Seanad debates

Thursday, 9 February 2017

10:30 am

Photo of Jerry ButtimerJerry Buttimer (Fine Gael)
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The Order of Business is No. 1, motion re psychoactive substances, back from committee, to be taken on conclusion of the Order of Business without debate; No. 2, statements on the Action Plan for Rural Development, to be taken at 12.45 p.m. and to conclude no later than 2.30 p.m., with the contributions of group spokespersons not to exceed eight minutes and that of all other Members not to exceed five minutes, and the Minister to be given five minutes to reply to the debate; and No. 3, motion re establishment of a commission of inquiry, to be taken at 3.30 p.m. and to conclude no later than 4.10 p.m., with the contributions of group spokespersons not to exceed five minutes and the Minister to be given three minutes to reply to the debate.

Out of respect to the House, given the situation in the Lower House, I may have to come in later in the day to amend the Order of Business and to put forward new orders. I will let the Leas-Chathaoirleach and Members know when I get the information.

Photo of Catherine ArdaghCatherine Ardagh (Fianna Fail)
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Yesterday, I called a vote on the Order of Business, having called on the Minister for Health, Deputy Harris, to attend to clarify certain statements made by Mr. Tony O'Brien, director general of the HSE, on the national children's hospital. The Minister was unable to attend but sent a Minister of State in his Department to address us. I asked the following questions. Was the statement made by Mr. O'Brien that the HSE cannot afford to build the national children's hospital accurate? If so, what exactly does that mean? Does it mean the entire proposal to build the hospital at the St. James's site is shelved? Why did it require a HSE official to deliver that news the day before yesterday to an Oireachtas committee? Why did the Minister not deliver the news? Was the hospital project in jeopardy? Can the Minister set out how much taxpayers' money has been invested in developing the proposed site at St. James's Hospital to date?

I am 100% for this hospital project as are all my colleagues in the constituency. Not one of these questions was answered by the Minister of State, Deputy Catherine Byrne, yesterday. She completely fudged every single one of these questions. It is alarming that the first-in-command in the HSE can make statements on one of the biggest projects in the State, yet the Minister does not have the courtesy to attend the House to explain and make a statement on these matters.

The second matter I would like to raise today relates to the ongoing nightmare of staff shortages in the HSE. Nurses have voted in favour of industrial action and will carry out a work-to-rule from Tuesday, 7 March. This is incredible. The Minister for Health promised 1,200 nurses. To date, 108 beds have been closed in our hospitals. It is a continuous nightmare for Fine Gael, which has had three Ministers in the Department of Health. Not one of the them has been able to make a dent in the crisis that sees 600 patients on trolleys a week.

Photo of Gabrielle McFaddenGabrielle McFadden (Fine Gael)
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Fianna Fáil had 14 years.

Photo of Catherine ArdaghCatherine Ardagh (Fianna Fail)
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It is absolutely scandalous.

Photo of James ReillyJames Reilly (Fine Gael)
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Fianna Fáil hypocrisy.

Photo of Catherine ArdaghCatherine Ardagh (Fianna Fail)
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Senator Reilly was one of those Ministers.

Photo of Kieran O'DonnellKieran O'Donnell (Fine Gael)
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Selective amnesia would be the term.

Photo of Catherine ArdaghCatherine Ardagh (Fianna Fail)
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How long has Fine Gael now been in government?

Photo of Jerry ButtimerJerry Buttimer (Fine Gael)
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Look at Deputy Micheál Martin's record.

Photo of Catherine ArdaghCatherine Ardagh (Fianna Fail)
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Today I will not call on the Minister to address the House because I know the Minister has no respect for it. I will leave it there.

Photo of Paul CoghlanPaul Coghlan (Fine Gael)
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With my wide-angle lens, I am not too sure who indicated first. I call Senator Gerard Craughwell.

Photo of Gerard CraughwellGerard Craughwell (Independent)
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The Leas-Chathaoirleach is very kind. I rise this morning somewhat unusually to compliment our Government on the work that is being done in the area of Brexit.

Photo of Catherine NooneCatherine Noone (Fine Gael)
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Shock horror.

Photo of Gerard CraughwellGerard Craughwell (Independent)
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Please do not all take heart attacks over there.

Photo of Kieran O'DonnellKieran O'Donnell (Fine Gael)
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I would say this is the calm before the storm.

Photo of Gerard CraughwellGerard Craughwell (Independent)
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Having spent two days in Brussels and having had 14 meetings with my colleague, Senator Neale Richmond, and Members of the Lower House, I have been thoroughly impressed by two things. The first is the message that Ireland was in need of special consideration, particularly following the Good Friday Agreement. The second is that Ireland is a committed European Union member and needs, if one likes, a special understanding with respect to how we will engage with the UK and the EU following Brexit.One message that came loud and clear from our trip was that the time for tea and sympathy was over. We need to come forward with five or six definite issues that we wish to have addressed. We need to make them public and put solutions on the table. When we met Mr. Michel Barnier yesterday morning, he asked us to give him solutions. He said that if we gave him solutions, he would try to implement them. I was delighted to hear from him that he would be willing, at the Cathaoirleach's invitation, to address this House. That is an extraordinarily generous step by a man who has been given such an onerous task and I hope it is something we can facilitate in the coming weeks. My colleague, Senator Neale Richmond, was particularly anxious that he would do so. He and I together called for it to happen and are now asking that the invitation be put in place.

That is the complimentary side of my contribution side finished. Of course, I could not possibly let the Leader away with nothing but compliments. The other side of my argument is that the time has come for public statements and for us to step up to the plate to say what we want and how we believe it can be implemented. That has to be done without further delay. Ireland is streets ahead of other member states in the planning process, but very few citizens know what is going on. I meet people every day of the week who say Ireland is following Britain. I do not believe we are. The Commissioner pointed out earlier in the year that Ireland needed to differentiate itslef from Britain and should not get dragged into its argument with the European Union. We need to set out our own stall firmly.

This morning we all received an e-mail from the Tesco organisation on impending industrial action. I do not think it should try to use this House to fight its argument. The only thing I will say to it is that if it does not reach an agreement with the staff whose terms and conditions it is attempting to change, it should not change them. If there is no agreement, there should be no change.

The Leader might take these few points on board.

Photo of Paul CoghlanPaul Coghlan (Fine Gael)
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I am sure the Committee on Procedure and Privileges will deal with the Senator's proposal.

Photo of Rose Conway WalshRose Conway Walsh (Sinn Fein)
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As we say in the west, when Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael start to argue about who was worse when it comes to the health service, it is "between them".

Photo of Diarmuid WilsonDiarmuid Wilson (Fianna Fail)
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Look at what is happening in the North.

Photo of Rose Conway WalshRose Conway Walsh (Sinn Fein)
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The Senator should go and look.

Photo of Diarmuid WilsonDiarmuid Wilson (Fianna Fail)
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What Sinn Féin did in government with the DUP to the health service was disgraceful-----

Photo of Rose Conway WalshRose Conway Walsh (Sinn Fein)
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After the absolute rubbish Senator Diarmuid Wilson came out with yesterday-----

Photo of Paul CoghlanPaul Coghlan (Fine Gael)
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The Senator should not direct her gaze sideways. She should address the Chair.

