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

The Order of Business is No. 1, Houses of the Oireachtas Commission (Amendment) Bill 2012 - Order for Second Stage and Second Stage, to be taken on the conclusion of the Order of Business and to conclude not later than 1.45 p.m., with the contributions of group spokespersons not to exceed ten minutes and those of all other Senators not to exceed six minutes and the Minister to be called on to reply to the debate not later than 1.35 p.m.; No. 2, Health Service Executive (Governance) Bill 2012 - Committee Stage, to be taken at 2.30 p.m. and to be adjourned not later than 5 p.m., if not previously concluded; and No. 18, Private Members' business, motion No. 9, to be taken on the conclusion of No. 2. and the time allocated to this debate shall not exceed two hours. There will be a sos between 1.45 p.m. and 2.30 p.m.

Marc MacSharry (Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

I appreciate the Ministers with responsibility for health will be in the House for much of the day, between the Committee Stage debate on the Health Service Executive (Governance) Bill and the Private Members' motion this evening. However, in light of events yesterday it is of vital importance that in the first instance, the Minister for Health, Deputy Reilly, be here himself and at the very least, he uses this opportunity to provide clarity in respect of the situation that unfolded at yesterday's meeting of the Committee of Public Accounts. In my opinion and that of my colleagues, the manner in which two people, whose cumulative salaries are close to ¤400,000 per annum, tried to manipulate a process in advance of a Committee of Public Accounts hearing to give information they chose to give but not information that was sought was an affront to the Oireachtas, the political system and ultimately the people of Ireland. During their opening statement, their demeanour and attitude was such as to give the impression that they run the health service and would let the committee members know what the witnesses wanted them to know, when they wanted the members to know it. This behaviour is unacceptable and in the interests of the integrity of this House and the Oireachtas, it is imperative that the Leader uses his good offices to prevail upon the Minister to make a statement on this matter to prevail upon the two individuals concerned, who between them earn nearly ¤500,000 per year, to apologise to the people of Ireland for the flippant and disrespectful manner in which they addressed the most important and historic committee of the Houses of the Oireachtas yesterday.

Members have learned that as of the end of August, the overrun in respect of the Health Service Executive, HSE, was ¤329 million. One month later, it was ¤45 million more. Last April, it was advised in these Houses, in media interests and by the former chief executive officer of the HSE, Cathal Magee, that unchecked, this would head for ¤500 million. How right he was, as we are on course for an overrun of ¤500 million. Nothing has been seen in respect of the so-called collection of moneys from the insurance companies. Similarly, no cumulative savings in spending on drugs will have been achieved by the end of the year. No thanks to the Committee of Public Accounts or the two people in receipt of ¤500,000 per year, one learned yesterday from RTE, the national broadcaster, and not those who supposedly run the health service, that Tallaght Hospital is to get an overdraft of ¤12 million. One did not hear this information from the aforementioned individuals at the Committee of Public Accounts meeting yesterday and neither did they reveal that this overdraft facility was secured with a letter of comfort from the HSE. What about Sligo Regional Hospital, which has an overrun? What about Beaumont or the many other hospitals that have substantial overruns? Who will finance them? The deficit is growing at ¤45 million per month. The Minister is in absolute denial and continues with his headless chicken approach to the management of the finances of the HSE.

We were told some months ago that the new dream team in health would have it all under control but their opening shot to the arms of democracy was that they would tell us what was going on and how things would be done when it suited them. These same people were not able to tell us where the savings would be made and that there would be no cuts to front-line services.

On another issue, we are still waiting to find out how the primary care centres were chosen. One thing Mr. O'Brien told us yesterday was that to the best of his knowledge, as chief executive officer designate, nobody in the HSE had anything to do with selecting those centres. Will the Leader agree that, as the Tánaiste rightly said, we need absolute clarity and statements on this situation? I hope he will prevail on the Minister to ensure that he will use the opportunity today to make the situation on these very important issues very clear.

We will not table an amendment to the Order of Business on the basis that there will be opportunities throughout the day to clarify these issues. However, if there is not, we will highlight them every day because the farce that has become the management of our health service must come to an end.

