The Order of Business is No. 1, statements on smarter travel, to be taken at the conclusion of the Order of Business and conclude not later than 1 p.m., with the contributions of group spokespersons not to exceed six minutes and those of all other Senators not to exceed four minutes and the Minister to be called upon to reply to the debate not later than 12.50 p.m.

Following on from a number of requests last week, on 9 October the House will debate the small and medium-sized enterprise, SME, sector with the Minister of State, Deputy Perry, in advance of SME week. The Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation, Deputy Bruton, will attend the House on Tuesday, 6 November for a further debate on jobs and enterprise. Both debates will be important and have been requested by several Members for some time.

The Government parties' pre-election promises on creating employment and the much promoted action plan for jobs are not delivering, leading to disillusionment and a loss of hope among Irish people. The Central Statistic Office, CSO, figures published last week indicated that almost 15% of people are unemployed, including almost 30% of young people in the 20-24 years age group. Almost 60% of the total number have been unemployed for longer than one year. The figures also indicated a 29,500 decrease in labour force numbers in the first six months of this year, which seems to imply that 40,000 people are emigrating annually. Almost 800 Irish people are emigrating every week. This most frightening trend in the figures shows that the Government's much promoted action plan for jobs is a failure. In the January-April period of this year, there was a consistent decline in employment. Between April and June, the decline was significantly worse. I call for an amendment to the Order of Business to require the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation, Deputy Bruton, to attend the Seanad today to tell us why the Action Plan for Jobs is not working and the rate of decline in employment increased in the first six months of this year. I am sure that most Senators will have read that the ESRI published figures showing that 94% of the people who are in receipt of unemployment benefit would be better off in employment, even after taking the costs of child care and travel into account. This puts paid to the notion that people would prefer to be on the dole than at work.

Although the Leader will respond to Senator White's announcement that she will seek to amend the Order of Business, he stated the date on which the Minister would attend the House. It is difficult to take lectures on rising unemployment rates from Fianna Fáil, given what that party did to this country and economy.

That is wearing thin. The Government does not know how to run them either.

On a more conciliatory note, I agree with Senator White's welcome for the ESRI's statistics. They are good to see, as they clarify the misinterpretation of a previous report and confirms what each of us believed, namely, social welfare rates in Ireland are comparable with other European countries' rates and not a disincentive to work.

Will the Leader confirm that the House will debate primary health care on 17 October?

We were to have a Minister of State, Deputy Shortall, in the House on that date. I take the opportunity to express my deep regret at the announcement of her resignation as Minister of State in the Department of Health last night. I respect the former Minister of State's integrity and there is no doubt that she has immense grassroots support within the Labour Party and she represents the values of the party. Within the Labour Party, people appreciated the stance she took on what a Minister, Deputy Varadkar, described as looking like a stroke. That related to the siting of primary health care centres in the Minister for Health's constituency.

The Senator's party backed the Minister, Deputy Reilly. It made its choice.

It is especially disappointing that she cited as a reason for her departure the delay in implementing the promise in the programme for Government for a universal single-tier health service and access to primary health care and medical services based on need rather than income. This is a key commitment and as I noted in a previous comment in the House, it is very important that this Government can deliver on its promise to deliver radical reform of the health care system. That reform was singularly lacking under the 14 previous years of prosperity, when a previous Government presided over a deepening inequality in the health service, particularly with the doomed co-location plans.

Whoever takes on the role of Minister of State in the Department of Health with responsibility for primary health care-----

The Senator might get it herself. She would be very good. I would support it.

The Constitution allows it.

-----will need support across both parties in government.

The person will need the full support of the Minister, Deputy Reilly.

This will ensure we can deliver on this radical and important reform of the health care system. The former Minister of State, Deputy Shortall, is a frequent and welcome visitor to this House. She has put forward very important new proposals on reform of alcohol sales, and there was cross-party support in this House for her proposals on minimum pricing and restrictions on advertising. As she also had such support for her proposals on primary care, she will be sorely missed.

I call Senator Jim D'Arcy.

He will be celebrating Arthur's Day.

I have something to say about that. Senator White referred to jobs. As a Dundalk girl-----

She is a lady.

-----she will be pleased to know that there was an announcement on Tuesday that Radio Systems PetSafe Europe Limited is to locate its European headquarters in the square at Dundalk, with 52 jobs created. There are jobs in Dundalk currently and I know she is glad to hear that.

The real entrepreneurs come from Dundalk.

The clock is ticking.

With regard to Arthur's Day, today is a black day for the Diageo workers in Dundalk who are being kicked out the door. Arthur Guinness would turn in his grave to hear of this. Three years ago, in 2009, a good voluntary redundancy package was offered, with certain workers asked to stay because they were vital to the company. Now, these workers are getting compulsory redundancy, which is not the same as what was offered to the workers who got voluntary redundancy three years ago. They are not getting medical issues looked after like those who took voluntary redundancy. Moreover, the cap for the amount of redundancy is two years pay.

Is there a question for the Leader?

