Mary O'Rourke (Fianna Fail)
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The Order of Business is No. 1, Veterinary Practice Bill 2004 — Report and Final Stages, to be taken on the conclusion of the Order of Business until 1.30 p.m.; No. 2, Maritime Safety Bill 2004 — Committee Stage, to be taken from 2.30 p.m. until 5 p.m.; and No. 19, motion 13, to be taken from 5 p.m. until 7 p.m. There will be a sos from 1.30 p.m. until 2.30 p.m.

Brian Hayes (Fine Gael)
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The House rightly had full expressions of sympathy on the death of Pope John Paul II on the week commencing 11 April 2005. It is only proper to reflect on the election of Pope Benedict XVI on 19 April and to highlight this as a significant international event. The Pope is not just the leader of the Roman Catholic Church but is a figurehead throughout the world.

I welcome the Taoiseach's invitation to Pope Benedict XVI to visit Ireland at his first opportunity to follow in the footsteps of Pope John Paul II in 1979. To the critics of the new Pope, a Pope is unlike any other man. He had a life before he became Pope and will have one after his election. I wish him well in his difficult job as the new pontiff and hope he will reflect all of the strands comprising the Roman Catholic Church, people of other faiths and those of none.

Joe O'Toole (Independent)
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We had a discussion before our recent break on the need to consider the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform's document on immigration, which outlines his thinking with a view to future legislation. Many of the speakers on both sides of the House felt this would be useful. There is no crisis issue in this area currently as it has calmed momentarily. Now and not in the heat of battle, as it were, is the time we should be discussing it, when we can sit back and examine the system. There are matters in this about which we must be clear. If we all buy into a system we must live with the downside and the upside but we can at least put our views on record.

It would be helpful if we could be given notice of a discussion on this document to allow people to consult thereon. This is one of the issues on which we spoke about consulting people outside the House in terms of Seanad reform. Many people are involved in this issue. Indeed, I noticed the Leader speak out over the weekend. We have all met groups with different views on the issue. We now have an opportunity to do something and I would like the Leader to give perhaps ten days notice of when we might deal with this issue to allow Members to consult.

The Government has spoken about urgent infrastructural projects on two or three occasions. Many of us believe there are urgent projects which are being slowed down unnecessarily, although there are others which must go through a process. It is a question of striking a balance. Rather than deal with these projects when a snail is found somewhere or there is a difficulty, let us identify the proper way to deal with them.

I would like a discussion with the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment on his view on the directors' compliance statement in the Companies (Auditing and Accounting) Act passed last year establishing the Irish Auditing and Accounting Supervisory Authority. It seems different views — different from those articulated last year — are now emerging from different sections of the business community and politically. I would like the Government to put its view on the record.

Brendan Ryan (Labour)
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There was a long discussion on radio this morning on the Health and Safety Authority's review of safety in accident and emergency departments. As a sometimes engineer who endeavours to teach people the rudiments of safety, it is shocking to find that a large number of accident and emergency units have been reported to the fire service for rudimentary failures such as blocking emergency exists. There are two separate issues here. One is the scale and capacity of accident and emergency units, which is a serious issue in itself. However, the fact these units are under pressure is no excuse for their managers leaving material in places which threatens public safety and health. This almost sounds like a cracked record, coming back yet again to talk about the health service.

The issue of safety as distinct from the quality of medical care is a profoundly serious one which will result in a major tragedy sooner or later if it is not tackled by legal enforcement or by good management.

Rory Kiely (Fianna Fail)
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I remind the Senator this matter is on tomorrow's Order Paper.

Brendan Ryan (Labour)
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The matter on the Order Paper relates to accident and emergency services but this is a matter capable of being remedied instantaneously by good management. I do not believe there is an overnight solution to accident and emergency because of the eight years of neglect it has suffered.

