Seanad debates
Wednesday, 18 May 2005
Order of Business.
10:30 am
Mary O'Rourke (Fianna Fail)
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The Order of Business is No. 1, statements on the EU constitution, to be taken at 11.30 a.m. until 5.00 p.m., with the contribution of each speaker not to exceed six minutes and the Minister of State to be called upon to reply not later than 4.30 p.m., the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government will begin the debate and the Minister of State at the Department of Justice, Equality and Law Reform, Deputy Brian Lenihan, will conclude it; and No. 20, motion 12, re national competitiveness, to be taken from 5.00 p.m. until 7.00 p.m. There will be a sos from 1.00 p.m. until 2.30 p.m.
Brian Hayes (Fine Gael)
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Last November, the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform stated boldly that actions taken by him in giving additional support to the Garda in Dublin had resulted in the breaking up of major criminal gangs in the city. He also claimed that he was confident that IRA criminality was a thing of the past. On both of those counts, the statements now ring hollow given his announcement yesterday that welcome additional resources are to be given to the Garda in Dublin.
This is a bigger problem than just Dublin city and county. There have been ten murders in as many weeks throughout the country, as well as a proliferation of the gun culture within the criminal world. This must be tackled head on by the Government and the Garda. Fine Gael will allow a new Bill to pass swiftly through this House that criminalises gang membership and hostage taking. Will the Leader consider putting such a suggestion to the Minister? This is a Fine Gael initiative that we put to the Government yesterday and I ask her to put it to the Minister today.
Senators Ross and Quinn have raised the issue of Sellafield this week. A suggestion was made in this House more than 12 months ago that the Radiological Protection Institute of Ireland, RPII, should have automatic status at the Sellafield plant in order to ensure independence in terms of monitoring and reporting to the Irish public. Will the Government put this suggestion again to the British Government? It is wrong that incidents and accidents at Sellafield should be reported by the management of the plant and the British nuclear industry to the Irish people. In all such cases, we should have an independent assessment by our own State body, the RPII. That body should be represented at Sellafield on a permanent 24-hour basis to report to the Irish people in the same way that the International Atomic Energy Agency is based constantly at Sellafield. The British Government must move swiftly to allay Irish concerns on Sellafield.
Joe O'Toole (Independent)
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I raised the national report on obesity and related matters yesterday in regard to primary school children. Employees in my office telephoned 20 random primary schools yesterday and could not find one with a vending machine. This raises questions as to where the report's authors undertook their research. I pointed to the difficulties of many primary schools in terms of the provision of games and physical education and observed that many schools have no GP rooms and are forced to install prefabs in the school yard. In this context, I put forward the proposal that we should examine the possibility of appointing games co-ordinators and specialised PE teachers.
There was one issue I neglected to mention but which we should also consider. Cookery is a subject that is no longer allocated any time on the primary school curriculum. The availability of specialist cookery teachers would mean primary children could learn how to cook properly. The pressures teachers are under to implement the curriculum mean there is not time for such instruction. The issue of specialisation in the areas of physical education and cookery should be considered.
I understand the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment, Deputy Martin, will make a public statement today on the new consumer strategy group proposals. This will apparently lead to the establishment of a new super-agency for consumer strategy. We must remind ourselves that a significant part of the problem in this area is that resources have never been made available to the Office of the Director of Consumer Affairs to allow it to undertake its functions properly. The notion that some new all-encompassing body can now take over and perform more effectively will only prove true if the necessary resources are made available. The reality is those resources have never been provided before.
I am confused on one particular point. What are the positions of the various political parties on the groceries order? Representatives from the same party often present different points of view on this issue. I understand the Joint Committee on Enterprise and Small Business has unanimously supported the lifting of the order. Nevertheless, it seems the various political parties have different views on this and that the Government is fudging the issue. It is focusing on the consumer strategy group to secure headlines for something which may well never get the resources to undertake its functions effectively and which, at any rate, cannot come into existence until after legislation is passed through the Houses, which could take four years.
