Seanad debates

Thursday, 6 July 2006

11:00 am

Michael Finucane (Fine Gael)
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I cannot let the opportunity pass to wish the French the best of luck in the World Cup final.

Rory Kiely (Fianna Fail)
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I congratulate the team on its victory last night.

Michael Finucane (Fine Gael)
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I support Senator Leyden's first point on the register of electors. We had a comprehensive discussion on it and various suggestions were put forward at the time. I regret the difficulty experienced by a number of people, many of whom are graduates, in finding summer jobs. They could have been deployed during the summer time to update the register of electors by calling to houses from 6 p.m. until 9 p.m. when people are at home. No doubt they would have done a good job but that suggestion has not been taken up. I understand the census enumerators may be deployed subsequently to do this work.

Senator Leyden is correct. Somebody should inform us about what is happening, as we have all heard an election is imminent next year and any of us who have looked at the register of electors in recent times have been amazed at how out of date the information is and the level of duplication, etc. This issue must be tackled.

Recently Professor Drumm of the Health Service Executive gave a comprehensive description of what is happening within the HSE. He also provided details of the orthodontic lists. The Leader may recall that I recently raised in this House the situation of people waiting for orthodontic treatment. In many areas, such as the area I represent, there is a considerable waiting list.

It is difficult enough to be classified as suitable for orthodontic treatment as one must fulfil certain criteria. Having determined one's eligibility, one is accorded category A or category B status. Having made the grade and been assigned to category B, one would expect to be called for treatment within a short time. However, once the classification process has been completed, the average waiting time in my area is two and a half years, which is too long. As a result, many people are only receiving orthodontic treatment when they are 15 or 16 years old and some are even as old as 17. People should be receiving this treatment at a younger age as it is too late when they are past their formative stage of development.

I previously asked the Leader to investigate if treatment could be provided under the National Treatment Purchase Fund but I am not sure if she had an opportunity to do so. We must do something about the waiting lists for orthodontic treatment. People in category B who are waiting a considerable period of time should be allowed to avail of the national treatment purchase fund. One is eligible for it if one is over six months on a waiting list for a hip or knee operation.

Photo of Mary O'RourkeMary O'Rourke (Fianna Fail)
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It is three months.

Michael Finucane (Fine Gael)
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In this case people have been waiting for two and a half years. This would be one way of dealing with the issue so that delays do not become a perennial problem.

Photo of Paschal MooneyPaschal Mooney (Fianna Fail)
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As somebody who has a brother living in Marseilles I can vouch that the party celebrating France's win in yesterday's World Cup match is still ongoing. I endorse Senator Finucane's comment wishing France well.

Rory Kiely (Fianna Fail)
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Senator Mooney should speak on the Order of Business.

Photo of Paschal MooneyPaschal Mooney (Fianna Fail)
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I endorse what Senator Brian Hayes said. I believe he has done this House a service. However, I wish to make a point of clarification which has been adding to the confusion about the provision of research facilities, namely, that the three existing library staff in question are qualified senior research assistants, they are not librarians. Therein lies the problem. The newly appointed librarian initiated this process. Within this structure there is an underlying tension between the profession of librarians and of research assistants. I have been attempting to establish why the Commission — of which Senator O'Toole, who made some comments about this matter earlier, is a member — agreed to the appointment of three senior research assistants, yet when two of the existing research assistants applied for the positions, along with a librarian, only the librarian was appointed.

Rory Kiely (Fianna Fail)
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Senator Mooney.

Photo of Paschal MooneyPaschal Mooney (Fianna Fail)
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As this is a matter for the Commission, I ask the Leader——

Rory Kiely (Fianna Fail)
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I advise Senator Mooney that this is an internal matter for the Commission.

Photo of Paschal MooneyPaschal Mooney (Fianna Fail)
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I fully respect the Cathaoirleach's ruling but, as Members of this House, the matter does affect us.

Rory Kiely (Fianna Fail)
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The Commission is now in session but some of us cannot attend because of our duties here.

Photo of Paschal MooneyPaschal Mooney (Fianna Fail)
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Would the Cathaoirleach not agree that because of the matter raised by Senator Brian Hayes, the dispersal of staff affects the Members of this House in the pursuance of their duties?