Ivana Bacik (Independent)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

Listening to Senator Mac Sharry, I was struck that he might have kept his powder dry for a little later in the day given that the Minister for Health will be in the House from about lunchtime onwards. The Senator might have saved his points for the Minister.

Marc MacSharry (Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

I might have new ones.

Ivana Bacik (Independent)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

I am sure the Senator will have.

I welcome the really good news from the Kerry Group yesterday and I join with others in congratulating the group on the announcement of 900 jobs in the immediate future. It is a reminder of the strength of the agrifood sector and it is a really good boost for public morale as well as for the economy.

I join with colleagues who called for a debate on the report of the Ombudsman for Children. We said previously that after the children's referendum on 10 November, we might ask the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs to come to the House for a general debate on children's rights. It might be worth looking at the report of the Ombudsman for Children then but before that, the Minister for Education and Skills will come to the House. Many of us have called for various issues to be addressed during the debate with him and I note that 47% of the complaints to the Ombudsman for Children, Emily Logan, in 2011 concerned education. Some of the issues she raised in her report will be of relevance in the debate with the Minister for Education and Skills and we might be able to cover them then.

I ask the Leader again if we might have a debate on community policing and street crime, something about which we have spoken previously. I condemn the shooting yesterday of the 16 year old boy in Crumlin. It was shocking and again highlights the problem of street crime. I spoke yesterday about the purple flag initiative and the huge improvements in safety on the streets brought about as a result of co-operation between community police and local businesses in cities and towns in Britain and Northern Ireland. It is an initiative we might look at introducing here to avoid these sorts of horrific incidents.

There is some danger to Bewleys and its signage on Westmoreland Street. Starbucks is apparently seeking to have the old mosaics removed. That is regrettable and I hope Dublin City Council will not allow it. It is a very important part of the heritage of the city and it is very nice to still see the stained glass, the signage and the mosaics from the Bewleys café on Westmoreland Street and it would be a shame to see it removed.

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

The House may generally share this view. I strongly congratulate the national broadcaster, RTE, on a most remarkable and uplifting programme last night. I refer to the interview with the former President, Mary McAleese. This was a prophetic voice and it struck a visionary note, a note of optimism, hope, decency and deep understanding. When I learned that my former colleague and friend was going to Rome to study canon law, I worried that she might get caught up in the academic nature of that and it might become an obfuscation. However, she showed that she intended to use it to explore the meaning of Vatican II and the spirt of that great Pope, John XXII.

A Senator:

John XXIII.

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

John XXIII. I think we all know the wonderful man who started the Vatican Council. That is the person I am speaking of.

Mary McAleese had a very difficult background. She was reared in Ardoyne, which was a mixed area but largely Protestant, and some of her neighbours joined the UVF. Her capacity to understand the forces that led to that reminded me of the Dali Lama when he told me in Dharamsala that he was praying for the souls of the Chinese because of the damage they were doing to themselves. It was wonderful and uplifting. This is the hope for Ireland and the church - a critical but loving voice understanding the fallibility of all human institutions, including the church. I felt that long before she came to that brief but wonderful endorsement of gay rights which, as President, she was unable to give except in a most discreet way. She gave such an endorsement in that programme. I refer to her capacity as a statesperson when she was upbraided quite improperly by an American cardinal in New York. She dealt with that with forceful dignity but without allowing it to explode into a major diplomatic incident. She did not reveal it until now. None of us new about it; I certainly did not but I was proud of the way she dealt with it.

I am proud of the progress from South America of our great President, Michael D. Higgins. I thrilled when I heard him evoke the spirit of Pablo Neruda and President Allende-----

Paddy Burke (Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

Senator Norris, we are not discussing the presidency today.

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

Yes, but I would like to tie it in, if I may, with the need for a visionary prophetic approach-----

Paddy Burke (Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

Have you a question for the Leader?

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

I am glad we have such people in this land. Bringing it back to the economy-----

Paddy Burke (Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

Have you a question for the Leader?

