Jerry Buttimer (Fine Gael)
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The Order of Business is No. 1a, motion re the arrangements for the sitting of the House on Tuesday 20 December 2016, to be taken on the conclusion of the Order of Business without debate; No. 2, motion re a report of the Joint Committee on Finance, Public Expenditure and Reform, and Taoiseach on a reasoned opinion on proposals for a Council directive on a common consolidated corporate tax base and for a Council directive on a common corporate tax base, to be taken on the conclusion of the Order of Business without debate; No. 3, Health Insurance (Amendment) Bill 2016 – Committee and Remaining Stages, to be taken at 1.30 p.m. and to conclude no later than 2 p.m., if not previously concluded; No. 4, statements on the Be Winter Ready campaign, to be taken on the conclusion of No. 3 and to conclude within 75 minutes, with the contributions of group spokespersons not to exceed eight minutes and those of all other Senators not to exceed five minutes, with the Minister to be given five minutes in which to reply to the debate; and No. 5, Appropriation Bill 2016 - All Stages, to be taken on the conclusion of No. 4. The proceedings on Second Stage shall, if not previously concluded, be brought to a conclusion after 45 minutes, with the contributions of group spokespersons not exceeding five minutes. Time can be shared and the Minister is to be given four minutes in which to reply. Committee and Remaining Stages are to be taken immediately thereafter and shall, if not previously concluded, be brought to a conclusion after 15 minutes by one question, which shall in regard to amendments, include only those set down or accepted by the Government. No. 6, Courts Bill 2016, Second Stage, is to be taken on the conclusion of No. 5, with the contributions of group spokespersons not to exceed eight minutes and all other Senators not to exceed five minutes.

Denis O'Donovan (Fianna Fail)
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To confirm, is No. 2 to be taken on the conclusion of No. 1a?

Jerry Buttimer (Fine Gael)
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Correct.

Denis O'Donovan (Fianna Fail)
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I misunderstood that. I thank the Leader.

Catherine Ardagh (Fianna Fail)
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I would like to address the House on the proposed new rent certainty legislation. We all know many parts of the country, and this city in particular, are in the midst of a housing and rental crisis. Many of our clinics are attended by families one rent hike away from being out on the street and homeless. Arbitrary rent increases due to a complete failure by this Government to increase the supply of housing have caused a very serious rental bubble that directly affects our capital and many large urban areas.

Fine Gael has ignored this crisis and it has always held the view that any interference with the rental market was untenable. In the last hours of this session, however, the Minister for Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government, Deputy Simon Coveney, presented ill-thought-out legislation and has attempted to railroad it through this House without any proper consultation. We all know that ill-thought-out and rushed legislation is never a good idea. We saw this with the disastrous creation of Irish Water in 2013 which, as we know, is the Achilles heel of this Government. The flippant manner of the introduction of the rent legislation is negligent when dealing with a serious policy issue that affects tens of thousands of people and that will have long-lasting effects on the housing market as a whole

Saying that, Fianna Fáil has always been a strong advocate of rent certainty. The legislation should have been introduced in a meaningful and considerate fashion in which long-, medium- and short-term effects were all considered. Fianna Fáil believes a 4% increase on top of other increases is far too high. We envisage increases of 1% to 2%, which would include wider geographic areas and a taxation policy that will actually encourage supply so that once the housing market catches up, intervention in the rental market can be reviewed and dismantled.

Many struggling families are watching us in Leinster House this Christmas. I hope the Government can make serious efforts to solve the impasse so families can take some comfort in the knowledge that they will not have to face any more rent hikes in 2017 and thereafter and so they can give their children the security they deserve this Christmas. Fianna Fáil is open to discussion and I hope this matter can be resolved by Christmas.

Robbie Gallagher (Fianna Fail)
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Hear, hear.

Rose Conway Walsh (Sinn Fein)
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One of the most-----

Denis O'Donovan (Fianna Fail)
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There is nobody on the other bench.

Rose Conway Walsh (Sinn Fein)
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They are never there when we need them, are they?

Denis O'Donovan (Fianna Fail)
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The Senator should appreciate that.

Rose Conway Walsh (Sinn Fein)
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It would not be like the Fianna Fáil-----

Denis O'Donovan (Fianna Fail)
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The Senator should appreciate the priority she is getting.

Rose Conway Walsh (Sinn Fein)
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I thank the Cathaoirleach. I feel very important.

David Norris (Independent)
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I am here. I am an independent Independent.

Rose Conway Walsh (Sinn Fein)
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Are you? Good. I am very happy for you.

One of the most important Bills to be produced since the election was initiated here in the Seanad. It represented a great opportunity to show how a considered, thoughtful debate in this House could lead to better legislation, in this case to tackle one of the biggest problems facing our people. The Planning and Development (Housing) and Residential Tenancies Bill is in limbo as we speak. After hours of debate here and a long debate in the Dáil, the end of this great democratic process seems to be playing out between the Minister for Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government, Deputy Simon Coveney, and Deputy Barry Cowen. It is a mess. We do not even know this morning if it will be resuming at all. This shows that even when Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael are in cahoots together, they still cannot get it right. The legislation was cobbled together far too fast. This was clear from the number of Government amendments correcting technical errors.The only conclusion I can reach is that the Government was not serious about fixing the rental crisis until recently and now it is fumbling to get it over the line by Christmas. Homelessness and being without a home have a devastating effect on individuals and families. To lose a home for any reason is terrible but to lose it through theft is an outrage. Many people have lost a home through no fault of their own. They were victims of greed. They were told they were not entitled to return to a tracker mortgage and were kept on higher rates. As many as 9,000 may have been charged higher rates than they should have been, with the full knowledge of the banks. In the case of AIB, 2,600 customers were involved; in the case of KBC, it was approximately 1,000 customers; in the case of Ulster Bank, it was approximately 2,000; in the case of Bank of Ireland, it was approximately 1,800; and in the case of Permanent TSB, it was approximately 1,372. In response to a question from my colleague, Deputy Doherty, about the number of people who lost their homes as a result of that robbery, the Department of Finance conveyed the following information, that is, that 22 people lost their homes due to Permanent TSB lying to them and that 14 people lost homes due to AIB stealing their money. Those are strong words - "robbery" and "lying" but they are appropriate. We should have a debate in the new year on the behaviour of banks towards their customers and how that feeds into homelessness. We must maintain pressure and help the victims, which is what they are. We must also ensure that such robbery never happens again.

