 10,000 jobs is already afoot. We have an opportunity to get up to 50,000 new jobs in the area. The infrastructure will serve the rest of the country, with park and ride facilities being provided in the area. They will be useful in getting into town, for international business people commuting and tourists to access the rest of the country. For all of the people mentioned, it is critical that there be a metro service like the service at Heathrow Airport where one can hop onto a train and travel into London. Why can the same not happen in Dublin? Again, I welcome the Government's initiative to avail of the capacity of the European Investment Bank to fund these projects off book. I do the metro project will receive the priority it should. It would help to relieve the traffic congestion mentioned by the Leader of the Opposition.
I call Senator Aodhán Ó Ríordáin who should formally second the amendment proposed to the Order of Business.
I formally second the amendment.
In six weeks' time this country and the world will celebrate the history and the story of a very famous undocumented migrant called St. Patrick. On that day and in that week it is imperative that we in this House and anybody with an Irish background tell the real story of Ireland. It is a story of emigration, an understanding of coffin ships, sectarian hatred, seeking refuge, violence and terrorism.
It is extremely important, while the eyes of the world are on us, that we take a stand on that day and in that week and tell the real story of Ireland. In these very uncertain times, particularly following the executive orders produced by the Trump regime, the number of people with Irish-American names who surround the man is remarkable. I can think of names like Conway, Kelly, Bannon, Spicer and Pence. They want to give a certain view of the Irish-American experience. It is important that Members of both Houses of the Oireachtas and Irish people across the world take a stand on St. Patrick's Day and in that week. We must remind the world that we know intimately what it is like to leave this country, what it meant to be on a coffin ship and takes to overcome sectarian hatred, deal with terrorism and division and seek peace. We must take stock of the experience in our own country.
I make reference to the recent goings on in Ballaghaderreen when local representatives were shown up completely by local people when asked to accept 80 Syrian refugees into their own community. I pay tribute to Mary Gallagher who I believe owns a small shop in Ballaghaderreen. When asked by RTE how she felt about the situation, she asked how, when one saw children being picked out of clay, could one say no. However, political representatives in that part of the world were slow in being as welcoming as she was. We in this House have a responsibility to work on a cross-party basis to ensure we will implement the recommendations made in the McMahon report on direct provision. We now have an opportunity to sort out our own house. We can say to the rest of the world that we are an emigrant nation, that we understand intimately the needs of emigrants across the world and that we will not allow the Irish story to be hijacked by the right-wing white national viewpoint of those who surround President Trump.
I refer to the domiciliary care allowance and the high number of appeals that arise from applications made to the Department of Social Protection. As Senators will know, the domiciliary care allowance is about €309 per month and paid to the carer of a child under 16 years of age with a severe disability. He or she must be living at home and require full-time care and attention, over and above the care and attention normally required by a child of that age. I am disturbed by the high number of appeals. In some cases applicants have been forced to pursue the matter through the courts to get justice. The Department has released figures for 2016 that show there were approximately 7,434 applications and that 1,344 appeals were lodged. The most startling figure was that of the 1,344 appeals lodged, as many as 1,065 were successful. That shows clearly that there is an issue with how applications are determined. Another issue worth considering is the time taken to process an application. It takes approximately 14 weeks for a decision to be made on an initial application. The hearing of an appeal takes up to 30 weeks. The figures clearly show that there is something wrong with how the Department considers applications and appeals. I urge the Leader to ask the Minister for Social Protection to consider the matter and put a mechanism in place to inform the carers of children in this category at an early stage about their entitlements.
I welcome the announcement made by the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine on the formation of a tillage forum. He has agreed to hold what will be an important meeting on Thursday, 16 February. The grain forum will afford us an opportunity to discuss what happened with the harvest in 2016 and the resultant major losses, particularly in the south and west. The establishment of a grain forum was promised by the Minister and I hope the meeting will bring the issue to a conclusion and that everyone who is aggrieved will have a positive outcome.
