Dáil debates
Tuesday, 3 July 2007
Leaders' Questions
3:00 pm
Enda Kenny (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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The Taoiseach has stated on a number of occasions that he should be congratulated on the state of the health services. On the last day of some accountability in this forum, what are the Government's proposals in respect of front-line staff in the health services? The Taoiseach may recall that on 31 March, a document issued and signed by the director of human resources for the HSE indicated that as a result of a Government directive up to 1,000 job cuts would have to take place by the end of 2007. The directive, referenced 04/2002, stated that 29 jobs would be cut from corporate functions, 959 from hospital or primary and community case services. In that figure, Cork University Hospital will lose 25 staff and the maternity unit at the hospital, which is already understaffed, will lose six staff. Even the hospital closest to the Taoiseach's heart, the Mater, will lose 23 staff and the hospital for sick children will lose 13. On the radio the Taoiseach confirmed that the Government did not mind if these were front-line staff or not. The Minister for Health and Children stated that the current level of services would have to be delivered by 1,000 fewer staff. If we have a world class health service, why could we not reform this to protect front-line staff, given the massive administrative bureaucracy that exists in the HSE?
I and other Members know of front-line staff, particularly nurses, who had scheduled holidays but were called back because staff were not available to cover them. This is a real problem. Did the Government direct the HSE to reduce staff by 1,000? The directive states: "As part of the Government's decision to authorise a new approved employment ceiling, there is a requirement on the HSE to effect a 1,000 whole-time equivalent reduction by the end of 2007." What is in store for front-line staff — nurses, ambulance drivers, and doctors as distinct from the massive bureaucratic bulge that exists in the central portion of the HSE? Is the directive correct and is it the consequence of a Government decision that 1,000 whole-time equivalent staff are to be cut by the end of the year?
Bertie Ahern (Dublin Central, Fianna Fail)
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Complements of staff and existing approved ceilings of staff are decided at the beginning of each year across the health service and the public sector. The HSE must work within the figures but it decides how this will be broken down in its budgets under the normal headings of consultants, junior doctors, nurses and allied staff, paramedical staff and administrative and catering staff. The figure for last year in the Health Service Executive was 108,000 whole-time equivalents. There were no cutbacks in the health service. The staff were sanctioned subject to certain conditions, as happens in every sector, across Departments and local authorities. Last year there was an increase of 10,000 on the existing approved ceiling and this year is the same. The health sector is substantially over expenditure for the first half of the year across most sub-headings. Perhaps the HSE is operating what it calls a reduction on what it has allowed to be approved but it is certainly not under the ceiling. At the end of 2006, the ceiling was 108,000 whole-time equivalents. That represents an increase of 10,450 staff over the existing approved ceiling. This year is running at the same level. There are no cutbacks in the Department of Health and Children. The Department has conveyed sanction for a revised employment ceiling, which it does every year, but it certainly is not showing any reduction; it is showing a substantial increase.
Enda Kenny (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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The responsibility for the health service lies with the Government, not with the HSE. I have here the document from the Health Service Executive which states clearly there is a requirement on the HSE to effect a 1,000 whole-time equivalent reduction by the end of 2007. On 22 May 2007 the Minister for Health and Children, who obviously cannot be here because of her family bereavement, agreed with an interviewer that current services would be delivered by 1,000 fewer employees. She agreed that statement was correct. The Taoiseach stated on the following day, 23 May 2007, this was the first he had heard about this cutback. He continued to state the document referred to by the HSE had or has no status and was irrelevant. When it suits the Government, it states it is a function for the HSE to determine certain matters.
The Taoiseach is aware also that the finance section of the HSE comprises more than 1,000 staff. A study of that function found at least 380 of those jobs were superfluous. There has been an orgy of promotions within the administrative ranks of the HSE. At a time when the Taoiseach will not be present in the House again until 26 September, I am concerned front-line staff in critical areas of the delivery of public health services will be cut. This document states, consequent on a decision by the Government, led by the Taoiseach, 1,000 jobs must be cut by the end of 2007. The Minister for Health and Children agreed with that. The Taoiseach stated the document had no status and that it was the first he heard of cuts. Who is telling the truth or does it matter any more in this House?