Photo of Rose Conway WalshRose Conway Walsh (Sinn Fein)
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He is just so handsome that I cannot help it.

Photo of Paul CoghlanPaul Coghlan (Fine Gael)
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It should be relevant to the point being made. Senator Diarmuid Wilson's turn will come.

Photo of Diarmuid WilsonDiarmuid Wilson (Fianna Fail)
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That is what I am afraid of.

Photo of Jerry ButtimerJerry Buttimer (Fine Gael)
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Tiocfaidh ár lá.

Photo of Rose Conway WalshRose Conway Walsh (Sinn Fein)
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I am just dazzled by Senator Diarmuid Wilson's brilliance. See you later alligator.

Photo of Paul CoghlanPaul Coghlan (Fine Gael)
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Order, please.

Photo of Kevin HumphreysKevin Humphreys (Labour)
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The ballot box and the armalite.

Photo of Rose Conway WalshRose Conway Walsh (Sinn Fein)
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My God, they are so entertaining. Yesterday Fine Gael Members clapped themselves on the back and said regarding the problems in the health service that it was not a resource issue. I am sure they will remember what they said. Today, we see an internal assessment drawn up by the HSE which indicates that 9,000 pieces of hospital equipment need to be replaced. When Professor Fergal Malone requested a sum of €650,000 for the Rotunda Hospital last year to replace ageing and out-of-date equipment, it received €150,000. It looks to me as though the provision of resources is an issue. Vital diagnostic equipment, including MRI scans, X-ray machines and other equipment being used in hospitals across the country, needs to be replaced. I know from my own conversations with consultants and other clinicians that it has needed to be replaced for some time now. Is it any wonder that an increasing number of patients are being misdiagnosed? Not a week goes by without someone contacting me who has been given the wrong diagnosis. Patients are being sent home from hospitals with broken bones, a fractured back and other illnesses that should be picked up. They are not being picked up because the equipment being used is not of adequate quality. The CEO of the HSE, Mr. Tony O'Brien, told an Oireachtas committee last year that he was greatly concerned about the lack of money available to replace critical equipment which he said posed an immediate safety and quality concern. He estimated that an additional €1.4 billion was needed in the next five years to address the issue. Each time a procedure has to be cancelled when equipment breaks down, as many are, it adds to the waste of money in the system. This does not make economic sense, but I have no doubt that my Fine Gael friends will have worked up a spin and a cover up that it somehow benefits patients and was part of the plan all along. The failure to provide clinicians with the tools they need to do their jobs must be dealt with. I can see why there are such big issues with recruitment. I know from talking to nurses over Christmas why they are unwilling to come back and work in Irish hospitals. It is not only because of the chaos but also because they would not have the equipment they would need to do the job. In not replacing equipment the Government cannot blame the recruitment process. It is very plain and simple - the money to replace equipment is either available or it is not. The Government can either stand over the choice it made to give the money to the vulture funds, Apple or any other organisation or it can stand over the health service. It is unforgiveable in this day and age that proper equipment is not available to allow consultants and clinicians to do their jobs.

Photo of Kevin HumphreysKevin Humphreys (Labour)
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I am very concerned about the reports on cost-saving measures in the context of labour activation schemes. When I heard the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform, Deputy Pachal Donohoe, say the so-called labour activation schemes facing the axe included Tús and Gateway, schemes overseen by the Department of Social Protection, I was concerned. We have made huge progress in reducing the level of unemployment and should not be talking about cuts to labour activation schemes. We should be redesigning them to ensure investment to help the long-term unemployed. I am very concerned that we are not having a discussion on or that there is not an internal review of how pet projects for Fine Gael will be funded and which long-term projects, including community projects, will be cut. When Minister of State in the Department of Social Protection I saw the great work done under Tús schemes in towns and villages the length of breadth of the country to keep people in touch with and connected to the employment market. Whether it was with Tidy Towns committees, helping in nursing homes or in general clean-ups, local communities and participants saw the benefitsm yet we are now talking about cutting schemes. I have continuously raised the issue of community employment. In many cases, the work carried out under community employment schemes constitutes a real job. Community centres would not be able to open without community employment scheme participants. GAA pitches would not be marked out, while the local GAA club's sports hall would not be opened. We are seeing internal cost-cutting measures being taken without a proper debate. It is time for the Minister, Deputy Paschal Donohoe, to come to the House for a discussion on the cuts about which he is talking. He says funds will have to be saved within Departments. There is an expanding wage bill in An Garda Síochána. If savings will have to be made within An Garda Síochána, will we see the college in Templemore close again, as happened under Fianna Fáil? It was reopened under the last Government. Exactly what cost-saving measures are being talked about? I agree fully that we should constantly review all Government programmes to make sure they are fit for purpose. However, there must also be an appreciation of the services provided in every community. Will the Leader ask the Minister to come to the House for a debate and a proper discussion on the cost-saving measures he has asked Ministers to implement across Departments prior to the next budget?This must be done as soon as possible.

Photo of Kieran O'DonnellKieran O'Donnell (Fine Gael)
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Yesterday, in a junior cup game held in Musgrave Park between my former school, St. Munchin's College, and Presentation Brothers College, PBC, Cork, three young rugby players suffered head injuries and concussion. This followed a game the previous involving St. Clement's College and Castletroy College in which two players were injured. I am glad to report that all the players concerned are doing well. The game between St. Munchin's College and PBC had to be discontinued. I hope, in the spirit of friendship, it will be replayed. I welcome that the PBC players were very concerned about the St. Munchin's College players and visited them in hospital in Cork.

I ask the Irish Rugby Football Union to consider making it compulsory for junior cup players, particularly forwards, to wear head gear. The GAA first introduced its rule making head gear compulsory in hurling for under age players, before extending it to senior players. At senior level, some of Ireland's top players have suffered multiple concussions. The issue needs to be addressed and I ask the IRFU and Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport to seriously consider making head gear compulsory at junior cup level for under age players. It may also need to be introduced at senior level. While head gear should be mandatory for forwards, it may also need to be considered for backs because rugby has changed and become a much more defensive game in which backs are required to tackle opponents and form a defensive line. We saw the way Brian O'Driscoll's game changed over the years, for example.

I am glad the three St. Munchin's College players are doing well. The incident in which they were involved has brought to light a serious issue. I call on the IRFU to consider making head gear compulsory for junior cup players. I also ask that the Minister consider the issue.

Photo of Paul CoghlanPaul Coghlan (Fine Gael)
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The Senator is in injury time.

Photo of Kieran O'DonnellKieran O'Donnell (Fine Gael)
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We must ensure rugby is played with safety in mind.

Photo of Ned O'SullivanNed O'Sullivan (Fianna Fail)
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I hope I am not in any way stealing the Leas-Chathaoirleach's thunder in welcoming some interesting developments on the tourism front in County Kerry, including the Leas-Chathaoirleach's home town of Killarney. I welcome the establishment of a new international college for hotel management being established as part of a public private partnership between the Gleneagle Group and Tralee Institute of Technology. Young students will come to Ireland to be taught hospitality skills and I understand the college had adopted the Swiss model and will be the first school of its type in Ireland. This development is very much in line with the specifications of the action plan for jobs and the Leas-Chathaoirleach will join me in welcoming it.

