Seanad E´Ireann
Total Page:16
File Type:pdf, Size:1020Kb
Vol. 198 Wednesday, No. 7 25 November 2009 DI´OSPO´ IREACHTAI´ PARLAIMINTE PARLIAMENTARY DEBATES SEANAD E´ IREANN TUAIRISC OIFIGIU´ IL—Neamhcheartaithe (OFFICIAL REPORT—Unrevised) Wednesday, 25 November 2009. Election of Member ………………………………531 Business of Seanad ………………………………531 Order of Business …………………………………532 Planning and Development (Amendment) Bill 2009: Committee Stage (resumed)…………552 Business of Seanad ………………………………561 Planning and Development (Amendment) Bill 2009: Committee Stage (resumed)…………562 Business of Seanad ………………………………566 Flooding: Statements ………………………………566 Planning and Development (Amendment) Bill 2009: Committee Stage (resumed)…………574 Flooding: Statements (resumed)……………………………596 Foreshore and Dumping at Sea (Amendment) Bill 2009 Committee and Remaining Stages … … … 616 Planning and Development (Amendment) Bill 2009: Committee Stage (resumed)…………624 Adjournment Matters: World Population Report ……………………………663 Third Level Charges ………………………………665 Social Welfare Benefits ……………………………668 SEANAD ÉIREANN ———— Dé Céadaoin, 25 Samhain 2009. Wednesday, 25 November 2009. ———— Chuaigh an Cathaoirleach i gceannas ar 10.30 a.m. ———— Paidir. Prayer. ———— Election of Member. An Cathaoirleach: I have to announce that the following Member has been elected to fill the casual vacancy in the membership of the Seanad to which the resolution of Seanad Éireann of 30 October 2009 has reference — Administrative Panel, Nominating Bodies Sub-Panel: James Carroll. Senator James Carroll was introduced to the Cathaoirleach and then took his seat. Business of Seanad. An Cathaoirleach: I have notice from Senator Fiona O’Malley that, on the motion for the Adjournment of the House today, she proposes to raise the following matter: The need for the Minister for Foreign Affairs to discuss the UNSPA world population report and his views on the effect the growth in population has on climate change. I have also received notice from Senator Rónán Mullen of the following matter: The need for the Minister for Education and Science to clarify whether a significant portion of the \1,500 student services charge is being used to fund sections of higher education institutes other than student services. I have also received notice from Senator Pearse Doherty of the following matter: The need for the Minister for Social and Family Affairs to reverse the decision to abolish the Christmas bonus. I have also received notice from Senator Dan Boyle of the following matter: The need for the Minister for Finance to make a statement on the actions taken by his Department after the recent severe flooding throughout the country. I have also received notice from Senator Jerry Buttimer of the following matter: The need for the Minister for Finance to make a statement on his plans to alleviate flood- ing, provide compensation for residents and reinstatement of damaged road surfaces, given the deterioration in road conditions due to extensive flooding in Cork city and areas adjacent to metropolitan Cork. 531 Order of 25 November 2009. Business [An Cathaoirleach.] I have also received notice from Senator Fidelma Healy Eames of the following matter: The need for the Minister for Transport to confirm the security of the funding for the western rail corridor and to outline the timeframe for implementation of same. I regard the matters raised as suitable for discussion on the Adjournment. I have selected raised by Senators O’Malley, Mullen and Doherty 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 Donie Cassidy: As Leader, I welcome Senator James Carroll from Monasterboice, County Louth as a Member of this Seanad. He is the first Member of the Oireachtas elected who was born in the 1980s. We welcome this young man to the House today. A UCD law graduate, James has worked in Leinster House with Deputy Margaret Conlon as her parliamentary assistant and has excelled in this area for the past two years. He is a former president of UCD Students Union and a former chairman of Fianna Fáil’s largest cumann in the country, the Kevin Barry Cumann at UCD. He was elected at the last local elections with 1,495 votes on the first count at his first time running at any election for the Drogheda East area in Louth County Council elections. A keen sportsman, James has played Gaelic with Naomh Mairtin in Monasterboice and has represented Ireland as an international pitch and putt player when he played against Holland in October 2008. I look forward to serving with him, him serving the people of his constituency and making contributions. James will be an excellent public representative. The Order of Business is No. 1, Planning and Development (Amendment) Bill 2009 — Committee Stage (Resumed), to be taken at the