Maurice Cummins (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

In response to Senator MacSharry on mortgaged arrears, I can assure him that the Government is taking a hard line with the banks to ensure that the question of mortgage arrears is dealt with as soon as possible and without any further delay. The Government has set targets with the banks to which they must adhere and the Government will ensure that they adhere to those targets.

Senator Bacik called for an extension of the deadline on Guthrie cards. She mentioned that the Minister has alluded to these cards. I will ask that he extend the deadline from 31 March.

We will have a discussion on the Private Members' Bill from 5.30 p.m. to 7.30 p.m.

Senator Mac Conghail raised the matter of the St. Patrick's Day celebrations. Quite a number of Ministers and officials are going to many countries throughout the world for St. Patrick's Day to sell our country in the best possible way. It is an opportunity which no other country has. We can sell our country, particularly in the United States, and try to bring badly needed jobs here. This is probably the reason we have not had such a busy schedule this week. A number of Ministers are away. In addition to St. Patrick's Day we also have the Presidency of the EU, so not as many Ministers are in the country as normal. I ask Members, including Senator Mooney, to take this into consideration.

Senator Mac Conghail and other Senators raised the issue of harvesting rights in the forests. The Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform, Deputy Howlin, came to the House to discuss a number of areas regarding the sale of State assets. The programme for Government includes the NewERA plans for the investment of proceeds from the sale of State assets in new, vital economic infrastructure which will come with additional job opportunities and make the economy more competitive. The Government has decided to issue a new licence for the national lottery and sells the non-network part of Bord Gáis Éireann, some ESB power generation assets and the harvesting rights of some forestry assets. Following agreement with the troika, the Government will re-invest half of these proceeds back into the Irish economy with vital new infrastructure, with the remainder to be used to pay down our sizeable national debt. We can have further debate if the House wishes it and if the Minister of State, Deputy O'Dowd, can come here to discuss it.

Senator Quinn and several other Senators spoke about the life being drained away from many town centres throughout the country, which he blames on planning. Certainly planning has had much to do with it in recent years. We have seen a build-up of shopping centres on the outskirts of cities and towns to the detriment of core city and town centre areas. While a committee debated it yesterday, we should probably broaden the debate and bring the relevant Minister to the House to discuss it. From listening to Members, quite a number of them would like to have a say in this debate. I will try to arrange it as soon as we possibly can.

Senator Comiskey also raised the issue of harvesting rights and the importance of access to third level education for all our young people, particularly those involved in agriculture. We would all agree with this.

I have addressed Senator Mooney's point. He also asked that the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government, Deputy Hogan, who came before the House yesterday, would clarify the situation with regard to local development companies. I will certainly ask the Minister to do so and I am sure he will in early course.

Senator Whelan raised the issue of media ownership, which would probably come under the remit of media mergers which are covered in the new consumer and competition Bill which is being drafted. It a large, complex and very comprehensive legislation and I am not clear when it will be published. I will try to get an update for the Senator. Senator Ó Murchú also raised this matter.

Senator Norris spoke about the property tax. The Revenue Commissioners have sent out leaflets. It is self-assessment, and while there will be difficulties with some people thinking their property has a higher value than the Revenue band in which it has been placed and others thinking their property is of a lower value, it is up to people to provide an estimate which they believe is correct based on property values in the area.

Senator Mullins spoke about the salaries of bank employees, which other Senators raised also. He called for the Minister, Deputy Howlin, to come to the House to address where further savings can be made in public expenditure. The Minister, Deputy Howlin, and the Minister of State, Deputy Hayes, have come to the House several times in recent months to discuss this issue. I am sure they would be quite willing to come here again.

Senator Ó Clochartaigh raised the issue of semi-State bodies, in particular the ESB, which are deemed to be making excessive profits. It is certainly a matter which the energy regulator should take on board because he gave the go-ahead for increases in these charges. He should certainly examine his own conscience when allocating increases for energy suppliers. I take on board what the Senator said.

With regards to Senator Landy's point, I will not tell people to mind their own business, but we compliment Senator Quinn on his book. With regard to credit union investment with the former Anglo Irish Bank, I have already raised the matter with the Minister for Finance but I will take it up with him again.

Senator Colm Burke called for more joined-up thinking where banks are in negotiations with members of the legal profession and accountancy firms. The Senator also said there should be one policy in this regard.

Senators Barrett and Jim D'Arcy spoke about the remarks of Louise Phelan of PayPal. She clarified her remarks and her clarification is to be welcomed. She was speaking about how people carry themselves in the workplace and the work ethic of our young people. Our young graduates should take on board what Ms Phelan stated because she is the chief executive of a large company, and it is very important that chief executives have a good impression of our graduates. It is important that, as Senator Jim D'Arcy stated, this type of education is included in secondary schools so people know how to conduct themselves when they enter employment. I remember 20 or 30 years ago in Waterford a famous Sister of Mercy, Sister Eucharia, had commercial classes. She was well ahead of her time in educating people on how to behave themselves in the workplace. We need more people like Sister Eucharia to educate young people, who may be the best intellectually but still have much to learn with regard to how to behave in the workplace.

I note Senator Harte's comments with regard to the repossession of buy to let properties in particular, which is a different view from that of Senator Hayden on the matter. The Minister for Finance will impress on the banks that they must do more about mortgage arrears and will set targets to which they must adhere.

Senator O'Keeffe asked that the Minister of State, Deputy Sherlock, come to the House to advance STEM subjects and the links to jobs and future employment. I will certainly invite him to come to the House to discuss this matter.

Senator Noone spoke about towns and planning. The reckless trading of bankers is certainly an offence which I am sure the Garda is examining.

Senator Conway raised the issue of criminal investigations. That is a matter for the Garda but I shall try to get an update on the subject. As always the Senator praised the beautiful county of Clare and urged the protection of its villages.

Senator Jim D'Arcy referred to diesel laundering. We all wish the Garda well in curbing the illegal trade as it plays havoc with the economy. It also plays havoc with the environment of many counties in Border areas because the sludge is dumped and so on by people involved in the illegal activity.

Senator Hayden, as she did yesterday, warned about buy-to-let mortgages. She advised that the people who live in them, including tenants, should be protected.