Maurice Cummins (Fine Gael)
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The Order of Business is No. 1, statements on the HSE national service plan, to be taken at 4.45, with contributions from group spokespersons not to exceed eight minutes, those of all other Senators not to exceed five minutes, and the Minister to be called on to reply to the debate no later than 6.40 p.m.

Darragh O'Brien (Fianna Fail)
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I welcome everyone back. It is good to see Senators back after the recess.

I wish to raise a few items with the Leader. In regard to the proposed new rules on deposits for residential mortgages, which have not been formally announced but have been discussed, and in respect of which Professor Honohan of the Central Bank seems set on sticking to a 20% minimum deposit requirement, Fianna Fáil has made submissions, as I imagine the Leader's party has, on the impact of the rule. We believe such a requirement would be using a sledgehammer to crack a nut and that we should be examining salary multiples and the affordability of mortgages. To take the example of a house in Dublin valued at €200,000, which would be below the market average in most parts of Dublin, this requirement means that the purchaser would require a deposit of €40,000, which would put people out of the market. It would be more reasonable for the deposit requirement to be 12%. People talk about the Central Bank being independent, and it is, but it should live in the real world. Are we going to condemn people to paying exorbitant private rents? The rental market throughout the country is extremely difficult. We have seen rents increase by 20%, 30% and 40%, and they are still increasing. If the Government proceeds with the introduction of a 20% minimum deposit requirement, home ownership will be put out of reach of the vast majority of young people. While we have discussed that issue here, I would like to hear a view from the Government - from the Minister for Finance, Deputy Noonan. There should be a further discussion on this in the Seanad before a decision is made on it.

I wish to raise a specific issue with the Leader which I intend to raise as a Commencement matter. I am aware the Minister for Health, Deputy Varadkar, will come to the House this afternoon. I wish to alert colleagues to a problem with breast prostheses for ladies who have had mastectomies. They have an entitlement to breast prostheses and surgical bras. In parts of Dublin, in particular in area 8, people have been waiting since September for breast prostheses and surgical bras. A total of 91 women in area 8 have not even got approval for same. The cost of a mastectomy prosthesis is €68.50. In Cork, the application period for a mastectomy prosthesis takes about two days and there are no waiting lists. Most of us understand that following such a severe procedure it is important for people who are entitled to treatment to get the service they need whether they have medical cards or not. When my party leader, Deputy Micheál Martin, was Minister for Health, he introduced an entitlement under a HSE scheme to breast prostheses, surgical bras and swimwear, but that is not the case at the moment, although it is important for the many women concerned. In most areas in Dublin people are waiting three to four months. According to the HSE, it does not having funding for the service in Dublin yet it has funding available in Cork. I cannot understand how that could be allowed to happen. It is another example of very poor management within the HSE. Surely it should be a standard process, but that is not the case. I will raise the matter on the Commencement debate but I ask the Leader to raise the matter with the Minister for Health. My colleagues will raise the matter with him later this afternoon.

Ivana Bacik (Independent)
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I also join Senator Darragh O'Brien in wishing everyone a happy new year and welcoming everyone back. In particular, I welcome the new schedule, the new timings for Seanad sittings and our new procedures, especially the matters on the Commencement, as they are now to be known rather than matters on the Adjournment. I was delighted to have the opportunity to raise one of those matters earlier. We will see a more efficient and more effective Seanad as a result.
I am sure others, like me, will want to express outrage at the heinous killings in Paris by extremists of people at the Charlie Hebdooffices, and related killings in the Jewish supermarket and elsewhere. I know everyone would wish to offer sympathy to the families of those killed and injured in those awful attacks. Those awful events remind us of how precious our freedoms are in a democracy and the need to ensure protection for such freedoms, such as freedom of speech. In the Seanad we already debated before Christmas the criminal justice Bill which will introduce new offences designed specifically to target those who return from having fought abroad in Syria and other such places and who may be attracted to extremism and related issues. The Bill is going through the Dáil as well. I wonder if we could have a debate in the Seanad about freedom of expression because that is the other issue, apart from security and criminal justice matters, in particular about the way we legislate on that. Many people have pointed to problems with the offence of blasphemy. I was hugely critical of the offence as it passed through this House and the Dáil in 2009 as part of the Defamation Act. We could look at amending the legislation to ensure that it does not operate as an unjustifiable constraint on free speech in a democracy. I ask that we might have a debate on blasphemy.

Darragh O'Brien (Fianna Fail)
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None of our newspapers will probably print anything anyhow.

Ivana Bacik (Independent)
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I also welcome the extensive legislative programme for the spring and summer session until the end of July. I note there are 41 Bills on the A list. I very much welcome publication of the Climate Action and Low Carbon Development Bill and the fact that the Gender Recognition Bill will commence in this House tomorrow. Some very important legislation is on the agenda. Could the Leader make efforts to ensure that the Employment Equality (Amendment)(No. 2) Bill, which will amend section 37 of the Employment Equality Act and ensure greater equality for LGBT employees in particular in the areas of health and education, could resume Committee Stage and pass through Report Stage in the Seanad before the end of February in order that it might be passed into law by Easter? I am conscious, as we all are, of the marriage equality referendum, which is to be held in May of this year. I welcome the extensive support evident in opinion polls for such a measure, but it is clear that there cannot be any complacency around it. We need to lay the legislative groundwork for that, not only with the Employment Equality (Amendment)(No. 2) Bill but also with the child and family relationships Bill. I ask the Leader to ensure that we have time put aside for Committee and Report Stages of the Employment Equality (Amendment) (No. 2) Bill.