I wish to discuss the Common Agricultural Policy, CAP. Commissioner Phil Hogan has today announced the initiation of a public consultation process on the reform of the CAP. He has indicated that he wants to have a full and meaningful public consultation process and outlined his plans and vision for same. It is important that we note that he has invited farmers, professional bodies in the agriculture sector, as well as environmental organisations to give their views in the next three months. Details of the consultation process can be found on the Commission's website. The announcement is welcome because consultation needs to take place.
This morning I read a brief piece on the matter. In his press release the Commissioner stated the aim of the review was to modernise and simplify the CAP. It will be a very big task to simplify it. We all know that there are major challenges to it in terms of food production, globalisation, the environment and how farmers and environmentalists work together. Other challenges include addressing the impact of Brexit, the effects the Russian import ban has had on agriculture, the slump in milk prices following the downturn and the lifting of quotas, market volatility and diversity. The key message to come from the Commissioner was that the consultation process presented an opportunity to discuss how the CAP could be simplified and still be meaningful and effective. This House needs to send a clear message on CAP reform. I ask all Members to spread the word about the three-month consultation process in their respective constituencies through the organisations, groups and bodies with which they are involved. I want them to ask and encourage people to engage in it in a meaningful way.
Will the Leader indicate whether he has made progress on the establishment of a Seanad committee on Brexit? Clearly, Brexit will have an enormous negative impact on the agriculture sector on this island and in the United Kingdom.
That is a matter for the Committee on Procedure and Privileges which is considering it.
I directed my question at the Leader.
It is a matter for the Committee on Procedure and Privileges.
I am grateful for the answer. May I finish?
The Senator has gone over time.
Will the Leader indicate whether progress has been made on the matter?
The Taoiseach should continue the long-term tradition of travelling to the White House to meet President Trump. It will afford him an opportunity to articulate all that is good in Ireland. He should tell the President that visitors and refugees are welcomed with compassion and courage on this island. He should also say Ireland is at peace, that we have torn down our walls and that we want to build bridges. Unfortunately, what is happening as a consequence of the Brexit vote and the election of President Trump is that the United States which was a democracy that had respect for human rights and the United Kingdom which is the home of parliamentary democracy are building walls, whereas once they built bridges.
The Taoiseach should highlight the fact that in a democracy index Ireland has been ranked in the top six of over 160 countries. It measures the state of democracy against such factors as pluralism, civil liberties and political culture. Ireland has been ranked ahead of the United Kingdom which has been ranked 16th and the United States which has been ranked 21st. As a country, Ireland needs to be open, mature and confident enough to take its place among the nations. We can ask the United Kingdom and the United States to work with us. As Ireland is located between the two, we must be at the vanguard in promoting democratic rights.
We must highlight to President Trump all that is good on the island of Ireland. I am not saying everything is good, but we should emphasise the positive. We have come a long way in the past 20 years.
Many of the issues that are discussed in this House cannot be acted on unless we have a tax system that works efficiently. The arms of the State must support the collection of taxes, whether for hospitals, housing, supports for rural areas and so on. The tax base must be supported and sustained. In early January I contacted the Revenue Commissioners to highlight allegations that national lottery staff were giving tax avoidance advice to lottery winners on gift tax, inheritance tax and several other taxes. In the excitement of winning a large amount of money people will most likely take any advice they receive from the national lottery. In some cases, it is alleged, that the advice was to form a syndicate where none existed. I am deeply disturbed that the lottery licence may have been granted to agencies which see fit to help people to defraud the tax system. I have not yet had a response from Revenue to my query, but evidence recently put before the courts indicates that such activity did take place in the past. We do not know for how long it went on. The Minister must come to the House to assure us that the current licensee is not giving tax avoidance advice, which would constitute a breach of the tax code. There must be an assessment of the previous licensee to ascertain what advice it gave to customers and whether it colluded in the avoidance of tax. A former lottery claims manager told the High Court that he had advised sole winners that they possibly could form a syndicate, even where it had not been in existence prior to the win. That is a clear breach of law and, if the allegations are correct, tax was forgone. We are all agreed on the importance of bringing in foreign direct investment. For that and other reasons, the integrity of the tax system is important. A licensee of the State cannot be allowed to collude in the breaching of the tax code.
