Seanad debates

Tuesday, 2 November 2010

3:00 am

Photo of Dan BoyleDan Boyle (Green Party)

The necessary work must and will be done to allow a referendum to be held early in the new year. We should all dedicate ourselves to that task.

Senator O'Toole raised the issue of the Croke Park agreement and the HSE redundancy package offered, on which Senators Feeney, Norris, Harris and Buttimer followed up. Some Members have questioned why the HSE redundancy package is to be implemented in such a short timeframe. Having a narrow window is necessary as we have had a poor experience of open-ended voluntary redundancy packages. We need to know how many are interested in the package offered and what savings can be made on foot of it in the quickest possible time. We need a slimmed down and more effective - especially a more cost effective - health service and this is a move in the right direction. In general, Members have welcomed the redundancy package.

On a related matter, Senators Hannigan, Keaveney, Norris, O'Malley, Donohoe and Harris spoke about the unwarranted attack on the Minister for Health and Children, Deputy Harney, yesterday. I add my voice to theirs. It is particularly sad that it was a local public representative who was involved in a protest of this nature. Those of us who are privileged to be involved in public life, whether at local or national level, need to know we have a mandate to honour and that mandate can only be honoured through the force of argument in seeking to bring about change. An inane stunt that had all the sincerity of a teenage prank did nothing to further any policy goal. It is welcome that Members have chosen unanimously to condemn the action.

Senator Hannigan asked about climate change legislation. Both he and Senator Bacik should be pleased to note that we will debate the report of the Joint Committee on Climate Change and Energy Security this week when a definitive statement will be made on the state of the Government's Bill. I look forward to the Senators and others contributing to the debate on Thursday.

Senator Hannigan also raised the issue of bond yields, as did Senators Donohoe, Coghlan and Bradford. The question stems from uncertainty. Those who crave a general election before a four-year programme is agreed and the budget is introduced in December risk adding to that uncertainty. In a general election political parties may gain a political advantage. The two parties to which I refer which do not hold a common position on public sector reform, taxation and where and how we can curb public expenditure would do nothing to give certainty to the-----

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