Seanad debates

Wednesday, 29 April 2009

11:00 am

Photo of Donie CassidyDonie Cassidy (Fianna Fail)

Senators Fitzgerald, O'Toole, Alex White, Mary White, Boyle, Coffey, MacSharry, John Paul Phelan, Ross, Callely, Corrigan, Bacik, Hanafin, Coghlan, Healy Eames, Mullen and Regan gave their opinions on the ESRI's serious report published this morning. We must certainly allow time for this to be debated. All day today and all night tonight, possibly very late tonight, we have the Social Welfare and Pensions Bill in the House. In Private Members' time we will be discussing the new proposal for NAMA. All these matters pertain to the finances of the State.

I was reared and listened to the budgets in the hard 1950s. Most commentators would have said the Minister for Finance was the most important person in the Government. As far as my generation was concerned the most important person was the social welfare Minister. I look forward to the presence of the Minister for Social and Family Affairs, Deputy Mary Hanafin, in the House today. She has been a great supporter of this House. When she was Minister for Education and Science, she always supported her Bills here.

Senators Alex White, MacSharry and Buttimer called for an up-to-date debate with the Minister for Health and Children on the Health Service Executive. They also raised the point of feedback to directors of services and politicians not being consulted. I certainly regret if this is the case. The real representatives of the people are the politicians and public representatives. We will seek clarification from the Minister. I have already requested a debate on the various other health matters raised in the House over the past several weeks.

Senators O'Donovan and John Paul Phelan called for a debate on fisheries. This is timely with the EU reviewing the Common Fisheries Policy. After the Order of Business, I will discuss with the Cathaoirleach and party leaders the proposal made by the Fianna Fáil deputy leader, Senator O'Donovan, on inviting the Commissioner for Fisheries and Maritime Affairs to the House. Perhaps it is something we can take to the next meeting of the Committee on Procedure and Privileges. I have felt for a long time that there is huge opportunity for employment and exports in the fishing industry. It is an indigenous industry and the suggestion by Senator O'Donovan of a 100 mile exclusive limit for Irish fishing trawlers seems very realistic and timely. I assure the House that I will have the longest possible debate, as required of me by Members, and this will take place at the earliest opportunity.

Senator Hannigan called for a debate on the funding of the Garda Síochána, which I will be only too pleased to arrange considering the good work the Garda is doing, particularly in regard to drug trafficking. There will be an all-day debate in the House tomorrow on gangland crime, to which Senator Hannigan referred. I look forward to the contribution of many Senators on this issue.

Senators Hanafin, Bacik and Mullen called for a debate on blasphemous libel. I understand this matter came from the Oireachtas All-Party Committee on the Constitution. I have no difficulty in passing on the views of colleagues to the Minister.

Senator Callely highlighted the funding of the services provided by MABS, and I will pass on his views to the Minister. Senators Corrigan and Mary White called for the Minister of State, Deputy John Moloney, to come to the House to discuss the resources that can be made available under his portfolio for the people who are most at risk and under serious pressure and stress in the context of the economic difficulties they are experiencing. It is a timely call and I will ensure this debate takes place.

Senator Bacik referred to the Adoption Bill, on which I understand progress is being made. The Minister will update us further on this in the very near future and, while I do not have the timeframe for the Bill at present, I understand progress is being made with regard to Russia and Korea.

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