Vol. 201 Thursday, No. 3 25 February 2010 DÍOSPÓIREACHTAÍ PARLAIMINTE PARLIAMENTARY DEBATES SEANAD ÉIREANN TUAIRISC OIFIGIÚIL—Neamhcheartaithe (OFFICIAL REPORT—Unrevised) Thursday, 25 February 2010. Membership of the Government ……………………………137 Business of the Seanad ………………………………137 Order of Business …………………………………138 Horse and Greyhound Racing Fund Regulations 2010: Motion…………………156 Dog Breeding Establishments Bill 2009: Committee Stage (resumed)………………157 Adjournment Matters: Water and Sewerage Schemes …………………………177 Harbourmaster Appointment …………………………179 Special Educational Needs ……………………………181 SEANAD ÉIREANN ———— Déardaoin, 25 Feabhra 2010. Thursday, 25 February 2010. ———— Chuaigh an Cathaoirleach i gceannas ar 10.30 a.m. ———— Paidir. Prayer. ———— Membership of the Government. An Cathaoirleach: I wish to inform the House that I have received correspondence dated 18 February 2010 from the Secretary General to the Government regarding the membership of the Government. The notification will be included in the Official Journal of the House. Business of Seanad. An Cathaoirleach: I have received notice from Senator Denis O’Donovan that, on the motion for the Adjournment of the House today, he proposes to raise the following matter: The need for the Minister for Agriculture and Food to appoint a full time harbourmaster in the port of Castletownbere as a matter of urgency to fill the existing vacancy. I have also received notice from Senator Paschal Donohoe of the following matter: The need for the Minister for Education and Science to provide an update on the redevel- opment of St. Laurence O’Toole’s special school, North Strand, Dublin 1, and a guarantee from him that it will be speedily processed for Department funding. I have also received notice from Senator Cecilia Keaveney of the following matter: The need for the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government to give an update on progressing sewerage schemes in Newtowncunningham, and Moville, County Donegal and the precise reasons for current delays on these vital schemes. I have also received notice from Senator Diarmuid Wilson of the following matter: The need for the Minister for Communications Energy and Natural Resources to make a statement regarding interference with television reception in the villages of Mullagh, Cootehill and Shercock in County Cavan as a result of the erection of telecommunication masts facilitating the Tetra system for emergency services. I regard the matters raised by Senators O’Donovan, Donohoe and Keaveney as suitable for discussion on the Adjournment and they will be taken at the conclusion of business. I regret I have had to rule out of order the matter raised by Senator Wilson as the Minister has no official responsibility in this matter. 137 Order of 25 February 2010. Business Order of Business. Senator Donie Cassidy: The Order of Business is No. 1, motion re Horse and Greyhound Racing Fund Regulations 2010 — back from committee, to be taken without debate at the conclusion of the Order of Business; and No. 2, Dog Breeding Establishments Bill 2010 — Committee Stage, to resume at the conclusion of No. 1 and to adjourn at 1.30 p.m. if not previously concluded. Senator Liam Twomey: As a matter of urgency, the House must debate the banking crisis with the Minister for Finance. To some degree, the Government’s economic policy is unravelling before our eyes, while at the same time taxpayers are committing themselves for unbelievable amounts of money. We have paid €11 billion in direct aid to the banks. We will buy approximately €50 billion worth of junk bonds from the European Central Bank. We have a bank guarantee of €400 billion and we are still at it. The Government is committed to spend- ing billions more and buying stakes in our major banks which, it is clear, are still operating to their own rules, which I would expect them to do to some degree. However, we are investing billions of our children’s future into banks without yet knowing whether it will work. We need to have a serious debate on this issue. We cannot do what the Minister for Finance is doing and state that everything is hunky dory because Europe supports us. Europe does not support us. All Europe supports is that we do not cost it money; it does not give a hoot whether we bankrupt ourselves. We also need a serious debate about what is happening in the public sector. Public sector workers are refusing to answer phones or to take any part in the re-organisation of health or other services. Even if it is only inconveniencing people, we know such inconvenience can be a huge issue for ordinary people seeking social welfare payments or medical cards. In the health services, it has the potential to cost people their lives unless we get it sorted out