Katherine Zappone (Independent)
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I wish a happy 2015 to all Members.

I predict that this could be an extraordinary year for Ireland, and not just because we will be casting our eyes towards the horizon of the iconic year of 2016. As the scientists and guru meditation experts remind us, the best way to live - the way that provides the most happiness and creativity - is to stay in the now. There will be so much extraordinary opportunity for the Irish in 2015, and it has already started. For example, 2015 could be the year in which we revolutionise the way we do politics in this country. We have heard about the possibility of new political parties, new political movements and a re-imagining of traditional political parties. There is a lot of political fluidity, which is great for innovation. What is dangerous in some of this debate, though, is the suggestion that political movements or parties do not have to be rooted in social and economic ideologies of the right or left. I say yes, they do. What really needs to happen in 2015, as we head towards a general election, is that political parties and movements re-imagine what left and right mean and be clear to the public where they stand. Some of this clarity and re-imagining should be embedded in the key economic and social debates that are raging right now.

I ask the Leader to arrange for a debate with the Minister for Finance on the issue of quantitative easing. As Members are aware, the ECB is supposed to be laying out its plan this Thursday. There are two central questions in this debate, one of which is what form Europe's quantitative easing will take. Will the ECB print money to buy bonds in Europe's banks, insurance companies and pension funds? Or will it be the case that each country's central bank is the primary source of the money? From today's newspaper reports, it looks as though it might be the latter. I agree with the Minister for Finance that this will not help us much. Second, whatever form quantitative easing takes, will the average taxpayer feel its benefits? Some economists argue that if the ECB buys assets only rich people will gain, because poor people do not own assets. There are ways to implement quantitative easing so that lower-income folks benefit more directly. This is why a debate on such a key issue would be timely and welcome. It would also help us to begin to re-imagine what it means to be on the left or the right in 2015.

David Norris (Independent)
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Over the past few years we have been witness to an extraordinary transfer of wealth from the poor to the rich. This is a moral issue, but it also has practical consequences for even the most market-oriented economy. It was astonishing that, as Oxfam has pointed out in the run-up to the Davos conference, the richest 1% of the planet's population controls more than the remaining 99%. That is an extraordinary distortion. The 85 richest people in the world have more wealth than the poorest 50%. That is 3.5 billion people on the one hand and 85 on the other. I do not think that kind of distortion is sustainable in the long term. I hope that the Irish representatives at Davos will bring this to the attention of that international audience.
Some of my colleagues have mentioned the situation in Paris, including the attack on the offices of Charlie Hebdo, which I unreservedly condemn. However, I have to say there is a great discrepancy between the way in which we treat these appalling murders and the situation, for example, in Nigeria, where a Roman Catholic cardinal asked for the world's attention to be focused there as much as on Charlie Hebdo. In addition, devastation has been wrought on Iraq, where many people have been murdered or wounded by the Americans and their allies.
When I look at the demonstration in Paris - "Je suis Charlie" and all that kind of stuff - the representatives there would turn your stomach. Saudi Arabia was represented there. That country sentenced a blogger who sought greater freedom of expression to 1,000 lashes. After the first 50 lashes he was so ill that the government had to grant an extension so his wounds could heal in order that the remaining 950 lashes could be administered. These are the people who are protesting against the events at Charlie Hebdo. I would say, therefore, that we need to keep a balance.

We need to keep matters in proportion. Human life is human life and one human life is just as valuable as any other human life, whether in Iraq, Nigeria, the United States or Europe.

John Gilroy (Labour)
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It is not a surprise.

Paddy Burke (Fine Gael)
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Is Senator Jim D'Arcy seeking a debate?

Marc MacSharry (Fianna Fail)
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I support my colleague on the mortgage issue. The suggestion of a 20% deposit is certainly not fit for purpose. It is a reaction that shows an extraordinary lack of knowledge and ineptitude in the context of trying to nurture a market that is healthy and is not overheating, but that facilitates the normal trade where people can buy and sell houses in the normal way. Naturally, so that there is no misunderstanding, being involved in that sector I have an interest to declare in that regard.

Notwithstanding that the Minister for Health will be here later in the afternoon, I seek a specific debate on the nursing home sector. The leaked HIQA report shows that the authority suggests the level of non-compliance requires an investment of €300 million. As I stated, this is a leaked report, but it is worrying when one considers that the HSE is making available only €7.3 million to facilitate the necessary upgrades in that sector. This puts under threat 7,000 residents throughout the country in the nursing home area. As we all will be aware from our constituencies, there is a waiting list of 2,000 persons for those self-same nursing home beds under the scheme. This debate is needed urgently. There is no Government plan in this area, with a stated budget of €7.3 million and with the investment necessary, according to HIQA, only to remain safe, being €300 million. It is a matter of the utmost urgency. It is far too important an issue to bury in a broader debate on the budgeting within the health service which will be able to touch on it in the afternoon. It requires a specific debate of its own.

Mary Moran (Labour)
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Earlier today, I had the absolute pleasure and honour of visiting Showcase: Ireland's Creative Expo in the RDS, which celebrates all Irish design. It was a truly impressive exhibition and I recommend that everybody pay a visit to it over the next couple of days. It is the largest international trade fair in Ireland, welcoming buyers from over 26 countries. The 2015 showcase marks an exciting start to the year for Irish design. It is expected that over 5,000 people will attend, from both Ireland and abroad, and the expo will showcase everything that is good about Irish design. It would make one very proud to be Irish to see the wealth of talent and products out there which are made and designed in Ireland. I was delighted to hear that new buyers have been attracted to the exhibition this year from China following the recent state visit of President Higgins in December, with sales orders in excess of €20 million expected over the next four days. There are almost 500 exhibitors unveiling their latest collections and opening order books. I am delighted to showcase some wares today from Corona Silver and Orla Barry, both situated in Dundalk.