Rory Kiely (Fianna Fail)
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We can address that issue by other means than referring to the internal matters of the Commission.

Photo of Paschal MooneyPaschal Mooney (Fianna Fail)
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Yes, but the point was raised by Senator Brian Hayes and I believe it is important to address it.

Rory Kiely (Fianna Fail)
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I accept that he raised the matter and it will be dealt with, but the internal functions of the Commission should not be questioned.

Photo of Paschal MooneyPaschal Mooney (Fianna Fail)
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I am not referring to the Commission.

Rory Kiely (Fianna Fail)
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The Senator mentioned the Commission.

Photo of Paschal MooneyPaschal Mooney (Fianna Fail)
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I did because it endorsed——

Rory Kiely (Fianna Fail)
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The Senator has referred to the Commission again. He should continue on the Order of Business.

Photo of Paschal MooneyPaschal Mooney (Fianna Fail)
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I fully endorse the comments made earlier by Senator O'Toole and others on the coverage of this House. In this morning's Irish Independent, a lengthy editorial criticised the privacy Bill but welcomed the new defamation Bill that I hope the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform, Deputy McDowell, will bring before this House in the autumn. Perhaps the Leader will indicate when we can expect the Bill to come before the House. The point was made that the media is part of democracy also. I endorse what has been said. I wish the Irish Independent would devote a little of its space to the activities of this House, rather than constantly haranguing it for not being in session.

A debate on the media is currently under way and I ask the Leader to allow the House to have some input into that debate in the autumn. The Broadcasting Commission of Ireland is currently inviting submissions on the establishment of a code of conduct for advertising standards on television. It is astonishing that according to the statistics, 50% of Irish viewing is on channels that originate outside of this country and, therefore, is not subject to regulation, whereas the Irish based stations are subject to regulation. This anomaly is leading to a point where a significant amount of advertising is directed specifically at children before what is known as the watershed period.

I ask that this House be allowed an opportunity to debate this exceptionally important issue, one specific aspect of which is the growing crisis of obesity among young people. This arises because they are constantly and actively encouraged to eat the junk food they see advertised on television.

Photo of David NorrisDavid Norris (Independent)
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I am glad I was not involved in the paean of self-congratulation that occupied almost the first hour of the Order of Business. Members are reasonably well paid to do the job we do. I notice the Leader complimented herself on the tweaking of this week's business. I believe there has been far too much tweaking. I and others do not appreciate that having arranged our schedules to accommodate five sitting days this week, we then discover, thanks to the generous assistance of the Opposition, that we will not meet tomorrow after all.

Photo of Brian HayesBrian Hayes (Fine Gael)
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Fine Gael Members were here for yesterday's vote on the motion regarding the Middle East conflict.

Photo of David NorrisDavid Norris (Independent)
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I was here for the debate, unlike Senator Hayes.

Photo of Brian HayesBrian Hayes (Fine Gael)
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I did not run away from the vote.

Rory Kiely (Fianna Fail)
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Senator Norris should be allowed to speak without interruption.

Photo of David NorrisDavid Norris (Independent)
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It is great to turn up for a vote even if one has not opened one's mouth during the debate.

Photo of Brian HayesBrian Hayes (Fine Gael)
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I did not run away from it.

Rory Kiely (Fianna Fail)
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I ask Senator Norris to restrict himself to matters relevant to the Order of Business.

Photo of David NorrisDavid Norris (Independent)
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I am grateful to the Cathaoirleach for redirecting my attention.

John Dardis (Progressive Democrats)
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What was Senator Norris saying about a paean of self-congratulation?

Photo of David NorrisDavid Norris (Independent)
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Will the Leader agree to a process whereby this House can monitor the health service through a series of debates, as we did in regard to the war in Iraq? I have been contacted by a former patient of St. Luke's Hospital who is extremely concerned about the impending rationalisation that will, among other things, remove access to the hospital grounds. She made the point that a major part of her recovery was a consequence of the serenity of those grounds. I support the Hanly report's proposals regarding the concentration of services in centres of excellence. We must ensure, however, that the conditions in those centres of excellence are not in any way diminished relative to what currently pertains.

