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Seanad Éireann Vol. 213 Wednesday, No. 2 1 February 2012 DÍOSPÓIREACHTAÍ PARLAIMINTE PARLIAMENTARY DEBATES SEANAD ÉIREANN TUAIRISC OIFIGIÚIL—Neamhcheartaithe (OFFICIAL REPORT—Unrevised) Dé Céadaoin, 1 Feabhra 2012. Business of Seanad ………………………………65 Order of Business …………………………………66 Water Services (Amendment) Bill 2011 [Seanad Bill amended by the Dáil]: Report and Final Stages ……………………………87 Motion for Earlier Signature……………………………115 Local Government Reform: Statements, Questions and Answers ………………116 Renewable Energy: Motion ……………………………134 Adjournment Matters Pupil-Teacher Ratio ………………………………165 Schools Recognition ………………………………167 Crime Prevention ………………………………169 Hospital Services ………………………………171 SEANAD ÉIREANN ———— Dé Céadaoin, 1 Feabhra 2012. Wednesday, 1 February 2012. ———— Chuaigh an Cathaoirleach i gceannas ar 10.30 a.m. ———— Paidir. Prayer. ———— Business of Seanad An Cathaoirleach: I have received notice from Senator John Whelan that, on the motion for the Adjournment of the House today, he proposes to raise the following matter: The need for the Minister for Justice and Equality to clarify the measures he proposes to take to curb the theft of scrap and precious metals across the country. I have also received notice from Senator Darragh O’Brien of the following matter: The need for the Minister for Education and Skills to grant official status to Gaelscoil Ros Eo, Naomh Maur, County Dublin, which has 96 pupils and been in operation for four years. I have also received notice from Senator Fidelma Healy Eames of the following matter: The need for the Minister for Education and Skills, to review the Government position on small rural schools and its impact on education and communities. I have also received notice from Senator David Cullinane of the following matter: The need for the Minister for Health to discuss the impact health funding cuts will have on the delivery of services in Waterford Regional Hospital. I have also received notice from Senator Trevor Ó Clochartaigh of the following matter: Go dtabharfaidh an tAire Sláinte soiléiriú maidir le todhchaí na seirbhísí banaltracht poiblí i gCloch na Rón i gContae na Gaillimhe, i gConamara agus in Árainn tré chéile. I have also received notice from Senator Brian Ó Domhnaill of the following matter: The need for the Minister for Social Protection to immediately reverse the cutbacks to community employment schemes. I have also received notice from Senator Mark Daly of the following matter: The need for the Minister for Social Protection to make a statement on and detail any evaluation carried out by the Government prior to introducing the new redundancy arrange- ments, in particular, the reduction of the employer rebate of statutory redundancy payments. 65 Order of 1 February 2012. Business [An Cathaoirleach.] I regard the matters raised by the Senators as suitable for discussion on the Adjournment. I have selected the matter raised by Senators John Whelan, Darragh O’Brien, Fidelma Healy Eames and David Cullinane and they will be taken at the conclusion of business. The other Senators may give notice on another day of the matters they wish to raise. Order of Business Senator Maurice Cummins: The Order of Business is No. 1, Water Services (Amendment) Bill 2011 [Seanad Bill amended by the Dáil] — Report Stage, to be taken at the conclusion of the Order of Business and conclude not later than 1.15 p.m.; No. 2, motion for earlier signature of the Water Services (Amendment) Bill 2011, to be taken without debate at the conclusion of No. 1; No. 3, statements, questions and answers on local government reform, to be taken at the conclusion of No. 2 and not to exceed one and a half hours, with the contributions of group spokespersons not to exceed five minutes and the contribution of the spokesperson for Sinn Féin not to exceed 2 minutes — Senators are asked to confine themselves to one minute when asking the Minister questions; and No. 21, motion No. 6, Private Members’ business, to com- mence at 5 p.m. and conclude not later than 7 p.m. For the information of the House, I have secured a commitment from the Minister of State with responsibility for European affairs to discuss the EU fiscal treaty next week. At this stage I anticipate it will be the first item, after the Order of Business, on Tuesday. Senator Darragh O’Brien: I thank the Leader for securing a commitment from the Minister of State with responsibility for European affairs, Deputy Lucinda Creighton, on the holding of an important debate. On the proposal concerning Report Stage of the Water Services (Amendment) Bill 2011, will the Leader allow additional time should it be required? The debate is due to conclude at 1.15 p.m. If Members are still offering, will the