Bertie Ahern (Dublin Central, Fianna Fail)
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I remind Deputy Kenny the finance officer responsible for the numbers operated under the HSE budget subhead but that is neither here nor there. The Department of Health and Children is also involved. I am giving Deputy Kenny the figures that are available from the Department's note. The Department of Health and Children conveyed sanction for a revised employment ceiling for the health service for the end of 2006 of 108,000 whole-time equivalents, subject to certain conditions. This represents an increase of 10,400 on the existing approved ceiling. If I understand Deputy Kenny's argument correctly, it is that there is a reduction of 1,000 staff. If he is saying——
Bertie Ahern (Dublin Central, Fianna Fail)
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——the HSE has increased its figures substantially above its approved ceiling and it is trying to bring it back in line with its own ceiling, all I would say in reply is it should not have gone above its ceiling in the first place. This is not a reduction on its approved ceiling. In most of its headings for the first half of the year, the HSE is over budget and over staffed.
Bernard Allen (Cork North Central, Fine Gael)
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Will anyone be held accountable? The only people who will be fired are the nurses.
John O'Donoghue (Kerry South, Ceann Comhairle)
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The Taoiseach should be allowed to speak without interruption.
Bertie Ahern (Dublin Central, Fianna Fail)
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The board of the HSE is accountable and obviously for that reason it is trying to get its figures in order. Deputy Kenny made two points, the second with which I agree. The first point he made is that a cutback has been made by the HSE in its staff complement. That is not the case. The HSE is way over its staff complement. The second point is the HSE should be using its figures, not on front-line staff or sensitive areas, which I accept, but in other areas. Deputy Kenny is correct, there have been significant increases in recent years in administrative promotional posts throughout the HSE.
Bernard Allen (Cork North Central, Fine Gael)
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The Government let it happen.
Bertie Ahern (Dublin Central, Fianna Fail)
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That is a fact. The HSE would argue it was necessary to do that. The health board system did it on the changeover. That is a different point. I am giving Deputy Kenny the figure for the overall position. The HSE is well ahead of its figures for 2006 and 2007.
Bernard Allen (Cork North Central, Fine Gael)
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And nobody answers.
Pat Rabbitte (Dublin South West, Labour)
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Will the Taoiseach outline the Government's response to the huge seizure of drugs, on which I am sure he has a note? Even by international standards the seizure was huge. According to Revenue it was worth €100 million while some of the newspapers suggested it was worth €300 million. Given the United Nations assessment that approximately 10% of the drugs coming through this country are seized, that is an enormous accidental confiscation. That is the point; this was entirely accidental.
According to a Customs and Excise enforcement officer from the Revenue, drug smugglers regard Ireland as a soft touch. Do we know whether other similar consignments have come through in the same way, or do we have any information about them? What steps does the Government intend to take to ensure this country does not continue to be a soft touch? Having regard to the fact we do not have a coastline protection service like other states, does the Taoiseach intend to take any measures in that regard? For example, does he intend to better resource Customs and Excise or the Naval Service? Is the Taoiseach concerned some Garda sources are saying this consignment was intended for other jurisdictions? The suggestion is such an enormous quantity of drugs could be transported through this jurisdiction, without hindrance, to Britain or wherever.
Does the Taoiseach believe adequate steps are being taken by the Government in terms of reducing demand for drugs in this jurisdiction, having regard to the fact this is no longer a Dublin or even urban phenomenon, but that it is experienced in every town and village in Ireland? The extent of abuse and misuse of drugs is widespread. According to the United Nations, for example, it is considered cocaine use is increasing at a higher rate in Ireland than in any developed country. The UN stated the number of cocaine related offences has increased fourfold between 2002 and 2005. It also stated drugs worth €100 million were seized by the Garda in 2006. If it is the case that approximately 10% of drugs coming here are seized, one can imagine the amount of drugs that are manifestly getting through. It has been shown that 70% of wastewater samples taken from Dublin and surrounding areas contained traces of cocaine. There is an endemic, serious, widespread phenomenon of drug abuse and misuse in this jurisdiction. Is the Taoiseach satisfied the Government is taking adequate steps to cope with this phenomenon?
Bertie Ahern (Dublin Central, Fianna Fail)
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A number of questions arise from this seizure and the attempted landing in west Cork of cocaine. I am told the street value of the haul would be well in excess of €100 million. Much depends on how it is mixed.
P J Sheehan (Cork South West, Fine Gael)
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The Taoiseach can double that figure.