We need to be very careful in discussing the issue raised by Senator Kevin Humphreys, given that there is an ongoing court case concerning a lottery claim. My understanding, having sold many lottery tickets over the years in my former role as a retailer, is that people are advised to sign the back of their ticket after purchase. When the national lottery pays out on a win, payment goes to the persons who signed the ticket. If a ticket is presented that has been signed by a number of people, it is deemed that they will share in the prize. A syndicate is really only a word for a number of people claiming the one prize. However, I take the Senator's point on board and it is important that we have clarification on the matter.
Recent reports on the BBC and Channel 4 and other media on the practice of waterboarding engaged in by the British Government in Northern Ireland in the 1970s give cause for serious concern. We have had a great deal of reconciliation and progress as a result of the peace process in the past ten or 15 years, but the situation is still in its infancy and we have a long way to go in building reconciliation in the North. I encourage the Government to do even more to facilitate, engage with and develop the processes of reconciliation. The British Government, meanwhile, has a responsibility to order an inquiry into the very serious and credible allegations of waterboarding and other torture methods used in 1972 against a 17 year old. The Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade and the Taoiseach must raise the issue with the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, Mr. Brokenshire, and the Prime Minister, Mrs. Theresa May. It is the only fair way to proceed. I tabled a motion in the House last week which was very well received, one aspect of which was the recognition that we could not move forward unless we understood and acknowledged the wrongs of the past and the good that happened. To move forward with a sense of confidence and ambition for Northern Ireland and the island as a whole, an ambition we all share, we must understand and acknowledge what happened in the past, on all sides, bad as some of it was. It is incumbent on the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade, Deputy Charles Flanagan, and the Taoiseach to raise this matter with people at the highest possible levels in the British Government.
One of the aspects of Brexit that does not seem to have gained much traction and in respect of which there is serious complacency on the part of the Government is the question of its implications for the energy security of the State. Ireland has very few natural energy resources, meaning that we have to import most of what we need. Perhaps the Government has been made complacent by the commencement of production in the Corrib gas field at the end of 2015, but that supply will decline within five years. We must avoid putting all of our eggs in that basket. There was an interesting article by Joe Brennan in The Irish Times on Tuesday, in which he referred to a report by the Oxford Institute for Energy Studies which expressed concern that Ireland might be effectively cut off from continental Europe's gas market when the United Kingdom left the European Union. The United Kingdom might try to gain leverage in the talks, a representative of the institute noted, by arguing it offered the cheapest way to provide security of supply for Irish customers. The report states Ireland will need to build a dedicated terminal to import liquefied natural gas and convert it back into gas. In that context, it is all the more amazing that we have had only an astounding silence from the Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment on a particular project that is in line with the recommendations made in the report to which I have referred. The project is located in the Shannon Estuary in north Kerry, as the Leas-Chathaoirleach will know, and shovel ready, all planning stages having been completed. Furthermore, the State owns the property; it contains natural waterways and there is very little investment required in docking and marine site facilities. The delay in bringing the project to fruition has been ongoing for years. Four months ago a group representing all political parties in the county, business interests and community groups and headed up by the mayor of Kerry met the Minister, Deputy Denis Naughten, to discuss the status of the project, but we have heard nothing since. Members are probably bored of hearing me raise this issue by now. I again call on the Leader to ask the Minister to set up a task force or an interdepartmental group to work on the project which is vital for our long-term energy security. It is a clean, safe and environmentally friendly project that will safeguard our energy needs into the distant future and create a huge number of jobs in an area that has been badly let down in the past ten or 12 years.
The Senator has made his point very well.
Senators Aodhán Ó Ríordáin and Frank Feighan spoke eloquently about the issue of migration, with particular reference to Ireland's heritage and record in that regard. We have a responsibility arising from that history to give leadership on the issue on a wider scale. Ireland was awarded the honour of chairing the high level UN summit on migration last September and played a key role in convening that summit. Will the Leader arrange a debate in which we can discuss what Ireland is doing in providing international leadership, not simply in terms of the number of migrants coming here but also within a wider context?
