Dan Boyle (Green Party)

The scrutiny role was discussed in the Private Members' Bill and in the report on Seanad reform. All those involved in political life are open to having greater Oireachtas scrutiny in this area. However, given that hundreds of such appointments are made every year, I am not certain every appointment should be subject to such scrutiny. Perhaps we could adopt a version of the US model and invite those who are appointed to the chair of State bodies or agencies to appear before a committee of the Oireachtas and account for how the relevant organisation will be run under their stewardship. This approach would enhance the role of politics.

Senators O'Toole, Coghlan and Regan referred to the Government's proposal to opt out of justice and policing matters in the EU reform treaty. The Government does not propose to opt out of all such matters and, as Senator O'Toole noted, the Oireachtas has approved several directives in this area. The difficulty arises as a result of the differences between the common law jurisdictions — Ireland and Britain — and the continental justice system operated in most other European Union member states.

The treatment of the Madeleine McCann case, for example, shows how different justice systems can experience difficulties. We need the power to opt for provisions, when necessary, namely, where there is a better common approach to policing and justice issues and our citizens' civil liberties will be protected in every instance, which may not be the case if we were to buy into something where we were being asked to decide by qualified majority voting alone. The Government is putting down a marker in the sense that the House will debate this issue properly after the European Council reaches agreement and a referendum Bill is put before both Houses. Senators will have many opportunities to outline their reservations or otherwise.

Senator Alex White raised the issue of decentralisation and the implementation report. Progress must be monitored regularly. There will no be difficulty in debating the matter in the House, but the new procedure for presenting the budget and the Estimates on the same day in the first week of December will not make it easy to ensure the Minister for Finance's availability during the coming weeks. However, I will make the request. If the Minister is unavailable, a Minister of State at the Department of Finance may address these issues. The Senator also asked about the difference between relocation and decentralisation. The Green Paper on local government will be ready in early January as part of a process to produce a White Paper and legislation before the 2009 local elections. The programme for Government encompasses real reform in this respect. Senators' contributions to the Green Paper and subsequent legislation will be helpful in completing this process.

Senator Leyden referred to the appalling murder in Galway and several unacceptable deaths in recent weeks. Similar issues were raised on the Order of Business recently. There is an ongoing commitment that the House will discuss the issue of serious crime, on which a debate can be held in the near future.

Senator Coghlan raised the matter of the Fitzgerald report and the need for 100 extra gardaí in the Limerick region. While I must revert to him regarding implementation of that measure, the other elements of the report are being implemented. The Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government has made a decision on the boundaries of Limerick city. Decisions have also been made regarding the redevelopment of particular areas of the city to rid it of the social undermining which is unravelling its fabric and causing many of its difficulties. Recommendations, including the provision of 100 extra gardaí, will be implemented.

Senator Bacik raised the need for legislation on abortion and was supported by Senator Norris. Contributions from other viewpoints were made by Senators Ó Murchú and Walsh. In itself, this shows the nature of the difficulties in the debate. The three abortion referenda did not bring the problem closer to a resolution. I like to think the type of leadership referred to by the Church of Ireland clergyman forms part of a common approach by all political parties and politicians rather than the Government acting in isolation. There are distinct and divergent opinions. While we can discuss the success of the Crisis Pregnancy Agency, despite its ongoing dispute with other organisations, in reducing the need for the option to be considered, the problem has not gone away. The matter requires a mature debate on the part of all parties and Members.

Issues regarding the Irish Prison Service, the European monitoring report and reports from the Inspector of Prisons — sadly, the previous inspector passed away this summer — should be debated in the House. The Government has been working on the matter and there are plans for the provision of new prisons and the redevelopment of existing ones. The pace at which the work will be done and the priority attached to it should be the subject of debate in the House.

The question of EU scrutiny was raised in the context of the opt-out on policing. Senator O'Toole also addressed the issue, which was the subject of one of the essential recommendations in the report on Seanad reform produced by the previous Seanad. The recommendation indicates a road which could be followed by this House if we are strident enough in making the argument. The difficulty, however, is that an Oireachtas committee already exists for scrutiny of EU legislation and the volume of instruments coming from Brussels annually is too large even for that body to manage. I understand that 2,000 such legal instruments come from Brussels every year. We need a co-ordinated approach, as well as people who are dedicated to examining the documentation so that all the t's are crossed and the i's dotted.

A number of contributions were made regarding the possibility of having the Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism come to the House to speak about linking training camps in this country with the London Olympic Games of 2012. I do not know if an alternative approach is being made by County Donegal to host the games but the requests seemed to come from that region in particular.