Bertie Ahern (Dublin Central, Fianna Fail)
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It would certainly be worth more than €100 million. This is a matter of serious concern.
The Garda, Naval Service and Customs and Excise service are all involved in the recovery and investigation process. While it is too early to draw conclusions about the source of the drugs or their intended destination, this will emerge from the investigations. In the past number of years, there has been evidence of increased cocaine smuggling by maritime traffic into Europe from the Caribbean and South America, which often involves leisure craft landing in remote locations. While Ireland has experienced seizures of that nature in the past few years, the coasts of Spain and Portugal appear to be the main known landing locations. However, it is clear from yesterday's events that remote inlets also constitute targets for smugglers.
The Revenue Commissioner's maritime unit acquired a cutter three years ago that carries out surveillance and interception operations at sea as determined by the assessment of risk of illicit activity or by intelligence reports. Revenue regularly reviews the adequacy of the resources in this regard and of course will take yesterday's event into account. The cutter has been on the scene since yesterday morning.
Intelligence is the key to success in this regard and the Customs and Excise service has close contacts with its counterparts in other countries regarding deal movements. As for Deputy Rabbitte's question on what is happening to improve this, we are participating with a number of other countries in the establishment of the maritime operations analysis centre for narcotics in Lisbon. This is a direct response to the growing threat of cocaine smuggling into Europe from South America and the Caribbean. It is well under way and I have been briefed that most of the work on it has taken place.
This is a significant initiative and is intended to focus on targeting the sea cocaine routes into the European Union. It will collect and analyse operational information, enhance intelligence through better information exchange, ascertain the availability of assets to facilitate interaction in accordance with the national laws of the participants and will involve the United Kingdom, Spain, Portugal, Italy, Ireland, France and the Netherlands in participation in the centre's work. While it is hoped the agreement in this regard will be finalised before the summer break, it has been ongoing for some time.
In addition to international intelligence, obviously a key role exists in respect of the activities of people in coastal areas. We have had a number of seizures of cocaine on the coasts. As I understand that one was valued at €40 million and another at €50 million, it is obvious that there are significant movements. This one is exceptionally large and obviously we were lucky to intercept it.
P J Sheehan (Cork South West, Fine Gael)
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The Taoiseach should thank the elements.
Bertie Ahern (Dublin Central, Fianna Fail)
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Much of the intelligence in this regard comes from Interpol and from other sources.
As for the quantity, an incident of this nature leads to speculation about successful and undetected attempts to import drugs. While I cannot state whether such attempts have taken place, when one considers an attempt of this nature one may assume it was unlikely to have been the first. Although the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime estimates that global seizures of cocaine amount to 44% of cocaine production, I do not know how one estimates such a figure.
As it has done, the Government will continue to provide all the resources necessary to the Naval Service, Revenue and the agencies involved in order that they can take all reasonable steps to counteract this deadly trade. However, it has been 15 years since this issue regarding the need for greater co-operation and resources to try to cover the coastline was debated at European level. Obviously, the various coastlines across Europe have been used and seizures have taken place in half a dozen countries in the past 12 months.
As for the amount of cocaine in particular coming into society generally, including Ireland, and being used here, most of the intelligence suggests that such very large consignments find their way into Europe. While the initial view in this instance is that it could have been bound for the United Kingdom, I am informed this cannot be substantiated and it will take some time before that will happen. Two people have been arrested, there are other suspects in the west Cork region and Garda investigations are continuing.
Pat Rabbitte (Dublin South West, Labour)
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While the Taoiseach may be correct that intelligence is the key to combating drug smuggling, there was no intelligence in this case. It was an act of God.
Pat Rabbitte (Dublin South West, Labour)
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It was a complete accident, totally due to weather conditions and no intelligence was obtained. The Taoiseach clearly does not know any more than do I about whether this was a regular feature. We do not know whether similar consignments got through. Moreover, the Taoiseach has not really commented on the adequacy of the coastal, naval or customs services. I noted that the principal customs officer in the region stated that Ireland was regarded as a soft touch. The entire resources available to the Customs and Excise service consist of a single small boat to police the entire coastline and nothing that happens in Lisbon will change this.