conclusion of the Order of Business, to adjourn not later than 5 p.m., if not previously concluded, and to resume at the conclusion of No. 3; No. 2, the Private Members’ Bill, Consumer Protection (Gift Vouchers) Bill 2009 — Second Stage, to be taken not earlier then 5 p.m. and to conclude not later than 7 p.m.; and No. 3, Foreshore and Dumping at Sea (Amendment) Bill 2009 — Committee and Remaining Stages, to be taken at the conclusion of No. 2 but not earlier than 7 p.m. It is proposed to make an amendment to the Order of Business as notified to Members to allow statements on the recent flooding to take place between 1.30 p.m. and 2.30 p.m., on which all Senators may speak for not more than five minutes and may share time, by agreement of the House. If need be, on every sitting day I intend to propose to allow one hour for statements, particularly for those colleagues from areas experiencing serious flooding. Right before our eyes, all over the west, in particular, in the south and now in Athlone this morning, there are devastating experiences because of the heavy rains, strong winds and flooding. An Cathaoirleach: As it is a roll-over debate, is the Leader allowing time for the Minister to reply today to queries raised? Senator Donie Cassidy: I would wish the Minister to make a statement for five minutes to allow colleagues time. An Cathaoirleach: Is the Leader allowing time for the Minister to reply to Members? Senator Donie Cassidy: The Minister is to be called on five minutes from the conclusion of statements. 532 Order of 25 November 2009. Business Senator Frances Fitzgerald: I welcome the newest Member of this House, Senator James Carroll. This is a proud and memorable day for James, his family and his supporters as he is elected to the Seanad on the Administrative Panel. On behalf of all in the Fine Gael Seanad group, I extend to him our congratulations and best wishes and hope that he has a worthwhile time in this House in the future. All three events yesterday raise questions about Government leadership, and this is a serious issue. The front pages of the newspapers illustrate in photographs the problem: people whose homes have been destroyed by floods, strikers outside our buildings and the queues going to Newry. There is a link between all three, and that link is about leadership. Let us take them one by one. Let us take the pre-emptive strike yesterday. We hear that the social partners are to have discussions today and I really hope they succeed. We also hear that there is another proposed strike next Thursday. This morning I spoke to a woman whose mother is due to have a serious operation next Thursday but she does not know whether it will go ahead. This is no way for us to be today. That woman should not have to worry about whether her mother will be operated on next Thursday, yet it is an example which shows that the workers who went out yesterday do not trust their interests will be looked after in this national emergency. They do not trust they will be more than a line in the budget. There is a crisis of leadership concern- ing public sector workers and how they feel about the Government. I propose an amendment to the Order of Business that the Seanad discuss the talks and the financial emergency facing the country, as well as the flooding. What do the traffic queues into Newry tell us? They tell us that the Minister for Finance made a mistake on the issue of VAT. Senators: Hear, hear. Senator Frances Fitzgerald: That is certainly one of the things the queues tell us. The Minister announced the VAT rate and has not changed it. We have repeatedly discussed such issues and the need for the economy to be more competitive. The queues are an example of the failure of the Government’s financial and economic policy. I am glad the Minister will attend the House to discuss the flooding, although I would like more time for questions. Many of my colleagues, including Senator Healy Eames from Galway and Senators Buttimer and Bradford from Cork, will speak about the impact of the floods, as well as the response required. An Cathaoirleach: We can deal with that issue later. Senator Frances Fitzgerald: I welcome the fact that we are having a debate, but I want more time for the Minister to answer the many questions that will arise. I hope the Leader can manage to arrange this. The floods show that people will pull together and that communities can work together. Irish people will respond when they are shown leadership, but we need to see leadership on this and the other issues I have raised. Senator Joe O’Toole: I am at one with previous speakers in welcoming Senator James Carroll’s election. However, we would have wished him to be elected through a reformed process, but this is not the time to discuss the issue.