Vol. 199 Friday, No. 10 18 December 2009 DI´OSPO´ IREACHTAI´ PARLAIMINTE PARLIAMENTARY DEBATES SEANAD E´ IREANN TUAIRISC OIFIGIU´ IL—Neamhcheartaithe (OFFICIAL REPORT—Unrevised) Friday, 18 December 2009. Business of Seanad ………………………………735 Order of Business …………………………………735 Houses of the Oireachtas Commission (Amendment) Bill 2009 [Seanad Bill amended by the Da´il]: Report and Final Stages ………………………………750 Houses of the Oireachtas Commission (Amendment) Bill 2009: Motion for Earlier Signature … … 751 Companies (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2009 [Seanad Bill amended by the Da´il]: Report and Final Stages 751 Financial Emergency Measures in the Public Interest (No. 2) Bill 2009: Committee Stage … … … 756 Business of Seanad ………………………………769 Financial Emergency Measures in the Public Interest (No. 2) Bill 2009: Committee Stage (resumed) … 769 Business of Seanad ………………………………775 Financial Emergency Measures in the Public Interest (No. 2) Bill 2009: Report and Final Stages ……………………………775 Motion for Earlier Signature……………………………781 Adjournment Matters: National Monuments ………………………………782 Garda Stations ………………………………784 SEANAD ÉIREANN ———— Dé hAoine, 18 Nollaig 2009. Friday, 18 December 2009. ———— Chuaigh an Cathaoirleach i gceannas ar 10.30 a.m. ———— Paidir. Prayer. ———— Business of Seanad. An Cathaoirleach: I have notice from Senator John Paul Phelan that, on the motion for the Adjournment of the House today, he proposes to raise the following matter: The need for the Minister for Finance to outline the plan of works of the Office of Public Works for restoring and conserving Knockroe passage tomb, Tullahought, County Kilkenny. I have also received notice from Senator Paschal Donohoe of the following matter: The need for the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform to give an update on the future of Fitzgibbon Street Garda station and a guarantee that it will remain a fully oper- ational and resourced station. I regard the matters raised by the Senators as suitable for discussion on the Adjournment and they will be taken at the conclusion of business. Order of Business. Senator Donie Cassidy: The Order of Business is No. 1, Houses of the Oireachtas Com- mission (Amendment) Bill 2009 [Seanad Bill amended by the Dáil] — Report Stage, to be taken at the conclusion of the Order of Business; No. 2, earlier signature motion on the Houses of the Oireachtas Commission (Amendment) Bill 2009, to be taken without debate at the conclusion of No. 1; No. 3, Companies (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2009 [Seanad Bill amended by the Dáil] — Report Stage, to be taken at the conclusion of No. 2; No. 4, Financial Emergency Measures in the Public Interest (No. 2) Bill 2009 — Committee and Remaining Stages, to be taken on the conclusion of No. 3; and No. 5, earlier signature motion on the Financial Emergency Measures in the Public Interest (No. 2) Bill 2009, to be taken without debate at the conclusion of No. 4. There will be a sos from 1.30 p.m. to 2.30 p.m. Senator Frances Fitzgerald: I welcome the Bishop of Kerry dissociating himself from the remarks made by the parish priest. In view of the isolation felt by the victim of the sexual assault, I welcome that statement. I reiterate my call for the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform to examine what happened in the courthouse and the recent report of the Rape Crisis Network on the isolation of victims in sexual assault cases. Lessons have still to be learned and work remains to be done in this area. 735 Order of 18 December 2009. Business [Senator Frances Fitzgerald.] This is the last sitting of the House in 2009 and what a year it has been. The faith, trust and confidence of the people in key institutions — the banks, the church and the political system — have been shattered. The year began with the banks being bailed out at a cost of billions of euros and it is closing with the cruellest budget which will take money from the most vulnerable. Approximately \8 a week will be taken from carers and the blind, while child benefit will be slashed. It has been a year of huge contrasts and in the year ahead people will look for reform of our institutions. They will want to be inspired this is happening because they have lost faith, partic- ularly those on the dole who face a bleak new year. The challenge for us, as politicians, is to foster reform of our institutions in the year head in order that people will have faith in politics again. That means reform in how we do our business, how we deal with expenses, the number of sitting days and accountability. The Government