Seanad debates

Thursday, 5 November 2009

10:30 am

Photo of Frances FitzgeraldFrances Fitzgerald (Fine Gael)

Today marks the 25th anniversary of the radio programme, "Morning Ireland". It was great to hear David Hanly on the airwaves again on this morning's celebration programme. I pay tribute to "Morning Ireland" and the work it has done in public service broadcasting, keeping political debate alive and informing the public over 25 years. It is appropriate to pay tribute to a programme which has served democracy very well over a sustained period.

The stark news yesterday on the economic front was provided by the comments in the OECD report on the economic position of Ireland relative to other European countries. The Exchequer figures released this week show the tax take lags far behind projections and that the interest payment made in October was 107% higher than that paid 12 months previously. We face stark choices and considerable public unrest. For example, a march is planned for tomorrow.

The lack of decision making by the Government in the past 12 months has added significantly to public disquiet. The Government has not produced a competitiveness plan or announced any decisions on the recommendations made in the McCarthy report, for example, on reducing the number of quangos. This lack of serious decision making makes it difficult for members of the public to accept the decisions that will be needed in the budget.

On the issue of accountability of Ministers to this House, in recent days I have noted a welcome increase in the presence of Ministers in the Chamber. However, with regard to services for children and the information provided on such services, an issue I raised yesterday, it is clear that the comments made by the Minister of State with responsibility for children, Deputy Barry Andrews, on the provision of services were a fantasy. The report on the implementation of the Ryan report is a collection of words which is not backed by resources. The House must given serious consideration to this issue. Words do not mean anything; we need proper plans based on available resources. We must face the truth about what is being done in the area of children's services.

We must also face the truth in regard to the H1N1 pandemic. I praised the Department earlier this year when I saw the work it was doing in preparation for this epidemic. I said it was keeping people informed and that it was doing its very best, as far as I could see at the time. However, the information which has emerged in the past few days on preparations in this country for roll-out of the vaccine seems to be completely at odds with what we were told here. For example, we were told yesterday that it would take eight months for the vaccine to be made available to the entire population. We are also told general practitioners were only informed of the situation in August and September. What kind of leadership is that if we have to protect people from this epidemic? I propose an amendment to the Order of Business that the Minister for Health and Children, Deputy Mary Harney, come to the House today to address these issues clearly and openly and give the detail which is necessary to reassure the public on this very serious threat.

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