Grace O'Sullivan (Green Party)
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I wish to follow on from Senator Conway-Walsh's remarks. It is shocking what we are seeing in the Dáil Chamber today. The fight is causing greater uncertainty as we go into the Christmas period. I read this morning that people who are homeless are being exposed to violence, drug taking, mould, damp, bed bugs, scabies, blood-stained mattresses, rats and abuse. It is disgraceful that coming up to Christmas there is such uncertainty when people are being evicted and thrown out of their homes into homelessness. I hope business in the Dáil will resume soon and that the Bill will be debated, amendments will be agreed and some degree of certainty will be afforded to people as we come up to Christmas.

Kevin Humphreys (Labour)
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I have been very critical of what is being termed "new politics". Very few decisions have been made during the Government's term in office. We have had committees, studies and the Citizens' Assembly but we have had very little legislation. That is the case for one clear reason. When the Government tries to make a decision, it must bring Fianna Fáil along with it. Fine Gael was re-elected into office and its members got the cars but Fianna Fáil got the keys. Unfortunately, Fianna Fáil, as we saw from earlier contributions, has a record of driving the car off the cliff and crashing it. It has taken us seven to eight years to recover. If we are serious about new politics let us put the rent certainty issue to the House. We should let the Bill be amended and allow contributions to be made on the floor of the House but let us have legislation. I will accept the democratic decision of both Houses.

The Taoiseach came to the Seanad at my request to talk about new politics. He said he would look forward to being back in the House before Christmas. I put the Leader on notice that I expect the Taoiseach to be in this House next Tuesday.

Jerry Buttimer (Fine Gael)
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Go away.

Kevin Humphreys (Labour)
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No, I will not go away. The Taoiseach made a commitment to do so. He has given 100% support to the Minister, Deputy Coveney, for a possible withdrawal of the legislation. The country needs leadership. There is a housing crisis and a need to deal with the rental crisis that exists, especially in terms of the rent hotspot that is Dublin. A 4% increase is a very clear signal to landlords to increase rents by 4%. That would have enormous knock-on effects across many areas, not just for people who are in private rented accommodation but also people who are in receipt of the housing assistance payment, HAP, and rent allowance because one can guarantee that landlords who have tenants in receipt of rent allowance will also increase rents by 4% and so will those with tenants who get HAP. Once the leases come up for renewal then the rent will be increased by 4%.

We must be serious about new politics. The names who annoy me are always the same. Deputy Micheál Martin was a member of the previous Administration.

Diarmuid Wilson (Fianna Fail)
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There are not as many Labour Party names around the place as there were previously. When the party was in government for five years it did not do much about it.

Kevin Humphreys (Labour)
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We have a former Taoiseach who was at the Cabinet table when this country crashed. We have the Minister, Deputy Ross-----

Diarmuid Wilson (Fianna Fail)
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Where are the rest of the Labour Party names?

Kevin Humphreys (Labour)
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-----who wanted Sean Fitzpatrick at the table as Minister for Finance. Unfortunately, the Fianna Fáil spokesperson, Deputy Barry Cowen, has caused total uproar with his lack of negotiation skills. Cowen is a familiar name that one can add to the list that contributed to the crash in this country. We have a responsibility to call the Taoiseach into this House to make clear exactly what is happening in terms of rent certainty.

Jerry Buttimer (Fine Gael)
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Deputy Coveney is the Minister.

Denis O'Donovan (Fianna Fail)
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The Leader can deal with the matter later.

Kevin Humphreys (Labour)
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The Minister went to the Taoiseach last evening. I put the Leader on notice that I will call for the Taoiseach to be present on Tuesday.

Tim Lombard (Fine Gael)
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Today is an important day. There is no point in saying it is not. The other House of this Parliament is having a debate about one of the key issues that affects society, namely, rent certainty and how we will move forward. The Minister, Deputy Coveney, has introduced a brave proposal and he has moved where many people would not go. I object to being lectured from the other side of the House about planning and how we failed to plan for the housing crisis.

James Reilly (Fine Gael)
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Hear, hear.

Tim Lombard (Fine Gael)
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We were not the people in charge when the banking crisis collapsed the nation. The people who are sitting on the other side of the House must take responsibility for the car crash-state in which they left this country. Now we are trying to put the wheels back on and to move the country forward. We are trying to get the construction industry, banking sector and the entire country moving again. The construction industry needs to provide 20,000 units and at the moment we are only providing a fraction of that. We must realise where we are. Rent certainty is a key issue and not only for Dublin. Problems are not always just Dublin-based. The issue affects Cork also. We must not forget the other areas. The Minister said he is starting with those two cities but he will look at areas outside of them in January. He said he will focus on local authority wards because those areas are smaller demographic areas. He has thought through the legislation very well but it is now up to all the parties - the Labour Party, Fianna Fáil and Sinn Féin - to put politics behind them and to deliver something for the people. I have no problem being here up to Christmas Day if we need to be to do that, but we should not say the legislation is rushed. We will give it as much time as is wanted because the legislation is needed and it must be delivered.

Ned O'Sullivan (Fianna Fail)
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It is unfortunate that at the moment the Government is not able to proceed with the business in question of rent caps. I am a pragmatist and I believe progress will be made on the issue before the day is over. Sinn Féin and the Labour Party are gas.

Rose Conway Walsh (Sinn Fein)
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Gas? We would not have a homeless problem if we had our gas and oil.

Ned O'Sullivan (Fianna Fail)
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It is very low to go into political things but-----

Denis O'Donovan (Fianna Fail)
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The Senator should proceed on the Order of Business.

Ned O'Sullivan (Fianna Fail)
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-----when Fianna Fáil was able to work with the Government to provide stability for the country, according to Sinn Féin we were in bed with it, and when we do not agree with it on an important issue, Sinn Féin says we cannot get our act together. What does it want? Sinn Féin reminds me of the punter at the racetrack whose horse is an also-ran and his only hope is that the ones in front will all fall.It is a howl. Sinn Féin has some excuse because it has no experience of being in government - down here anyway.

Rose Conway Walsh (Sinn Fein)
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Down here? It is all the one island.

Ned O'Sullivan (Fianna Fail)
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However, the Labour Party has been in and out so often, it would, as Seán Lemass said, go with anyone. It is like Mother Machree's dog: it would go a bit of the road with anyone.

Kevin Humphreys (Labour)
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We normally have to go in to fix Fianna Fáil's mess.