I also welcome the announcement by Ryanair that, as of this autumn, its schedule will include twice weekly flights from Kerry to Berlin. This is a welcome development in a county which is highly dependent on tourism for income.

I will conclude with an interesting little statistic. Under a by-law introduced by Killarney Town Council, as it was known then, the number of jarvey licences in the town is limited. When a jarvey licence became vacant recently, there were no fewer than 66 applicants for the licence. I understand the successful applicant will be drawn by lot by the mayor of County Kerry. This is a litmus test and, as with the Dow Jones Index, I will keep an eye on applications for jarvey licences.

Photo of Michael McDowellMichael McDowell (Independent)
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I raise proposed business in the House next week, namely, consideration of the Criminal Law (Sexual Offences) Bill, as amended in Dáil Éireann. The Bill was initiated and passed in the Seanad and subsequently amended in the Dáil. It will come back to the House next week. Under the Standing Orders of the Seanad, only amendments that have been made in Dáil Éireann can be considered. As a result, a wholly different Seanad, which includes new Senators such as me, the Leader and others, will be in a position in which we have not had an opportunity to speak on or consider portions of this legislation. Under the Constitution, a Bill that is initiated in Seanad Éireann and amended in Dáil Éireann is considered to be a Bill initiated in the Dáil. We are now in the position that unless we do something, Senators who were not Members of the previous Seanad will not have an opportunity at any point in time to consider sections of the Bill, as passed by Dáil Éireann, which is to be discussed next Tuesday. I have indicated informally to the Leader my unhappiness with this situation.

While the Seanad has the right to amend Standing Orders, if such amendment is proposed by a private Member, I understand it must be taken in Private Members' time. Since this is the final sitting of the House before the next Private Members' business is taken, I will not have an opportunity to initiate a suspension of Standing Orders. However, the Leader has an opportunity to initiate a suspension of Standing Orders to enable the Seanad to discuss sections of the Bill which Senators have not had the opportunity to discuss. In those circumstances, I am raising the matter now lest anybody state he or she has been taken by surprise on Tuesday by what I will have to do in connection with the Order of Business.

It is wrong that legislation passes through both Houses of the Oireachtas where someone in the position of the Leader, who was a Member of the other House before the legislation in question was considered and is now a Member of this House, on foot of a Bill that was considered in this House when he was not here and it is wrong that someone in my position, as someone who has never had an opportunity to speak on the provisions of the Bill, should be deprived of the right to speak and to address the issue. I raise this issue now. There are informal methods by which this issue will be resolved. However, I am not prepared to have it railroaded through the Houses of the Oireachtas on the pretence that it was discussed in this House when it was not discussed here. When a general election takes place, the newly elected Members of this House are entitled, at least once, to vote on every provision in every Bill.

Photo of Paul CoghlanPaul Coghlan (Fine Gael)
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I call Senator Neale Richmond and welcome him back.

Photo of Neale RichmondNeale Richmond (Fine Gael)
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I echo the calls of my colleague, Senator Craughwell, to ask the Committee on Procedure and Privileges to invite the former European Commissioner, Mr. Michel Barnier, to address and actively engage with the House. As the Senator noted, we need to have a discussion on possible and suggested solutions to the challenges we face as a result of Brexit. I call on the Leader to invite every Cabinet Minister to the House to discuss how Brexit impacts on his or her area of work, what he or she is doing to prepare for Brexit and the solutions he or she intends to present as part of the Irish case at the relevant Council meetings.

One issue that has arisen is the cost of making an application for Irish citizenship. More than 320,000 United Kingdom citizens reside in the Republic and a large number of them are not entitled to apply for Irish citizenship through the grandparent or dual status rules. These individuals face bills of more than €1,000 simply to guarantee that they can remain in Ireland and married to their Irish spouse, and to allow them to continue to work and live in Ireland where they may have lived for 20 years or more. I ask the Leader to ensure the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality is the first Minister to come to the House to address all aspects of Brexit and how they impact on her brief and to specifically address the fees being applied for Irish citizenship applications.

Photo of Paul GavanPaul Gavan (Sinn Fein)
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I raise again the issue of Tesco, which I raised yesterday on the Order of Business. Senators received further correspondence from the company yesterday evening. I have just left a meeting with Mandate across the road and, as an experienced trade unionist, I am genuinely shocked by what I heard at first hand from Mandate members about the levels of intimidation meted out to them.People have been called into offices to be told that their only choice is redundancy or to take the new terms. Some with 20 years of loyal service have been called in a second time and been presented with flowers, wine and a "Thank you" card to be told that they are leaving. That is a fact. It is happening to these people.

We have received two letters from Tesco full of propaganda. Mandate made a simple request, namely, that each of us as elected representatives write back and ask the company whether it will agree not to implement these changes without the agreement of the workers. Let us not forget that those concerned are the longest serving staff members in Tesco with over 20 years' experience and are in some cases, after all that time, earning the princely sum of €14 per hour.

We must put this in context. Yesterday, we rightly raised the issue of 500 job losses at Hewlett Packard. I was not aware that Tesco had done away with 900 permanent jobs in the past year, to be replaced by precarious work. We are discussing a dumbing down of the retail sector, a race to the bottom. This is a pure example of what is happening. Tesco is the largest private sector employer in the State. No one in the Chamber approves of what is happening. I ask all Senators to take action today and send a clear message to Tesco to leave their loyal workers alone. I hope that every Senator will stand with Mandate and its workers in their courageous stand for decent work. Will the Leader invite the Minister to the House urgently? The largest private sector employer in the State is behaving disgracefully.

Photo of Martin ConwayMartin Conway (Fine Gael)
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In light of the events in Dáil Éireann yesterday, will the Leader or the Leas-Chathaoirleach circulate a note on parliamentary privilege? Members have a unique right and privilege that we should take very seriously before putting anything on the record. Once something is put on the record of this or the Lower House, it sets off a certain course of events.

We are fortunate that our right of parliamentary privilege was upheld in a recent court case. That should make us focus further on doing what is right and proper. We all listened to "Morning Ireland" today. Unfortunately for that Member of the Lower House, it was one of his worst ever interviews and he could not really defend the situation that had evolved in that House. I would not like to see any Senator finding himself or herself in that situation. We must be cognisant of our responsibilities as regards parliamentary privilege.

Photo of Denis LandyDenis Landy (Labour)
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I also wish to represent the Mandate members in Tesco. I attended this morning's briefing and, like Senator Gavan, was shocked. Indeed, I was shocked on one front more than any, namely, by how the company was openly distributing letters to staff urging them to leave the union. That was a new low.