I have supported SIPTU in many of the positions it has taken, particularly with regard to the privatisation of Aer Lingus. However, I am horrified at the strike taking place today. It is absolute and utter madness and is deliberately provocative. It blows a raspberry in the face of the travelling public, both domestic and foreign. SIPTU has announced it will allow passengers through the airport but will not unload their luggage until 11 p.m. It is about time it ended this madness.

If the planet survives until the autumn, will the Leader agree to a debate on climate change? She may have noticed that half the Members were fanning their faces with their Orders Papers at the start of the Order of Business. I have heard the word "humidity" used in the last several months, a reference I had never before heard in Irish weather forecasts. I assume it is another of President George Bush's gifts to the planet. It would be useful to discuss this issue and there are motions tabled in this regard in the names of the Independent Members.

John Dardis (Progressive Democrats)
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It is clear Senator Norris has never sprayed potato crops for blight.

Don Lydon (Fianna Fail)
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Unfortunately, I was unable to attend yesterday's Order of Business but I understand several Members were critical of An Taisce. This is a body which has done much good work.

Photo of David NorrisDavid Norris (Independent)
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Hear, hear.

Photo of Mary O'RourkeMary O'Rourke (Fianna Fail)
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We acknowledged that.

Don Lydon (Fianna Fail)
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In recent years, however, it has gone from being a respected body to being perceived as an interfering busybody. It has got to such a stage that if An Taisce was operating in Italy, Sorrento would never have been built.

Photo of Paul CoghlanPaul Coghlan (Fine Gael)
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We are all aware of the difficulties of Mr. Joe Meade, the financial services ombudsman, in terms of the major rise in the number of complaints he receives. Yesterday's report revealed that his office found that more than 50% of these complaints were justified. It is significant that the statistic is so high. It seems, however, that not all the financial institutions accept his right to exercise his role. All Oireachtas Members wish to see this issue resolved. In a constitutional democracy based on law, people have a right to recourse——

Rory Kiely (Fianna Fail)
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Senator Coghlan is making a statement. Does he have a question?

Photo of Paul CoghlanPaul Coghlan (Fine Gael)
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Yes. If there is a shortfall in this area, it is the duty of the Oireachtas to ensure it is put right. I request a debate on this report early in the next session. In some respects, it is not only interesting but shocking.

Photo of Mary WhiteMary White (Fianna Fail)
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I ask the Leader to organise a series of debates on ageing and ageism when we reconvene in the autumn. Last week, the Cathaoirleach kindly suggested to me that I submit a request for an Adjournment debate on this issue. We then had a tremendous revelation from the Minister of State at the Department of Health and Children, Deputy Seán Power, who has responsibility for the elderly, when he said that the general medical service contracts for GPs would be examined and that he would ask the Health Service Executive to review the case of Dr. Patricia Comer who must retire in August from serving her public patients.

We should have a united front on this issue as we did in regard to child care.

Photo of Joe O'TooleJoe O'Toole (Independent)
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Hear, hear.

Photo of Mary WhiteMary White (Fianna Fail)
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We can achieve progress by working together. People are living longer and are healthier but nothing has changed for older people.

I will not throw bouquets at anybody but I apologise to the Cathaoirleach for any discourtesy I may have shown him at any time.

Rory Kiely (Fianna Fail)
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It is fine.

Photo of Mary O'RourkeMary O'Rourke (Fianna Fail)
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Senator White would never do so.

Photo of Brian HayesBrian Hayes (Fine Gael)
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It is impossible.

Michael Finucane (Fine Gael)
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The Cathaoirleach is overwhelmed today.

Photo of Shane RossShane Ross (Independent)
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A motion in favour of social partnership was recently passed almost unanimously in this House. Today, the same trade union that is leading the drive for social partnership and promising industrial peace as its part of the bargain is calling a strike at Dublin Airport. We must ensure SIPTU can no longer have it both ways. These people are antediluvian in their outlook on industrial relations. They escaped from Noah's Ark several thousand years ago.