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

Yes. Can we have a debate which will include matters such as those raised by the President of Brazil when addressing President Higgins and sending a message back to the Irish people to say that it was dangerous to engage in nothing but austerity measures, nothing but tax cuts and nothing but humiliating the people and driving them out of work? I very much welcome the concern Her Excellency, the President of Brazil, showed in talking to our President about the fate of young people who are being driven into unemployment, the danger of a lack of social cohesion if this process is allowed to continue unabated and her commitment to deal with the European Union as a whole and not just with the economies of the stronger members. That is a sense of community I appreciate and which former President, Mary McAleese, represented in her wonderful life-enhancing address on television last night.

Michael Mullins (Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

As this is world mental health day, I take the opportunity to urge public awareness of mental health issues and ask the Leader to arrange at a future date a discussion on mental health issues. I commend the HSE, in particular people from HSE west, with whom I spent a few hours on Saturday distributing leaflets highlighting mental health issues and trying to negative the stigma associated with mental health which is obviously based on fear and misunderstanding. It is important the House devotes some time to discussing mental health and mental health funding, to highlighting the fact there is help for people and that they should not feel isolated and alone or that there is nobody to whom to talk or to turn. We need to publicise the fact there is help out there and make people aware that the HSE in every town and community is there to assist people. World mental health day provides us with an opportunity to fly the flag for mental health and make people aware it is an ordinary illness and that there is treatment, help and very significant support for them.

In other parts of the world that is not the case. Some 350 million people worldwide suffer the effects of depression. In some countries fewer than 10% of those who need treatment have the opportunity to avail of it. That is in stark contrast with Ireland which this year allocated an additional ¤35 million towards mental health and mental health treatment. I urge colleagues to spread the word in their communities that help is available for people suffering from depression and that they should not feel alone.

Martin Conway (Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

Well said.

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

From 1 October 2012 the Private Security Authority demands a fee of up to ¤2,250 for a licensee to install CCTV cameras in private houses. Anybody who breaks the law, including householders, will incur a fine ¤3,000 and be committed to imprisonment for 13 months. Heretofore this service was readily provided by local electricians or technical people. When the Government came into office it said it would cut out red tape, bureaucracy and make it easier for small businesses to operate. Certainly the Private Security Authority is making life very difficult for small electrical firms. On a large turnover there is a large fee. This is a surcharge on small businesses. It is very difficult to run a small business in Ireland. The Government said it would reduce the number of quangos and organisations-----

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

Set up by the previous Government.

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

Indeed, and should not have set up many of those organisations.

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

Hindsight is a great thing.

Paddy Burke (Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

Senator Leyden to continue, without interruption.

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

The Government assumed office on a promise and won the election under false pretences on many issues, including transparency in Government. Please do not raise the health centres because there is more to come out on that issue.

Paddy Burke (Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

We are discussing health later. Has the Senator a question for the Leader? Senators are exciting me.

Ivana Bacik (Independent)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

The Senator is easily excited.

Paddy Burke (Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

Does Senator Leyden have a question for the Leader?

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

Yes. I ask the Leader to examine this point to ensure there is a reduction in charges. The licensing issue is fine but a person should not be charged ¤2,250 for a licence every two years to install small CCTV cameras in a private houses or businesses throughout the country. I had no expectation of the Government but the public had high expectations of the Government.

Paddy Burke (Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

We cannot discuss that matter today.

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

It will go down in flames the same as the previous Coalition Government.

John Whelan (Labour)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

I call on the Leader, as a matter of urgency, to inform the Minister for Finance and the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government, of a matter of grave concern, namely, a fire hazard which could have serious ramifications in the town of Portarlington. It concerns the former Avon Arlington factory which is disused, closed and derelict since 1998 but apparently is now under the responsibility and ownership of the National Asset Management Agency. However, it has given the local community the run-around, saying it is not its responsibility to secure it and make it safe and has abandoned the property. It is an eyesore on the edge of the town and within hundreds of metres of the mainline train station which serves the south and west. It is a tinderbox of 12,000 sq. m with hundreds of barrels of chemicals on site, unsecured and open to the elements. The ground is contaminated and possibly the watercourses in the area. I have raised the issue with the senior officials in Laois County Council who say they cannot get a straight answer from NAMA in respect of responsibility for the site. I am genuinely concerned about it. I do not want to have to return to the issue and say "I told you so". The Portarlington community and the development association are getting the run-around from NAMA. It is vital that whichever Minister is responsible instructs NAMA to take responsibility for it if the site is in its ownership. The Environmental Protection Agency must intervene as a matter of urgency because the site is being vandalised and used for anti-social behaviour. If one incident occurs at the site the entire town would have to be evacuated. It is a disaster waiting to happen. It is not fair to the people of the town that this derelict site on the edge of a town, with a population of 8,000, is allowed go unsecured. Responsibility for it is way beyond the scope of the local authority. If NAMA has taken ownership and control of the site, it cannot be allowed to wash its hands of it.