I have been involved in the trade union movement since I was a child, but I have never seen what is happening in this form. This is about the defence of workers who, as we all accept, are in jobs that are not very well paid, work long and unsocial hours and need protection. Based on the correspondence that we received this morning from Ms Heffernan representing Tesco, they need a great deal of attention. I add my voice to the call to have the Minister, Deputy Mitchell O'Connor, attend the House next week.

Yesterday, I brought the House up to date with the situation in the greyhound industry. I am sorry to say that next Saturday's race meeting in Shelbourne Park and the national awards have been cancelled. Something about Nero, fiddling and burning comes to mind. I have been alerting the Leader, the House and the Minister to this matter for nearly two and a half weeks, but the Minister still has not addressed it outside or within the House. The greyhound industry fully supports the current campaign. In the coming weeks, there will be a large general meeting of greyhound owners and breeders and those with an interest in the industry. Sooner or later, the Government will have to introduce the legislation to clean up the industry that it has been promising for six months. I call on the Leader to schedule a debate on the industry next week with the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine.

Photo of Robbie GallagherRobbie Gallagher (Fianna Fail)
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Last week or the previous week, I raised the issue of ambulance response times throughout rural Ireland. I cited two incidents in County Monaghan, one before Christmas and one in early January, and another in County Cavan. In one of the Monaghan incidents, an individual fell down the stairs in the family home and an ambulance was called, but it took almost two hours to collect the person. The ambulance had to come from County Longford. In the second incident, an individual collapsed in Monaghan Shopping Centre and it took almost two and a half hours for an ambulance to reach the site. In County Cavan, a child took sick one day at school. When an ambulance was called, the school was told that it would take 45 minutes to get there. So concerned was the school principal about the health of the child that the school rang the local general practitioner, GP, who left his practice and took the child to hospital in his car. Thankfully, everyone is now doing fine.

I mention this matter again because, on Tuesday, a serious traffic accident occurred on the N2, the main Dublin-Derry road. I am sad to report that it resulted in a fatality. I extend my sympathy to the family involved. Two ladies were also involved in the accident. They were travelling down from Donegal. Both suffered serious injuries. An ambulance was called. It took somewhere between 45 and 50 minutes to arrive at the scene. I can only imagine how the emergency services, to which we owe our great gratitude, dealt with that situation. Two people lay on the side of the road, with another person who was deceased, waiting for 45 or 50 minutes for an ambulance to arrive. Someone must call a stop to this. Sometimes, I listen with amusement to the Government's continual focus on its new belief in and regeneration of rural Ireland, yet here we are with the most basic right of all and someone who has become sick needing to wait for up to two and a half hours for an ambulance to arrive. Enough is enough. I call on the Leader to invite the Minister to the House so we can address this serious issue before more fatalities occur.

Photo of Catherine NooneCatherine Noone (Fine Gael)
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I wish to raise the issue of synthetic drugs. An assistant State pathologist recently revealed that they had become strikingly common as the cause of sudden and unexpected deaths throughout the country. A particular synthetic drug, U4, was named by a HSE consultant psychiatrist as the cause of more than 50 deaths since 2015. As a result of this unfortunate phenomenon, it is clear that new measures need to be introduced. Fines, community service and the like are not enough to deter the distributors of these substances.

These forms of drugs are extremely dangerous. We believed that we had solved the problem in 2010 when a list of synthetic drugs was banned under the Criminal Justice (Psychoactive Substances) Act 2010 and the Misuse of Drugs Acts, but they remain a major problem. This is an urgent matter that affects the well-being of Irish society. Increased efforts are urgently needed to stop these drugs getting into the hands of dealers. Furthermore, I am calling for tougher measures to be taken against those convicted of selling and possessing these illegal synthetic drugs. In the context of a related justice debate, will the Leader allow me the opportunity to raise this matter with the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality?

Photo of Trevor Ó ClochartaighTrevor Ó Clochartaigh (Sinn Fein)
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Táim ag ardú ceist inniu atá ardaithe cheana féin againn agus muid ag caint ar chúrsaí coimirce sóisialaí.

One of the greatest misnomers we have in a Government Department is that of the Department of Social Protection, because the last thing it seems to be doing is protecting society. I am quite concerned about the changes that are happening due to the JobPath scheme and the privatisation of that system, which was introduced under a previous Labour Party Minister, something of which it should be ashamed. We are now seeing the implications of the scheme.

I have been contacted by representatives of a scheme in Galway, the Rahoon Family Centre, which is under severe pressure. Over the past 20 years it has employed three CE workers to deliver its programmes to support families in a disadvantaged area in Galway. It has lost the workers because, I believe, the private companies running the JobPath system are hoovering up anybody who may be eligible for a CE scheme. That renders them ineligible to enter CE schemes, which means that CE schemes across the country cannot be resourced in order to carry out the work other Senators have mentioned.

This is a retrograde step. When we raised this matter previously, we were told a review of the scheme was ongoing. I receive calls about schemes in the County Galway area every week where this is becoming a major issue. It is wrong and we need to address it. Therefore, I call for a debate with the Minister for Social Protection to discuss the problems the new JobPath scheme is causing across the country and its privatised nature .

We also need to examine the money that is available to CE schemes from a materials grants point of view. Many schemes have participants, but have no materials grants in order to be able to do the required work. We have been repeatedly told by the Government that the numbers of those unemployed are decreasing. If that is the truth and the figures are not being massaged by job activation schemes, more money should be available in the Department of Social Protection which could be used to provide more materials grants. I would like to discuss the matter when the Minister is available.

Photo of Gabrielle McFaddenGabrielle McFadden (Fine Gael)
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I ask the Leader to request that the Minister of State in the Department of Defence come to the House for a debate. I and other Senators would like to discuss several issues with him, one of which is the very low morale in the Reserve Defence Forces. A committee heard a presentation today and I am quite shocked and horrified at the treatment of our Reserve Defence Forces. The issues include not being paid on time, money being paid weeks later and there being no set date for payment. Some people depend on this money. One cannot tell a bank that a mortgage will be paid in a couple of weeks time when one is paid; one has to have set dates.

Several issues are affecting the Reserve Defence Forces and I would like the Minister to come to the House to debate them. Medals are another issue. Soldiers and their families from Jadotville in the Congo in 1961 should get a medal. I lobbied current and previous Ministers of State on the matter. A citation was given to the soldiers and their families recently, but they should have received individual citations with their names on it rather than a company one. The restoration of technical pay for cooks within the Army is a major issue in my area, Athlone, and I would like the Minister of State to come to the House for statements or a debate.

Photo of Diarmuid WilsonDiarmuid Wilson (Fianna Fail)
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Not only is morale within the Reserve Defence Forces very low, but it is also low within the entire Defence Forces. Perhaps we could have a discussion on the issue another day.

Senator McDowell raised a very important issue in regard to a Bill passed by a previous Seanad, which went to the Dáil, was amended there and is possibly returning to the House next week. Over 80% of the membership of the House is different from when the Bill was passed. It would be appropriate for Standing Orders to be amended to allow the Bill to be discussed by the new Seanad and afford over 80% of the Members who have not had an opportunity to contribute to us to do so. I look forward to a positive response from the Leader in that regard.

