Maurice Cummins (Fine Gael)
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The Order of Business is No. 1, Ministers and Secretaries (Amendment) Bill 2011 - all Stages, with Second Stage to be taken at the conclusion of the Order of Business and conclude not later than 1.30 p.m., with the contributions of group spokespersons not to exceed ten minutes and those of all other Senators not to exceed seven minutes, the Minister to be called on to reply no later than 1.25 p.m., Committee and Remaining Stages to be taken from 2.30 p.m. to 5 p.m. and resume at the conclusion of Private Members' business until 8.30 p.m., if not previously concluded; and No. 13, motion No. 2, to commence at 5 p.m. and conclude not later than 7 p.m. Business shall be interrupted between 1.30 p.m. and 2.30 p.m.

Darragh O'Brien (Fianna Fail)
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I congratulate Senator Cullinane and his wife, Kathleen, on the arrival of their son on Monday. On the Order of Business, I thank the Leader for providing some additional time for the Ministers and Secretaries (Amendment) Bill 2011 after Private Members' business, which is somewhat of a concession. However, we will oppose the Order of Business on the basis that the Ministers and Secretaries (Amendment) Bill 2011 is to be dealt with in one day. As some of my colleagues mentioned yesterday, the amended Bill was only published and circulated yesterday following changes made in the Dáil. Members on all sides will not know until the Minister comes into the Chamber at 11.45 a.m. to speak to us about his views on the Bill whether they will wish to table amendments. However, we have been told by the Bills Office that the deadline to table amendments is 11 a.m. We cannot accept that, even though we are broadly supportive of the Bill.

This sets a dangerous precedent in regard to most important legislation. For the first time since the foundation of the State, the Minister for Finance's powers will be spilt between two Departments. We deserve time to consider this Bill. As I said, we are broadly supportive of the Bill, as are many Members, but how in God's name can this House, which is supposed to scrutinise legislation, do that scrutiny correctly when Second Stage will finish at 1.30 p.m.? The Minister will probably speak for 20 to 30 minutes from 11.45 a.m., even though the deadline for tabling amendments will have expired. I ask that the deadline for amendments to the Bill be extended to 30 minutes after completion of Second Stage. This is not the way to deal with legislation, as rushed legislation is poor. One can see examples of rushed legislation not having the required effect with all Governments, including the previous one with which I was involved. I ask all Members of the House to consider what is being done; the Bill is being rushed through the Seanad - with scant regard being shown for the Upper House - and it is probably the most important Bill that we will deal with this term. It concerns separation of powers from the Minister for Finance to a new Minister responsible for public expenditure and reform. We will oppose the Order of Business on that basis.

I am sorry to inform the Leader that I cannot guarantee the smooth passage of the Bill through the Seanad because of the way it has been scheduled. When the Order of Business was published last week we were somewhat happier as a day was left between taking Second Stage and Committee and Remaining Stages. That would have given all Members time to consider what is in the Bill and the amendments put down by the Government or the Opposition. There is no time to give proper consideration of the Bill as it stands, although I welcome the addition of an hour and a half to the debate. I appreciate that.

What is the position of parties in tabling amendments? We have been told by the Bills Office that the deadline is 11 a.m. and the Minister will not even have spoken at that stage. It is not the way to do business and if this is the way in which other Bills will be brought to the House and rushed through, there is no point in us even sitting.

Ivana Bacik (Independent)
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I join in congratulating Senator Cullinane on the happy arrival of his son. In respect of the timing for the Ministers and Secretaries (Amendment) Bill, all of us are agreed that it is not ideal for any Bill to pass through the House in one day. I said as much when I was on the other side of the Chamber.

Jim Walsh (Fianna Fail)
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It is not that it is not ideal. It is deplorable.

Ivana Bacik (Independent)
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I accept that.

Jim Walsh (Fianna Fail)
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The Senator said as much when she was on this side of the House.

Ivana Bacik (Independent)
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Yes.

Paschal Mooney (Fianna Fail)
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She not only said as much but criticised the Government for it on a regular basis.

Ivana Bacik (Independent)
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As I just said-----

Jim Walsh (Fianna Fail)
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The Senator said it was not ideal

Ivana Bacik (Independent)
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It is far from ideal.

Jim Walsh (Fianna Fail)
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Saying it is far from ideal is very different from saying it is deplorable.

Paddy Burke (Fine Gael)
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Senator Bacik, without interruption.

Ivana Bacik (Independent)
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There are already 30 amendments to the Bill and we are all agreed that the legislation is very important. The fact that its measures are not yet in force means there has been a hold-up not only in the economic reform process that the new Department, headed by the Minister, Deputy Howlin, will be tasked with, but also with the political reform. As we know from experience, that was almost as significant on doorsteps as the economic reform process. It is very much in everybody's interest that this Bill be progressed speedily. I agree with Senators that it is not an ideal arrangement. There will be a far more preferable arrangement tomorrow as we will just have Second Stage of the Civil Law (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2011, with Committee and Remaining Stages next week. That is a far more complex Bill because of the amount of different issues with which it deals. There is a difference between the two Bills.

Paddy Burke (Fine Gael)
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For the information of the House, no deadline was given by the Bills Office with regard to amendments for the Bill.

