Seanad debates
Thursday, 16 June 2016
Order of Business
10:30 am
Jerry Buttimer (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source
Senators Ardagh, Conway-Walsh and Ó Ríordáin raised the issue of bin charges but as Members know, the movement now is towards a pay-per-weight system. It is being introduced, by regulation, from July. I am surprised that Senator Ó Ríordáin did not remember that it was his own party colleague, the former Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government, Deputy Alan Kelly, who signed the order. It follows the standard of the polluter pays principle. I agree that we should have a debate on waste policy. In that context, Sinn Féin has tabled a Private Member's motion on the issue which will come before the House next week for debate. Oral hearings are currently being conducted by An Bord Pleanála in Cork concerning incineration. Many people are against incineration but our landfill sites are not able to cope with the amount of refuse being generated. It is important that we educate ourselves and the next generation on the importance of recycling, reducing and reusing waste materials. We must reduce the amount of waste going to landfill sites.If we are to have effective prevention measures, it is important that people are rewarded based on how they treat and dispose of their waste. The EPA and CSO produced data which show that 87% of householders will see a reduction in their charges, 8.5% will see no charge and a small number will see an increase. I am pleased the Minister is meeting bin companies. Senators Conway-Walsh and Ardagh are correct. People should not have to pay more. Private operators should not exploit their customers. One of the major tragedies of the elimination of municipal waste collection was that the waiver system in many coastal areas has gone.
It is important that we are proactive. The Minister is working with companies. They should not be exploitative and should instead work with their customers to ensure proper charges are applied. We will take up the issue. Awareness and segregation of waste are important, and we should continue along that route.
I refer to Senator Conroy-Walsh's motion. As I explained at a meeting earlier, there are a number of discrepancies in the motion. As Leader of the House, I cannot allow it because it has implications for the Cathaoirleach and the House. The motion is not within Standing Orders.
Based on yesterday's remarks in the House, I look forward to the Twenty-fifth Seanad bringing about change in how the House works, does its business, and how it is perceived across the country by the Fourth Estate, citizens and constituent members. I am not afraid to examine the electoral system or the internal workings of the Seanad. Let us do so in the context of what is best for democracy and representation in our country. Let us put aside our vested interests and put our country and people first in our reform of the Upper House. We are the current occupants of the House. A generation has gone before us and a generation will come after us. It behoves us, as Members of the Seanad, to do the right thing. I hope we will all do that because it is important that we continue to be representatives of whoever puts us in here.
I agree with Senator Ó Domhnaill about North-South relations. It is incumbent on us to carry on the work of the last Seanad and the work many of us did in committees in working with our partners in the Northern Ireland Assembly. We are all part of the one island and must work together to ensure that the Good Friday Agreement is implemented and the quality and standard of life of all of our citizens, whether Catholic or Protestant, are espoused and advanced. That is our duty.
To be fair, the Orange Order visited the previous Seanad. That is a matter for the CPP in the context of Senator Ó Céidigh's request for the Northern Ireland Minister for finance to come to the House. It is important that we continue to build bridges and relationships. As Leader of the House, I look forward to doing that. Senators will find no obstacle from me in that regard. My record as Chairman of the Joint Committee on Health and Children will show that we went to the Assembly in Belfast and a reciprocal committee came to Dublin. It is important that we continue with that process.
Senators Higgins, Ó Ríordáin and O'Donnell referred to the year of the arts. I welcome the passion of Members of the House for the arts, in particular the eloquence of Senator Marie-Louise O'Donnell. I am pleased that she is the spokesperson on arts because she brings not just knowledge but a passion for, interest in and experience and wisdom of the arts. It is important that they continue to be at the forefront in the House. I want to assure Members that the Government is committed to the arts. The Minister, Deputy Heather Humphreys, retains full responsibility. There has been no denigration or dilution of roles. The buck stops with the Minister. That can be seen in the programme of work of the Government, where the Minister is committed to producing the first ever national policy on culture, with a view to publishing it in the next couple of years. Culture policy 2025 is the plan to which the Minister is committed.