I commend Senator Norris for raising this issue because there is otherwise an extraordinary silence in this House about what is happening today at Dublin Airport. This is the most destructive measure that has been pointed at our economy for many years. The danger of what is happening is so clear that it merits some type of debate and a denunciation of SIPTU's actions. The damage it is doing threatens the proposed privatisation of Aer Lingus, something that could affect every taxpayer and every citizen, and it is being done deliberately and maliciously. It is also doing damage to the airline and the tourism industry.

The silence in this House in the face of SIPTU's actions is something of which we should be ashamed.

Rory Kiely (Fianna Fail)
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Does Senator Ross have a question?

Photo of Shane RossShane Ross (Independent)
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Yes. I ask for a debate on the role of SIPTU in the national economy and in what is happening today. It is completely out of synch not only with IMPACT, which is behaving responsibly, but also with the workers it represents. This is a power play. When SIPTU leaders called a meeting last week, only some 40 out of 1,800 members attended. The leadership of SIPTU does not have the support of its members. We should not allow a small group of antediluvian dinosaurs to hijack and damage the privatisation of Aer Lingus.

Photo of Camillus GlynnCamillus Glynn (Fianna Fail)
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I support Senator Finucane's call for a debate on orthodontic services. Following the publication of a report on this issue by a sub-committee of the Joint Committee on Health and Children, it is timely to have a debate on the matter. I am aware there is a problem with this service in the mid-west. I am pleased to say, however, that because of the proactive approach of a consultant orthodontist, the four midland counties of Longford, Westmeath, Laois and Offaly enjoy excellent orthodontic services. I ask the Leader to arrange a debate on this issue in the autumn during which I will outline the progress that has been made in revolutionising the service in the midlands.

Photo of James BannonJames Bannon (Fine Gael)
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I am very disappointed the Planning and Development (Strategic Infrastructure) Bill 2006 is returning to the House today and I am also dismayed at the short amount of time that has been allocated to it. I am also very disappointed the Government has not published the report of the Barr tribunal on the death of John Carthy in Abbeylara, County Longford. The Government has been kicking this report to touch for some time. We all know it was signed off on several months ago and we were promised it would be published in February, March and May. The week before last the Tánaiste promised it would be published the following day. It has not been presented.

If the report is published in the coming weeks I ask the Leader to recall the Seanad to debate its findings. I have support on this side of the House because many people are disgusted at the Government's delaying tactics on this issue.

The Taoiseach, at the opening of M4 motorway, hailed it as a motorway of high quality, delivered on time and within budget. Within a month there was a hike in toll charges to pay for repairs which now, barely six months later, must be made. I ask the Leader to tell us if the toll barriers be lifted when lanes are closed during the summer to allow for these necessary repairs?

Photo of Jim WalshJim Walsh (Fianna Fail)
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That is a question of the reliability of the contractor.

Liam Fitzgerald (Fianna Fail)
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Senator Bannon is misleading the House.

Photo of James BannonJames Bannon (Fine Gael)
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We all know the motorway cost approximately €420 million and it will be a greater burden still on the taxpayer because of the negligence of the Government.

Liam Fitzgerald (Fianna Fail)
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Rubbish.

(Interruptions).

Rory Kiely (Fianna Fail)
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Senator Bannon, please.

Photo of James BannonJames Bannon (Fine Gael)
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The other side of the House is twisting this issue.

On another subject, dear to my heart, in County Longford where Longford General Hospital casualty unit provides a very important community service. However, the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children, Deputy Harney, is downgrading facilities there.

Rory Kiely (Fianna Fail)
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That is only a statement. Does the Senator have a question for the Leader?

Liam Fitzgerald (Fianna Fail)
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The Cathaoirleach should ask Senator Bannon to sit down.

Photo of James BannonJames Bannon (Fine Gael)
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Yesterday a man arrived there bleeding to death and was turned away and sent to Roscommon County Hospital for treatment. Can I not ask a question?

Rory Kiely (Fianna Fail)
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I requested Senator Bannon to ask a question on five occasions and he ignored the Chair. Can Senator Bannon please sit down?