I was in Nairobi last week at a conference on peace in the Great Lakes region and I tried to be helpful, which is my usual constructive position. One of the terrifying facts which emerged was that there are approximately 100 million small arms in that region in the possession of people other than governments. That is scary. It is morally repugnant that almost all of those arms were made in Europe, mostly in countries which have subscribed to one protocol or another on responsible arms exports. This raises the question yet again of the European Union's apparent intent to end its embargo on the sale of arms to China. Once one opens up an area such as that to the export of arms, one does not know what will happen to them after they get there. I request a debate on the EU's embargo on arms sales to China. I would like to hear from the Taoiseach because I believe it was a Government decision endorsed by him but it is a decision which needs to be reviewed.

Tom Morrissey (Progressive Democrats)
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In recent years we have undergone an expensive process, called benchmarking, that was predicated upon reform in the Civil Service and public service. However, on 17 February 2005 there was a finding in the Department of Finance on skills shortages with regard to the recruitment of 26 people. The trade union IMPACT brought a case, which was not about the fact of skills shortages but who would represent these people if they were appointed at a technical grade or an assistant principal officer grade. The purpose of Sustaining Progress is to address such issues.

In view of this I ask the Leader to arrange for the Minister for Finance to come into the House and explain in precise terms the reforms achieved under the first benchmarking process before there is any attempt to embark on another round. The report states that it has been acknowledged by both sides that this particular provision of Sustaining Progress, which is concerned with the recruitment of skilled staff shortages, was one of some sensitivity and it is, therefore, reasonable to presume that the parties express themselves with some care in regard to the issue.

Rory Kiely (Fianna Fail)
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The Senator has adequately elaborated his case for a debate.

Tom Morrissey (Progressive Democrats)
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This exercise has cost us dearly and I ask that the Minister for Finance come into the House to explain in precise terms the reform that has been made.

Frank Feighan (Fine Gael)
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I join in the call for a debate on immigration. Despite the increased use of communications it is virtually impossible to make contact with the visa or immigration sections of the Department of Justice, Equality and Law Reform. That is unacceptable in this day and age. I am aware of one constituent who has spent more than four weeks trying to get through to the immigration section of the Department. I ask that the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform come before the House to explain this outrageous situation.

David Norris (Independent)
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Senator Brian Hayes has raised the matter of the election of the Pope. I have made my mixed and doubtful feelings known on a previous occasion and it would be indecorous for me to revisit those sentiments this morning. It is very natural——

Rory Kiely (Fianna Fail)
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I advise the Senator that while the Seanad may acknowledge the election of Pope Benedict XVI we are not discussing his beliefs.

David Norris (Independent)
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I understand that and I do not propose to. It is perfectly natural and appropriate to send good wishes to anybody entering a new and onerous job and I am happy to do so. The new Pope has chosen one of the most beautiful Papal names. Benedictus is someone who is well spoken, speaks positively and in a godly fashion. I wish that he is able to find in himself the qualities to live up to this beautiful name.

The other point I wish to make follows on from what Senator Ryan said. I have warned in this House that immigrants into this country are being crammed into unsuitable hostels. A fire in Paris last week had tragic consequences. This is going to happen here if we do not inspect those premises. I am aware of situations in the city of Dublin where somebody in breach of planning laws has owned property in which there has been this kind of fire in which people jumped out of second floor windows. Luckily they were not killed. On the same day he was in court he was given further planning permission by Dublin City Council to develop further hostels. As Members of the Oireachtas we ought to keep an eye on the situation before there is a tragedy.

Michael McCarthy (Labour)
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I subscribe to the sentiments expressed by Senator Brian Hayes in wishing Pope Benedict XVI the best. Whatever his beliefs and whatever our beliefs he has a mammoth task ahead and I wish him well.

Feargal Quinn (Independent)
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The annual report of the data protection commissioner is an interesting document and should be discussed here. For some months I have been arguing strongly for the introduction of speed cameras throughout Ireland as a method of reducing road deaths. The Data Protection Commissioner has some very moderate views in this regard. This topic would benefit from a debate which would express the voice of the Oireachtas on this matter.

