Seanad debates
Thursday, 17 April 2008
Order of Business (Resumed)
11:00 am
Paudie Coffey (Fine Gael)
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This morning thousands of people are travelling from the countryside to the capital to voice their concerns with regard to the world trade talks. Mr. Barroso, the European Commission President, is in Dublin Castle today and people are leaving their farms and communities to come to the city to display their concerns with regard to the future of Irish agriculture. We all know that 20 May is D-day in terms of the world trade talks and Commissioner Mandelson insists on forcing through his view without listening to the views of the constituent states of the European Union. Agriculture is a significant source to our economy and could yet be its saviour if it is handled and supported properly. There is a debate on agriculture in the Lower House this morning and I ask the Leader to facilitate such a debate in this House. It is important that we give it the attention it merits. Only last week we had a food festival in Dungarvan, County Waterford. Thousands attended the food festival, where primary local produce was on display. There is a genuine interest among our communities in supporting agriculture if the proper support is there from the Government and the EU. I ask that a debate be facilitated on this very important issue.
I also wish to refer to the recent trend with regard to jobs and the economy. I referred some time ago to the difficulties faced by Waterford Crystal, or Waterford Wedgwood, which has been a manufacturing flagship for the south east, not just Waterford, employing thousands of people in the past and currently employing approximately 600. As with the company in the Leader's constituency, its back is to the wall at this stage. The warning signals have been there for some time. I ask the Leader to bring the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment to the House to outline clearly the plans, strategies and initiatives he will offer to the people and companies of Ireland, which are under serious pressure.
Ireland has been heavily dependent and over-reliant on the construction industry — we have said this for some time — and the chickens are now coming home to roost. I am interested to hear what the State agencies such as FÁS, IDA Ireland and Enterprise Ireland can do to upskill those leaving their jobs and help them find employment.
There is a trend and we face a difficult time. It will take the proper attention this deserves from politicians across the political divide to ensure the security of our economy, whether with regard to jobs, manufacturing, construction or, as I said at the outset, agriculture. These are all important facets which need the full focus of the Government. I ask the Leader to bring my concerns to the attention of relevant Ministers.
Paddy Burke (Fine Gael)
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I wish to raise an issue that was first raised in the House by Senator Shane Ross and later by almost every other Member, namely, the dispute between the pharmacists and the HSE. I ask the Leader to convey a message from this House to the Minister for Health and Children that she should bring the HSE and the Irish Pharmacy Union together, even at this late stage, to resolve this dispute. The pharmacists are willing to sit down but the HSE is so stubborn it will not do this. It needs direction from the Minister for Health and Children.
Paul CoghlanPaddy Burke (Fine Gael)
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From 1 May, we will have a very serious situation whereby pharmacists will not issue drugs to medical card users. I ask the Leader to bring this matter to a head. I would like to know from the Minister what contingency plans are in place from 1 May onwards. The situation will be serious because the weakest and most vulnerable in our society will be neglected. The schemes administered by the pharmacists are some of the very few schemes that are working in the health service at present, and they provide a massive service throughout the country. Pharmacists are to be complimented on the work they are doing. I hope this dispute can be resolved before 1 May.
Donie Cassidy (Fianna Fail)
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Like other Senators, the leaders expressed their condolences to the Hillery family on the death of our former President, Dr. Patrick Hillery. I congratulate everyone who participated in the organisation of the State funeral ceremonies yesterday. They were a credit to the State and to everyone who had a responsibility, whether that was the Army, the Garda, the clergy or anyone else concerned. I also congratulate RTE for a magnificent broadcast, which is something we will have for generations to come. It was what a public broadcasting service is all about. I join with all Senators who made expressions of condolence this morning.
I wish to be associated with the congratulations to Senator Ciaran Cannon on becoming leader of the Progressive Democrats. In Senator Cannon we will now have a party leader in the House. We already have a party chairman in the deputy leader, Senator Dan Boyle, who had a very successful Ard-Fheis last weekend — I believe the Greens call them conventions — which was very impressive and uplifting when I saw it on television. I congratulate Senator Boyle on the achievements of his party last weekend. This is good for the Seanad. I commiserate with Senator Fiona O'Malley. I know there will be an important place and position for her in her party following this decision, which was a very narrow one at 49% to 51%. It could not have been closer.