Brendan Daly (Fianna Fail)
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I attended a tense meeting of employees of Aer Lingus at Shannon Airport recently. They have fears that go beyond privatisation. The changing of the bilateral agreement may also cause problems for them at the airport. There are many talented people in that company with families and mortgages who are anxious about their futures and livelihoods in the Shannon region with Aer Lingus. I do not condone the action taken today but I feel it is understandable that they should express this frustration because they are caught in a spider's web between the company, the Government and their unions. Their situation should be clarified as soon as possible to allay the fears and anxieties of the workers and to return the company to normal so it can provide its service and develop.

The Government announced a €4 billion innovation plan.

Rory Kiely (Fianna Fail)
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Has Senator Daly a question?

Brendan Daly (Fianna Fail)
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Can the Leader indicate to the Ministers involved in the plan that this House would like to know, after the recess, what are the priorities attached to the fund and how it is proposed to be dealt with? It is a substantial amount of money that can make a major contribution towards the development of industry.

As we are leaving for summer break, perhaps a Member, on his or her travels, might find Pat Kenny. He seems to have vanished from the face of the earth.

Rory Kiely (Fianna Fail)
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I do not think we have any control over that.

Photo of Joanna TuffyJoanna Tuffy (Labour)
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Has the Leader any update on the all-party Oireachtas joint committee dealing with child protection?

Photo of Mary O'RourkeMary O'Rourke (Fianna Fail)
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That was called out.

Photo of Joanna TuffyJoanna Tuffy (Labour)
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Was it? I apologise, I missed that. Will Senators be included on that committee?

Rory Kiely (Fianna Fail)
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It is on the Order Paper.

Photo of Martin ManserghMartin Mansergh (Fianna Fail)
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Transport matters may be further debated on our return from recess. In the meantime I wish to point out that the M4 is a superb addition to our infrastructure.

Rory Kiely (Fianna Fail)
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We will not have a discussion at this point and we will not have a debate. Has Senator Mansergh a question for the Leader?

Photo of Martin ManserghMartin Mansergh (Fianna Fail)
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No, I have just indicated——

Photo of David NorrisDavid Norris (Independent)
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Well then sit down.

Rory Kiely (Fianna Fail)
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Has Senator Mansergh a question for the Leader?

Photo of Martin ManserghMartin Mansergh (Fianna Fail)
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Yes. A transport debate——

Rory Kiely (Fianna Fail)
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Order, please. I have ruled out debate on the M4 already and my position has not changed.

Photo of Martin ManserghMartin Mansergh (Fianna Fail)
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I will move on. While I deprecate any disruption in public services, what are antediluvian are some of the attitudes to social partnership and industrial relations, which seem to date from pre-1913, expressed in this House and regularly espoused in the columns of a Sunday newspaper. Any attempt to introduce a neo-liberal system of Thatcherite industrial relations in this country will not succeed.

(Interruptions).

Rory Kiely (Fianna Fail)
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Senators, please. I did not hear Senator Mansergh's question due to the noise.

Photo of Ulick BurkeUlick Burke (Fine Gael)
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I support Senator Coghlan in his request for an early debate on the report of the financial services ombudsman, Mr. Joe Meade, particularly on issues relating to the sale of endowment mortgages by insurance companies during the 1980s and 1990s. It is a sorry situation that many of the people with such mortgages find themselves seriously under covered. This is reflected in the fact that there are nearly 1,700 complaints relating to insurance companies in the ombudsman's report. Unfortunately, Mr. Meade has found himself unable to deal with them as they are statute barred having been dormant for over six years. This is a disgrace that will cause great hardship to many. Most of the companies involved are British based, which causes further difficulties.

Rory Kiely (Fianna Fail)
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Has the Senator a question for the Leader?

12:00 pm

Photo of Ulick BurkeUlick Burke (Fine Gael)
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I ask the Leader to contact the responsible Minister with a view to rectifying this situation with the companies involved.

I also ask the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment to ask inspectors of employment to be more proactive in their work relating to the underpayment of foreign workers, particularly in the security and construction industries.

I met a young Polish man in Galway city who was working as a security guard from 8 p.m. to 8 a.m. His only facilities for doing his work were a hut on a building site, without services, and one hard chair. He was paid the princely sum of €4 per hour.

We have a labour inspectorate that is allowing this type of situation, which appears to be rampant, to continue. I ask the Leader to contact the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment to request that he instruct the inspectors to be far more visible on the ground so situations such as the one I have outlined are eliminated from our labour market.

