Vol. 700 Wednesday, No. 2 27 January 2010 DÍOSPÓIREACHTAÍ PARLAIMINTE PARLIAMENTARY DEBATES DÁIL ÉIREANN TUAIRISC OIFIGIÚIL—Neamhcheartaithe (OFFICIAL REPORT—Unrevised) Wednesday, 27 January 2010. Leaders’ Questions ……………………………… 343 Business of Dáil: Motion …………………………… 348 Order of Business ……………………………… 348 Death of Former Member: Expressions of Sympathy ………………… 358 Civil Partnership Bill 2009: Second Stage (resumed) …………………… 362 Ceisteanna—Questions Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food Priority Questions …………………………… 380 Other Questions …………………………… 392 Adjournment Debate Matters …………………………… 401 Civil Partnership Bill 2009: Second Stage (resumed) …………………………… 402 Referral to Select Committee ………………………… 428 Industrial Relations (Amendment) Bill 2009 [Seanad]: Second Stage (resumed) ………… 428 Private Members’ Business Severe Weather Emergencies: Motion (resumed) ………………… 435 Adjournment Debate Hospital Services ……………………………… 459 Accident and Emergency Services ……………………… 461 Hospital Visiting Regulations ………………………… 463 Schools Building Projects …………………………… 464 Questions: Written Answers …………………………… 467 DÁIL ÉIREANN ———— Dé Céadaoin, 27 Eanáir 2010. Wednesday, 27 January 2010. ———— Chuaigh an Ceann Comhairle i gceannas ar 10.30 a.m. ———— Paidir. Prayer. ———— Leaders’ Questions. Deputy Enda Kenny: The House should note the passing of Mr. Pádraig MacKernan, an outstanding public official who served his country well in the Department of Foreign Affairs. In the diplomatic service he dealt with issues that are very relevant to the discussions that are going on today. The House should note his contribution to Irish life and public service. The Taoiseach is currently engaged in critical discussions with the British Prime Minister and parties in Northern Ireland in respect of the issues that are outstanding. In many ways these issues go back to the conclusion of the talks at St. Andrews more than three years ago, which were concluded between both governments. Not having had the full imprimatur of all the parties at that time, some outstanding issues remained which are now the subject of today’s discussions in Northern Ireland. Human rights, Irish language legislation, the Parades Com- mission and the devolution of policing are all central to those discussions. Will the Tánaiste convey to the Taoiseach that Fine Gael stands four-square behind the Government’s efforts to have the Good Friday Agreement implemented in full. It is in the interests of every person on this island, irrespective of background, creed or politics, to have an island at peace with itself so that communities can get on with their lives. I say that as Leader of the Opposition and if the people so decide in due course that we should be in Government, that priority will still be the same. We stand four-square behind the efforts of the Taoiseach, the Minister for Foreign Affairs and their officials to see that the Good Friday Agreement is implemented in full. I have received no briefing from any Government officials about the details of the ongoing discussions, but I can well imagine the nature of those talks. I again ask the Tánaiste to convey to the Taoiseach and all the parties in Northern Ireland, ahead of the plenary session at noon, that Fine Gael is serious about our island economy and people being able to compete as a small but central member of an enlarged European Union. This island faces serious economic and social challenges. It also faces challenges as regards our participation in Europe and that of others. In so far as she can, the Tánaiste may wish to provide an update on the discussions up to 5.30 a.m. this morning. The Tánaiste: Sílim go bhfuil an Teach d’aonghuth chun comhbhrón a ghabháil do chlann Phádraig MacKernan. Ar dheis Dé go raibh a anam dílis. I welcome the Leader of the Opposition’s remarks. As he will appreciate, it has been difficult to get a briefing arising from the fact that meetings continued until early this morning. 343 Leaders’ 27 January 2010. Questions [The Tánaiste.] However, the Taoiseach and the British Prime Minister, Mr. Gordon Brown, are continuing meetings today to try to encourage the parties in Northern Ireland to complete the transfer of policing and justice powers. They are trying to finalise the blueprint that would resolve the parades issue as well. Contacts at official and political level have intensified in recent weeks with a view to assisting parties in Northern Ireland to resolve the remaining few issues and advance the full implementation of the Good Friday and St. Andrews agreements. As the Deputy said, these agreements remain the bedrock of peace and stability on these islands. On 1 December 2009, the relevant legislation was passed to devolve the Department of Justice. The First Minister and Deputy First Minister have launched the process of identifying the future