Donie Cassidy (Fianna Fail)
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It is probably much larger than the Senator's.
David Norris (Independent)
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I do not have one. That is my great virtue.
Donie Cassidy (Fianna Fail)
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We are talking about national politics and people who get thousands upon thousands of votes when they stand at a general election and look for the support of the people. I have no doubt the Senator would get that if he had the courage or the wisdom to do so, or if he so wished.
David Norris (Independent)
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I get thousands of votes, even in my small constituency.
Rónán Mullen (Independent)
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He would get a personal vote in east Galway but they would not agree with him very much.
Donie Cassidy (Fianna Fail)
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The Progressive Democrats has made an immeasurable contribution. I look forward to working with Senator Ciaran Cannon as the leader of the party on the Government benches and with all Senators in the House for the next four years of this Government.
Senators Twomey, O'Toole, Boyle, Hannigan, Glynn, Ross, Coghlan and Walsh referred in particular to the Lisbon treaty. We have been doing all we can in Westmeath. We had a big meeting in Athlone and one in Mullingar. I would welcome members of Fine Gael, the Labour Party and any other party on the "Yes" side to join with the Government side when it is having all of these meetings.
Maurice Cummins (Fine Gael)
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We have had many meetings throughout the country. The Leader should read the newspapers.
Paudie Coffey (Fine Gael)
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We have had a series of regional meetings.
Paudie Coffey (Fine Gael)
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The Leader should get his information correct.
Donie Cassidy (Fianna Fail)
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That is not the experience in County Westmeath. I can only talk about home, which is where it all starts because all politics is local.
Nicky McFadden (Fine Gael)
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We had a meeting in Athlone about the Lisbon treaty.
Donie Cassidy (Fianna Fail)
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I do not want any party coming to this House and speaking out of both sides of its mouth and hoping we will be defeated.
Paudie Coffey (Fine Gael)
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We all need to get our shoulder behind the wheel.
Donie Cassidy (Fianna Fail)
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I will be looking with interest to the support of all parties on the "Yes" side from now on.
There is a serious challenge. I heard on radio this morning, as did all colleagues, that the farming community is coming to Dublin today. It was said by Senators Coffey and Hanafin that the farming community is still the bedrock of our economy and it may be the future for our country in a huge way, particularly with regard to energy costs, as technology is beginning to prove. We must take this issue very seriously. There is a commissioner in Brussels who is not supportive of Irish agriculture. We have the full support of the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, the Government and the Taoiseach. We will use our veto. We will not accept under any circumstances anything that will injure or interfere with the livelihood of agriculture, which is the backbone of this country. We will say this from the highest heavens during the Lisbon treaty debate.
We heard this in the House last week from the president of the European Parliament. A Senator called on me today with regard to improving the profile of the Seanad in regard to the treaty. The president was here last week and it was uplifting to hear him. However, the great "Oireachtas Report", which we rely on to relay events in this House, gave us just the last few minutes of its broadcast. A report on a committee was even put before the proceedings with the president. Given how seriously this House is taking the business of the referendum, I hope the broadcasters to whom we have given the responsibility of broadcasting the affairs of this House take this into account for the remainder of this campaign and for the future. I say this in the interests of Ireland.
I have no difficulty on this issue. The Minister will be in the House next Wednesday to participate in our statements and to update us on the affairs of the debate on the treaty. I am in discussion with the leaders with regard to possibly having an MEP from each political party attend the House two weeks after that.
Shane RossDonie Cassidy (Fianna Fail)
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We are doing everything we can to try to take centre stage for the Seanad with regard to the debates on this extremely important treaty and the challenge the people of Ireland face when going to the polls on 12 June.
Senators Twomey, Donohoe, Walsh and Coffey——
David Norris (Independent)
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On a point of order, I seek clarification. When the Leader says one from each side, does he mean "Yes" and "No"?