Brendan Ryan (Labour)
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We all welcome the release of Dr. Mudawi Ibrahim Adam by the Sudanese authorities. There is no doubt the role of the Government and other parties contributed to his safety in custody and his speedy release. His wife and daughter were presented with an award last Friday by the President.
All Members would welcome another debate on aviation policy, which seems to change by the week. It now seems we may have three terminals at Dublin Airport instead of two.
Brian Hayes (Fine Gael)
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There will be one terminal for everybody.
Brendan Ryan (Labour)
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I am not sure whether the third one is a fictitious item to cover the nakedness of the Progressive Democrats. Nevertheless, a debate is necessary on this issue. In view of the Government's extraordinary apparent decision to sell a majority of the State's shareholding in Aer Lingus, one must wonder whether any consideration has been given to the national interest in this matter.
Will the Leader agree to a debate on human rights with particular emphasis on that bastion of United States support in the Far East, Uzbekistan, where the authorities have been slaughtering their own people? If similar events took place in Cuba, an EU delegation and meetings of Foreign Ministers and the UN Security Council would ensue. These responses would be proper. Apparently Uzbekistan is to receive milder reproof.
It is now reported that decisions about capital allocations for hospital building this year will be made by the Tánaiste rather than the Health Service Executive. I would like a debate on this matter. At issue is not where the money goes but the withholding from the Health Service Executive, three months after it is set up, the ability to make major decisions based on professional assessments. The Health Service Executive is to inform the Minister for Health and Children of hospitals which need money but is not permitted to prioritise them because this might be made public under the Freedom of Information Act, resulting in embarrassment for the Tánaiste when, presumably, Tallaght hospital receives a large sum of money.
Brendan Ryan (Labour)
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It is the clearest indication that the Progressive Democrats are returning to its party of origin and want to govern by spending money on hospitals according to political priorities rather than medical needs.
Terry Leyden (Fianna Fail)
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I wish to inform this House that I am preparing a Private Members' Bill, the Registration of Wills Bill 2005. With the approval of the Leader and my colleagues in the Fianna Fáil group, I hope to present it to the House. I have discussed this matter with the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform——
Rory Kiely (Fianna Fail)
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This matter has nothing to do with today's Order of Business. Please address the Order of Business.
David Norris (Independent)
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Senator Leyden is at all times ready.
Terry Leyden (Fianna Fail)
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I follow the good example of Senator Norris.
Terry Leyden (Fianna Fail)
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I hope to present this Bill to the House in the next week.
Rory Kiely (Fianna Fail)
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The proper procedures must be followed to do so.
Rory Kiely (Fianna Fail)
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I have ruled that it has nothing to do with today's Order of Business. Does Senator Leyden have a point to make?
Terry Leyden (Fianna Fail)
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The point I wish to make is that this is a legislative Chamber, of which I am a Member.
Rory Kiely (Fianna Fail)
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This matter has nothing to do with today's Order of Business. There is a procedure involved in introducing legislation to this House. We will not discuss this further.
Michael Finucane (Fine Gael)
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I concur with the remarks of Senator Brian Hayes. While I welcome the allocation of €6.5 million announced by the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform, I understand this sum will be spent in the Dublin area with the intention of controlling gangs and ending gangland killings, which has been a frequent occurrence recently. This type of lawlessness is not confined to Dublin. I raise the recent case in Limerick where a grenade was lobbed into a house. Limerick has problems with gangs and the availability of guns. Recently, a gangland killing took place in Sligo. I would like the Minister to make finance available not only to Dublin but to other parts of the country, such as Limerick and Sligo.
John Dardis (Progressive Democrats)
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The most notorious gangster in Limerick has been put away.
Rory Kiely (Fianna Fail)
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Senator Finucane without interruption.
Michael Finucane (Fine Gael)
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As Senator Dardis does not live in Limerick, he is not aware of the situation there. I will provide copies of the Limerick Leader for his perusal. I would like him to be briefed.
I welcome the proposal for statements on aviation policy. For the past months, the media has discussed nothing but aviation policy. The Taoiseach recently received an award for person of the year but ditherer of the year might be a more appropriate title. I am disappointed that Senator Morrissey is not here because he is the Progressive Democrats' aviation expert.