Darragh O'Brien (Fianna Fail)
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I am glad to hear that. We were told specifically that the deadline was 11 a.m. If it can be clarified that-----

Paddy Burke (Fine Gael)
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My understanding is amendments can be taken at any time.

Darragh O'Brien (Fianna Fail)
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This Bill has doubled in size since its time in the Dáil.

Ivana Bacik (Independent)
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I am grateful to the Cathaoirleach for the clarification. All of us have found that in practice the Bills Office can be more flexible than might be initially suggested, which is welcome.

This is an opportune day to call for a further debate on methods of bottom-up job creation. On the day the Government is launching the national internship scheme, with places for 5,000 jobs in training, we should congratulate the Minister, Deputy Joan Burton. We should also applaud the launch by the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade this morning of a new creative quarter in the Liberties in Dublin 8. The Fumbally Exchange was set up by George Boyle, a former architect with Murray O'Laoire Architects. Along with a number of colleagues she has set up a new creative hub where start-up design businesses can be established for a very reasonable rent in a quarter that was left decimated by the closure of Murray O'Laoire Architects. Those people should be congratulated for their bottom-up approach to job creation. It is the sort of initiative we should support across the Houses of the Oireachtas and we must do our best to facilitate them.

I ask for a debate on the HSE report produced yesterday by the crisis pregnancy wing of the executive. It detailed the experience of mothers in the workplace and found that, alarmingly, a third of mothers in work during their pregnancy stated that they experienced unfair treatment. It is the first Irish study of its kind and it would be worthwhile considering how mothers are treated in the workplace. On the day we are congratulating Senator Cullinane, we might also consider how fathers are treated in the workplace and whether paid paternity leave can be introduced.

Fiach MacConghail (Independent)
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We pass on our congratulations and comhgairdeas le Seanadóir David Cullinane agus a bhean chéile agus a chlann. I will pick up a point raised by Senator O'Brien. As a new Senator I feel uncomfortable that we are being rushed into taking decisions. I am all on for working what hours God or the Cathaoirleach would give us but I am uncomfortable about the Order of Business. I abstained on yesterday's vote on the Order of Business because I felt uneasy about the way this Bill is being dealt with. I am in favour of this historic Bill but we are being given very little time to contribute in the way we are honoured to.

The next item is not a plug but Brian Friel's "Translations" is opening at our national theatre tonight and running to the middle of August.

Darragh O'Brien (Fianna Fail)
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It sounds like a plug.

Rónán Mullen (Independent)
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We will catch it some evening.

Fiach MacConghail (Independent)
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There are low price seats for the matinees. A quote from that very important play is that "to remember everything is a form of madness." I had the privilege this weekend of hosting the first ever national citizens' assembly, with more than 100 randomly selected citizens from the Twenty-Six Counties, from the age of 18 to 80, discussing political reform. It was a humbling experience for me to hear the voices and opinions of citizens on political reform. We brought in experts to discuss various issues on gender quotas, mandatory voting, the proportional representation system and Seanad reform. There was a detailed discussion.

One of the debates concerned the Seanad and we considered whether the Seanad should be abolished, reformed or be replaced by a citizens assembly. The reform issue was debated with the 2004 report instigated by Ms Mary O'Rourke. We used a proportional representation vote which eliminated the citizens assembly idea, leaving abolition and reform as two options, with reform winning out by 64% to 31%. In the discussion the citizens were unaware of the power, duty and possible reform of the Seanad.

A motion was passed by this House only two weeks ago about inviting citizens of repute to this floor to discuss issues and inform us. Has the Committee on Procedures and Privileges met since the motion was passed unanimously by the House and has it formulated a solution? I know my grouping has written to the committee with a suggestion for a name but we would like somebody before the House before we break on 27 July. Has the Leader an update on the issue?

Rónán Mullen (Independent)
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I share Senator O'Brien's concerns about the ordering of business, as I expressed yesterday. This is an issue that can be resolved, once we start to have leaders' meetings, if we work out amicably and in advance the business to be transacted. There will, of course, be occasions on which it will be necessary to bring forward legislation at a fast pace. I am not convinced, however, that this legislation requires that degree of speed on our part. It can easily become an excuse to use. It may well be that legislation is timely, necessary and desirable and should not be delayed unduly, but I do not see why its passage could not be spread over a couple of weeks. Certainly, this is an issue we need to attend to.

Perhaps a similar issue arises with the Private Members' motion I am bringing forward today. I note the Government has tabled an amendment which I only received this morning. I will look at it and form my own view, but I am sure it is a very good one. It would be great if we could find a way of doing business where we would be in contact with each other about proposed amendments to see whether we could arrive at an agreement. That would reflect well on the House, as would a degree of contact between the Executive and the Legislature generally. For example, I happen to know informally that it is the Minister of State, Deputy Brian Hayes, who probably will take the legislation this evening, although I would have thought it had elements within the remit of the Department of Justice and Equality. A telephone call from somebody in the relevant Minister's Department about what it was proposing would reflect well on the way business is done in the House. Such contact would enable the adoption of a consensus based approach generally.