parties must treat the Houses of the Oireachtas with respect and introduce appropriate legislation in a quick and timely manner. We must have discussion on the issues of the day in a timely manner. The cutting of allowances will be a bitter pill to swallow when the people see \6 billion or more going to Anglo Irish Bank, which is a reflection on the Government’s policy. I thank the Cathaoirleach for his work this year. I also thank the Clerk, the Clerk Assistant and all the staff in the Seanad, the Captain of the Guard, the Superintendent and the ushers who facilitate us in doing our work. In particular, I thank Mr. Jimmy Walsh of The Irish Times who reports on the work of the House. I would also like to remember the families of the late Senators Tony Kett and Peter Callanan. I wish all Senators a happy Christmas and new year. Senator Feargal Quinn: This is one of the few days in the year on which we do not call for an urgent debate on a particular topic. I remind Members, in the context of the criticism we have heard in the past year which may weaken our resolve, of what we can achieve in the House. We are listened to and have the power to influence issues. Yesterday a number of Members related a coherent expression of concern about the failure to open a road until after Christmas and the Minister listened. The road will open on Monday. During the year a number of Members expressed concern about the funding of Protestant schools. The Minister for Edu- cation and Science said yesterday he would reconsider the issue and thinks he will find a solution. The Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism addressed my concerns and those of Senator Ross about the number of restaurants that did not open on a Sunday because staff had to be paid double time. The Minister said yesterday that matter would have to be reconsidered. This is a reminder that we have power and can influence issues and that we do not only pass legislation. We can do things that are not always recognised. An issue was also raised yesterday about the leaving certificate applied and I hope the Minister for Education and Science will be influenced to do something about it shortly. I was concerned about the comments of two union leaders in the past few weeks. One union leader said we should shut up, while another said yesterday it was the unions’ policy to try to take out the Government. That is not democracy. Arthur Scargill made the same comments 20 years ago and decided to get involved in politics. However, he destroyed the coal industry. In this season of goodwill, I express my appreciation to the Cathaoirleach, the staff of the House, the ushers, the Captain of the Guard and all those who supported us during the year and thank them for their support. This is the 100th day on which we have met this year. I am not sure if this figure has been achieved previously, but it is a reminder that we have responsibility. I thank those who have helped us in the past year. We should use the next few weeks to revitalise ourselves to come back with enthusiasm and, more than anything else, confidence. If there is anything lacking in the country in the past year, 736 Order of 18 December 2009. Business it is confidence in ourselves. I am reminded of the quote: “Whether you believe you can or whether you believe you can’t, you’re right”. There is a danger that we are beginning to believe we cannot. Let us get back to saying, “Yes we can,” like Barack Obama. Let us make sure the next 12 months can prove that we can. Senator Alex White: I very much hope we can, but it is not clear that we can. The coming year will tell a story. We have come to the end of a long and difficult year for many, although it was not as difficult for those of us who are privileged to have jobs and an opportunity to express our views in this Chamber and have them reported. We should remind ourselves from time to time that we live in a cocoon in the context of the struggles faced by many coming up to Christmas and the new year. We must be realistic about what we do in the House because we are dealing with people’s lives. We have debated the budget in the past few weeks and the debate is over, apart from one measure to be taken this afternoon and the finance Bill in the new year. I concede that there was no choice but to take action. However, there were choices about what action could be taken and the wrong ones were made by the Government. GDP and GNP statistics were published earlier. There is minor hope in GDP increasing by 0.3%, but most accept GNP is the more reliable measure of our prosperity and, unfortunately, it has reduced by 1.4%.