Ned O'Sullivan (Fianna Fail)
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It cannot resist the siren call of the State cars.

Denis O'Donovan (Fianna Fail)
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The Senator is meandering through the Order of Business.

Ned O'Sullivan (Fianna Fail)
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Given the season that is in it, I wish the Cathaoirleach, everyone in the House, our staff and the staff in the Cathaoirleach's office and the Seanad office, all the ushers and everyone else a very happy Christmas. I hope we have many more of them here.

Denis O'Donovan (Fianna Fail)
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I call Senator Paul Gavan.

Jerry Buttimer (Fine Gael)
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Now we will have gas.

Paul Gavan (Sinn Fein)
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If I came into the House demanding a 12% pay hike for public sector workers-----

David Norris (Independent)
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We would all support the Senator.

Paul Gavan (Sinn Fein)
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I thank the Senator. Were I to go further and say that if they do not get the money they will walk away from their work for ever, I would be laughed out of it, and rightly so. Yet here we are with Fine Gael demanding just that: a 12% pay hike for landlords. However, that is the minimum. There is plenty of room for greater increases if living in Limerick, Galway or Waterford. That is considered not just acceptable but absolutely necessary. Otherwise, apparently, landlords will walk away from the market and, worse than that, they will take the houses with them. We do not know where they will hide these houses, but the Fine Gael mantra is that we will never see them again and no one will ever be able to live in them again. I know it is Christmas and fairy tale time, but it is a bit rich to be going down that road, particularly when we have 174,000 landlords, which is 2,000 more than we had at the beginning of the year. I would love to hear from my colleagues in Limerick. My heart goes out to them because it would appear that Limerick people are not good enough for any kind of rent protections. Dublin and Cork people perhaps, but Limerick people? God no. There was a 15.9% increase in rents this year in Limerick, but we cannot have anything that might upset the landlords in Limerick or Galway, which is bizarre.

The key point is that Sinn Féin gave this House three opportunities to legislate for rent certainty, the first one being in June of this year. To be frank with Fianna Fáil, the difference between what we were arguing for, which was a rate of inflation increase, and a 2% increase is virtually nothing. I really do not understand why Fianna Fáil did not agree with us at the time. Fianna Fáil is now complaining about Fine Gael, but when it had the opportunity to do something about rent certainty it, unfortunately, blew it. It is a little late to come into the Chamber now complaining about this legislation. This is a theatre of the absurd. It is Fianna Fáil pretending to be different from Fine Gael. It is a bizarre spectacle. We are here to legislate-----

Jerry Buttimer (Fine Gael)
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Sinn Féin did a good job itself at the theatre.

Paul Gavan (Sinn Fein)
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-----yet it is clear that no legislation is forthcoming today because of this spectacle of the absurd between the two conservative parties in our Chamber. Like my colleague, Senator O'Sullivan, although I will be here on Tuesday, I wish all the Senators a happy Christmas.

James Reilly (Fine Gael)
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I had not intended to speak this morning but, having listened to what I can only describe as diatribe from the leader of the Opposition, I wonder who wrote it for her. It is clear that whoever it was has a wonderful imagination. Fianna Fáil, of which Senator Ardagh is the leader in this House, wrecked this country's economy and wrought this on all the people.

Pádraig Mac Lochlainn (Sinn Fein)
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Action time.

James Reilly (Fine Gael)
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She now has the temerity to stand up in this House and rewrite history. Her colleague used the word "gas" but-----

David Norris (Independent)
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Fianna Fáil was egged on by the Senator's lot.

Denis O'Donovan (Fianna Fail)
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Let us return to the business of the day.

James Reilly (Fine Gael)
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The Senator loves to heckle others but does not tolerate any heckling himself.

David Norris (Independent)
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I always tolerate heckling. I absolutely love it.

James Reilly (Fine Gael)
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I put it to the House that the country is back on track thanks to the last Government. There has been a lot of pain for a lot of people and this Christmas we could give some people certainty about their tenancies and their rents next year and the years to follow. Instead, however, we have Fianna Fáil brinkmanship - that is what I would call it - as operated by Deputy Barry Cowen. I remind the party across the floor that theirs is the party of Ray Burke and of Bertie Ahern, who made a comment on suicide in respect of some people who were giving out about the economy at the time, who accused Deputy Bruton, when he warned about it, of economic treason and who encouraged people, in particular, young people, to get on the property ladder before they missed the boat.

Let us get back to reality. Six months of work has gone into this strategy, in consultation with all the stakeholders. That is where the figure of 4% comes from. However, Fianna Fáil and Deputy Barry Cowen have just pulled the figure of 2% out of the air. It sounds awfully like the language used by Anglo Irish Bank bankers, as I recall. Let us stop the brinkmanship if we can. Let us give people some certainty for next year. If we mean, "Happy Christmas", let us try to make it a little happier for those who find themselves with uncertainty around having a roof over the heads next year.

Mark Daly (Fianna Fail)
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I move an amendment to the Order of Business that No. 30, non-Government motion No. 13, would be taken today and approved by the House. It would be hoped that-----

David Norris (Independent)
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What? We cannot hear the Senator. He is mumbling.

Denis O'Donovan (Fianna Fail)
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If there was silence in the Chamber, we might hear him.

Mark Daly (Fianna Fail)
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Not all of us have the benefit of Senator Norris's learned education-----

Denis O'Donovan (Fianna Fail)
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The Senator should not be bated. Will he clarify the number?

Mark Daly (Fianna Fail)
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-----in the hallowed halls of Trinity College.

David Norris (Independent)
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It is voice projection, darling.

Denis O'Donovan (Fianna Fail)
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Allow Senator Daly the floor. I was going to call Senator Norris early, but if he is being obstreperous I will not.

Mark Daly (Fianna Fail)
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I remind Senator Norris that it is allegedly the season of goodwill towards all men.

Mark Daly (Fianna Fail)
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And women too.

Denis O'Donovan (Fianna Fail)
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For the benefit of the Chair, allow Senator Daly clarify his proposal. Afford him that respect at least.

Mark Daly (Fianna Fail)
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I propose that No. 30, non-Government motion No. 13, be approved by the House. I will have one of my colleagues second it.

Denis O'Donovan (Fianna Fail)
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Is it to be taken before No. 1?