I wish to ask the Taoiseach about the review the Tánaiste and Minister for Finance, Deputy Cowen, told my colleague, Deputy Burton, would be carried out on the airports. This followed a similar consignment, albeit not of this scale, that came through Weston Aerodrome and the discovery in the House that not only was that aerodrome not licensed for such traffic but that there is no customs invigilation there. I gather there is only a part-time customs service in other airports I will not name.
This appears to constitute Ireland's state of preparation to deal with a phenomenon that is literally killing some of our citizens and ravaging some of our communities. We seem entirely unprepared for it, given the existence of an airport within 20 miles of O'Connell Street at which one could land a private craft laden with drugs without anyone even asking one's destination and given that the Customs and Excise service depends on a single small boat.
This is a serious issue and people working with the national drugs strategy will state that insufficient back-up is being given to those who are concerned with attempting to reduce demand for drugs. This is also a very important part of the solution, namely, to reduce demand for drugs here. I do not take much comfort from the Taoiseach's comments. The event that took place off Goleen was a complete accident. We cannot claim we had any intelligence or capability to combat it. It is one of these things and the sheer size of it is amazing, even by international standards. It puts the haul in "The French Connection" into the penny halfpenny place. It will be a cause of grave concern to many parents nationwide to think that such a cargo can be landed here, transported through, some of it sold to another jurisdiction and inadequate provision of resources made to our authorities to combat it.
Bertie Ahern (Dublin Central, Fianna Fail)
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As I said at the outset, this is a matter of serious concern. There is no argument in this regard. It is not a matter of a single Revenue boat. That vessel is used for particular intelligence issues and the Naval Service is constantly on the watch around the entire coastline.
Joan Burton (Dublin West, Labour)
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It is supposed to be looking for fish.
Bertie Ahern (Dublin Central, Fianna Fail)
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However, there is no point in my trying to suggest there are no criminal elements using different orders of boats to land drugs through any of our inlets and ports as we have had a number of such seizures in the past five years. The authorities have now caught a few hundred million euro worth of drugs. There have been seizures to the value of €40 million, €50 million and €100 million in this instance. Ireland is not alone in having a coastline, which is the reason the other countries are coming together to try to operate their intelligence and security, as they do through Interpol, to give the best information in this regard. The Deputy is correct there was no intelligence in this case and this seizure was made because of the weather conditions. It means that international intelligence agencies must also look at this.
Customs and excise and the Garda have special schemes and work with the coastal communities to try to seek information of this kind. Out of this, they have moved in on a big ring. Not alone have they got the individuals concerned, but they also have the vehicles in question and intelligence on where they believe the drugs were being moved from, which helps them in this operation. A few years ago, they caught a yacht off the west coast, which helped to close down that ring.
This is a lucrative market across Europe. This morning I read a report from the Lisbon base which states that there is probably no coastline around Europe through which criminal gangs are not trying to bring in drugs. Locations have recently been found in the UK, Spain, Portugal, Italy, Ireland and France, from which hauls have been taken. We must watch our coastline and play our part. We are co-operating through all the organisations, such as Interpol, the World Customs Organisation, the United Nations International Drug Control Programme and the UK's Serious Organised Crime Agency. The Garda liaises on a weekly basis with the authorities in London, Paris, the Hague and Madrid and with Interpol. The gardaí are involved in these locations, working on their own, some undercover and some as part of customs teams.
With such a huge industry which has so many sources in the world, one cannot say that the gardaí are on top of the problem. How can you say that? From our point of view, this incident raises a serious matter. From the point of view of the Garda, the Naval Service and customs, we must take account of what is an enormous amount of drugs. It does not matter which market it is for; it is damaging the lives of people. Some of the people involved could be in this country, but certainly there are people elsewhere in Europe. The 60 bales, with 25 kg of cocaine in each, have a street value of well over €100 million. If mixed, the value could be multiples of that amount. Everyone in the Government, the Department of Justice, Equality and Law Reform and all the agencies I have mentioned must step up on the action on this matter and take account of it.
John O'Donoghue (Kerry South, Ceann Comhairle)
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I allowed the questions and answers in Leaders' Questions to take their natural course and I did not interfere with either the questioner or the answerer, but in allowing them to run their natural course, the overrun was ten minutes, which all Members of the House will agree is too much. I must try to impose the Standing Order as set out. If I do not do so, it is unfair to other Members of the House. Therefore, I serve notice that I will try to ensure the Standing Order is observed within reason.
Enda Kenny (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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The Ceann Comhairle will have great fun in October.