A number of bilateral agreements were signed last autumn to effectively externalise many of the European Union's borders to ensure we would not see migrants on the streets of Europe. We know that deals are being made - in many cases with countries where the security of refugees is not guaranteed such as Sudan and Afghanistan - whereby refugees will not even be given the opportunity to put forward their case or reach us. We need to have clarity on the EU deals being signed in respect of the externalisation of the European Union's borders and Ireland's position in that regard. We also need to have clarity on how Ireland sees itself responding to the changes in the USA, including, for example, how we will respond to programme refugees from Somalia who were due to arrive in the United States. What is our position on the situation on the island of Nauru? Migrants on the island are in a shocking and appalling situation and it seems that they will also be let down in their arrangement with the United States. How does Ireland see itself stepping up in the international context and continuing the leadership it showed at the United Nations? I would appreciate a debate on the issue.
On taxation, I share the concerns expressed about the tax base. I was very disappointed that both Fine Gael and Fianna Fáil did not feel able to support my amendment last night to ensure we would have better communication between the Revenue Commissioners-----
The Senator is over time.
I am just concluding. I have two specific requests. I ask for a debate later this spring on the cost-benefit analysis of all taxation measures.
On a most urgent issue, Russia has decriminalised domestic violence. The Council of Europe, at which, with others, I represented this House and the rest of the Oireachtas, has expressed its condemnation. Will the Leader speak to the Minister for Justice and Equality about the possibility of Ireland also issuing a statement of condemnation?
I thank the 18 Senators who contributed on the Order of Business. I am pleased to inform Members, particularly Senators Kevin Humphreys and Catherine Ardagh, that the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport, Deputy Shane Ross, will come to the House on 15 February.
A round of applause, please.
Do not get too excited.
A Senator
Will he be getting the bus?
I am not sure whether he will come here by bus, aeroplane, car, bicycle or on foot, but he is coming.
Is the Leader sure he is not coming to talk about rugby?
(Interruptions).
The Leader does listen to Members of this House.
Is the Minister coming to talk about judicial appointments or-----
Transport. That is his brief.
Is it?
As far as I know, he has not yet strayed into the Department of Justice and Equality.
Do not let him.
To respond to Senator Catherine Ardagh's contribution on the Order of Business, it is important to point out that the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform is carrying out a review, the findings of which are to be submitted to the Cabinet, of infrastructural development in Dublin. I hope we will soon see development of the metro north rail link from Dublin Airport to the city centre. As Members know, the Government has committed an extra €2.6 billion to the capital investment programme, on top of the €27 billion in direct Exchequer funding and the €15 billion from other sources. It is important to welcome the extra allocation.
Senator Jennifer Murnane O'Connor made reference to the Minister for Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government, Deputy Simon Coveney, in the context of the national planning framework. The Minister is engaged in the development of a new framework and it is important that we give him credit as he always engages and actively seeks opinions. It is extraordinary to consider that only five years ago there was no gridlock in the capital city and no cranes on the skyline. It is to the credit of this and the last Government that we have turned the economy around. I am sure everyone welcomes the fact that there are more people at work and that more investment is taking place.
There are more people living in poverty.
On a directly elected mayor for Dublin, there is a proposal before the Minister. A pilot scheme is being considered to make it happen, either in Dublin or Cork, although Senators may have different views on the wisdom of the proposal.
Senator Paul Gavan referred to the ruling of the Supreme Court in the United Kingdom on the PSNI. I do not want to stray into the territory of that court, but we all want to see fair and just policing. That requires all sides to engage with the PSNI and be active in policing. It is important to welcome any decision that will make the streets and communities of Northern Ireland safer and, if I can use the term, more ecumenical.
On the situation in Palestine and President Trump, I share Senator Paul Gavan's views on the proposed relocation of the American embassy to Jerusalem. It is a very regressive move. I note that President Trump has appointed his son-in-law who will be actively involved in the particular area.