Yes, I want this issue to be raised with the Minister. On Arthur's Day we can think of a worker called Joe, who has worked in the brewery for 35 years and wanted to take early retirement. He is now being shown the door with nothing in comparison to what was offered three years ago. In the early years of the State, Guinness may have had to pay Civil Service wages, and it was a good company with a great relationship with this country. The Diageo corporation, although it has its European headquarters in Dublin, has no Irish person on its board and no interest in the country. Today, Arthur's Day is a fraud and a black day for workers.

A headline today, which is meant to cheer us in some way, indicates that house prices have shown the biggest monthly gain in five years, with hopes of recovery for homeowners. This is nothing of the sort as the increase is 0.5%. This issue should be debated as part of the Leader's preparation for the budget, as it will be the base for the property tax. This must be weighed against people with declines in incomes, and I hope the Government will not be misled by this kind of headline. One must include 80,000 empty houses on ghost estates, with 22% of mortgages in trouble, including 50,000 buy-to-let mortgages. Additionally, house prices have been artificially held up to make banks look better so we do not have to recapitalise them. We need to know the taxable capacity that exists in figuring out the ability to pay the property tax. I ask the Leader to include a discussion of the property tax in his series of pre-budget debates.

I will call for a debate on the issue I raise. I show my support for the former Minister of State, Deputy Shortall, in the principled stand she took on the issue which caused her to tender her resignation.

The Senator should not make a statement but rather address the issue by asking a question of the Leader.

I will ask a question but I would like the Leader to have the background in order that I can do so. Is that in order?

The Senator should be mindful that this House has no role in the appointment of Ministers or Ministers of State.

I am mindful of that fact.

The Senator may ask the Leader for a debate.

Universal health care and the provision of primary health care is a major policy of the Government and the Labour Party, of which I am a proud member. It is vital that such a service is rolled out as part of the programme for Government. After 18 months, the issue has not to date been progressed in any way, causing the resignation of one of my close colleagues. Today I call on the Leader of this House to request the Minister to come to the House to discuss when the primary health care strategy will be rolled out, its timeframe, the methodology behind it and if he will give an assurance that the funding in last year's budget will be used for the purpose of providing primary health care. I respectfully ask that the Leader request the Minister, Deputy Reilly, to come to the House as soon as possible to discuss the matter.

Will the Leader arrange for a debate on the capital assets implementation group and the report that is due? I hope that in advance of the Minister for Education and Skills, Deputy Quinn, coming to the House, we can read and digest the report, given that its findings will be very important to farmers and students, who are afraid it will change the eligibility for college maintenance grants.

Senator Barrett mentioned pre-budget debates and Senator Bacik mentioned the ESRI report today, which criticised the OECD and IMF for misinterpreting data on Irish social welfare rates. As part of our pre-budget debates we should consider our social welfare rates, as there is transparency in the figures. We heard for a long time that unemployed people were better off on the dole than in work but we have always known that 94% of these people are better off in work; that has transpired in today's figures. Only 6% of social welfare recipients are better off not working. This must be a critical part of our pre-budget debate, as the Minister for Social Protection has not ruled out cutting social welfare rates further, despite being challenged by my colleague in the Dáil yesterday.

I wish to address my remarks to Senator White. I always admire her forthrightness and enthusiasm to create-----

It would be more appropriate to direct them to the Leader.

I will do that as well. I very much thank the Leader for arranging for the Minister, Deputy Bruton, and the Minister of State, Deputy Perry, to come to the House in the near future to discuss employment. I have a bit of good news to announce to Senator White. This morning the Minister, Deputy Bruton, announced that the €90 million micro-finance scheme will be open for business from next Monday. Applications from businesses and sole traders across all sectors employing up to ten people who have been refused credit by the banks of up to €25,000 will be accepted and processed. That is obviously very positive news. It is projected that over the next ten years, 7,500 jobs will be created.

Unemployment will increase in the third and fourth quarter of the year.

As we all know, the Government does not create jobs but it creates the environment in which jobs are created. The announcement this morning by the Minister is a very positive move and I look forward to interacting with him next week and discussing all the issues and the difficulties businesses, in particular small businesses, are going through and the pressures small businesses face from operators in the black economy. We have a whole range of issues to discuss next week. I very much welcome the announcement this morning and look forward to much interaction with the Minister next week.

I second the amendment proposed by my colleague, Senator White. I am glad that despite all the turmoil in government, which is a disgrace, she has kept the focus on jobs in this economy because that is the most important issue. It is most unfortunate that the Labour Party, in particular, has taken its eye off that ball. In opposition and in the programme for Government, it proposed a strategic investment bank but nothing has happened in regard to that bank which it promised would create tens of thousands of jobs. Instead it has been caught up in internal disputes and in trying and failing to get its way with Fine Gael.

On a point of order, the Senator is entirely ignoring the many initiatives which the Minister, Deputy Burton, and others have taken.

That is not a point of order.

He is entirely ignoring that facts.

Senator Bacik is a very senior Member of this House and she knows that is not a point of order.

I will take that as a compliment.

That is throwing out a sprat to catch a mackerel.