Mary O'Rourke (Fianna Fail)
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I met him in Dublin Airport last Friday.
Michael Finucane (Fine Gael)
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It is a pity he is not here because the tendering process ——
Rory Kiely (Fianna Fail)
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It is improper to make reference to people who are not here.
Michael Finucane (Fine Gael)
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I will retract my comments about the Taoiseach. I was possibly too unkind to him.
Michael Finucane (Fine Gael)
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We look forward to an announcement on aviation policy this evening, which will come to be called operation fudge.
Mary White (Fianna Fail)
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I ask the Leader to arrange a debate on ageism. This is Say No To Ageism Week and a report was published yesterday by the National Council on Ageing and Older People entitled Perceptions of Ageism in Health and Social Services. The study of more than 600 elderly people and health service staff found that the health service is guilty of discrimination against older people.
Rory Kiely (Fianna Fail)
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The Senator is seeking a debate on ageism and she can raise those points when it is granted. We cannot have speeches on the Order of Business.
Mary White (Fianna Fail)
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This is an important issue. The report found direct discrimination in the upper age limit for breast cancer screening, that is, 65 years of age. Free screening is only available to women between 50 and 65 years of age in certain parts of the State and BreastCheck has stated there is mounting evidence that screening should be provided to women over 64 years of age. It is an important social issue and women over 64 years of age are not being treated equally.
David Norris (Independent)
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I again ask for a debate on Iraq. New material emerges all the time. As I predicted, the Senate committee in America came up against the shattering force of the truth as told in a blistering fashion by George Galloway and it produced the usual weary old tired, forged documents. It could not even get the date sequence right. It was an astonishing performance but it clearly vindicated Mr. Galloway and exposed the Senate committee. It would be no harm if we continued to have a rolling debate on this issue.
It is astonishing that there have been approximately eight or nine killings in the past month. One would be safer in Chicago these days. This is part of the inheritance of what is cosily called the "republican community". This is a taint that was brought in — the guns, explosives and the drugs. We know exactly where to look to find from were this kind material came.
In a way, my next point leads on from that. Many people have come to the House to talk to us, including distinguished people of various kinds. We have listened to their pious aspirations for this, that and the other, including the European Union and whatnot. Would it not be a good idea to invite the McCartney sisters to give evidence to Seanad Éireann on the murder of their brother and the way in which they were intimidated by the Provisional IRA and Sinn Féin?
Rory Kiely (Fianna Fail)
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That is a matter for the Committee on Procedure and Privileges.
David Norris (Independent)
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I ask that it be referred to the Committee on Procedure and Privileges.
Maurice Hayes (Independent)
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I, too, was going to protest about ageism but I forget what it was I wanted to say. We will have a debate later, or at least an exchange, on Europe. The Taoiseach was in Warsaw at a meeting of the Council of Europe. Perhaps the Leader could arrange for a report on that meeting so that we could have a discussion on the Council of Europe, particularly the European Court of Human Rights which appears to have a backlog of 80,000 cases. Whether its methods are right or whether sufficient resources are being devoted to it is of great importance to the ordinary citizen.
Paul Bradford (Fine Gael)
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We have debated the illegal Irish community in the United States on a few occasions. I am sure colleagues are aware important legislation was published in the US last Thursday or Friday in the names of Senators John McCain and Ted Kennedy. This legislation will help to provide legal status and work permits for the illegal Irish community in the United States. The Bill, as published, must go through US Congress and Senate and it is important the Irish Government and body politic is seen to fully support the efforts of Senators McCain and Kennedy. I hope this House will have an early opportunity to discuss the issue of illegal Irish emigrants in the United States so Members can offer their support to them by trying to get the legislation through the US Congress.
Margaret Cox (Fianna Fail)
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A state exists where innocent people are living in fear and anxiety, where one is guilty until proven innocent, and where banks and other financial institutions can wash their hands of situations into which they enticed people over the years. If I was to assert that the state in question was Ireland, would Members sit up and take notice? Are Members aware that all over the country, men and women, widows and widowers and elderly people live in fear of next Monday, 23 May, when they must prove their innocence to the Revenue Commissioners?
