Donie Cassidy (Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context

The Order of Business is No. 1, statements on employment and competitiveness, to be taken at the conclusion of the Order of Business and conclude not later than 2 p.m., with the contributions of spokespersons not to exceed ten minutes and those of all other Senators not to exceed eight minutes and on which Senators may share time; No. 2, motion re the establishment of a standing committee on internal scrutiny, to be taken at the conclusion of No. 1 but not earlier than 2.30 p.m. and conclude within 45 minutes, with the contributions of Senators not to exceed five minutes and on which Senators may share time. The business of the House shall be interrupted between 2 p.m. and 2.30 p.m.

Frances Fitzgerald (Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

I wish to raise two items, the first of which is the strike that occurred yesterday which effectively amounted to economic sabotage at a time of such uncertainty for the country and hardship for people. It is unacceptable to see our international reputation being damaged in that way, the suffering it caused, the impact it had on people's arrangements and the effect it had on our exports. The Minister for Transport should speak out more clearly on this matter than he has done to date. While I welcome his comments this morning, there is a real imperative on the Government, in the context of this type of industrial action, to spell out clearly what the consequences of that action will be and to do everything possible to ensure it does not occur in other sectors. There must be a role for the Government when such vital services are impacted on as heavily as they were yesterday. The Government has a huge responsibility to spell out loudly and clearly the options and measures required to solve such disputes without the chaos we saw yesterday. The House should have a debate on the management of these disputes in order that we do not arrive at a situation where a strike will be seen as the only option. We hear that it is a possibility in other sectors also. There is a huge obligation on everybody to pull together in the interests of the country and to ensure this is not the solution people will seek.

The other topic I wish to raise which is more relevant to some Senators than others is the announcement yesterday by the Minister for Education and Science of the abolition of the NUI. A number of Senators, and Senator Alex White in particular, have called for a proper discussion on the McCarthy report in this House and the need for the Government to outline the way it is approaching the recommendations in that report. It did not do it in the budget and now we have piecemeal decision making. As we await a report on higher education, the decision has been taken in advance to abolish the National University of Ireland. That is another example of how not to do business. It should be planned. There should be rational decision making regarding the McCarthy report. It should be transparent and open and should arise out of discussion in these Houses, with all involved getting an opportunity to put their point of view on the McCarthy report. I ask the Leader to have a debate on the McCarthy report in this House.

Joe O'Toole (Independent)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Taking up the last point made by Senator Fitzgerald, I want to be careful not to give the predictable response. The Government made a rash, uninformed and overly quick decision on the NUI. It was done without sufficient consultation and in the course of a review of third level education, but I will wait to see what the Minister has to add to it.

In the meantime, there are a number of supposed facts which are incorrect. As I always say, there is a difference between the facts and the truth. The McCarthy report claimed that the dissolution of the NUI would save €5 million. The NUI did the sums on this for me some months back and it says the figure is less than €1 million. I discussed that yesterday with the Minister for Education and Science and he agrees with me and with the NUI that it is only a saving of €1 million but he said that is not his motivation. I put it to him that it was important that the NUI brand, what it has done and the route the graduates have come from should be protected. The Minister appears to be creating some kind of over-arching body to examine the whole area of qualification at third level, etc. What I have asked him to do, which is important, is to protect the NUI brand within that without any constraints on anybody else or on it. In other words, it is a sub-body within a larger body rather than what it currently is, namely, a large body. I asked that that be done. I will come back to that but I believe it is crucial that it be done on a statutory basis.

It is interesting to hear mention of the strike by air traffic controllers. There was a 24-hour strike by air traffic controllers in France yesterday but we did not hear much about it. They had two strikes last year and two the year before. They have them all the time in France, the second largest economy in Europe, but we do not hear much about them because they go on all the time. The last time we had a strike by air traffic controllers was 23 years ago, which coincides perfectly with the period of social partnership. I ask my colleagues and particularly the Leader, whom I know worked very hard in support of some kind of a national agreement, to talk to those blusterers in his own party who, when the public sector agreed to take 12 days' unpaid leave or whatever, described that as paid holidays.