Mark Daly (Fianna Fail)
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Yes, before No. 1. I propose that the Cathaoirleach would then send the necessary letters on behalf of the House. This is the last month of the decade of commemorations relating to 1916. The National Park Service of the Department of the Interior in the United States has afforded Ireland a distinct honour by having a replica of the 1916 Proclamation placed inside the Washington monument. It is one of only 17 countries to be given such an honour and only five plaques have been placed within the Washington monument in the past 75 years. President Michael D. Higgins gave the plaque on behalf of the citizens of Ireland at home and abroad and it is hoped that the Taoiseach, on behalf of the nation, will attend there next March to formally dedicate it. I hope the Cathaoirleach, with the acceptance of the Leader, will send the letters to those in the United States who helped with that particular proposal.

Finally, I wish everyone a happy Christmas, including Senator Norris.

David Norris (Independent)
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How kind.

Mark Daly (Fianna Fail)
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It is the season of goodwill to all people.

On the issue of housing and the mismanagement of the Government-----

Denis O'Donovan (Fianna Fail)
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Tá an t-am istigh.

Mark Daly (Fianna Fail)
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-----to bring this issue relating to rent certainty at the last hour of the last day of the sitting of the Dáil and to try to force all sides to come to an agreement with such little time available is nothing short of mismanagement of the highest order. I agree with my colleague, Senator O'Sullivan, and others who have raised the issue. If this is the best Fine Gael can do in terms of managing a crisis-----

Denis O'Donovan (Fianna Fail)
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I call Senator Warfield.

Mark Daly (Fianna Fail)
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The Labour Party now seems, through its leader, to have a new line, which is, "If only we had been allowed to do this when we were in government."

Denis O'Donovan (Fianna Fail)
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Senator Daly is over the limit. I call Senator Warfield.

Mark Daly (Fianna Fail)
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It blamed Fine Gael when it was in government and is blaming Fianna Fáil now that it is in opposition.

Denis O'Donovan (Fianna Fail)
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Senator Daly is over the limit. Will he sit down? He should resume his seat. I call Senator Warfield.

I presume we are sitting next week. That was my understanding. Will no one turn up? I hope Senators do. I call Senator Warfield.

Denis O'Donovan (Fianna Fail)
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Allow Senator Warfield to contribute. When he does contribute, he is very much to the point and brief, which I respect.

Fintan Warfield (Sinn Fein)
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Last week, Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council passed a motion calling for its chief executive to convene an early meeting of the board of the Genealogical Society of Ireland to discuss the decision of the Dún Laoghaire Harbour Company to acquire the premises that houses the unique archive and research facility of the society and to explore the assistance the council could provide in keeping the valuable cultural and educational facility in Dún Laoghaire. It was proposed by Councillor Shane O'Brien of Sinn Féin and seconded by Councillor Patricia Stewart of Fine Gael. I should note that I am a nominee of the Genealogical Society of Ireland.

The background to the motion is the imminent closure of the society's archive on the pier.It is set to close on 14 February following the delivery of a notice to quit from the Dún Laoghaire Harbour Company. I would like to see the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport, Deputy Ross, intervening to address this situation in light of the proposed transfer to the harbour company by February 2017. I ask that the Minister addresses the issue.

Michelle Mulherin (Fine Gael)
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I rise to welcome the negotiations that have commenced between Vertex and the HSE on the price of Orkambi with a view to making it available to suitable cystic fibrosis patients. On the basis of the 25% success rate for patients in clinical trials, the best approach for the HSE and the one it wishes to take is to seek payment based on patient outcome. The outcome of the negotiations may well be a watershed and an opportunity to draw a line under the rogue and unethical behaviour in which drug companies have engaged. These drug companies should not be making a corporate game out of making life-saving and life-enhancing drugs available to the sick and dying, knowing well that governments like ours are trying to do the best for their citizens. In this case, asking for €160,000 per patient while the CEO is earning €25 million per annum can be described as shameless greed and highly unethical.

Drug companies have a track record. They have denied life-saving drugs to people in developing countries, including HIV-AIDS drugs and antiretroviral drugs in Africa, while people in some of the same countries have been used as guinea pigs and lost their lives. Corporate social responsibility is an in-vogue concept for these multinational companies. The challenge is for the drug companies to pay more than lip-service to it so that it actually means something. Drug companies would do well to remember that they would not be in a position to make their big profits without the environment of relative political stability provided in particular by western governments. I refer in particular to our respect for the rule of law which protects their intellectual property and patents and provides them with the protection of the corporate veil under which they can trade and take risks. They have a great deal to thank western governments for. As such, a line must be drawn under the unacceptable unethical behaviour in which they have a long track record of engaging.

Denis O'Donovan (Fianna Fail)
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I call Senator Norris.

David Norris (Independent)
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Can I remind the Senator I am the Protestant Tweedledum? I am Senator Norris. Senator Ross is in the other House now.

Denis O'Donovan (Fianna Fail)
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Sometimes the Senator does not listen to me. I am allowing him to speak.

Mark Daly (Fianna Fail)
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He has a problem with his hearing apparently.

David Norris (Independent)
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I note that the first three speakers, and several subsequent ones, read prepared statements. I just note the fact.

Catherine Noone (Fine Gael)
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What is wrong with that?

David Norris (Independent)
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It is against the tradition of the House.

Maria Byrne (Fine Gael)
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I did not do that.

David Norris (Independent)
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I do not think the Senator has spoken yet.

Maria Byrne (Fine Gael)
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No.

David Norris (Independent)
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Well, there you are. How could she possibly have read a statement? Really, the intelligence level in the House is going down and down.

Mark Daly (Fianna Fail)
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It is the season of goodwill.

Maria Byrne (Fine Gael)
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It is not appropriate for the Senator to question my intelligence level.

David Norris (Independent)
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I love interruptions but I cannot hear them.

Denis O'Donovan (Fianna Fail)
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I ask Senator Norris to let me correct one thing for the record. This matter was brought before the Committee on Procedure and Privileges at the request of Senator Norris some months ago and it was agreed unanimously by the committee that those who wished to read statements or from documents and those who, like the Senator, pronounce their contributions very eloquently without same are all entitled to be here and to contribute in the manner they wish. It is unfair to say what the Senator said. It may have been historically the way things were done. It was the case when I was here 25 or 30 years ago, but not any more. That has been agreed.

David Norris (Independent)
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I just noted the fact.

Gabrielle McFadden (Fine Gael)
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He should not refer to intelligence levels either.