Equally, the Government as a whole is committed to the arts, culture and heritage, and there will be no downgrading of them by the Government. Significant funding was provided for the arts by the Government at a time when the country had no money. I remind Members that €30 million was provided for the new National Gallery, €8 million was provided for a new expansion project for the National Archives and there was a €10 million renovation of the National Library at a time when the country was bereft of money. That was the legacy of the previous Government, which the current Government will continue. Let us ensure that we continue with that policy and keep the arts to the forefront of what we do.
I join with other Members in offering sympathy to family and colleagues of the nurse who died in Crumlin. It is a tragedy and we all must await the post-mortem results. It is important that we acknowledge that a human life has been lost and people are mourning today. I sympathise on behalf of the Government and all Members with the family and staff affected.
Senator Craughwell referred to his motion on terms and conditions for councillors. Senator Paddy Burke yesterday raised a Commencement matter to which the Minister, Deputy Varadkar, responded regarding K-class PRSI. As I said yesterday, it is important that we speak as a unified voice on the terms and conditions of councillors. We should not all bat as individuals trying to seek political points. Ní neart go cur le chéile. If we stand together as a body elected by councillors we can progress change, but if we all go off on divergent paths we will all end up on the road less travelled and will not achieve the result we all want. Senator Craughwell can move his motion in Private Members' time. The Government will be happy to work with him regarding that and I will happy to talk to him. I am not saying the Senator is scoring political points. We must work together.
Senators O'Mahony and Black referred to the Public Health (Alcohol) Bill. I am pleased to say it was restored to the Order Paper yesterday. The Government is committed to taking it at the earliest possible opportunity. It will come back on Committee Stage. A large amount of work has been done. I refer the Senators to the Bill and the previous Joint Committee on Health and Children, which did some strong pre-legislative scrutiny on alcohol. I compliment Senator James Reilly and former Minister, Alex White, on the work they did in progressing the Bill. Without them, it would not be on the Order Paper. We need to address the issue because alcohol misuse is costing the nation dearly in terms of lives, work hours and the quality of life for families. Too many homes are affected by the blight of alcohol.
Senator Higgins referred to the Department of Arts, Heritage, the Gaeltacht and the Islands. We will return to that issue.
Senator Harkin and others referred to the anniversary of the deaths of young people in Berkeley. It is important that we remember them. As we speak, young men and women are on flights across the Atlantic Ocean heading off to a new summer experience. I spent a summer on a J1 in America. It is important that we provide such young people with resources.
I welcome Mr. Brian O'Dwyer and Mr. Mike Carroll from New York who were very helpful in providing jobs and working with Irish-Americans. As Senator Coffey said, today we remember. Irish community centres and the diaspora in the four corners of America have helped many young people. It is important that we remember the young men and women who died in Berkeley and I thank him for raising the issue today.
Senator Norris referred to the inner city. I do not want to cause a political row, but I do not think Tony Gregory formed CAB. I will not go into the issue. He is correct. The inner city of Dublin requires regeneration and the Government is committed to that. The Taoiseach and Ministers visited the area this week. It was not, as some people said, a circus. Rather, they were there to listen and continue the work that is being done. I have worked in deprived areas. It is important that the arms of the State reach into such areas and work in a cross-departmental way to help people live their lives.
Senator Lawless referred to a letter from President Obama. I am sure he will be able to persuade him to speak in the Seanad at a later date. It might be a nice gesture. It is good that he is a Member of the House and it is important that the President acknowledged his role. He is not a token Senator. He has a valid mandate to represent us, himself and the diaspora, and I look forward to working with him in that regard.
Senator Ó Clochartaigh also referred to J1 visas. I would be happy for the Minister of State, Deputy McHugh, to come to the House to discuss voting rights and the diaspora. It is important that we reach out beyond our shores and acknowledge that the diaspora have an important role.As Senator Coffey correctly said yesterday, we do have a skills shortage in some areas, so the Minister, in singling out certain professions or skill sets, is appealing to people because of the shortages and he is right to do that.
I referred to Senator Ó Ríordáin's contribution already.