The points made by Senator Fitzgerald are correct. There is a total lack of trust. We should sack the managers who dismissed those workers during the week. They knew what would happen. They knew that laying off those people prior to the case being heard by the Labour Court would create industrial action. They were up for it. They decided to engage in a type of war but they now find themselves in a difficult action, which will get worse. There will be bushfires throughout the public sector as matters go on because there is no longer any trust. A year ago the national implementation authority would have been in contact with the various parties. There would have been phone calls made and pressure put on unions and management to try to find a solution, and solutions would have been found, but that is not happening.

Is what is happening the right approach? Of course it is not; it is a disaster. It is like the point Senator O'Malley made here before Christmas. If reform is such a good thing, why is it not happening? Everybody thinks it is a good idea to have reform of the Seanad and it is not happening. It is because other changes have not come into place. More problems will arise with the public sector and the idea that the Government can legislate its way out of it is nonsense because all that will do is lead to all-out strikes, with larger groups involved, which will worsen rather than improve the problem.

Alex White (Labour)
Link to this: Individually | In context

First, I have no difficulty saying it is wrong and unacceptable that there should be strike action in such essential public services as air traffic control. My understanding of the position, from what I read in the newspapers, is that the union has indicated it is prepared to have this matter negotiated and dealt with in the Labour Court but in response the management has said the union must concede in advance on the very issue that would be dealt with in the Labour Court. That is no way to negotiate or to make progress. This issue should go to a third party such as the Labour Court today with serious efforts being made by both sides to have the matter resolved because as Senator O'Toole pointed out, people were suspended. The notion that this was a wildcat strike with people walking off the job is wrong. We must understand that people were suspended from their positions and then others, understandably, came forward to support them.

Second, I support what my colleagues said on the NUI issue. It is extraordinary that this has come almost out of the blue. We know it was in the McCarthy report. I notice that the author of that report, Colm McCarthy, if it is the same Colm McCarthy, is blogging today and yesterday on The Irish Economy website, essentially welcoming this decision by the Government. It is interesting he should be doing that as he is entitled as a citizen to do so but there should be a debate in this House on the future of the NUI in the context of what the Government has in mind for third level education. To abolish out of the blue a body which has been in existence since 1908 seems to me to be extraordinary and should not be done in the manner in which it appears to have been done. The decision has implications, perhaps ancillary, for this institution, which I have no doubt is something in which some Members would have an interest.

Third, will the Leader arrange an early opportunity for the Minister of State with responsibility for children to come into the House for a debate to assess the position on the early childhood care and education scheme which comes into operation this month? The closing date for applications was extended until yesterday because the Minister of State was rightly concerned that people may not have been fully aware of what was available and possible. The bad weather over the Christmas period caused delays as well. That was just a one-week extension and I would be concerned, given the veritable army of public relations people who have surrounded Ministers in this Government in recent years, that there has been little information put out to the public on this new scheme, which I have welcomed in principle in regard to child care. It was in the Labour Party manifesto on the last occasion. It was not supported by the Government then but the Government has now seen fit to introduce it, and I welcome that. There are difficulties with it and there will be teething problems but it is the right scheme and I ask the Leader to arrange a debate in the House to allow us assess its operation in its early days.

Labhrás Ó Murchú (Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context

In six years we will commemorate the centenary of the 1916 Rising, one of the most significant events in Irish history. Already, plans are being put together which I am glad are progressing favourably.

When we celebrated the 90th anniversary of the Rising we saw the great outpouring of sentiment among the public and the great sense of pride as well. It is evident in the new plan that many landmarks associated with that particular period will come centre stage, the GPO being one of them, but there is another area, namely, Moore Street, which was virtually the last stand in the Rising. I am talking about buildings Nos. 14 to 17, and the environs. I find it particularly embarrassing that the descendants of the seven signatories of the 1916 Proclamation, which I have here, have had to take a stand to ensure that particular landmark, which is national monument in every sense, is not in danger of desecration.

