Meanwhile back at the Seanad, Week 9

It’s April 1st, and the mood is ugly. Tempers are frayed, unparliamentary language and actions are all the rage. The reason for this? The economy? The political fractiousness of a tired Oireachtas. Not at all. I’d hazard the guess that most just want to get to Easter and have a break. And, for once, I’m in full agreement with them. So what we see is irritation, some attempts to divert issues, a bit of red-baiting and the usual old stuff.

Mind you, one person has a most unusual proposal – entirely suitable for the day that is in it…we’ll come to that in a moment.

Senator Fidelma Healy Eames: This Easter week the Irish Human Rights Commission launched its first report on the disability sector. That report revealed serious gaps in services for 77 profoundly disabled adults in the Pope John Paul II centre in Ballybane, Galway. It took a 2003 RTE report to show that most adults in the centre shared rooms fit for children and that they could not move. This report shows their human rights have been infringed. Why do we continue to treat our weakest so badly when we let the rich walk on water and when our Government decides on behalf of the taxpayer to bail out Anglo Irish Bank and to write off its directors’ debts? There is something seriously immoral at the core of this value system.

One of the main recommendations in the Irish Human Rights Commission report was the need for increased speech and language therapy needed for eating, swallowing and to prevent choking to keep these profoundly disabled adults alive. They get speech and language therapy one day per week. The father of an autistic person in the centre told me at the weekend that he received more speech and language therapy in 1960s Ireland for his stammer.

As a nation, our value system is seriously screwed up. We have got it all wrong. Will the Leader arrange an urgent debate on this Irish Human Rights Commission report? Questions must be answered. Why did the HSE and the Brothers of Charity ignore the needs of these profoundly disabled adults and allow them to live in what their parents call haunting conditions? Why has it taken this report for the HSE to say it will co-operate? What does the word of the HSE mean anyway? It means very little. Last week it moved to cover up my revelation that UCHG did not have the €12 million for cancer drugs. Who is accountable when the Minister for Health and Children will not answer?

Meanwhile back at the bank, the boys continue to play with our nation, thanks to Fianna Fáil and the Green Party. The news is that Anglo Irish Bank has posted the biggest losses in Irish corporate history of €12.7 billion. I have received telephone calls about this and I bet the Leader has too. The citizens want to know why Fianna Fáil and the Green Party are prepared to bring our nation to its knees to save a failed and fraudulent bank in which three investigations are taking place simultaneously into corporate irregularities and criminal activities.

Of equal concern is the fact that Mr. and Mrs. Citizen are owed €2.8 billion by the Quinn group. What is the Quinn group’s obligations to the taxpayer?

An Cathaoirleach: There will be a debate on insurance later.

Senator Fidelma Healy Eames: How will the Government recoup this €2.8 billion?

An Cathaoirleach: The Senator is a minute and a half over time.

Senator Fidelma Healy Eames: Will the Leader ask the Taoiseach to come into the House to lead a debate on morality and the guiding principles of government? Clearly, the Taoiseach had his eyes wide shut. It is time he opened his eyes and answered the people.

An Cathaoirleach: Does the Senator want to be ordered out of the House? It is not appropriate for the leader of a group to carry on like that, not obey the rules of the Chair and make a skit of this. I am disappointed with the leader of a group who does not obey the rules of the House.

Dear oh dear oh dear…

okay… so what of other matters? Say, for example, a voice of sweet reason on the public sector agreement? Like this one…

Senator Joe O’Toole: I notice the media have jumped on the fact the public service pay deal is a bad one and will be rejected by the members. That is the news story of the day and the way it is being played. It is important to recognise that at a time when the economy is on its knees for whatever reason, and we have discussed this many times, and when there is pressure on every public service, there is no possibility of doing what might be described as a good deal. The idea that the unions and social partners could negotiate an increase in salaries at a time when we are cutting back on items such as those Senator Healy Eames mentioned is ludicrous.