I wish to raise the serious funding issue with the WALK PEER programme, which was announced as part of the disability activation project in 2012. Unfortunately, the funding for this is due to run out in April 2015 - in a few months - with the loss of five staff who work on the project. If it goes, 120 young people in Louth will lose this vital and excellent support. It provides a service to people with a disability and encourages them to get into work or supported employment. I will take the issue up again as I understand time is flowing. We really need a debate on the matter.

Marie Louise O'Donnell (Independent)
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I have three questions for the Leader. Will he bring the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform, Deputy Howlin, to the House so he can let us know the progress with regard to the lottery regulator? I do not know who that is. We were promised a lottery regulator but I do not know if one has been appointed. If somebody has, will he or she make him- or herself known to us? When will the regulator appear? I hope it will be soon, as we have had a major debacle involving lottery machines. I said it would happen and it was well documented in The Daily Mailover the weekend, which had an excellent article about what is happening with machines and particularly their inability to read tickets, etc. Where is the lottery regulator and when can we hope to have one? Will he or she be made known to us?
Will the Leader bring the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government, Deputy Alan Kelly, to the House to tell me about the progress of the public water forum we were promised? Some of us put our heads on the line with regard to the water services Bill. We were happy to do so, as I believe we should pay for water, which should be metered-----

Darragh O'Brien (Fianna Fail)
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We were sold a pup.

Marie Louise O'Donnell (Independent)
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It is my personal opinion. What is the status of the public water forum? When is it to be established and when can people start applying for it? It is very important.

Darragh O'Brien (Fianna Fail)
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If the Senator has a friend, she can get on it.

Marie Louise O'Donnell (Independent)
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Senators might agree that the next matter is a burning issue. Some of us are paying property tax from salaries or in lump sums, but we have all paid it. Exactly how much of that is going to Irish Water-----

Darragh O'Brien (Fianna Fail)
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All of it.

Marie Louise O'Donnell (Independent)
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I ask the Fianna Fáil Senators not to answer, as we are in this position because of its-----

Darragh O'Brien (Fianna Fail)
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It is all of it.

Paddy Burke (Fine Gael)
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Senator O'Donnell without interruption.

Marie Louise O'Donnell (Independent)
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I will ask the appropriate Minister to answer the question.

Marc MacSharry (Fianna Fail)
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The Senator took-----

Marie Louise O'Donnell (Independent)
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We would not be looking into water meter holes - as Senator Mooney stated - if it was not for Fianna Fáil.

Darragh O'Brien (Fianna Fail)
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That is rubbish.

Marc MacSharry (Fianna Fail)
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The Senator has shown her colours. She was sold a pup before Christmas.

Paul Coghlan (Fine Gael)
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In common with others, I welcome the beginning of Commencement debates. That will make us more efficient that we were when we had the former practice of Adjournment debates. I agree with Senator Darragh O'Brien on the proposal for mortgage applicants to provide a 20% deposit. That is unrealistic and not related to the market. A figure of 10% to 15% would be much more appropriate, with a cap of 3.5 times the combined salaries of applicants. I also agree with the comments of my colleague, Senator D'Arcy, regarding Mr. Jim Cusack, whom I met about another matter at a lunchtime meeting in the House today.

I think what has happened up there as regards fuel smugglers dumping that waste into the streams-----

John Gilroy (Labour)
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Republicans.

Paul Coghlan (Fine Gael)
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I did not know what they were. I very much agree with the motion that Councillor McGahon passed and which was approved by Louth County Council.

I compliment Mr. Duffy who, unfortunately, is leaving AIB. I wish him well with Clydesdale Bank and I am sure he will do an excellent job, as he has done in the major transformation he undertook at AIB. He made the bank into such a valuable asset for the taxpayer now that it has returned to profitability and is going places. It is always a team effort - just as you people here are a team. The strength of the team and the combined team in AIB are going places, in my opinion. It is all very positive and I want to wish him well. Please God, he will be staying on until his replacement is found and no doubt, he will have a hand, along with the chairman and others, in finding that replacement. It augurs well for the banking strategy which has been in place under the tutelage of this Government.

Sean Barrett (Independent)
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I second what Senator Zappone said about the conference held yesterday in Dublin Castle. The Minister, Deputy Noonan, expressed serious concerns that we are creating in Europe a dangerous political vacuum as a result of the economic policies being pursued from Brussels and Frankfurt. I hope that after the elections in Greece, some of those people might stand up and say they made a mistake and that they will reconsider some of their policies.

I note an issue being discussed here, namely, the upward-only rent reviews. Some 140 people will shortly lose their jobs in Bewley's which is around the corner from here. We were heavily influenced by the death of a man who died near Leinster House. I ask about 140 people losing their jobs. Senator Quinn has asked that this issue be raised. We ought to seek the Attorney General's opinion on why there can only be upward-only rent reviews.

David Norris (Independent)
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Hear, hear.

Sean Barrett (Independent)
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What about the property rights of people other than developers, bankers and so on? What about the property rights of workers?