This is a matter for the city council and, to some extent, for An Bord Pleanála, but it is also a matter of national interest. I ask the Leader to take up the matter with the Taoiseach immediately to ensure there will be no dilution of the status of those buildings and the environs and that it will not be necessary in the future for the direct descendants of the seven signatories to take a stand in this case because in terms of commemorating that centenary, if the wrong action is done now, it will distract from what should be a momentous occasion for us in this nation. I ask the Leader to treat this as a matter of urgency.

Liam Twomey (Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

There is an unbelievable crisis throughout the country - County Wexford is no different from anywhere else - with regard to the state of the road network, a matter to which many Members referred yesterday. Following his contribution at yesterday's meeting of the Joint Committee on Transport, the Minister for Transport, Deputy Dempsey, has lined himself up to become identified as the Minister for potholes. He clearly stated there was no money for local authorities to repair roads. If we do not repair them now, they will deteriorate further in the coming months. We must deal with this problem as a matter of urgency. If the Minister for potholes cannot do anything, the Taoiseach should be invited to come before the House to explain why the Government cannot make emergency funding available to local authorities in order that they might repair the roads. If repairs are not carried out, certain roads will deteriorate to an unbelievable degree in the next few months and will eventually be closed. Billions of euro have been provided for the banks because it has been stated the finance system is so important. However, the country's infrastructure is equally important. The Leader should invite the Taoiseach to come before the House to indicate why funding has not been made available for urgent repairs to roads throughout the country.

Niall Ó Brolcháin (Green Party)
Link to this: Individually | In context

I support the calls for a debate on the decision to dissolve the NUI, particularly as NUI Galway is located in the city in which I live. The latter institution will be obliged to change its name if the dissolution proceeds.

The other matter on which I seek a debate is that relating to sail training vessels. As Members are aware, the Asgard ll sank in recent months. The name "Asgard" has hugely historic connotations. It is time we considered building an Asgard lll. A number of ships were either restored or built during the Celtic tiger period, namely, the Dunbrody famine ship and the Jeanie Johnstone. It is not acceptable for an island nation such as Ireland to be without a proper sail training vessel. A debate on this matter is required as soon as possible and I ask the Leader to make time available for it.

David Norris (Independent)
Link to this: Individually | In context

In the first instance I wish to correct my friend, Senator O'Toole. The air traffic controllers were not dismissed, they were suspended. The latter is a lesser sanction. In addition, the technology is not completely new and the runway in question has already been used and is only being brought back into operation. The real problem is that there is a lack of trust. Action must be taken in respect of this matter. I find myself in the unusual position of being in agreement with Mr. Michael O'Leary. It is disgraceful that at a time of economic difficulty well paid people are engaging in an act of gross self-indulgence.

I wish to refer to the destruction of some historical records held by the Land Registry. It is extraordinary that this is happening. Several hundred thousand documents are in the process of being destroyed. Some of these may be perfectly ordinary and bureaucratic in nature but others contain historical material. It was one thing when the Custom House was blown up and an enormous amount of historical material and resources was lost. This time, however, we are doing it ourselves. The material to which I refer has not been reviewed. We do not, therefore, know what it contains. It should be deposited with the National Archives.

Will the Leader clarify the position on No. 36, Private Members' motion No. 21, which relates to so-called "head shops" and which appears in my name and that of Senator O'Toole? I understand a commitment to the effect that it will be taken next week in the form of an all-party motion has been given. I welcome this because there is agreement on all sides on the matter. However, this is a significant matter and it should not be put through the House, without discussion, as a formal motion. All Members are aware of the activities of these "head shops". I am astonished that such establishments are to be found in small provincial towns.

I take a liberal attitude to, for example, marijuana. There is a strong argument for legalising it and controlling its use. The motion tabled by Senator O'Toole and I would dovetail with that approach. We need to know the nature of the substances available. They need to be controlled, regulated and, if dangerous, banned. This is a serious health matter. Hospital outpatient departments are dealing the casualties caused by use of these substances on a daily basis.