As I said in the House, the public sector union leadership was prepared before Christmas to deal with cutbacks in salaries in certain areas and it was prepared to do so again last week. It will be a very difficult deal for public sector unions to sell to their members. I appeal to Members to recognise that this deal was the best that could be done at this time. It creates certainty and the hope is — I am an optimist — that it will bottom out the difficulties for public servants, lead to transformation and build on improved rewards from here on in. That is the basis on which it might or might not be accepted. Journalists have a responsibility to ask questions of all the people involved. For example, if this is rejected, what is the new strategy or where do we go from here? There are serious issues involved. It is a very difficult time to be a trade union leader in the public and private sectors. This is where the difficulty lies.

And then there’s those who would disagree that there is any link, any link at all, between public expenditure and the crisis focused on Anglo Irish Bank (which is interesting because the Sunday Business Post, and even latterly the Irish Times have no such hesitations in making that point).

Senator Niall Ó Brolcháin: I ask the Leader to continue to hold important and welcome debates on banking. I concur with Senator Healy Eames that children with special needs are a priority. As I have stated previously, I am the father of a child with special needs. The Seanad must push the issue of speech and language therapy as far as possible. While I agree with the Senator on the need to prioritise special needs, to suggest that changing policy on Anglo Irish Bank would enhance special needs provision is wrong. One cannot link the two issues.

Senator Nicky McFadden: We want the voices of children with special needs heard.

Senator Niall Ó Brolcháin: The two issues do not need to be brought together.

Senator Fidelma Healy Eames: The issue is one of commitment to investment.

Senator Niall Ó Brolcháin: I ask the Senator to allow me to speak.

An Cathaoirleach: Members may not interrupt other speakers.

Senator Niall Ó Brolcháin: People talk about bondholders as if they are some mythical creatures in other countries. The reality is that some of the largest bondholders in Irish banks are local authorities, credit unions and so forth. Has the House debated who are the bondholders and who would be affected if the Irish banking system were brought down? Does the Fine Gael Party seek to do something completely different from the Government and, if so, what precisely are its plans?

Senator Fidelma Healy Eames: Is the Senator not aware of our plans?

Senator Niall Ó Brolcháin: I have spoken to Fine Gael Party spokespersons on finance as well as some of the party’s Senators and Deputies.

Senator Jerry Buttimer: Does Senator Ó Brolcháin wish to join the party?

Senator Niall Ó Brolcháin: I would like to know what is different about the Fine Gael Party’s plans for the banking system because I am not aware of the difference.

Senator Jerry Buttimer: Our plans are set out in the national recovery plan.

An Cathaoirleach: Senators must not interrupt. Only questions to the Leader are permitted on the Order of Business.

Senator Niall Ó Brolcháin: We must have an honest debate on this issue. Senator O’Toole indicated that we are dealing with the least worst option. If the Fine Gael Party has a magic wand solution for the banking system, I would like to hear what it is because I have not heard it thus far.

Meanwhile an unlikely voice of radicalism is… well, displaying at least some interests in matters further afield…

enator Labhrás Ó Murchú: I return to the issue of Israel’s blockade of Gaza. It is evident that the blockade has produced an unprecedented humanitarian crisis, perhaps the worst since the Israeli occupation began in 1967. Israel is now in contravention of the Geneva Convention. As an occupying force, it is responsible for the welfare of 1.5 Palestinians in Gaza. Although it has indicated it has disengaged from Gaza, it remains in effective control of the area and is, under Article 55 of the Fourth Geneva Convention, still responsible for it.

Israel is also flying in the face of the agreement on movement and access signed in 2005. It is clearly not listening to world opinion, including the views of its close friend and supporter, the United States. If Israel does not respond to the humanitarian crisis, it should be brought before an international tribunal and held responsible for the suffering it is inflicting on women and children in Gaza. If the world does not speak out and demand such a tribunal we, too, will be found wanting at the bar of history when this matter is judged subsequently.