I had the honour, with the Minister for Education and Skills, Deputy Ruairí Quinn, and many others, to attend the launch of a biography by Dr. Finola Kennedy about, perhaps, one of the greatest Irishmen of the 20th century, Frank Duff, the founder of the Legion of Mary. Two things struck me while attending the book launch and reflecting afterwards on the character of Mr. Duff. He was an extremely enlightened man by the standards of his time in terms of his concern for the dignity of women, in particular. He had an enlightened and far-seeing approach to the supports needed by lone mothers. At a time when the church and State were doing nothing to enable lone mothers to keep their children, he was pioneering ways forward. We do not do enough to honour such people. When prominent politicians die, we have brief conversations about which street we should name after them. What are we doing to promote the memory and legacy of other great Irishmen and women who can be an example to us all, particularly in these challenging times?

I was delighted when Senator Ivana Bacik referred to the very important report by the equality officer and the HSE's crisis pregnancy programme which found that 30% of working women experienced severe stress and what they termed crisis pregnancies because of unfair treatment, financial penalties, the denial of promotion and even dismissal. It was young women expecting their second child who were particularly hard hit. It would be a great tribute to the legacy of Frank Duff-----

Paddy Burke (Fine Gael)
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A question, please.

Rónán Mullen (Independent)
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----- if we were to make the necessary provisions to provide for better and more enlightened parental leave arrangements. It would also be a great tribute to him, because he did so much to tackle prostitution, if we were to hear at an early time from the Government on what it planned to do about the criminalisation of the users of persons involved in prostitution, as has happened very successfully in Nordic countries. I would welcome feedback from the Government on that issue.

Marc MacSharry (Fianna Fail)
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With Senator Ivana Bacik, I welcome the announcement on the first 5,000 places on the internship programme, although it is regrettable the number is so small. A difficulty I have with it, one that is borne out by the Union of Students in Ireland, concerns the reason one must be three months unemployed before one can take up a place. Surely the object of this activity is to ensure people are not unemployed. If graduates are suitable for participation in an internship programme, surely they should be allowed to go straight onto it.

On another issue, that of health, I noted there was irritation in the House when some Members raised issues which might have been local, as far as other Members were concerned. Several of the pre-election commitments made by the Government parties that were unambiguous and clear are now not going to be honoured. Naturally, if this amounts to a neglect of a portion of the population, far from being a local issue, it is a national issue. It may be beyond the gin and tonic belt or the Pale or the concerns of the vast majority involved in the mainstream establishment media, but the issues raised are very real to those living in not as well populated parts of the country such as the west and north west. As regards the contributions yesterday of Senators John Kelly of the Labour Party and Terry Leyden, they are no less important or worthy of debate or consideration by the House than any that might concern those living in Dublin or any other part of the country.

I say to the Leader, for whom I have profound respect, that irrespective of whether he is committed to having a line Minister come to the House on a particular date, it is not within his sole and exclusive preserve to determine this. On an ongoing basis there are issues which demand agility and immediate movement by the Houses. It is because of its paralysis that this House and others have come under the scrutiny by those who wish to see it abolished. If other Members and I believe there is an issue to be raised, however parochial, that is of concern, by all means one should call for a debate on that day. Whether the Leader thinks one is listening is completely irrelevant. The people must be represented in the House. On a daily basis we must be prepared to seize the opportunity to represent them to the best of our ability.

Jim Walsh (Fianna Fail)
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I support the call made by Senator Darragh O'Brien for a change to the Order of Business. It is regrettable that at such an early stage in the Government's life it should take this House for granted. There is an opportunity for Members of the House to stand together to show its independence of the Executive. Any Bill, particularly one dealing with the Department of Finance, given its failures in the past decade, should be subject to the most careful consideration and scrutiny in this House. Ramming through all sections of a Bill on one day is something of which the Government parties when in opposition were rightly critical and opposed. I would like to think there will be some consistency in that regard. The failure not to do this today will set a precedent which, unfortunately, will tarnish this House. This is not the first time in this session that the Government has chosen to do this and it can only be to facilitate a Minister's diary. Yesterday I listened carefully to the Leader say there was a desire for the Bill to be signed next week. Second Stage could be taken today, followed by Committee and Remaining Stages tomorrow afternoon, which means the Bill could be returned to the Dáil on Tuesday and signed into law on Wednesday. It is not a pressing matter that has to be dealt with in this fashion. It is obviously being done to facilitate diaries, with which I disagree.

I support the call made yesterday by Senator Tom Sheahan for the Minister to come into the House to discuss the possibility of introducing pricing orders in respect of professional fees. The Senator raised interesting points and could have gone further by referring not only to the amounts paid by the State to GPs under the general medical card scheme but also the various announcements by VHI which, in some instances, has paid up to €1 million to hospital consultants. It brings into focus the abuse of privilege in our system. It is welcome that the Minister did tackle the issue of excessive pay levels within parts of the public and private sectors.

Paddy Burke (Fine Gael)
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Does the Senator have a question for the Leader?

Jim Walsh (Fianna Fail)
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I do. Will the Leader arrange for a Minister to come to the House for a discussion on the matter, given that the rates of pay for top executives in the public sector will not exceed €4,000 per week? Will the Minister consider imposing a maximum fee charge on barristers of €800 per day? This needs to be done. Unfortunately, politicians and the public apparatus seem to be totally oblivious to the need or do not have the moral courage to tackle the vested interests which operate as a cartel to the detriment of the economy and citizens.

Mark Daly (Fianna Fail)
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I congratulate Senator Cullinane on his good news.