The Minister for Finance must come to this House and defend the appalling policy that is currently being implemented whereby people are obliged to go back 20 years to prove that policies taken out for terms of ten years at £10 per week were not set up with hot money. People whose husbands or wives have died — this is an important point — should have a chance to state that they cannot prove this point as the relevant bank records and Revenue records are no longer available. This is what is happening and it is absolutely ridiculous. Other Members may think it is good enough, but I do not. Hot money does exist and Members do not agree with stashing money in offshore accounts and the like. However, ordinary innocent people should not be the ones who must prove their innocence. This is not good enough.
Kathleen O'Meara (Labour)
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I also ask for a debate on health and health administration, specifically concerning the legislation passed to establish the Health Service Executive. No business plan from the Health Service Executive is yet available. Members should be informed as to when it is likely to be available and this House should have a debate on it to follow up the passing of the legislation.
This issue is particularly relevant in light of the news today that the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children intends to keep to herself the decision on where capital funding will be spent on hospitals in the coming year. This appears to go against the principle underpinning the establishment of the Health Service Executive as set out by the Minister herself. It also runs counter to the correspondence now coming from the Department of Health and Children which states that particular matters pertaining to health should be referred to the Health Service Executive. In other words, if an issue does not suit the Minister, it is the Health Service Executive's problem, but if it is a matter with which she wishes to engage, she will do so. This was not the legislation's intention and is a serious development. I ask that the matter be debated in this House as soon as possible.
Ann Ormonde (Fianna Fail)
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I support Senator Cox regarding the letters being sent to elderly people, who may be tax-compliant, regarding money they may have invested in life assurance policies. It has raised fears in old people that they are now suspected of money laundering. We should have a debate in this House to put people's minds at ease, particularly elderly people who find themselves obliged to account for money they have saved over the years. Such people may be vulnerable simply by virtue of the fact that they must explain themselves. The issue has raised many fears in people and I agree with Senator Cox.
11:00 am
Ulick Burke (Fine Gael)
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I support Senator White's call for an urgent debate on elderly people and the attitude that has arisen within the health and social services regarding them. It is unfortunate that elderly people are denied access to proper treatment, are sent home from hospitals before full recovery and are classified as "bed blockers" and other such terms. If it is true that the needs of people over the age of 82 are being disregarded in the health service, there will be serious consequences. Our society is ageing but the old health boards have adopted a policy of disregarding the needs of older people. The policy of ensuring that older people can live independently in their own homes is given little or no support. As a result, older people must live in long-stay institutions, which is demoralising for many of them. The Leader should ask either the Minister for Social and Family Affairs or the Minister for Health and Children to come to the House to debate this very important issue. We will all be among the ranks of older people in a short space of time.
Martin Mansergh (Fianna Fail)
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I am astounded to hear Senators from the Labour Party suggest that the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children should have no part in making major strategicdecisions.
Rory Kiely (Fianna Fail)
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Does Senator Mansergh have a question for the Leader?
Martin Mansergh (Fianna Fail)
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This issue should be properly debated because we either have an accountable democracy or we do not.
Rory Kiely (Fianna Fail)
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Senator Mansergh must ask a question of the Leader on the Order of Business.
Martin Mansergh (Fianna Fail)
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Would the Leader agree that a Minister should take the major strategic decisions for the development of the health services because he or she is accountable? I accept that the operational day-to-day matters are the preserve of the Health Service Executive——
Martin Mansergh (Fianna Fail)
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People like Senator O'Meara attended demonstrations in Tipperary——
Rory Kiely (Fianna Fail)
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Senator Mansergh must resume his seat.
Mary Henry (Independent)
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The health service appears to be on people's minds again. When the Mental Health Act 2001 was brought through the Houses of the Oireachtas, it was stated that it was urgently needed to replace the 1945 Act. However, we are still operating under the 1945 Act despite the establishment of the Mental Health Commission because of an impasse between psychiatrists and the Minister for Health and Children over the working of the mental health tribunals.
