Dáil debates

Wednesday, 6 April 2011

10:30 am

Photo of Brian Lenihan JnrBrian Lenihan Jnr (Dublin West, Fianna Fail)
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In a press release yesterday on the legislative programme the Chief Whip indicated that tackling the jobs crisis was the top priority of the Government. If that is the case, is there an indicative figure in the jobs budget for the number of jobs that will be created? Does the Government have such an figure and what will the cost be? Why is there no indication of a supplementary budget in the material circulated yesterday?

The question of political donations was also referred to in the introduction to the legislative programme. I understand the outgoing Government had a Bill ready to deal with corporate donations. To what extent will the Government's legislation vary from that Bill? Specifically, can the Tánaiste clear up the confusion as to whether corporate donations from trade unions will be covered in the legislation? This is an important question if we are talking about transparency in public life and removing sources of influence in politics which are corporate in character. There seems to be confusion about whether the Bill will cover donations from trade unions. The Tánaiste should be in a position to clear up the issue and make good his claim to represent change in the House.

This morning the Chief Whip referred to the recommendations made in the Moriarty tribunal report and said the Government would take action on them immediately. I do not see any of the recommendations included in the legislative programme. Will the Tánaiste indicate the Government's timescale for implementing the Moriarty tribunal report?

With regard to constitutional change, the public finds it breathtaking, in its cynicism, that in Seanad Éireann we will have, as in this House, a huge majority of Fine Gael and Labour Party Senators opposed by a tiny number of Fianna Fáil, Independent and Sinn Féin Senators. In these circumstances, does the Government propose that the Seanad should run its full course?

Photo of Eamon GilmoreEamon Gilmore (Dún Laoghaire, Labour)
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It has been the norm during Leaders' Questions for a leader to ask one question. Deputy Lenihan has managed to ask four, but I will answer all of them.

(Interruptions).

Photo of Michael McGrathMichael McGrath (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
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That is not what the Tánaiste did while in opposition.

Photo of Niall CollinsNiall Collins (Limerick, Fianna Fail)
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Give us the Labour Party's way.

Photo of Timmy DooleyTimmy Dooley (Clare, Fianna Fail)
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The Tánaiste is a man of such quality that Deputy Lenihan knew he could manage two or three questions.

Photo of Eamon GilmoreEamon Gilmore (Dún Laoghaire, Labour)
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I am sure Deputy Lenihan will agree that the publication of the legislative programme within four weeks of the formation of the Government represents a new departure and a significant advance on what happened on the last three occasions when the programme was not published until almost four months after the formation of the Government.

Deputies:

Hear, hear.

Photo of Michael McGrathMichael McGrath (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
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Those Governments were formed before the summer recess.

Photo of Dara CallearyDara Calleary (Mayo, Fianna Fail)
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There are only three new Bills.

Photo of Eamon GilmoreEamon Gilmore (Dún Laoghaire, Labour)
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As stated in the press release, job creation is the main priority listed in the Government's legislative programme.

Photo of Timmy DooleyTimmy Dooley (Clare, Fianna Fail)
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That is why there is no Bill on Ministers of State.

Photo of Eamon GilmoreEamon Gilmore (Dún Laoghaire, Labour)
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That is why the totality of the Government's economic programme is aimed at the creation of jobs. The jobs budget will be introduced in the month of May. The detail of how many jobs it is intended to support and the precise measures to provide and support the provision of jobs will be contained in that budget statement.

The Government is committed to bringing to an end corporate donations. Donations from trade unions will be included in that legislation. They will be treated as corporate donations.

Photo of Finian McGrathFinian McGrath (Dublin North Central, Independent)
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That is not fair.

Photo of Eamon GilmoreEamon Gilmore (Dún Laoghaire, Labour)
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There will be no distinction.

Photo of Jerry ButtimerJerry Buttimer (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
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Is the Galway tent being brought back?

Photo of Dara CallearyDara Calleary (Mayo, Fianna Fail)
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What about Punchestown and the K Club?

Photo of Jerry ButtimerJerry Buttimer (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
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The glasshouse is shattered.

Photo of Eamon GilmoreEamon Gilmore (Dún Laoghaire, Labour)
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Change is being implemented. The Government has decided that political donations from corporate bodies will be brought to an end. That will, obviously, include the bringing to an end of donations from trade unions.

