Jim Walsh (Fianna Fail)

Will the Leader ask the Minister to attend the House to discuss an issue of great scandal, namely, that of the Priory complex in Donaghmede which was in the news in recent days, where 187 apartment units are uninhabitable because of the condition in which they were left and the severe fire hazard they constitute? Unfortunately, many people who purchased apartments there are now grossly disadvantaged. I ask the Minister to consider investigating this issue. It is not just culpability on the part of the builder and developer. Many professionals were involved, from the architect, who designed and presumably should have overseen and certified the scheme, to the mortgagors, who would have arranged their own inspections when they gave mortgages to the mortgagees. On the architectural and the legal side, this shows that there has been a complete dereliction of responsibility. It is not good enough. This scheme might be symptomatic of similar problems across the country.

I support my colleague, Senator Daly, with regard to the situation concerning EU scrutiny. At the Joint Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade yesterday, we were informed that 57 EU directives and Bills in the foreign affairs portfolio are outstanding since last February. It is now too late for us to make any observations on them so it is suggested we just put them through with a rubber stamp. Given the Joint Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade would have the least number of EU items to be scrutinised, we can take it there are hundreds and probably in excess of 1,000 such items across the various Departments and the public service. This demonstrates an appalling lack of governance.

To add to that, responsibility was given to these Houses to play our part under the Lisbon treaty - in fact, this was debated in the Seanad on a number of occasions, as the Cathaoirleach knows. I was heartened by comments from the Leader in the early stages of this session that this Seanad would have an impact, would have real substance and be much more energised with regard to issues that came before us. I have to say the Order of Business today and for the past three weeks has left a great deal to be desired. There have been huge time gaps between items of business, which portrays a very bad image, while, at the same time, we have a load of European scrutiny documentation that is, like the archives, totally unattended.

I wonder whether this is a deliberate ploy on the part of the Government to downgrade the work of these Houses so that, when it comes to putting the referendum next year, it will be much easier for it to have the abolition of the Seanad passed. That is an appalling vista when one considers the Government has a majority of 60 seats in the Lower House. It is dangerous and a recipe for bad governance.

We need to stand up and say this. I ask the leaders of the Opposition to come together and, where the schedule of business is poor, ensure that amendments to the Order of Business are accepted. I appeal to them to do this so we would, if nothing else, highlight the issue, which would apply pressure. I know this is not just a matter for the Leader because it is controlled by the Chief Whip of the Dail, who controls the business of this House. That, unfortunately, is one of the great deficiencies in the manner in which we do our business.