Will the Leader make time available tomorrow for a discussion in the House on the NAMA transparency Bill, which we intend to introduce? I do not doubt that my colleague from County Kerry, Senator Paul Coghlan, will be delighted to support legislation that aims to bring transparency to the way NAMA does its business. The Bill, which is very short, would require NAMA to publish on its website details of every property it controls, or in respect of which it has issued a loan. It would allow everybody to see what properties are available or for sale, what value has been placed on them, what loan was originally provided in respect of them, how they can be purchased, who the auctioneer is and, eventually, the sale price that is achieved. I hope Senators on the other side of the House will support this important legislation. I do not want everyone to come back in two years' time to wring their hands and ask for a tribunal to be established. Rather than at some stage in the future wondering how it all went wrong, we should introduce a preventative measure now.

A motion on the Order Paper today proposes that the Seanad should "appoint an Honorary Senator to represent the Global Irish Community Overseas". As a result of our sad and tragic history of emigration, there are 80 million people in the Irish community overseas. Of the 40 million of them who are in the United States, some 10 million are under the age of 18. This is a huge resource. I am glad Fine Gael and the Labour Party have been calling for some time for a representative of emigrants to be appointed to the Seanad. In 2006, they issued a joint policy document, Reaching Out: Caring for the Irish Abroad, in which they said they would appoint a Seanadóir to represent the Irish overseas. The Taoiseach was involved in negotiations when Mr. Jim Higgins proposed to step down as a Senator to take up a position as a full-time MEP. It was proposed at that time that Fianna Fáil would assist in appointing a Senator to represent the Irish overseas. A former mayor of San José, Mr. Tom McEnery, who lectures in Stanford University, wrote an interesting article in The Irish Times recently. He said that rather than abolishing the Seanad, a Senator should be appointed to represent the Irish community overseas, in places like Silicon Valley. He suggested that such a move would bring back industry and value to this country. There are too many people to mention in this context. This can be done.

Paddy Burke (Fine Gael)
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Does the Senator have a question for the Leader?

Mark Daly (Fianna Fail)
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Will the Leader provide time for a discussion on the motion I have mentioned? As a resolution of the House, it would not impose any costs on the taxpayer. The person in question would not be paid a wage. At this time, it can only be for the good of everyone that a community of 80 million people be harnessed for the benefit of Ireland. I ask the Leader to support the motion.

Martin Conway (Fine Gael)
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I am delighted to hear Senator Cullinane's good news. I congratulate him on that.

I welcome today's announcement that the social welfare internship programme is to be rolled out. I look forward to hearing the details of it. I am disappointed with two elements of it. First, as has already been mentioned this morning, one has to be unemployed for three months before one can avail of the programme. Second, I understand that the internship programme will be limited to 5,000 places, which represents just over 1% of the 450,000 people in this country who are unemployed. Can the Leader ascertain whether there will be another phase of the internship programme? Will it be flexible? Will it facilitate a broad church of disciplines? Will it give young people who find themselves in this regrettable position an opportunity to improve their skills and participate in the workplace? It is a novel idea and a good one. It is a step in the right direction. I am afraid it may be too restrictive. Certainly, the numbers are very limited. Can the Leader tell us whether the Minister plans on increasing the number of people who can avail of this programme? Will the Minister consider abolishing the provision whereby one has to be unemployed for three months before one can benefit from it? Will she come to the House to give us an overall briefing on this programme in due course?

Feargal Quinn (Independent)
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I add my voice to the congratulations that have been extended on the birth of baby Finn Cullinane. I am not sure if the name was chosen because it rhymes with "Sinn". I congratulate Senator Cullinane, his wife and his parents.

I join others in expressing concern about rushed legislation. It is something we have to avoid. We should never do this. Legislation has been rushed in the past. As Senator Darragh O'Brien said, rushed legislation is often bad legislation. I would like to tell new Members about a Bill that was passed by the Dáil very rapidly and came to this House after the Dáil had adjourned for the summer. I cannot remember the name of it, but I know it involved banning public opinion polls prior to elections. During the debate in this House - it was late at night - Deputy Ross, who was a Senator at the time, realised that a blunder had been made. He pointed out that the prohibition on public opinion polls during the three weeks prior to an election would expire at midnight on the morning of the election, just before people went to the polls. It would have been disastrous. It would have finished it. When this oversight was pointed out on Committee Stage in this House, the Bill was dropped and never saw the light of day again. I have mentioned that as an example of what we can do in the second House. We can scrutinise legislation and make sure it does not go through in a rushed form. I am concerned that we are squeezing all three Stages in today. As Senator O'Brien said, we will be able to give very little attention to Report Stage after we have completed Second and Committee Stages. I urge the Leader to avoid similar arrangements in the future. I urge him to support Senator O'Brien's amendment to the Order of Business, which proposes that the arrangements for today be reconsidered.

I also draw the attention of the House to the launch of Springboard, which is a worthy effort to get people back to work if they have a skill, an ability or an education that is no longer suitable to whatever has developed. Many people who worked in construction, for example, have got degrees or other qualifications under this worthwhile programme. They need different qualifications now. I would love to think the Minister for Education and Skills could come in here to debate this and many other areas of the education system.

Fidelma Healy Eames (Fine Gael)
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Hear, hear.