I share Senator Conway's concern about the costs of the banking inquiry on which I have been happy to serve. The lawyers are on €264 an hour and that amounts to €528,000 a year. These are costs which Senator Conway has rightly condemned and on which we need to keep a close eye.

I congratulate Mitchel McLaughlin on being the first Speaker of the Northern Ireland Assembly elected from the Nationalist community and supported by the DUP. That is the kind of Northern Ireland we wish for.

John Gilroy (Labour)
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Implemented €800 million worth of cuts.

Paddy Burke (Fine Gael)
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Senator Barrett, without interruption, please.

Sean Barrett (Independent)
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I congratulate the new Canadian ambassador to Ireland, Mr. Kevin Vickers, who has Cork ancestors and about whom the Speakers of both Houses of Parliament in Canada wrote to thank us. I have copied those letters to the Leader and to the Cathaoirleach. They are grateful for our interest when Mr. Vickers defended the Canadian Parliament against those who invaded it on 22 October. I am sure he is a person we would welcome here very much.

John Gilroy (Labour)
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I wish to speak about the proposed increase in registration fees for nurses and midwives. This is an 80% increase over two years from €88 two years ago to a proposed €150 this year. If the costs rose as a result of legislative changes there might be a case to be made, although I think the case would be a very poor one. There is a growing and deepening suspicion that a figure of €4.7 million will appear on the accounts of the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Ireland which has not published accounts in two years. These accounts are to be published in the next few days and they might show a figure of €4.7 million costs due to impaired loan repayments. A spokesman for the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Ireland seems to have confirmed yesterday that this is the case and therefore, we will be in real trouble.

That is because we are of the view that we can solve our problems within our profession, which is probably as it should be. In the past week or so, the Minister, Deputy Varadkar, called on nurses to go the extra mile or make an additional effort to ensure that the crisis in our accident and emergency departments is resolved. I would contend that they have gone an extra two miles in this regard. In fact, nurses go the extra mile every day in order to ensure that accident and emergency services, and the health service in general, operate properly. The response from the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Ireland has been to prevent the same nurses the Minister has called upon to make the additional effort from working because they will not pay the registration fee. I do not believe nurses should pay that fee, particularly if it is connected to the increased costs relating to paying off impaired loans.

The Minister needs to become involved in dealing with this matter. He made a statement in recent days but he needs to take a more proactive approach and discover what is the exact position. If the board has incurred debts of €4.7 million in respect of property speculation, this would indicate that the malaise within the board is even worse than previously thought. Will the Leader ask the Minister to take the type of approach to which I refer in the interests of resolving this dispute?

David Cullinane (Sinn Fein)
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It is Senator Craughwell's intention to move an amendment to the Order of Business to the effect that the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government should come before the House today to discuss health and safety issues relating to the installation of water meters. I take this opportunity to propose the amendment and the Senator will then expand on the reasons-----

Paddy Burke (Fine Gael)
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The Senator cannot propose an amendment to the Order of Business on behalf of another Member.

David Cullinane (Sinn Fein)
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I am proposing the amendment and Senator Craughwell will second it.

Paddy Burke (Fine Gael)
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That is okay then.

David Cullinane (Sinn Fein)
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The Senator may not have someone to second the amendment so I am taking the opportunity to propose it in the first instance.

The other issue I wish to refer to is the housing crisis. We raised this matter on the Order of Business on several occasions in the run up to Christmas. I commend the Leader on the range of issues on which the House will take statements in the coming days. These are all matters in respect of which Senators previously sought debates. I am of the view, however, that there is also a need to debate the position with regard to housing in the short term. There is a difficulty in respect of a lack of supply and rising rents. In addition, there is a major problem in the context of rent caps and the impact these are having on many people. I do not believe that lifting such caps would constitute a solution. Such a move might have the unintended consequence of increasing rents, thereby making matters more difficult for those in the private rented sector who do not receive rent supplement. However, we must examine the possibility of controlling rents. The latter comes within the power of the Government. Any of the measures the Government has put forward to date do not go far enough in the context of meeting people's needs.

This matter is increasingly becoming one of concern throughout the State. It began as a major issue in Dublin as a result of rising rents and it is now such an issue in Waterford, where the Leader lives. Those Senators who deal with ordinary individuals on a regular basis will know that the problems relating to housing and rent caps are becoming massive. People simply cannot find accommodation and they are finding it difficult to get access to either the rental accommodation scheme, RAS, or the housing assistance payment, HAP, on foot of rent caps. While lifting those caps might not represent the solution, there are other actions the Government can take and interventions it can make in order to help families. I, therefore, request a debate on housing and on the supports that are being put in place to meet people's needs.

John Kelly (Labour)
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Senator Cullinane is seeking that the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government, Deputy Alan Kelly, come before the House today. If the Minister is at a location 150 miles from these Houses and if there is no way that he can get here, does the Senator propose to proceed with a nonsense vote that will be of no relevance in respect of this matter?

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

John Kelly (Labour)
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That is my first question.

David Cullinane (Sinn Fein)
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Where is the Minister?

Darragh O'Brien (Fianna Fail)
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Senator Cullinane is entitled to ask.

Marc MacSharry (Fianna Fail)
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He is 150 miles away.

John Kelly (Labour)
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I wish to raise an issue to which I and Senators Whelan and Landy have made reference on many previous occasions, namely, wind energy. Planning permission - with conditions - was granted to a particular company in respect of a development in the south east. An issue arose afterwards in the context of noise levels and the local community spent 18 months liaising with Wexford County Council in the interests of bring about a resolution of the matter. The company involved has stated that it is not and will not be compliant with the conditions attaching to the planning permission. The council appears to be hamstrung on this matter. Is it acceptable that a massive industrial development relating to a wind farm can be proceeded with and that the company involved can decide not to comply with a planning condition?