Photo of Jim WalshJim Walsh (Fianna Fail)
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I ask the Leader to organise a debate early in the next term on industrial relations in the public service and semi-State companies. We have discussed Aer Lingus today and Iarnród Éireann in the past with regard to the disruption to the travelling public caused by disputes. In any well-regulated, dynamic economy, the customer is king but unfortunately that message has not got through to public servants with regard to delivery of services.

I also ask the Leader to organise a debate on the National Roads Authority. In the past, I was a strong critic of the NRA for its lack of vision and planning but we have seen significant improvements recently, perhaps because of significant investment. We have seen tremendous improvements in our motorways and dual carriageways. If we criticise an organisation, it is important that those criticisms are fair and just. Allegations should not be made regarding repairs having to be made by the NRA when those repairs are actually the responsibility of the contractor. We should have a debate on the NRA, toll roads and so forth as soon as we reconvene in the autumn.

Photo of Paddy BurkePaddy Burke (Fine Gael)
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An article was published in the Irish Independent recently which criticised the venue for the Ryder Cup. I am most disappointed that Fáilte Ireland has not condemned the article, given that it will spend €9 million promoting the venue for the Ryder Cup and the competition itself. There is no doubt that it will be one of the greatest sporting events ever to take place in Ireland and in that context I am very disappointed with the attitude of Fáilte Ireland. It should have condemned the article outright. The K Club is the finest golfing complex in Europe, which comprises restaurants, bars, hotels, two golf courses, driving ranges and so forth.

Photo of Paul CoghlanPaul Coghlan (Fine Gael)
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What about the golf club in Killarney?

Photo of Paddy BurkePaddy Burke (Fine Gael)
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There is no better golfing venue in Europe. I wish to take this opportunity to congratulate Dr. Michael Smurfit. Were it not for him the Ryder Cup, which is the biggest sporting event ever to be staged in Ireland, would not be held here. He has put a considerable amount of work into it on which he is to be congratulated. I ask the Leader to raise the matter with Fáilte Ireland, which did not condemn the article which criticised the venue. I am very disappointed, especially given that €9 million of taxpayers' money is being spent promoting the Ryder Cup. It begs the question as to whether Fáilte Ireland really believes in what it is backing.

Photo of Mary O'RourkeMary O'Rourke (Fianna Fail)
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I think the planned sos will have to be abandoned, but we will see.

Senator Brian Hayes brought up the issue of the wonderful library we have in Leinster House. He said there is only one librarian remaining there and asked when the decision regarding this was taken. We now know the decision was taken by the Houses of the Oireachtas Commission, of which Senators O'Toole, Ulick Burke and Mansergh are members, as is the Cathaoirleach, Senator Kiely.

The new library and research service will have two key service delivery points, one in the existing library and the other in the Kildare House extension. It is intended that four staff members will be on duty in the library in Leinster House. The staff numbers in the library and research service will be increased from 12 in mid-2005 to 30 by September 2006. This is in line with the finding of the benchmarking review undertaken by Deloitte and Touche on behalf of the office in 2002. All subsequent developments have been approved by the management committee and the commission, both of which considered the strategic and development plans for the library and research services.

Apparently, we will receive a better service. There may be some professional tension between the researchers and the librarians, as Senator Mooney has said, but I do not know. I have found the library very good and it is a lovely place to go to. The decision was taken by the commission and the management committee of the library.

Senator O'Toole wants No. 1 on the Order Paper concerning e-democracy to be debated in the autumn. He also spoke about the library but I have just dealt with that matter. Senator Ryan raised the issue of the role of the Houses of the Oireachtas Commission and the Committee on Procedure and Privileges. He then spoke about reform of the health service and referred to a letter published in The Irish Times, which I had also read. That letter points out what the Tánaiste has said constantly, namely, that reform is the key to unlocking the potential of our health services. If ever a mantra was needed for reform, it is the contents of that letter. The letter writer, who is a doctor, had no idea why he was getting so much additional money. He felt he was just doing his duty by caring for his patients. Reform is necessary.

Senator Leyden wants a debate on the revision of the register of electors and suggested there will be 250,000 new voters at the next general election. However, while that sounds like a very good rallying call, those people would have to become citizens of the country before they could vote in a general election.