The Labour Party has this consistent message, and the Minister, Deputy Rabbitte, was at it today, of blaming Fianna Fáil. Does the Minister, Deputy Quinn, ever ask his Minister of State, Deputy Cannon, if he destroyed the economy when he was leader of the Progressive Democrats and in government with Fianna Fáil? It is about time that question was asked because it is constantly being asked of this party. Many of those opposite have connections to Fianna Fáil and the Progressive Democrats and would have backed policies which would have made the situation worse. Many of them backed the policies of the last Government. Unemployment has gone up by 0.5% since the Labour Party came into power. It has done nothing.

We will not take lectures from the Senator on unemployment.

I compliment Senator White on bringing up this issue. I wish the Labour Party well but it is finished.

The Senator would know about that.

I said last week that it had a choice about whether it backed the Minister, Deputy Reilly, or the ordinary people. The Labour Party has made its choice. It has backed the Minister and lost a bad fight. It is a disgrace in government and has failed to live up to its mandate. It is about time it called a halt to this and got real people into government who will do right by the people-----

The Senator will feel better after getting that off his chest.

-----not just for their ideology-----

The Senator should sit down now. He had all that pent up over the summer. The wife was sick listening to him giving out.

There is a lecture in five minutes being run by the Labour Party about the Cuban health service. Senator Landy will probably be late for that if he does not leave. How ironic that is happening today.

I support Senator Barrett’s call that when the Leader is arranging these pre-budget debates, to which we have agreed, he includes one on property values. Perhaps unlike Senator Barrett, I welcome the CSO figure and the increase it showed in August. That was the second month in a row. I fully appreciate it was nothing to write home about but two successive increases may signal that property values have stopped falling. All of that is very important as we face the budget and the introduction of a property tax. I support Senator Barrett’s call that the Leader includes that issue in one of those debates.

It is a pity someone would not call on the Leader to have a debate on political irony having listened to Senator Byrne whose party was part of the last Government which oversaw the destruction of so many jobs about which he now proclaims to be so worried.

I stood before the people on policies which were rejected by the electorate which the Government has now adopted.

It is a pity he was not as worried then as he is now when he supported the last Government in overseeing the destruction of the economy.

I would very much welcome a debate on the achievements of the Government, in particular the Labour Party. Perhaps we will ask the Leader to facilitate such a debate to talk about the signs of recovery in the economy which the Government is overseeing, including the return of confidence, the reduction in interest rates on international lending and several other signs of steady and solid progress. Perhaps Senator Byrne would stop his shroud-waving and celebrating bad news every time an announcement is made.

I am trying to get the focus on employment.

It does not do anything to inspire confidence in our fragile recovery and perhaps he should show a bit of political maturity and responsibility.

If Deputy Shortall does not, how does the Senator expect us to?

Will the Leader find time to debate the report on Injuries Board.ie published yesterday? This House played a very large part in the creation of the personal injuries legislation ten years ago. The figures published yesterday were very interesting and showed that since 2004, there has been a savings of €500 million for citizens. We should be very proud of the role we played in this legislation. I remember former Senator Joe O’Toole was very active in this regard. The reason I mention it is that it is almost ten years since it came into being. The world has changed since then and we need to have another look at it. A debate at this stage would be the correct way to go.

Let me give one example of what the chief executive said yesterday. She said one of the problems it has is the number of ambulance chasers. Another interesting term used was "claims harvesting". This is where people try to find out online where there was an accident in order to encourage people to take cases. The number of claims has not increased but the amounts of the claims has. It is time we looked at this again. It would be very worthwhile to have a debate on Injuries Board.ie to see if we could do something else.

In regard to Senator Barrett’s call and the question of having a pre-budget debate, as promised, the earlier we have that, the better. It does not seem to make sense to wait until the last minute and not to get a chance to have a say on what should go into that budget. In regard to property valuation, whether one is buying or selling a house, an increase in property values is either good news or bad news. Clearly, it is something we should debate and I hope the Leader will be able to find time for one at an early stage so we can include the property tax in it.

To follow up on the events in the past 24 hours, it is important to realise there are more than 100,000 people working in the HSE and the health service and one cannot implement change overnight. It will take time and will be a long drawn out process. I have heard people complain about the lack of change and I have heard people say it is difficult to manage a small company with two or three people; therefore, one can imagine trying to deal with a system in which there are more than 100,000 people employed. Many changes have occurred in the past 12 to 18 months but there are many more changes to be made. The Government will deliver on its universal health care policy and on the roll out of primary care but it will not be done overnight and will take time.

I refer to the insurance issue raised by Senator Quinn. There has been major change in the past ten years but the one area in which there has not been change is medical negligence which is outside the remit of the Personal Injuries Assessment Board.

This area needs to be looked at and we need to set up a system for dealing with it. The Quirke report dealt with compensation by way of instalments, which has been introduced in the UK, an issue at which we need to look. A very sad situation arose recently where the family of a young child aged five or six years received a €5 million award, rightly so. Unfortunately, the problem was that the young person died about four weeks after the award was made. The sad part was that while the claim was pending, there were no additional moneys made available to the parents. That is the reason the issue of instalment payments needs to be looked at, as well as implementation and the Quirke report.