Trevor Ó Clochartaigh (Sinn Fein)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

I note that yesterday in response to the article I mentioned in the Irish Examiner about austerity not working that Senator John Gilroy cast aspersions on the article and said I should not believe everying I read in the newspapers, that it probably was not true and that I had not read the report. I have read the report, which contains 266 pages, and direct him to page 41 which has a special three-page report which was covered in the Irish Examiner and in Financial Times yesterday. The article states that the IMF got its figures wrong and that austerity is not working. Perhaps Senator Gilroy is very busy, spending so much time publicising himself as a single parent that he has not had the time to read the entire report. He should focus on what is happening as he is obviously out of touch in respect of austerity and what is working and not working.

I note also that the Leader had a go at me yesterday - I do not have a problem with that - in regard to the Sinn Féin figures on a wealth tax. That is fair enough. I draw to his attention some of the figures prepared by the Government and some of the savings that were supposed to be made. The Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform, Deputy Brendan Howlin, planned to save ¤75 million expenditure on allowances and has come back with a measly saving of ¤3.5 million. We were told there would be a microfinance fund facility to avail of funding from the European Investment Fund but we have not seen much progress on that issue. The Department produced a medium-term fiscal statement in December in which it predicted a year on year growth of 1.6% for 2012. However, growth in the second quarter is at 0% and year on year the growth figures for the quarter are down by 1.1%. We were promised 100,000 extra jobs. We have not seen those but in the past 12 months 33,400 jobs have been lost to the economy. The unemployment rate is at 440,000, almost 15%. It is a bit rich of the Leader to cast aspersions on our figures when the Government gets its forecast totally wrong.

I call for a debate on a wealth tax because Sinn Féin has done much homework on such a tax. Based on the information made available to us, we estimate that up to ¤800 million could be made available from a wealth tax but the Department of Finance will not cost it and will not give us the figures. I challenge the Leader to invite in the Minister for Finance and put a costing on what the wealth tax proposed by Sinn Féin would bring in. If it is ¤400 million, ¤500 million, ¤800 million, let us see it. At least it would be more than is coming in at present and the right people would be taxed as opposed to those who cannot afford to pay. Instead of brushing me off as if I am a crank and that we are the party with the voodoo economics, the Government should look at its policies and economics and let us have a proper debate.

Pat O'Neill (Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

Will the Leader invite the Minister for Transport, Deputy Varadkar, to come to the House for a debate on his proposals in respect of the increase in penalty points. I welcome the fact that he will increase penalty points for the use of mobile telephones while driving. We have had too many deaths on the roads in the past month. We should have a debate on road safety and penalty points before legislation is brought to this or the other House in respect of increasing the number of penalty points. It would be a worthwhile exercise and we would get the views of all sides of the House. His officials would then be able to draw up proper legislation on the issue. I call for a debate on the penalty points system and transport in the near future.

Jim Walsh (Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

I ask the Leader to arrange a debate on good governance. It would be a useful exercise to reflect the views of various sides of the House on what constitutes good governance. Yesterday, we saw an example of appalling governance at the Committee of Public Accounts to which Senator MacSharry referred. How such people reach certain positions must raise questions about the selection and recruitment process in the public service. The delegation's dismissive attitude and failure to display any command of their responsibilities and brief was alarming and spoke for itself.

A good governance debate could also include the Construction Contracts Bill 2010 which has not been enacted. The Bill has knocked around for the past four years. It was inspired by the good work of our colleague, Senator Feargal Quinn, and addressed the issue of hard-pressed subcontractors, many of whom have gone to the wall in the interim with the loss of a high number of jobs. Our legislation and modus operandi favour banks as the preferred creditors but there is a need to examine that provision.