Terry Leyden (Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context

I am astonished by the actions of the Irish Aviation Authority and the air traffic controllers. This dispute has damaged many industries, including tourism. One would have to sympathetic to those who, as a result of flights being cancelled yesterday, missed appointments, examinations, etc. All we can do is appeal to both sides to return to the negotiating table to resolve the matter. There should be no further strikes. The difference between this country and France is that people are not so reliant on using airports in order to gain access to the latter because there are other means available to allow them to do this. Ireland is an island nation and relies heavily on air traffic controllers to keep it running. Our airports are of strategic importance and we will support the Minister for Transport, Deputy Dempsey, in whatever action he deems it necessary to take in order to resolve the matter.

Jerry Buttimer (Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

It will be the first time the Minister will have Fianna Fáil backing.

Pat Moylan (Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context

There should be no interruptions.

Terry Leyden (Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context

It was highly provocative of the Irish Aviation Authority to suspend certain air traffic controllers. The authority is responsible for pushing this matter to the limit.

Will the Leader make time available for a debate on the future of the vocational educational committees, VECs, with the Minister for Education and Science, Deputy Batt O'Keeffe? The Minister is doing an excellent job and makes himself available to discuss issues of this nature. Before a final decision is made, will the Leader invite the Minister to come before the House to discuss the role of the country's 33 VECs? The McCarthy report recommends that this number should be reduced to 22, while Deputy Brian Hayes of Fine Gael recommends that there should be even fewer. The latter is an extremely unhelpful suggestion, particularly if we are to convince the Minister to draw up plans to retain the existing VECs which have made a great contribution to rural areas and can certainly be of assistance during this time of economic difficulty when there is a need to create alternative employment opportunities and retrain people. I strongly recommend that the existing 33 VECs be retained because change for change's sake is not necessary. The amalgamations and rationalisations carried out to date, including that which led to the establishment of the HSE, have proved unsuccessful. I appeal to the Leader to request that the Minister for Education and Science come before the House in the next two to three weeks in order that we might engage in a full debate on this issue.

Paul Coghlan (Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

The strike involving air traffic controllers constitutes a national disaster. As previous speakers indicated, it was an act of sabotage at a time when everyone was so concerned about the fragile nature of the economy and when people were expected to act in the national interest. I have received information from the part of the country in which I live that this dispute has already had an adverse and knock-on effect in the context of tourism bookings. The sooner everyone involved, including the Ministers for Transport and Arts, Sport and Tourism, takes a more proactive approach the better, particularly as we do not want everything to grind to a halt. There is so much industrial relations machinery available to those involved in such disputes. I do not know who is responsible for causing this dispute. I accept that some provocative actions may have been taken but it is now time to knock people's heads together. Those at the top must take a proactive stance as soon as possible. I look forward to the Leader's response to Members' concerns in respect of this matter.

Paschal Mooney (Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context

I express my sincere appreciation of the gracious manner in which the Leader introduced me to the House yesterday. I did not have an opportunity to do so during my contribution on the Order of Business yesterday.

Joe O'Toole (Independent)
Link to this: Individually | In context

It is a little late to do it now.

Jerry Buttimer (Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

The Senator lost the vote.

Pat Moylan (Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context

There should be no interruptions.

Nicky McFadden (Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

The Leader is delighted with Senator Mooney's comments.