Senator Richmond's comment about a unified North-South team is an interesting one. I am not sure how the Football Association of Ireland and the Irish Football Association in Northern Ireland would feel about that, but perhaps it is something we should consider. The Senator might suggest the issue as one that could be discussed by the committee with responsibility for sport. All of us join in wishing every success to the Northern Ireland team tonight and the Irish team at the weekend. It is important that we continue to build on what has been achieved and that Irish fans continue to show the importance of being good ambassadors for the country. We have seen videos on social media of the fun Irish fans are having, but I would sound a note of caution to all Irish supporters and ask them to be careful, not to travel off the beaten track and to take their time. A consular service is available and they should put the contact number in their mobile phones or their wallets, because people can get lost for whatever reason and it is important that we continue the good record. It would be a shame if the good spirits of supporters and the manner in which they are viewed across France is damaged. All fans should put the number of the consular service in their mobile phones in case anyone gets in trouble.
Senator Boyhan mentioned the National Rehabilitation Hospital. He is correct that it is a very important facility. The men and women who work there do a tremendous job and the facility is long overdue an overhaul. I will ask the Minister to come to the House to comment. As a short-term measure, perhaps the Senator would consider tabling the matter for discussion on the Commencement. The Senator is correct that it is an issue we must put on the radar.
I spoke about Senator Black's contribution. Senator Colm Burke raised the issue of the HSE and the Department. He is correct. If we are engaged in new politics, then the HSE and the Department of Health must engage in new business measures and they must operate differently. The Minister for Health is to be congratulated on his ten-year strategy, but it should include all stakeholders, which would involve some of those suggested by Senator Burke. That would result in a ten-year strategy similar to social partnership, which did not include a political element. I welcome the creation of a policy committee of the Dáil to consider a ten-year strategy. I hope the Minister will expand the committee to include the Seanad, because Members of this House could play a constructive role in the health policy promotion area. The health committee the Minister has established is a good one, but he should go further and model it on the social partnership system.
I referred to Senator Ó Céidigh's remarks about small business and the Northern Ireland Minister for Finance. That is a matter for the Committee on Procedure and Privileges. As Leader, I would not have any problem if Senator Ó Domhnaill and Senator Ó Céidigh wish to write to the CPP about that.
I congratulate Senator Ray Butler on his maiden speech. I welcome him to the House and compliment him on the work he has done to promote the needs of the self-employed. He has always been very vocal in that regard. I look forward to bringing the Minister for Social Protection, Deputy Varadkar, to the House to discuss the issue. Senator Butler is correct that there is an important deficit with regard to the self-employed. I hope the Mangan report will be the starting point for improvement in that regard.
I already mentioned Senator Marie-Louise O'Donnell's reference to the arts. Senator Ó Domhnaill referred to Loughinisland. I would be happy for the Minister to come to the House and I will try to facilitate that. Senator Gallagher is correct that roads are important, and now that we are in a period of economic recovery it is important that we invest as a country in upgrading regional and national roads in particular. It is important that we follow his suggestion of bringing the Minister to the House.
Senator Kieran O'Donnell is correct in what he said about road signs. Any of us who travel the country are aware that road signs can be misleading and also dangerous in many parts. A plethora of commercial signs are now getting in the way as well. That is a matter we should discuss with Transport Infrastructure Ireland, TII, the Department and local councils. I will certainly arrange to have the Minister come before us to discuss the matter.
Both Senator O'Sullivan and Senator Conway raised the issue of mobile phone coverage. It is a worrying trend that the quality of the mobile phone signal is decreasing. The Cork to Dublin road is an example. I can pinpoint three or four spots where the coverage automatically goes. It is an important issue. As Senator Mulherin said to me, from an economic point of view, that is something we must address, because if investors who come to this country consider that the mobile phone coverage is not good enough - that it is poor and patchy - they might think twice about coming here. The points the Senators raised are ones we should take up as well.
Senator Coffey mentioned the diaspora and the Irish-American centres. He is correct that we should discuss those matters. Senator Wilson referred to education. I am a former director of adult education and I believe adult education and continuing education are very important. I will invite the Minister to come before us to discuss that. Senator Conway's Bill on SIM cards is one we should accept and embrace as it relates to data protection and safety.
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