Minister for Justice. The significant financial package of £800 million, which was brokered by the Prime Minister, Mr. Gordon Brown, continues to offer a secure basis for completion of the outstanding work. Both Governments remain determined in their ongoing efforts to support the early devolution of policing and justice powers and the wider political process in Northern Ireland. I will have an opportunity to speak to the Taoiseach prior to continuing his talks, and I will brief him on the Deputy’s remarks. Deputy Enda Kenny: If the Taoiseach is short of supplies up there, the Tánaiste can tell him that we can come to his assistance. Deputy John Cregan: Is the Deputy suggesting that he should go up there? Deputy Enda Kenny: The question of the Parades Commission is obviously a sensitive one. There were discussions for years about having that matter taken out of the realm of the police and politics. For all its faults, the commission brought a degree of commonsense and pragma- tism to the parades issue. I hope that whatever compromise is to be arrived at can be reached in that regard. Given the economic challenges our country faces, we should be acutely aware and vigilant about the recruitment drive now going on for dissident republicans. The Tánaiste is well aware of the catastrophic implications of at least three 600-lb. bombs that were placed in various locations in the North. Those plans were disrupted by good contacts between the PSNI and the Garda Síochána. I am happy to agree with the comments that the level of co-operation and intelligence sharing between both police forces is at an all-time high. That is as it should be. With regard to comments made this morning by the Garda Commissioner in respect of Garda facilities, these obviously could be improved. I suggest to the Tánaiste that this matter must be brought to the highest level, not just to Secretary of State level, but to Prime Minister level. This is not an issue with which one can fool around. At a time of economic depression here, where emigration is back on the agenda and hundreds of thousands of young people face unemployment, this country is ripe feeding ground for dissidents who have no other ambition or aim but to disrupt normal life on this island. I offer the Tánaiste and the Government the fullest support possible in dealing with intelligence and vigilance and a diversion from that kind of activity by recruitment into work and through the creation of employment. This is the answer to much of that. I would like the Tánaiste to take seriously the fact that we are acutely aware of just how disruptive this activity is for the reputation of this island, lives on this island and the economic prosperity of all our peoples. It is imperative that recruitment among dissident republicans, which is ongoing as we speak, is thwarted and dealt with in the way it should be by the forces of law and order and by common sense from Government. I would like the Tánaiste to convey this message to the Taoiseach. 344 Leaders’ 27 January 2010. Questions The Tánaiste: In the context of parades, I do not want to make a public comment on matters that have not been brought to finality. However, the art of politics is to obtain compromise and the parties are certainly forthright enough to ensure we can bring matters to finality for the better interests of the people of this island, North and South. As a Border Deputy, I am aware of the issues that arise in the context of dissidents. The Government, the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform and the Garda will continue their resolve, working with the PSNI, to ensure that people are apprehended. The sharing of intelligence has been superb and there is a very close working relationship between the Garda and the PSNI at all levels. We have a Garda Force of 14,5000 which will continue to ensure the issue of dissidents is dealt with. At a political level, I welcome the resolve of all parties to ensure there is no political support for such people. Deputy Eamon Gilmore: I join the Tánaiste and Deputy Kenny in paying tribute to the late Pádraig MacKernan for his outstanding work as Secretary General of the Department of Foreign Affairs and his work as an ambassador and diplomat for this country over many years. I sympathise with his family and friends. Yesterday, we heard the stories of some of the low-paid public servants and about how they are trying to get by following the unfair pay cuts imposed on them by Fianna Fáil and the Green Party in the recent budget. We heard the story, for example, of Mary Duffy who is a clerical officer in the Department of Education and Science in Tullamore. Her husband has lost his job and his jobseeker’s benefit has now run out. We heard how that family is now trying to get by on Mary’s pay of €451 per week and how they had to hand back the key of their house.