We use Google Analytics to see which pages are read and how the site is used, so we know what to improve. This only runs if you accept. See our privacy notice for details.

Seanad
‹ Order of Business

Leader’s replies to Senators’ matters

Summary

The Leader responds to Senators’ requests on the Public Accounts Committee, children’s rights, mental health, CCTV licensing and the Portarlington factory, while directing Senators to forthcoming debates or relevant authorities. The exchange includes interruptions over whether the Committee meeting should be treated as a matter of public interest.

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

Comment on this

It is a matter of public interest.

Comment on this

The Senator should let me finish and I will reply.

Comment on this

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

Comment on this
Paddy Burke An Cathaoirleach Fine Gael

The Leader, without interruption.

Comment on this

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

Comment on this

The Leader should have the manners to answer the question.

Comment on this
Paddy Burke An Cathaoirleach Fine Gael

The Leader, without interruption.

Comment on this

Let the Leader reply - "chillax".

Comment on this

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

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

Comment on this

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

Comment on this

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

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

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

Comment on this

That is very positive.

Comment on this

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Comment on this