It is farcical that people from this State must go to our neighbouring island to be declared bankrupt in order that they can have some time and be able to earn a living and, hopefully, create jobs. Unfortunately, many of those entrepreneurs may not return here and their skills and potential to create jobs will be lost. It is appalling that the legislation has been delayed.

In many ways - and I have spoken about the subject before - its a reflection of the dysfunctional nature of the public service system. We have far too many people in the public service who simply mark time and do very little yet earn good salaries. Their primary objective is to get as much as they can for as little input as possible. I have criticised the system for the past seven years. There are excellent people in the public service without whom it would collapse but we need to root out the bad. The Minister for Public Service and Reform needs to change the public service, as a matter of urgency. The Minister identified in his budget speech savings of ¤150 million yet admitted almost a year later that the most savings he can achieve is ¤3.5 million. It shows that he is not up to the job or acting in the best interest of the country. I ask the Leader to examine the issues and to arrange a debate. The Government has the largest majority in the history of the State but that privileged position is being squandered. We are back to the 1980s when all the Government did was squabble among itself, mark time and double the national debt. We are in a disastrous situation and can ill-afford behaviour that will lead to a complete catastrophe for the people.

Michael Comiskey (Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

I join in welcoming the good news announced yesterday by the Kerry Group. It shows that the agrifood industry is up and running. It can solve our current economic problems and we should support the industry in every way.

I want to refer to the news that has broken over the past couple of days about the failure of sewage treatment systems, particularly in Longford, and the health risks posed to residents living in an estate. We should debate such estates which are in NAMA. I am aware of a number of them in the north west where people are living in houses but the sewage treatment facilities are inadequate and unfinished. I do not know how their solicitors who arranged their mortgages signed such contracts.

Trevor Ó Clochartaigh (Sinn Fein)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

Hear, hear.

Michael Comiskey (Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

The sewerage systems were unfinished. In many cases tankers draw sewage away from these estates. Who is responsible? The issue must be sorted out as a matter of urgency.

Aideen Hayden (Labour)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

I am surprised at Senator Walsh's comments about the Minister for Public Service and Reform. His comments are typical of the obfuscation by the Fianna Fáil Party, in particular, given that an awful lot of the increments to which he referred were introduced under its stewardship. They were simply ways of hiding payments under the counter instead of calling them salaries which is what they deserved to be called. Many of the people to whom the Senator referred are poorly paid. He should start calling a spade a spade. We should start calling these payments core salary rather than increments which they are not.

With regard to the matters that arose over the past few months, I ask the Leader to give us an assurance that the Minister for Social Protection will come to the House. We have all read various notices in the newspapers on what may be in the next budget. It is important that we arrange a broad-ranging discussion on where we want social protection to go and debate it in an unexcited and unheated fashion.

I have noticed that Second Stage of the Welfare Reform Bill has gone before the Stormont Parliament. It is heading in the same direction that social welfare changes did in England and Wales which meant a rowing back on benefits. I am particularly concerned about the significant rowing back on benefits for young people in the UK. The move has been followed here by successive Governments. There is a suggestion that older people, people with disabilities and other sections of society cannot afford to take cuts but that young people can take numerous cuts. We need to discuss the issue in an open and frank fashion rather than pinpointing one section of society. It is as if a young person's interest in housing, social protection and the economy is not as important as that of other people. Aside from asking the Leader to invite the Minister for Social Protection to come to the House, I would also like him to arrange a special debate on youth affairs issues such as mental health, access to social protection, access to housing and employment activation measures.

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

Well done, Senator.

Diarmuid Wilson (Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

Like other colleagues, I welcome yesterday's announcement by the Kerry Group that it will locate an international centre of excellence in Naas. Over 900 people will be employed on a permanent basis and 400 people will be employed on a temporary basis while the centre is being constructed. This morning some commentary suggested that there was political interference in achieving the project. I hope there was.

Michael Mullins (Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

I hope there was.

Diarmuid Wilson (Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

I welcome the move and I hope there will be more. If there was political interference on a weekly basis then we would have 52,000 jobs created per year. For the remaining year or more of the life of the Government we could expect to see 52,000 high-quality jobs being provided.

