Seanad debates

Wednesday, 23 November 2005

Railway Safety Bill 2001: Report and Final Stages.

 

11:00 am

Photo of Ivor CallelyIvor Callely (Dublin North Central, Fianna Fail)

Senator Burke has hammered home a point pertaining to an issue that I acknowledge and recognise. Senator Quinn has seconded the amendment. I admire Senator Quinn, who has a similar working style to mine. I like to have, and understand, structures and to keep them working in the manner in which they were established. Through the political system new structures and authorities, such as the Health Service Executive mentioned by Senator Burke, have been established to deal with a specific function. The Senator also mentioned the National Roads Authority, which was established to deal with a single task to delivering a road programme for Ireland. With these authorities in place does one retain the Minister with a view to his or her responding to issues in the House? While we have established the HSE, do we expect the Minister to second guess and alter the executive's strategies?

It took a long time to establish structures and achieve agreement between the political groupings on the need to establish the HSE and other authorities. Some of these authorities have proven themselves; they are not hamstrung by procedures but are able to go forward and deliver the results for which they were established. However, they are duty bound to respond to issues via the joint Oireachtas committees. That is the system we have established.

If I agree to this amendment, does Senator Burke honestly believe it will deal with the issues he has raised regarding the HSE and the NRA? It will not. If we are genuine about wanting to make a change I can ask my officials what we can do to note this rather than withdraw it. I do not know how that will impact on Report Stage.

I am anxious to respond as positively as I can in a helpful way to resolve the issue. This is not the appropriate format; the appropriate format is the CPP. I hope that is helpful. If this issue is pushed to a vote, it is clear what the result would be, and I am not sure what that would do for the objective behind the amendment. If we are genuine about that objective I would like to assist. I would be happy to talk to the Government Whip. Rather than withdraw the amendment or vote on it with an unwanted result I am open to accommodating whatever we need to accommodate to record the issues discussed here.

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