David Norris (Independent)
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It is the Order of Business. There are about three words on it.

Denis O'Donovan (Fianna Fail)
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I ask Members to allow Senator Norris to speak. He is running out of time and I do not want him to run out of steam also.

David Norris (Independent)
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As the only Independent Member present, I will oppose the Order of Business. I note in recent years the habit of meeting without an Order of Business and I do not approve of that. I see no reason we should not have an Order of Business on Tuesday.

Jerry Buttimer (Fine Gael)
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We are going to have one.

David Norris (Independent)
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Why does it say here that there shall be no Order of Business?

Denis O'Donovan (Fianna Fail)
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It has been proposed.

David Norris (Independent)
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It says there shall be no Order of Business. That is what it says in black and white.

Denis O'Donovan (Fianna Fail)
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To clarify, there will be an Order of Business. Perhaps it is sometimes good to refer to notes.

David Norris (Independent)
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It is in the official Order of Business but I have only just received the amendment this second. I have it in my hand.

On the rent situation, we should not castigate all landlords. I spent a huge amount of money on the basement of my house, which I rent out. I have not put up the rent for about ten years because I have decent tenants. It suits me very well. They are nice people who leave me alone and I do not have to bother too much with them. However, one is charged approximately 50% on the rent because it is deemed "unearned income". I am thinking of giving it up. It is just not worth it. It is a waste of time. Why should I be earning money for the Government? I cannot see why.

There we are. It was rather an unruly spot but I am very glad I pointed that out to Senator O'Reilly. I delighted in the highly intelligent heckling I got. It is all part of parliamentary business.

Catherine Noone (Fine Gael)
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It was an own goal.

David Norris (Independent)
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Despite what Senator O'Reilly says, I enjoy the interruptions.

Catherine Noone (Fine Gael)
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We aim to please.

David Norris (Independent)
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The Senator does.

Denis O'Donovan (Fianna Fail)
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The Senator contributed slightly to the disorder on the Order of Business.

Maire Devine (Sinn Fein)
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I am going to read from notes. Is that okay?

Denis O'Donovan (Fianna Fail)
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It is allowed.

David Norris (Independent)
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Yes, it is.

Denis O'Donovan (Fianna Fail)
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Senator Norris's remiss was a case in point.

Maire Devine (Sinn Fein)
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I note the launch today of the HSE's campaign to lure nurses back in an appeal to their sentimental sides at Christmas. The plan is to hold three open recruitment days with walk-in interviews at the HSE's Dublin headquarters where up to 1,000 full and part-time positions are on offer. The message from the Minister is going to be, "We need you back". This is going to take place over the Christmas break. As a registered nurse who served on the front line all my working life, I would like nothing more than to see the young graduates we nurtured and mentored return to work in our country. This, however, is a desperate attempt by the HSE to pull on the heartstrings of our brightest and best at a time of high emotion to get them to come back and save a health system that is on its knees and which the HSE has run into the ground. The measure is an admission of the grave mistakes the Government and Fianna Fáil have made since 2008 in regard to the health service and its staff.

We sold our nurses and other front line workers down the river to pay back billions to the speculators. Yesterday, 536 of our citizens lay on trolleys in corridors and in wards across the country. This situation is a damning indictment of the failed policy in scattering our young nurses all over the world. We now have the audacity to crawl back to them, pleading with them to come home. On top of this, the INMO is releasing the results of a ballot which is expected to favour industrial action.

I will end on a positive note. I extend the very best Christmas wishes to all my nursing colleagues, including the ones at home and those who are on their way home. They do fantastic and admirable work in trying circumstances. I am particularly conscious of those nurses who will be away from their families working on Christmas Day. All I can say is, "Go raibh míle, míle maith agaibh go leir".

Maria Byrne (Fine Gael)
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University Hospital Limerick is always getting negative publicity around here but there was good news in the announcement yesterday that the opening date of the new accident and emergency department may be brought forward following the significant upgrade of the software systems there. This includes the integration of the patient and clinical management systems which allow consultants and their teams to maximise the operation of the emergency department. This is a good news story given the fact that University Hospital Limerick covers the entire mid-west region along with the other hospitals in its group. We are always knocking it around here, so it is good to welcome good news.

David Norris (Independent)
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Hear, hear.

Pádraig Mac Lochlainn (Sinn Fein)
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I do not know if the Leader has watched the movie "The Seige of Jadotville" yet but many Members have.For many years, the men were betrayed by their Government and the State and their heroism was turned into cowardice by people in political leadership in the State. What the men went through in Jadotville was one of the most remarkable military feats in history. Rather than this being presented to young members of the Defence Forces as the standard to adhere to, it was presented as the standard to walk away from and as cowardice. The betrayal was tremendous. Some people took their own lives or died in despair, and their families dealt with all this over the years.

I and my colleague, Senator Craughwell, have asked the Minister for a presentation of medals in Áras an Uachtaráin. In this centenary year, members of the Defence Forces were rightfully paraded and presented with medals. Why can we not bring the surviving members of Jadotville, whose numbers are dwindling every year, and their families to Áras an Uachtaráin to be presented with medals by our President? If they cannot be presented with medals of gallantry, they should be given medals to acknowledge their service to the State and the United Nations and the honour they brought upon the Irish people by their actions over those days. The manner in which they were betrayed by those in UN and Irish political leadership at that time was disgrace.

I assume everybody in the House agrees that the Leader should communicate, on behalf of the entire House, our wishes and firm view that the heroes of Jadotville, the surviving members and their families should be brought to Áras an Uachtaráin at the earliest opportunity and have medals pinned on their chests on behalf of the people of the State. I urge the Leader to ask the Minister to listen to the views of the House.

Frank Feighan (Fine Gael)
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I agree with Senator Mac Lochlainn about Jadotville. I was probably one of the first Members of the Oireachtas who highlighted the fact the men were forgotten about. I was delighted the Government recognised their heroism. I was in Custume Barracks to see the men being presented certificates. I agree they should be recognised in a much more significant fashion. The day in Custume Barracks was a great day of emotion and thanks. Their sacrifice and heroism was forgotten about. Let us not discuss history. We will not go there because what happened was wrong and I am glad we have now reached a situation whereby we can recognise the sacrifices made.

I am intrigued that Lloyds of London could now become Lloyds of Dublin. It is moving an office, which deals with tens of millions of pounds, to Dublin. This is good news for our country following Brexit, which normally involves bad news for Ireland.