I ask that the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government be invited to the House as soon as possible so we can have a broad debate on the issue of wind energy. It is laughable to see that SSE Airtricity has expressed an interest in developing wind farms all over the country, as I saw on RTE yesterday. Part of its advertisement shows an ape running around between wind turbines. I do not know what the significance of that is, but if the company thinks the people of this country are apes and will buy into this, it is completely mistaken. People can see the nonsense of this wind energy project.

Marie Louise O'Donnell (Independent)
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It ate the Cadbury's chocolate very well.

Terry Leyden (Fianna Fail)
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Will the Leader convey a unanimous vote of sympathy to the remaining Charlie Hebdostaff and the families of 17 people who were murdered in Paris? It was a terrorist attack on the satirical magazine and we must clearly state that this House condemns the actions of the terrorists who carried out this cold blooded murder of the journalists involved.
With regard to Senator Bacik's remarks about freedom of speech, there are also responsibilities in regard to the production of provocative cartoons depicting the prophet Muhammad. The Koran makes it very clear that any depiction of Muhammad in any shape or form is not acceptable to the 1.3 billion Muslims throughout the world. The Koran also rejects murder and all such acts.
Senator Norris made the very wise point that murder is murder throughout the world, be it by a Christian or otherwise. However, to put things in context, the abbot of Glenstal Abbey, Mark Patrick Hederman, said a few days ago that the cover of the most recent Charlie Hebdofeatured a tearful Muhammad holding a sign which said "all is forgiven". That is provocative. It is very strange that Air France-----

Paddy Burke (Fine Gael)
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Are you seeking a debate on the matter?

Terry Leyden (Fianna Fail)
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I am. I also want the Leader to convey our sympathies to the people of France and the families involved. It is quite extraordinary that Air France purchased 20,000 copies of the latest edition of Charlie Hebdo-----

Marie Louise O'Donnell (Independent)
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It is a secular society.

Terry Leyden (Fianna Fail)
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Air France is an international airline and it bought 20,000 copies with the satirical depiction of Muhammad. It circulated it in the Middle East and beyond. I regard that as highly provocative.

Marie Louise O'Donnell (Independent)
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They do not care.

Terry Leyden (Fianna Fail)
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One must be very balanced and fair in how one operates in this world. Freedom of expression is definitely freedom of speech, but it is not to attack or debase any religion be it Islam or Christianity. It is provocative. I cannot understand why a company such as Air France would risk-----

Paddy Burke (Fine Gael)
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Senator, you are over time.

Terry Leyden (Fianna Fail)
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-----being so provocative to these extreme Islamic gunmen who are prepared to take any action required in this regard.

John Gilroy (Labour)
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It is exercising freedom of speech.

Gerard Craughwell (Independent)
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I congratulate Senator Noone for the courage she showed recently following a serious attack on social media. It was not easy, so my hat is off to her. I am extremely proud to see her back in her seat today.

Marie Louise O'Donnell (Independent)
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She is not alone.

Gerard Craughwell (Independent)
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Unfortunately, I am at odds with my colleagues in Fianna Fáil on the 20% deposit issue, but there should be a debate in the House on the percentage requirement for the purchase of a private dwelling. I believe there are ways around the 20%, but I hope the 20% will be kept in place.

I visited Showcase Ireland at the weekend and was extremely proud to see some of the work produced by Irish designers. However, the tax system is killing the industry. One can design something in Ireland and have it manufactured in China for a fraction of the cost. It is killing our manufacturing industry.

Finally, I circulated an e-mail this morning containing photographs of the work practices being engaged in by contractors for Irish Water.

Anybody who looked at those photographs clearly saw that there is a serious health and safety issue with every aspect of the work in which in they are involved. Ramps were poorly stacked up against doors and fencing was placed across people's front doors. It is no way for any organisation to operate. I understand that the Minister is 150 miles away, but I am sure the Minister of State is not that far away. I ask that we amend the Order of Business to take a debate on this most important issue. I second the motion of Senator Cullinane.

Diarmuid Wilson (Fianna Fail)
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Senator Jim D'Arcy referred to an article which states that fuel smugglers are pumping toxic waste, which is linked to cancers and abnormalities in unborn babies, straight into water supplies in the Republic. Toxic waste, which is the result of fuel laundering, is being pumped into the main reservoir that supplies Dundalk and surrounding areas, as well as Crossmaglen in County Armagh. That is how serious the situation is regarding the fuel laundering being carried out, predominantly in Border areas, by gangsters who claim to be representatives of the ordinary people. That is the reality of what is happening.
On a number of occasions, I and Senators Terry Brennan, Jim D'Arcy and others have raised this serious matter. While I commend An Garda Síochána and Customs and Excise on this side of the Border for the major efforts they are making to discover these illegal operations, the article written by the highly respected security correspondent of the Sunday Independent, Mr. Cusack, highlighted some other very serious concerns, one of which is that a blind eye is being turned to these activities by the security forces and PSNI in the Six Counties. If that is the situation, it should be addressed as a matter of urgency.
The health concerns are extremely serious and should be addressed by the authorities on this side of the Border. The financial loss to the State is estimated at €150 million per year and is a very serious revenue issue. Some £80 million is being lost to the Northern Ireland Assembly. In addition to the call by Senator Jim D'Arcy for the Minister of State, Deputy Harris, to come before the House, an urgent meeting should be sought by the Taoiseach with the British Prime Minister, and by the Ministers for Finance, Justice and Equality and the Environment, Community and Local Government with their counterparts in the Northern Ireland Assembly. It is an extremely serious issue. It raises its head from time to time and then tends to be forgotten about, but there are some very serious questions to be answered by the so-called security forces in the Six Counties.