Photo of Paul CoghlanPaul Coghlan (Fine Gael)
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Senator Leyden forgot about the Constitution.

Photo of Mary O'RourkeMary O'Rourke (Fianna Fail)
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They can vote in other elections, such as the local and European elections, but they cannot vote in general elections.

Senator Finucane agrees with having a debate on the register of electors.

Michael Finucane (Fine Gael)
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I agree with Senator Leyden's first point, but not his second.

Photo of Mary O'RourkeMary O'Rourke (Fianna Fail)
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Yes, that is what I said. I referred to the register of electors.

Michael Finucane (Fine Gael)
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I do not agree with his other hare-brained idea.

Photo of Mary O'RourkeMary O'Rourke (Fianna Fail)
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Senator Leyden always has very imaginative ideas.

(Interruptions).

Rory Kiely (Fianna Fail)
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The Leader to reply without interruptions please.

Photo of Mary O'RourkeMary O'Rourke (Fianna Fail)
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Senator Finucane also referred to Professor Drumm and orthodontic waiting lists. He spoke about the categories for treatment, A or B. The idea of including orthodontic treatments under the National Treatment Purchase Fund is a good one. Treatment is delayed and when children are examined after waiting two and half or three years, treatment is sometimes found to be unnecessary, although that is not always correct. Orthodontics should be included in the NTPF. I met the Tánaiste yesterday on her way out of this House and raised this matter with her because a case had just been brought to my attention.

Senator Mooney referred to tensions between librarians and researchers. He then spoke about the media and the code of conduct. Yesterday the Senator asked about the privacy Bill and the defamation Bill and I announced that they will be published as Seanad Bills and dealt with in this House. The Senator also referred to children being subjected to television advertising which is making them plump because they are eating the wrong foods. He called for a code of conduct to cover that area.

Senator Norris called for an ongoing, monitoring debate on health. He said he would normally have supported SIPTU but is now horrified by what is happening at the airport today.

Senator Lydon argued that An Taisce has done a lot of valuable work in the past but now has become a busybody and not a reforming body. Senator Coghlan referred to the financial services ombudsman and the fact that 50% of complaints to the bureau were upheld. However, not all financial houses accept the remit of the financial services ombudsman. The Senator called for a debate on this issue.

Senator White called for a debate on ageing. She paid the Cathaoirleach a great compliment and apologised for any naughtiness in which she had engaged.

Photo of Paul CoghlanPaul Coghlan (Fine Gael)
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What a nice word.

Photo of Mary O'RourkeMary O'Rourke (Fianna Fail)
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Senator Ross pointed out that we debated social partnership in this House and, except for himself, all voted for it. He is aghast at the strike at Dublin Airport.

We are all aghast at it but, as Senators Mansergh and Daly said, we recognise that the workers have concerns which have not been addressed. If one is sitting in a comfortable leather armchair, it is all very well to rant about these issues, but it is a different matter for workers who have to explain to their partners and children that they do not know if they will have a job or, if they will have one, the terms on which they will have it.

Senators Glynn and Finucane called for a debate on orthodontics in the autumn.

Senator Bannon asked that if the Barron report is published, the Seanad would resume to debate it. He also raised the matter of the Planning and Development (Strategic Infrastructure) Bill. Does he realise that Bill was introduced and debated in the Seanad first? The Bill then went to the Dáil. We will only discuss the amendments made to the Bill in the Dáil today, that is the purpose of the debate on it today. We debated that Seanad Bill, for which considerable time was allocated.

Photo of Terry LeydenTerry Leyden (Fianna Fail)
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We did.

Photo of Mary O'RourkeMary O'Rourke (Fianna Fail)
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The debate on it petered out. The Bill then went to the Dáil, it must have made some amendments to it and the Bill has come back to this House for the sole purpose of considering those amendments. We could not keep ping-ponging legislation from one Chamber to another.

Photo of James BannonJames Bannon (Fine Gael)
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On a point of order, I understand that the Minister has amended the Bill to delete an amendment I tabled that was accepted in the Seanad.