We also need to look at reducing the costs involved in medical negligence, which I think came to over €125 million last year. It is not under the remit of the Personal Injuries Assessment Board but it needs to be looked at. I am not saying the board has the criteria to deal with it but it is an area we need to look at. In fairness, the State Claims Agency, under the management of Ciarán Breen, has done an excellent job in dealing with the area of medical negligence. For example, at one stage, one was treated to the sight of teams of legal people defending claims but that is now down to one legal team. At least, there has been some reduction but much more work needs to be done. It is an area we need to look at and it would be appropriate to have a debate on that issue.

I also support the call for a debate on job creation. I welcome the Leader's response in that regard. Job creation, the correction of our fiscal deficit and a resolution to bank debt are of paramount importance in laying the foundation for the recovery of the economy.

My question to the Leader concerns a different matter. I was reliably informed in July that the report of what the Minister called the expert group, which is dealing with the European Court of Human Rights judgment, was almost ready to report by the end of the month. Subsequently, it was decided that publication would be postponed until the end of September. There seems to be no indication of that happening. I am concerned that this is a ploy whereby this is being delayed until after the referendum on children's rights. It is appalling if that is the case. I genuinely believe the people will see through it and see it for what it is. When we look at the referendum on children's rights, the public will rightly want to know whether it is a referendum to protect all children or whether it only refers to some. In other words, the unborn will not be protected as they have been up to now. If this is the case, it will have an implication for the manner in which people will approach that referendum. We will have the opportunity when the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs comes to the House to take up this issue, along with others. Before we have that debate, it is very important that we know what this expert group is saying. I will conclude by saying that I have criticised this group in the past. There are well known abortion advocates on that expert group.

That is an outrageous statement.

I could name them but I will refrain from doing so.

As their names are on the public record, the Senator has gone a long way in making outrageous statements.

I put it directly to the Minister that when the group was being set up, highly questionable changes were made at the very last minute where two people were added and two removed. I asked the Minister why that was done and he has not given me an answer.

Senator Walsh to continue, without interruption.

In fact, he said he knew nothing about it, which absolutely flabbergasts me.

With all due respect, the Senator is getting as close as possible to naming and referring to two people.

I did not name them.

The Senator is now referring to two people.

On a point of order, there is a rule in this House-----

It is well known because their views on abortion are on the record.

That is unfair. The Senator is out of order.

It has made me and others very suspicious about what this group might come up with.

I am raising a point of order. There is a rule in this House that we do not impugn reputations by name and the Senator has pretty much named the people and made outrageous assertions about people that are utterly unfounded. I ask him to withdraw them.

Senator Walsh is out of order.

I named no one. What I have said is absolutely sound.

If the Senator narrows it down to a group of two or three people, he as good as names them. That is unfair. I have dealt with the matter and we are moving on.

Hear, hear.

That was a very fair ruling by the Leas-Chathaoirleach. I support the sentiments of the Labour Party group leader in this House in respect of her expression of support and solidarity with our colleague, Deputy Róisín Shortall, because she still remains a valued colleague. She is a not a loss to the Department of Health, she is a loss to this country, the health service and the protection of front-line services.

She is a loss to the Labour Party.

I received an invitation in the post this morning to the launch of a book entitled Standing By the Republic. This is exactly what Deputy Shortall did last week in the Dáil when she set out her vision for how health services should be provided in this country with conviction.

Her father was in a Fianna Fáil cumann. She might come back to Fianna Fáil.

Front-line health services, like primary and respite care, home helps and community nursing homes, are the responsibility of the State. The State has a duty of care to its citizens. It is not appropriate that these services are farmed out or privatised. It does not work.

Is the Senator calling for a debate on the issue of primary care? We do not want a debate on the former Minister of State.

I am looking for a debate and thank the Leas-Chathaoirleach for his assistance in that regard. When the Minister for Health was here yesterday - I took note of the time; it was 4.15 p.m. - he said there had been no cuts to home helps or carers. If the Minister is of that view, the Government is totally detached from the reality on the ground because we are inundated with calls from people who are so distressed due to the level of cuts in home helps and carers. We need to resolve this matter.

I do not want to be like a broken gramophone record but I again ask the Leader to invite the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government to the House to discuss what plans, if any, he has for the reform of local government. I do not wish to add to the Minister's current problems in any way but he must come clean at this very late stage about what he envisages as the format and shape of local elections in 2014. Local elections are due in June 2014. In fairness to sitting and aspiring councillors, it is time for people to see exactly what they will be running for and if there is anything to run for. Many of us came from a county council background. I always planned my campaigns for a council election or re-election over 12 months in advance. Parties need to hold conventions to select candidates. What is the reason for the delay? The Minister has equivocated and postponed in respect of this matter. In Monday's edition of the Irish Independent he stated that his plans were due shortly. It was to be Easter, then July and then this September. As the Local Authority Members Association conference is on in Donegal this weekend, perhaps he will come clean there. It is time he came to the House. I am concerned because, clearly, we have seen very serious breaches in Government and the division between the Labour Party and Fine Gael and the division between old Labour and new technocratic Labour. I have a feeling that this is what is going on behind the scenes in respect of the Minister's dilemma. It is quite clear that members of the Labour Party are not satisfied with the abolition of town councils and I agree with them. Clearly, they are holding things up. Sooner or later, one must get off the fence. We in Fianna Fáil were criticised for doing lots of things wrongly but we were not quitters. We did not quit and we went into the last election on foot of the toughest budget in decades and we got well thanked by the people for it - fair play. However, we did not run and we did not wimp out.