Feargal Quinn (Independent)
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The leaving certificate applied programme is particularly close to my heart. It got very little attention when the media concentrated on the leaving certificate examinations in recent weeks. The leaving certificate applied programme identifies intelligences that are not measured in a traditional academic way. It is not getting enough publicity or worthy attention. It enables a large number of teenagers to develop confidence and the ability to step into jobs. Once they have confidence, they are able to add benefits to the community as well.

Fidelma Healy Eames (Fine Gael)
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I am delighted that two top semi-State executives - Mr. Gabriel D'Arcy of Bord na Móna and Mr. John Mullins of Bord Gáis - have shown leadership by waiving their bonus payments. We need to see this type of leadership at this juncture. We should not have to introduce legislation to require people to forego their bonus payments. We said as a House yesterday that the bonus culture must go. Top executives should be aware that they are well paid through their basic salaries. I would like more of them to follow the example shown. This House should monitor the progress being made. There are times when we are reactive on issues like this and there are times when we should be proactive.

It is important for this House to debate our education system. I am following up on what Senators Quinn and Mac Conghail said previously. The Minister for Education and Skills is making far-reaching decisions quite quickly at the moment. Some of his decisions are good and to be welcomed. This must be a House of ideas and vision. We must lead debate. In that context, I ask the Leader to invite the Minister, Deputy Quinn, to come to the House as soon as possible so that we can debate our vision for the education system at primary, secondary and tertiary levels. Is it right that the grinds system is leading the education system in this country, that parents are paying hand over fist to ensure that their children get through the examinations system? Last year I got grinds for my own junior certificate boy. That is wrong. I was paying at least €75 a week to ensure that he got reasonable results. It is fundamentally wrong. We need to look at how we can achieve good outcomes while ensuring a holistic education and how we retain caring, interested and enlightened teachers in this system. There is much to debate and there is no better House to do it in. I look forward to hearing from the Leader that the Minister, Deputy Quinn, is coming in to debate the vision for the education system as soon as possible.

David Cullinane (Sinn Fein)
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I thank the Senators for their expressions of best wishes on the birth of baby boy, Finn. It is purely coincidental that it rhythms with Sinn. I thank my wife, Kathleen, who did the heavy lifting. At 9 lb. 1 oz., he was a big baby.

Senator Bacik spoke earlier about men in the workplace. I was informed by the Leader of the House that there is no paternity leave for Senators.

Ivana Bacik (Independent)
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Nor maternity leave.

David Cullinane (Sinn Fein)
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That is something that needs to be addressed in the Oireachtas generally, the Dáil and the Seanad. If we are to have a discussion about men and women in the workplace, this workplace should form part of that as well.

Darragh O'Brien (Fianna Fail)
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My party will give Senator Cullinane a pair next week.

David Cullinane (Sinn Fein)
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I thank Senators for their expressions of best wishes.

As the House will be aware, there are many bad news stories brought into this Chamber. However, there is a good news story as I am sure the Leader of House will agree, coming from Waterford, namely, that the tall ships event will take place tomorrow. It is being formally launched by the Taoiseach. It will be a spectacular event where, hopefully, up to 500,000 people will travel to Waterford city. This is not merely a Waterford city event, or even a regional event. This is a national and international event. Some 50 tall ships will come to Waterford. It was over 11 centuries ago that the Vikings came to Waterford. I am not sure about the reception that they got all of those centuries ago, but I know that the tall ships will get a fantastic reception from the people of Waterford. There are hundreds of volunteers who have been part of making this a success. I commend all of those volunteers, the management of Waterford City Council and all of the councillors who played a blinder in ensuring that Waterford put its best foot forward. It is a fantastic event.

It dovetails nicely with another good news story which came from Waterford last week, namely, the establishment of a Viking triangle of three museums now in the heart of Waterford city in the Mall which complements the Waterford Crystal facility. I note that each visiting captain who comes with the tall ships will be given a specially commissioned piece of Waterford crystal. It is fantastic for the country that Waterford Crystal is still alive and kicking and I am sure the Leader of the House will agree with that.

On a final point, my party has repeatedly called for a debate on the JLCs and for the Minister to come into the House to discuss his proposals. Senator Reilly raised this issue yesterday and there was no response. The Cabinet has discussed this issue. It has been deferred for a number of weeks. It is of fundamental importance to hundreds of thousands of working people in the State that we have an opportunity to discuss his proposals and the Duffy-Walsh report. I would appeal to the Leader of the House to ensure time is made available for this debate. Somebody spoke earlier about the amendment which is being tabled about this House being taken for granted. I do not want a situation where we learn that decisions which are made by the Cabinet on something so fundamentally important are announced at a press conference before we have had an opportunity to have any say or input into those proposals. I would ask the Leader of the House to devote time next week to that important issue.

Paul Coghlan (Fine Gael)
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I look forward, as I am sure the House does, to the arrival of the Bill on NAMA to which Senator Daly referred. I am sure Senator Daly will have an opportunity to speak on the Bill to assure us that he now accepts fully that there have not been any crooked or sweetheart deals in the past-----

Darragh O'Brien (Fianna Fail)
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Détente.

Paul Coghlan (Fine Gael)
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-----seeing that we have had such categoric assurances in that regard from the chairman of NAMA-----

Darragh O'Brien (Fianna Fail)
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Senator Coghlan was doing so well.

Mark Daly (Fianna Fail)
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On a point of order, I do not think the Taoiseach understands that or he is not accepting it.