Michael Mullins (Fine Gael)
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I join colleagues in extending our sympathy to the people of Paris and all of the families who lost loved ones in the Charlie Hebdo killings. It brings home very clearly to us all how vulnerable we all are. It would be appropriate for the Minister for Justice and Equality to come before the House to update us at an early stage on any potential security threats in our country. I agree with Senator Norris that human life is human life and many innocent people lose their lives every day in war-torn parts of the world. Reports of young children dying from the cold in refugee camps along the Turkish border close to Syria is something about which we should be deeply concerned.

During this term I would like a discussion with the Minister, Deputy Flanagan, on Syria and associated conflicts.

I strongly support the actions called for by Senators Jim D'Arcy and Diarmuid Wilson on the pollution of our watercourses, the loss of revenue to the State as a result of fuel laundering and petrol stretching, and the damage inflicted on people's vehicles on an ongoing basis as a result of this criminality. This is a very small island and it should be possible to put a stop to it. I am deeply concerned about something I read in some of the newspapers over the weekend, which is that as part of the peace process there may be an understanding that the authorities go easy on paramilitaries who are now involved in criminality.

Paddy Burke (Fine Gael)
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The Senator is way over time.

Michael Mullins (Fine Gael)
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If this is the case, we certainly need to have the meeting called for by Senator Wilson between the Taoiseach and the British Prime Minister to sort out this issue once and for all, so that the type of criminality being raised as an issue in the House on an ongoing basis, and being perpetrated by republicans, is stopped.

Jim Walsh (Fianna Fail)
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I call for the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government to come to the House at an early stage. I am not looking for him to come today. We need an urgent debate on home ownership. It is something to which many of us aspire in our lifetime, and in the past it was possible for many of us to achieve it, as we had a home ownership rate of more than 80%, which was one of the highest rates in Europe. This figure has fallen to below 70%. I join my colleague, Senator Darragh O'Brien, in having serious reservations about the imposition of a requirement for purchasers to provide a 20% deposit. When we bought our first house we decided we would live in a caravan to save on rent so that we would have a deposit. Many people would not have got on the housing ladder if they had needed a very high deposit. Protection of the banks continues to be put ahead of the interests of the country. I can understand that people on six-figure salaries of €200,000 or more may not be able to see the difficulties of people earning between €30,000 and €70,000, but it would be a great saving to the State if we could assist these people in achieving this aspiration of many. It is right that the extent of the loan should be decided having regard to income ratios but, having said this, I feel a more modest deposit of 10% would be adequate. We need an urgent debate before the Governor of the Central Bank gets carried away with his own thinking on this.

The tribunals which were such a scandal in the country have come back to haunt us. Those who were here over the previous Seanad terms, going back to 2000, have heard me say this before. The manner in which they were run, the huge and exorbitant costs and the pedantic approach taken by the chairmen has led to a situation in which their findings are being successfully challenged in court. At the time, I remember quoting Mr. Justice Adrian Hardiman of the Supreme Court-----

Paddy Burke (Fine Gael)
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I ask the Senator to refrain from naming people on the record of the House. They are not here to defend themselves. The Senator well knows the precedent. On top of this, we also have the separation of powers.

Jim Walsh (Fianna Fail)
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I applaud the fact a Supreme Court judge did, during the currency of these tribunals, point out the deficiencies and the manner in which people were not getting fair play.

Paddy Burke (Fine Gael)
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The Senator is way over time.

Jim Walsh (Fianna Fail)
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It is high time those involved took responsibility for their actions, and they know the honourable course to take. We should have a debate in the House on legal costs. In the basement of these Houses a banking inquiry is taking place.

Paddy Burke (Fine Gael)
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The Senator is way over time.

Jim Walsh (Fianna Fail)
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The legal profession is being paid seven times more than the legislators for sitting at these inquiries, and no Government has tackled it.

Colm Burke (Fine Gael)
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I wish to refer to the debate in the media during the past two weeks regarding accident and emergency departments. There is a shortage of real information on the services provided by the dedicated staff in those departments. For instance, it is projected that there will be 451,000 emergency admissions in 2015. Information on what is happening should be made available. That figure equates to an average of approximately 1,239 people per day. People need to be advised urgently to use all other health services before resorting to accident and emergency departments. If the average weekly number of people attending departments is more than 8,600, any sudden increase could see that figure increase to 12,000. The HSE, the Department of Health and all of the agencies and people involved in providing health care need to get the message about other services out there.

Paddy Burke (Fine Gael)
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That matter is No. 1 on today's agenda.

Colm Burke (Fine Gael)
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Yes, but it is important that we get the information out there and that we have a debate on this issue.