The Labour Party needs to realise that it has responsibilities in government. Is it in government for its duration or not? It has a big decision to make but let us not hold up local government reform on account of that.

The Senator's point is well made.

Today is Arthur's Day. I have no doubt about the economic benefit to pubs around the city and country with its arrival on the scene. It is to be welcomed by Guinness because the brand has been somewhat in decline in recent years so it is positive from that perspective. However, I have serious reservations as to whether we needed another day with an excuse to go drinking. It starts at one minute before 6 p.m. Some gong goes off and everybody has to be in the pub and raise their glass to Arthur or Martha or whoever.

However, last year and the year before I witnessed people who were ossified on a Thursday evening when they clearly had work the next day. I wonder if it is really necessary when, on St. Patrick's Day and so many other days we drink to excess. I have seen people behaving in a most inappropriate manner on such days. It would be more our business to come up with other days that could be celebrated in this country without an emphasis on drink.

I agree with Senator Quinn's concern about the injuries board. I have experience of working with the board on a daily basis and when a matter is in any way complicated it tends to be pushed back into the legal process, which I should probably welcome as a lawyer. It is something we could usefully debate in this House, as well as the area of medical negligence raised by Senator Colm Burke. It is a hugely complex area and it would not be a small task for the injuries board to take on that work, but it is something we should perhaps consider.

Much has been said this morning about the health service. The health service is in a state of chaos. I have been speaking to management and front line staff in the HSE, particularly in my county, and they do not know if they can meet the demand from patients or whether they will be obliged to close down services between now and the end of the year. All of that is happening with the cuts being proposed by the Minister for Health. In addition, we have a situation which was described by the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport, Deputy Leo Varadkar, on Sunday night as stroke politics. I heard his comments on the selection process for the primary care centres. That was the lightning rod that culminated in the decision taken last night by the former Minister of State at the Department of Health, Deputy Róisín Shortall. She basically said enough was enough. The Labour Party and Fine Gael made sure that Deputy Shortall's stay in the Department of Health was of short duration.

Is the Senator asking for a debate on the issue?

I call on the Leader to invite the Minister for Health to the House to explain what he is doing-----

He was here yesterday.

-----and to advise us why he was not the person to resign.

The Senator did not bother to come in yesterday.

The wrong Minister resigned. Deputy Róisín Shortall showed great dignity, courage and commitment. She identified the problems, but the Taoiseach and the Tánaiste chose not to stand by her. They should hang their heads in shame.

I have already ruled out a debate on Deputy Róisín Shortall.

It is time for the Minister for Health to come clean and tell the people what he is doing or to step aside and let somebody else who can do the job do it.

The Senator did not bother to come here yesterday.

Words are cheap, but not one person stood by Deputy Shortall. The Senator can say what he wishes.

In the fall-out from the resignation of the Minister of State, Deputy Róisín Shortall, yesterday, I call on the Leader to ensure that her mission to eradicate the misuse of alcohol in this country continues. Yesterday, Senator Mullins asked for a half day debate on this in the House. I strongly support the former Minister of State's stance on this issue. Having travelled the world in the past 40 years to attend numerous events, I have never witnessed in Europe, Africa, Australia, New Zealand or the United States the misuse of alcohol that occurs in Ireland. It is a very sad reflection on the culture in Ireland, whether it is the junior certificate, leaving certificate, St. Patrick's Day, concerts or sports events. Senator Noone has pointed out that today, 27 September, is Arthur's Day. What a poor reflection it is on this country and Guinness to promote the use of alcohol around the world.

A number of days ago I was passing through a third level campus and as I passed a particular building I heard screams and roars from young students at 5 p.m. I found out it was a bar on the campus which the students frequented. Having lived in the United States for almost 20 years I noticed a dramatic change in the use or misuse of alcohol when the legal drinking age was changed from 18 to 21 years of age. There was strict enforcement of identification when one wished to buy alcohol, whether one was 21, 31, 51 or 61 years old, and if one did not have identification, one did not get the alcohol. Now that the Minister of State has resigned her position I call on Members of the Seanad to take a leadership role in debating this and in introducing strict laws and regulation in this country to change the culture in this country to one we are really proud of, our Irish heritage, rather than a drinking culture.

Senator Noone has certainly given great publicity to Arthur's Day. In fact, people might be celebrating tonight the resignation of a great Minister of State, Deputy Róisín Shortall, who led the campaign against excessive drinking.

The Senator should not be provocative.

Is Senator Leyden going to the pub tonight?

It is most regrettable. The former Minister of State was in this House on numerous occasions and amended a Bill in this House at my request. She was dynamic and took on the establishment and the vested interests in the drinking industry. Unfortunately, she has resigned, not on that issue but on another, which I very much regret.

I second Senator Denis Landy's request that the Minister come to the House today to explain the situation with primary care and in the Department of Health-----

On a point of order-----

As I am aware of what the Senator said, there is no need to rise. I will deal with the matter.