The recommendations made in the Moriarty tribunal report on the reforms that must be implemented, including the central recommendation regarding the bringing to an end of corporate donations, will be proceeded with. There are also recommendations relating to whistleblowing and so on and they will be proceeded with in the course of time.

The programme for Government sets out a number of areas in which it is intended to have constitutional change. It includes the proposal to hold a referendum on the abolition of the Seanad. The Government intends to go ahead with that referendum, the precise timing of which has not yet been decided.

Photo of Brian Lenihan JnrBrian Lenihan Jnr (Dublin West, Fianna Fail)
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We all agree that the most fundamental issue is job creation. When will the jobs budget announcement or statement take place?

Photo of Eamon GilmoreEamon Gilmore (Dún Laoghaire, Labour)
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It is intended that the jobs budget will be introduced in the month of May.

Photo of Mary Lou McDonaldMary Lou McDonald (Dublin Central, Sinn Fein)
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I note the Tánaiste's self-congratulation on his efficiency and what he claims as a new departure. He has not skipped a beat. In hock to the IMF and the European Union and in the embrace of Fine Gael, he has chosen very quickly to walk the well trodden path of Fianna Fáil and the previous Administration. Not alone has the Labour Party gone along with further bailout of the banks to the tune of €24 billion but it has dropped many of the issues which it said were critical to it, including that of the cut in the minimum wage, a matter I would like to raise with the Tánaiste this morning. Fine Gael and the Labour Party - if my memory serves me correctly it was Fine Gael who first made this promise - promised that the cut to the minimum wage would be reversed. Notwithstanding the Government's efficiency and speediness to do business it has made no attempt to address this matter. Is this an oversight on the part of Government or has it decided that it will not now address this matter?

In the course of the election campaign the Government parties managed to convince a number of people that the new Government would do things differently and would act in the interests of workers, in particular low paid workers. However, the evidence to date tells a different story. When questioned on this matter yesterday, the Taoiseach did not answer the question. I ask the Tánaiste to tell us this morning when the Government will effect a reverse to the minimum wage cut as promised in the course of the election campaign.

Photo of Eamon GilmoreEamon Gilmore (Dún Laoghaire, Labour)
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The programme for Government clearly states that the cut in the minimum wage will be reversed. This measure will be implemented by Government. As the Taoiseach told the House yesterday, the Attorney General has been consulted on whether separate legislation will be required, whether this can be provided for in existing legislation or, if legislation is required at all. The Government intends to reverse the cut in the minimum wage.

Photo of Mary Lou McDonaldMary Lou McDonald (Dublin Central, Sinn Fein)
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The question remains as to when the Government intends to do it. There is a pattern emerging here in that the Government is kicking every issue down the road. The Government parties had no such reservations when they went to the people and categorically assured them that the cut would be reversed. They did not refer to delays or consultations but gave a cast iron commitment which it must now honour. The Tánaiste stated that the matter has been referred to the Attorney General. How long will it take for that advice to be returned to Government? I suspect this is a stalling mechanism and that the real truth is that the Government is looking to the EU and IMF for permission to bring forward this matter. That is not good enough. The commitment has been made and must be honoured. I again ask that the Tánaiste provide the House with a precise time line within which the cut to the minimum wage will be reversed.

Photo of Eamon GilmoreEamon Gilmore (Dún Laoghaire, Labour)
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The commitment will be honoured.

Photo of Mary Lou McDonaldMary Lou McDonald (Dublin Central, Sinn Fein)
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When?

Photo of Eamon GilmoreEamon Gilmore (Dún Laoghaire, Labour)
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As quickly as possible. The Government is considering the most appropriate way of dealing with the matter. The Taoiseach told the House yesterday that the Attorney General has been consulted on the legislative requirements for doing so. It will be done.

Photo of Joe HigginsJoe Higgins (Dublin West, Socialist Party)
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As I was not here yesterday, perhaps the Ceann Comhairle will permit me to condemn outright the brutal killing of a member of the police service in Northern Ireland and to say that the ordinary people of Omagh and the North must stand united against this atrocity and those who would drag society back to sectarian conflict. People should support the Irish Congress of Trade Unions rally today in Belfast.