Senator Joe O’Toole: Hear, hear.

Senator Labhrás Ó Murchú: Others who have been criminally responsible for the creation of humanitarian crises have been held accountable before tribunals. I call on Israel to take the action required. Failing that, the House should call on world opinion to ensure Israel is held responsible before a tribunal in the near future.

Ah yes, that unusual proposal I was talking about…

Senator Rónán Mullen: The Minister for Health and Children’s statement that the Government’s cardiovascular policy and implementation plan, which would transform stroke services, will go to Cabinet within a week has been welcomed by the Irish Heart Foundation, among others. Implementation can only be effective if funding is provided. It is said that the death rate from stroke would be reduced by 25% if patients had access to stroke units but only 11 acute hospitals have such units. Thrombolysis, a miraculous treatment which could help 20% of patients, was only provided to 178 acute stroke patients last year. I ask the Leader to arrange a debate with the Minister for Health and Children at the earliest opportunity. Not only do we need a plan, we desperately need to have funding earmarked for its implementation.

11 o’clock

Today, the Policing and Crime Act, which introduces measures aimed at tackling the heinous crime of sex trafficking, enters into force in the United Kingdom. The legislation shifts criminal liability from people who are exploited and does not allow a defence of not knowing that a person was controlled. This provision is much tighter than the provisions of our human trafficking legislation. There is, therefore, a danger that Ireland could become the red light district of western Europe, as people in the North, where the regime is tougher, move South. When Sweden introduced tough laws on trafficking that criminalised the purchasers of sexual services the measures drove trafficking of such persons to other Nordic countries. We need to tighten up our laws. We must decriminalise the sale of sexual services while targeting those who avail of them. The modern day slavery of sex trafficking must be urgently addressed.

No, none of that, though those who have followed Senator Mullen’s career to date will acknowledge that he has campaigned long on that issue. No… it’s more this…

The Constitution provides that the same Dáil shall not continue for a longer period than seven years from the date of its meeting. In light of economic circumstances and the unpopularity of politicians, we should seriously consider extending the lifetime of the current Dáil and Seanad to the full seven year term. In the day that is it, I ask the Leader for a commitment to hold such a debate.

One can imagine two potential responses from those in the chamber that day. One a sort of frozen horror, the other a warm pleasure that they might be expected – in the national interest, of course, to overstay their welcome by some twenty-four months. Until, that is, they parsed his language and realised that here is a man with a sense of humour. A not entirely welcome trait amongst some. Although a few get it…

Senator Terry Leyden: While Senator Mullen’s intervention may have been very appropriate on the day that is in it, I do not think it will become a reality. I appreciate that it would be attractive for everyone.

And then promptly ruin everything, everything I tell you, by the following…

In light of the developments in the banks and in NAMA, can the Leader arrange a debate after Easter on the progress being made with the events taking place in the banks? People are angry about the payment of €1 million in bonuses to three directors of Anglo Irish Bank and the pay increases that were given to the staff of the bank recently. I compliment the incoming chairman of Anglo Irish Banks, Mr. Alan Dukes. To my mind, this is Tallaght 2. I hope he will not be treated as he was treated when he agreed to Tallaght 1, in the national interest, some years ago. I compliment Mr. Dukes. Yesterday, Fine Gael members of a committee attempted to remove him from a list of contributors to a meeting in this House because of the commitment he has made to the people in the national interest. I commend him on that.

Senator Paschal Donohoe: That is outrageous.

Senator Terry Leyden: I want to say, in relation to the investors in the——

Senator Paschal Donohoe: Was the Senator at the meeting?

An Cathaoirleach: Senator Leyden should put questions to the Leader.