Psychiatrists maintain that the funding is insufficient to put the tribunals in place. These tribunals have yet to be set up, a situation that is causing great distress to patients and their families. Could the Leader ask the Minister to urgently address this issue? I hope all Senators will support my call because a considerable amount of time and effort was put into the Act by Senators for a small amount of funding. Only 7% of the health budget is spent on mental health services, which includes the upkeep of buildings. We could probably set up these tribunals for a small amount of money. However, their establishment would mean a great deal to very large number of very ill people.
Paul Coghlan (Fine Gael)
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Senator O'Toole referred to the fact that the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment, Deputy Martin, will launch the consumer strategy report today. I am sure this report will resemble the proverbial curate's egg. The Senator may have inadvertently misled the House because, as I heard him, he said that the Oireachtas Joint Committee on Enterprise and Small Business had unanimously recommended the lifting of the Restrictive Practices (Groceries) Order 1987. I would like to put on the record that the committee unanimously recommended that the order should be retained.
Rory Kiely (Fianna Fail)
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We are dealing with matters on the Order of Business.
Paul Coghlan (Fine Gael)
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It is important to note the committee's decision.
Rory Kiely (Fianna Fail)
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The Senator must deal with matters on the Order of Business.
Paul Coghlan (Fine Gael)
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I would like to ask the Leader on the Order of Business to arrange a debate on this issue because I am sure the Minister and the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment would welcome a debate on the consumer strategy report.
There were many calls for a debate on aviation issues. An article in today's edition of The Irish Times states that the Dublin Airport Authority at a board meeting last week again spelled out its belief that it is not tenable for it to retain ownership of the Great Southern Hotels Group. The authority outlined different proposals——
Paul Coghlan (Fine Gael)
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I have. Will the Leader arrange a debate on this issue? We have had so many calls for debates about terminals and so on but I and, I am sure, the Leader do not want to see the hotels group forgotten about. This is an important matter.
Rory Kiely (Fianna Fail)
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The Senator has made his point adequately. Only three minutes remain and there are four Senators offering. I ask them to be brief.
Joe O'Toole (Independent)
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On a point of order, Senator Coghlan is right in his correction. I thought I had said the opposite. My apologies to the House.
Rory Kiely (Fianna Fail)
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I will ask Senators to be brief and I will not accept any other Senators who offer.
Michael McCarthy (Labour)
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I wish to raise with the Leader the alarming rate at which Irish fuel prices have increased in recent months. For the first time ever, the lower taxed diesel is now more expensive than unleaded petrol, with an increase of 5 cent in March alone. Of every euro spent on diesel, 66% goes to the State's coffers.
Michael McCarthy (Labour)
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Will the Leader ask the relevant Minister to come into the House and debate the possibility of reducing this tax and giving a tax break? Irish motorists are being taken advantage of, not only by the insurance industry but by the State due to the State's accrual of so much of the motorists' money. Will the Leader arrange a debate on this issue?
James Bannon (Fine Gael)
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I support Senator Brian Hayes in his call for a debate on the Sellafield nuclear facility. There is much public disquiet in Ireland concerning the manner in which the facility has reported incidents and accidents in recent times and the weak response by the Government to such incidents. In the interests of our people's safety, the time has come for all political parties in the State to take this issue to the European Court of Justice because it has serious implications for the entire Irish community. We want this facility closed once and for all in the interests of the safety of our people. A catastrophe is waiting to happen if we sit on the sidelines.
Will the Leader invite the Minister for Agriculture and Food, Deputy Coughlan, to the House and arrange a debate on a grant aid package for farmers who want to invest in waste storage facilities to comply with the new EU nitrates directives? As we know, farmers with fewer than 20 units cannot qualify for this grant aid at present. The Minister's own county has many such farmers. We must have a debate on this urgent issue.
Shane Ross (Independent)
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I welcome the consistent signs of sedition from the Government benches, which are very refreshing.
Shane Ross (Independent)
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I fit in very well this morning with the tantrums of Senator Mansergh and others.
Rory Kiely (Fianna Fail)
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This is not relevant to the Order of Business.