I ask the Leader to clarify when the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government will announce his proposals for local government reform. Every Monday morning we wake up to hear that it will be this week or next week. I am aware that he was prepared to announce it last July. Only for the intervention of our colleagues in the Labour Party who stopped him, we would already know his plans. I hope the Labour Party got its way with the local government reform proposals that the Minister will bring before us. All I want to know is when he will do it because hundreds of councillors do not know what their future holds. I ask for clarification on the matter.

I welcome the fact that the Leader has invited a number of Ministers to come here before the budget. When will he invite the Minister for Education and Skills? I have a number of questions for him, particularly on adult education and guidance counselling services.

Martin Conway (Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

I acknowledge that today is World Mental Health Day. It is a major issue here, particularly among young people. I concur with other Senators in their call to make resources available to deal with the issue. Other Senators have spoken about road deaths, penalty points and so forth. It is an issue but I acknowledge the effort that has been made by the past number of Governments to reduce the number of road deaths. There has been a dramatic reduction in the number of road deaths in recent years. We need to adopt the same approach to suicide. First, we need a dedicated, focused all-party effort to increase the awareness level of suicide and mental health issues. Second, we need to ensure that people realise that help exists and that there are people they can talk to.

I salute the many organisations throughout the country making valiant efforts to raise awareness of suicide and mental health issues, particularly among young people. The Seanad has a role to play in creating future policy and initiatives that will help reduce suicide rates. The Seanad has held very successful public consultations and there is scope to do something in the area of mental health. I agree with the proposals made by my colleague, Senator Mullins, that we have a dedicated session on mental health in the near future and perhaps out of this we can chart what the Seanad can do practically to solve the problem.

Catherine Noone (Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

I was shocked to read that 98,200 penalty points have been issued to motorists using their mobile telephones at the wheel this year alone. This stark statistic shows that people very much use their mobile telephones while in command of a vehicle. An AA survey found that 50% of motorists admitted to making calls while driving and that 40% stated they have sent texts. While nobody professes to be perfect on all fronts, and there will be occasions when one must use one's telephone, these statistics are startling. I welcome the news that the Government has accepted the recommendations of the Oireachtas joint committee in this regard.

I join my colleagues in acknowledging World Mental Health Day. It is very important that we continue to raise in the House the serious issue of suicide and mental health. I concur with the suggestions of Senators Mullins and Conway. In difficult times such as those in which we live mental health issues come much more to the fore and those who have never suffered from depression or other mental illnesses do not realise they are just as bad as, if not worse than, many physical illnesses, although they do not appear to be to the world at large. Those living with depression find it difficult to function. My colleagues suggested we dedicate an afternoon to discussing the issue and coming up with real solutions as to how we can stamp out suicide and remove taboos and raise awareness of how difficult it is to function in today's world with mental illness.

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

Yesterday I welcomed the good news story for the agrifood sector which came from the Kerry Group. It is a tremendous success under the dynamic leadership of its CEO, Stan McCarthy. However, today is a sad day for Irish business with the announcement that a receiver has been appointed to Bill Cullen's Glencullen Holdings. He spent 55 years in the motor trade and was a tremendous contributor by way of good employment and charitable works. He has done a great deal of good for the motor industry, and in other spheres of Irish business life. There has been much criticism recently of Ulster Bank and I will refrain from getting involved. However, I am fearful in this instance, which is a bolt out of the blue, and I hope it has not acted hastily. I commend the work of John Trethowan in the Credit Review Office. I do not know anything about the Glencullen Holdings matter as it is something I learned about this morning. I sincerely hope for the good of the trade and all those employed in Swords, Liffey Valley and elsewhere that the receiver, with the help of the group, will be able to trade out of whatever difficulties exist. It is a sad day to see something like this happen to someone who has contributed so much and worked so hard over 55 years. I do not understand how it cannot be properly negotiated. I am flummoxed. I wish him and the group well. I also wish well everybody in business in these challenging times.