I support the comments of Senator Gavan and Senator Landy on Tesco. If what they have outlined to us is going on, it is appalling. It is important that clarity is brought to the situation urgently because if, as Senator Gavan said, over 900 people have already lost their jobs, how many more will lose their jobs or be intimidated into giving them up? I propose that the relevant joint committee invite Tesco before it to ensure clarity can be brought to the situation as a matter of urgency.

I refer to privilege in this House and the Lower House. It should only be used properly, but I would always defend the right of any Member of this House or the Lower House to bring to the attention, in the public interest, a matter they believe to be in the public interest.

Photo of Maria ByrneMaria Byrne (Fine Gael)
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An issue was brought to my attention by a businessman in Limerick, namely, an Aer Lingus advertisement in a local newspaper last week concerning flights between Shannon Airport and America and onward connecting flights. The advertisement referred to Hallowe'en, but when people went to make bookings they could not do so beyond 5 September because there are no connecting flights within the United States after that date. It is a serious issue for business people who are trying to go about their business and need onward connecting flights. The only other option is to fly to Heathrow to avail of onward connecting flights.

Photo of James ReillyJames Reilly (Fine Gael)
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I wish to respond to the leader of the Opposition's earlier comments, which are utter hypocrisy given the performance of her party's leader when he was Minister for Health. He poured billions into creating the HSE, with which we are now stuck and which is not performing.

Photo of Paul CoghlanPaul Coghlan (Fine Gael)
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With respect, her question was to the Leader, who will reply in due course.

Photo of James ReillyJames Reilly (Fine Gael)
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That is fine. Nonetheless, I believe I have an entitlement to comment, just like any other Senator. I could say a lot of things about said party leader when he was Minister, including the large Travers report which was lost behind the back of a radiator, but I will not waste precious time on that.

I stood here two days ago and pointed out that no part of the health service exists in isolation. While we have terrible trouble with waiting times and people on trolleys, that is very much influenced by what happens in primary care. Early diagnosis and intervention and prevention are critical, as is what happens following treatment in terms of facilities for people to go home. Most people want to go home and live in their own homes.

In that context, I raise the need for a day hospital in Swords to serve the people of North County Dublin. The Mater hospital and Beaumont Hospital are large regional hospitals with national and regional specialties and services. Very often, day surgery spaces are taken up by acute admissions from the night before. If Swords had a separate day hospital which was accessible to over 100,000 people and beyond, many of these procedures, such as hernia and gallbladder surgery, cataract removal, plastic surgery, etc. could take place. These are currently being successfully carried out in places like Ennis, Louth County Hospital, Roscommon and Nenagh. I call on the Minister to give consideration to this suggestion and he might come before the House at some point to discuss it.On some of the comments made earlier, in his defence, the Minister is working to fix the problems he has inherited in the health service, many of them due to serious cutbacks. It was Fianna Fáil which when in power started to remove beds from the system and which ran the country over the cliff, with Deputy Micheál Martin as one of the major co-pilots on that flight and descent.

Photo of Robbie GallagherRobbie Gallagher (Fianna Fail)
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The Senator had an opportunity to solve that problem, but he did not take it.

Photo of James ReillyJames Reilly (Fine Gael)
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Indeed, I did, but on the contrary, with very little money, we achieved quite a lot. Nonetheless-----

Photo of Robbie GallagherRobbie Gallagher (Fianna Fail)
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In the Senator's opinion.

Photo of Paul CoghlanPaul Coghlan (Fine Gael)
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The Senator will have to pursue that matter at another time. He cannot pursue it on the Order of Business.

Photo of James ReillyJames Reilly (Fine Gael)
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I will not listen to the Leader of the Opposition or any of her allies-----

Photo of Paul CoghlanPaul Coghlan (Fine Gael)
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The Senator is well over time.

Photo of James ReillyJames Reilly (Fine Gael)
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I may be, for which I apologise-----

Photo of Paul CoghlanPaul Coghlan (Fine Gael)
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The Senator has one minute of injury time.

Photo of James ReillyJames Reilly (Fine Gael)
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-----but there is a solution to the problem which lies in having more day hospitals. One is particularly needed in Swords and Fingal to look after both older and younger people.

Photo of Maire DevineMaire Devine (Sinn Fein)
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It is great to listen to the two architects of the failure of the health service. I wish to speak about the 90% of the 35,000 nurses in the INMO who have voted to take industrial action to begin on 7 March. Perhaps those represented by SIPTU might follow suit. I am surprised that this issue has not been raised on the Order of Business already as it is an overwhelming rejection of the Government's proposals which do not seem to deal with the issue of the retention and recruitment of staff by providing a safe environment for nurses and patients. The Minister for Health refuses to guarantee recruitment and contracts for this year's graduates in nursing and midwifery. A conservative estimate of the number of vacancies is 1,500. Under Governments led by Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael, in the past decade the number of nursing posts has decreased by 5,000. Wards and operating theatres are closed and there are limited numbers of community care places in the day hospitals, which we need, and home care packages. There is 80% public support for industrial action. While the health service is not at breaking point, it is broken. This is about the lack of staffing and safety. It is also about the ability of nurses to deliver on their duty of care. This and previous Governments under Fianna Fáil failed miserably when they prioritised the bankers and speculators and handed over billions of euro to the European Union and others abroad. The Government is also refusing to take the billions of euro in the Apple case, as dictated by the European Union. In what country are we living? Whom do we support? Whom do we protect? Whom do we prioritise? We do not prioritise our own. We prioritise being patted on the head by others in the European Union and abroad and being seen as good children and not upstarts by the masters to whom we express platitudes. There is zero tolerance, on my part anyhow-----

Photo of Paul CoghlanPaul Coghlan (Fine Gael)
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I remind the Senator that the Order of Business is not the time for making Second Stage speeches.

Photo of Maire DevineMaire Devine (Sinn Fein)
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This is about the capacity of the health service which needs resources. The Government and we, as legislators, have a duty to look after and cherish our own people, including patients and those involved in the beleaguered health service that is being driven into the ground. Everybody states day in and day out that he or she is dealing with it and trying to do this, that or the other-----

Photo of Paul CoghlanPaul Coghlan (Fine Gael)
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The Senator has made her point.

Photo of Maire DevineMaire Devine (Sinn Fein)
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A radical approach is needed, but that is not happening. It is the same old same old. We will never get anywhere if we continue in this way.