Shane Ross (Independent)
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I welcome and endorse most of what Senator Cox had to say. Having a debate on the issue she raised would be useful although she is not completely right that everyone who held those insurance policies is getting a letter from the Revenue Commissioners. Two institutions are involved. One is the Revenue which sends out letters to old and infirm people who do not understand them and find them extremely intimidating and very threatening. We could quickly do something about this. Letters threatening prosecution are being sent to people who do not know what they are meant to have done wrong in terms of not paying tax. This is unfair.
Senator Cox raised an almost identical issue, that of the apportionment of guilt where financial institutions are involved. What will occur on Monday, 23 May, is now on everyone's mind for it is on the radio every morning. Innocent people were seduced into taking out policies——
Shane Ross (Independent)
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——or doing something unawares and have been penalised in the most extraordinarily unfair way when those who seduced them are not being prosecuted. This is a problem which we could usefully address in a debate in the House. We could have a Minister here to tell us why the Government has not taken action against these institutions while poor people who have done wrong have had to pay fines of five or six times the original sum.
Frank Feighan (Fine Gael)
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I join with Senators in calling for a debate on the financial institutions. I do not believe that we as politicians and legislators sufficiently highlighted the unfair deal agreed with them in regard to the offshore accounts. As Senator Ross rightly pointed out, we are all aware that many innocent people from abroad were seduced by them. I hope that we as legislators will try to redress the imbalance that exists. Many elderly people took what they believed to be good and impartial advice for which they are now paying the price. We must ensure that these innocent people will be protected.
Mary O'Rourke (Fianna Fail)
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Senator Brian Hayes praised, inter alia, the initiative by the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform for providing €6.5 million to deal with the Dublin criminal gangs. He said there was already an initiative to do so last autumn. Clearly there is a proliferation of crime and I admire the fact that this money is being made available. The main point of the Senator's contribution was that if a new Bill to criminalise gang culture was brought to this House he would facilitate it, for which I thank him.
The Senator also referred to Sellafield and the fact that the Radiological Protection Institute of Ireland should have automatic status at the plant. He called on the British Government to allow for this. Senator Brady sent me a note stating that last week, the institute addressed the Oireachtas Joint Committee on the Environment and Local Government on access to Sellafield and submitted a report on the matter. I will ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government to come to the House to debate the matter.
Senator O'Toole said that a random check was carried out on 20 primary schools and that no vending machines were found. I understand the machines are mainly in secondary schools. He referred to games co-ordinators and the idea of cookery teachers who could give talks on proper nutrition.
The Senator also referred to the consumer strategy agency which will be announced by the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment, Deputy Martin. He said there was a restriction on funding for the existing Director of Consumer Affairs, Ms Carmel Foley. She is an excellent person who does great work within very limited financial parameters. I took note when the Senator spoke about the groceries order and Senator Coghlan's correction of his inadvertent remark.
Mary O'Rourke (Fianna Fail)
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I accept that. We received a good publication from RGDATA this morning on the groceries order.
I compliment Senator Ryan for raising the issue of Dr. Mudawi Ibrahim Adam, who has been released and received his award, something with which we all agree. The Senator asked about aviation policy and the proposed three terminals at Dublin Airport.
The Senator referred to human rights in Uzbekistan. Given what we have been hearing, it appears that the country's understanding of human rights is extremely limited.
Senator Ryan also referred to the capital allocation to hospitals which will be made by the Tánaiste. Senator Mansergh disputed this and said that if Ministers do not take responsibility they will be in the dock. When they take responsibility, based on valued advice, there is a hue and cry about it. Given what we know of the Tánaiste, she is well able to make up her mind on matters.
Senator Leyden referred to his Private Members' Bill.
Rory Kiely (Fianna Fail)
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That was ruled out of order and the Chair would appreciate if matters——
Mary O'Rourke (Fianna Fail)
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Thank you. I understand there is a procedure to be followed.
Senator Finucane referred to aviation policy. If I may say so, I do not like the way the Senator described the Taoiseach.
Brian Hayes (Fine Gael)
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If Senator Finucane can say it, the Leader can say it.
Michael Finucane (Fine Gael)
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He has dithered on this issue. He must be a great friend of Michael O'Leary.