Jim Walsh (Fianna Fail)
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The Senator should not interrupt like that.
David Norris (Independent)
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The Leader said clearly that he wanted MEPs from each side. Does he mean from each party or one from the "Yes" and "No" sides for balance? In light of the McKenna judgment, it would be improper not to have spokespersons from each side.
Pat Moylan (Fianna Fail)
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That is a question for the Leader rather than a point of order.
Donie Cassidy (Fianna Fail)
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The Independent Senators appointed Senator O'Toole to represent them. It would not be fair to the leaders of other groups if the House were to discuss the points of view of individual Members. Independent Senators should raise these matters with Senator O'Toole and the party leaders will discuss them at our usual meeting before the start of business next Tuesday.
Senators Twomey, Donohoe, Walsh and Coffey called for a debate on the partnership talks and the economic challenges facing the Government and country. I am endeavouring to have this debate take place as a matter of priority at the earliest possible time.
Senators O'Toole, Hannigan, Boyle and Norris called for an urgent debate on civil partnerships, including the findings of the High Court in a case yesterday. As the Deputy Leader informed the House, the heads of the relevant Bill are at an advanced stage. I understand the legislation is being given serious consideration and one section remains to be agreed by Cabinet. It is anticipated the Bill will be published in September or October.
Donie Cassidy (Fianna Fail)
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Senator Hannigan called for a debate on food costs. The escalating price of food can be discussed with another serious challenge, namely, escalating energy prices, during the debate on the economy.
Senator Glynn called for a debate on fish stocks. I understand Irish people were not the offenders in the cases the Senator cited. I am reliably informed the problem to which he alluded is having a serious effect on fish stocks in rivers and canals. I have no problem arranging a debate on the issue.
Senators Ross, Coghlan, Walsh and Norris called for an urgent debate on financial regulations and cited a number of cases. Senator Ross, who has considerable experience in this area, explained the issue in minute detail. This is a grave matter which should be discussed in the House with the Minister present. I will endeavour to have such a debate as soon as the Minister's diary is free.
Senators Mary White and Paddy Burke called for the Minister for Health and Children, Deputy Harney, to come to the House to discuss a number of urgent matters. Senators will be able to express their views to the Minister when she appears before the House on Tuesday next from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. The Minister has always been forthcoming during question and answer sessions in the House.
Senators Hanafin and Coffey called for an urgent debate with the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, Deputy Mary Coughlan. The Minister was in the House in the past two weeks. I will provide details of the timeframe for such a debate in the next two to three sitting days.
Senator McFadden raised the issue of job losses at Iralco. I thank the Cathaoirleach for allowing me to raise the matter on the Adjournment at the conclusion of today's business. The news from the company has come as a bombshell and its closure will be a major loss to the area. The difficulties facing Iralco, which employs 420 people, were the strength of the euro, high energy costs and the decision by workers to reject by a margin of 55% to 45% a proposal made by management. From the point of view of the workers, it should be noted they have not received a pay increase since September 2006. The challenges I outlined are common to the manufacturing industry.
Iralco has been the largest employer in north County Westmeath since 1965 and has made a major contribution to community life. The facility is a state-of-the-art manufacturing plant supplying Bentley, Ford, Volvo and Volkswagen. The closure of the company is a matter of grave concern in my local area. North County Westmeath and north County Meath are sad places as a result because a person from every second home works in the company. Five members of one family and four members of another family work in the plant. I welcome support from colleagues in County Westmeath and surrounding counties. I will comment further on the issue on the Adjournment.
Senator Coffey called for a debate on upskilling people who need to change employment. The Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment indicates that 60% of those in employment, particularly in manufacturing, will require upskilling and retraining by 2020 and FÁS has received substantial funding for this purpose. I hope Senators will focus on the future role of FÁS in the forthcoming debate because the organisation will find itself in an increasingly demanding position. I have no difficulty arranging a debate on the issue.
Senator Burke will, I am sure, ask the Minister for Health and Children, Deputy Harney, for an update on the problem with pharmacies when she appears before the House on Tuesday.