Leader give a commitment that he will extend the time allowed? I await his response before agreeing to support the Order of Business. As I said, I am pleased the Leader has secured a commitment from the Minister of State with responsibility for European affairs, Deputy Lucinda Creighton, to come to the House next week. I am concerned about a report in the newspapers this morning in which a senior Euro- pean official is quoted as saying, “We drafted the text for the treaty so that he [the Taoiseach] has a chance to avoid a referendum.” That is extremely serious. Senator Michael Mullins: What is the official’s name? Senator Darragh O’Brien: As part of its negotiating position, did the Government request EU partners to water down the treaty in such a fashion that the Irish people would not have a say in what is probably the most important fiscal treaty to be passed since we joined the European Union? What is the Government’s position and does the Taoiseach deny that this is the case? Does the Government deny this report from Europe that “we drafted the text of the treaty so that he has a chance to avoid a referendum”? If that is not a subversion of democracy, I do not know what is. My party is pro-European and on behalf of it I call on the Government to give a commitment that the Irish people will get a say in this new fiscal treaty, which will tie the hands of this country for the next ten or 15 years, in good and bad times. This is one of the most serious departures we have seen. Is it the Government’s negotiating position to say to draftsmen and EU colleagues that it does not want the Irish people to have a say in the treaty and it should be drafted in such a way? Does the Government accept that the treaty was drafted to suit the 66 Order of 1 February 2012. Business Irish Government? Did the Government, and specifically the Taoiseach and Minister of State for European affairs, request specifically that the text be drafted to subvert Irish democracy, in effect? I will ask her next week. This is one of the most serious actions a Government can take. The current Government has a mandate from the people but is afraid to seek another. As I have indicated we will provide time next week in Private Members’ business for a proper debate on smaller rural and minority faith schools. Senator David Norris: Good. Senator Darragh O’Brien: It was very interesting to hear the responses of the Minister for Education and Skills, Deputy Quinn, yesterday. I put Government Members on notice that the Minister has stated he will facilitate a cost review of these schools, taking in 600 schools across the country with 50 or fewer pupils. He will examine where schools can be amalgamated. Senator Mary M. White: Bureaucracy. Senator Darragh O’Brien: Education is not just about cost but about our children and the future of this country. Will the Minister and his officials on Marlborough Street simply examine schools on the basis of cost, efficiency and proximity to other schools? Some 25% of the schools to be affected by the changes brought in by the Government and cuts in education are minority faith schools. Any true republic that does not respect its minorities does not deserve the title of republic. Senator Mary M. White: Hear, hear. Senator Darragh O’Brien: As the Government has not afforded time in this Chamber to discuss education cuts, the Fianna Fáil group will next week move to have a detailed discussion on this. Senator Tom Sheahan: The Senator should make sure to read the treaty. Senator Darragh O’Brien: I am in the middle of it. Senator Ivana Bacik: I am reminded of the Skibbereen Eagle when I hear Senator O’Brien suggest that this treaty, an international agreement among 25 member states in the EU aimed at trying to save the economic system pertaining within the EU, has been drafted to subvert Irish democracy. Senator Darragh O’Brien: No, the Government’s position—— An Cathaoirleach: Senator Bacik, without interruption. Senator Darragh O’Brien: ——was to do everything in its power to ensure there is no referendum. Senator Tom Sheahan: Make sure to read this one. An Cathaoirleach: Senator Bacik, without interruption. Senator Darragh O’Brien: That is what was done. Senator Ivana Bacik: I think—— Senator Darragh O’Brien: The Labour Party used—— 67 Order of 1 February 2012. Business Senator Ivana Bacik: ——we must rein in a sense of our own self-importance in this matter. Senator Darragh O’Brien: What does that mean? Senator Ivana Bacik: It is preposterous to suggest this treaty is being drafted to subvert the Irish people. Senator Darragh O’Brien: So the Senator dismisses that report out of hand. Senator Ivana Bacik: It is a report based on comments from an unnamed senior European official.
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