There is. I ask him to withdraw what he said.

I am cognisant of the point the Senator is making but-----

Withdraw it from the record, please.

To clarify, the Senator called for a debate and asked that the Minister, Deputy Reilly, come to the House as soon as possible, not today. He did not propose an amendment to the Order of Business.

Having served in the Department of Health for a period, I can tell the House that delegation of responsibility is a problem at all levels in that Department.

Does the Senator have a request for the Leader?

Is he looking for the job?

I wish Deputy Róisín Shortall success. She probably made the right decision to stand down, but it is a loss to the Department and the Oireachtas. I wish her well in her future career as, possibly, leader of the Labour Party.

She is not in it.

She is in the Labour Party. She only resigned the Whip.

Thank you, Senator.

I have not finished.

The Senator's time is up.

I wish to concur with the excellent statement by the acting leader of the Opposition, Senator White. She spoke from knowledge, conviction and experience. I wish the Government would listen to her contribution today. It comes from a very good knowledge of industrial development in this country, in which she has led, while her husband, Padraic, led the IDA during a difficult period. The majority of the announcements made by the Minister, Deputy Richard Bruton, and the IDA were negotiated by Fianna Fáil. That is a fact.

The Senator should mind his knuckles.

It is a delusion.

I join in the tributes to Deputy Róisín Shortall on her resignation. She addressed this House on many occasions and did so with passion, commitment and a knowledge of her brief that was second to none. While she no longer holds a ministerial portfolio I am sure she will have a great deal to say politically as well as interesting comments to make on public health policy. The questions she raised and her statement in the Dáil last Wednesday were fundamental in the context of a health debate. I do not agree with everything she said but the questions she posed about the cost of health provision, medicine, consultants and doctors are central to the debate on health reform and must be answered. It is a debate she had in this House on many occasions and she found huge support among Senators for her views. That debate must continue.

We should reflect on her views on the alcohol strategy, as Senator Coghlan mentioned.

Senator Noone raised the infamous Arthur's Day and I agree with her remarks. It is sad that we as a society, at a time when hundreds of thousands are unemployed, when there is social deprivation and when there are problems with law and order, would deem it worthy to participate in such a so-called celebration as Arthur's Day. I would be much happier if we were having a health day or an education day or an old person's day or drug abuse day and that we would talk about tackling problems rather than celebrating the cause of many of those problems.

I agree with Senator Coghlan and congratulate him on his outstanding contribution, which was insightful, thoughtful and provocative. I also concur with Senator Noone. This country must get real. I will not talk about the Punch and Judy politics we have had over the last half hour because we must get real and talk about the issues that people on the streets are talking about: jobs, the health service, crime and poverty. That is what we must debate and not turn this into a mini version of the Dáil Punch and Judy show.

I wish Deputy Shortall well; I am sorry she has resigned. Our political opponents are not our political enemies, they are people who might have a different view of life. She had a huge amount to offer to public service and political life and will continue to do so. Having engaged with her in this House, I thank her for her commitment and wish her every success in the future.

People are talking about Arthur's Day today but it has been McGuinness week in Donegal from a sporting point of view.

Jimmy is winning matches.

I agree with Senators Coghlan and Bradford on the need for a debate on alcohol abuse. I said on local radio this morning that drinks companies are claiming that without their sponsorship many sports events would not survive but there are many companies outside the drinks trade that would step into the position if they got the chance to sponsor.

There is a definite link between sponsorship of sports by brands of drink and alcohol abuse and the drink companies know that. In France, where the Heineken Cup is as popular as it is here, it is called the H Cup because alcohol sponsorship is banned in France. French rugby is not damaged in any way by not having alcohol companies sponsoring it.

We must go down this road if we are serious about alcohol abuse. We should have a drug abuse day, as Senator Bradford said, or a national day for older people or children. To have almost a national holiday for Arthur's Day links directly to alcohol abuse. If drinks companies can get such advertising, they will and we must control it. Alcohol is a drug, it is not for recreation and we should recognise that. I join the calls to have it debated here and I am sure every Member will have a view on it.

I also share in the tributes to the former Minister of State, Deputy Róisín Shortall. She made some strong and provocative contributions in this House in the time I have been here. It is ironic that she tendered her resignation on the eve of Arthur's Day, as has been noted already. She was very much to the fore in highlighting the serious problems we have with drink. I commend Senators Bradford, Coghlan and Noone for their contributions because alcohol is effectively a national scourge now. It causes the vast majority of anti-social behaviour, crime and domestic violence. It is a serious problem and the Seanad has a role to play in carrying on the legacy of the former Minister of State in ensuring the issue is kept at the top of the political agenda. This House has the scope, time and space to come up with innovate ways of dealing with these problems and I would be an advocate of using the Seanad to do that.

Is the Senator calling for a debate on the issue of alcohol abuse?

I have already suggested earlier this week, and I will suggest it again, that one radical measure we could take would be to increase the legal drinking age from 18 to 21 years of age. It has been done in the United States with some success but it is enforced there. A 50 year old who walks into a bar in the United States is more likely to be asked for ID than not. That is the sort of culture we must embrace in this country. The industry, Government and public must work together to come up with solutions in order that the next generation does not suffer the consequences we are suffering on a daily basis as a result of alcohol abuse. We should have day of discussions where we could bring in some of the expert groups in this area, listen to them and come up with solutions.