Paschal Mooney (Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context

I was chairman of Fáilte Ireland North West for the past few years and intimately involved with the evolving development plan on both a regional and national basis. In that context, Members on both sides of the House have indicated that the air traffic controllers dispute constitutes a national crisis. I am not sure whether those involved, irrespective of how the dispute arose, are aware of the impact their action is having. Tourism Ireland will this month launch a significant multi-million euro plan to attract increasing numbers of tourists to this country. Owing to the fact that Ireland is an island nation, access is the key element of that plan. Consequently, emphasis has been placed on the development of regional and national airports to ensure people can access the country before travelling to the various regions. I plead with both sides to take account of the national interest and go to the Labour Court. I ask the Leader to use his offices to try to ensure the Labour Court would meet in emergency session if necessary because this is a matter of national importance. While it is not in any way diluting the right of people to strike, there are certain key services, one of which is air traffic control. Such a shutdown has an economic impact not just in Dublin, Cork and Shannon where the major airports are but also in the other areas of the country and presents a poor image. I do not fully accept what Senator O'Toole said about France. Unfortunately there is a culture of the public service in France going out on strike at the drop of a hat.

Joe O'Toole (Independent)
Link to this: Individually | In context

We had it here in 1987.

Paschal Mooney (Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context

We do not do that and certainly not in the context of air traffic control, which is vital to the economy. I ask the Leader to use his good offices to ensure the Labour Court would meet in emergency session if necessary to bring both sides together and resolve this in the immediate future.

Jerry Buttimer (Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

I agree with Senator Ó Murchú that it is imperative for the Government to take a hands-on role in acquiring the properties in Moore Street. It would be a disgrace if we did not pay tribute on the anniversary of the 1916 Rising to the descendents and the people involved. If we allow this to pass it will be a shame on all of us.

When will the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment come into the House-----

Donie Cassidy (Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context

At 11.45 a.m.

Jerry Buttimer (Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

----- to talk specifically about job creation and not competitiveness? We have no Government policy on job creation; there is no leadership.

I join other speakers in asking for the Minister for Transport to come to the House for two reasons. We need to discuss his comments that he has no money to pay for the roads. He also needs to make a statement to this House on the ongoing dispute in the aviation industry. Industrial relations are at an all-time low here. We need social partnership now more than ever.

Last night in my city, Cork, we had a gangland killing of a person who was killed because of his involvement in the drugs trade. The Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform and the Minister of State with responsibility for drugs are fast losing the battle, and gangland warfare is becoming part and parcel of everyday life. When it has now reached the streets of Cork, it is time for us to say that enough is enough. The Government is hiding behind the national drugs strategy and the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform. He needs to give resources to the Garda and stop tying its hands. How many more people are to die before the Government will act? This morning in Cork city there are people in my parish who are afraid and upset by what happened. That is replicated across the country. It must stop and needs Government intervention and action.

Eugene Regan (Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

The action of the air traffic controllers is purely and simply economic blackmail because air traffic control is a vital service that is essential to the economy. Damage has been done to the 20,000 travellers, tourism, our exports and the image of the country. We have no chance to secure economic recovery unless it is on the basis of a competitive economy. To give in to this economic blackmail would undermine any chance we have of restoring a competitive economy.

When the former Taoiseach attempted to give himself and his senior Ministers a €38,000 salary increase there was an outcry because the spotlight was thrown on the rewards of high office in this country compared with other countries. That is what has occurred in this case because the benefits received by the 300 air traffic controllers in this country are totally out of line with their counterparts in the United States, Britain and France. The equivalent of 30% of every controller's salary is paid towards their pensions. They work 182 days a year, and have 137 rest days and 36 days holidays in addition to ten public holidays. They work a 35-hour week. They are entitled to a break of 30 minutes for every two hours worked. They work five days and then get three days off. I am not complaining about those benefits, but it is a bit rich to attempt to exert this economic blackmail when we know and they know the country needs this vital service. The attitude of the Minister for Transport and his policy of non-intervention and non-interference are unacceptable. I ask the Leader to address this question. What is the Government going to do about this issue? It is unacceptable that they would block the upgrading of basic technology - in many cases a Windows-based system. We need to upgrade technology across our economy. Taking this action when this service is vital for air safety is unacceptable. I ask the Leader to address that issue with the Minister for Transport, who should come into this House to account for his actions.