Will the Tánaiste condemn outright the sick jokes made by members of the Garda Síochána in regard to the infliction of sexual violence on the women in their custody? The Minister for Justice and Equality, Deputy Shatter, when asked about this on radio this morning spoke of the economic benefits of the Corrib gas and could only find words of condemnation for those who object to giving our natural resources for nothing to multinational corporations, which condemnation includes the two women, the subject of these disgusting remarks, who were in Mayo to protest against the policies of this Government and the previous Administration in regard to Corrib. Perhaps the Tánaiste will educate the Minister for Justice and Equality, Deputy Shatter, that there are no more economic benefits from Corrib gas than if it were coming from Norway because Fianna Fáil gave it away - it was worth €10 billion - to Shell Oil for not one cent.

Will the Tánaiste agree that the sinister remarks by certain gardaí in regard to sexual violence against women are reminiscent of a hostile occupation force against a civilian population? Does he have any words of condemnation for the persistent and heavy-handed repression by certain sections of the Garda over years in Erris and by a private security firm paid for by Shell, which has acted like an army occupation and repressed the local population and their right to protest against something which they believe is a danger to their health and safety? Will this Government slavishly follow Fianna Fáil policy on this issue, as it has done on the banking issue or will it at least tear up the rotten deals signed by Fianna Fáil with multinational corporations, resulting in giving away our resources for nothing. The Labour Party will recall its involvement 30 years ago in the resources protection campaign at which time it believed those resources should be in the ownership of the people of Ireland only.

Photo of Eamon GilmoreEamon Gilmore (Dún Laoghaire, Labour)
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I acknowledge Deputy Higgins' comments in regard to the murder of Constable Ronan Kerr. I understand there were some communication difficulties last night in terms of the Government Whip not being able to make contact with the Whip of the Technical Group or Deputy Higgins. It is intended to add Deputy Higgins name to the motion on behalf of the Technical Group, which will be before the House later this morning.

I heard the tape recording played last night on television and was shocked by its contents. Rape is a heinous crime. It is not something that should be threatened, trivialised or laughed at by anyone.

Photo of Ann PhelanAnn Phelan (Carlow-Kilkenny, Labour)
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Hear, hear.

Photo of Eamon GilmoreEamon Gilmore (Dún Laoghaire, Labour)
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I do not know whose voice is recorded on the tape. The matter is being investigated by the Garda Commissioner and Garda Ombudsman Commission. We must await conclusion of these investigations before making any further comment. On the content of the tape, I was shocked by the serious comments made.

The Minister for Justice and Equality, Deputy Shatter, made clear this morning his views on the content of the tape. He also made it clear that an investigation is taking place and that those who are victims of rape or sexual assault should report and that they will get a fair and sympathetic hearing and attention from the Garda Síochána. People should have no hesitation in reporting such crimes to the Garda.

Photo of Joe HigginsJoe Higgins (Dublin West, Socialist Party)
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I acknowledge the Tánaiste's response to the behaviour of certain gardaí joking about sexual violence against women. I ask that the Government, in fairness to the two women and other peaceful protestors present on the day, focus on the reason they were there.

Will the Tánaiste agree that it was outrageous of the former Minister, Mr. Pat Carey, to, on the day he was being unceremoniously voted out of office, to sign consents for the routing of the Corrib gas pipeline through Sruwaddacon special area of conservation in County Mayo? Will he agree that was an outrageous, undemocratic decision? Will this Government reverse the policy of giving away our natural resources to Shell Oil for not a cent in royalties to the Irish people? As the Government seems intent on carrying on the policy of sacrificing future generations to pay off European bankers, will it at least reclaim for them-----

Photo of Seán BarrettSeán Barrett (Dún Laoghaire, Ceann Comhairle)
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The Deputy has moved to a different topic.

Photo of Joe HigginsJoe Higgins (Dublin West, Socialist Party)
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-----the hundreds of billions of euro of natural resources off our coasts which under the licences so far issued are being gifted to multinational corporations for profit?

Photo of Eamon GilmoreEamon Gilmore (Dún Laoghaire, Labour)
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None of us knows who spoke the words on the tape and no one should jump to any conclusions about that matter until the investigation has been completed by the Garda Commissioner and the Garda Ombudsman Commission. We should not prejudice the outcome of the investigation. Given the seriousness of the content of the tape, we should not use it to widen the agenda with regard to whatever point of view we may have about the way in which the Corrib gas project is proceeding or the licensing arrangements. The future development of natural resources, including gas resources, is a matter for the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources who will consider it in the course of time. I am sure Deputy Higgins and others will be able to debate it in the House on a future date.