I would like to continue in the same vein as my Seanad colleagues, particularly following Senator Bradford's remarks. If Arthur's Day was health day, it would not enjoy the same notoriety. Let us call a spade a spade, alcohol is embedded in our culture; that is the fundamental problem we have never grappled with. I call today for Arthur's Say to sponsor a drugs day and in that show how important the message to "drink responsibly" is. Until we get at the fundamental issue that alcohol is a drug that changes our behaviour, we are missing the point. I agree with Senator Conway, that we should be looking at best practice worldwide to combat alcohol abuse. I see 18 year olds who are looking for their passport the minute they turn 18 in order that they can prove they are 18 to buy a drink. This is what they want; it is the norm in our society. This is what I see among my children's peers. It is fitting to pay tribute to the former Minister of State because she championed the combatting of alcohol abuse and we must continue with her quest, especially when it comes to advertising.

I am saddened to see Deputy Shortall step down in this way, especially as a woman. She was extremely hard working and many tributes have been paid to her work on alcohol abuse today but I also saw the work she did on public health nursing. I am a patron of the ICHN and can tell the House that she gave a voice to people on the front line who had never been acknowledged before. I wish her well.

Like every other Senator, I pay tribute to Deputy Shortall. She was a principled Minister of State and I hope that her resignation does not mean the fine work she was trying to achieve for front-line services will be lost. I was amazed at the weekend to see what was going on in my own town. I spoke to 17 year old girls and I said to them when I was their age, if girls their age drank, they would have a glass of lager. I asked why they would drink what they drink now and they told me they drink shots and naggins, and they made it clear that they do it because everyone else does it.

I also was amazed to see in my own home town that the taking of cocaine just does not appear to be a huge issue for young ones. I saw boys and girls lining up to go into the ladies' toilets. They were lining up, while bringing in their drinks, for cocaine. All these things are happening nationwide and there is almost an acceptance by the youth of today that this constitutes normal behaviour. I greatly regret that Deputy Shortall has resigned her position because she was trying to deal with this issue. I certainly hope whoever takes over the mantle will follow in her footsteps.

I join in expressing the sadness all Members feel about the resignation of her post as Minister of State by Deputy Shortall. In addition, I hope her good work on alcohol abuse is continued by whoever takes over that role. On the subject of alcohol abuse, while I do not know whether one is allowed to mention brand names in this House, I wish Heineken and Guinness were the issue with today's young people. I wish the problem was their over-consumption of pints and not, as my colleague has noted, their consumption of spirits. If I may tell a personal story, one of my daughters had a party recently and she asked me to ensure there were plenty of soft drinks. When I told her that was wonderful and I had not known so many of her friends did not drink - she is in her 20s - she replied the soft drinks were not to drink but to add to the spirits. The bottom line is that Guinness or Heineken are not the problem on the streets of Ireland today. Dare I say the problem is not Heineken, wine or Guinness but Jägerbombs and captain and Coke and because girls today aged 14 and younger are drinking vodka and gin. Consequently, I have a reservation about the way this debate goes.

However, I do not wish to discuss that issue but to ask the Leader to facilitate a more general debate in this House on taxation. One reason Members have been reluctant to tackle the issue of alcohol abuse revolves around excise duties. They have questions to ask themselves. I seek a more reflective debate in this House on taxation. The issue of property taxes has arisen during the week and certain members of the Opposition are of the view there is a massive fortune to be gained from imposing a wealth tax. While the Government is committed to a certain programme in respect of taxation, this House has shown itself capable of great reflection and deep consideration of issues faced by this country. One such issue is the level of taxation that should be levied. An excellent debate took place in the House last night on the sore and core topic of young children in end-of-life cases and the funding of their care. I noted with great sadness that a vast proportion of the funding for the care of such children comes from the charity of Irish people, not from general taxation. This society has issues on which to reflect and I ask that this House so do.

Although we are over time, as he indicated earlier, I will allow Senator Heffernan to speak.

I thank the Leas-Chathaoirleach. It is interesting to hear some of the tributes paid to the former Minister of State, Deputy Shortall, this morning. It is as though the former Minister of State were dead. Deputy Shortall is not going anywhere but will remain a strong, valued and principled member of the Labour Party. I remember Deputy Shortall in opposition, when she opposed strongly the closure of the Combat Poverty Agency.

Members should not be wasting time in this way.

She even hit out at elitism in this House, as she hit out at elitism in society. Deputy Shortall believes in the provision of primary care centres in areas of deprivation and for such centres to be provided in places where they are most needed. This often was not the way business was done in the past with previous Governments, when matters were decided on the basis that so doing would garner a few votes the next time around and so on.

A stroke.

Strokes.

Balbriggan and Swords.

Exactly.

Does Senator Leyden not want the centre for Roscommon?

Senator Heffernan to continue, without interruption.