John Gerard Hanafin (Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context

I ask the Leader for a debate on social partnership. When times are difficult and jobs are hard to come by even though the employers have the upper hand, that is particularly a time for a logical sequence of events to allow everybody to partake fully, not just in the good times, but also in the difficult times so that we avoid people going on strike unnecessarily. I am particularly thinking about people who have excellent terms and conditions, as outlined in the House this morning, and who decide to strike at a time when the nation is working together, going through a difficult time and taking the burden as equally as can be apportioned to every sector. When that is the template that is being used, it is not a time for people to go on strike. At least people should doubly and trebly think before they consider striking.

I also ask the Leader for a debate on the electoral systems. In particular I am thinking about elections for the European Parliament. We should have a debate in this House on the proposal in the renewed programme for Government to have an all-island electoral system to the European Parliament.

Nicky McFadden (Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Yesterday a colleague on the other side went off on a bit of a rant about whether or not we were applauding the Minister for negotiating the deal on the cervical cancer vaccine. I spoke on a local radio station welcoming the Minister's initiative on the cervical cancer vaccine. However, on Monday night it emerged that second-year students in our local school were offered the vaccine at a cost of €400. I really object to that. What is the difference between being a 13-year old and a 14-year old? A 14-year old girl in second year is at just as much risk of getting cervical cancer. I ask the Leader to invite the Minister to the House to discuss the issue in detail. Why can she not negotiate for second-year students to get the vaccine at €100 in the same way as for first-year students? It would mean that 90 lives would be saved. Who knows what will happen to the cohort who missed out last year? That matter should be a priority for the coming weeks. Professor Frazer, who came here at the behest of the Irish Cancer Society and who has introduced and modified this vaccine, also recommends that it be given three times and should not be just a once-off dose. While I applaud the Minister's initiative I ask her to extend it so that lives will be saved.

Maurice Cummins (Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

On several occasions last term I called for a debate on the lack of law and order, and we failed to get that debate. We are three weeks into the new year and already there have been eight murders, gangland crime, gun crime and knife crime. It seems to be a plague in the country at present. There seems to be no deterrent. There is no fear in the law. The Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform seems incapable of addressing the problems before us. I ask that the Minister comes to the House to address the area of law and order.

Yesterday Senator Keaveney and I spoke about the car bomb attack on Peadar Heffron, the PSNI officer. There seems to be a considerable rise in dissident republicanism in recent times. A number of 600 pound bombs - this is larger than the Omagh bomb - have been planted, but thankfully they did not go off. Recruitment among such dissidents in Northern Ireland has recently reached a high point, as has been commented upon by the PSNI. My understanding, however, is that same type of recruitment among young people is going on in this State as we speak into these dissident republican gangs.

I want to know whether the Garda has the necessary resources, including intelligence gathering, to tackle this problem. It is imperative that the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform addresses that issue also, in the Seanad, to keep Members informed of developments in this regard because these thugs certainly present a threat to this State and we should use all the means at our disposal to nip this recruitment campaign in the bud.

Cecilia Keaveney (Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context

I ask the Leader to prioritise the topic I raised yesterday, namely, the assault on Peadar Heffron. I am glad to see that he is improving slightly, but progress will be slow. It will be a long road for him and his family, but it is in all our interests that he improves and recovers as fully as possible.

I would like to believe the Seanad could foment a mutual understanding among all the people on this island. I ask that we look, for example, at the 2016 commemorations of 1916 and expand that into the likes of Ballykinlar, the Curragh and Frongoch, so that the 1920-21 issue is addressed. I am aware that the British Army has announced it will be withdrawing from Ballykinlar. I declare my interest, since my grandfather spent 13 months there as an internee. However, many families would gain from an understanding of what the situation was like there and it is very important that we address the issues of 1920-21 as well as 1916.