Fidelma Healy Eames (Fine Gael)
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We closed our Christmas session with the water Bill and are opening our 2015 session with quite a number of concerns about the quality of our drinking water. Senator Wilson referred to reports of fuel smuggling and dangerous and possibly carcinogenic residues flowing into rivers. Senator Craughwell referred to health and safety concerns about water installations. Today's report by the Environmental Protection Agency, EPA, is quite damning. According to it, 20,000 people cannot drink their water because of boil water notices and there are 121 at-risk supplies on its remedial action list. Various schemes in Galway, including in Connemara, have problems with lead, cryptosporidium and E. coli. What is the plan and when can the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government, Deputy Kelly, attend the House to report on the remediation action plan? We understand that progress has been made as regards drinking water, but everyone deserves clean, safe drinking water. It is clear from today's report that many people are being disadvantaged and their health is being put at risk. There can be no slip-ups on this issue. Will the Leader also explain whether the Minister will always answer to the House on behalf of Irish Water? This is an important question. We need to know who is accountable.

Terry Brennan (Fine Gael)
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I have often raised the issue of fuel laundering. At the time, it related to the question of the number of containers of sludge being deposited on the roads of north Louth and Monaghan, but the situation has grown more serious. We do not know the quantity of sludge that is being dumped into the tributaries, rivers and lakes that, as Senator Jim D'Arcy mentioned, comprise the main source of water for Dundalk town and the area surrounding Cavan Hill in Knockbridge. This is a serious situation. While it was always costly to dispose of the sludge that was being dumped on the roads and scenic areas of north County Louth and County Monaghan, we do not know what quantity is being dumped into our tributaries. This must be stopped forthwith. Continuous monitoring of the tributaries is required. I call on an independent body to assess the water.

If this situation is allowed to continue it will be injurious to the water supply for Dundalk and the surrounding area.

Martin Conway (Fine Gael)
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I commend my colleagues in this House who are participating in the banking inquiry. They come from all sides of the House and are doing an exceptionally good job.

I also commend the economists and others who are advising, and are prepared to advise, the banking inquiry free of charge because they have realised the importance of the work being done by the banking inquiry. I regret, however, that some members of the legal profession who are providing advice to the banking inquiry see fit to charge this State enough sums of money for their work and at an hourly rate. These people are extremely capable and their expertise is required and essential to ensure the banking inquiry gets the best possible legal opinion that the State can provide. I call on them to reduce and, if possible, waive their fees in the public interest because this inquiry is important. As referenced here already, other inquiries have cost hundreds of millions of euro. The Oireachtas banking inquiry has the potential to set a precedent and create a model for how these types of inquiries can take place into the future. The legal profession, along with economists, accountants and other people, should do the State some service and make their expertise available to the committee free of charge. We are lucky to have people like Senator Barrett and others from this House and people from the other House, on the inquiry. I have no doubt that they are going not just the extra mile but the extra miles to ensure that the inquiry unearths the truth. I hope we will have the correct narrative that will go into our history books and will benefit future generations thus ensuring we know what went on during those days.

Maurice Cummins (Fine Gael)
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Senator Darragh O'Brien and other Senators mentioned the Central Bank's rule of having a 20% mortgage deposit. The Central Bank Bill will come before the House and I know it will deal with a specific matter on Thursday. Personally, I feel a 20% mortgage deposit is a little unrealistic, particularly for young people who are trying to get on the first rung of the housing ladder. Obviously other Members of the House will disagree with my viewpoint. I hope sense will prevail and that a progression towards 20%, over a number of years, will be contemplated by the Central Bank. I am sure this is not the last time we will have words about it and I am sure we can debate the matter. I am sure submissions have been made by the public and groups but we must await what the Central Bank will say on the matter.

I note the point made by Senator Darragh O'Brien on breast prosthesis and a request that funding is standardised throughout the length and breadth of the country. I agree with him on the matter and the subject can be raised with the Minister when he comes into the House after the Order of Business.

Senators Bacik, Leyden, Norris, Mullins and other Senators mentioned the Paris killings which were reprehensible acts. Senator Bacik called for a debate on blasphemy and other Senators, like Senator Norris and Mullins, pointed out that one human life is as valuable as another. Such points will be taken into consideration. I am sure we will have a debate on the whole area of blasphemy in the not too distant future.

Senator Bacik called for us to proceed with the Employment Protection (No. 2) Bill. I shall find out the current status of the Bill and whether the Department is ready to take Committee Stage of the Bill.

Senator Zappone mentioned the right-left divide and the need for clarity in political policies. She also called for a debate on quantitative easing. Senator Barrett mentioned that the Minister for Finance, Deputy Michael Noonan, commented on the matter at yesterday's conference.

Senator D'Arcy mentioned Irish Water, and Senator Healy Eames raised the same point. I will address the points of Senator Healy Eames in my final comments.

Senators D'Arcy, Coghlan, Wilson, Brennan and Mullins referred to the toxic waste and sewage being dumped into rivers in the Republic, especially in north Louth, as a result of diesel laundering. Those engaging in these types of practice are former subversives and gangsters. The practice is affecting not only the economy but also the health and safety of people in north Louth and the other side of the Border. I agree that this matter will have to be dealt with firmly. The Garda and customs authorities on this side of the Border take the matter very seriously. I hope this is also the case in the North. There is a doubt about whether the PSNI and people on the other side of the Border are dealing with the matter properly, but I can assure the Senators that the matter will be dealt with. I will certainly raise it with the Taoiseach with a view to having it raised with the British Prime Minister. It is very serious and I know it will be discussed. There is an item on the agenda of the British-Irish Parliamentary Assembly meeting in February dealing specifically with this matter. Senator Coghlan is chairman of the relevant sub-committee. I assure the House that the matter will be raised very firmly at the meeting. From both a health and safety and an economic perspective, the practice in which the gangsters are now involved is reprehensible. The sooner they are brought to justice, the better for everybody in the State and those on the other side of the Border.