There was a call yesterday for a debate in the House on the introduction of fair trade products. The Leader of the House attended the Comhlámh lunch last week which I did not attend. This subject should be debated in the House because every citizen and not just the Government can do something about it. Fair trade coffee is automatically served in the Members' restaurant in Leinster House unless another type is requested. This positive discrimination is very worthy and I encourage the rest of us to take action in this area also.

Paschal Mooney (Fianna Fail)
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I ask the Leader to consider a debate on UN reform in light of the important appointment of the Minister for Foreign Affairs, Deputy Dermot Ahern, to be the eyes and ears, as the media describe it, throughout Europe of the Secretary General. He embarks today on a visit to 43 capital cities. The figure may be exaggerated but I am merely quoting the media. The list of meetings he will attend in the next six months is quite comprehensive. He also carries out his existing duties as Minister for Foreign Affairs exceptionally well. In light of this important appointment and the fact that Ireland tends to hang its colours of neutrality around the importance of the United Nations, I ask for a debate in the context of the European treaty. There is a wide scope of subject matter to be debated.

Mary O'Rourke (Fianna Fail)
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Senator Brian Hayes raised the relevant issue of the election of Pope Benedict XVI, to whom I offer my congratulations. He echoed the Taoiseach's call that the Pope visit Ireland and reflect on all of the strands that make up mankind.

Senator O'Toole asked for a debate on immigration. The House received two reports on this matter last week from the Minister and they seem to be good. I take the Senator's point about giving time to allow for consultation with groups before statements are made in the House. He referred to urgent infrastructural projects which are being delayed. He asked that the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment come to the House to discuss the directors' compliance statement.

Senator Ryan asked for a debate on the health and safety statements relating to accident and emergency departments. He correctly stated that this is the business of management. The Tánaiste cannot personally move chairs away from doors. When I heard this report this morning I wondered who was responsible for putting chairs against doors. It is a disgraceful practice. We must depend on legal enforcement and good management. Senator Ryan also referred to Nairobi, European involvement in the small arms trade and the question of the sale of arms to China.

Senator Morrissey asked for a debate on benchmarking and referred to the IMPACT report. He asked that the Minister for Finance come to the House to explain whether departmental reforms will underpin benchmarking. I suspect that is explained in the small print.

Senator Feighan asked for a debate on immigration and the long delays experienced by those wishing to contact the Department's visa section. I am familiar with this problem also.

Senator Norris expressed his good wishes for Pope Benedict. It is a lovely name which means "blessed" and it is very fitting. The Senator also referred to hostels and to those who lost their lives in the hostel in Paris. They were mostly immigrants and their children.

Senator McCarthy wished the new Pope well in his job. Senator Quinn asked for a debate on the report of the Data Protection Commissioner. He also referred to fair trade and Comhlámh. I attended a fair trade coffee morning in Mullingar last Monday at which there was great praise for Senator Quinn in ensuring his stores stock fair trade coffee, tea, bananas and other products. The organisers observed that Superquinn is one of the few chains of stores that is effective in this regard. I congratulate Senator Quinn on this achievement.

Senators:

Hear, hear.

Mary O'Rourke (Fianna Fail)
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The achievements of the Fair Trade Organisation are well documented and its coffee and tea products taste just the same if not better than other brands. Senator Quinn is well due the acclaim he has received for his endeavours in this area.

Senator Mooney observed that the Minister for Foreign Affairs, Deputy Dermot Ahern, will visit some 43 countries in his new United Nations role and expressed a desire for the Minister to come to this House to debate UN reform. I am unsure whether he will be able to drop in between his visits to the 22nd and 23rd countries but I will ask him to accommodate a debate.

Paschal Mooney (Fianna Fail)
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I am sure either of the Ministers of State at the Department of Foreign Affairs, Deputy Conor Lenihan and Deputy Treacy, would be an adequate replacement during such a debate.

Mary O'Rourke (Fianna Fail)
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I send my good wishes on behalf of my party to the new Pope on his elevation.