Paul Coghlan (Fine Gael)
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-----whom, I am sure Senator Daly will agree, we will have the opportunity to hear further.

Paddy Burke (Fine Gael)
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That is not a point of order.

Paul Coghlan (Fine Gael)
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I am sure Senator Daly would accept that he does not enjoy a monopoly of wisdom on this matter, no more than any of the rest of us.

Paddy Burke (Fine Gael)
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We are not discussing the Bill today.

Paul Coghlan (Fine Gael)
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I know we are not. In anticipation of the Bill, however,-----

Mark Daly (Fianna Fail)
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I did not come into the House to get Senator Coghlan's wisdom.

Paul Coghlan (Fine Gael)
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-----seeing that it has been mentioned, I am sure the House accepts that due diligence is in place on all acquirers, who cannot sell in trust. We understand the law. Let us look forward to the Bill, I will leave it at that.

I wish to ask the Leader about a separate, slightly related subject. The question of trust and confidence in the banking system is so important now that the State's stake is so vast, for instance, it is 93% in AIB. In these circumstances the paucity of public interest directors guarding the State's interest in these financial institutions is an important matter that needs to be addressed. In AIB there are only three public interest directors for a 93% stake. That does not ring true nor does it reflect the situation that should exist. None of those responsible for this situation should still be in place. They should all be well off the stage by now. I would ask the Leader about the matter, as he has agreed to give us a debate on banking. I want to repeat my call for that debate and hear the Leader further on it.

Denis O'Donovan (Fianna Fail)
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I rise to send out an SOS - save our Seanad. I am encouraged that in the five or six weeks since we have come back, the Leader is making valiant efforts to change the way we do business in the House. I must acknowledge that. I am also encouraged by Senator Mac Conghail's remarks, which indicate a lack of knowledge of what we do here, the importance of this House, etc. In an effort to improve the status of the House, I remarked on a number of occasions in the House, but particularly on the first day back when we elected the Cathaoirleach, on a hobbyhorse of mine but something I would like to see happen sooner rather than later. I would ask the Leader to arrange for the First Minister and Deputy First Minister of Northern Ireland to be invited to this House separately as soon as possible. It would be a major step forward. It would cement the peace process, apart from adding to the status of this House which would be a side issue. I formally request that the Leader would advance in so far as he can that very worthwhile call that First Minister, Mr. Robinson, and Deputy First Minister, Mr. McGuinness, come to this Chamber. We could have a debate on progress in Northern Ireland. Nerves were frayed recently when we heard of certain incidents in Belfast but we in this House have a major opportunity to grasp something that the previous Seanad failed to do. I formally request that the Leader arranges a debate on Northern Ireland but, at the same time, also invites the First Minister. I am sure it can be done logistically. I sincerely ask the Leader that this be done, if possible-----

Paddy Burke (Fine Gael)
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That is a matter for the Committee on Procedure and Privileges.

Denis O'Donovan (Fianna Fail)
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The Leader might indicate his views on it. Obviously, I will be guided by the rules and regulations. If that could be achieved in the foreseeable future, it would add considerable status to this House.

John Gilroy (Labour)
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I add my voice of congratulations to Senator Cullinane on the arrival of baby Finn. I suppose if he is to be called Finn as his first name, perhaps Senator Cullinane could call him Séin as his second name.

I want to ask the Leader whether there is any progress on the proposal to the CPP to invite members of civic society to address the House. I seek the Leader's opinion on the welcome news that some of the chiefs of semi-State companies are voluntarily forgoing their bonuses and ask that we invite those who do not forgo their bonuses to explain to the Seanad why they should retain them.

Brian Ó Domhnaill (Fianna Fail)
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I welcome the announcement that the national internship programme is to be formally launched today. It is a programme that will provide opportunities for 5,000 young graduates who are currently unemployed. When the national internship programme was announced in the budget by the previous Government last December, the payment to be made available at the time per graduate was €100 above the social welfare payment. I am disappointed the figure is being reduced by the new Government to €50 above the social welfare payment. This is a retrograde step, one which may make the scheme less attractive for graduates who may wish to take part in it.

I am conscious that the Leader has signalled there will be a debate on the fishing industry on 20 July. The issue of the mackerel quota has been emerging during the past 48 hours from the European Union with regard to boats which fish out of ports in Ireland. There is an ongoing issue with regard to Ireland seeking additional quota with the co-operation of the Icelandic Government and the Faroe Islands. It seems we have reached a stalemate. It has never been more important to raise the issue at national level in order that it can be raised in the European Union. There is an obvious obligation on the Commissioner for Maritime Affairs and Fisheries to deal with the issue, but I am unsure whether she is dealing with it comprehensively. I seek an emergency debate because this is a national emergency, given the importance of the fishing industry to coastal communities, especially along the west coast. We should hold an emergency debate on the issue of mackerel quotas, their importance to the country and the efforts the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food should make on our behalf in the European Union. If that means the Minister meeting the European Commissioner, so be it. Perhaps the Leader might update the House today on the steps which have been taken by the Committee on Procedure and Privileges to invite Commissioners to the House. It is appropriate to invite the Commission for Maritime Affairs and Fisheries to the House.

Paddy Burke (Fine Gael)
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Before I call Senator Paschal Mooney, I welcome to the Visitors Gallery a former Minister, Michael J. Noonan.