God help us.
We must watch that space. On a serious note, the remarks made by the Senator should be communicated to the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade, Deputy Charles Flanagan.
I am happy to accept Senator Grace O'Sullivan's proposed amendment to the Order of Business. I thank her for her proposal.
Senator Denis Landy referred to the Irish Greyhound Board and its talks with the Dublin Greyhound Owners and Breeders Association. I agree with the Senator that there is a need for further dialogue and continuing efforts to reach a solution, if possible. I thank and pay tribute to Ms Geraldine Larkin, former CEO of the Irish Greyhound Board. I do not have a definitive answer to the Senator's question about the length of Dr. Sean Brady's tenure as interim CEO, but I believe it is for an unspecified period. I am sure the Irish Greyhound Board will put a plan in place to advertise the position and fill the vacancy quickly.
Senator Denis Landy also raised the issue of medicinal cannabis. It is my information that the Bill in question is the subject of scrutiny at the relevant committee, from where it will be advanced. I hope it will make its way back into the Houses quickly in order that it can be enacted. I agree with the Senator that as there are many people in Ireland who will benefit from the enactment of the legislation, its passage should be expedited.
Senators Joe O'Reilly, Jennifer Murnane O'Connor, James Reilly and Ned O'Sullivan all referred to Brexit. I assure the House that the Government is not complacent about it. It is under no illusions about the importance and magnitude of the decision made by the United Kingdom to leave the European Union, not just in the context of North-South issues but also in economic terms across a variety of sectors. The Taoiseach has been actively engaged across Europe and the British Prime Minister, Mrs. Theresa May, was in Ireland this week. The Minister and the Minister of State at the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, Deputies Charles Flanagan and Dara Murphy, as well as other Ministers, are traversing Europe and throughout the world to highlight the importance of Ireland being considered to be a special case in the forthcoming Brexit negotiations. The status of the North is an issue the Taoiseach has stressed at all times. Several Senators made reference to the remarks made by the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, Mr. James Brokenshire, but there is a recognition that the North requires special treatment. Those of us who are Members of this and the Lower House must work actively with the Government in that regard.
Senator Jennifer Murnane O'Connor also spoke about the importance of rural Ireland. I remind her that the national spatial strategy introduced by her party was a failure. It fell victim to parish pump politics and many other things that were wrong in the country. I point out to her that we now have a national rural action plan which was launched recently, which contains 270 specified actions and is backed by an investment made by the Government of €60 million. I am sure she will join me in welcoming the action plan. I hope we will see more people employed in and a rejuvenation of rural Ireland.
Senator Catherine Noone spoke about the recent RTE programme on prescription drugs. Several good points were made yesterday during the debate on the Health (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2016. I will be happy to invite the Minister for Health to come to the House to discuss the issue. Equally, the points made by the Senator about the deal with the telecommunications operators should be taken beyond this House and highlighted.
Senator Fintan Warfield referred to blood donations and the lifting of the lifetime ban on gay men donating blood, which I am sure he will agree was a welcome move. Many of us have worked actively to reach the point where there will now be a one-year deferral, rather than a lifetime ban. The Minister for Health, Deputy Simon Harris, has told me and said in reply to many parliamentary questions that he, his Department and officials are governed by scientific evidence and practice in other countries. That said, I will be very happy to sit down with the Senator, with a view to getting a working group together to work on the issue.
I would prefer if the Minister came to the House to discuss it.
I will be happy to have that conversation with the Senator.
I would prefer to talk to the Minister in the House.
The Senators can discuss the matter later; they cannot do so on the Order of Business.
I will be happy to work with Senator Fintan Warfield on it.
I cannot allow him in again, but he can chat to the Leader about it afterwards.
Senator James Reilly made reference to the European Investment Fund and the importance of the Government drawing down funding from it. I agree with him in that regard.
Senators Aodhán Ó Ríordáin, Frank Feighan and Alice-Mary Higgins raised the very important issue of migration and referred to the fact that Ireland had benefited when its citizens went to America.
