Seanad debates

Wednesday, 3 October 2012

11:10 am

Photo of Maurice CumminsMaurice Cummins (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

The Government will strive to act in accordance with the mandate given to it by the people to clear up the mess created by the previous Administration.

Senators Thomas Byrne and Sean D. Barrett raised the issue of consumer confidence. I will certainly request a discussion on this issue with the relevant Minister as part of our deliberations on the forthcoming budget.

Senator Ivana Bacik called for a debate on the broader issue of children's rights after the referendum on 10 November. I will be happy to facilitate such a debate. The Minister was due to come to the House to discuss these issues last week, but we decided to defer the discussion until after the referendum. I compliment all Members who spoke during the debate yesterday on the proposed constitutional amendment. I am sure we will have another excellent discussion today when Committee and Report Stages of the legislation are taken.

Senators Cáit Keane and Sean D. Barrett welcomed the latest Exchequer figures. We still have a long way to go in getting the economy back on course, but the figures certainly are encouraging and a step in the right direction. I will invite the Minister for Finance to the House in early course to discuss these figures as part of our preparations for the budget.

Senator Denis O'Donovan asked that the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Deputy Simon Coveney, be invited to the House to discuss fish farming. The Minister will be in the Chamber tomorrow for a discussion on the Common Agricultural Policy reform proposals. I am sure he will be more than willing to discuss the issues the Senator raised, just as he was happy to discuss the same matter on his previous visit.

Senator Aideen Hayden joined other Members in calling for a debate on the future of the banking sector. I will try to arrange that debate as soon as possible.

Senator Feargal Quinn talked about the use of timber for fuel. I will try to get the Minister into the House to discuss that matter. The Senator also complimented the Road Safety Authority in the light of the recent announcement that Dublin was one of the safest cities in the world in terms of the level of road traffic accidents. Dublin City Council also deserves to be congratulated on its efforts in this regard.

I note the Senator's comments on working a day for free. Next week, which has been designated small and medium-sized enterprise week, the Minister of State, Deputy Perry, will come before the House for a debate lasting two and a half hours. Perhaps the Senator will raise this issue with the Minister of State. For the information of Senators, the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation, Deputy Richard Bruton, will also come to the House to discuss the jobs issue in the first week of November.

Senators Comiskey, Mullen, Gilroy and Noone referred to remarks made by Dr. Tony Bates on the issue of suicide. Delays in filling the position of director of the National Office for Suicide Prevention were also raised. I outlined yesterday that the position of director first became vacant on 10 September and the interview process for the post will take place on 22 October. In the interim, the assistant national director of mental health is assuming responsibility for the National Office for Suicide Prevention. It is incorrect to suggest, as it was elsewhere yesterday, that the position has been left unfilled for more than nine months. We will try to arrange a debate on this issue. While I understand the House has debated it twice in the past 12 months, I am willing to discuss with Senators how we can frame a future debate on the issue.

Senators Mullins and Conway noted the reduction in charges for co-operatives, which is to be welcomed by all concerned. We can have a debate on the issue of co-operatives and Senators may raise it with the Minister of State, Deputy Perry, and the Minister, Deputy Bruton, when they come before the House in the weeks ahead.

Senator White referred to Positive Ageing Week, which was also mentioned by Senator Moran yesterday. The Seanad has played its part in promoting the positive ageing agenda, for example, through the hearings of the Seanad Public Consultation Committee, and we will continue to do everything possible to promote the issue. I will make inquiries regarding the Senator's query on the possibility of extending the BreastCheck service to older people.

Senator Colm Burke raised the issue of financial management in the Health Service Executive. The purpose of the Health Service Executive (Governance) Bill 2012 is to change the structure of financial management in the HSE. I am sure the House will have a comprehensive debate on the issue when we take Committee Stage next week. The Senator also raised the issue of extending the contracts of junior doctors for two or three years. This matter can be addressed when the Minister for Health comes before the House.

Senator Mullen called for a debate on alcohol policy. As soon as the Minister of State, Deputy Alex White, gathers breath and reads his brief, we will have such a debate.

Senator Jimmy Harte raised an issue related to the HSE in the north west. I suggest he raise the matter on the Adjournment for the purpose of securing a specific reply.

Senator Wilson called on the Minister for Justice and Equality to come before the House. The Minister has been in the House on numerous occasions and usually comes in person for all debates on legislation produced in his Department. I am sure he will continue to do so and several more Bills from his Department are due before the House. Drug surveillance duties are an issue not only for the Garda Síochána but also for the Customs service. I commend the Garda and the Customs service for the major drugs seizures they have made in recent weeks.

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