I note the European Medicines Agency and the European Banking Authority will move to different locations. Given what the Government and country did to save the EU and the euro, the two should move to Dublin. Some 900 jobs in Canary Wharf are moving out of London. There up to 200 jobs in the European Banking Authority. We need and deserve these jobs, and they should come to Dublin. I was the first to highlight that the European Medicines Agency would move if Brexit happened. It needs to move to a place like Carrick-on-Shannon or Dublin. We need and deserve those jobs.

Trevor Ó Clochartaigh (Sinn Fein)
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Ba mhaith liom ceist a ardú ar maidin atá ag teacht chun cinn sna ceantair tuaithe agus atá ag cur imní orm.

The new JobPath scheme has been rolled out, about which I and many other people in rural areas are concerned. Community employment schemes and other employment schemes across the country have been seriously affected by the implementation of JobPath. Private companies working on behalf of the State are signing up people to the JobPath scheme which means they are then ineligible to take part in community employment and other schemes.

The latest turn of events is that Seetec, a company working my area, is opening offices in rural areas and signing up people who are in receipt of social welfare. A number of schemes in Connemara have been unable to recruit people this year because all the people who would have been eligible are now on JobPath lists and, therefore, are ineligible to take part in other schemes. There is a fear that the opening of new clinics in rural areas by companies such as Seetec will result in more people being put on lists, which will lead to social employment schemes in rural areas no longer being viable. These schemes are very important to local communities.

The other side of the coin is that most of the people who are signed up to Seetec are not getting any gainful employment from JobPath. A review of the scheme has been called for on a number of occasions and it is urgently needed given how the two private companies contracted by the Government to roll out the scheme are acting. What is happening is quite cynical. I do not think the companies involved are acting in the best interests of the people taking part in schemes or the local communities they serve. We need a review of the system and I call for a debate on it as soon as possible in the new year so that we can review the programme.

Kieran O'Donnell (Fine Gael)
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I wish everyone a happy Christmas.

David Norris (Independent)
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Happy Christmas.

Kieran O'Donnell (Fine Gael)
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I agree with Senator Devine and extend my compliments to the public and private sector workers who will be working over the Christmas break in Limerick and other areas. Senator Norris referred to intelligence. I thought, given the large influx of females to the House, that the average intelligence would have been brought way up. I thought he would have reflected on that.

David Norris (Independent)
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Smaller brains.

Rose Conway Walsh (Sinn Fein)
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Obviously, there are-----

Denis O'Donovan (Fianna Fail)
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Sorry, I cannot hear the Senator because Radio Luxembourg is butting in.

Kieran O'Donnell (Fine Gael)
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I refer to rents. I am glad to see that common sense has prevailed in the Dáil and that the Bill will be debated later today and tomorrow. My area, Limerick city, has not been included, but I would have liked it to have been. I have spoken to the Minister, Deputy Coveney, about the matter. He has agreed that it would be prioritised. There is a long way to go. We do not always need to talk to Fianna Fáil; we can actually talk among ourselves.

The Residential Tenancies Board has been charged with providing evidence. I have asked the Minister to fast-track the evidence. I hope Limerick city will be included quite quickly and that the timeframe in terms of other areas would be virtually coterminous.

Diarmuid Wilson (Fianna Fail)
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I second the amendment to the Order of Business moved by Senator Daly. I commend him for his achievement in regard to the motion. It is a pity that Senator Norris was not asked to speak before Senators Humphreys and Reilly. I will forgive Senator Lombard because he is new to the House. The word "intelligence" was used by Senator Norris. If it had to be used prior to the contribution of those Senators, perhaps he would have been intelligent enough not to speak.

If we want to rehearse history and the economic downturn in the House, we can and we have no difficulty in so doing. Senator Humphreys and what is left of his party were in government for five years, and the people of this country gave their verdict on that.For five years the Senator's party, predominantly, talked about my party and what it did to the economy. The people of this country are brighter and more intelligent than that and gave the Government its verdict. Any day the Senator's party wants to come into this House to debate the issue my party will do so. We have no difficulty in doing so.

I welcome the fact that the CPP has agreed that any Member of this House can come in and read from a script. Not all of us have had an opportunity to lecture big crowds, participate in television programmes or take to the stage as Senator Norris and other individuals have done. In particular, I am delighted for one reason and that is for the 35 or so people who are employed by Sinn Féin. I do not want to see them disappeared and losing their jobs. If they have to be employed then so be it and I am glad to see them employed. I welcome the fact-----

Trevor Ó Clochartaigh (Sinn Fein)
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At lease we have something to say, Senator.

Colm Burke (Fine Gael)
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In response to the criticism of the health service, we need to be careful because over 100,000 very dedicated and committed people work in the health service. We need to keep in mind the fact that they must work over Christmas while the rest of us are at home. Every week 61,500 people attend outpatient departments and a further 23,000 people attend the accident and emergency departments. That means over 84,000 go through the hospitals system every week and that is in addition to the number of people who go through the system and are in beds. To suggest that the health service is crumbling is unfair to the people who work in it because they provide a comprehensive service and work extremely hard. It is wrong to suggest that 100,000 people are not doing their job.

Maire Devine (Sinn Fein)
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Who suggested that? On a point of order, I want to know if Senator Burke is targeting me with his claim.

Denis O'Donovan (Fianna Fail)
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I suggest Senator Burke is allowed to conclude as his time is nearly up.

Colm Burke (Fine Gael)
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An additional 5,000 people now work in the health service when compared with 2014 and we are making huge progress. It is important to give credit where credit is due in respect of the service that is delivered.

Many people have been caught up in the rental market and I am talking about tenants in particular. We need to give security and do everything possible for them. We need to all work together to deal with the issue. Unfortunately, many people will not get on the property ladder. Therefore, we need to ensure they have security and do not have to worry about when the next notice to quit will be delivered to their doors compared with what happened before. Let us all be careful in the way we handle the issue. Many people are very worried. We need to be conscious of their plight and make sure that we do not play politics with the issue. That is why it is important we agree on a comprehensive plan to tackle the issue.

Maire Devine (Sinn Fein)
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Hear, hear.

Paul Gavan (Sinn Fein)
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Hear, hear.

Trevor Ó Clochartaigh (Sinn Fein)
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Hear, hear.

