Maurice Cummins (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

The Acting Leader of the Opposition, Senator O'Donovan, as well as Senator Paul Coghlan and several other Members raised the issue of fishing quotas. I referred to it yesterday on the Order of Business. Following last year's negotiations, many people lauded the Minister, including on the other side of the House. Significant progress was made. However, the fishing industry has been suffering because of a lack of quotas for the past 40 years. As I speak, a comprehensive meeting of EU industry stakeholders on mackerel quotas is under way in Clonakilty in Senator O'Donovan's constituency. Actually, I do not know whether that is happening this week or next week. The international mackerel industry is worth more than €1 billion.

That said, the Seanad is overdue a debate. I have asked the Minister to attend today, although I have not received a response and it is unlikely that I will be able to arrange it now. I have also asked him about tomorrow, but it is short notice. If we can manage it, we will. I will try to arrange for the debate as soon as possible.

Regarding Kilmore Quay, the Senator is aware that all matters relating to the operational enforcement of sea fisheries law are appropriate to the Sea-Fisheries Protection Authority, SFPA. I understand that it is in contact with the Director of Public Prosecutions, DPP, concerning some issues pertaining to the Kilmore Quay situation. The SFPA acts as an independent law enforcement agency of the State and it would be inappropriate for me or anyone else to comment on law enforcement issues that may be the subject of legal proceedings in due course. However, this is a side issue. I believe that the Senator is seeking a debate on the fishing industry. I will try - it is not for the lack of asking the Minister. In fairness to him, he has attended the House several times to address agricultural and fishery issues. I will try to bring him back to the House to facilitate Senator O'Donovan and everyone else who asked for this debate, but I cannot accede to the request to amend the Order of Business to that effect.

Among others, Senators Bacik, Norris, Daly, Paul Coghlan and Ó Murchú referred to the Northern Ireland Attorney General's remarks. Constructive points have been made by all Senators. Indeed, this morning's Order of Business is what the Order of Business should always be. I noted Senator Ó Murchú's point about the Truth and Reconciliation Commission. If the House can, we should be of assistance.

We are overdue a debate on Northern Ireland in the House. I will ask the Tánaiste and the Taoiseach to attend the House to address that important issue.

Senator van Turnhout referred to the EU justice debate and it is regrettable that it has been postponed on two occasions. I am sure we will get another date in early course from the Minister. I note the Senator's request for a debate on alcohol, including alcohol sponsorship in sports. I also note her point about legislation on smoking in cars, which was introduced by Members of this House. As I pointed out yesterday, the Department of Health is seeking legal advice on one outstanding issue with this Bill and will bring it back. I agree with Members that it is unacceptable, given that the Bill was brought before the House almost two years ago. If there is one outstanding legal issue, it is unacceptable that it should take so long to get that advice. It is simple but effective legislation to deal with an important item, but it should have been brought to the House before now. I have brought the matter to the attention of the Minister and his departmental officials. It never ceases to amaze me how matters can be delayed for so long in the ether.

I note Senator Norris's points concentring the Seanad being an equal legislative part of the Oireachtas under the Constitution. Senator Burke mentioned the treatment of the Joint Committee on Health and Children by the HSE concerning questions posed to the HSE. The answers to the questions are now coming out because of media requests. It is unacceptable that Members of this House or the other House, should not receive answers to questions when they are available. I will assist the Senator in any way I can in solving that matter which should not have happened.

I have noted Senator Daly's points about Northern Ireland and the murder triangle. This was an issue not alone in the book he mentioned by Anne Cadwallader but also was addressed comprehensively in the Barron report.

Senator Conway has notified the House that there will be an information seminar in the committee rooms today on the subject of the undocumented Irish. Senator Conway also referred to the plain packaging of cigarettes. This matter has been raised by Senator Crown and other Senators who have outlined that there will be strong lobbying from the tobacco industry. They complimented the Cabinet, however, on agreeing to proceed with this legislation. I hope we can debate the issue before the legislation is introduced, but if the Bill is due early, that may not be necessary.

Senator Zappone welcomed the briefing note on the family relationships Bill by the Minister for Justice and Equality. I will inquire for her when that legislation is due.

As regards proposals from the Taoiseach on Seanad reform, we have not yet had a meeting with the Leaders but I hope we will do so soon. I understand a number of people in the Department of the Taoiseach are working on Seanad reform, but we will await the Taoiseach calling the Leaders together to see what those proposals contain.

Senator Paul Coghlan wished the US envoy, Mr. Richard Haass, well in his deliberations in Northern Ireland. I am sure we all hope those negotiations will go well.

Senator Barrett referred to the settlement by J.P. Morgan in the United States. That indicates the lack of progress we have had in reaching settlements here and bringing people to account. Whether it is the fault of the legal system or otherwise, it is unacceptable. The case was brought in the US in September and they got a settlement in November, which points out the inadequacies in our system. I will try to arrange for a debate on white collar crime with the relevant Minister. The same debate was requested yesterday by Senator Noone.

Senator O'Keeffe mentioned the chief inspector's report on schools, which is an important report. I know the Senator has asked the Minister for Education and Skills to come here to debate that report and I am sure he will do so in the near future.

Senator Ó Clochartaigh referred to the Northern Ireland First Minister and Deputy First Minister. I have certainly made exhaustive requests for them to come here. It would be wonderful if they could address the Seanad. I will continue to make representations in that regard but it is outside my control.

A Vision for Change deals with an important subject and I will request one of the Ministers from the Department of Health to attend the House to address the matter.

Senator Mulcahy and Senator Moran referred to section 38 funding in the health service. They have raised the level of salaries that CEOs of NGOs in the disability and charity sectors receive. The salaries that have been highlighted appear to be excessive. It is said that many more have not yet been highlighted. The Senators also questioned the role of advocacy groups and their funding. This is something that we need to discuss at length when we can get the Minister for Health or one of the Ministers of State to address the matter here.

Senator Mullins and Senator Crown spoke about top-up payments to senior people in hospitals. Senator Mullins also referred to the safety accord for Bangladesh. It surprises me that not all companies in Ireland have signed up to that accord, which is trying to secure the safety of poor people on low incomes. All companies should be encouraged to sign up to it.

Senator Crown made a good contribution on reform of the health service, including the inherent, inbuilt inconsistencies in the HSE. He called for a discussion on the accountability of boards. We could listen to Senator Crown on that issue for much longer than a minute or two on the Order of Business.