That is what has disappointed and the apparent pulling of such a stroke may have been the straw that broke the camel's back. I for one agree with the stance taken by Deputy Shortall. She believes in a health service that treats the patient on the basis of his or her health needs and not on the depths of his or her pockets.

The Senator is aware people are only praised when they die or have resigned. One receives no praise when one is alive.

I agree with such a basis. Moreover, I agree with previous speakers, namely, Senators Landy, Whelan and Kelly, as well as with my group leader, Senator Bacik, that the Minister could be invited to this House to participate in a debate and to try to explain to Members the reason it is taking so long to implement what was agreed by both parties in the programme for Government.

Senator White, the acting Leader of the Opposition this morning, raised the question of job creation which remains the number one priority for the Government. As I outlined, both the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation, Deputy Bruton, and the Minister of State at the Department of Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation, Deputy Perry, will be in the House within the next month or so to discuss the issue of job creation and the question of credit for small businesses. As Senator Mullins outlined, a €90 million microfinance scheme was announced this morning by the Minister, Deputy Bruton. Applications will be taken from this morning onwards from businesses and sole traders across all sectors that employ up to ten people and which have been refused credit by the banks, loans of up to €25,000. These applications will be accepted from today. I note the question of finance and credit for small businesses has been raised many times in the House. The Government is acting and will continue to act on job creation. I am sure all Members will welcome the debates when the Minister and the Minister of State appear in the House in early course.

Senator Bacik made reference to the former Minister of State, Deputy Shortall. It is regrettable when any Minister decides to step down from his or her post. The former Minister of State had been scheduled to appear in this House in the next week or two to discuss the issue that has dominated the Order of Business this morning and on which she worked so hard, namely, the misuse of alcohol. I will arrange such a debate but obviously it will not take place within the next week or two. Nevertheless, I will arrange a debate, as has been requested by the vast majority of Members who spoke on the Order of Business today, on the question of the misuse of alcohol. I assure Members the key commitments on primary care, as well as items in respect of alcohol abuse and universal health care, are key commitments in the programme for Government. As I stated in the first week of the Seanad, this is a marathon, not a sprint. People expect things to happen overnight but they simply do not happen that way. The Government will honour the commitments contained in the programme for Government. However, this requires thoughtful consideration and action, which the Government is doing and will continue to do. It will deliver on the commitments that have been mentioned today.

Moreover, another start was made on the reforms in the health system in the House yesterday, when the Minister for Health, Deputy Reilly, was in the Chamber. I think some Members asked that the Minister for Health come into the House without realising he had been here yesterday.

Correct.

The Health Service Executive (Governance) Bill was debated here yesterday, at which point I certainly would have welcomed Senator Ó Domhnaill's input.

Absolutely.

Seemingly, however, he was not aware the Minister was here.

People should have listened to what the Minister said yesterday. The Health Service Executive (Governance) Bill is the beginning of reform within the structure of the health system.

I think he is good.

To coin a Fianna Fáil phrase, a lot done and more to do, as the Minister admitted. He admitted that he had made mistakes and would make mistakes in the future, but he will do his best to reform the broken system we have. That is what we have been elected to do and that is what the Government will do over the five years we will be in government.

Dream on.

There are many dreaming on the Opposition side of the House.

Senator Leyden has been dreaming all his life.

The Leader to reply, without interruption from either side.

Senator Jim D'Arcy spoke about the plight of the Diageo workers in Dundalk, which surprised me because previously Guinness was recognised as one of the best employers in the country. I note the Senator's point in that regard.

Senators Barrett, Paul Coghlan and others asked for a debate on property values which we will try to arrange. A number of senior Ministers will be in the House in coming months and many of the items that have been raised on the Order of Business today and previously can be discussed in those debates.

Senator Reilly spoke about a debate with the Minister for Education and Skills, Deputy Quinn, on the capital assets report. As outlined to the House yesterday, the Minister will be in the House on either 16 or 23 October.

Senator Quinn asked about the report of the Injuries Board. We will certainly try to have a debate on that area.

Senator Colm Burke spoke about medical negligence and the Quirke report which he has outlined on many occasions. I understand he is preparing a Private Members' Bill in that regard.

I can inform Senator Walsh that we will have a full debate on the Thirty-First Amendment to the Constitution (Children) Bill next week. All Stages will be taken over the three days and there will be ample time for the Senator to make any remark he wishes to make in that regard. Calling people abortion advocates is reprehensible and unacceptable.

Senator Bacik knows who they are.

It is unacceptable.

When will we have the report? That was my question to the Leader.

Senator O'Sullivan spoke about the reform of local government. The Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government will come to the House as soon as he is ready.

The Leader is avoiding the question. When will we have the report of the expert group?

The Minister has been in the House on many occasions-----

The Leader is avoiding the question and the Minister is doing likewise.

-----and will come here again in early course to deal with the matter.

The Government is trying to deceive the public.

The Leader to continue without interruption, please.

I believe I have dealt with most of the matters raised.

The Leader has not answered the question about when the expert group will report.

Senator White has proposed an amendment to the Order of Business, "That a debate on the failure of the Action Plan for Jobs to address unemployment be taken today." Is the amendment being pressed?

Yes.

Order of Business agreed to.