Ray Butler (Fine Gael)
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Recently the Scottish First Minister Nicola Sturgeon, MSP, addressed the Chamber. It was a great day and we were delighted to have her here in Ireland. She visited the Book of Kells that is housed in Trinity College Dublin. I called for her support in asking for the Book of Kells to be returned to the people of Kells in County Meath.

Kieran O'Donnell (Fine Gael)
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Good man.

Ray Butler (Fine Gael)
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I ask Senator Norris to have a word with his friends in Trinity College Dublin. I would like to make a few points about the Book of Kells. It is comprised of four volumes by the four Evangelists - Matthew, Mark, Luke and John. Two of the volumes are never displayed by the university but are kept in storage. The Book of Kells fell into the hands of the Protestant ascendency class and subsequently to Trinity College-----

Paul Gavan (Sinn Fein)
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No, Norris took it.

Ray Butler (Fine Gael)
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-----as a direct result of the Cromwellian wars in Ireland. The Book of Kells was safely kept in Kells for over 600 years.

David Norris (Independent)
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And then they lost it.

Ray Butler (Fine Gael)
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The Book of Kells belongs to the people of Ireland-----

David Norris (Independent)
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And then they let it fall into the bog.

Ray Butler (Fine Gael)
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-----and not to Trinity. It belongs to the people of Ireland.

Ray Butler (Fine Gael)
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I would like Senator Norris to thank Trinity College and its librarians for taking good care of the book. Let us remember that the people of Kells took care of it during the 600 years it was in the Columban monastery in Kells.

David Norris (Independent)
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And then they lost it.

Ray Butler (Fine Gael)
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We want it back.

David Norris (Independent)
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The people are not getting it.

Denis O'Donovan (Fianna Fail)
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I thank Senator Butler for his history lesson. I call on the Leader to respond.

Jerry Buttimer (Fine Gael)
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How does one follow the last few contributions?

I wish to correct the Order of Business. No. 6 is a motion for the earlier signature of the Appropriation Bill 2016. I should have said the motion would be taken at the conclusion of No. 5, without debate. I apologise for any misunderstanding.

I thank the 22 Members of the House for their vigorous contributions this morning.

Kieran O'Donnell (Fine Gael)
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They were intelligent contributions.

Jerry Buttimer (Fine Gael)
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Yes. Reference was made to the use of language and the use of scripts. I have noted all the comments in my notebook.

Denis O'Donovan (Fianna Fail)
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I urge the Leader not to be caught by any snares.

Jerry Buttimer (Fine Gael)
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My best reply to the Order of Business is to bring the vibe down an octave or two and I ask Members to reflect wisely on what we have discussed.

Over 13 Senators have raised the matter of the Bill before the Dáil. As Senator Kieran O'Donnell said, thankfully the Dáil will debate it today and tomorrow. I hope the Bill will reach us on Tuesday. It is important that we put the matter in context and park all of our political ideology. As we speak here today there are 132,000 tenants in Dublin and 18,000 tenants in Cork awaiting the legislation and, therefore, it is important that the Bill progresses. The Minister for Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government, Deputy Coveney, is determined to work with all sides to bring certainty and security to tenants and landlords. The job of this House is to set its own business and to do an effective job. I am confident that we will do so in a timely and positive manner.

Senator Ned O'Sullivan is a pragmatist like myself and we were both right to wait for a resolution to take place this afternoon. Let us put the matter in context because some people here have a misguided notion of the rental market. There are more tenants than landlords. The legislation is a major and radical intervention in the rental market. Senators have stood up on the mountain and talked about the landlord class and a lack of intervention by the Government. I urge them to read the statement issued by the ESRI yesterday. I want to outline to Members, and to the Sinn Féin party in particular, that if they intervene too aggressively the housing supply will be shut off. We must have supply. I am confident that the Minister, who has worked with Deputy Cowen in Fianna Fáil and, to be fair, with Deputy Ó Broin will get the legislation right. The legislation has not been rushed. Let me put that in context. We gave it a long, detailed and considered hearing in this House. The Minister has been one of most willing Ministers to come to the House and he has engaged with Members on all sides. In his speeches on Second Stage, Committee Stage and Report Stage he flagged the idea that he would table amendments and deal with the issue of rent certainty as part of the Bill. The process was agreed by all of us.

Trevor Ó Clochartaigh (Sinn Fein)
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We opposed it.

Jerry Buttimer (Fine Gael)
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No, we agreed it at group meetings.The process was agreed to. The Senator cannot have it both ways.

Trevor Ó Clochartaigh (Sinn Fein)
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I was not here. The Leader should check the vote register.

Jerry Buttimer (Fine Gael)
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You cannot talk out of both sides of your mouth.

Denis O'Donovan (Fianna Fail)
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The Leader should speak through the Chair.

Jerry Buttimer (Fine Gael)
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The legislation has been subject to three months of consultation, as well as being the subject of more than 500 written submissions. I appeal to Members. The language we use is important. If we have learned anything from Brexit and the American election, it is that our language and what we say are critical. Let us not undermine the strategy or the process. Let us ensure we have a Bill that tenants and landlords will want to see passed in order that we can reach an outcome that will provide certainty and security. The last thing we, as Members of the House who are charged with the responsibility of enacting legislation, want is to have flawed legislation passed. That would not make sense and would be wrong. Let us have calm and reflection.

On what Senator Rose Conway-Walsh said about the banks, I do not like to hear her use words such as "robbery", "theft" and "lies". I would much prefer if we had a debate about the banking system letting people down. I would be very happy to arrange such a debate in the new year. We should all look at the report on the banking inquiry and what is stated in it and the other associated reports.

Senator Kevin Humphreys spoke about new politics. I remind him that what people do not want to see is old style Punch and Judy politics, to which he resorted. What they want to see is action being taken by all of us. I would be happy to have the Taoiseach come to the House at any time, but he is not the line Minister with responsibility for the Bill. The responsible Minister is Deputy Simon Coveney who I hope will be in the House on Tuesday to discuss the Bill. I would be happy for the Taoiseach to come to the House in the new year to discuss the issue of Seanad reform or any matter pertaining to his Department, but, please, let us put things in context.

I will not go through the contributions of all Senators on the Planning and Development (Housing) and Residential Tenancies Bill.