Michael D'Arcy (Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

There has been much discussion on the agricultural sector and yesterday's very good news story about the Kerry Group. Unfortunately, we have had too many bad news stories in the agricultural sector, mainly because of accidents on farms. We all saw the horrific tragedy which befell the Spence family in Northern Ireland a number of weeks ago. I saw a report on the news of another man who lost his life yesterday in Westmeath. He was found dead in a slurry pit. I have some experience of this, in that last winter I had an accident on my farm when 13 stock went down into the slatted tanks. We need a serious debate with the Minister on farm safety. The largest number of deaths seem to be caused by slatted tanks and gases emitted following agitation. It is a serious issue when one sees the number of people who have lost their lives because of this.

As I stated, I spent a period of time in my tanks trying to take stock out and I would not do it again. I do not consider myself to be any more or less knowledgeable than most farmers about the dangers, and there is a lack of knowledge, which I also had, about the extent of the danger. It is only following the tragedy in Northern Ireland that people realise it. Three gases are emitted and one lungful of the wrong gas will kill a person. Unfortunately, this message is not out there in the agricultural community. I now know I was lucky. I spent six hours trying to take stock out of a tank underneath the ground, and one lungful of the wrong gas would have meant I would not be here today. It is as serious as this. There is an incredible lack of knowledge in the sector about this particular danger. I raise the issue because the slurry period will close at the end of the month and an enormous quantity of slurry will be agitated, taken out and applied to the land in the coming three weeks. We should hold this debate as soon as time can be made available because the information is not out there. If we hold such a debate and get coverage perhaps a life could be saved.

John Kelly (Labour)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

I compliment my party colleague, Senator Ivana Bacik, on her proposal yesterday for a new initiative of a purple flag area which would indicate a crime free zone in an urban area. It is a great idea and we should fully support it. I would like to take it a step further in an effort to outlaw crime in the country. It is time we had a debate in the House on the availability to serial criminals of free legal aid. The people of the country are absolutely outraged that serial criminals can commit assault after assault, robbery after robbery and even murder and still continue to receive free legal aid paid for by the Exchequer. This needs to be addressed. I know of many cases, including a recent case where a man received free legal aid on 16 occasions. The people I speak to suggest that one should be able to avail of free legal aid once in a lifetime. At the very minimum it should be a case of three strikes and one is out. It is a debate worthy of the House. Many of my colleagues who have a legal background will not agree with me-----

Ivana Bacik (Independent)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

True.

John Kelly (Labour)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

-----but certainly the people I deal with fully support the idea.

Mark Daly (Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

I call for a debate on the growing democratic deficit in the country. Previously I have spoken on the issue of Seanad reform.

We are all awaiting the final report of the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government on local government reform. Ireland has the lowest level of local representation of anywhere in Europe next to the United Kingdom. Yet we are talking about abolishing town councils, and merging city and county councils. Having served there himself, I am sure the Leader is unhappy about getting rid of Waterford City Council and moving it - as I understand it - to Dungarvan, which will only raise the cost rather than implement reform. It will also result in less public representation in a country that already has the lowest level in Europe.

I ask the Leader for a debate on the report of the local government efficiency review body published in July which made 104 recommendations, giving widespread scope for changes to local government. It is proposed to reform it now without the input of the elected Members of this House or of local government. This group was appointed by a previous Minister, yet these reforms are now being implemented without being analysed to ascertain if they are appropriate for local government in Ireland. When will the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government finally publish this reform proposal? How can he defend that we will continue to lie at the bottom of the European league table when it comes to local democracy?

Mary Moran (Labour)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

I add my support to World Mental Health Day. While I acknowledge the support and services available, much more could be done particularly in the area of young people committing suicide and self-harm among those aged under 25. I support the call for an afternoon to be set aside to discuss positive ways in which we can move forward. There have been some great debates on mental health in the Seanad in the past year. I acknowledge the support of the all-party mental health committee which made some excellent suicide awareness demonstrations and presentations in the past year.

While I am aware that the Minister for Health will be in the House this afternoon, I ask the Leader to ascertain when we can expect the second phase of the Walsh report, which was due to be published at the end of September. He might also ask the Minister for Health for an update on the publication of the report on the 35 women left out of the redress scheme for victims of Dr. Michael Neary.

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

Senator MacSharry spoke about the Committee of Public Accounts. What happened there is a matter for that committee.