Paschal Mooney (Fianna Fail)
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I join the Cathaoirleach in welcoming our former colleague.

With regard to Senator Mac Conghail's comments, as someone who attended "Translations" last night, we may be confident following the reception the play received that he will have a full run to the beginning of August. I wish him well.

I ask the Leader to convey the congratulations of the House to RTE for its sweep of radio awards at the prestigious international radio awards ceremony in New York. Not only did those involved win the title of best overall radio programme in the world or best overall radio station in the world, but several individual programmes were successful also. Sadly, none of mine was involved; it was thought they were not good enough to be submitted. I suggest the Leader convey the congratulations of the House to the RTE head of radio, Clare Duignan, because this is more good news. RTE is the State broadcaster and public service broadcasting is under threat internationally. This is a perfect example of the reasons it should be retained, no more than in the case of the Seanad.

I share Senator Mark Daly's enthusiasm for the appointment of a Senator to represent the Diaspora and I have no difficulty with his suggestion. As a former emigrant, since coming to the House I have made it a point of principle to raise on each and every occasion matters relating to the diaspora. Wearing my other hat as a broadcaster, I have continued to broadcast programmes for and about the diaspora with which I maintain strong links, especially in Britain.

I was struck, as I am sure were other Members, by the reaction in certain quarters to the announcement made by Niall O'Dowd, that fine Irish patriot who has done so much to further the cause of Ireland in America, not least in respect of the peace process. There has been admittedly a somewhat muted negative reaction to the fact that he has been out of the country for 30 years. I found this not only astonishing but also offensive because we owe our emigrants so much. They have done so much for the country. We are delighted to welcome President Obama and go to extraordinary lengths to establish his genealogy in Ireland. I am no apologist for Mr. O'Dowd in what he is attempting to do, as that is his own affair; I simply emphasise the point that we should embrace the success stories of the Diaspora.

Senators:

Hear, hear.

Paschal Mooney (Fianna Fail)
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I do not believe there is a problem because he has lived outside the country for 30 years. Where are we going? This man has kept in regular touch with the country. He is a leader in his field. He has done so much to the direct the focus of corporate America which has resulted in the creation of jobs in this country. It is time some of those sending barbs in his direction, especially people involved in the media, copped on. In that context, I call on the Leader to allocate time for a debate on the Diaspora. Let us get out in the open exactly how the House believes we should harness the Niall O'Dowds of this world. There has been so much positivity. Brian Cowen set up the emigrants task force in 2002 which resulted in several million euro of taxpayers money going to good causes in all the places to which Senator Mark Daly referred. A global network was created as a result of the event at Farmleigh, an initiative that came initially from Mr. David McWilliams

Paddy Burke (Fine Gael)
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Questions to the Leader, please.

Paschal Mooney (Fianna Fail)
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All of these activities are ongoing to help to improve the position and create jobs in this country. Perhaps the best representative of all in this regard is President McAleese. If ever anyone sought a representative for the Diaspora, she is the person who has been showing the way. Perhaps the Leader might consider asking the relevant Minister to consider that those interested among the Diaspora be given the right to vote in Presidential elections as Irish citizens. I call on the Leader to allocate Government time for a debate, if not before the recess, in the immediate aftermath, on the Diaspora and the many positive things that those of us in this country, including this and previous Governments, have done and continue to do and, more importantly, how we can harness the enormous goodwill internationally towards Ireland, especially with a view to creating jobs at home.

Maurice Cummins (Fine Gael)
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I join other Senators in congratulating Senator David Cullinane and his wife on the birth of their new baby.

I agree that rushed legislation is bad legislation. I had ordered it such that we would take Committee and Report Stages of the Ministers and Secretaries (Amendment) Bill 2011 on separate days, but I received instructions that the Bill had to be dealt with today.

Jim Walsh (Fianna Fail)
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Why?

Maurice Cummins (Fine Gael)
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I have allocated more time than originally planned after Private Members' time to deal with the amendments tabled. I believe sufficient time has been given to discuss the Bill properly.

Darragh O'Brien (Fianna Fail)
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On a point of order, is the Leader aware that the Government has listed 13 amendments from the Seanad to be passed in the Dáil tomorrow? Not only is it instructing that the Bill be rushed through the House but the Government has also brought forward the 13 amendments that will be passed by this House even before they have been voted on. That is outrageous. It is not right.

Feargal Quinn (Independent)
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On a point of order, I am concerned that the Leader has stated he has received instructions. I understood this was a House of the Oireachtas.

Paddy Burke (Fine Gael)
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That is not a point of order.

Feargal Quinn (Independent)
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We cannot take instructions.

Paddy Burke (Fine Gael)
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I call the Leader of the House.

Maurice Cummins (Fine Gael)
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I appreciate the concerns of Members.

Jim Walsh (Fianna Fail)
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On a point of order, will the Leader indicate who sets the business of this House? Is it the House or some external Department or Minister who sets it?

Maurice Cummins (Fine Gael)
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The House sets its business based on what is received from the Government. The Social Welfare and Pensions Bill was before the House yesterday and I believe we had sufficient time to deal with all of the problems highlighted, despite the protestations yesterday morning. Only four amendments by Sinn Féin were tabled. There was sufficient time to deal with the Bill and I suggest there will be sufficient time to deal with the Bill to be taken today. I am not satisfied with the practice of dealing with Bills in their entirety in one day. However, it is possible in the coming weeks that further emergency legislation will be taken in this and the Lower House and that the same arrangements will apply in both Chambers. I am not at liberty to name the legislation other than to indicate there will be an urgency which may necessitate it being taken in one day. When the agenda for next week is circulated, it may not include any business for next Friday, but Members can take it that the House will sit on that day to deal with legislation.