I ask the Leader to bear in mind that in 1916, Ballykinlar was a British Army training ground for soldiers en route to the Somme. In the context of achieving mutual understanding and adopting a multi-perspective viewpoint on history, the Seanad should be a driving force towards debating the issues. In that context, perhaps the Leader might use my Council of Europe report on multi-perspectivity concerning how to teach history in areas of recent conflict as a starting point for a debate on the issues of how we view the so-called other. If we do that, the topic referred to by Senator Cummins will be addressed. We have to decide how we are going to deal with those we have traditionally perceived to be the other, because we have to live in peace and harmony and stop dissidents from getting any degree of support.

Donie Cassidy (Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Senators Fitzgerald, O'Toole, Alex White, Norris, Leyden, Coghlan, Mooney and Regan all expressed shock and disappointment at the events that took place yesterday for four hours at Dublin Airport. I welcome the support right across the House this morning for the fact that every business related decision for the foreseeable future must be taken in the national interest. Every family in Ireland has benefited one way or another from the Celtic tiger, although some perhaps a great deal more than the vast majority. At this crucial moment in our country's history, however, every decision to be made by organisations and their employees should be in the national interest.

I heard the Minister for Transport, Deputy Dempsey, on the radio this morning speaking of his determination on this issue. I do not believe that any Minister over the past 25 years has a better record in terms of carrying through a decision once it has been made. I listened attentively to his views this morning and he invited all concerned to refer the dispute to the Labour Court as a matter of urgency. As Senator Mooney has said, the Labour Court should make itself available for an emergency session, with which I fully agree. The Minister emphasised that if this does not happen, measures to protect essential services will need to be summarily introduced. It is to be hoped common sense will prevail and we shall return to the norm pertaining on 31 December regarding the conditions for employment at that date, with the Labour Court in its wisdom seeking to achieving the consensus everyone knows must be reached.

Air traffic controllers are highly specialised when it comes to the safety of air traffic. Theirs is a very successful record and they have been totally committed down through the years. The fact that there has been no major disturbance in their ranks since 1987 is an outstanding achievement. Be that as it may, in the national interest and mindful of our exports, as an island nation we do not have the luxury other countries might have of being next door to their markets. I said, yesterday, on the Order of Business that common sense must prevail. I agree with Senator Mooney, who has been chairman of Fáilte Ireland's north-west division, that resolution of the problem is essential. One of the three planks in Ireland's recovery must be tourism. It is a vital part of the services sector and is one area in which Ireland plc has an exemplary record in terms of the numbers of hours lost through industrial action. We want this tradition to continue.

Senator Buttimer has reminded the House that the national understanding and social partnership have been the backbone of this achievement. They eliminated the strike culture we were familiar with in the early 1980s. I listened to the Minister's comments on social partnership this morning, and perhaps this could be another new year's resolution aimed at getting everyone back to reconsider such an initiative. Based on the example of other countries facing chronic economic difficulties, the Government made the right decision in the budget, and everyone on the island, I believe, wants to get on with that.

Senators Fitzgerald, O'Toole, Alex White and Ó Brolcháin called for a debate on the McCarthy report with special reference to the Minister's announcement yesterday concerning the NUI. I fully agree with Senator O'Toole about the protection of the brand name, and there is no difficulty in having this debated.

Senator Alex White called for the Minister of State with responsibility for children to come to the House in relation to the pre-school schemes. There is no problem in having that debated. Senator Ó Murchú referred to the homes and properties of the signatories of the Proclamation, which is of some significance given that the centenary of 1916, a subject touched on by Senators Keaveney and Buttimer, is so close. Today is an historic date, the 91st anniversary of the first Dáil. I wish well the seminar in Dublin Castle and the former Members of the Oireachtas who are attending. I hope to get there in the afternoon to join colleagues in their endeavours to acknowledge and celebrate the sitting of the first Dáil. I have no difficulty in bringing the expressions of concern by Senator Ó Murchú and colleagues to the Government's attention about the protection of the homes. We should do everything we can to celebrate the memory of the heroes of 1916, especially the signatories of the Proclamation. I am reading a brilliant book which details the final hours of those unfortunate men who made the ultimate sacrifice for the country in 1916. It contains their letters and details their experiences during the last ten days before they died. I fully share the sentiments expressed by Senator Ó Murchú and other colleagues in that regard.