I am very happy to accept Senator Mark Daly's amendment to the Order of Business. On a very serious note, I recognise the significance of the motion which conveys our thanks to the National Parks Service of the United States. As Senator Mark Daly rightly said, Ireland is just one of 17 countries to be given this distinction and unless I am mistaken, it is one of only five plaques to be placed at the Washington Monument, which is an indication of the significant contribution made by the State in the eyes of the United States of America. I thank the men and women of the National Parks Service of the United States which is part of the US Department of the Interior as it is an acknowledgement of the huge contribution made in the 1916 Rising, following which many people emigrated to the United States where they played a role in civic life. The motion is important and I am happy for it to be taken today.

Senator Fintan Warfield referred to the Genealogical Society of Ireland in Dún Laoghaire. I am not familiar with the case mentioned, but I would be happy for the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport, Deputy Shane Ross, to come to the House to discuss the matter, most likely in the new year.

Senator Michelle Mulherin referred to the drug Orkambi. We all welcome the engagement of the drug company with the HSE and hope to see a positive outcome.

Senators Máire Devine, Kieran O'Donnell and Colm Burke raised the issue of staff in the Health Service Executive and the health system. I join Senator Máire Devine in thanking the men and women who work on the front line in the health service and all those who will be working on Christmas Day on behalf of the State. As someone who had the pleasure of working on Christmas Day when I worked in Cork University Hospital, I am aware that it is a day on which many people are separated from their loved ones, but they act in the spirit of serving others. I congratulate the Senator on raising the issue. However, I disagree with her assessment of the HSE's recruitment campaign which I believe is a good one. It is great that we are encouraging nurses to come home to work in the health system. The Senator should welcome people back into the health system with open arms. As we are crying out for people to work in the health system, we should encourage them to come back to work and live here. This has become a great country which we have rebuilt once again.

Maire Devine (Sinn Fein)
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We live in the real world.

Jerry Buttimer (Fine Gael)
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Let us welcome the campaign.

Paul Gavan (Sinn Fein)
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Unless they come back to work in private nursing homes.

Jerry Buttimer (Fine Gael)
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Senators Padráig Mac Lochlainn and Frank Feighan referred to the events which occurred in Jadotville in the Congo in 1961. I have seen the film and one cannot but be struck by the bravery of the men involved and the fact that no Irish soldier was lost in the battle. The Minister organised an event in Custume Barracks in which she presented a citation to the men of A Company of the 35th Infantry Battalion. As Senator Gabrielle McFadden outlined previously, it was the first time a citation was awarded to a unit of the Defence Forces. The Minister has commissioned an insignia to recognise the professional performance of the men of A Company, but like Senator Frank Feighan and others, I agree that it is important that we try to make more progress if we can. We are always reacting to historical and various other events. The soldiers referred to were treated badly; they were treated as outcasts when, in fact, they were not. I encourage all Members who have not seen the film to watch it over Christmas because it is an extraordinary portrayal of the bravery of the men in question who deserve our thanks and appreciation.

Senator Frank Feighan also referred to the possibility of Lloyds of London becoming Lloyds of Dublin. I hope that will come to fruition. Equally, he mentioned the possibility of the European Banking Authority and the European Medicines Agency coming to Dublin. I hope that, too, will come to fruition.

Senator Trevor Ó Clochartaigh referred to the JobPath scheme. The Minister for Social Protection, Deputy Leo Varadkar, has been holding meetings with representatives of community employment schemes and is looking into the matter. Many of us have spoken to him about the issue. He acknowledges and values the work being done across many schemes and is anxious to find a positive solution to improve communities. I would be happy for him to come to the House in the new year to speak about the issue.

I will not engage in a discussion on economics back and forth with Senator Diarmuid Wilson.

Senator Colm Burke again referred to the health service. I would be happy for the matter to be discussed in the new year.

Senator Niall Ó Donnghaile raised the issue of Misneach, mar gheall ar chúrsaí Gaeilge. It is my fault that the Minister of State, Deputy Seán Kyne, will not be in the House before Christmas; it is not his. He is willing to come to the House, but I will hold him off until the new year because of the pending legislation we want to have passed. However, I assure Senator Trevor Ó Clochartaigh who raised the matter previously that the Minister of State will be in the House in the new year.

I wish Senator Ray Butler well in his quest to have the Book of Kells returned to County Meath.

Ray Butler (Fine Gael)
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It is just one of the gospels.

Jerry Buttimer (Fine Gael)
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I am sure there will be a strong resistance from many arms of the State in that regard. I remind Senator David Norris that there will be an Order of Business on Tuesday morning.

David Norris (Independent)
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Let me remind the Leader that an amended Order of Business was circulated while the House was sitting.

Jerry Buttimer (Fine Gael)
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It was not.

David Norris (Independent)
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The time on it is 10.30 a.m.

Jerry Buttimer (Fine Gael)
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It was circulated before the Order of Business.

Denis O'Donovan (Fianna Fail)
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It was circulated by electronic means before 10 a.m.

David Norris (Independent)
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The time stated in black and white is 10.30 a.m.

Jerry Buttimer (Fine Gael)
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To clarify for the House, it was circulated electronically before the Order of Business. The Senator should be fair.

David Norris (Independent)
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That is the time indicated on it.

Jerry Buttimer (Fine Gael)
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It is important that we be accurate and do not impugn those who work very hard. I wish to be very clear that it was circulted electronically prior to the Order of Business.

Denis O'Donovan (Fianna Fail)
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The Leader has corrected the record.

Jerry Buttimer (Fine Gael)
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Yes. Next Tuesday on the Order of Business - an intelligent one - at 11 a.m. we will have an opportunity to wish people a happy Christmas. I apologise to Members that we did not have an opportunity to engage in a longer debate because of the state of flux in the Dáil, but there is a timetable to which we agreed at the leaders' meeting last week for the business to be conducted. It will be a long day.

I thank the leaders of all the groups for their co-operation during this term. There has been a very positive working relationship. We can put the swords back in the scabbards for a moment while I thank all of the leaders and the Whips for their co-operation. I also thank the staff in the Seanad Office. There was very positive engagement at the Committee on Procedure and Privileges on the need to reinforce and strengthen the Seanad Office because we have dedicated individuals who do extraordinary work on behalf of the people and who sometimes do not receive the credit they deserve. They are under the watch of Mr. Martin Groves and do Trojan work, for which they should be acknowledged and thanked.

Denis O'Donovan (Fianna Fail)
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Senator Mark Daly has proposed an amendment to the Order of Business: "That No. 30, non-Government motion No. 13 re National Park Service of the United States, be taken before No. 1." The Leader has indicated that he is prepared to accept the amendment. Is it agreed to? Agreed.