Jim Walsh (Fianna Fail)
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That is an argument for extending the time available to debate the Bill.

Paddy Burke (Fine Gael)
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The Leader to continue, without interruption.

Maurice Cummins (Fine Gael)
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Senators Ivana Bacik and Martin Conway, among others, asked about job creation and the internship scheme, with concerns being expressed about the three-month requirement. I will raise the matter with the Minister for Social Protection, Deputy Joan Burton. The Minister had intended to come to the House for statements on the internship scheme but is unable to do so. However, she has given a firm commitment to facilitate a debate in September during which she will present a progress report on how the scheme has been operating in the intervening months. It will be useful to have that discussion when the scheme is up and running.

Senator Fiach Mac Conghail asked about the establishment of the Committee on Procedure and Privileges. The motion was passed last week and the committee will meet next Tuesday. We hope to discuss and implement many aspects of the motion at that meeting. I support the call to have a distinguished person address the Chamber before the end of the session. It is the wish of every Member to improve the status of the House and I will do everything possible to meet that end and comply with Members' wishes in that regard. Progress will be made, but it must await next week's meeting of the Committee on Procedure and Privileges when we will have an opportunity to consider the proposals made by Members on all sides of the House for an opening up of the Seanad, including by way of accommodating addresses by distinguished persons.

Senator Rónán Mullen asked about party and group leaders' meetings. Such meetings will commence next week. The various leaders have received e-mails indicating that they will take place every Tuesday at 2.10 p.m.

Senator Marc MacSharry spoke about the prerogative of Members making comments in the House. Any Member may raise any matter with the permission of the Cathaoirleach. Fortunately, the Leader is also allowed to have opinions on matters.

Senator Jim Walsh has asked about an issue he has raised on several occasions, namely, professional fees, including legal fees. I understand the Minister intends to address this issue and I will endeavour to facilitate a debate.

Senator Mark Daly referred to the NAMA Bill he is proposing. His party is scheduled to have Private Members' time in the coming weeks which will afford him ample time to bring forward that proposal.

Several Members referred to a role for the Seanad in representing the Diaspora, with particular reference to the Taoiseach's nominees. Several Taoisigh had ample opportunity to appoint Members from the Diaspora but failed to do so. I agree in principle with the suggestion, but there are many in this Seanad well qualified to represent the Diaspora.

Senator Feargal Quinn spoke about the important matter of the leaving certificate applied examination, while Senator Fidelma Healy Eames called for a debate on education. We will endeavour to have that debate, which is overdue, in the next term.

On the issue of chief executive officers of semi-State bodies, we have had leadership from some of the people concerned and I hope it will trickle down among all the others. If ever leadership was needed, it is now.

Senator David Cullinane referred to something close to my own heart. The Tall Ships festival in Waterford, Ireland's oldest city, will be opened on Thursday by the Taoiseach and continue until Sunday. It is hoped the festival will attract at least 500,000 visitors to Waterford and the south east. All we need is good weather.

On reform of the JLC system, we have had two debates in recent weeks on the jobs initiative and competitiveness. I proposed that Members raise their concerns about the JLC system with the Minister of State at the Department of Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation, Deputy John Perry, in the course of these debates, which several did. Nevertheless, I will try to accommodate a debate on the specific issue raised.

Senator Paul Coghlan referred to the paucity of public interest directors in financial institutions. I understand a newspaper advertisement was published two months ago inviting applications from members of the public for directorships of the banks and that there were several hundred responses. It is my understanding it is the intention of the Government to appoint more public interest directors to the banks in the coming months.

Senators Denis O'Donovan and John Gilroy suggested the Northern Ireland First Minister be invited to the Chamber. That issue is on the agenda for debate at next week's meeting of the Committee on Procedure and Privileges and I have already discussed it with several Members.

David Cullinane (Sinn Fein)
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Both the First Minister and the Deputy First Minister should be invited; it is a joint office.

Maurice Cummins (Fine Gael)
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Yes. Some are suggesting the First Minister and the Deputy First Minister should come together, while others are proposing they be invited separately. That can be teased out at the meeting.

Senator Brian Ó Domhnaill spoke about the fishing industry and expressed concern about mackerel quotas, in particular. The Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, Deputy Simon Coveney, has committed to come into the House in the coming weeks to deal with matters to do with agriculture and fisheries.

In response to Senator Paschal Mooney, we congratulated RTE last week on the awards it had received.

Diarmuid Wilson (Fianna Fail)
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In accordance with Standing Order 62, I wish to call for a vote by manual means.

Paddy Burke (Fine Gael)
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As Senator Wilson has been a teller in the previous vote by electronic means, the division will now be taken.

Fiach MacConghail (Independent)
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On a point of clarification, I formally abstained from the previous vote by electronic means. Is there a means of accounting for an active abstention, if there is such a thing, because the vote will not record that I was not in the Chamber during that vote?

Terry Leyden (Fianna Fail)
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More of a stage appearance.