Rory Kiely (Fianna Fail)
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That is not in order, Senator Finucane.
Mary O'Rourke (Fianna Fail)
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He appears to have gone off the scene.
Mary O'Rourke (Fianna Fail)
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Senator White has left the Chamber to join her sister and her school group. She asked for a debate on ageism and referred to a report on the perception of age in regard to health and social policy. She also called for free breast screening to be extended to women over the age of 64.
Senator Norris called for a debate on Iraq. We have requested this from the Department of Foreign Affairs every week but we will try to have it next week. I love George Galloway's voice, regardless of his activities. The US Senators look rather foolish in this matter.
Senator Norris also mentioned the number of killings in Dublin which he says are the legacy of the republican community. His request for a Seanad hearing with the sisters of Robert McCartney will be submitted to the Committee on Procedure and Privileges.
Senator Maurice Hayes echoed the call for a debate on ageism. He would also like to hear a report of the deliberations at the Council of Europe. That would be useful and we might invite the Taoiseach to speak on those. He called particularly for a debate on the European Court of Human Rights which is an essential part of the Council of Europe.
Senator Bradford asked that we do everything in our power to facilitate the passage of the valuable legislation, proposed by Senators McCain and Kennedy, to help the illegal Irish community in the United States.
If Senator Cox said no more than she has already said today she will have made a mark. I agree that elderly people with life assurance policies are being cruelly treated. The most vulnerable people have the greatest fear, yet need have no fear.
I receive many calls from women saying their husbands put ten shillings or £1 a week into the policies yet they are receiving these letters. I understood only those who had invested a lump sum in a policy would receive these letters. That is not so, and it appears the people to whom these letters are sent are picked at random. Well done to Senator Cox for raising the matter. I will pass on that point to the Department of Finance, or directly to the Revenue Commissioners.
Senator O'Meara spoke about the administration of the health services and the fact that we have had no debate on the business plan for the Health Service Executive and its capital funding. Senator Ormonde agrees with Senator Cox's remarks about the letters sent to elderly people about their life assurance policies.
Senator Ulick Burke supports Senator White's remarks on discrimination against elderly people and called for the introduction of measures to enable them to stay in their own homes.
Senator Mansergh talked about accountable democracy, a topic on which I fully agree with him. He said that certain Senators mention particular hospitals in their areas and seek funding for them. Advocacy will always be a proper part of our business. I did not catch everything Senator Mansergh said, which I regret.
Mary O'Rourke (Fianna Fail)
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Senator Henry said we continue to operate under the Mental Health Act 1945 because the 2001 legislation which received great attention in this House is held up over a dispute about funding between psychiatrists and the Minister for Health and Children. The Senator asked that the Minister address that matter.
Is Senator Coghlan a member of the Oireachtas Joint Committee on Enterprise and Small Business to which he referred?
Mary O'Rourke (Fianna Fail)
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He said the committee was unanimous in recommending that the Restrictive Practices (Groceries) Order 1987 be left in place.
Mary O'Rourke (Fianna Fail)
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The Dublin Airport Authority said it does not want to keep the Great Southern group of hotels. It should be told to keep and run them.
Senator McCarthy said 66% of our diesel price is tax. Once again, I am indebted to Senator Mansergh for telling me that petrol prices here are approximately 20% lower than those in Northern Ireland. That is a small mercy. The licensed haulage industry is very exercised about the issue.
Senator Bannon raised the issue of the Sellafield nuclear facility and asked for a robust reply on the matter of safety. He asked that the Minister for Agriculture and Food come before the House for a debate on a grant aid package for farmers who want to invest in waste storage facilities.
Senator Ross supports the views expressed by Senator Cox with which I think the whole House would agree. His point is that the financial institutions have not been properly pursued by the Government, that it was they who gave the advice and now they appear to be wriggling free. They did the seducing and are getting away with it.
Senator Feighan called for a debate on financial institutions.
Rory Kiely (Fianna Fail)
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As No. 1 was ordered for 11.30 a.m., we will adjourn until then.
Mary O'Rourke (Fianna Fail)
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I thank the Cathaoirleach for the arrangements he made for today's debate.