Marc MacSharry (Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

It is a matter of public interest.

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

The Senator should let me finish and I will reply.

Marc MacSharry (Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

The Leader should not insult the people of this House with that rubbish.

Paddy Burke (Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

The Leader, without interruption.

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

The Senator should show me some courtesy - I listened to him.

Marc MacSharry (Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

The Leader should have the manners to answer the question.

Paddy Burke (Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

The Leader, without interruption.

Ivana Bacik (Independent)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

Let the Leader reply - "chillax".

Marc MacSharry (Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

"Chillax".

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

We will take the Committee Stage of the Health Service Executive (Governance) Bill. The matters the Senator is raising deal with health governance. If he is so interested in the matter, he would have tabled an amendment on Committee Stage - he can still do so on Report Stage if he wishes. I am only trying to point him in the right direction if he listened to me.

Senator Bacik spoke about children's rights and the report of the Ombudsman for Children. After the referendum on the constitutional amendment on children's rights, we can arrange to have a debate on the issue. Senators Bacik and Kelly called for a debate on community policing and street crime. I note Senator Kelly's views, which clearly differ from those of Senator Bacik, on habitual criminals and the issue of free legal aid.

Rónán Mullen (Independent)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

Could the Leader not arrange a debate between Senators Kelly and Bacik, and leave the Minister out?

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

I note Senator Norris's résumé of the television programme dealing with the former President, Ms McAleese, and his comments on the visit of President Higgins to South America.

Senators Mullins, Noone, Conway and Moran highlighted that today is World Mental Health Day. We have had several debates on this very important issue and I am sure we will arrange future debates on it. Especially on the day in question, I am glad that the issue has been raised by the Senators.

Senator Leyden spoke about the Private Security Authority and the surcharge on small business. It is unfortunate that matter was not raised during the two and a half hour debate with the Minister of State with responsibility for small business yesterday. However, the Minister, Deputy Bruton, will come to the House on 6 November for a pre-budget session when Senators can question him on jobs and related issues.

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

That is very positive.

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

Senator Whelan spoke about the former Avon Arlington factory in Portarlington. Laois County Council should deal with the matter under the derelict sites order. The Senator should take the matter up with NAMA, which has a special division dealing with these types of issues. Ultimately as it is a derelict site, Laois County Council should take action against the owner and if the owner is NAMA it should take action against it. I can assure Senator Ó Clochartaigh that the Government has already introduced a balanced budget and will continue to introduce balanced budgets in order to get us out of the present economic mire.

Senators O'Neill, Noone and Conway called for the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport to come to House to debate road safety and penalty points. I will try to arrange that with the Minister.

Senator Walsh spoke about good governance. We will be dealing with reform of the health service and good governance in that area after the Order of Business.

Senator Comiskey spoke about the sewerage problems in estates in Longford. The Minister of State with responsibility for housing will be coming to the House in early course and she may be the appropriate person to address those issues.

In response to Senator Hayden, the Minister for Social Protection will be in the House on Thursday next for two and a half hours as part of a series of pre-budget debates with various Ministers. People will have ample opportunity to raise the myriad of social welfare items that have been mentioned on the Order of Business. Perhaps in that debate we can deal with facts rather than the speculation of which we have heard plenty in recent weeks.

Senators Wilson and Daly spoke about local government reform. I understand the Minister will be making an announcement and all will be revealed on the issue next week.

On the issue of education, the Minister will come to the House again for pre-budget statements on 23 October during which I am sure Senators will have many questions on the education sphere.

I note Senator Paul Coghlan's comments on the demise of the Glencullen group which is certainly a blow to the motor trade. Senator Michael D'Arcy spoke about accidents on farms and getting safety information to farmers. It is a very important issue that I will raise with the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Marine. The Minister was here last week and even if he is not scheduled to be her in the next week or two, we will certainly arrange for that type of information to get to farmers - it is a very serious issue.

I already said that Senator Daly spoke about local government reform. He need have no worries about the status of Waterford city. If he read the terms of reference of the group that was charged with the issue of amalgamation, he would know that it specifically dealt the protection of city status for Waterford.

In addition to dealing with mental health, Senator Moran asked when the Walsh report would be published. I will try to ascertain that for her.