Photo of Michelle MulherinMichelle Mulherin (Fine Gael)
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I welcome the changes to allow people to voluntarily acquire credits for up to five years to make up any shortfall in calculating their non-contributory old age pension payments. They will allow people to take career breaks and provide flexibility when people decide to leave the workforce for whatever reason. I acknowledge and compliment the changes made in favour of self-employed persons and councillors. We have seen the restoration of payments under the farm assist scheme and for lone parents, particularly single mothers. This is all very good, but a group which needs attention and to be looked after comprises the 22,300 women in receipt of a decreased contributory State pension because they took time out during their working lives to look after their families. They are on a reduced pension because of changes made in 2012. We need to revisit this issue because if the women concerned had worked less in a more compact period of time, they would be in receipt of a larger pension. This is an issue that particularly affects women because there was no such thing as a child care service years ago, other than the help provided by the extended family. Women in many careers, particularly in the public service, had to leave their jobs and are being punished unfairly because of the changes made. In fairness to these women who have worked hard all of their lives and raised their families, we should look at what can be done to accommodate them and not leave them in a situation where, in some cases, because they worked for just a few months, then took a career break and returned to the workforce a number of years later, they are on a decreased pension. If they had never worked at all, they would now be in receipt of a full pension. This is a serious issue. Deputy Leo Varadkar, has been a reforming Minister for Social Protection and I would like him to come to the House for a discussion on this issue to see how we might implement some change to benefit the women concerned. I acknowledge it is the central theme of the Age Action report being launched today. I have made many representations on behalf of the women affected and would like to see changes made.

Photo of Frank FeighanFrank Feighan (Fine Gael)
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These are very difficult times in the health service. I have used six hospitals in the past two months, including Temple Street Hospital for my child, as well as hospitals in Sligo, Roscommon and Galway. Unfortunately, on two occasions ambulances had to be called as advanced paramedics were required to treat my mother and another member of my family. I cannot compliment the staff and hospitals involved highly enough for their professionalism and the urgency shown. Therefore, very good things are happening. I do not think anger will help in sorting out the difficult issues that need to be addressed in the health service. I want to highlight this fact because sometimes we get into blaming everyone. People should be held accountable, but there are excellent things happening in the health service. I say this as somebody who has used it in recent months.

We need to discuss the cost of car insurance. I read today that for a particular young lady aged 34 years, it is cheaper to rent a car for a year than to pay insurance. It costs her €49 a week to rent a car. This indicates that there is something fundamentally wrong. We have spoken about the cost of car insurance for young people. We are not talking in this instance about a young person but a 34 year old professional lady for whom the cost of insurance would be €2,000 or €3,000. It is cheaper for her to rent a car. Fair play to her for showing great initiative, but there is something fundamentally wrong with the insurance industry if this is being allowed to happen. Something must be done about it by the Government, of which I am part.

Photo of Colm BurkeColm Burke (Fine Gael)
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I am amazed by Senator Máire Devine's sudden interest in the health service in view of the fact that it was Sinn Féin and Fianna Fáil which decided to exclude Senators from the committee-----

Photo of Maire DevineMaire Devine (Sinn Fein)
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A sudden interest in the health service - boring.

Photo of Colm BurkeColm Burke (Fine Gael)
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Does the Senator not want to hear the truth?

Photo of Maire DevineMaire Devine (Sinn Fein)
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The Senator has used this one for how many months?

Photo of Jerry ButtimerJerry Buttimer (Fine Gael)
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He is right.

Photo of Colm BurkeColm Burke (Fine Gael)
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Does Senator Máire Devine not want to hear the truth?

Photo of Maire DevineMaire Devine (Sinn Fein)
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Get over it. Build a bridge.

Photo of Colm BurkeColm Burke (Fine Gael)
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The two parties decided to exclude Senators from the Committee on the Future of Healthcare. If we are so interested in planning the future of health care, why did Sinn Féin co-operate with Fianna Fáil in making sure no Senators would be members of the committee?

Photo of Maire DevineMaire Devine (Sinn Fein)
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I have had an interest in the health service for more than 30 years.

Photo of Robbie GallagherRobbie Gallagher (Fianna Fail)
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With respect, Deputy Colm Burke's party did not even want to have a Seanad.

Photo of Frank FeighanFrank Feighan (Fine Gael)
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There is no point arguing on that one.

Photo of Paul CoghlanPaul Coghlan (Fine Gael)
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Order, please.

Photo of Colm BurkeColm Burke (Fine Gael)
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An impression is being created that there are 100,000 people working in the health service who are all sitting around all day doing nothing. Let us be a little realistic. Staff across the board in the health service are working very hard, including nurses, doctors, consultants and management. There are defects in the system which we need to rectify, but, please, stop giving the impression that it is falling asunder. Last year 67,000 babies were born.Were they all born on the side of the road? That is the impression that is now being given. Some 63,000 people a week go through outpatient departments. Some 6,900 people a week have day-care procedures. They are the figures. Some 23,000 a week attend accident and emergency. Let us stop talking as if nothing is happening. There are defects in the system and they need to be resolved but to give the impression that 100,000 people working in the health service are doing nothing-----

Photo of Maire DevineMaire Devine (Sinn Fein)
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Who gave that impression?

Photo of Colm BurkeColm Burke (Fine Gael)
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-----are doing nothing-----

Photo of Maire DevineMaire Devine (Sinn Fein)
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Who exactly gave that impression?

Photo of Paul CoghlanPaul Coghlan (Fine Gael)
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Order please.

Photo of Colm BurkeColm Burke (Fine Gael)
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It is a bit unfair-----

Photo of Maire DevineMaire Devine (Sinn Fein)
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I do not know where the Senator got that from. Is that from the Minister, Deputy Harris?

Photo of Colm BurkeColm Burke (Fine Gael)
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-----to the healthcare workers who are working in this system. If the Senator does not want to hear the truth, that is fine, but this is the truth.

Photo of Paul CoghlanPaul Coghlan (Fine Gael)
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The Senator's time is up.

Photo of Colm BurkeColm Burke (Fine Gael)
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There were 3.2 million attendances in outpatient clinics last year. Go and check the figures and go and see what has been done-----

Photo of Paul CoghlanPaul Coghlan (Fine Gael)
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We cannot rerun yesterday's issues today.

Photo of Colm BurkeColm Burke (Fine Gael)
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-----and go to the frontline with the people working.

Photo of Maire DevineMaire Devine (Sinn Fein)
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I would like to present-----

Photo of Paul CoghlanPaul Coghlan (Fine Gael)
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Order please, Senator.

Photo of Maire DevineMaire Devine (Sinn Fein)
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Was it the Minister, Deputy Harris, that was the source of these?

Photo of Paul CoghlanPaul Coghlan (Fine Gael)
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Order please, Senator Devine.

Photo of Maire DevineMaire Devine (Sinn Fein)
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The people that do not work-----

Photo of Paul CoghlanPaul Coghlan (Fine Gael)
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Senator Devine, I must call on the Leader to respond. I must ask everybody to be patient. Might I say that I think it is rather discourteous that so many people who have addressed the Leader or addressed questions to him to answer are no longer present in the Chamber. I will just make that comment.

Photo of Catherine NooneCatherine Noone (Fine Gael)
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I do not think they should be answered unless they have a sick note.

Photo of Jerry ButtimerJerry Buttimer (Fine Gael)
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I thank the Leas-Chathaoirleach. I thank the 22 Senators for raising a multiplicity of questions and some for raising no questions at all.

I do not want to create a political row with Senator Ardagh, but I did endeavour to work with her yesterday to have the matter she raised on the Order of Business addressed. It is very important that I reiterate again today that the national children's hospital is a flagship project for the Government in office today and for the previous Government.Let us make it quite clear. I said it yesterday but Senator Ardagh chooses not to listen to me for her own reasons and that is fair enough. The Government is committed to the project. The Minister of State, Deputy Byrne, said that in the House.