fairly quickly. Will the Leader call on the Taoiseach to come to the House to discuss this issue before it escalates to a point where it has a detrimental effect on citizens? Yesterday, comments were made on the quality of patient care in the health services. Prior to the most recent general election, the Dáil debated the Medical Practitioners Act which had a section on assuring the competency of doctors. Three years later, that competence assurance programme has not started. Such a programme for doctors, nurses and other professionals in the health service is how we will curb the Michael Nearys of the future. The Minister must do more than legislate; she must ensure these programmes work and get them working immediately. Senator Joe O’Toole: I was disappointed that the Leader did not find time yesterday or today for a debate on banking. Senator Paul Coghlan: Hear, hear. Senator Joe O’Toole: He gave us a very solemn promise on Tuesday—— Senator Donie Cassidy: It was voted down. It was not accepted. Senator Joe O’Toole: From the response we got from the Leader we understood there would be a debate within the next couple of days. Senator Donie Cassidy: No. Senator Joe O’Toole: I still think it is crucial. The Leader himself has been clear on the importance of this debate. I agree with him in regard to the issues we have to consider, includ- 138 Order of 25 February 2010. Business ing the third banking force, our relationship with Europe, the timetable for NAMA and the Government’s best projections for the economy for the rest of this year. I would like to debate the figures in the budget, which appear to be on course at this stage. We need these debates in order that people can express confidence in or criticise what is happening. Given that next week will be three months since the Budget Statement, it would be useful to hold a debate on the budget’s very positive forecasts for Government debt at all levels. Are they still positive? The projections for unemployment were also positive. We need a debate on this matter and banking is a crucial part of it. I support the calls made by Senator Twomey for a debate and I would like one to be arranged for today. I am not proposing an amendment to the Order of Business but the Leader needs to deliver on this immediately. Senator Dominic Hannigan: I wish to raise the issue of student maintenance grants. A number of us met representatives of the Union of Students in Ireland this morning in Buswells Hotel to discuss the impact on students of delays in grant payments. I found out just this week from the Department of Education and Science that in my own county of Meath, 140 students have not yet received their first payment which was due in October. They have had to pay for rent, clothing and food from their own pockets throughout the winter because the Government has dragged its heels. We can rectify the situation by introducing the student support Bill 2008. It has been in existence for two years. I ask the Leader to use his good offices to find out what is happening to that Bill. I welcome the publication by the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Govern- ment, Deputy Gormley, of the heads of a Bill enabling the election of a mayor for Dublin. However, it is clear from his proposals that further scrutiny and improvements are needed before the proposed legislation is passed into law. We could do worse than learn lessons from what has been done in other jurisdictions, such as the mayoralties of New York and London. I saw the benefits a directly elected mayor can bring when London established such an office in 2000. Two years ago, I campaigned with my colleagues from the Labour Party in Dublin South-East on behalf of a former mayor, Ken Livingstone. Although the object of our affection was not successful on that occasion, I have no doubt that when it comes to Dublin’s mayor, we will be successful. In scrutinising the Bill in this House, I want to examine the powers conferred on the mayor and the issue of the discretionary budget, which is necessary. It it is clear from listening to the Minister, Deputy Gormley, that he will not meet his original timetable of holding an election in June. Although he expressed certainty that the election would be held before the end of this year, I doubt he will be able to do so because it is clear from his Government colleagues and senior officials around the capital that many people do not want this legislation and would prefer to see it kicked to touch The Minister needs to push on with his proposals while ensuring real powers are devolved to the mayor. The legislation has the potential to provide excellent news on service delivery for 1 million Dubliners, but improvements are needed before we put it through the Houses.