Senator Terry Leyden: I would like the people who actually have their deposits in Anglo Irish Bank to come forward. Credit unions and charitable organisations have all their money in the bank. If Fine Gael and the Labour Party have their way, it will be abolished. There would be losses right throughout the country. I would like people to say they have invested their money in Anglo Irish Bank.

Senator Fidelma Healy Eames: What about the nation?

Senator Terry Leyden: The Government is protecting interests throughout the length and breadth of Ireland.

Senator Jerry Buttimer: It is looking after its pals

Senator Terry Leyden: Furthermore, I want NAMA to sell off the assets as quickly as possible.

Senator Fidelma Healy Eames: To whom?

Senator Terry Leyden: It should place advertisements for the sale of apartments in Dublin that can be bought up at this stage. People are willing to buy those apartments.

Senator Fidelma Healy Eames: Where will they get the money?

Senator Terry Leyden: They should be put on the market as soon as possible so that people have an opportunity to buy back their own assets at this stage.

Senator David Norris: It is clear from what Senator Leyden has said that we are indeed celebrating 1 April here today.

Senator Alex White: Every day is 1 April for Senator Leyden.

Hmmm… now that’s just cruel.

On a more serious note, I’m not often in agreement with Senator Fidelma Healy Eames, but…

Senator Paul Bradford: I support my colleagues who have called for the debate on social partnership and, more importantly, the pay agreement to be conducted in a mature and sensible manner. We all recognise that the background to the discussions and the arrangements we hope will be put in place is that the country is financially broke — there is no money.

Senator Fidelma Healy Eames: There is money for Anglo Irish Bank.

There sure is.

An Cathaoirleach: The time allowed for the Order of Business is almost up, but three Members still wish to contribute. I call Senator Carty.

Senator John Carty: I support Senator Mooney in his call that the Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism, Deputy Hanafin, be asked to attend the House. Tourism is of vital importance, as Senator Mooney rightly pointed out, particularly to my county of Mayo. I congratulate the Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism, Deputy Hanafin, on her appointment. I also commend the director of the National Museum, Pat Wallace, and his staff for allowing the Cross of Cong to be exhibited in Turlough House for a year, because that too is of great benefit to my county. The cross is returning to its native place for the first time in more than 170 years.

Senator Terry Leyden: It was made in Roscommon.

Senator John Carty: Mayo has the credit for it. I ask the Senator to appreciate that. It was not called after any place in Roscommon.

Senator Camillus Glynn: It is an April fool’s joke.

Is it, is it really?

Meanwhile, what of this for inept red-baiting?

Senator Ivor Callely: I listened with interest to the comments of Senators on Anglo Irish Bank, in particular those of my good friend and colleague, Senator Alex White. It is great to be able to pose retrospective questions as we know now where we are. I am curious to know whether the approach advocated by Senator White is Labour Party policy. Is he saying the State has the right to investigate and invade an operation that was solely private at the time?

Now, to most of us on the left  (and even on the centre and right) I suspect that would be a most uncontroversial contention… but…

Senator Alex White: Yes.

Senator Ivor Callely: We know it has since been nationalised by the State.

Senator Alex White: The answer is “Yes”.

Senator Ivor Callely: It would be welcome if the Senator could clarify whether the Labour Party has such policies on private industry.

An Cathaoirleach: Senator Callely should ask a question of the Leader rather than concerning himself with the Opposition parties.

Senator Alex White: I would be delighted to do so.

Senator Ivor Callely: I do not know whether such policies are socialist, communist or otherwise.

Senator Alex White: I would relish the opportunity.

Senator Ivor Callely: I am aware that the Minister for Finance and the Taoiseach have said they are appalled by what they have found. They have made it clear that the regulatory system which was in place failed.

Senator Fidelma Healy Eames: Eyes wide shut.

Is the good Senator Callely now suggesting that ‘light-touch’ regulation has failed and instead capitalism should have ‘no-touch’ regulation. I think we should be told.

And with that we leave the chamber for a week or two. They’ll be back. No doubt about that…