Senator Twomey called for a debate on the state of the roads and the funding that will have to be made available because of the damage caused by the inclement weather. I will have no difficulty in allowing such a debate to take place.

Senator Ó Brolcháin is seeking a debate on the provision of a training vessel, a good proposal. I will certainly do everything I can to arrange such a debate at the earliest opportunity.

Jerry Buttimer (Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

The Government has already said no to it.

Donie Cassidy (Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Senator Norris referred to the Land Registry and the National Archives. He is concerned about important historical documents. I would like to see a full debate on the matter which is of great importance and which I will discuss with him after the Order of Business.

Senator Norris also referred to No. 36, motion No. 21, on the Order Paper concerning so-called "head shops", a debate on which I hope will take place in the next two weeks. It is an all-party motion. I will arrange a full debate, with the Minister present, on this terrible plague which presents a huge challenge. I will have no difficulty in discussing the matter with colleagues after the Order of Business.

Senator Leyden called for the Minister for Education and Science to attend the House for a debate on the future of VEC schools before a final decision is made on the matter he raised. I have no difficulty with this and have already made a commitment that such a debate will take place as soon as possible.

Senator Buttimer expressed serious concerns about job creation. As he knows, in a few minutes' time, the Tánaiste will be in the House for statements on employment and competitiveness, No. 1 on today's Order Paper. I look forward to many colleagues participating in that debate.

Senators Cummins and Keaveney referred to gangland crime. I will have no difficulty in arranging a debate on that subject with the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform present. To say the least, events in recent weeks have been alarming. We must ensure the Garda Síochána has everything necessary to face this terrible challenge. The change in society, both in towns and cities, is mind-boggling, whether it concerns shootings or knife crime. As Senator Cummins outlined, this is an urgent matter. I will speak with the Minister this afternoon, if possible, to see if he can make time available to discuss it at the earliest opportunity.

Senator Hanafin sought a debate on social partnership, a timely request. I will endeavour to have such a debate take place. The Senator also called for a debate on the electoral system, another timely request. One of the events being discussed to mark the 91st anniversary of the First Dáil involves the former Taoiseach, Dr. Garret FitzGerald, who will speak about the need for change in the electoral system and the preferred options. It will be interesting to see what he has to say about the matter. We can have a good debate on the issue here in order to examine what we can do about it.

Senator McFadden welcomed the role played by the Minister for Health and Children, Deputy Harney, in saving the State millions in funding the cancer programme. I spoke with the Minister last night about the contributions made yesterday and invited her to return to the House to update us on all aspects of the cancer programme. She will have no difficulty in allowing such a debate to take place.

I join Senators Keaveney and Cummins in sending our best wishes to Peadar Heffron. We should all look forward to enjoying the continued peace resulting from the Good Friday Agreement. We must do everything we possibly can to enhance and assist that process. I will have no difficulty in arranging for the Taoiseach to attend the House, as he will do at least once a year, to discuss matters of concern regarding Northern Ireland, including the Good Friday Agreement, and all areas within his remit.

Jerry Buttimer (Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

On a point of information, Senator Norris referred to the "head shops".

Pat Moylan (Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context

The Leader has already replied in that regard.

Jerry Buttimer (Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Will the Leader inform us when we will have that debate?

Pat Moylan (Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context

The Leader has replied to the questions raised.

Jerry Buttimer (Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Only yesterday I sought a debate on the Adjournment, a request which was refused. Are we having the debate and, if so, when? It is an important issue.

Pat Moylan (Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context

The Leader has replied.

Jerry Buttimer (Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

When are we having that debate?

Pat Moylan (Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context

The Leader has replied.

Jerry Buttimer (Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

I would like a date from the Leader.

Pat Moylan (Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context

I wish to ask the Leader a question. He did not outline any time for the Minister to conclude statements on the issue of employment and competitiveness.

Donie Cassidy (Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context

My apologies. The Minister will be called upon to reply at 1.50 p.m.