Photo of Catherine ArdaghCatherine Ardagh (Fianna Fail)
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The Leader did not answer my questions.

Photo of Paul CoghlanPaul Coghlan (Fine Gael)
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We will hear the Leader, without interruption.

Photo of Jerry ButtimerJerry Buttimer (Fine Gael)
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I make the point as somebody who chaired the Joint Committee on Health, who went out with the committee to the site, that we should stop-----

Photo of Catherine ArdaghCatherine Ardagh (Fianna Fail)
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I do not doubt the Leader's commitment, but none of my questions were answered.

Photo of Jerry ButtimerJerry Buttimer (Fine Gael)
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We should stop playing politics with the national children's hospital. I refer in particular to people outside the House who were orchestrating campaigns and trying to create and sow seeds of confusion in the minds of people.

Photo of Catherine ArdaghCatherine Ardagh (Fianna Fail)
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On a point of order, this a matter of public-----

Photo of Paul CoghlanPaul Coghlan (Fine Gael)
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A point of order. I call Senator Ardagh.

Photo of Catherine ArdaghCatherine Ardagh (Fianna Fail)
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This is a matter of public importance. There are simple questions. I do not doubt the Leader's commitment-----

Photo of Paul CoghlanPaul Coghlan (Fine Gael)
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Senator, with respect, that is not a point of order.

Photo of Catherine ArdaghCatherine Ardagh (Fianna Fail)
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-----or any representative's commitment to this project.

Photo of Paul CoghlanPaul Coghlan (Fine Gael)
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With respect, that is not a point of order. I must rule the Senator out of order. I call the Leader, without interruption.

Photo of Jerry ButtimerJerry Buttimer (Fine Gael)
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The Government recognises the importance of the hospital. The Department of Health, the HSE, the children's hospital group and the national paediatric hospital development board are continuing to work to ensure that we deliver a world-class facility which we will all have. I share Senator Ardagh's views that we should have it. As I said yesterday, an evaluation of tenders has taken place. The Minister is bringing a business case to the Government. Let us celebrate when we have it up and running.

I join with Senators Ardagh and Devine, who raised the issue of the Irish Nurses and Midwives Organisation, INMO, and its decision to take industrial action. It is important that we recognise and understand, as Senator Burke and Senator Devine - who I know worked in the health sector - said, that there is an awful lot of activity going on in our health system. There is huge responsibility entrusted in the men and women who are nurses in our hospitals and in particular they have had to endure a torrid time over the past decade. I accept that. It is important to also recognise that recruitment is being carried on as we speak. People are being recruited. There are nearly 1,000 posts filled and we must welcome that. If we need to increase the number of people employed in the health sector in the line of nursing then I will be one who will support and work with Senator Devine to achieve that.

Photo of Maire DevineMaire Devine (Sinn Fein)
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The Leader is very nice.

Photo of Jerry ButtimerJerry Buttimer (Fine Gael)
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The Lansdowne Road agreement oversight group is having a meeting to discuss the situation regarding the industrial actions of the INMO. As Leader of the House, I hope that both sides will re-engage in this issue. We have seen three weeks of discussion and I am led to believe from both sides that significant progress was made in those three weeks of talks. I hope that there will be dialogue and I appeal to all sides to engage in that spirit of dialogue because it is important. All of us in this House understand the role of our nurses and want to work with them in achieving what they want.

Senators Craughwell and Richmond raised the issue of Brexit. I would be happy to advance the case that we have for a Brexit committee of the House through the Committee on Procedure and Privileges. I am sure this proposal would be looked at by the CPP. It is very important to advance that.

Senator Conway-Walsh raised the matter of health. We had this debate yesterday.

Photo of Paul CoghlanPaul Coghlan (Fine Gael)
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We will not rerun that today.

Photo of Jerry ButtimerJerry Buttimer (Fine Gael)
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We will not rerun it again. We have seen the biggest budget increase in the history of the State. Despite what Senator Gallagher may think, when they were in government, Deputy Martin had a budget that was bigger than Senator Reilly's when he was there in the Department. That is the fact. That is not alternative facts or fake news. That is a fact. Deputy Martin ran out of health with two legs as fast as he could go. Fianna Fáil did not go into health, it put former Deputy Mary Harney in it-----

Photo of Paul CoghlanPaul Coghlan (Fine Gael)
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Please, we will not deal with personalities here.

Photo of Jerry ButtimerJerry Buttimer (Fine Gael)
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That was Fianna Fáil's record.

Photo of Robbie GallagherRobbie Gallagher (Fianna Fail)
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With respect, Leader-----

Photo of Jerry ButtimerJerry Buttimer (Fine Gael)
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The other records Fianna Fáil had-----

Photo of Robbie GallagherRobbie Gallagher (Fianna Fail)
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When was the last time the Leader looked in the mirror?

Photo of Jerry ButtimerJerry Buttimer (Fine Gael)
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The other record Fianna Fáil had was that it created the HSE and in doing that, added layers of bureaucracy. We would all like to see the HSE and those charged with running the health service held to account. There is political accountability, as the Senator knows, but there is no accountability for those in the HSE and hospital groups who were issued money through a Vote by the Department to run themselves, and it is about time that they were held to account. We are always held to account as politicians and rightly so. It is about time that those charged with running our health system are held to account.

I am not aware of what the Senator is referring to in his point on the piece of equipment. If he would be happy to give me details, I will pass it on to the Minister, but I have not seen that particular issue raised.

Photo of Rose Conway WalshRose Conway Walsh (Sinn Fein)
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If there was a plan set out as to how-----

Photo of Jerry ButtimerJerry Buttimer (Fine Gael)
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The other point that Senator Burke rightly made is that Fianna Fáil did not allow, in the future health discussion-----

Photo of Paul CoghlanPaul Coghlan (Fine Gael)
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Please, Senator-----

Photo of Jerry ButtimerJerry Buttimer (Fine Gael)
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This is important.

Photo of Paul CoghlanPaul Coghlan (Fine Gael)
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I think the Senator should have-----

Photo of Jerry ButtimerJerry Buttimer (Fine Gael)
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This is about-----

Photo of Paul CoghlanPaul Coghlan (Fine Gael)
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Through the Chair please.

Photo of Jerry ButtimerJerry Buttimer (Fine Gael)
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This is about the importance of this House.

Photo of Paul CoghlanPaul Coghlan (Fine Gael)
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Order for a minute. I think the Leader should, through the Chair-----

Photo of Jerry ButtimerJerry Buttimer (Fine Gael)
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I am replying-----

Photo of Paul CoghlanPaul Coghlan (Fine Gael)
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Rather than address people across the floor-----

(Interruptions).

Photo of Paul CoghlanPaul Coghlan (Fine Gael)
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Hold on. And vice versa.

Photo of Jerry ButtimerJerry Buttimer (Fine Gael)
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The truth does hurt at times. The Members of Sinn Féin come in and they are all for everything and against nothing, yet they were against Senators being put on the health committee.