Photo of Mary O'RourkeMary O'Rourke (Fianna Fail)
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We will have to wait and see what will happen.

Rory Kiely (Fianna Fail)
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That is a matter for the debate on the Bill and not one for the Order of Business.

A Senator:

It will not take long.

Photo of Mary O'RourkeMary O'Rourke (Fianna Fail)
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Senator Bannon also raised the matters of the Longford hospital casualty unit and the M4. I point out that if faults are found on any major road surfaces, the contractor repairs them, not the State.

Photo of Brendan RyanBrendan Ryan (Labour)
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They are putting up the tolls.

Photo of Paddy BurkePaddy Burke (Fine Gael)
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It is not the contractor who raises those.

Photo of Mary O'RourkeMary O'Rourke (Fianna Fail)
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They have not increased since that road opened.

Photo of James BannonJames Bannon (Fine Gael)
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On a point of order, the toll was increased by 30 cent a month after the motorway was opened.

Rory Kiely (Fianna Fail)
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I ask the Senator to resume his seat and allow the Leader to reply to the Order of Business.

Photo of Mary O'RourkeMary O'Rourke (Fianna Fail)
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Senator Daly raised the matter of a tense meeting in Shannon.

Photo of James BannonJames Bannon (Fine Gael)
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What about the hospital in Longford?

Photo of Mary O'RourkeMary O'Rourke (Fianna Fail)
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I agree with a request for a debate on the allocation of the €4 billion under the science budget.

Senator Tuffy raised the matter of the all-party committee——

Photo of James BannonJames Bannon (Fine Gael)
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What about the casualty unit in Longford?

Rory Kiely (Fianna Fail)
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Does the Senator intend to continually ignore the Chair?

Photo of Mary O'RourkeMary O'Rourke (Fianna Fail)
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Senator Mansergh raised the matter of——

Rory Kiely (Fianna Fail)
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I must interrupt the Leader, as I am asking Senator Bannon if he intends to continually ignore the Chair.

Photo of James BannonJames Bannon (Fine Gael)
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An important issue concerning——

Rory Kiely (Fianna Fail)
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I have asked the Senator a question. Does he intend to continually ignore the Chair?

Photo of James BannonJames Bannon (Fine Gael)
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I will not ignore the Chair but I raised an important issue——

Rory Kiely (Fianna Fail)
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The Senator raised the issue——

Photo of James BannonJames Bannon (Fine Gael)
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The Leader did not comment on it.

Rory Kiely (Fianna Fail)
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——and the Leader replied to it. The Senator cannot interrupt as the Leader replies to the Order of Business. I hope he understands that.

Photo of James BannonJames Bannon (Fine Gael)
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Sir——

Rory Kiely (Fianna Fail)
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That is it. I ask the Senator not to ignore the ruling of the Chair.

Photo of Mary O'RourkeMary O'Rourke (Fianna Fail)
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The Senator also raised the matter of the casualty unit on which I presume he wishes to have a debate.

Senator Ulick Burke raised the matter of the financial services report, particularly with regard to endowment mortgages. He requested that the relevant Minister come to the House to ascertain if the matter can be rectified. He spoke of workers from other countries coming here. Under the partnership agreement, Towards 2016, it is agreed that enforcement officers will be in place to ensure compliance in protecting the rights of such migrant workers. Nevertheless, the tale the Senator told was quite horrific.

Senator Jim Walsh raised the matter of the semi-State sector and called for a debate on the public service. He has sought such a debate for a long time. The Senator praised the NRA on its work. Roads are being completed under budget and within the timescale set for them.

Senator Paddy Burke raised the matter of a disparaging article a journalist wrote on the venue for the Ryder Cup. I read that article, which got significant coverage on "Morning Ireland" and other programmes. I do not know if the journalist's motive for writing it was mischief or something else but it was quite a contemptuous article. The Senator's point was why Fáilte Ireland did not hit back and state the magnificence of the K Club. I will make a telephone call to Fáilte Ireland pointing out that the matter was raised here.

Rory Kiely (Fianna Fail)
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Senator Brian Hayes moved an amendment to the Order of Business: "That No. 20 be taken before No. 1." Is the amendment agreed? Agreed.

Order of Business, as amended, agreed to.