It is important that it not be business as usual, as it would have been in the past, in availing of the opportunity presented around St. Patrick's Day and that the Taoiseach, Ministers and all of the travelling party who will visit many parts of the United States use the time to speak about our values in providing a welcome and refuge. It is about people who are being displaced for a variety of callous and evil reasons. It is important that we remember and recognise and inform President Trump that it was not too long ago when there were signs in many parts of England and America which read "Irish need not apply". We have a proud legacy, for which we can stand up and I am sure the Taoiseach will do so, as will Ministers. As Senator Aodhán Ó Ríordáin stated, we have a real story to tell. Those of us who have a different viewpoint from President Trump have an obligation to stand up and make our voices heard.
On the points made by Senators Alice-Mary Higgins and Aodhán Ó Ríordáin about our immigration policy, it is important that we have an integrated strategy. I note that there was commentary on what was happening in Ballaghaderreen, but there was a positive outcome there, of which I am sure we all will see the benefits. Those who will arrive in Ballaghaderreen will be given a huge welcome and have positive experiences there.
Senator Robbie Gallagher referred to the domiciliary care allowance. I will be happy to have the Minister for Social Protection come to the House to discuss the issue. To assist the Senator, he might table a Commencement matter on it. There may be an issue with processing. As Chairman of the previous health committee which travelled to the HSE medical card centre to discuss its processing mechanisms, it might be an issue the Senator could take up with the Minister at the committee.
I join Senator Tim Lombard in welcoming the announcement of the tillage grain forum. It is important to give farmers who lost considerable income in the awful autumn weather an opportunity to plan for the future.
I thank Senator Victor Boyhan for raising the important topic of the Common Agricultural Policy. It is about the future of the European Union. The agriculture sector is very important to Ireland. The point made by the Senator is one of which we should not lose sight in the context of the impact of Brexit, relationships with Russia and globalisation. He correctly stated we should encourage those involved in the farming community to engage in what is an important consultation process. We might also have a discussion on how the House could play a role in that regard.
The Cathaoirleach has made a ruling on the establishment of a Brexit committee. From speaking to the leaders at the group meeting this week, I am aware that it is a matter for the Committee on Procedure and Privileges to consider, but, as a House, we are anxious to stand united on it. The Cathaoirleach is equally adamant, but I hope we will have the matter progressed. I do not have any further information for the Senator, but I am aware that it is a matter the Cathaoirleach, as Chairman of the Committee on Procedure and Privileges, will also pursue.
Senator Kevin Humphreys referred to the tax collection system. As it is a matter that is before the courts, I will not delve into it, but I would be disappointed if the national lottery was issuing information to people on how to avoid tax payments. I do not believe the organisation is doing so. In a recent press statement, reported in a newspaper, the national lottery stated it did not do so and that it actively advised winners on the use of independent consultants. Let me add that I have not spoken to any lottery winner, but if it is the case, it is certainly something that should be looked into. Senator Martin Conway also referred to the national lottery.
Senator Martin Conway spoke about waterboarding in the context of reconciliation in the North. As co-guarantor of the Good Friday Agreement, we must learn from what happened in the past and engage in reconciliation. I hope the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade, Deputy Charles Flanagan, will take up the remarks made by the Senator.
In response to Senator Alice-Mary Higgins, I will be happy to have a debate on the issue of migration. The Senator is correct on the issue of domestic violence. As a country, we have led the way in our legislation. The Tánaiste recently launched the new policy and I will be happy to have her come to the House to discuss the issue.
I am aware of the Tánaiste's commitment.
It is something we should do. Only this week I spoke in a school about the issues surrounding sexual violence. It is an issue we need to keep on the agenda.
I will accept the amendment proposed to the Order of Business.
Senator Grace O'Sullivan has proposed an amendment to the Order of Business: "That No. 8, Derelict and Vacant Sites Bill 2017 - First Stage, be taken before No. 1." The Leader has indicated that he is prepared to accept the amendment. Is it agreed to? Agreed.
Order of Business, as amended, agreed to.