Senator Marc MacSharry referred to the nursing home sector and the need for major capital investment in some nursing homes so they will be safe and fit for purpose. I am sure that matter will be raised with the Minister for Health in the debate on the health service plan.

Senator Moran referred to the Irish design expo in the RDS, showcasing what is best in Irish design. We compliment all those involved in it. I note the Senator's points on the WALK PEER programme, which may be raised as a Commencement matter in the future.

Senator Marie-Louise O'Donnell had a number of questions on progress regarding the lottery regulator. I will certainly raise this with the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform.

On the public water forum, the Minister will be in the House tomorrow discussing water meters as part of the Private Members' motion tabled by Fianna Fáil. Perhaps Senators David Cullinane and Craughwell could wait until then to discuss their concerns. I ask them to consider withdrawing their amendment to the Order of Business, as I am sure the matter they wish to discuss can be discussed as part of the Private Members' motion tomorrow evening.

Senator Marie-Louise O'Donnell also asked about property tax and how much of it will be going to Irish Water this year. I will certainly ascertain the position with the Minister.

Senator Coghlan complimented Mr. Duffy on the major transformation that is taking place in AIB and wished him well for the future.

Senator Barrett raised a number of items. I have responded to what he said about the comments made by the Minister, Deputy Noonan, on the question of quantitative easing at a conference yesterday. The Senator also called for a debate on upward-only rent reviews and costs in that regard. He also welcomed the appointment of the new Canadian ambassador to Ireland, Mr. Kevin Vickers.
Senator Gilroy lauded the work of nurses and asked the Minister to become more involved in the dispute between the board and the nurses in relation to registration fees. I am sure he could raise that matter with the Minister when we have a debate on health issues after the Order of Business.
Senator Cullinane called for a debate on housing and rent caps. I understand the Labour Party intends to propose a Private Members' motion on that whole area on 11 February. The Minister will be present to discuss that matter on 11 February.
Senator Kelly spoke about wind energy and raised the question of people not complying with planning permission. I suggest to him that the local authority certainly has and should have a role to play if people are not complying with planning permission. It would be a serious matter if local authorities did not use their powers to deal with people who do not comply with planning permission.
Senator Leyden spoke about the Paris killings and suggested that the actions of Air France in circulating Charlie Hebdowere very provocative.
Senator Craughwell raised the whole question of health and safety in so far as it pertains to water meters. He also suggested that he is in favour of the retention of the proposed 20% mortgage deposit requirement.
I think I have dealt with the matter of fuel laundering, which was raised by Senator Wilson.
Senator Mullins called for the Minister, Deputy Charles Flanagan, to report on the Foreign Affairs Council meeting that was held in Brussels this week.
Senator Walsh asked for a debate on home ownership. As I have said, the Labour Party has tabled a Private Members' motion that it intends to move for debate on 11 February next. We can have a debate on that matter. The Senator also called for a debate on legal costs with specific reference to the cost of tribunals. When Senator Conway also raised this issue, he advised us that some economists are giving advice to the banking inquiry free of charge and called for legal practitioners to adopt a similar course of action. I think we would probably be waiting a long time. One never knows. It might happen.
Senator Colm Burke praised the work of everybody involved in accident and emergency services. He said that an average of over 8,000 people attend accident and emergency departments each week. I am sure other matters in that regard will be raised during the debate that will take place after the Order of Business.
Senator Healy Eames rightly pointed out that the EPA has published its annual drinking water report for 2013. The report points out that while the public drinking water supply is of a high quality, some 121 of this country's 978 water supply plants are on the EPA remedial action list. The 121 plants in question affect almost 940,000 people. There is no question that 121 is a large number. There is a need for improvements to disinfection systems and better management of water treatment. Further water improvements are required due to the introduction of a more stringent requirement relating to lead.

There is a need for Irish Water to remove and prevent boil water notices, implement a national lead strategy, optimise a treatment process to reduce all contaminants in water and prioritises RAL schemes. The findings reinforce the Government's policy to create a single national utility to bring new levels of co-ordination, expertise and investment to managing Ireland's drinking water supplies. The findings relate to 2013, the last year for which the local authorities were responsible for water services. Irish Water has assumed responsibility for those services from 1 January 2014.

Fidelma Healy Eames (Fine Gael)
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It is 2015 according to the EPA.

Maurice Cummins (Fine Gael)
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The reduction in the number of at-risk supplies from 141 last year to 121 is welcome. The number of people affected by boil water notices and at-risk supplies remains unacceptable. The EPA states that greater investment in drinking water infrastructure is needed. That is why a single national utility funded by domestic and non-domestic water charges is so essential. Water charges and the utility approach to water services will bring more investment and more focus to improving the water network. This year we will see increased investment in water infrastructure. It is expected that more than €420 million will be spent in 2015 and Irish Water is beginning to address the problems affecting the system, such as lead piping and all the other matters which the Senator and other Members have raised. I think the matter is being addressed. It cannot be addressed overnight but it shows the need for much capital investment in the water infrastructure.

Senator Terry Brennan raised the issue of fuel laundering and sludge, and the need for continuous monitoring of water supplies, especially in the north Louth area.

Paddy Burke (Fine Gael)
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Senator David Cullinane has moved an amendment to the Order of Business, "That a debate with the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government on the health and safety issues arising in relation to the installation of water meters be taken today." Is the amendment being pressed?

David Cullinane (Sinn Fein)
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No, it is withdrawn.