Photo of Paul GavanPaul Gavan (Sinn Fein)
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We are against the Government.

Photo of Jerry ButtimerJerry Buttimer (Fine Gael)
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Senators Humphreys and Mulherin raised the issue about social protection and the issues around the Department in regard to the Tús scheme, and Senator Ó Clochartaigh raised the issue of placements. A review is being carried out. It is important to recognise the importance of these schemes and the works they do in our communities. If they are not working, then we need to make sure that there is a change and that we can have people in those schemes continue. It is about job activation. Job activation is important. Thankfully, despite what Senator Ó Clochartaigh said, there are more people back at work and people working than there were before.

I want to share the views of Senator O'Donnell on the issue of the students injured in the match yesterday and wish them well, and make an appeal to all involved in sport. Senator O'Donnell raised the issue of the Irish Rugby Football Union, IRFU, and the compulsory use of headgear, particularly for forwards. It is an issue that needs to be looked at. The Joint Committee on Health that I chaired had a huge report on concussion in sport. It is important the sporting organisations, not just the IRFU, are cognisant of the responsibility. I am sure they are aware of that and that they will work on that. I thank the Senator for raising the matter.

Senator Ned O'Sullivan raised no particular question, but referred to the importance of the project in Killarney with the public private partnership with Gleneagle Group and the Institute of Technology, Tralee. I welcome that announcement and look forward to the winning applicant in the new lottery for jarvey licences. I hope the Leas-Chathaoirleach is not one of them or that he has not deviated.

Photo of Paul CoghlanPaul Coghlan (Fine Gael)
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We are not a one-horse town as the Leader knows.

Photo of Jerry ButtimerJerry Buttimer (Fine Gael)
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I know.I think he mentioned the Dow Jones index. Perhaps the O'Sullivan Coghlan jarvey licence index could become the barometer for growth in the country.

Photo of Paul CoghlanPaul Coghlan (Fine Gael)
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Please, Leader.

Photo of Jerry ButtimerJerry Buttimer (Fine Gael)
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I welcome the fact that Ryanair announced flights from Kerry to Berlin. I hope Ryanair will look at expanding into Cork and Shannon and other airports around the country and create more connectivity.

Senator McDowell raised an issue in respect of the Criminal Law (Sexual Offences) Bill for next week. I will be happy to reflect on what the Senator said and to speak to the Clerk, the Cathaoirleach and the Whips about the issue. He raised an important matter. My information is that the Minister and the Government require the Bill to be passed into law as quickly as possible, but I will revert to the House on that.

This will present a problem with the logistics as we have agreed our business at the group meeting so there may be no business for Tuesday next. We may not be sitting next Tuesday because we may not be able to get anybody else at short notice to fill the time that was allocated for the Bill. We will have a conservation later about that matter.

Senator Richmond raised the issue of citizenship. I will be happy to have the Minister for Justice and Equality come to the House to discuss that.

Senators Gavan, Wilson and Landy raised the issue of the Mandate trade union. Senator Landy sent his apologies for not being able to be here, as did Senators Ó Clochartaigh and Craughwell. I have huge empathy with the workers. I am sorry that I could not get to the briefing this morning. I did give Senator Conway-Walsh the note I got in regard to Tesco yesterday. It is important that the rights and entitlements of workers are protected. We have fought hard to have these protections afforded to workers under our law. I hope that Tesco and Mandate will continue to engage in the industrial mechanisms of the State. The latest e-mail from Tesco contains a sign that it is willing to engage. It is important that the Minister is made aware of the matter and I will bring it to her attention again. I urge all sides to participate in talks. It is important that we protect our workers. I go into Tesco in Wilton in Cork late at night and I have got to know some of the staff. As I said to Senator Gavan yesterday, some of them are working for a rate just above the minimum wage. It was mentioned that the rate is €14 an hour. It is important that we protect the rights of staff. Equally it is important that both sides engage meaningfully. I will be happy to invite the Minister to the House to address the issue.

Senators Conway and Wilson raised the issue of privilege. I am not sure if it is through the Office of the Cathaoirleach that the note on privilege will be issued. I will discuss the matter with the Clerk of the Seanad with a view to circulating it. It is important, as Senator Wilson said, that we use privilege wisely and judiciously.

Senator Landy raised the issue of the greyhound industry. I was not aware that the events were cancelled but we have put in a request that a Minister would come to the House to address a Commencement matter on this issue.

I share Senator Gallagher's concern and I offer my sympathies to the relatives of those who were tragically killed and injured in the incident. I will ask the Minister for Health to come to the House in regard to the ambulance service.

Senator Noone raised the matter of the coroner's report on synthetic drugs. We will discuss this matter.

Senators McFadden and Wilson raised the issue of the Defence Forces. The Minister of State, Deputy Kehoe, will be in the House on 9 March. I am aware that Senator McFadden is a member of the committee at which I understand members of the Defence Forces Reserve appeared this morning.

Senator Byrne raised the issue of connectivity in terms of the ability to book beyond 5 September. I suggest she write to the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport, Deputy Ross, on the matter and raise it as a Commencement matter. She could take it up with Aer Lingus. The matter she raised is vital to the regions when one is trying to get connectivity from North America to places beyond Shannon. I think connectivity is important.

Senator Reilly raised the issue of the day hospital in Swords. Again, to be fair to Senator Reilly, despite Senator Gallagher's review of his tenure in the Department of Health, he was the person who started the primary care centres model and asked for it to be rolled out across the country.

Senator Mulherin raised the question of the changes to PRSI. We welcome that and I will ask the Minister for Social Protection, Deputy Varadkar, to come to the House.

Senator Burke raised the matter of health care, which was discussed already. Senator Feighan also raised the matter of health in addition to raising the issue of car insurance. As the Senator will be aware, the Minister of State, Deputy Eoghan Murphy, will issue a report on it.

Photo of Catherine NooneCatherine Noone (Fine Gael)
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On a point of order, I do not know if it is a point of order because I do not think it is ever a point of order. We all have to leave the House on occasion during the Order of Business and not return.

Photo of Paul CoghlanPaul Coghlan (Fine Gael)
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That is not a point of order.

Photo of Catherine NooneCatherine Noone (Fine Gael)
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Please allow me to finish. I ask that the issue be brought to the Committee on Procedure and Privileges because I think the Leader is too decent in certain circumstances where the House clears.

Photo of Paul CoghlanPaul Coghlan (Fine Gael)
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We are not going to have a discussion on this matter.

Photo of Catherine NooneCatherine Noone (Fine Gael)
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It cannot be viewed as a slight if the Leader does not respond to Members if they are not present.

Photo of Paul CoghlanPaul Coghlan (Fine Gael)
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That can be dealt with at another stage. I have already spoken to the Leader about that matter.

Photo of Catherine NooneCatherine Noone (Fine Gael)
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I would like it to be dealt with by the Committee on Procedure and Privileges.

Photo of Paul CoghlanPaul Coghlan (Fine Gael)
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I have already spoken to the Leader about the matter several times.

Photo of Catherine NooneCatherine Noone (Fine Gael)
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I am supporting the Chair.

Order of Business agreed to.